bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The astrocyte α1-adrenoreceptor is a key component of the neuromodulatory system in mouse visual cortex
Authors: Wahis Jérôme , Akkaya Cansu , Kirunda Andre M. , Mak Aline , Zeise Karen , Verhaert Jens , Gasparyan Hayk , Hovhannisyan Sargis , Holt Matthew G.
Published: May 2023

Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is known to modulate many physiological functions and behaviors. In this study, we tested to what extent astrocytes, a type of glial cell, participate in noradrenergic signaling in mouse primary visual cortex (V1). Astrocytes are essential partners of neurons in the central nervous system. They are central to brain homeostasis, but also dynamically regulate neuronal activity, notably by relaying and regulating neuromodulator signaling. Indeed, astrocytes express receptors for multiple neuromodulators, including noradrenaline, but the extent to which astrocytes are involved in noradrenergic signaling remains unclear. To test whether astrocytes are involved in noradrenergic neuromodulation in mice, we knocked down the major noradrenaline receptor in astrocytes, the α1A- adrenoreceptor. Using this model, we found that the α1A-adrenoreceptor is involved in triggering intracellular calcium transients in astrocytes, which are generally thought to underlie astrocyte function. To test if impaired α1A-adrenoreceptor signaling in astrocytes affected the function of neuronal circuits in V1, we used electrophysiological measurements and found that noradrenergic signaling through astrocyte α1A-adrenoreceptor controls the basal level of inhibition and regulates plasticity in V1 by potentiating synaptic responses in circuits involved in visual information processing.

MAIN POINTS

The α1A-adrenoreceptor (α1A-NAR) is the major α1-NAR in primary visual cortex (V1)

α1A-NAR signaling triggers astrocyte Ca2+responses in V1.

Astrocyte α1A-NARs play a key role in regulating basal inhibitory transmission and are crucial for LTP induction in V1
Spatial transcriptomic analysis of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the human brain
Authors: Simard Sophie , Rahimian Reza , Davoli Maria Antonietta , Théberge Stéphanie , Matosin Natalie , Turecki Gustavo , Nagy Corina , Mechawar Naguib
Published: May 2023

Using spatial transcriptomics and FISH, we detected very few cells expressing neural stem cell- and proliferation-specific genes in the human dentate gyrus (DG) from childhood to middle age. However, we observed at all ages a significant number of DG cells expressing the immature neuronal markerDCX. Across ages, the majority of these cells displayed an inhibitory phenotype, while the remainder were non-committed or excitatory in nature.
NFAT signaling is indispensable for persistent memory responses of MCMV-specific CD8+T cells
Authors: Zeeshan Chaudhry M. , Borkner Lisa , Berberich-Siebelt Friederike , Cicin-Sain Luka
Published: May 2023

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) induces a unique T-cell response, where antigen-specific populations do not contract, but rather inflate during viral latency. It has been proposed that subclinical episodes of virus reactivation feed the inflation of CMV-specific memory cells by intermittently engaging T-cell receptors (TCRs), but evidence of TCR engagement has remained lacking. Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a family of transcription factors, where NFATc1 and NFATc2 signal downstream of TCR in mature T lymphocytes. We show selective impacts of NFATc1 and/or NFATc2 genetic ablations on the long-term inflation of MCMV-specific CD8 T-cell responses despite largely maintained responses to acute infection. NFATc1 ablation elicited robust phenotypes in isolation, but the strongest effects were observed when both NFAT genes were missing. CMV control was impaired only when both NFATs were deleted in CD8 T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy of immunodeficient mice. Transcriptome analyses revealed that T-cell intrinsic NFAT is not necessary for CD8 T-cell priming, but rather for their maturation towards effector-memory and in particular the effector cells, which dominate the pool of inflationary cells.
Navigating sex and sex roles: deciphering sex-biased gene expression in a species with sex-role reversal (Syngnathus typhle)
Authors: Pappert Freya A. , Dubin Arseny , Torres Guillermo , Roth Olivia
Published: May 2023

Sexual dimorphism, the divergence in morphological traits between males and females of the same species, is often accompanied by sex-biased gene expression. However, the majority of research has focused on species with conventional sex roles, where females have the highest energy burden with both egg production and parental care, neglecting the diversity of reproductive roles found in nature. We investigated sex-biased gene expression in the broadnosed pipefish (Syngnathus typhle), a sex-role reversed species with male pregnancy, allowing us to separate these two female traits. Employing RNA sequencing, we examined gene expression across organs (brain, head kidney, gonads) at various life stages, encompassing differences in age, sex, and reproductive status. While some gene groups were more strongly associated with sex roles, such as stress resistance and immune defence, others were driven by biological sex, such as energy and lipid storage regulation in an organ- and age-specific manner. By investigating how genes regulate and are regulated by changing reproductive roles and resource allocation in a model system with unconventional life-history strategy, we aim to enhance our understanding of the importance of sex and sex role in regulating gene expression patterns, broadening the scope of this discussion to encompass a wide range of organisms.
Habitat fragmentation selects for low dispersal in an ant species
Authors: Finand Basile , Loeuille Nicolas , Bocquet Céline , Fédérici Pierre , Ledamoisel Joséphine , Monnin Thibaud
Published: May 2023

Increased habitat fragmentation is one of the major global changes affecting biodiversity. It is characterised by a decrease in habitat availability and by an increase in the isolation of suitable habitat patches. The dispersal capacities of species may evolve in response to increased habitat fragmentation. Spatial heterogeneities and/or costs of dispersal, which are directly linked to habitat fragmentation, tend to select for lower dispersal abilities. We studied the effects of habitat fragmentation on dispersal using an ant species that exhibits a marked dispersal polymorphism.Myrmecina graminicolaproduces winged queens dispersing by flight over long distances, or apterous queens dispersing on foot over short distances. We sampled queens in 24 forests around Paris and 25 parks within Paris, representing varied levels of habitat fragmentation and habitat size. We identified the queen morphotypes in each environment and used it as a proxy of dispersal. Winged queens predominated in both environments. However, apterous queens were comparatively more common in parks than in forests, suggesting that high fragmentation counterselects dispersal in this species. We argue that this is because dispersing within urban environments is very costly and discuss the factors favouring each queen morph or resulting in their co-occurrence (maintenance of polymorphism).
The adaptive stochasticity hypothesis: modelling equifinality, multifinality and adaptation to adversity
Authors: Carozza Sofia , Akarca Danyal , Astle Duncan
Published: May 2023

Neural phenotypes are the result of probabilistic developmental processes. This means that stochasticity is an intrinsic aspect of the brain as it self-organizes over a protracted period. In other words, while both genomic and environmental factors shape the developing nervous system, another significant—though often neglected—contributor is the randomness introduced by probability distributions. Using generative modelling of brain networks, we provide a framework for probing the contribution of stochasticity to neurodevelopmental diversity. To mimic the prenatal scaffold of brain structure set by activity-independent mechanisms, we start our simulations from the medio-posterior neonatal rich-club (Developing Human Connectome Project;dHCP, n= 630). From this initial starting point, models implementing Hebbian-like wiring processes generate variable yet consistently plausible brain network topologies. By analyzing repeated runs of the generative process (> 107simulations), we identify critical determinants and effects of stochasticity. Namely, we find that stochastic variation has a greater impact on brain organization when networks develop under weaker constraints. This heightened stochasticity makes brain networks more robust to random and targeted attacks, but more often results in non-normative phenotypic outcomes. To test our framework empirically, we evaluated whether stochasticity varies according to the experience of early-life deprivation using a cohort of neurodiverse children (Centre for Attention, Learning and Memory;CALM n= 357). We show that low socioeconomic status predicts more stochastic brain wiring. We conclude that stochasticity may be an unappreciated contributor to relevant developmental outcomes, and make specific predictions for future research.
Tet Controls Axon Guidance in Early Brain Development through Glutamatergic Signaling
Authors: Tran Hiep , Le Le , Singh Badri Nath , Kramer Joseph , Steward Ruth
Published: May 2023

Mutations in human TET proteins have been found in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we report a new function of Tet in regulatingDrosophilaearly brain development. We found that mutation in the Tet DNA-binding domain (TetAXXC) resulted in axon guidance defects in the mushroom body (MB). Tet is required in early brain development during the outgrowth of MB β axons. Transcriptomic study shows that glutamine synthetase 2 (Gs2), a key enzyme in glutamatergic signaling, is significantly downregulated in theTetAXXCmutant brains. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis or RNAi knockdown of Gs2 recapitulates theTetAXXCmutant phenotype. Surprisingly, Tet and Gs2 act in the insulin-producing cells (IPCs) to control MB axon guidance, and overexpression of Gs2 in these cells rescues the axon guidance defects ofTetAXXC. TreatingTetAXXCwith the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist MPEP can rescue while treating with glutamate enhances the phenotype confirming Tet function in regulating glutamatergic signaling.TetAXXCand theDrosophilahomolog ofFragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein proteinmutant (Fmr13) have similar axon guidance defects and reduction in Gs2 mRNA levels. Interestingly, overexpression of Gs2 in the IPCs also rescues theFmr13phenotype, suggesting functional overlapping of the two genes. Our studies provide the first evidence that Tet can control the guidance of axons in the developing brain by modulating glutamatergic signaling and the function is mediated by its DNA-binding domain.
Mechanical regulation of substrate adhesion and de-adhesion drives a cell contractile wave during tissue morphogenesis
Authors: Collinet Claudio , Bailles Anaïs , Lecuit Thomas
Published: May 2023

During morphogenesis tissue-scale forces drive large-scale deformations, yet how these forces arise from the local interplay between cellular contractility and adhesion is poorly understood. In the posterior endoderm ofDrosophilaembryos, a self-organized tissue-scale wave of actomyosin contractility and cell invagination is coupled with adhesion to the surrounding vitelline membrane to drive the polarized tissue deformation. We report here that this process emerges at the subcellular level from the mechanical coupling between Myosin-II activation and sequential adhesion/de-adhesion to the vitelline membrane. At the wavefront, integrin focal complexes anchor the actin cortex to the vitelline membrane and promote activation of Myosin-II, which in turn enhances adhesion in a positive feedback loop. Subsequently, upon detachment, cortex contraction and advective flow further amplify Myosin-II levels. Prolonged contact with the vitelline membrane increases the duration of the integrin-Myosin-II feedback, integrin adhesion and thus slows down cell detachment and wave propagation of the invagination. Finally, we show that the angle of cell detachment changes as a function of the strength of adhesion and modifies the tensile forces required for detachment to maintain wave propagation. This illustrates how the tissue-scale wave arises from subcellular mechanochemical feedbacks and tissue geometry.
Genome engineering allows selective conversions of terephthalaldehyde to multiple valorized products in bacterial cells
Authors: Dickey Roman M. , Jones Michaela A. , Butler Neil D. , Govil Ishika , Kunjapur Aditya M.
Published: May 2023

Deconstruction of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste generates opportunities for valorization to alternative products. We recently designed an enzymatic cascade that could produce terephthalaldehyde (TPAL) from terephthalic acid. Here, we showed that the addition of TPAL to growing cultures ofEscherichia coliwild-type strain MG1655 and an engineered strain for reduced aromaticaldehyderection (RARE) strain resulted in substantial reduction. We then investigated if we could mitigate this reduction using multiplex automatable genome engineering (MAGE) to create anE. colistrain with 10 additional knockouts in RARE. Encouragingly, we found this newly engineered strain enabled a 2.5-fold higher retention of TPAL over RARE after 24h. We applied this new strain for the production ofpara-xylylenediamine (pXYL) and observed a 6.8-fold increase in pXYL titer compared to RARE. Overall, our study demonstrates the potential of TPAL as a versatile intermediate in microbial biosynthesis of chemicals that derived from waste PET.
Modification of the Neck Linker of KIF18A Alters Microtubule Subpopulation Preference
Authors: Queen Katelyn A. , Cario Alisa , Berger Christopher L. , Stumpff Jason
Published: May 2023

Kinesins support many diverse cellular processes, including facilitating cell division through mechanical regulation of the mitotic spindle. However, how kinesin activity is controlled to facilitate this process is not well understood. Interestingly, post-translational modifications have been identified within the enzymatic region of all 45 mammalian kinesins, but the significance of these modifications has gone largely unexplored. Given the critical role of the enzymatic region in facilitating nucleotide and microtubule binding, it may serve as a primary site for kinesin regulation. Consistent with this idea, a phosphomimetic mutation at S357 in the neck- linker of KIF18A alters the localization of KIF18A within the spindle from kinetochore microtubules to peripheral microtubules. Changes in localization of KIF18A-S357D are accompanied by defects in mitotic spindle positioning and the ability to promote mitotic progression. This altered localization pattern is mimicked by a shortened neck-linker mutant, suggesting that KIF18A-S357D may cause the motor to adopt a shortened neck-linker like state that prevents KIF18A from accumulating at the plus-ends of kinetochore microtubules. These findings demonstrate that post-translational modifications in the enzymatic region of kinesins could be important for biasing their localization to particular microtubule subpopulations.
Ghrelin delays premature aging in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome
Authors: Ferreira-Marques Marisa , Carvalho André , Franco Ana Catarina , Leal Ana , Botelho Mariana , Carmo-Silva Sara , Águas Rodolfo , Cortes Luísa , Lucas Vasco , Real Ana Carolina , López-Otín Carlos , Nissan Xavier , de Almeida Luís Pereira , Cavadas Cláudia , Aveleira Célia A.
Published: May 2023

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare and fatal genetic condition arising from a single nucleotide alteration in theLMNAgene, which leads to the production of a defective lamin A protein known as progerin. The buildup of progerin hastens the onset of premature and expedited aging. Patients with HGPS exhibit short stature, low body weight, lipodystrophy, metabolic dysfunction, and skin and musculoskeletal abnormalities and, in most cases, die of cardiovascular disease by their early teenage years. Currently, no effective cure or treatment for the disease highlights the importance of discovering new therapeutic strategies. Herein, we present evidence that the hormone ghrelin, besides promoting autophagy and progerin clearance, rescued several cellular hallmarks of premature aging of human HGPS fibroblasts. Using an HGPS mouse model,LmnaG609G/G609Gmice, we also show that ghrelin administration rescued the short-lived mice molecular and histopathological progeroid features, prevented progressive weight loss at later stages, reverted the lipodystrophic phenotype, and extended lifespan. Thus, we disclose that modulation of ghrelin signaling may give rise to new treatment targets and translational approaches that may improve outcomes and the health quality of HGPS patients and natural aging pathologies.
memo-eQTL: DNA methylation modulated genetic variant effect on gene transcriptional regulation
Authors: Zeng Yong , Jain Rahi , Ahmed Musaddeque , Guo Haiyang , Zhong Yuan , Xu Wei , He Housheng Hansen
Published: May 2023

Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis has become an important tool in understanding the link between genetic variants and gene expression, ultimately helping to bridge the gap between risk SNPs and associated diseases. Recently, we identified and validated a specific case where the methylation of a CpG site can affect the relationship between the genetic variant and gene expression. To systematically evaluate this regulatory mechanism, we developed an extended eQTL mapping method named DNA methylation modulated eQTL (memo-eQTL). We performed memo-eQTL mapping in 128 normal prostate samples and discovered 1,731 memo-eQTLs, a vast majority of which have not been reported as eQTLs. We found that the methylation of the memo-eQTL CpG sites can either enhance or insulate the interaction between SNP and Gene expression by altering CTCF-based chromatin 3D structure. This study demonstrated the prevalence of memo-eQTLs, which can enable the identification of novel causal genes for traits or diseases associated with genetic variations.
Simple and efficient auditory-nerve spike generation
Authors: de Cheveigné Alain
Published: May 2023

This brief paper documents a simple and efficient method to generate auditory-nerve spike trains for the purpose of simulating neural processes of auditory perception. In response to sound, each auditory nerve fiber carries information to the auditory brainstem in the form of a train of spikes (action potentials), the timing and rate of which reflect the sound. The generation process is usually approximated as Poisson process with a time-varying rate, further modified by refractory effects. The purpose, here, is to simulate spike generation as a time- and interval-dependent thinning process applied to a homogenous Poisson process, allowing for fast generation, cheap storage, and unlimited temporal resolution.
Neuronal Regulation of Energy Homeostasis inDrosophila: A Practical Approach
Authors: Reis Tânia
Published: May 2023

Energy homeostasis at the organismal level requires signaling between different cell types, tissues, and organs to coordinate energy uptake and expenditure. The larval stage ofDrosophiladevelopment provides a powerful model to study the mechanisms at play. Among the various sources of signals that control fat storage in the fat body, the brain has been studied primarily as a regulator of relevant behaviors such as feeding and exercise. Here, I briefly review what is known about a brain–fat-body axis for communication in the context of energy homeostasis inDrosophilalarvae and introduce a protocol for rapidly identifying changes in body fat resulting from manipulation of gene or neuronal function.
Bone mineral properties and 3D orientation of human lamellar bone around cement lines and the Haversian system. Corrigendum
Authors: Grünewald Tilman A. , Johannes Andreas , Wittig Nina K. , Palle Jonas , Rack Alexander , Burghammer Manfred , Birkedal Henrik
Published: May 2023

The article by Grünewald et al. [IUCrJ (2023). 10, 189–198] is corrected.
Dealing with the robotic trainer: strategies for managing emotions
Authors: Khandelwal Komal , Upadhyay Ashwani Kumar
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper explores the management of emotions and emotional challenges that human trainees face when interacting with a robot or a humanoid trainer.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on existing academic and grey literature on robot and humanoids-based training with algorithms, bots, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Findings

The study highlights the need for personalized feedback, clear communication, and the establishment of trust between the trainee and robotic trainer. The study discusses the strategies to manage emotions like anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise that are experienced by human trainees.

Practical implications

The research provides an accessible summary of setting realistic expectations for the emotional experience of working with a robotic trainer to help manage expectations and reduce disappointment.

Originality/value

The managers in charge of implementing robotic training programs can provide education and resources to help individuals effectively manage emotions when working with a robotic trainer.
Lux Industries Limited: a case of insider trading
Authors: Dhamija Sanjay , Nayyar Reena
Published: May 2023

Learning outcomes

After reading the case, the students shall be able to explain the concept of insider trading and differentiate between illegal insider trading and legal insider trading, business ethics, financial institutions, financial markets and accounting; to interpret the legal framework for prevention of insider trading; to identify the role and significance of the market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in detecting financial crimes such as insider trading; to demonstrate the association between information, stock trading and stock prices within the framework of efficient markets; and to appraise the ethical dilemma in a family-owned firm, where the family members of the promoter group are alleged to have indulged in a financial crime.

Case overview/synopsis

The case revolves around allegations of insider trading against the promoter and the promoter group of the family owned and controlled firm, Lux Industries Limited. On January 24, 2022, the SEBI, the regulator of securities markets in India, accused Udit Todi, the Executive Director of Lux Industries Limited, of engaging in insider trading through a chain of 14 connected parties. Udit Todi was also the son of the Managing Director, Pradip Kumar Todi, and the nephew of the Executive Chairman, Ashok Kumar Todi. In its interim order, SEBI alleged a breach of insider trading regulations by a group of 14 connected entities that had built up long positions starting from May 21, 2021, before the quarterly financial results (Q4) and the annual results of the financial year (FY) 2021 in the equity shares of Lux Industries Limited, with its registered office in Kolkata, India, were announced. Subsequently, they squared off the long positions to make a profit of ₹29.43m. To restore the confidence of the investors, the Executive Chairman, Ashok Kumar Todi, needed to review the matter expeditiously and impartially. Taking into consideration the family ties of the accused, it was not going to be an easy task, yet, it had to be done. The case highlights the role of the regulator, SEBI, in unearthing financial frauds such as insider trading in an emerging market such as India.

Complexity academic level

Postgraduate programs in management, Executive education programs.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance
New insights into hotel customer’s revisiting intentions, based on big data
Authors: Marandi Aliakbar , Tasavori Misagh , Najmi Manoochehr
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to use big data analysis and sheds light on key hotel features that play a role in the revisit intention of customers. In addition, this study endeavors to highlight hotel features for different customer segments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a machine learning method and analyzes around 100,000 reviews of customers of 100 selected hotels around the world where they had indicated on Trip Advisor their intention to return to a particular hotel. The important features of the hotels are then extracted in terms of the 7Ps of the marketing mix. This study has then segmented customers intending to revisit hotels, based on the similarities in their reviews.

Findings

In total, 71 important hotel features are extracted using text analysis of comments. The most important features are the room, staff, food and accessibility. Also, customers are segmented into 15 groups, and key hotel features important for each segment are highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, the number of repetitions of words was used to identify key hotel features, whereas sentence-based analysis or group analysis of adjacent words can be used.

Practical implications

This study highlights key hotel features that are crucial for customers’ revisit intention and identifies related market segments that can support managers in better designing their strategies and allocating their resources.

Originality/value

By using text mining analysis, this study identifies and classifies important hotel features that are crucial for the revisit intention of customers based on the 7Ps. Methodologically, the authors suggest a comprehensive method to describe the revisit intention of hotel customers based on customer reviews.
A critical review of technology-driven service innovation in hospitality and tourism: current discussions and future research agendas
Authors: Park Hyekyung , Lee Minwoo , Back Ki-Joon
Published: May 2023

Purpose

With the increasing importance of technology in hospitality and tourism, technology-driven service innovation has been a salient topic discussed from both customers’ and suppliers’ perspectives. However, there has been a lack of research that provides an overview of research on technology-driven service innovation. The purpose of this study is to review current discussions on technology-driven service innovation and provide directions for future studies in the hospitality and tourism literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 82 articles on technology-driven service innovation were collected from top-tier hospitality and tourism journals. The papers were analyzed using content analysis to derive key topics discussed in the literature. Such discussions were made by different service innovation categories, antecedents, outcomes and theories. Future research agendas were suggested based on the research gap found in the literature.

Findings

The results indicate that prior discussions on technology-driven service innovation viewed technology as a service or service delivery method, with limited focus on management, marketing and institutional service innovation. In addition, the study reveals five key topics that need further discussion, such as cocreative technology, human resources management, strategy management, emerging technology and digital transformation.

Research limitations/implications

While there have been increasing studies that reveal determining roles of technology in service innovation, scarce research introduced the new concept of technology-driven service innovation, suggesting a comprehensive approach. By adopting the unique approach of technology-driven service innovation, the research reveals the multifaceted roles of technology in service innovation and areas that need further discussion to implement highly sustainable strategies.

Originality/value

The research adds to the knowledge of technology-driven service innovation by providing a holistic view of current discussions, finding research gaps and proposing future research agendas for extended discussion.
If you don't care, I will switch: online retailers' behaviour on third-party logistics services
Authors: Ngah Abdul Hafaz , Thurasamy Ramayah , Han Heesup
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The issue is which third-party logistics to engage, and escalating customer complaints about service quality of third-party logistics (3PL) enhances the tendency of online retailers to switch to another 3PL. The current study seeks to investigate the factors influencing the satisfaction and switching intention of 3PL services among online sellers in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying a purposive sampling method, data were gathered via an online survey among online sellers. Initially, the system gathered 418 respondents, but only 311 were useable for further analysis. Since we operationalised the measures as composites, a combination of reflective and formative measurement in the study and the study focuses on explanatory and predictive purposes, partial least squares structural equation modelling with SmartPLS 4 was applied to test the model developed.

Findings

The results indicated that conflict handling had a positive effect on satisfaction, and satisfaction had a negative relationship with the switching intention of 3PL among the online retailers. Moreover, satisfaction and customer relationship management sequentially mediated conflict handling and switching intention, whereas CRM strengthens the negative relationship between satisfaction and switching intention.

Research limitations/implications

The respondents only limit to the online sellers in Malaysia which based on purposive sampling method, thus the findings cannot be generalised to another countries.

Practical implications

The study offers insightful information for the managers of the 3PL in crafting a better policy to avoid switching behaviour among their customers. The conflict between customers and providers is unavoidable since consumers have unlimited demand and businesses have limited resources. The findings also benefit online sellers and 3PL service providers to create attractive marketing strategies for business sustainability.

Originality/value

The study developed a new model for the 3PL studies using the S-O-R model in introducing conflict handling and customer relationship management as the stimulus, customer's satisfaction as an organism and switching intention as a response. The study introduced single and sequential mediators also contributes to the S-O-R theory to predict the switching intention among the online sellers towards the 3PL providers. Another important contribution, customer relationship management, was confirmed to play a moderating role to influence the relationship between satisfaction and switching intention.
Well-being measurement and the economic agent: a personalist perspective
Authors: Wdowin Julia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim is to contribute to the personalist economics research agenda by exploring how personalist thought can theoretically inform the question of well-being and its measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the work of personalist philosopher Emmanuel Mounier. After reviewing relevant aspects of Mounier's political economic thought, the second section considers the conceptual implications for a personalist well-being measure and analyses its key tenets: integrality; heterogeneity; objectivity vs. subjectivity; and autonomy and freedom. The third section consists of a dialogue between Mounier's personalist philosophy and some aspects of Sen's capability approach applied to the issue of well-being measurement, which echoes and parallels some fundamental dimensions of personalist thought.

Findings

Firstly, the conceptual analysis offers preliminary avenues for moving towards measuring well-being using an agent model that aligns more closely with the model of the economic agent as person, as is articulated by personalists and incorporating personalist principles. Secondly, the brief analysis of ways in which aspects of Sen's capability theory dialogue with personalist economic principles demonstrate the potential for personalist principles to be incorporated into welfare assessment theory.

Originality/value

Personalist economics strives to re-think the foundations of economic theory by introducing the acting person as the economic agent, as opposed to the individual. Dissatisfaction with a range of mainstream economic well-being indicators suggests that there is a deficit in the normative and ontological assumptions that underlie conventional welfare economic models.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0084.
Experiment on interest-free microfinance products
Authors: Wazir Abdulahi Ahmed , Durmuşkaya Sedat
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to experiment with interest-free microfinance (IFMF) products and investigate the factors affecting IFMF institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses both quantitative and qualitative data types that will be collected through questionnaires, secondary data, interviews and experimental tests to answer key questions. The collected data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis ANOVA. This study determines the factors affecting the default rate of Islamic microfinance (MF) products, and evaluates the repayment performance of IFMF products using field experiments.

Findings

The participants found that the repayment performance level is higher than that of Qard Al-Hassan, which shows that it is one of the best mechanisms to reduce the default rate among borrowers. It has been observed that women have higher repayment performance than men, and those with different income sources have higher repayment performance levels than those who do not. This study showed that the effects of age, marital status and educational status on the repayment performance level of the participants were not statistically significant. In addition, it was shown that the participants’ status of having or not having children did not have a significant effect on the level of repayment performance.

Originality/value

This study differs from other studies in two ways. First, in terms of field experimentation, this study focuses on the practical impact of IFMF products on customer reimbursement performance. Second, this study tested different demographic variables that could affect the reimbursement performance.
Consumer-to-consumer conflicts and brand moderation strategies during COVID-19 service failures: a framework for international marketers
Authors: Dineva Denitsa , Breitsohl Jan , Roschk Holger , Hosseinpour Masoumeh
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, one dark social-media phenomenon in particular has experienced a significant rise: consumer-to-consumer (C2C) conflicts, i.e. consumers who verbally attack each other in response to COVID-19 service failures. The aim of this paper is to uncover the sources of such conflicts and to gain an insight into the corresponding conflict moderation strategies that international brands adopt.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of non-participatory netnographic observations of 13 national, international, and global online brand communities (OBCs) on Facebook. The authors use purposeful sampling to collect relevant data on conflict sources and brand moderation strategies during COVID-19 service failures and a hybrid approach to thematic analysis to derive distinct themes from these data.

Findings

The paper identifies five C2C conflict sources: brand attack, brand dissatisfaction, brand skepticism, brand contention and brand defense; these are then classified as having either an individualistic (self-oriented) or collectivistic (other-oriented) orientation. The authors also uncover several moderation strategies: non-engaging, automated, bolstering, asserting (direct, indirect) and informing (factual, empathetic, apologetic), which are broadly categorized into two levels based on their passive vs active approach and authoritative vs cooperative orientation. The paper further highlights that brands adapt their moderation strategies to specific sources of C2C conflicts, thereby producing a range of OBC outcomes.

Practical implications

The study's empirically informed framework comprising sources of undesirable conflicts and brand moderation strategies offers a practical tool that can aid marketing managers in nurturing civil C2C engagement and interactive behaviors in their OBCs. By adopting our framework, brand and marketing practitioners can tailor their communication strategies toward different sources of C2C conflict and minimize their adverse consequences, thus, fostering an overall constructive OBC engagement.

Originality/value

The authors offer a novel framework to international marketing research, consisting of C2C conflict sources and corresponding moderation strategies that take place in response to service failures during the COVID-19 pandemic. These insights, in turn, inform international marketers about new ways of transforming the dark side of OBCs into a source of competitive advantage based on real-world brand practice.
Integrated use of KOS and deep learning for data set annotation in tourism domain
Authors: Aracri Giovanna , Folino Antonietta , Silvestri Stefano
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for the enrichment and tailoring of a knowledge organization system (KOS), in order to support the information extraction (IE) task for the analysis of documents in the tourism domain. In particular, the KOS is used to develop a named entity recognition (NER) system.

Design/methodology/approach

A method to improve and customize an available thesaurus by leveraging documents related to the tourism in Italy is firstly presented. Then, the obtained thesaurus is used to create an annotated NER corpus, exploiting both distant supervision, deep learning and a light human supervision.

Findings

The study shows that a customized KOS can effectively support IE tasks when applied to documents belonging to the same domains and types used for its construction. Moreover, it is very useful to support and ease the annotation task using the proposed methodology, allowing to annotate a corpus with a fraction of the effort required for a manual annotation.

Originality/value

The paper explores an alternative use of a KOS, proposing an innovative NER corpus annotation methodology. Moreover, the KOS and the annotated NER data set will be made publicly available.
Others’ information and my privacy: an ethical discussion
Authors: Ma Yuanye
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Privacy has been understood as about one’s own information, information that is not one’s own is not typically considered with regards to an individual’s privacy. This paper aims to draw attention to this issue for conceptualizing privacy when one’s privacy is breached by others’ information.

Design/methodology/approach

To illustrate the issue that others' information can breach one's own privacy, this paper uses real-world applications of forensic genealogy and recommender systems to motivate the discussion.

Findings

In both forensic genealogy and recommender systems, the individual’s privacy is breached by information that is not one’s own. The information that breached one’s privacy, by its nature, is beyond the scope of an individual, which is a phenomenon that has already been captured by emerging discussions about group privacy. This paper further argues that the underlying issue reflected by the examples of forensic genealogy is an extreme case even under the consideration of group privacy. This is because, unlike recommender systems that rely on large amounts of data to make inferences about an individual, forensic genealogy exposes one’s identity by using only one other individual’s information. This paper echoes existing discussions that this peculiar situation where others’ information breaches one’s own privacy reveals the problematic nature of conceptualizing privacy relying only on individualistic assumptions. Moreover, this paper suggests a relational perspective as an alternative for theorizing privacy.

Originality/value

This situation that others’ information breached one’s own privacy calls for an updated understanding of not only privacy but also the relationship between the person and their information. Privacy scholars need to renew their ethical language and vocabularies to properly understand the issue, which recent privacy conceptualizations are already doing (e.g. group privacy).
Evidencing source of wealth–challenges, questions, solutions and recommendations
Authors: Menz Mario
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it highlights areas of disconnect between how the financial services sector in the UK approaches the requirement to evidence source of wealth when conducting customer due diligence; the requirements of the UK’s laws and regulations in relation to evidence source of wealth; and the expectations of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in this regard. It then proposes an alternative approach to evidencing source of wealth.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews have been carried out among compliance professionals in UK financial services.

Findings

This paper provides rare insight into the anti-money laundering arrangements of UK banks, an area that has not yet been widely researched in the academic literature. It highlights a lack of legal certainty in the UK’s laws and regulation around anti-money laundering and argues that the expectations of the FCA exceed both the letter and the spirit of the laws. It suggests that mixed messages disseminated by the FCA have incentivised banks to shift their focus from financial crime risk (i.e. preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, etc.) towards regulatory risk (i.e. the risk of falling foul of regulatory expectations) and proposes a change to the law and regulatory guidance to enhance the level of legal certainty needed for the law to be effective.

Practical implications

The paper makes suggestions for a more practical and risk-based approach to anti-money laundering compliance and for a much-needed change in the law.

Originality/value

It provides unique insight into the due diligence challenges of financial services firms and argues for the FCA to propagate a more risk-based approach to enhanced due diligence.
Understanding the acceptability of block-chain technology in the supply chain; case of a developing country
Authors: Ahmed Waqar , Islam Noman , Qureshi Hafsa Naeem
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Technological development has been a cornerstone of any emerging economy in the past few years. Blockchain has emerged as a promising technology in the past few years, revolutionizing business dynamics. There is always a concern or hesitation during such novel technological innovation. This paper aims to investigate the blockchain technology (BCT) implementation and acceptance in the supply chain function domain.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is based on the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and extended theory of planned behavior (TPB). The responses were collected from information technology (IT) professionals working at management positions in various manufacturing industries. A total of 147 usable responses were collected for analyzing hypotheses using structural equation modeling.

Findings

As per the findings, perceived ease of use significantly impacts perceived usefulness and attitude toward technology acceptability. Perceived usefulness is significant to attitude toward use. Trust in technology has a significant impact on building up the attitude to use the technology.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work lies in gauging the acceptability of new ways and means of transacting among supply chain professionals and decision-makers. This study provides a broader perspective regarding reluctance and acceptance of the BCT in the developing country that may help the technologist to elucidate better for smooth adoption.
Therapist perceptions of barriers to telehealth uptake in children's occupational therapy
Authors: Mills Caroline , Hazeltine Kirralee , Zucco Annette , Phan Tracy , Baker Elise
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in a rapid shift to telehealth implementation across paediatric occupational therapy services. Although telehealth can be an appealing option, access is conditional, and the delivery of a telehealth service differs from face‐to‐face. If telehealth is to be a viable and equitable option for families, insight is needed into why the service might be declined. The purpose of our study was to explore barriers to paediatric occupational therapy telehealth services from client and therapist perspectives in a Greater Sydney local health district.

Method

A mixed method approach was used, including (i) retrospective review of clinical records for 250 clients seeking occupational therapy who declined the service and (ii) a focus group with four therapists providing the service. Client demographic information was summarised using descriptive statistics. Open‐text responses about reasons for declining telehealth were analysed using qualitative content analysis, whereas thematic analysis was used to explore focus group data.

Findings

Key findings from the mixed methods analysis identified barriers and issues to consider when working to ensure equitable access to telehealth for children and families. These issues included child engagement, family complexity, the nature of assessments, interventions, and overarching service characteristics as well as the family's digital inclusion. Digital inclusion comprises affordable access to the internet, data, and devices and the capacity of a child and/or family to engage online.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that telehealth is not a panacea when face‐to‐face services are not available. Multiple barriers confounded uptake of telehealth prompting a call to action to ensure equitable access to occupational therapy services for all children.
Nondestructive rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) freshness estimation by using an affordable open‐ended coaxial technique
Authors: Bertini Andrea , Iaccheri Eleonora , Magnani Martina , Badiani Anna , Bonaldo Alessio , Ragni Luigi , Berardinelli Annachiara
Published: May 2023

In the present work, a nondestructive device set up for a rapid and reliable freshness assessment of rainbow trout during 10 days of storage in ice was evaluated. The device was characterized by a vector network analyzer interfaced with an open coaxial probe to be placed in contact with the fish eye. The acquisition of the reflected scattering parameter (S11), which is the ratio between the amplitude of the reflected and the incident signal, was assessed in the 50 kHz–3 GHz spectral range. S11 is composed of a real part and an imaginary part, and both parts were used to predict quality index method for freshness evaluations. Partial least squares regression predictive models of the demerit scores related to fish eye attributes (eye pupil and eye shape) and the day of storage were set up. The main results showed that both the real and imaginary parts of the S11 decrease as a function of storage time. The combination with multivariate analysis allowed to set up predictive models of the storage time and the demerit scores with R2 values up to 0.946 (root mean square error [RMSE] = 0.88 days) and 0.942 (RMSE = 3.17 demerit scores related to the fish eyes attributes), respectively (external validation). According to our results, the proposed cheap solution appears a useful tool for the freshness assessment of rainbow trout.

Practical Application

This work shows that dielectric properties have the potential to discriminate stored fish according to their freshness quality. A device based on this principle can play a significant role in the postharvest processes, contributing to higher product quality and safety and supporting producers and retailers during the qualitative inspections.