bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physician burnout and symptom of anxiety and depression: Burnout in Consultant Doctors in Ireland Study (BICDIS)
Authors: Crudden Genevieve , Margiotta Fabio , Doherty Anne M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Burnout is a work related syndrome comprising three major dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced professional efficacy. It is recognised that burnout may be associated with psychopathological sequelae, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Aims

This study aimed to examine the relationship between burnout and symptoms of depression and anxiety in senior doctors in Ireland. We examined personality traits as a mediating factor on burnout, in relation to work related stress among the participants.

Methods

This study was a national cross sectional survey of consultants. Data included basic demographic data, work-related data, burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, personality traits, and symptoms of depression and anxiety from the Depressive Anxiety Stress Scale [DASS}.

Results

Results were obtained from 477 consultants, yielding a response rate 21.9%. Nearly half (42%) reported high burnout levels. The Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale revealed high levels of stress symptoms, and lower levels of anxiety symptoms. After controlling for gender and age, depressive symptoms were associated with high levels of emotional exhaustion and a higher clinical workload

Conclusions

The this study reported a high level of work related burnout, associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in senior doctors. This is concerning, and strategies are required that consider the relationship between personality and burnout. Further research to evaluate strategies to ensure physician wellbeing and optimal delivery of patient care are required to address this serious problem.
Comprehensive Autoantibody Profiles in Systemic Sclerosis: Clinical Cluster Analysis
Authors: Höppner Jakob , Tabeling Christoph , Casteleyn Vincent , Kedor Claudia , Windisch Wolfram , Rüdiger Burmester Gerd , Huscher Dörte , Siegert Elise
Published: September 2022

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) belongs to the group of connective tissue diseases and is associated with the occurrence of disease-specific autoantibodies. Although it is still controversial whether these antibodies contribute to pathogenesis, there are new insights into the development of these specific antibodies and their possible pathophysiological properties. Interestingly, they are associated with specific clinical manifestations, but for some rarer antibodies this association is not fully clarified. The aim of this study is a comprehensive analysis of the serum autoantibody status in patients with SSc followed by correlation analyses of autoantibodies with the clinical course of the disease.

Methods

Serum from SSc patients was analyzed using a line blot (EUROLINE, EUROIMMUN AG) for SSc-related autoantibodies. Autoantibodies to centromere, Topo-1, antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) M2 subunit, angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) and endothelin-1 type-A-receptors (ETAR) were also determined by ELISA. We formed immunological clusters and used principal components analysis (PCA) to assign specific clinical characteristics to these clusters.

Results

A total of 372 SSc patients were included. 95.3% of the patients were antinuclear antibody positive and in 333 patients at least one SSc specific antibody could be detected. Four immunological clusters could be found by PCA. Centromere, Topo-1 and RP3 all formed own clusters, which are associated with distinct clinical phenotypes. We found that patients with an inverted phenotype, such as limited cutaneous SSc patients within the Topo-1 cluster show an increased risk for ILD compared to ACA positive patients. Anti-AT1R and anti-ETAR autoantibodies were measured in 176 SSc patients; no association with SSc disease manifestation was found. SSc patients with AMA-M2 antibodies showed an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

In our in large cluster analysis, which included an extended autoantibody profile, we were able to show that serologic status of SSc patients provides important clues to disease manifestation, co-morbidities and complications. Line blot was a reliable technique to detect autoantibodies in SSc and detected rarer autoantibodies in 42% of our patients.
An mTOR-independent Macroautophagy Activator Ameliorates Tauopathy and Prionopathy Neurodegeneration Phenotypes
Authors: Yoon Leonard , Botham Rachel C. , Verhelle Adriaan , Wu Yin , Cole Christian M. , Tan Ee Phie , Massey Lynée A. , Sanz-Martinez Pablo , Chou Ching-Chieh , Xu Jin , Elia Lisa P. , Lee Kyunga , Labra Sergio R. , Kline Gabriel M. , Xiao Qiang , Rhoades Derek , Cano-Franco Sara , Cuoco Caroline A. , Ta Amina , Ren Wen , Hou William C. , Wulkop-Gil Cristian , Ibrahim Lara H. , Nutsch Kayla , Ko Yeonjin , Lederberg Oren L. , Peng Hongfan , Jiang Starr , Lipton Stuart A. , Bollong Michael J. , Hansen Malene , Finkbeiner Steven , Finley Daniel , Prado Miguel A. , Petrassi H. Michael , Dikic Ivan , Reggiori Fulvio , Garza Danny , Wiseman R. Luke , Powers Evan T. , Frydman Judith , Haggarty Stephen J. , Johnson Kristen A. , Silva M. Catarina , Stolz Alexandra , Encalada Sandra E. , Kelly Jeffery W.
Published: September 2022

Autophagy-lysosomal impairment is an early and prominent feature of neurodegeneration. Autophagy activation reduces protein aggregates and lipid level abnormalities. We performed a high-content imaging-based screen assessing 940,000 small molecules to identify those that reduce lipid droplet numbers. Of 77 validated, structurally diverse hits, 24 increased autophagy flux reporter activity, consistent with accelerated lipid droplet clearance by lipophagy. Of these, we show that CCT020312 activates autophagy independently of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition, to avoid immunosuppression. CCT020312 reduced insoluble phosphorylated tau levels and tau-mediated neuronal stress vulnerability, as well as reducing intracellular Aβ levels within directly induced neurons bearing epigenetic marks of aging derived from Alzheimer’s patient fibroblasts. Moreover, CCT020312 cleared mutant prion protein aggregates and normalized trafficking deficiencies in axons of a cellular model of familial prion disease. Autophagy is widely considered a promising strategy to attenuate neurodegeneration, and here we introduce a strategy to discover new pharmacology.
Anglers as Potential Vectors of Aquatic Invasive Species: Linking Inland Water Bodies in the Great Lakes Region of the US
Authors: Morreale Stephen J. , Lauber T. Bruce , Stedman Richard C.
Published: September 2022

Unimpeded transfer and spread of invasive species throughout freshwater systems is of global concern, altering species compositions, disrupting ecosystem processes, and diverting economic resources. The magnitude and complexity of the problem is amplified by the global connectedness of human movements and the multiple modes of inter-basin transport of aquatic invasive species. Our objective was to trace the fishing behavior of anglers delineating potential pathways of transfer of invasive species throughout the vast inland waters of the Great Lakes of North America, which contain more than 21% of the world’s surface freshwater and are among the most highly invaded aquatic ecosystems in the world. Combining a comprehensive survey and a spatial analysis of the movements of thousands of anglers in 12 states within the US portion of the Great Lakes Basin and the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River Basins, we estimated that 6.5 million licensed anglers in the study area embarked on an average of 30 fishing trips over the course of the year, and 70% of the individuals fished in more than one county. Geospatial linkages showed direct connections made by individuals traveling between 99% of the 894 counties where fishing occurred, and between 61 of the 66 sub-watersheds in a year. Estimated numbers of fishing trips to individual counties ranged from 1199–1.95 million; generally highest in counties bordering the Great Lakes. Of these, 79 had more than 10,000 estimated fishing trips originating from anglers living in other counties. Although angler movements are one mechanism of invasive species transfer, there likely is a high cumulative probability of invasive species transport by several million people fishing each year throughout this extensive freshwater network. A comprehensive georeferenced survey, coupled with a spatial analysis of fishing destinations, provides a potentially powerful tool to track, predict, curtail and control the transfer and proliferation of invasive species in freshwater.
Co-evolution between PRDM9 and target sites and the Recombination Hotspot Paradox
Authors: Úbeda Francisco , Fyon Frederic , Bürger Reinhard
Published: September 2022

Recombination often concentrates in small regions called recombination hotspots where recombination is much higher than the genome’s average. In many vertebrates, including humans, gene PRDM9 specifies which DNA motifs will be the target for breaks that initiate recombination ultimately determining the location of recombination hotspots. Because the sequence that breaks (allowing recombination) is converted into the sequence that does not break (preventing recombination), the latter sequence is over-transmitted to future generations and recombination hotspots are self-destructive. Given their self-destructive nature, recombination hotspots should eventually become extinct in genomes they are observed. While empirical evidence shows that individual hotspots do become inactive over time (die), hotspots are abundant in many vertebrates: a contradiction called the Recombination Hotspot Paradox. What saves recombination hotspots from their foretold extinction? Here we formulate a co-evolutionary model of the interaction among sequence specific gene conversion, fertility selection and recurrent mutation. We find that when fertility selection is weaker than gene conversion, fertility selection cannot stop individual hotspots from dying but can save them from extinction by driving their re-activation (resuscitation). It can also save them from extinction by driving the birth of new hotspots in target sites with small allelic variation. The amount of allelic variation that can result in the birth of a hotspot depends on the strength of fertility selection and the mutation rate. In our model mutations balance death and resuscitation of hotspots maintaining their numbers over time. Interestingly we find that mutations are responsible for the oscillation of individual hotspots being asynchronous across the genome such that the average recombination across the genome remains constant. Our model thus contributes to better understanding how new hotspots may be formed thus explaining the Recombination Hotspots Paradox. From a more applied perspective our work provides testable predictions regarding the relation between mutation and fertility with life expectancy of hotspots.
Modulation of the functional interfaces between retroviral intasomes and the human nucleosome
Authors: Mauro E. , Lapaillerie D. , Tumiotto C. , Charlier C. , Martins F. , Sousa S. F. , Métifiot M. , Weigel P , Yamatsugu K. , Kanai M. , Munier-Lehmann H. , Richetta C. , Batisse J. , Ruff M. , Delelis O. , Lesbats P. , Parissi V.
Published: September 2022

Retroviral integration into cell chromatin requires the formation of integrase-viral DNA complexes, called intasomes, and their interaction with the target DNA wrapped around nucleosomes. To further study this mechanism we developed an alphaLISA approach using the prototype foamy virus (PFV) intasome and human nucleosome. This system allowed us to monitor the association between both partners and investigate the protein/protein and protein/DNA interactions engaged in the association with chromatin. Using this approach, we next screened the chemical OncoSET library and selected small molecules that could modulate the intasome/nucleosome complex. Molecules were selected as acting either on the DNA topology within the nucleosome or on the integrase/histone tail interactions. Within these compounds, doxorubicin and histone binders calixarenes were characterized using biochemical, structural and cellular approaches. These drugs were shown to inhibit PFV and HIV-1 integration in vitro as well as HIV-1 infection in primary PBMCs cells. Our work provides new information about intasome-nucleosome interaction determinants and paves the way for further unedited antiviral strategies that target the final step of intasome/chromatin anchoring.
Aberrant DNA repair is a vulnerability in histone H3.3-mutant brain tumors
Authors: Rondinelli Beatrice , Giacomini Giulia , Piquet Sandra , Chevallier Odile , Dabin Juliette , Bai Siau-Kun , Kim Byungjin , Siddaway Robert , Raught Brian , Coyaud Etienne , Shan Chun-Min , Reid Robert J.D. , Toda Takenori , Rothstein Rodney , Wilhelm Therese , Barra Viviana , Crane Alexander , Dubois Frank , Bandopadhayay Pratiti , Beroukhim Rameen , Naim Valeria , Jia Songtao , Hawkins Cynthia , Polo Sophie E.
Published: September 2022

Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are devastating and incurable brain tumors with recurrent mutations in histone H3.3. These mutations promote oncogenesis by dysregulating gene expression through alterations of histone modifications. We identify aberrant DNA repair as an independent oncogenic mechanism, which fosters genome instability and tumor cell growth in H3.3 mutant pHGG, thus opening new therapeutic options. The two most frequent H3.3 mutations in pHGG, K27M and G34R, drive aberrant repair of replication-associated damage by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Aberrant NHEJ is mediated by the DNA repair enzyme Polynucleotide Kinase 3’-Phosphatase (PNKP), which shows increased association with mutant H3.3 at damaged replication forks. PNKP sustains the proliferation of cells bearing H3.3 mutations, thus conferring a molecular vulnerability, specific to mutant cells, with potential for therapeutic targeting.
Poor attentional control as a sex-specific biomarker to assess vulnerability to nicotine addiction in mice
Authors: Medrano Maria-Carmen , Darlot Florence , Cador Martine , Caillé Stephanie
Published: September 2022

Every day thousands of people smoke a first cigarette, exposing themselves to the risk of becoming addicts. But this risk is not equal from individual to individual, inviting the hypothesis of potential biomarkers for predicting baseline vulnerability to addiction. One property of nicotine is to increase attentional capacities. However, the role of this pro-cognitive nicotinic effect in initiation of habitual smoking is unknown. Here, we investigated whether the differential effects of nicotine on cognitive performance in mice were predictive of sensitivity to nicotine reward and, if so, whether this characteristic was sex dependent. Naïve populations of male and female mice were first assessed for their attentional performances in the attentional cued-Fixed-Consecutive-Number task (FCNcue) in baseline conditions and after nicotine injections (0.15 and 0.30 mg/kg). Next, all mice underwent nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in order to evaluate inter-individual differences in nicotine (0.30 mg/kg) reward sensitivity. Our results showed that innately impulsive males, but not females, benefited from the pro-cognitive effect of nicotine and were also subsequently more sensitive to nicotine reward, indicating increased vulnerability to developing nicotine addiction. Females displayed a completely different behavioural pattern, whereby nicotine reward sensitivity was independent of baseline attentional performances. These results suggest that the pro-cognitive effect of nicotine plays a key role in the development of nicotine addiction in males but not females. Moreover, they signal that the cognitive processes and neurobiology underpinning innate impulsivity may differ significantly between males and females.
Comparing Cigarette-Cue Attentional Bias Between People With HIV/AIDS and People With Opioid Use Disorder Who Smoke
Authors: Rakesh Gopalkumar , Alcorn Joseph L , Khanal Rebika , Himelhoch Seth S , Rush Craig R
Published: September 2022

Background

Special populations like people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and people with opioid use disorder (OUD) smoke tobacco cigarettes at rates three to four times greater than the general population. Patients with tobacco use disorder exhibit attentional bias (AB) for cigarette cues, which is theorized to be caused by classical conditioning and motivational salience. Eye tracking can quantify this bias by measuring fixation time (FT) on cigarette and matched neutral cues, which consequently helps calculate an AB score. Although previous studies have measured this bias in people who smoke without any other comorbid conditions, no study has measured this bias in special populations.

Methods

We analyzed eye tracking data collected from participants in two randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The study protocols that recruited participants were approved by Medical Institutional Review Board (IRB) at University of Kentucky and were registered on clinical trials.gov (NCT05049460, NCT05295953). We compared FT and AB score towards cigarette cues between PLWHA and people with OUD who smoke, using a visual probe task and Tobii Pro Fusion eye tracker. We used two cigarette cue types, one encompassing people smoking cigarettes and the other consisting of cigarette paraphernalia. We used two cue presentation times, 1000 and 2000 milliseconds (ms).

Results

Cues of people smoking cigarettes elicited greater AB than cues of cigarette paraphernalia across both subject groups when cues were presented for 2000 ms, but not 1000 ms. PLWHA who smoke exhibited greater AB for cues of people smoking cigarettes than cigarette paraphernalia when presented for 2000 ms compared to people with OUD who smoke.

Conclusion

The addition of social cues potentiates cigarette cue AB, based on cue type and stimulus presentation time. Understanding the neurobiology of this relationship can help design treatments that can target AB and prevent relapse.
Current situation of the hospitalization of persons without family in Japan and related medical challenges
Authors: Yamazaki Sayaka , Tamiya Nanako , Muto Kaori , Hashimoto Yuki , Yamagata Zentaro
Published: September 2022

This study aims to determine the approximate number of hospitalizations of persons without family and the medical challenges they encounter in hospitals across Japan. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 4,000 randomly selected hospitals nationwide to investigate the actual conditions and problems, decision-making processes, and use of the government-recommended Guidelines for the hospitalization of, and decision-making support for, persons without family. To identify the characteristics of each region and hospital function, chi-square tests were used to make separate group comparisons by hospital location and type. Responses were received from 1,271 hospitals (31.2% response rate), of which 952 hospitals provided information regarding the number of admissions of persons without family. The mean (SD) and median number of hospitalizations (approximate number per year) of patients without family was 16 (79) and 5, respectively. Approximately 70% of the target hospitals had allowed the hospitalization of a person without family. The most common difficulties encountered during the hospitalization were collecting emergency contact information, decision-making related to medical care, and discharge support. In the absence of family members and surrogates, the medical team undertook the decision-making process, which was commonly performed according to manuals and guidelines and by consulting an ethics committee. Regarding the use of the government-recommended Guidelines, approximately 70% of the hospitals that were aware of these Guidelines responded that they had never taken any action based on these Guidelines, with significant differences by region and hospital type. To solve the problems related to the hospitalization of persons without family, the public should be made aware of these Guidelines, and measures should be undertaken to make clinical ethics consultation a sustainable activity within hospitals.
Chromosome-scale genome assembly of a Japanese chili pepper landrace, Capsicum annuum ‘Takanotsume’
Authors: Shirasawa Kenta , Hosokawa Munetaka , Yasui Yasuo , Toyoda Atsushi , Isobe Sachiko
Published: September 2022

Here, we report the genome sequence of a popular Japanese chili pepper landrace, Capsicum annuum ‘Takanotsume’. We used long-read sequencing and optical mapping, together with the genetic mapping technique, to obtain the chromosome-scale genome assembly of ‘Takanotsume’. The assembly consists of 12 pseudomolecules, which corresponds to the basic chromosome number of C. annuum, and is 3,058.5 Mb in size, spanning 97.0% of the estimated genome size. A total of 34,324 high-confidence genes were predicted in the genome, and 83.4% of the genome assembly was occupied by repetitive sequences. Comparative genomics of linked-read sequencing-derived de novo genome assemblies of two Capsicum chinense lines and whole-genome resequencing-derived genome assemblies of Capsicum species revealed not only nucleotide sequence variations but also genome structure variations (i.e., chromosomal rearrangements) between ‘Takanotsume’ and its relatives. Overall, the genome sequence data generated in this study will accelerate the pan-genomics and breeding of Capsicum, and facilitate the dissection of genetic mechanisms underlying the agronomically important traits of ‘Takanotsume’.
The Retrograde Memory for News Events Test (RM-NET) and the relationship between news event memory and performance on standard neuropsychological tests
Authors: Cawley-Bennett Andrew T.J. , Frascino Jennifer C. , Asp Isabel E. , Golshan Shahrokh , Bondi Mark W. , Luo Zhishang , Smith Christine N.
Published: September 2022

Novel tests of semantic memory (SM)—for example, memory for news events (NE; news facts) or famous personalities—are useful for estimating the severity of retrograde amnesia. Individuals with mild cognitive impairment exhibit relatively intact SM/language on traditional neuropsychological tests but exhibit consistent impairment on novel tests of SM, suggesting novel SM tests are dissimilar from traditional SM tests. To identify the relationship between NE memory and traditional cognitive measures, older adults (N = 51) completed a traditional neuropsychological battery and the Retrograde Memory News Events Test (RM-NET; a new test that robustly measures NE memory across the adult life span with high temporal resolution), and the relationship between performance on these tests was examined. Total RM-NET scores were more closely aligned with episodic memory scores than SM scores. The strength of the association between NE scores and episodic memory scores decreased as the age of NE memory increased. Tests of news events appear to reflect performance on traditional tests of episodic memory rather than SM, especially when recent news events are tested.
Arginase 1 deficiency presenting as complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia.
Authors: Freua Fernando , Almeida Mariana Espíndola de Castro , Nóbrega Paulo Ribeiro , Paiva Anderson Rodrigues Brandáo de , Della-Ripa Bruno , Cunha Paulina , Macedo-Souza Lúcia Inês , Bueno Clarissa , Lynch David S , Houlden Henry , Lucato Leandro Tavares , Kok Fernando
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Argininemia or arginase deficiency is a metabolic disorder caused by pathogenic variants in ARG1 and consists of a variable association of progressive spastic paraplegia, intellectual disability, and seizures. Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of inherited diseases whose main feature is a progressive gait disorder characterized by lower limb spasticity. This study presents 7 patients with arginase 1 deficiency from 6 different families, all with an initial diagnosis of complicated HSP.
Methods: We evaluated the clinical data of 7 patients belonging to six independent families who were diagnosed with hyperargininemia in a neurogenetics outpatient clinic.
Results: All patients had lower limb spasticity and six had global developmental delay. Five individuals had intellectual disability and two had epilepsy. Psychiatric abnormalities were seen in two patients. In two participants of this study, MRI disclosed thinning of the corpus callosum. Molecular diagnosis was made by whole exome sequencing. All variants were present in homozygosis; we identified two novel missense variants, one novel frameshift variant, and one previously published missense variant.
Discussion: Clinical diagnosis of early onset complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia was made in all patients. Two patients were initially suspected of having SPG11 due to thinning of the corpus callosum. As argininemia may present with a highly penetrant phenotype of spastic paraplegia associated with additional symptoms, this disease may represent a specific entity amongst the complicated HSPs.
Crystal structure of ethyl 4-[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]benzoate
Authors: Banna Md. Hasan Al , Ansary Md. Rezaul Haque , Miyatake Ryuta , Sheikh Md. Chanmiya , Zangrando Ennio
Published: September 2022

The title compound, C17H18O3, crystallizes with three molecules in the asymmetric unit. The molecules differ in the conformation related to the ethoxy group and in the orientation of the two phenyl rings, one of which has the ethoxy group disordered over two positions with refined occupancies of 0.735:0.265 (9). In the crystal packing, the molecules are connected by weak C—H...π interactions.
Artificializing accounting numbers: a sensemaking perspective in times of crisis
Authors: Hoang Nhung Thi Hong
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how people use competing accounting numbers to make sense of and legitimize actions in a complex environment in times of crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes the implementation of a standardized budget model at a USA intergovernmental organization, by relying on a triangulation of data sources, including face-to-face interviews, direct observations, and archival documents. The organization faces one of the greatest crises it has ever experienced. An accounting team and a human resources team make sense differently the same reality–staffing. The sensemaking perspective framework is utilized to provide a theoretical structure for the analysis.

Findings

The understudied organization undergoes constant evolution during the budgetary crisis; data reveal different forms of cues, which activate the sensemaking process, such as fading and compressed cues. Although compressed cues subsequently emerge, they play a more crucial role in managers' enactment than pre-existing fading cues. Artificializing accounting numbers refer to the social process of constructing compressed cues or artificial artifacts that are neither wrong nor right, neither soft nor hard and not useful for peoples' sensemaking but used to legitimize managers' strategic decisions.

Practical implications

This artificializing process explains the people's resistance to policy implementation. Furthermore, the multiplicity of cues provides useful information for regulators and managers to understand uncertainty during a crisis.

Originality/value

This study presents a rare case of an international third sector organization amid a budgetary crisis. Among few studies referring to numbers as sensemaking resources, this study focuses on the importance of systematic power and corporate power relative to the process of sensemaking.
Adaptability capacity framework for sustainable practices in the Ghanaian construction industry
Authors: Pim-Wusu Mark , Aigbavboa Clinton , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The urgent need to preserve the ecosystem, which faces a threat from non-environmentally-friendly anthropogenic activities, has led to the study of adaptive capacity implementation. There is an indication that the construction industries in developed countries are relatively better equipped to pursue sustainable construction than those in the developing world. Despite this, sustainable construction is yet to be established in developing countries. This research aims to develop a framework to drive and enable small and medium-sized (SME) firms in Ghana to implement adaptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative approach, and 400 responses were retrieved as a sample size for which a six-factor adaptive capacity implementation framework was arrived at for SMEs in the Ghanaian construction industry. The data gathered from the respondents were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24, and a structural equation modelling was also used to determine the work's validity based on the AMOS software.

Findings

The findings revealed that education and training, government support and a centralised information hub significantly influence adaptive capacity outcomes in Ghana.

Practical implications

It is recommended that the government, corporate and professional institutions that desire to preserve the country's ecosystem be guided by this study's adaptive capacity implementation framework.

Originality/value

This study's novelty also lies in the integrated framework for adaptive capacity implementation developed to aid small- and medium- sized enterprises in Ghana's construction industry to ensure environmentally-friendly construction activities.
Entrepreneurial marketing of small and medium-sized suppliers enhancing technological capability: lessons from industrial suppliers in South Korea
Authors: Sun Yongwook , Lee Euehun
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Rapid changes in technologies and customer preferences are increasing market uncertainty. Hence, despite the benefits of reactive and adaptive marketing in the industrial market, such marketing is sometimes insufficient for suppliers to survive and succeed. This phenomenon is prevalent among the small and medium-sized suppliers (SMSs) who fail to build technological capability. This suggests that SMSs should be entrepreneurial to survive and succeed in today’s environment. Against this backdrop, the purposes of this study are to understand the process by which entrepreneurial marketing of SMSs enhances their technological capability and to explore factors that stimulate SMSs to implement entrepreneurial marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey data set on 249 industrial SMSs in South Korea, the authors test the hypotheses formulated in this work using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Based on effectuation theory, this study conceptualizes entrepreneurial marketing as a process by contrasting entrepreneurial marketing with reactive and adaptive marketing. The results show that proactive market orientation and subsequent exploratory market behavior enhance technological capability, and proactive market orientation is stimulated by relational satisfaction and perceived technological turbulence.

Originality/value

This study advances effectuation theory in the industrial marketing literature by exploring the value of entrepreneurial marketing in today’s industrial market. Further, this study extends the entrepreneurial marketing literature by conceptualizing and testing the process by which entrepreneurial marketing of SMSs enhances their technological capability.
Effects of marketization on the evolution of firms' R&D efficiency: evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Qingyu , Chen Xiude , Cao Mei
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Previous studies demonstrate that market-oriented reform has contributed significantly to China's economic growth from the efficiency-based economic view. But some argue that state-owned firms have access to policy information, scarce resources, and government support, and thus state-owned firms might foster innovation. This study tries to find out either market force or state ownership helps improve firms' R&D efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from China's high-tech industry, we employed the fixed-effect stochastic frontier model and the spatial panel Han-Philips linear dynamic regression model to investigate the relationship between market-oriented reform and the dynamic evolution of R&D efficiency in both temporal and spatial dimensions. Moreover, we examined whether the relationship is affected in a state-owned economy and an industry protection environment.

Findings

The results indicate the following: (1) the R&D efficiency of China's high-tech industry has improved steadily and has converged gradually across its regions during the market-oriented reform; (2) the marketization degree is positively correlated with R&D efficiency and its regional convergence; (3) the state-owned economy and industry protection have significantly weakened the ability of market forces to shape R&D efficiency — i.e. they reduce, rather than enhance, R&D efficiency.

Originality/value

This investigation helps understand the drivers of R&D efficiency in transition economies, and the findings are also helpful in defining the boundaries and constraints of market forces.
Developing Islamic sustainable and responsible investment criteria: an overview
Authors: Haji Wahab Muhammad Zarunnaim , Mohamed Naim Asmadi
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the necessity for developing Islamic sustainable and responsible investment (i-SRI) criteria based on environmental, social and governance issues.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the above objective, this study adopted a qualitative method via content document analysis and interviews with experts.

Findings

Based on the analysis, this study discovered five primary aspects that lead to the necessity for developing i-SRI criteria. First, Malaysia has yet to develop i-SRI criteria. Second, the absence of i-SRI criteria will eventually lead to Shariah issues. Third, any Islamic financial instrument is bound to encounter numerous issues and challenges, thereby making it difficult to be marketed globally if it does not have a proper and standardized framework. Fourth, the establishment of i-SRI criteria can serve as a key reference point for the players in the industry, including investors, policymakers and other parties. Finally, the development of i-SRI criteria can play a vital role in enhancing the current Islamic capital market products offering in Malaysia.

Practical implications

There are several implications identified in this study. First, continuous research on the i-SRI criteria can offer numerous benefits to the regulatory bodies and policymakers who can use the findings in their decision-making process. Second, in terms of investors, the results can help them to make better investment choices by referring to the i-SRI criteria. Third, this study will be valuable to the academicians in terms of opportunity to explore a new research area, i.e. the i-SRI criteria, besides adding to the extant literature on this topic which is still scant currently.

Originality/value

This study discovered five primary aspects that lead to the necessity for developing i-SRI criteria.
Conceptualising and measuring experiential health-care services: role of consumer involvement
Authors: Chahal Hardeep , Dutta Kamani , Rani Asha
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper are threefold paper are threefold; firstly, to validate and measure significant dimensions of customer experience in the health care sector; secondly, to evaluate the antecedents and dimensions of customer experience and its impact on customer outcomes in health care; and thirdly, to examine the role of customer involvement as a moderator between antecedents and dimensions of customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based upon primary data collection sources, particularly in-depth interviews, focus group interviews and survey methods. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were carried out. This qualitative study was conducted to conceptualize customer experience in the health-care sector. Whereas the quantitative study was undertaken to collect data from randomly selected, experienced 181 respondents for testing the proposed model.

Findings

Affective, relational and physical have emerged as significant customer experience dimensions in the health-care sector. All three dimensions have a positive and significant impact on the important customer outcomes, that is, satisfaction, attitudinal loyalty and brand equity. Service quality, supportive services and contextual services significantly affect customer experience. Customer involvement moderates the relationship between all the three antecedents and dimensions of customer experience.

Research limitations/implications

This study is primarily focused on customers' perceptions of the health-care sector. This study’s model could be implemented in different sectors such as lodging, food service, restaurant or other industries as well. Further, the role of moderators, namely, consumer attitudes, service quality, perceived risk, price and past experience, are also suggested to be explored for theorising the customer experience.

Originality/value

This study makes a maiden attempt to establish affective, relational and physical as three significant dimensions of customer experience in the health-care sector. Sensory and cognitive dimensions are found to be insignificant.
Evaluation of bioclimatic design strategies in Esfahak village using Mahoney method
Authors: Hosseini Akram
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Despite worldwide climate change and the problems caused by using fossil fuels, energy consumption in the world keeps rising every year. The areas with extremely cold or scorching climates are large, and significant amounts of energy are getting used in these areas for heating, cooling, and ventilation. The general purpose of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between the climatic characteristics of the Esfahak, a village located in the hot desert region of Iran, and the physical characteristics of its built environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of this research is qualitative and somewhat descriptive-analytical. In this regard, the architectural features of Esfahak village are compared with the principles mentioned in the Mahoney tables to determine the degree of compliance of the architecture of this village with the climatic condition.

Findings

The results show that design principles have been used in all indicators discussed in the Mahoney tables. By applying these principles, not only did the acute weather conditions not prevent the initial settlement in the village location, they have not caused inhabitants to leave the site over time as well.

Originality/value

The impacts of bioclimatic design strategies on thermal comfort in hot desert regions are seldom studied. This research provides evidence-based and informed design recommendations that can help building designers and city authorities integrate bioclimatic design strategies at the earliest conceptual design phases in hot desert climates.
Thriving in the post-Covid-19 era: a new normality for libraries' service offering
Authors: Palumbo Rocco
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Social distancing and physical closure triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic put the libraries' viability under stress. Although the spread of the pandemic enacted a new normality for library management, little is known about the ingredients that are needed in the recipe for increased libraries' attractiveness. The article addresses the current gap in the scientific knowledge, unveiling what libraries can do to thrive in the post-Covid-19 era.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data were collected from the census study accomplished in 2020 by the Italian Institute of Statistics on a large sample (n = 3,531) of libraries operating across Italy. Three regression models were run to obtain evidence of the factors affecting the capability of small-, medium- and large-sized libraries to attract users amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Findings

Digitization did not significantly add to the attractiveness of libraries. Users appreciated the enrichment of loan services: more specifically, enabling people to access loan services online boosted the libraries' attractiveness. Furthermore, virtual reading groups, online laboratories and social networking improved the libraries' ability to attract users. Medium-sized libraries involved in literacy promotion reported a larger number of users.

Practical implications

Libraries should reframe their encounter with the audience sticking to a cyber-physical perspective, exploiting digital tools to establish a continuous exchange with users and engage them in a service experience which is aimed at individual and collective empowerment.

Originality/value

The article advances the understanding of the new normality heralded by the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, it illuminates avenues for further development to shed light on the libraries' ability to thrive in the post-pandemic era.
Rocky Mountain forests are poised to recover following bark beetle outbreaks but with altered composition
Authors: Rodman Kyle C. , Andrus Robert A. , Carlson Amanda R. , Carter Trevor A. , Chapman Teresa B. , Coop Jonathan D. , Fornwalt Paula J. , Gill Nathan S. , Harvey Brian J. , Hoffman Ashley E. , Kelsey Katharine C. , Kulakowski Dominik , Laughlin Daniel C. , Morris Jenna E. , Negrón José F. , Nigro Katherine M. , Pappas Gregory S. , Redmond Miranda D. , Rhoades Charles C. , Rocca Monique E. , Schapira Zoe H. , Sibold Jason S. , Stevens‐Rumann Camille S. , Veblen Thomas T. , Wang Jianmin , Zhang Xiaoyang , Hart Sarah J.
Published: September 2022

Amplified by warming temperatures and drought, recent outbreaks of native bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) have caused extensive tree mortality throughout Europe and North America. Despite their ubiquitous nature and important effects on ecosystems, forest recovery following such disturbances is poorly understood, particularly across regions with varying abiotic conditions and outbreak effects.

To better understand post‐outbreak recovery across a topographically complex region, we synthesized data from 16 field studies spanning subalpine forests in the Southern Rocky Mountains, USA. From 1997 to 2019, these forests were heavily affected by outbreaks of three native bark beetle species (Dendroctonus ponderosae,Dendroctonus rufipennisandDryocoetes confusus). We compared pre‐ and post‐outbreak forest conditions and developed region‐wide predictive maps of post‐outbreak (1) live basal areas, (2) juvenile densities and (3) height growth rates for the most abundant tree species – aspen (Populus tremuloides), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa).

Beetle‐caused tree mortality reduced the average diameter of live trees by 28.4% (5.6 cm), and species dominance was altered on 27.8% of field plots with shifts away from pine and spruce. However, most plots (82.1%) were likely to recover towards pre‐outbreak tree densities without additional regeneration. Region‐wide maps indicated that fir and aspen, non‐host species for bark beetle species with the most severe effects (i.e.Dendroctonusspp.), will benefit from outbreaks through increased compositional dominance. After accounting for individual size, height growth for all conifer species was more rapid in sites with low winter precipitation, high winter temperatures and severe outbreaks.

Synthesis. In subalpine forests of the US Rocky Mountains, recent bark beetle outbreaks have reduced tree size and altered species composition. While eventual recovery of the pre‐outbreakforest structureis likely in most places, changes inspecies compositionmay persist for decades. Still, forest communities following bark beetle outbreaks are widely variable due to differences in pre‐outbreak conditions, outbreak severity and abiotic gradients. This regional variability has critical implications for ecosystem services and susceptibility to future disturbances.
CITY OF REPAIR: Practicing the Future in Mexico City
Authors: Boudreau Julie‐Anne
Published: September 2022

This essay is based on long‐term ethnographic research in Mexico City, and centers on a street epistemology that involves researchers immersing themselves in material street life to explore the relationships between the body, the house and the street in the constant repair of the (future) city. I assert that Mexico City is not a city dominated by planners, experts, or professional social workers, but rather a place where everyone knows that perfection is elusive and that constant repair of oneself, the city and the objects that constitute daily life make life possible here. The city is permanently under construction—populated by workers who destroy and rebuild, and by repairers of all kinds: roadside mechanics, nurses who check your blood pressure and offer flu vaccinations in the subway, herbalists who sell their medicines on the sidewalks, ‘bone setters’ who offer osteopathy services on the street, improvised pharmacies, used car part sellers, anti‐flu juices producers, and cabinets for intercession with angels. In the ‘city of repair’ different yet interdependent futures are practiced. There is the future imagined and constructed by professionals seeking perfectibility and manifestations of aspirational politics. There is also the future imagined and practiced by the vast majority of urban dwellers—a pragmatic future grounded in the ‘here and now’ of constant repair and in the constant search for solutions to contingencies—an anticipatory political form.
WHERE IS THE FUTURE? Geography, Expectation and Experience across Three Decades of Malaysia's Vision 2020
Authors: Bunnell Tim
Published: September 2022

In 1991, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, announced Vision 2020 to make the country ‘fully developed’ by that year. Launched during a period of rapid economic growth, Vision 2020 legitimized Mahathir's developmental penchant for spectacular urban megaprojects and ambitious technological experimentation. While hopes of reaching Vision 2020's crude GDP targets were dashed even before the end of the 1990s (largely as a result of the Asian financial crisis), and Mahathir stepped down from office in 2003, the year 2020 retained significance as a horizon of expectation for a generation of Malaysians. In this Interventions essay I look back at three decades of Vision 2020 from the temporal vantage point of 2020. The lead‐up to that year saw political, popular and artistic retrospection on Vision 2020, spurred in part by nonagenarian Mahathir's return to power. Contextually, ‘Where is the future?’ articulates unrealized technological and developmental expectations from peak Vision 2020. Conceptually, the essay offers a critical geography of political futures past—demonstrating the constitutive spatiality of future expectations and the diverse ways in which elite developmental visions are engaged in life geographies, spaces of experience and representational practices.