bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and obstacles to issuing Islamic Sukuk in Palestine: an analytical study of Islamic banks operating in Palestine
Authors: Awwad Bahaa Subhi , Razia Bahaa Subhi , Razia Alaa Subhi
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to shed light on the challenges and obstacles (organizational, economic, legal and legislative) to the issuance of Islamic Sukuk in Palestine.

Design/methodology/approach

The descriptive analytical approach was adopted to collect data through a questionnaire that was distributed to a simple random sample of (500) male and female employees working in those banks.

Findings

The study concluded that the issuance of Islamic Sukuk in Palestine suffers from economic, legal and legislative challenges and obstacles. This includes the lack of interest in using it as a suitable financing tool to finance various economic projects, as it requires the presence of investors with high financial solvency in light of the low contribution of Palestinian legislation and laws to facilitate and encourage their issuance. Hence, there are no regulatory challenges or obstacles.

Research limitations/implications

Few studies examine the issuance of Sukuk in the Palestinian environment, despite the attempts of the Palestinian Monetary Authority to develop Islamic financing instruments.

Practical implications

The necessity of subjecting the issuance of Islamic Sukuk in Palestine and all Islamic financing products to a unified body It is also important to work on spreading the Islamic financing culture related to their issuance, given its positive role in developing and providing the necessary funding for various projects.

Originality/value

The study identifies the level of challenges and obstacles facing the issuance of Islamic Sukuk in Palestinian banks by studying the organizational, economic, legal and legislative dimensions. The study attempts to explore this through the respondents’ opinions. It also focuses on emphasizing the role of this performance in economic development and supporting the elements of investment as a desirable financing alternative.
Digital twin application in heritage facilities management: systematic literature review and future development directions
Authors: Hou Huiying (Cynthia) , Lai Joseph H.K. , Wu Hao , Wang Tong
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the theoretical and practical links between digital twin (DT) application in heritage facilities management (HFM) from a life cycle management perspective and to signpost the future development directions of DT in HFM.

Design/methodology/approach

This state-of-the-art review was conducted using a systematic literature review method. Inclusive and exclusive criteria were identified and used to retrieve relevant literature from renowned literature databases. Shortlisted publications were analysed using the VOSviewer software and then critically reviewed to reveal the status quo of research in the subject area.

Findings

The review results show that DT has been mainly adopted to support decision-making on conservation approach and method selection, performance monitoring and prediction, maintenance strategies design and development, and energy evaluation and management. Although many researchers attempted to develop DT models for part of a heritage building at component or system level and test the models using real-life cases, their works were constrained by availability of empirical data. Furthermore, data capture approaches, data acquisition methods and modelling with multi-source data are found to be the existing challenges of DT application in HFM.

Originality/value

In a broader sense, this study contributes to the field of engineering, construction and architectural management by providing an overview of how DT has been applied to support management activities throughout the building life cycle. For the HFM practice, a DT-cum-heritage building information modelling (HBIM) framework was developed to illustrate how DT can be integrated with HBIM to facilitate future DT application in HFM. The overall implication of this study is that it reveals the potential of heritage DT in facilitating HFM in the urban development context.
Psychosocial hazards affecting mental health in the construction industry: a qualitative study in Australia
Authors: Hon Carol K.H. , Sun Chenjunyan , Way Kïrsten A. , Jimmieson Nerina L. , Xia Bo , Biggs Herbert C.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Mental health problems are a grave concern in construction. Although the distinction between high job demands and low job resources, as reflected in the Job Demands-Resources (JD–R) model, has been used to examine the extent to which psychosocial hazards influence mental health for construction practitioners, limited research has reflected on the nature of these psychosocial hazards by exploring experiences of site-based construction practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a phenomenological approach to examine people’ experiences and thoughts of the complex phenomena of psychosocial hazards and mental health in construction. In total, 33 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with site-based construction practitioners in Australia to unveil construction-focused psychosocial hazards and their effects on mental health. The data were analysed via content analysis, employing an interpretation-focused coding strategy to code text and an individual-based sorting strategy to cluster codes.

Findings

Eighteen psychosocial hazards were identified based on the JD–R model. Six of these represented a new contribution, describing salient characteristics inherent to the construction context (i.e. safety concerns, exposure to traumatic events, job insecurity, task interdependency, client demand and contract pressure). Of particular importance, a number of interrelationships among psychosocial hazards emerged.

Originality/value

The significance of this qualitative research lies in elucidating psychosocial hazards and their complex interrelatedness in the context of the mental health of construction practitioners, enriching the understanding of this central health and safety issue in the high-risk setting of construction work. The findings contribute to addressing mental health issues in the Australian construction industry by identifying higher order control measures, thereby creating a mentally healthy workplace.
Investigating the influence of quality management on building thermal performance
Authors: Alencastro Joao , Fuertes Alba , de Wilde Pieter
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Despite the number of quality management procedures being currently applied, construction defects in the domestic sector are acknowledged to contribute to the energy performance gap of buildings. This paper investigates the limitations and challenges to the implementation of project quality plans (PQPs) and their impact on the achievement of expected thermal performance in the UK social housing projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach, guided by grounded theory, was used in this research. This methodology provided the structure for systematic data analysis iterations, enabling cross-case analysis. An analytic induction process was designed to seek the explanation of the targeted phenomenon and required data collection until no new ideas and concepts emerged from the research iterations. This study collected data from five social housing projects through interviews, site observations and project documentation.

Findings

Multiple limitations and challenges were identified in the implementation of PQP to deliver thermal efficient social housing. Generally, there is the need for more objective quality compliance procedures based on required evidence. When investigating the root of the challenges, it was concluded that the adoption of statutory approval as the main quality compliance procedure led to the dilution of the responsibility for prevention and appraisal of defects that compromised the effectiveness of PQP devised by housing associations (HA) and contractors.

Originality/value

This study identifies the shortcomings of PQP in addressing quality issues with potential to undermine the thermal performance of social housing projects. The findings could be used by HA, contractors and policymakers as steppingstones to improve the energy efficiency in the domestic sector.
The role of endomarketing in human capital management: a study applied to the Minho Urban Quadrilateral
Authors: Fernandes Patrícia Micaela , Sousa Bruno Barbosa , Veloso Cláudia Miranda , Valeri Marco
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to understand the importance of endomarketing in organizations and whether internal strategies are essential in the management of human capital. Especially, it is intended to understand what kind of policies is adopted in the organizations the authors are dealing with, and also the perception that employees have about them.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted combines a quantitative and qualitative approach, based on documents analysis, and the survey and semi-structured interviews with questions alluding to endomarketing. The study was carried out in the (Portuguese) cities belonging to the Minho Quadrilateral, being Braga, Barcelos, Guimarães and Vila Nova de Famalicão, in which a total of five organizations are held.

Findings

The results seem to show that endomarketing has an essential role in human capital management, in particular, to obtain both individual and organizational results, where there is a mutual relationship. Of the 158 respondents that make up the sample, it was concluded that 78.5% considered the intrinsic factors related to well-being and happiness as important as the extrinsic factors related to monetary rewards.

Research limitations/implications

The manuscript presents insights for internal marketing and human resource management (i.e. motivation and human capital). Based on the rapid and profound technological changes of the early 21st century, the concept of endomarketing emerged stimulated by globalization and by the greater concern to adopt strategies that were able to differentiate organizations in the markets.

Originality/value

This is an interdisciplinary theme, with contributions to both internal marketing and human resource management, bearing in mind to enhancing the value and well-being of organizational human capital. This study aims to contribute to the development of scientific knowledge in this area that is so relevant for growth and differentiation.
A conceptual framework for higher education student loyalty from the green marketing perspective
Authors: Wong Lim Jin , Ling Pick Soon , Ling Tonny Heng Yew
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of green image on student loyalty and to present a conceptual framework aimed at retaining current students and attracting new ones in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

After review of prior studies using green image to predict customer loyalty in non-higher education industries and student loyalty in the context of higher education, a conceptual framework is developed after identifying research gaps in two sets of literature.

Findings

Using stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) as a foundation, this study identifies core constructs in the green marketing perspective that may serve as predictors of student loyalty in higher education. A conceptual framework has been developed to examine the relationship between green image and loyalty of student in higher education, with student green satisfaction and institution reputation serving as mediators.

Research limitations/implications

This study is restricted to developing a conceptual framework and no empirical evidence has been presented. However, the conceptual framework developed in this study could facilitate the theoretical and practical implications for enhancing loyalty of students in higher education.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the extant literature in the green marketing realm by extending the green perspectives in the higher education context. This is one of the earliest conceptual papers to examine loyalty of students in higher education using green image. The conceptual framework could serve as the foundation for future research on enhancing loyalty of students in higher education.
Gender and leadership positions: understanding women's experiences and challenges in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana
Authors: Adongo Awinaba Amoah , Dapaah Jonathan Mensah , Azumah Francess Dufie
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Women are rarely seen in positions of leadership in patriarchal societies, which is unsurprising. Following gender equity policies, few women have been able to break through the gender equity barrier and assume leadership positions in schools. Few research investigations have delved into the experiences and challenges that women encounter in positions of leadership in patriarchal societies in government schools in Northern Ghana. The study seeks to comprehend the experiences and challenges that women confront in positions of leadership in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study aimed to gain a better understanding of the experiences and challenges that women encounter in educational leadership roles in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana. To achieve the study's objectives, a quantitative research approach and a social survey design were used, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana, women experience conventional gender roles that conflict with roles, cultural values, gender stereotyping, family responsibilities and cultural beliefs and perceptions of women and attitudes and low expectations of women's managerial skills discourage women from taking on leadership positions in men-dominated societies.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to shift the gender position and question the negative cultural convictions of cultural and patriarchal societies. Equal opportunities for men and women necessitate equal access to leadership positions. It proposes that in patriarchal societies, education and community stakeholder involvement in leadership training programmes for women be considered, as policy documents alone would not be sufficient to eradicate deeply embedded cultural social practices and dispel negative notions about women in leadership positions in men-dominated societies.

Originality/value

The study established that in patriarchal societies, women experienced conventional gender roles that conflict with roles, cultural values, gender stereotyping, family responsibilities, cultural vulnerability of women and the interplay between cultural expected roles and management goals influence women from taking on leadership positions.
Understanding investor co-investment in a syndicate on equity crowdfunding platforms
Authors: Wu Jing , Liu Ling , Cao Yu
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Considering the unique characteristics of equity crowdfunding platforms including the removal of stringent structural barriers (e.g. lack of co-location), high visibility and traceability of investor characteristics, large pool of available investors and simplified transaction process, the authors aim to examine how the two most prevalent mechanisms (i.e. homophily and repeated ties) unfold in this context by incorporating the contextual characteristics. The authors theorize an inverted U-shaped relationship between leader-backer similarity and the likelihood of co-investment in a syndicate on equity crowdfunding platforms. In addition, a leader–backer dyad is more likely to form new syndicates if the students have more prior co-investment ties.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study is based on data from the AngelList syndicate platform and a linear probability model (LPM) with fixed effects is adopted to estimate the syndicate formation.

Findings

The authors find that the similarity between a leader and a backer has an inverted U-shaped relationship with the leader and backer's likelihood of co-investment in a syndicate, which is different from the dominant homophily-based tie formation in venture capital (VC) syndicates and other digital platform contexts. Although equity crowdfunding platforms encourage the possibility of exploring new partners, investors are more likely to co-invest with others who have stronger prior ties.

Originality/value

This research theoretically contributes to the scant literature of equity crowdfunding syndicates by contextualizing two most prevalent mechanisms (i.e. homophily and repeated ties) driving tie formation in VC syndicates and digital platforms.
Effective integration of artificial intelligence: key axes for business strategy
Authors: Alet Josep
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the dimensions that foster the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) within a business strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews recent contributions to AI and business success and identifies the key pillars that support the achievement of good results.

Findings

The paper proposes that there are four critical dimensions for developing an effective business strategy with AI. This research finds that AI has the potential to drive significant development when it is leveraged along four main axes: a focused strategy for AI, knowledge of the customers, effective interactions with customers and effective implementation of AI. These four dimensions are essential for nurturing the critical dimensions of AI that enable successful integration with the business strategy. To achieve this integration, the business strategy must take advantage of the insights and capabilities provided by AI while also understanding and deeply knowing the customers through effective interactions with them. The development is structured in an organizational alignment where AI helps employees and learns from them. By continuously learning from the exploitation of knowledge and big data, the organization can enrich its use of AI.

Research limitations/implications

The paper identifies four pillars of AI integration with the development of business strategy as areas for further empirical analysis by business researchers.

Practical implications

This paper offers strategies for managers and professionals to effectively integrate AI into business strategy.

Originality/value

The authors provide a novel perspective on using AI in business strategy by identifying four key axes of success in the current business landscape.
When the hierarchy folds: how employees may react
Authors: Audrin Bertrand , Borzillo Stefano , Raub Steffen
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover how employees make sense of the implementation of holacracy in their organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Our research is based on a case study of a Swiss SME (of 160 employees) that is about to implement a holacratic mode of governance. Data was collected using questionnaires (completed by 57 employees) and 12 interviews.

Findings

At the level of individual, team and organization, driving forces toward implementing holacracy are stronger than restraining forces.

Practical implications

Implementing holacracy requires careful planning, detailed communications, strong support and training of employees by managers to ensure that they are less fearful of holacracy’s structures and more positive and understanding of its benefits.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding of holacracy and employees’ sensemaking of the added value of this unconventional structure.
Dark side of leadership and information technology project success: the role of mindfulness
Authors: Mubarak Namra , Khan Jabran , Bashir Sajid , Safdar Samyia
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The success of projects is a major challenge for information technology (IT) project-based businesses (PBOs). Employees' negative emotions (NE) disrupt the employees' usual work activities by creating obstacles to routine operations. Organizations should take steps to lessen these NE. The current study assessed the mediating role of NE and the moderating influence of employee mindfulness in the association between despotic leadership (DL) and IT project success (PS).

Design/methodology/approach

Time-lagged data were collected from 341 employees working in various IT-based project organizations in Pakistan using purposive sampling.

Findings

Results were consistent with the authors' hypothesized framework, as DL increases employees' NE, which in turn negatively affects IT PS. In addition, mindfulness plays a buffering role in mitigating the damaging impact of DL on NE.

Originality/value

Previous researchers focused on the positive aspects of leadership and its influence on PS and paid limited attention to the dark leadership style. The authors' study's findings help understand how project-based organizations can reduce employees' NE.
Logics in situations of lower or higher “perceived control exposure”: the case of researchers
Authors: Härström Malin
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the qualities of situations wherein hybrid professionals in knowledge-intensive public organizations (KIPOs) vary in their displays of conflicting institutional logics. Specifically, it examines the situations when individual researchers vary in their displays of a traditionalist academic- and an academic performer logic.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis is grounded in an institutional logics perspective and founded on qualitative interviews with university researchers recurrently exposed to performance measurement and management.

Findings

The findings show that individual researchers display a traditionalist academic- and an academic performer logic in situations of lower or higher “perceived control exposure” (i.e. perceptions of (not) being exposed to “what the performance measurement system wants to/can ‘see’”). In more detail, that a traditionalist academic logic is displayed more in situations of lower “perceived control exposure” whereas an academic performer logic is displayed comparatively more in situations of higher “perceived control exposure”.

Originality/value

These findings add insight into when there is room for resistance to pressures to perform in accordance with increasing performance measurement and when researchers more so tend to conform. While previous research has mostly studied such matters by emphasizing variation between researchers, this study points out the importance of situations of lower or higher “perceived control exposure”. Such insight is arguably also more broadly valuable since it adds to our understanding about hybridity of professionals in KIPOs and how to design and use performance measurement systems in relation to them.
The effect mechanism of the celebrity persona on consumers' purchase intention: based on the analysis of the grounded theory
Authors: Lei Bing , Shi Saihua , Liu Wei
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use the grounded theory to summarize the types of celebrity persona and to construct a theoretical model for celebrity persona on consumer purchase intention. Based on the study results, it provides better suggestions for merchants and live streamers and is an expansion of previous research on live-streaming e-commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

The grounded theory is recognized as the most scientific qualitative research method and is the ideal explorative method for generating theory. First, the participants were interviewed, and interview data were collected. Then the interview data were organized and analyzed. Finally, this paper summarizes the types of celebrity persona and constructes a theoretical model framework of celebrity persona on consumers' purchase intention.

Findings

The results show that the celebrity live streamer persona can be divided into two types: personalized persona and professional persona. Through emotional attachment, the celebrity's persona affects the consumer's purchase intentions. As well as, product type plays a moderating role between celebrity persona and consumer purchase intentions.

Originality/value

The contribution of this research is to start from the celebrity persona, link the celebrity persona with the consumer purchase intentions and expand the research scope of the celebrity persona. It opens the “black box” of the heterogeneity of celebrity live streamers' characteristics on consumer purchase intentions.
Fostering children's acceptance of educational apps: The importance of designing enjoyable learning activities
Authors: Amaefule Chimezie O. , Breitwieser Jasmin , Biedermann Daniel , Nobbe Lea , Drachsler Hendrik , Brod Garvin
Published: March 2023

Educational applications (apps) offer opportunities for designing learning activities children enjoy and benefit from. We redesigned a typical mobile learning activity to make it more enjoyable and useful for children. Relying on the technology acceptance model, we investigated whether and how implementing this activity in an app can increase children's intention to use. During the 27‐day study, children (N = 103, 9–14 years) used the app to memorize one‐sentence learning plans each day. Children used three different app‐based learning activities throughout the study. In two standard activities, children reread or reassembled the words of the plan. In the redesigned activity, children represented the meaning of the plan with emojis. Children repeatedly reported on their attitude towards each activity. Subsequently, children reported perceived enjoyment and intention to use the app. Results showed children found the emoji activity most enjoyable, and enjoyment of the emoji activity contributed uniquely towards intention to use. Additionally, children's enjoyment of the app mediated their intention to use the app in the future. Overall, the study suggests that children's enjoyment of an app is crucial in predicting their subsequent intention to use, and it provides a concrete example of how emojis can be used to boost enjoyment.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Educational applications provide children with unrestricted access to mobile learning resources.

Positive attitudes towards educational applications predict behavioural intention to use these applications, at least in young adults.

There is a need for more research examining the relevance of enjoyable learning activities in fostering children's sustained usage of an educational application.

What this paper adds

Positive attitude towards the use of emojis during learning activities uniquely contributed to children's behavioural intention to use the application.

Perceived enjoyment predicted behavioural intention to use the application.

Perceived enjoyment mediated the effect of attitude towards using learning activities on the behavioural intention to use the mobile educational application.

Implications for practice and/or policy

These findings highlight the importance of enjoyment for children's' acceptance of educational applications.

Enjoyable learning activities are necessary to ensure sustained usage of educational applications.

The paper provides a concrete example of how emojis can be used to boost enjoyment of a typical mobile learning activity.
Demographic history of a complex polymorphism in populations of the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca/rufidorsa) of Southeast Asia
Authors: Shakya Subir B. , Alexander Alana , Lim Haw Chuan , Manthey Joseph D. , Prawiradilaga Dewi , Chan Kin Onn , Sheldon Frederick H. , Moyle Robert G.
Published: March 2023

The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher species‐complex of South and Southeast Asia comprises two forms, the dark‐backed Ceyx erithaca of India and Indochina and the rufous‐backed Ceyx rufidorsa of Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Between these two extremes, the large area of Sundaland and the Philippines is occupied by individuals that have a rufous back, characteristic of C. rufidorsa, but exhibit a range of phenotypes that are intermediate between C. erithaca and C. rufidorsa. These potential intermediates have intrigued avian taxonomists for generations. To investigate the species dynamics of the two forms and understand the demographic history of the intermediates, we generated a genome‐scale dataset (ddRAD) representing multiple individuals across the entire range of the complex. Our findings support the distinctiveness of the two forms based on back colour. Demographic analysis suggests the two populations were isolated c. 820 000 years ago followed by secondary contact c. 140 000 years ago, with asymmetrical dispersal of C. rufidorsa into C. erithaca. Although some limited introgression appears to have occurred more recently between the two taxa in the northern parts of their range, we were unable to find any association of recent hybridization with the intermediate plumages of C. rufidorsa. We also found no support for the commonly recognized Borneo subspecies motleyi.
Disease ecology and host range of Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3) in CyHV‐3 endemic lakes of North America
Authors: Tolo Isaiah E. , Bajer Przemyslaw G. , Mor Sunil K. , Phelps Nicholas B. D.
Published: March 2023

Cyprinid herpesvirus‐3 (CyHV‐3) is an important pathogen of common carp (Cyprinus carpio, carp) causing significant economic and ecological impacts worldwide. The recent emergence of CyHV‐3 in the Upper Midwest region of the United States has raised questions related to the disease ecology and host specificity of CyHV‐3 in wild carp populations. To determine the prevalence of CyHV‐3 in wild populations of fishes in Minnesota, we surveyed five lakes in 2019 in which the virus was known to have caused mass mortality events in carp from 2017 to 2018. A total of 28 species (n = 756 total fish) of native fishes and 730 carp were screened for the presence of CyHV‐3 DNA using specific qPCR. None of the native fish tissues tested positive for CyHV‐3 although the prevalence of CyHV‐3 in carp was 10%–50% in the five lakes. A single lake (Lake Elysian) with a 50% DNA detection rate and evidence of ongoing transmission and CyHV‐3‐associated mortality was surveyed again in 2020 from April to September. During this period, none of the tissues from 24 species (n = 607 total fish) tested positive for CyHV‐3 though CyHV‐3 DNA and mRNA (indicating viral replication) was detected in carp tissues during the sampling period. CyHV‐3 DNA was detected most often in brain samples without evidence of replication, potentially indicating that brain tissue is a site for CyHV‐3 latency. Paired qPCR and ELISA testing for Lake Elysian in 2019–2020 identified young carp (especially males) to be the primary group impacted by CyHV‐3‐associated mortality and acute infections, but with no positive detections in juvenile carp. Seroprevalence of carp from Lake Elysian was 57% in 2019, 92% in April of 2020 and 97% in September 2020. These results further corroborate the host specificity of CyHV‐3 to carp in mixed wild populations of fishes in Minnesota and provide additional insights into the ecological niche of CyHV‐3 in shallow lake populations of carp in North America.
Establishment and characterization of a brain tissue cell line from spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) and its susceptibility to several fish viruses
Authors: Liao Jiaming , Zhang Xin , Kang Shaozhu , Zhang Luhao , Zhang Dongzhuo , Xu Zhuqing , Qin Qiwei , Wei Jingguang
Published: March 2023

Cells are important in the study of virus isolation and identification, viral pathogenic mechanisms and antiviral immunity. The spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) is a significant farmed fish in China that has been greatly affected by diseases in recent years. In this study, a new cell line derived from the spotted knifejaw brain (SKB) was established and characterized. SKB cells multiplied well in Leibovitz's L‐15 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 28°C. Chromosome analysis revealed that modal chromosome number was 48 for SKB. SKB cells exhibit susceptibility to several fish viruses, such as a largemouth bass virus, red grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV), infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) and spotted knifejaw iridovirus isolate (SKIV‐TJ), as shown by cytopathic effect and increased viral titers. Electron microscopy results showed that the cytoplasm contained a large number of vacuoles, and many virus particles existed at the edge of the vacuoles in RGNNV‐infected cells and numerous viral particles were scattered throughout the cytoplasm in both ISKNV‐ and SKIV‐TJ‐infected cells. These results suggest that SKB is an ideal tool for studying host–virus interactions and potential vaccine development.
Pancreatic metastases in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms: A multi‐centre cohort study
Authors: Tsoli Marina , Daskalakis Kosmas , Wedin Maria , Angelousi Anna , Povlsen Sebastian , Srirajaskanthan Raj , Giovos George , Weickert Martin O. , Kogut Angelika , Kos‐Kudla Beata , Oleinikov Kira , Grozinsky‐Glasberg Simona , Kaltsas Gregory
Published: March 2023

Pancreatic metastases (PMs) from neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare but the increased sensitivity of new diagnostic tools such as 68Ga‐DOTATATE PET/CT has resulted in their increased recognition at initial diagnosis or follow‐up. A retrospective analysis of the data of patients from six tertiary referral centres was performed in order to identify the characteristics and the prognostic significance of PMs in patients with NENs. We used a control group of 69 age‐, sex‐ and primary tumour – matched NEN patients from the same cohort with stage IV disease but no PMs. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method log‐rank analysis was used to assess the impact of various clinical and histopathological variables in OS. We identified 25 patients (11 females) with PMs with a median age at diagnosis of 60 years. The small intestine was the most common primary (80%) with a prevalence of 4.2% PMs (21/506). Fourteen patients presented with synchronous PMs whereas 11 developed metachronous PMs after a median time of 28 months (range: 7–168 months). Grading was available in 24 patients; 16 patients had G1 tumours, four G2, two atypical lung carcinoid, one typical and one atypical thymic carcinoid. Most patients had other concomitant metastases (12 hepatic, 4 lung and 6 bone) while five patients exhibited peritoneal carcinomatosis. Median OS in the PMs group was not reached compared with 212 months in the control group (95% CI: 26–398). The univariate analysis identified no prognostic factors statistically significantly associated with the OS. In conclusion, PMs are encountered with a low prevalence among NEN patients mostly developing in patients with advanced metastatic disease. The presence of PMs does not seem to be associated with a negative prognostic impact in OS.
Digital optimization of teeth setup in an edentulous patient with partial glossectomy: A case report
Authors: Carrière Mathieu , Prudentos Jean‐Baptiste , Lecigne Aude , Laran Adrien , Nguyen Caroline T. , Destruhaut Florent , Naveau Adrien
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this clinical report was to describe the use of a piezographic impression associated with computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD–CAM) for teeth setup and of digital tools for neuro‐musculo–kinetic analyses. An edentulous patient with hemiglossectomy and heavily resorbed mandible consulted for complete denture rehabilitation to improve their masticatory function and speech. Master casts, wax rims, and piezographic impression were scanned for digital prosthetic work. Two digital try‐ins were performed to respect the neutral zone: try‐in 1 with posterior crossbite and try‐in 2 without crossbite. Muscle activity and mandibular kinetics were performed for each try‐in following the MAC2 protocol (six criteria): muscular tone, contraction synchrony, contraction efficiency, interocclusal rest distance, amplitude of mandibular movement, and velocity. Try‐in 2 showed better data than try‐in 1 in all criteria: muscle tone (respectively 71% vs. 59%), contraction synchrony (79% vs. 75%), contraction efficiency (85% vs. 77%), an increase in range of motion of 3.3 mm, and a better velocity (0.35 ± 0.12 s vs. 0.57 ± 0.14 s, p = 0.008). The piezographic impression, in combination with CAD–CAM, allowed the comparison of two prosthetic designs and the selection of the try‐in with the best neuro‐musculo–kinetic results.
A re‐examination of the plant variety act 2021 from the perspective of pre‐exisiting obligation to protect plant varieties
Authors: Fapetu Oluwaseun S.
Published: March 2023

The paper examines the newly enacted Plant Variety Act in Nigeria in relation to the obligations of Nigeria to protect plant varieties. The paper views these obligations from different perspectives in the protection of diverse interest related to plant varieties. The paper finds that the Act offers an unbalanced protection of right which strongly protects the intellectual property rights of breeders without recourse to the other interest obligated to be protected by several international agreement which Nigeria is a signatory to especially farmers', communities and biodiversity interests. The paper advocates for an amendment of the Act to ensure a balanced and compliant legal framework for the protection of plant varieties in Nigeria.
Short‐ and Medium‐Term Effects of Parental Separation on Children's Well‐Being: Evidence from Uruguay
Authors: Bucheli Marisa , Vigorito Andrea
Published: March 2023

There is limited quantitative research on the effect of parental union dissolution on children's well‐being in developing countries. We use three waves of an Uruguayan longitudinal study that follows a cohort of first graders at public primary schools in 2004 to study the short‐term (at age 13) and medium‐term (at age 19) effects of parental separation on school attendance, grade repetition, completed years of schooling, socioemotional status, time devoted to a broad range of activities, and labor force participation. We carry out a difference‐in‐difference fixed‐effects estimation comparing children of married or cohabiting couples that remained together versus a similar group of children whose parents separated after 2004. In contrast to studies for developed countries, socioemotional well‐being remains unchanged. However, union dissolution worsens boys' educational outcomes in the short and medium term, whereas girls are only affected in the short term. Since lower educational attainment is difficult to reverse, it can result in reduced earnings during adulthood and in this way contribute to the intergenerational transmission of disadvantages. We also explore a set of potential moderators, including household income, maternal employment, access to durable goods, and public transfers, which suggest that worsened educational outcomes are closely connected to post‐separation economic hardship.
Impact of trained volunteers' services in caring for older persons with dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Handajani Yvonne Suzy , Aryani Astria , Schröder‐Butterfill Elisabeth , Turana Yuda
Published: March 2023

Dementia causes a great burden of disease globally. Volunteers' contributions in caring for older persons with dementia (OPD) are growing. This review aims to evaluate the impact of trained volunteers' involvement in providing care and support for OPD. PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOHost, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using specific keywords. Inclusion criteria were studies of OPD who received interventions delivered by trained volunteers, which were published between 2018 and 2023. Seven studies were included in the final systematic review, comprising studies using quantitative and qualitative approaches. A wide range of outcomes was seen in both acute and home/community‐based care settings. Improvements in social interaction, loneliness, mood, ability to recall, and physical activity of OPD were found. Carers and trained volunteers were also found to benefit. Trained volunteers' involvement in OPD care plays a very valuable role for OPD, their caregivers, the volunteers, and in turn to society. This review also emphasizes the importance of person‐centred care for OPD.
Perception of self‐generated and externally‐generated visual stimuli: Evidence from EEG and behavior
Authors: Ody Edward , Straube Benjamin , He Yifei , Kircher Tilo
Published: March 2023

Efference copy‐based forward model mechanisms may help us to distinguish between self‐generated and externally‐generated sensory consequences. Previous studies have shown that self‐initiation modulates neural and perceptual responses to identical stimulation. For example, event‐related potentials (ERPs) elicited by tones that follow a button press are reduced in amplitude relative to ERPs elicited by passively attended tones. However, previous EEG studies investigating visual stimuli in this context are rare, provide inconclusive results, and lack adequate control conditions with passive movements. Furthermore, although self‐initiation is known to modulate behavioral responses, it is not known whether differences in the amplitude of ERPs also reflect differences in perception of sensory outcomes. In this study, we presented to participants visual stimuli consisting of gray discs following either active button presses, or passive button presses, in which an electromagnet moved the participant's finger. Two discs presented visually 500–1250 ms apart followed each button press, and participants judged which of the two was more intense. Early components of the primary visual response (N1 and P2) over the occipital electrodes were suppressed in the active condition. Interestingly, suppression in the intensity judgment task was only correlated with suppression of the visual P2 component. These data support the notion of efference copy‐based forward model predictions in the visual sensory modality, but especially later processes (P2) seem to be perceptually relevant. Taken together, the results challenge the assumption that N1 differences reflect perceptual suppression and emphasize the relevance of the P2 ERP component.
Biophysical model of muscle spindle encoding
Authors: Housley Stephen N. , Powers Randal K. , Nardelli Paul , Lee Sebinne , Blum Kyle , Bewick Guy S. , Banks Robert W. , Cope Timothy C.
Published: March 2023

Muscle spindles encode mechanosensory information by mechanisms that remain only partially understood. Their complexity is expressed in mounting evidence of various molecular mechanisms that play essential roles in muscle mechanics, mechanotransduction and intrinsic modulation of muscle spindle firing behaviour. Biophysical modelling provides a tractable approach to achieve more comprehensive mechanistic understanding of such complex systems that would be difficult/impossible by more traditional, reductionist means. Our objective here was to construct the first integrative biophysical model of muscle spindle firing. We leveraged current knowledge of muscle spindle neuroanatomy and in vivo electrophysiology to develop and validate a biophysical model that reproduces key in vivo muscle spindle encoding characteristics. Crucially, to our knowledge, this is the first computational model of mammalian muscle spindle that integrates the asymmetric distribution of known voltage‐gated ion channels (VGCs) with neuronal architecture to generate realistic firing profiles, both of which seem likely to be of great biophysical importance. Results predict that particular features of neuronal architecture regulate specific characteristics of Ia encoding. Computational simulations also predict that the asymmetric distribution and ratios of VGCs is a complementary and, in some instances, orthogonal means to regulate Ia encoding. These results generate testable hypotheses and highlight the integral role of peripheral neuronal structure and ion channel composition and distribution in somatosensory signalling.
Role of BDNF in Neuroplasticity Associated with Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Peregud Danil I. , Baronets Valeria Yu. , Terebilina Natalia N. , Gulyaeva Natalia V.
Published: March 2023

Chronic alcohol consumption is characterized by disturbances of neuroplasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is believed to be critically involved in this process. Here we aimed to review actual experimental and clinical data related to BDNF participation in neuroplasticity in the context of alcohol dependence. As has been shown in experiments with rodents, alcohol consumption is accompanied by the brain region-specific changes of BDNF expression and by structural and behavioral impairments. BDNF reverses aberrant neuroplasticity observed during alcohol intoxication. According to the clinical data parameters associated with BDNF demonstrate close correlation with neuroplastic changes accompanying alcohol dependence. In particular, the rs6265 polymorphism within the BDNF gene is associated with macrostructural changes in the brain, while peripheral BDNF concentration may be associated with anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment. Thus, BDNF is involved in the mechanisms of alcohol-induced changes of neuroplasticity, and polymorphisms within the BDNF gene and peripheral BDNF concentration may serve as biomarkers, diagnostic or prognostic factors in treatment of alcohol abuse.
Semi-Automatic Defect Distinction of PAUT for High Strength Steel Corner Structure
Authors: Wang Qiang , Wang Xinghao , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2023

In this study, A GCN distinction network is proposed to identify the defect status of steel corner structures. In this defect determination method, the detected S-scan data is converted into A-scan by Doppler software to form a two-dimensional detection matrix, and the two dimensions are deflection angle stepping and sampling point on the acoustic distance respectively. GCN needs data node relations for GCN’s adjacent matrix, which concludes the shape of the sample and the reflection information and the structure of acoustic beam direction. The conventional inverse and threshold method are introduced in order to enhance classification performance. According to the node and the adjacency matrix relationship between nodes of affiliation and node sampling value automatically set the node label, The GCN model is constructed. Due to the characteristics of GCN, the beam length in the adjacent matrix cannot be changed again in the application test. Except for the detection model of Beamtool software, all other data processes and distinction are carried out automatically. In this study, the PAUT of low-alloy steel (30CrMnSi) was carried out by the PHASCAN II detector, to verify the effectiveness of the research method through natural wave and defect echo experiments which will be confused to distinguish.
Erratum to: The Software System LingvoDoc and the Possibilities It Offers for Documentation and Analysis of Ob-Ugric Languages
Authors: Normanskaja Yu. V. , Borisenko O. D. , Beloborodov I. B. , Avetisyan A. I.
Published: March 2023

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064562422340038
Erratum to: Ray Statement of the Acoustic Tomography Problem
Authors: Romanov V. G.
Published: March 2023

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S106456242234004X