bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study identified the key role of gut microbiota in immunotherapeutic toxicity
Authors: Liu Baike , Liu Zheran , Jiang Tianxiang , Gu Xiangshuai , Yin Xiaonan , Cai Zhaolun , Zou Xiaoqiao , Dai Lei , Zhang Bo
Published: July 2023

Background

In cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), there is emerging evidence suggesting a correlation between gut microbiota and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). However, the exact roles of gut microbiota and the causal associations are yet to be clarified.

Methods

To investigate this, we first conducted a univariable bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Instrumental variables (IVs) for gut microbiota were retrieved from the MiBioGen consortium (18,340 participants). GWAS summary data for irAEs were gathered from an ICIs-treated cohort with 1,751 cancer patients. Various MR analysis methods, including Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR PRESSO, maximum likelihood (ML), weighted median, weighted mode, and cML-MA-BIC were used. Furthermore, multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis was performed to account for possible influencing instrumental variables.

Results

Our analysis identified fourteen gut bacterial taxa that were causally associated with irAEs. Notably,Lachnospiraceaewas strongly associated with an increased risk of both high-grade and all-grade irAEs, even after accounting for the effect of BMI in the MVMR analysis.Akkermansia,Verrucomicrobiaceae, andAnaerostipeswere found to exert protective roles in high-grade irAEs. However,Ruminiclostridium6,Coprococcus3,Collinsella, andEubacterium (fissicatena group)were associated with a higher risk of developing high-grade irAEs.RuminococcaceaeUCG004, andDefluviitaleaceaeUCG011were protective against all-grade irAEs, whereasPorphyromonadaceae,Roseburia,Eubacterium (brachy group), andPeptococcuswere associated with an increased risk of all-grade irAEs.

Conclusion

Our analysis highlights a strong causal association betweenLachnospiraceaeand irAEs, along with some other gut microbial taxa. These findings provide potential modifiable targets for managing irAEs and warrant further investigation.
Heart Rate as a Predictor of Mortality in Heart Failure Patients at the Time of Discharge from the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Hsiao Chia-Ying , Su Min-I , Chang Yu-Cheng , Lee Ying-Hsiang , Lin Po-Lin , Chiou Wei-Ru
Published: July 2023

Objective

Heart rate serves as a critical prognostic factor in heart failure patients. We hypothesize that elevated heart rate in critically ill heart failure patients upon discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) could be linked to adverse outcomes.

Design

We implemented a retrospective cohort study using data collected between 2008 and 2019 from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV version 2.0) database. We examined the association between the last heart rate prior to ICU discharge and in-hospital mortality, total mortality, and ICU readmission.

Setting

ICU at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Patients

Adult patients admitted to the ICU diagnosed with heart failure.

Interventions

None

Measurements and Main Results

From the 76,943 ICU stays, we enrolled 2,365 patients in this study. We observed correlations between in-hospital mortality and ICU discharge heart rate of 83.56±15.81 bpm (survivors) vs. 93.84±17.28 bpm (nonsurvivors, p<0.001). Total mortality showed similar trends, with 83.67±15.36 bpm (survivors) vs. 85.23±17.25 bpm (nonsurvivors, p=0.027), as did ICU readmissions at 83.55±15.77 bpm (nonreadmitted) vs. 88.64±17.49 bpm (readmitted, p<0.001). Given multivariate analysis, the ICU discharge heart rate strongly predicted in-hospital mortality (OR 1.035 [95% CI 1.024-1.046], p < 0.001), total mortality (OR 1.007 [95% CI 1.001-1.014], p = 0.027) and ICU readmission (OR 1.015 [95% CI 1.007-1.023], p < 0.001). Patients with an ICU discharge heart rate >90 bpm demonstrated significantly higher in-hospital mortality (OR 2.986 [95% CI 2.066-4.315], p < 0.001), total mortality (OR 1.341 [95% CI 1.083-1.661], p = 0.007), and ICU readmission rates (OR 1.638 [95% CI 1.270-2.114], p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that heart failure patients with an elevated heart rate (>90 bpm) at ICU discharge are more likely to experience increased in-hospital mortality, total mortality, and ICU readmissions, indicating potential negative outcomes.

Key Points

Question: Does an elevated heart rate at ICU discharge increase in-hospital mortality, total mortality, and ICU readmission?

Findings: This retrospective cohort study using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database showed that a higher ICU discharge heart rate >90 bpm is a strong predictor of increased in-hospital mortality (OR 2.986, p < 0.001), total mortality (OR 1.341, p = 0.007), and ICU readmission (OR 1.638, p < 0.001).

Meaning: Heart failure patients with an elevated heart rate (>90bpm) at ICU discharge are more likely to face increased risks of in-hospital mortality, total mortality, and ICU readmissions.
Monomeric amyloid-β inhibits microglial inflammatory activity in the brain via an APP/heterotrimeric G protein-mediated pathway
Authors: Kwon Hyo Jun , Santhosh Devi , Huang Zhen
Published: July 2023

Microglia, the resident immune cell of the brain, play critical roles in brain development, function, and disease. However, how microglial activity is regulated in this process remains to be elucidated. Here we report an amyloid precursor protein (APP) and heterotrimeric G protein-mediated pathway that negatively regulates microglial inflammatory activation during cerebral cortex development. Disruption of this pathway results in dysregulated microglial activity, excessive extracellular matrix proteinase production, cortical basement membrane breach, and laminar assembly disruption. We further show that this pathway is activated by amyloid β (Aβ), the cleavage product of APP that accumulates in large quantities as plaques in the Alzheimer’s disease brain. Specifically, we find Aβ monomers potently suppress inflammatory cytokine transcription and secretion by brain microglia, in an APP and heterotrimeric G protein-dependent manner. These results discover a previously unknown activity of Aβ as a negative regulator of brain microglia as well as a new pathway that mediates the signal transduction. They shed new light on the cell-cell communication mechanisms that regulate brain immune homeostasis and may facilitate further insight into Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.
Development of a major histocompatibility complex class II conditional knockout mouse to study cell-specific and time-dependent adaptive immune responses in peripheral nerves
Authors: Ubogu Eroboghene E. , Conner Jeremy A. , Wang Yimin , Yadav Dinesh , Saunders Thomas L.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II professional antigen presenting cell-naïve CD4+ T cell interactions via the T-cell receptor complex are necessary for adaptive immunity. MHC class II upregulation in multiple cell types occurs in human autoimmune polyneuropathy patient biopsies, necessitating studies to ascertain cellular signaling pathways required for tissue-specific autoimmunity.

Methods

Cryopreserved Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patient sural nerve biopsies and sciatic nerves from the severe murine experimental autoimmune neuritis (sm-EAN) GBS model were studied. Cultured conditional ready MHC Class II antigen A-alpha chain (H2-Aa) embryonic stem cells were used to generate H2-Aaflox/+C57BL/6 mice. Mice were backcrossed and intercrossed to the SJL background to generate H2-Aaflox/floxSJL mice, bred with hemizygous Tamoxifen-inducible von Willebrand factor Cre recombinase (vWF-iCre/+) SJL mice to generate H2-Aaflox/flox; vWF-iCre/+ to study microvascular endothelial cell adaptive immune responses. Sm-EAN was induced in adult female SJL Tamoxifen-treated H2-Aaflox/flox; vWF-iCre/+ mice and H2-Aaflox/flox; +/+ littermate controls. Neurobehavioral, electrophysiological and histopathological assessments were performed at predefined time points.

Results

Endoneurial endothelial cell MHC class II expression was observed in normal and inflamed human and mouse peripheral nerves. Adult female Tamoxifen-treated H2-Aaflox/flox; vWF-iCre/+ did not develop sm-EAN despite extensive MHC class II expression in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues.

Discussion

A conditional MHC class II knockout mouse to study cell- and time-dependent adaptive immune responsesin vivois developed. Initial studies show microvascular endothelial cell MHC class II expression is necessary for peripheral nerve specific autoimmunity, as advocated by humanin vitroadaptive immunity andex vivotransplant rejection studies.
PREVALENCE AND HISTOLOGICAL PATTERNS OF PROSTATE CANCER AMONG PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH OBSTRUCTIVE LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS AT MBARARA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL
Authors: Kyegombe Willy , Joseph Epodoi , Ronald Okidi , Lagoro Kitara , Eddymond Ekuk , Aniitah Nimusima , Mwesigwa Marvin Mutakooha
Published: July 2023

Background

Prostate cancer is currently the second commonest male cancer in Uganda. Despite this, men are more likely to be tested for prostate cancer only after presenting with obstructive Lower urinary tract symptoms [1] since these are a common presenting complaint among elderly males [2]. However, there is still a lack of published local information on the clinical and biochemical patterns of prostate cancer among patients with lower urinary tract symptoms in Uganda which can negatively affects the equitable distribution of resources for cancer care.

Aims

To determine the Patterns of PSA, DRE, histological findings, and prevalence of prostate cancer among patients presenting to Mbarara regional referral hospital with obstructive LUTS.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study of 140 patients with obstructive LUTS. Demographics, presenting symptoms were collected using a structured questionnaire and IPSS index, followed by total serum prostate specific antigen level estimation and Digital rectal examination. Patients who had a total serum Prostate Specific Antigen level above 4ng or an abnormal DRE underwent digitally guided transrectal prostate biopsy.

Results

Majority had severe LUTS (n=103,73.57%) with a median tPSA of 14.4 ng/ml and met the criteria for the digitally guided transrectal trucut prostate biopsy(n=99,70.71%). DRE abnormalities were found in 57.14% n=80 of the participants. The commonest abnormalities were prostatic enlargement (n=76,54.29%), hard prostatic consistency (29.2% n=41), loss of the median groove (35.71% n= 50) and nodular prostate (n=60, 42.86%). The prevalence of prostate cancer was high at 52.21% (59/11395% C.I:30.1-46.3), and over 93.3% of the cancer postive patients exhibited abnormalities on DRE.

Prostate adenocarcinoma was the only histological type in all biopsies. The mean Gleason score was 8 (±1.148) and the majority had a Gleason score of 8 and above. (77.78%, n=35).

Conclusions

The prevalence of prostate cancer among men presenting to Mbarara Regional referral hospital with obstructive LUTS was high and majority of these had poorly differentiated prostate adenocarcinoma.
Posture analysis in predicting fall-related injuries during French Navy Special Forces selection course using machine learning: A proof of concept study
Authors: Verdonk Charles , Duffaud Anaïs M. , Longin Aurélie , Bertrand Matthieu , Zagnoli Fabien , Trousselard Marion , Canini Frédéric
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Injuries induced by falls represent the main cause of failure in the French Navy Special Forces selection course. In the present study we made the assumption that probing the posture might contribute to predicting the risk of fall-related injury at the individual level.

Methods

Before the start of the selection course, the postural signals of 99 male soldiers were recorded using static posturography while they were instructed to maintain balance with their eyes closed. The event to be predicted was a fall-related injury during the selection course that resulted in the definitive termination of participation. Following a machine learning methodology, we designed an artificial neural network model to predict the risk of fall-related injury from the descriptors of postural signal.

Results

The neural network model successfully predicted with 69.9% accuracy (95% CI=69.3-70.5) the occurrence of a fall-related injury event during the selection course from the selected descriptors of the posture. The area under the curve (AUC) value was 0.731 (95% CI=0.725-0.738), the sensitivity was 56.8% (95% CI=55.2-58.4), and the specificity was 77.7% (95% CI=76.8-0.78.6).

Conclusion

If confirmed with a larger sample, these findings suggest that probing the posture using static posturography and machine learning-based analysis might contribute to inform risk assessment of fall-related injury during military training, and could ultimately lead to the development of novel programs for personalized injury prevention in military population.

KEY MESSAGES

Fall-related injuries are a major concern that leads to failure in the French Navy Special Forces selection course.

This proof of concept study shows that analyzing the posture with machine learning can predict the risk of fall-related injury at the individual level.

The findings may prompt the development of novel programs for personalized injury prevention in military settings.
Response of microbial eukaryote community to the oligotrophic waters of the Gulf of Mexico: a plausible scenario for warm and stratified oceans
Authors: Sidón-Ceseña K. , Martínez-Mercado M.A. , Chong-Robles J. , Ortega-Saad Y. , Camacho-Ibar V.F. , Linacre L. , Lago-Lestón A.
Published: July 2023

In oligotrophic environments, interactions among eukaryotic microorganisms are highly complex. In the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), the Loop Current intensifies in summer and supplies the Gulf with warm and oligotrophic waters. However, mesoscale eddies within the GoM create favorable conditions for biological productivity by bringing nutrient-rich water to the subsurface layer. This study aimed to determine the structure, variability, and ecological roles of the protist in the mixed layer (ML) and deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM), representing the first V9-18S rRNA survey studying the protist community from the Southern GoM. Results revealed different assemblages between the ML and DCM. In the ML, species abundance was highly and positively correlated with temperature but negatively correlated with the nitrate concentration, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in the DCM. Alveolata represented ∼60% in both the ML and DCM, while Haptophytes and MAST dominated the ML, and Pelagophytes and Radiolarians dominated the DCM. Interestingly,Ostreococcusabundance increased under upwelling conditions suggesting that it may act as an indicator of the vertical nitrate flux and that picoeukaryotes respond to this instead of diatoms. Finally, our analyses revealed high levels of competition, parasitism, and predation with a high proportion of self-exclusion relationship (30%) in both depths.
The maintenance of centriole appendages and motile cilia basal body anchoring relies on TBCCD1
Authors: Carmona Bruno , Camelo Carolina , Mehraz Manon , Lemullois Michel , Faria Mariana Lince , Coyaud Étienne , Marinho H. Susana , Gonçalves João , Nolasco Sofia , Pinto Francisco , Raught Brian , Tassin Anne-Marie , Koll France , Soares Helena
Published: July 2023

Centrosomes are organelles consisting of two structurally and functionally distinct centrioles, with the mother centriole having complex distal (DA) and subdistal appendages (SDA). Despite their importance, how appendages are assembled and maintained remains unclear. This study investigated human TBCCD1, a centrosomal protein essential for centrosome positioning, to uncover its localization and role at centrioles. We found that TBCCD1 localizes at both proximal and distal regions of the two centrioles, forming a complex structure spanning from SDA to DA and extending inside and outside the centriole lumen. TBCCD1 depletion caused centrosome mispositioning, which was partially rescued by taxol, and the loss of microtubules (MTs) anchored to centrosomes. TBCCD1 depletion also reduced levels of SDA proteins involved in MT anchoring such as Centriolin/CEP110, Ninein, and CEP170. Additionally, TBCCD1 was essential for the correct positioning of motile cilia basal bodies and associated structures inParamecium. This study reveals that TBCCD1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein essential for centriole and basal body localization and appendage assembly and maintenance. A BioID screening also linked TBCCD1 to ciliopathy-associated protein networks.
Challenges in identifying mRNA transcript starts and ends from long-read sequencing data
Authors: Calvo-Roitberg Ezequiel , Daniels Rachel F. , Pai Athma A.
Published: July 2023

Long-read sequencing (LRS) technologies have the potential to revolutionize scientific discoveries in RNA biology, especially by enabling the comprehensive identification and quantification of full length mRNA isoforms. However, inherently high error rates make the analysis of long-read sequencing data challenging. While these error rates have been characterized for sequence and splice site identification, it is still unclear how accurately LRS reads represent transcript start and end sites. Here, we systematically assess the variability and accuracy of mRNA terminal ends identified by LRS reads across multiple sequencing platforms. We find substantial inconsistencies in both the start and end coordinates of LRS reads spanning a gene, such that LRS reads often fail to accurately recapitulate annotated or empirically derived terminal ends of mRNA molecules. To address this challenge, we introduce an approach to condition reads based on empirically derived terminal ends and identified a subset of reads that are more likely to represent full-length transcripts. Our approach can improve transcriptome analyses by enhancing the fidelity of transcript terminal end identification, but may result in lower power to quantify genes or discover novel isoforms. Thus, it is necessary to be cautious when selecting sequencing approaches and/or interpreting data from long-read RNA sequencing.
DSPE-PEG-CeO2inhibits tumor cell proliferation by inducing oxidative stress and cell death
Authors: Qin SiHao , Wang Xueyao , Li Huan , Jiang YanFang
Published: July 2023

CeO2can consume intracellular reducing power, but its poor biocompatibility limits its application in tumor therapy. In this study, we designed and synthesized DSPE-PEG-CeO2, which is easy to enter cells, and showed that DSPE-PEG-CeO2can induce the increase of ROS levels in tumor cells, thereby inducing tumor cell apoptosis and DNA damage. This suppresses the appearance and development of tumor cells. This provides a new idea for the application of inorganic nanomaterials.
Downregulation of lysosomal trafficking in ARPE19 cells leads to decreased transfection efficiency at high passage
Authors: Hood Erika M.S. , Jones Lipinski Rachel A. , Lipinski Daniel M.
Published: July 2023

PURPOSE

ARPE19 cells are a commonly used cell culture model for the study of retinal pigment epithelial cell biology and pathologies. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that ARPE19 undergo morphologic, transcriptomic and genomic alterations over time and with increasing passage number. Herein, we explore the mechanisms underlying increased resistance to the delivery of exogenous genetic material via transfection in ARPE19 cells using mass spectrometry.

METHODS

ARPE19 cells (N=5 wells/reagent) were seeded in 6-well plates at passages 24 through 30. At 70% confluency an mCherry reporter construct was delivered via transfection using Lipofectamine 3000, Lipofectamine LTX, Lipofectamine Stem, or PEI (polyethylenimine) reagents. After 72 hours, transfection efficiency was quantified by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence of ARPE19 cells were performed at passages 24 and 30 to evaluate altered protein synthesis and localization between passage numbers.

RESULTS

ARPE19 transfection showed a maximum transfection efficiency of 32.4% at P26 using Lipofectamine 3000 reagent. All lipofectamine based reagents demonstrated statistically significant decreases in transfection efficiency between passages 24 and 30. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed 18 differentially expressed proteins, including down-regulation of clathrin light chain B (CLTB) and legumain (LGMN) that was confirmed via immunofluorescence imaging, which indicated altered intracellular localization.

CONCLUSIONS

ARPE19 cells demonstrate passage number dependent changes in lipofectamine-based transfection efficiency. Mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence indicates the observed decrease in transfection efficiency involves the dysregulation of endocytosis and intracellular endolysosomal trafficking at later passages.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE

This study contributes to mounting evidence for changes in ARPE19 cell physiology with increasing passage number. This information is of value for the continued use of ARPE19 cells as a model system for RPE biology and the development of therapeutics.
Flatness promotes modernity: logo flatness and consumers' perception of brand image
Authors: Peng Luluo , Wei Yuting , Zhang Xiaodan , Wang Danping
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The brand logo, as a fundamental element of marketing communications, serves as a crucial visual representation of a brand. In the current era of mobile Internet, logo flatness has become a new trend in practice. However, there remains a scarcity of research that explores the effects of logo flatness on consumer perceptions and brand attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

Across four studies, using both observational analyses of real brands and experimental manipulations of fictitious brands, the authors examined the impact of logo flatness on consumer perceptions and brand attitudes.

Findings

Results show that logo flatness promotes the perception of modernity due to the simplicity it presents. Consumers will evaluate the brand more positively when their perception of the logo association is congruent with the brand image. Notably, traditional brands using skeuomorphic logos and modern brands employing flat logos can effectively enhance consumers' brand attitudes.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have significant implications for businesses seeking to enhance consumers' brand attitude and foster brand renewal through the strategic selection and design of logos that align with their brand image.

Originality/value

This study provides a theoretical and empirical test of the influence of logo flatness on consumers' perception of brand image, thereby enriching the existing research on brand management.
Firm efficiency and corporate performance: the moderating role of controlling shareholders
Authors: Thien Nguyen Huu , Asif Jawad , Kweh Qian Long , Ting Irene Wei Kiong
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study analyses the effects of firm efficiency on firm performance and how controlling shareholders moderate the link between the two variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs data envelopment analysis to estimate firm efficiency and the panel regression method to assess the hypothesised relationships among 1,295 firm-year observations of publicly listed firms in Malaysia from 2015 to 2019.

Findings

The results indicate that firm efficiency (technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency) has mixed relationships with firm performance (return on assets, market-to-book ratio and operating cash flows), all of which are being moderated by controlling shareholdings.

Practical implications

This study highlights the importance of assessing firm efficiency as the key success factor for improving firm performance. Industrial managers should manage efficiently their resources or operating costs in achieving their corporate financial goals. Moreover, this study notes the presence of controlling shareholders, who can be either self-interested or company goal aligned.

Originality/value

This study suggests becoming efficient in transforming inputs into outputs is a prerequisite before investigating accrual-based and cash-based firm performance measures, and the presence of controlling shareholders matters in these regards.
Performance variability, prior failure experience and entrepreneurs’ physical health
Authors: Lin Song , Zhang Ru
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Past studies have mainly concentrated on the impact of stress and self-employment on physical health. However, little research has paid attention to firm-level determinants of entrepreneurs’ physical health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between performance variability and entrepreneurs’ physical health as well as the moderating effect of prior failure experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data drawn from 255 start-ups across the Bohai Economic Rim in China over a period of three years (2015–2017). The results are still robust after several robustness checks.

Findings

Results show that performance variability is positively related to the probability of entrepreneurs showing poor health. This confirms that performance variability has an adverse effect on entrepreneurs’ physical health. Moreover, this relationship is moderated by the prior failure experience of entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

First, entrepreneurs should gain more information about the firm’s daily operation to reduce the potential threat of performance variability. Second, it is imperative for entrepreneurs to build a stable relationship with their stakeholders to avoid the potential costs related to performance variability. Finally, entrepreneurs should take health consequences into consideration when making strategic decisions.

Originality/value

First, this paper contributes to the studies on the antecedents of entrepreneurs’ physical health by introducing a firm-level determinant (i.e. performance variability). The findings enhance the understanding of the association between entrepreneurs and new ventures. Second, this paper also enriches the extant literature on the outcomes of performance variability. Finally, this paper attempts to offer new insights into prior failure experience by establishing its moderating effect on the performance–health relationship.
Motivating mobile payment adoption during global pandemic: insights from protection motivation and theory of planned behavior
Authors: Hazarika Bidyut , Shrivastava Utkarsh , Singh Vivek Kumar , Rea Alan
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on society and will continue to be a subject of study for researchers in the years to come. Businesses have implemented technologies that reduce reliance on physical currencies, such as e-commerce sites and contactless payments. This study aims to examine the users’ attitudes and behaviors toward mobile payments. The focus is on identifying the most effective techniques and approaches that businesses can use to encourage user adoption of mobile payments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses survey data from 396 active mobile payment users across the mid-west region of the USA to test the proposed hypothesis. The snowball sampling approach is used to sample the participants for the data collection. This study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the ten hypotheses proposed in this study.

Findings

This study finds that organizational commitment and privacy customization can significantly overcome users’ protective attitudes toward mobile payments during the pandemic. In addition, providing users with privacy customization options can significantly encourage self-disclosure, which is crucial for transaction authentication and fraud detection.

Originality/value

Envisioned in the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, this is one of the earliest studies investigating the role of privacy customization, self-disclosure and organizational commitment on mobile payment adoption.
Empowering vs empowered: factors shaping women’s workplace empowerment in the Qatari public sector
Authors: Naguib Rabia , Madeeha Muznah
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Despite several policies in the Arab Gulf States aimed at promoting women’s empowerment through employment, women’s career progress has not met the expected gains. Workplace empowerment is a critical aspect of women’s economic empowerment. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the factors that contribute to workplace empowerment for women in the Qatari public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a mixed-methods approach to explore workplace empowerment among female civil servants in the State of Qatar. The study combines surveys (N= 310) and interviews (N= 30) and uses an inductive thematic approach that considers women’s narratives as the primary source of knowledge construction.

Findings

The authors’ findings strongly suggest that perception-related factors have a more significant impact on workplace empowerment than structural ones. The results indicate that feelings of disempowerment are influenced by perceptions of gender-based discrimination, poor relationships with supervisors and dissatisfaction with work–life balance. Women feel empowered when they have access to decision-making opportunities and perceive that their workplace supports their professional growth and advancement.

Research limitations/implications

Although this paper focuses solely on women’s perceptions, additional research is necessary to compare the experiences of both men and women regarding workplace empowerment. While individual and organizational factors were examined in this paper, future studies should also consider societal factors. The results highlight the importance of equal and supportive organizational practices and cultures to foster empowerment among women in the workplace, providing valuable insights for policymakers.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a critical research gap on the intersection of gender, work and management in the Middle East. It responds to the need for more diverse contextual research on Arab women’s work experiences and provides methodological diversity by using an exploratory, mixed-methods design with a grounded approach. The study highlights the interaction between structural and psychological factors, emphasizing the gap between policies and resources and women’s lived experiences and perceptions of workplace empowerment.
A gender-oriented analysis of digital skills and ICT use intensity in tourism companies in Extremadura (Spain)
Authors: Sánchez-Rivero Marcelino , Gutiérrez-Fernández Milagros , Fernández-Torres Yakira , Gallego-Sosa Clara
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to use a novel approach, focusing on the manager’s gender, to explore whether it acts as a differentiator in the following aspects of tourist accommodation companies in Extremadura (Spain): the level of information and communication technology (ICT) specialisation of employees, managers’ knowledge of ICTs and the social media and online tourism platform use intensity of managers.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was sent to 238 accommodation companies. The data collected from the questionnaire were analysed using statistical inference techniques and linear and logistic regression.

Findings

In general, ICT specialist profiles are more common amongst the employees of male-led companies. Male managers also use Booking and analyse online feedback more intensively. There appear to be no gender-based differences in terms of the ICT knowledge of managers.

Practical implications

These results highlight issues of major practical interest for the sector’s managers and decision makers, especially in Extremadura. They reveal the digital divide in certain aspects between men- and women-led firms in Extremadura. This finding has important consequences for the sector in terms of competitiveness. It highlights the need to continue working to eradicate gender gaps in digital settings.

Originality/value

The study shows the role of the manager’s gender as a differentiating factor in terms of the existence of specialist ICT profiles and ICT use intensity in tourism companies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of such a finding for the tourism sector in general, as well as for the specific case of a rural destination such as Extremadura.
Keeping warm: racial disparities of warmth judgments in the service industry
Authors: Lee Lindsey , Yu Heyao , Jolly Phillip M.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

People develop general stereotypes and beliefs about how people look and behave, and discrepancies in perceptions of warmth and competence can lead to incongruence in expected behaviors during service interactions. These perceptions can contribute to negative outcomes for employees; therefore, this study aims to examine how perceptions of warmth affect both customer reactions to employees who are Asian and the work stress, strain and attitudes of employees who are Asian toward their jobs.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the phenomenon, the authors conducted three studies. The first study examined whether occupational-racial stereotypes influence customers’ evaluation of employees’ service recovery performance. The second study temporally examined whether employees who are Asian engage in more emotional labor strategies to counter these occupational-racial stereotypes and as a result experience more negative outcomes. And a third study investigated the cumulative effects of negative perceptions on employee outcomes.

Findings

The results suggest employees in the hospitality industry who are Asian are perceived as less warm during service failure interactions and, thus, must work harder to regulate their emotions. As a result, employees who are Asian reported experiencing more negative outcomes, supporting the notion that occupational-racial stereotypes contribute to racial disparity and act as challenges and barriers for employees in the service industry.

Research limitations/implications

These findings emphasize the need to understand and address occupational-racial stereotypes for employees who are Asian to mitigate racial disparities in the service industry. Organizations can promote diverse work climates, provide emotional support and foster high-quality relationships to support employee well-being and satisfaction.

Originality/value

The results provide insight into how stereotypical warmth perceptions of employees who are Asian may affect the demands they face when engaging in service recovery, and how these increased demands may reduce the quality of their work experiences.
Asymmetric new Keynesian Phillips curve for Mexico, 2005Q1–2022Q4
Authors: Loría Eduardo , Tirado Cossío Raúl Antonio
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The labor market responds in a differentiated manner during recessions and expansions, and it is of vital importance to know the magnitude asymmetries. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of the disinflationary monetary policy (2005Q1–2022Q4) through the sacrifice rate measured in terms of unemployment and rate of critical labor conditions (RCLC) with nonlinear auto regressive distributed lag (NLARDL; Shin et al., 2014), which allows to efficiently estimate asymmetric effects in short and long terms in the presence of variables of different integration orders.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate an asymmetric accelerationist Phillips curve, augmented with labor precariousness for Mexico (2005Q1–2022Q4) following the NLARDL approach (Shin et al., 2014).

Findings

The authors prove that the increase in the unemployment gap has greater disinflationary effects than the RCLC in both the short and the long term; the expansionary phases of the business cycle, which reduce UGap, do not have inflationary effects either in the short or in the long run, but improvements in the labor market do, when RCLC is reduced; raising RCLC appears to have been the companies’ main survival strategy since 2015; and these asymmetries can generate a low unemployment trap with high and growing precariousness, with huge dynamic costs for well-being, economic growth, inequality and poverty.

Social implications

As labor precariousness grows, the implications are several both in the short and long run. In the short run, the most notorious example of the effects on workers has to do with unstable and insecure situations, that disrupt all their life planning options, and health issues. Bohle et al. (2004) found in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries that casual employees had less desirable and predictable working hours, greater work–life conflict and more associated health complaints than people with permanent jobs.

Originality/value

The approach includes the labor precariousness variable, which describes a new phenomenon in the labor market. Nowadays, workers are facing a new threat since firms are employing a new labor cost reduction strategy in which they do not lay off workers but rather paying them less, working them more hours, or reducing benefits. The asymmetries between the effects of precarity and unemployment can generate a poverty trap in the long run. This problem is, once again, of great relevance in the context of global high inflation.
Let’s go green: achieving consumer-related performance outcomes in banks
Authors: Aslam Wajeeha , Jawaid Syed Tehseen
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Due to the increased pollution and global warming, the banking sector is also implementing green practices in their operations to improve business ethics. However, there are few studies that have looked at how green practices affect performance outcomes. Considering this, the study aims to examine the impact of green banking adoption practices (GRBP) on consumer-related performance outcomes (i.e. consumer green satisfaction, consumer green perceived quality, consumer green trust, environmental friendliness and continuing relations with bank). The study used resource-based view theory and triple bottom line in connecting GBRP and consumer-related performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was gathered via a Likert scale questionnaire from banking personnel and consumers using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The data of GRBP was collected from the banking employees, whereas the data for consumer-related performance outcomes were gathered from the banking consumers, and “Partial least square-structural equation modeling” (PLS-SEM) was used to examine research hypotheses.

Findings

The results of PLS-SEM reveal that GRBP positively affects consumer green trust, green perceived quality and green satisfaction. However, GRBP does not have any impact on environmental friendliness. The results further reveal that GRBP largely affects consumer green trust followed by green perceived quality and green satisfaction, respectively. Moreover, consumer green perceived quality, green trust and environmental friendliness positively affect the continuing relationship with the bank.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the context of green banking, i.e. two-dimensional, as it examines the impact of GRBP on consumer-related performance outcomes and confirms that GRBP enhances consumer-related performance outcomes. The findings of the study provide numerous insights to bank managers, environmentalists and policymakers.
Information security awareness maturity: conceptual and practical aspects in Hungarian organizations
Authors: Kő Andrea , Tarján Gábor , Mitev Ariel
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a maturity model for information security awareness (MMISA), based on the literature, expert interviews and feedback. In addition to developing the MMISA, the authors investigate the role of the three decisive factors that affect ISA maturity level: risk management mechanism, organizational structure and ISA.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is a combined one; qualitative and quantitative methods were applied, including surveying the literature, interviews and developing a survey to collect quantitative data about decisive factors that affect ISA maturity level. The authors perform a variance-based partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) investigation of the relationships between these factors.

Findings

The investigation of decisive factors of ISA maturity levels revealed that if the authors identify a strong risk assessment mechanism (through a documented methodology and reliable results), the authors can expect a high level of ISA. If there is a well-defined organizational structure with clear responsibilities, this supports the linking of a risk management mechanism with the level of ISA. The connection between organizational structure and ISA maturity level is supported by ISA activities: an increased level of awareness actions strengthens an organizational structure via the best practices learned by the staff.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the proposed MMISA model is that the model offers controls and audit evidence for maturity levels. Beyond that, the authors distinguish in the MMISA model controls supporting knowledge and controls supporting attitude, emphasizing that this is not enough to know what to do, but the proper attitude is required too. The authors didn't find any other ISA maturity model which has a similar feature. The contribution of the authors' work is that the authors provide a method for solving this complex measurement problem via the MMISA, which also offers direct guidance for the daily practices of organizations.
Monetary policy and nonperforming loan ratios in a monetary union; a counterfactual study
Authors: Napari Ayuba , Ozcan Rasim , Khan Asad Ul Islam
Published: July 2023

Purpose

For close to two decades, the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) has been preparing to launch a second monetary union within the ECOWAS region. This study aims to determine the impact such a unionised monetary regime will have on financial stability as represented by the nonperforming loan ratios of Ghana in a counterfactual framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This study models nonperforming loan ratios as dependent on the monetary policy rate and the business cycle. The study then used historical data to estimate the parameters of the nonperforming loan ratio response function using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach. The estimated parameters are further used to estimate the impact of several counterfactual unionised monetary policy rates on the nonperforming loan ratios and its volatility of Ghana. As robustness check, the Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator (LASSO) regression is also used to estimate the nonperforming loan ratios response function and to predict nonperforming loans under the counterfactual unionised monetary policy rates.

Findings

The results of the counterfactual study reveals that the apparent cost of monetary unification is much less than supposed with a monetary union likely to dampen volatility in non-performing loans in Ghana. As such, the WAMZ members should increase the pace towards monetary unification.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the existing literature by explicitly modelling nonperforming loan ratios as dependent on monetary policy and the business cycle. The study also settles the debate on the financial stability cost of a monetary union due to the nonalignment of business cycles and economic structures.
The effect of financial literacy, financial behaviour and financial stress on awareness of investment scams among retirees
Authors: Kasim Eley Suzana , Awalludin Noor Rohin , Zainal Nurazilah , Ismail Allezawati , Ahmad Shukri Nurul Huda
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of financial literacy, financial behaviour and financial stress on awareness of investment scams among retirees.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire survey, data was distributed to 200 retirees. A total of 53 responses were obtained. The data was subsequently analysed using PLS-SEM version 3 software.

Findings

Findings indicated that while financial literacy has a significant influence on awareness, there is no conclusive evidence to support the relationship between financial behaviour and financial stress on awareness. These results highlighted the critical need to strengthen financial literacy among retirees as a prevention mechanism for them to avoid from being scammed.

Research limitations/implications

The finding from this study is relevant to regulators and law enforcement agencies to aid potential and actual retirees by educating them on the danger of investment scams.

Originality/value

As there are relatively few studies conducted on investment scams specifically among retirees, this study extends the investment scam literature by examining the underlying factors that affect their awareness towards the fraudulent activities.
Maximizing internal control effectiveness: the synergy between forensic accounting and corporate governance
Authors: Alzoubi Abdallah Bader
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the joint role of forensic accounting and corporate governance in enhancing internal control effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a previously administrated questionnaire as a data collection method and partial least squares structural equation modeling as a data analysis tool.

Findings

The findings of this paper find a positive relationship between the study’s independent variables (forensic accounting and corporate governance) and dependent variables (internal control effectiveness).

Research limitations/implications

One potential limitation of this study is the use of a previously administered questionnaire as the primary data collection method, which may have limited the scope and depth of the data collected. Another limitation may be the focus on only two independent variables (forensic accounting and corporate governance), which may not fully capture all the factors that contribute to internal control effectiveness. Despite these limitations, this study provides important insights into the role of forensic accounting and corporate governance in enhancing internal control effectiveness and highlights the need for further research in this area.

Practical implications

This paper underscores the importance of investing in effective internal control systems and highlights the key role that forensic accounting and corporate governance play in enhancing the effectiveness of these systems.

Social implications

Effective internal control systems are important not only for the financial health of organizations but also for their social and ethical responsibilities to stakeholders. The findings of this study suggest that investing in strong forensic accounting and corporate governance practices can help organizations meet these responsibilities and promote trust and transparency. Policymakers and regulators may use these findings to inform their efforts to promote effective internal control systems and enhance public trust in organizations.

Originality/value

This paper has important implications for service organizations in Jordan and can be used to inform policymakers and regulators in their efforts to promote strong and effective internal control systems.