bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local people's “sense of place” toward cultural heritage sites: correlation with demographic and socio-economic characteristics
Authors: El-Barbary Mohamed Nour , Ikeda Mariko , Uekita Yasufumi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The paper aims at identifying the underlying factors that differentiate the local people's demographic and socio-economic characteristics, which influence their sense of place (SoP) toward different types of cultural heritage sites in different urban regions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the sequential explanatory design, using quantitative and qualitative methods, respectively, to investigate the research themes in-depth. A total of 201, 207 and 228 questionnaires were collected on religious, non-religious/memorial and historic commercial buildings, respectively, at two different quarters in Historic Cairo, followed by 20 semi-structured interviews with a representative sample of local people in each quarter.

Findings

The authors found an apparent similarity in the significant characteristics that influence the local people's SoP levels toward the different historic buildings at the same quarter and a notable variation between both quarters. Also, many factors determine the local people's influential characteristics on their SoP toward the different cultural heritage sites (e.g. the sites’ distance from the person's residence/workplace, economic value, people's awareness about its history, type of activities and targeted gender, feeling of stability and regions' characteristics)

Practical implications

Identifying these underlying factors and priority local groups can assist policymakers in ensuring a sustainable management/conservation of the different cultural heritage sites.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the causality of a significant correlation between local people's characteristics and their SoP levels toward the different types of historic buildings, apart from their religious symbolism or historical value, using the sequential explanatory design.
Workplace literacy skills—how information and digital literacy affect adoption of digital technology
Authors: Nikou Shahrokh , De Reuver Mark , Mahboob Kanafi Matin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Information and digital literacy have recently received much interest, and they are being viewed as critical strategic organisational resources and skills that employees need to obtain in order to function at their workplaces. Yet, the role of employees' literacy seems to be neglected in current literature. This paper aims to explore the roles that information and digital literacy play on the employees' perception in relation to usefulness and ease of use of digital technologies and consequently their intention to use technology in the practices they perform at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds a conceptual model with key constructs (information literacy and digital literacy) as new antecedents to the technology acceptance model and aims to establish that information literacy and digital literacy are indirect determinants of employees' intention to use digital technologies at the workplace. The data set used in this paper comprises of 121 respondents and structural equation modelling was used.

Findings

The findings reveal that both information literacy and digital literacy have a direct impact on perceived ease of use of technology but not on the perceive usefulness. The findings also show that both literacies have an indirect impact on the intention to use digital technology at work via attitude towards use.

Practical implications

Managers and decision-makers should pay close attention to the literacy levels of their staff. Because literacies are such an important skillset in the digital age, managers and chief information officers may want to start by identifying which work groups or individuals require literacy training and instruction, and then provide specific and relevant training or literacy interventions to help those who lack sufficient literacy.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to consider information literacy and digital literacy as new antecedents of the technology acceptance model at the workplace environment.
A transactional stress and coping perspective on expatriation: new insights on the roles of age, gender and expatriate type
Authors: Wurtz Olivier
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This work sheds new light on the roles of gender, age and expatriation type—self-initiated expatriate (SIE) vs. assigned expatriate (AE)—by applying the transactional theory of stress and coping (and a validated measurement tool) to the expatriation experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on quantitative data from 448 expatriates, the authors examined the coping mechanisms (cognitions and actions) employed by senior and younger expatriates, females and males and SIE and AEs when they face hardships while working abroad.

Findings

Younger expatriates display less active problem-solving coping, planning, and restraint and consume more alcohol and drugs. Female expatriates express their emotions and use social support more than their male counterparts. SIEs rely on emotional social support more than AEs.

Practical implications

Recognizing that individual repertoires of responses to expatriate challenges are bounded by personal characteristics—such as age, gender, and expatriation type—should improve efforts to support expatriates. This research suggests that expatriate support should be tailored. It offers indications on who needs what.

Originality/value

This work provides a fresh perspective and new insights into classic topics (age, gender, and expatriation type). Individuals react differently abroad. They have different resources and face different demands (to a certain extent) that lead to different coping reactions. Older people manage their emotions better, and female expatriates and SIEs gather and use support; these abilities are assets abroad.
The mirror effect: influence of national governance on environmental disclosure in coordinated economies
Authors: Pinheiro Alan Bandeira , Oliveira Marcelle Colares , Lozano María Belén
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Based on the approach of the varieties of capitalism, this paper aims to investigate the influence of national governance characteristics on environmental disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyzed companies based in coordinated economies, i.e. 1,815 companies from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden were investigated for the period 2009–2018. The authors created an index to measure environmental disclosure, and national governance was measured using the United Nations governance indicators.

Findings

The findings show that countries with greater transparency, democracy, citizen participation and government effectiveness tend to have companies with a greater environmental concern. The results allow us to conclude that the responsible behavior of companies is a mirror of the governance environment of the country where they operate. The findings have managerial implications.

Practical implications

Firms must be aware that institutional factors can influence their business. In institutional structures with low government effectiveness, little confidence in social rules and high levels of corruption, corporations tend to be less ethical.

Originality/value

This research used the varieties of capitalism approach to explain companies’ environmental disclosure. This is a recent approach to the institutional theory, and little explored in previous studies. Institutional level variables, such as governance indicators, can be used in other studies that analyze the relationship between institutional environment and corporate disclosure.
Effects of robot restaurants’ food quality, service quality and high-tech atmosphere perception on customers’ behavioral intentions
Authors: Zhu Dong Hong
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Robot chefs and robot waiters have emerged in the restaurant industry. Based on the curiosity theory and the stimulus–organism–response paradigm, this study aims to understand the influence of robot restaurant attributes on customer behavioral intention before purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on research data from 289 respondents comprising undergraduates, postgraduates and non-students in China, the theoretical model is tested via the partial least squares technique.

Findings

Food quality perception directly affects regular patronage intention, but it has no significant influence on experience intention. Service quality perception and high-tech atmosphere perception positively affect experience intention and regular patronage intention through the mediator of interest in robot restaurants.

Originality/value

Different from previous studies focusing on human employee restaurants, this study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to systematically investigate the influence of robot restaurant attributes on customer behavioral intention, and it finds that these attributes have their own uniqueness vis-à-vis influencing customer behavioral intention.
Criteria to appraise top executives for ambidextrous leadership
Authors: Laser Jan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper determines and analyses criteria for top executives to use in appraisal systems to promote ambidextrous leadership, enhancing the organization's ability to identify persons who can lead ambidextrously or determining the development potential of existing top executives.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a theoretical-conceptual, triangulated approach, the investigation in this paper examines the requirements for top executives to lead ambidextrously. In a subsequent review and frequency analysis, the specific attributes/behaviours a top executive should possess are examined. Analysis of the application of these appraisal criteria is theoretical.

Findings

The criteria listed in this paper (e.g. ambition, courage, vision) can be used to foster ambidextrous leadership when hiring or evaluating performance. These and/or the criteria already existing in an organization should be classified in one of the two categories presented (1. one-dimensional criteria: differentiation between exploration/exploitation is not necessary; 2. multidimensional criteria: differentiation between exploration and exploitation, opening and closing leadership, and first- and second-order changes is necessary) to differentiate the criteria and thereby illuminate their application in the areas of exploration and exploitation. Thus, a corresponding assessment of applicants and/or job holders for ambidextrous leadership is possible.

Originality/value

This theoretical analysis contributes to the literature on top executives' recruitment, performance management, career and succession planning, focusing on ambidextrous leadership and organizational development by elucidating a differentiated concept for appraisal criteria so that the right person can be appointed to the top executive position or assigned to the necessary personnel development programme. Thus identified, a top executive may be positioned to maintain, improve or install ambidextrous leadership and practice in an organization.
Mechanical property of Pyro-Carbon coated SiC fibers fabricated by continuous chemical vapor deposition method
Authors: Li Chang , Zhou Xingui , Gu Quanchao , Yan Xingheng , Wang Honglei
Published: May 2022

Purpose

A continuous chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method has been used to fabricate pyro-carbon (PyC) coating on continuous silicon carbide (SiC) fibers. The paper aims to evaluate these coated fibers by testing filament tensile and using microstructure characterization.

Design/methodology/approach

The continuous SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix (SiC/SiC) composite is widely studied in aerospace and nuclear applications. The PyC is the probable option in fusion and fast reactor. However, the conventional fabrication method of PyC coating has some drawbacks influencing performance and efficiency.

Findings

The results showed that PyC-coated SiC fibers with continuous CVD method are more straight than conventional ones and residual deformations could not be observed, and these PyC coatings have complete geometry and uniform thickness. In different process conditions, the thickness of PyC coating could control from ∼100 to ∼1,000 nm.

Originality/value

The coated SiC fibers in a lower gas ratio (1:7 to 1:3), lower pressure (500–1,000 Pa) and appropriate winding speed (3 to 5 rpm) have relative high filament tensile strength (∼3.5 to ∼3.9 GPa). And the strength of coated SiC fibers has a negative correlation with the measured thickness of PyC coating. A distinctive growth process was discovered in the continuous CVD method. In a certain range, the quicker growing rate of PyC is obtained in shorter deposition time which means an efficient and quality method could be applied to fabricate coatings.
Progressive or problematic? A comparative analysis of media depictions of demands to defund the police
Authors: Craig Miltonette Olivia , Reid Jonathan C.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The current study examines the media's depiction of demands to defund the police. Although this call to action has been a part of the public discourse for decades, the call has reached mainstream attention following the police-involved death of George Floyd in May 2020. Black Lives Matter, the American Civil Liberties Union, Color of Change, and other prominent organizations have endorsed this call. However, there is a lack of agreement on the “correct” meaning of this socio-political movement.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed an inductive content analysis of the news articles using MaxQDA, a qualitative data analysis program. The authors focus on the text and its themes and patterns in the descriptions of #DefundThePolice, both implicit (e.g. tone) and explicit (e.g. defining the movement as problematic). The codes were further refined following open coding to fully develop the existing patterns. The results are organized by the themes within the articles. The findings also include direct quotes to reinforce the themes.

Findings

In the authors' content analysis of news reports, the authors find that the US and UK news outlets report definitions that parallel the M4BL's description of the movement. In this respect, media coverage reflected the basic tenets of the movement accurately as opposed to using definitions that misrepresent the group's primary objective. Although these sampled news articles generally adhered to the basic description of the defund movement, the authors found that the overall substance and tone of coverage varied across outlets. This divergence yielded five overarching themes that included: the involvement of corporate America in the defunding debate, the frequent use of opinion pieces, mentions of history for informing the debate, the inclusion of the police perspective, and reporting that seemed to tie the defund movement to increases in violent crime.

Originality/value

This article explores how the mass media reports and defines the #DefundThePolice movement. Although much debate surrounds this issue, there is limited understanding of the mainstream news media's depiction of the movement. The current study addresses this research gap and informs the defunding debate by examining whether media descriptions of the movement coincide with the Movement for Black Lives benchmark delineation.
The influences of cross-cultural adjustment and motivation on self-initiated expatriates' innovative work behavior
Authors: Hussain Taiba , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Drawing upon the cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) model and self-determination theory, this study investigated the influence of CCA (work, interactional, and general adjustment) and motivation (autonomous and controlled) on the innovative work behavior of self-initiated expatriates (SIEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-source data were collected from 213 SIEs and their supervisors working in the United Arab Emirates to provide an understanding of the role of SIEs' CCA and motivation and their innovative work behavior.

Findings

Findings indicated that work, interactional, and general adjustment are positively related to innovative work behavior. Autonomous motivation positively predicts innovative work behavior, while controlled motivation does not. Additionally, autonomous motivation moderated the effects of work adjustment and interactional adjustment on SIEs' innovative work behavior, whereas controlled motivation moderates the effect of general adjustment on SIEs' innovative work behavior.

Originality/value

SIEs are regarded as talents that have the skills and valuable knowledge gained from their international experience and can be utilized in organizations to perform innovative work behaviors. However, SIEs face adjustment challenges that may hinder their ability to be innovative. Despite their potential as innovation drivers in organizations, there are few studies on the factors that affect SIEs' innovative behavior. This study contributes to the literature by examining the effects of adjustment and motivation on SIEs' innovative work behavior.
The impact of human capital factors on organizational sustainability in the Malaysian hotel industry: the mediation role of trust
Authors: Batool Fatima , Mohammad Jihad , Awang Siti Rahmah
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the impacts of human capital factors in terms of spiritual intelligence (SI), emotional intelligence (EI) and workplace attitude in terms of trust on organizational sustainability (OS) in the hotel industry in Malaysia. In addition, this study intends to examine the mediation role of trust between human capital factors and OS.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method using a questionnaire was used to collect data from 361 employees, including middle management, who are in direct contact with guests in the hotel industry. The partial least squares technique, SmartPLS3.3.3, was used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis found support for the impacts of SI, EI and trust on OS. Additionally, the mediation effect of trust was also supported.

Originality/value

This pioneering study has combined human capital factors (i.e. SI and EI) to predict their effects on OS in the hotel industry. Moreover, this research established relatively new relationships between SI and OS and between EI and OS through the mediation role of trust. Furthermore, this study confirmed the validity and reliability of SI, EI and OS at first and second orders. Given the adverse impact of COVID-19 and its variants on the sustainability of all business organizations, this research has highlighted the crucial role of human factors and workplace attitude in the sustainability of the hospitality sector during difficult times.
Utilitarian, hedonic, and self-esteem motives in online shopping
Authors: Indrawati Indrawati , Ramantoko Gadang , Widarmanti Tri , Aziz Izzatdin Abdul , Khan Farhat Ullah
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The study aims to analyze the influence of hedonic, utilitarian, and self-esteem motivations on online shopping behavior. Likewise, the mediating role of impulsive shopping and shopping intentions is also analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out with the results of a survey in which 450 respondents participated, and the data was analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SmartPLS 3.0 software).

Findings

All the hypothesized links were significant and positive except for the relationship of self-esteem motive with impulsive shopping tendency, which was negative as hypothesized. Moreover, hedonic motive had a strong positive impact on impulsive shopping tendency, whereas, in contrast, utilitarian motive had a strong positive impact on shopping intentions.

Practical implications

Managers should focus on functional value rather than emotional value to attract customers who tend to be utilitarian. In contrast, for customers who tend to be hedonic, the product offerings should be visually appealing, stimulating and inspiring, as well as have emotional value.

Originality/value

This study investigates the roles of self-esteem and hedonic motives in impulsive shopping behavior. Moreover, by using the theory of planned behavior, this study highlights the roles of hedonic and utilitarian motives in attitude toward engaging in online shopping.
The interim manager – a catalyst for organizational learning?
Authors: Rubin Viktoria , Ohlsson Jon
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Interim managers (IMs) are consultants who take on managerial positions during limited periods to perform changes, handle crises or cover vacancies. The increasing use of these short-term outsiders shapes new conditions for organizational learning in contemporary work life. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to research-based knowledge and theoretical understanding of the relationship between interim management and organizational learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a literature review on interim management published within the years 2000–2020 and analyzes it through the lens of organizational learning.

Findings

An interim management assignment is characterized by a period of uncertainty, a limited time frame, knowledge from the outside and rather invisible outcomes. The concepts of shared mental models, dialogue, knowledge creation and organizational culture shed light on possibilities and constraints for organizational learning in these arrangements. The findings highlight the IM’s position as central for transforming the organizational culture, put a question mark for the establishment of the IM’s knowledge, show the need for defining outcomes in terms of learning processes and indicate tensions between opportunities for dialogue and the exercise of power.

Originality/value

The study provides a new conceptual understanding of interim management, laying the foundation for empirical studies on this topic from an organizational learning perspective.
Treatment of bullous pemphigoid with dupilumab: Dupilumab exerts its effect by primarily suppressing T‐helper 2 cytokines
Authors: Takamura Saori , Teraki Yuichi
Published: May 2022

We report a patient with bullous pemphigoid (BP) who was successfully treated with dupilumab monotherapy. To clarify the underlying mechanism of this effective treatment, we investigated the dynamics of a variety of cytokine‐producing T cells before and after treatment in the circulation and in blister fluid using flow cytometry. The patient was a 72‐year‐old woman who had a pruritic eruption consisting of erythema and tense blisters on the whole body. The skin biopsy and direct immunofluorescence of the skin were typical for BP. The serum level of anti‐BP180NC16a antibodies was 111 U/ml. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that the proportions of circulating interleukin (IL)‐4‐, IL‐13‐, and IL‐31‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were substantially higher in our BP patient than in healthy subjects. Moreover, IL‐4‐ and IL‐13‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were much higher in the blister fluids than in the circulation, whereas IL‐31‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were only slightly higher in the blister fluids. The proportions of circulating interferon (IFN)‐γ‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the circulation were slightly lower in the patient than in healthy subjects. There was no significant difference in the circulating IL‐17‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells between the patient and healthy subjects, although IL‐17‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were slightly higher in the blister fluids. Treatment with dupilumab promptly improved the pruritus and skin lesions, and anti‐BP180 antibodies became negative. After treatment with dupilumab, the proportions of circulating IL‐4‐ and IL‐13‐producing CD4+ T cells mainly decreased and IL‐17‐ and IL‐31‐producing CD4+ T cells slightly decreased. There were no significant differences in the proportions of circulating IFN‐γ‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells between before and after treatment. These results suggest that T‐helper (Th)2 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of BP, and dupilumab exerts its effect mainly by suppressing Th2 cytokines.
The S waves geometrical spreading in elliptical orthorhombic media
Authors: Stovas Alexey , Roganov Yuriy , Roganov Vyacheslav
Published: May 2022

The presence of S waves singularity points in low‐symmetry anisotropic models significantly affects the topology of the slowness surfaces of S waves in the vicinity of these points and, consequently, results in complications in the geometrical spreading. Thus, we analyse the effect of a singularity point in a simple elliptical orthorhombic model with decoupled P wave.
Maximization of fitness by phenological and phenotypic plasticity in range expanding rabbitfishes (Siganidae)
Authors: Zarco‐Perello Salvador , Fairclough David , Dowling Chris , DiBattista Joey , Austin Rachel , Wernberg Thomas , Taylor Brett
Published: May 2022

Global warming is modifying the phenology, life‐history traits and biogeography of species around the world. Evidence of these effects have increased over recent decades; however, we still have a poor understanding of the possible outcomes of their interplay across global climatic gradients, hindering our ability to accurately predict the consequences of climate change in populations and ecosystems.

We examined the effect that changes in biogeography can have on the life‐history traits of two of the most successful range‐extending fish species in the world: the tropical rabbitfishes Siganus fuscescens and Siganus rivulatus. Both species have established abundant populations at higher latitudes in the northern and southern hemispheres and have been identified as important ecological engineers with the potential to alter the community structure of seaweed forests (Laminariales and Fucales) in temperate regions.

Life‐history trait information from across their global distribution was compiled from the published literature and meta‐analyses were conducted to assess changes in (i) the onset and duration of reproductive periods, (ii) size at maturity, (iii) fecundity, (iv) growth rates, (v) maximum body sizes and (vi) longevity in populations at the leading edge of range expansion in relation to sea surface temperature and primary productivity (a common proxy for nutritional resource levels).

Populations at highest latitudes had shortened their reproductive periods and reduced growth rates, taking longer to reach sexual maturity and maximum sizes, but compensated this with higher fecundity per length class and longer lifespans than populations in warmer environments. Low primary productivity and temperature in the Mediterranean Sea resulted in lower growth rates and body sizes for S. rivulatus, but also lower length at maturity, increasing life‐time reproductive output.

The results suggest that plasticity in the phenology and life‐history traits of range‐expanding species would be important to enhance their fitness in high latitude environments, facilitating their persistence and possible further poleward expansions. Quantifying the magnitude and direction of these responses can improve our understanding and ability to forecast species redistributions and its repercussions in the functioning of temperate ecosystems.
‘What was required above all else was collaboration’: keeping the momentum for SEND partnership working in the wake of Covid‐19
Authors: Hellawell Beate , Smith Sharon , Wharton Julie
Published: May 2022

This article considers implications for partnership working across the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England, at a time when a long‐overdue SEND Review is imminent and the SEND Code of Practice 2015 is awaiting a significant overhaul. It highlights the role local policy actors occupy within this system, as the progression of the Covid‐19 pandemic moves SEND partnerships towards a ‘new normal’ and there is heightened concern about missed opportunities for reform and renewal. Previously published findings from an online questionnaire (n = 100) undertaken by the Special Educational Needs Policy Research Forum provided insight into how school staff had been supported in the teaching of pupils with SEND during periods of school closures and what lessons had been learned. The present article offers a thematic analysis of the narrative responses provided in addition to the closed survey questions. The analysis generated six statements that can be understood as lessons learned from the pandemic for partnership working, drawing on the experiences of parents, school staff, and advising professionals working in local authorities.
COVID‐19 outcomes among rheumatic disease patients in Kuwait: Data from the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (C19‐GRA) physician registry
Authors: Abutiban Fatemah , Saleh Khulood , Hayat Sawsan , Tarakmah Hoda , Al‐Herz Adeeba , Ghanem Aqeel
Published: May 2022

Purpose

We aimed to assess the characteristics of inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD) patients in Kuwait diagnosed with COVID‐19 and the factors linked with hospitalization, complications, and mortality.

Methods

Data of IRD patients from Kuwait diagnosed with COVID‐19 between March 2020 and March 2021, submitted to the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician‐reported registry, were included in our analysis. Data on patients' age, gender, smoking, diagnosis, IRD activity, and other comorbidities were collected. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25, was used for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 52 patients were included, with a mean age of 55 years (±14). The majority of patients were ≤65 years (77%), female (77%), non‐smokers (80.8%), and diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (67.0%). Of the included patients, 19.2%, 9.6%, and 7.7% reported having methotrexate monotherapy, antimalarials monotherapy, and interleukin‐6 inhibitors monotherapy immediately before COVID‐19, respectively. Most of the included patients (92.3%) were either in remission or had minimal/low disease activity, while others (7.7%) had moderate disease activity. Forty‐three patients (82.7%) were hospitalized, while 11 patients (25.6%) required ventilation (invasive or non‐invasive). Ten of the ventilated patients (90.9%) received glucocorticoids as part of the local protocol to treat severe COVID symptoms, and 4 patients (7.69%) died. The duration till symptom‐free ranged between 0 to 30 days, with a mean value of 10 days (±6.5).

Conclusion

The current study provides timely real‐world evidence regarding characteristics and potential risk factors linked to poor COVID‐19‐related outcomes in the IRD population in Kuwait.
Different CT slice thickness and contrast‐enhancement phase in radiomics models on the differential performance of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Fang , Mo Yan , Huang Chencui , Chen Yingxin , Chen Fuliang , Zhang Xiangwei , Yin Yunxin , Liu Qiang , Zhang Lin
Published: May 2022

Background

To investigate the effects of computed tomography (CT) reconstruction slice thickness and contrast‐enhancement phase on the differential diagnosis performance of radiomic signature in lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

A total of 187 patients who had been pathologically confirmed with lung adenocarcinoma and nonadenocarcinoma were divided into a training cohort (n = 149) and validation cohort (n = 38). All the patients underwent contrast‐enhanced CT and the images were reconstructed with different slice thickness. The radiomic features were extracted from different slice thickness and scan phase. The logistic regression (LR) algorithm was used to build a machine learning model for each group. The area under the curve (AUC) obtained from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and DeLong test was used to evaluate its discriminating performance.

Results

Finally, 34 image features and five semantic features were selected to establish a radiomics model. Based on the three contrast‐enhanced CT phases and four reconstruction slice thickness, 12 groups of radiomics models showed good discrimination ability with the AUCs range from 0.9287 to 0.9631, sensitivity range from 0.8349 to 0.9083, specificity range from 0.825 to 0.925 in the training group. Similar results were observed in the validation group. However, there was no statistical significance between the different CT scan phase groups and different slice thickness (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The radiomic analysis of contrast‐enhanced CT can be used for the differential diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Moreover, different slice thickness and contrast‐enhanced scan phase did not affect the discriminating ability in the radiomics models.
Recovery of dopaminergic system after cocaine exposure and impact of a long‐acting cocaine hydrolase
Authors: Deng Jing , Zhang Ting , Zheng Xirong , Shang Linyue , Zhan Chang‐Guo , Zheng Fang
Published: May 2022

Dysregulation of dopamine transporters (DAT) within the dopaminergic system is an important biomarker of cocaine exposure. Depending on cocaine amount in‐taken, one‐time exposure in rats could lead to most (>95% of total) of DAT translocating to plasma membrane of the dopaminergic neurons compared to normal DAT distribution (~5.7% on the plasma membrane). Without further cocaine exposure, the time course of striatal DAT distribution, in terms of intracellular and plasma membrane fractions of DAT, represents a recovery process of the dopaminergic system. In this study, we demonstrated that after an acute cocaine exposure of 20 mg/kg (i.p.), the initial recovery process from days 1 to 15 in rats was relatively faster (from >95% on day 1 to ~35.4% on day 15). However, complete recovery of the striatal DAT distribution may take about 60 days. In another situation, with repeated cocaine exposures for once every other day for a total of 17 doses of 20 mg/kg cocaine (i.p.) from days 0 to 32, the complete recovery of striatal DAT distribution may take an even longer time (about 90 days), which represents a consequence of chronic cocaine use. Further, we demonstrated that a highly efficient Fc‐fused cocaine hydrolase, CocH5‐Fc(M6), effectively blocked cocaine‐induced hyperactivity and DAT trafficking with repeated cocaine exposures by maintaining a plasma CocH5‐Fc(M6) concentration ≥58.7 ± 2.9 nM in rats. The cocaine hydrolase protected dopaminergic system and helped the cocaine‐altered DAT distribution to recover by preventing the dopaminergic system from further damage by cocaine.
Effects of ibudilast on central and peripheral markers of inflammation in alcohol use disorder: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Grodin Erica N. , Nieto Steven J. , Meredith Lindsay R. , Burnette Elizabeth , O'Neill Joseph , Alger Jeffry , London Edythe D. , Miotto Karen , Evans Christopher J. , Irwin Michael R. , Ray Lara A.
Published: May 2022

Ibudilast, a neuroimmune modulator, shows promise as a pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD). In vivo administration of ibudilast reduces the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in animal models, but its effects on markers of inflammation in humans are unknown. This preliminary study examined the effect of ibudilast on peripheral and potential central markers of inflammation in individuals with AUD. This study also explored the predictive relationship of neurometabolite markers with subsequent drinking in the trial. Non‐treatment‐seeking individuals with an AUD (n = 52) were randomized to receive oral ibudilast (n = 24) or placebo (n = 28) for 2 weeks. Plasma levels of peripheral inflammatory markers were measured at baseline and after 1 and 2 weeks of medication. At study mid‐point, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed to measure potential neurometabolite markers of inflammation: choline‐compounds (Cho),myo‐inositol (MI) and creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr) in frontal and cingulate cortices from 43 participants (ibudilast:n = 20; placebo:n = 23). The treatment groups were compared on peripheral and central markers. Ibudilast‐treated participants had lower Cho in superior frontal white matter and nominally lower MI in pregenual anterior cingulate cortex. Ibudilast‐treated participants had nominally lower C‐reactive protein levels at visit 2 and nominally lower TNF‐α/IL‐10 ratios, relative to placebo. C‐reactive protein and Cho levels were correlated, controlling for medication. Superior frontal white matter Cho predicted drinking in the following week. Micro‐longitudinal ibudilast treatment may induce peripheral and putative central anti‐inflammatory responses in patients with AUD. The neurometabolite responses may be associated with reduction in drinking, suggesting an anti‐inflammatory component to the therapeutic action of ibudilast.
Clinician views and experiences of non‐invasive prenatal genetic screening tests in Australia
Authors: McKinn Shannon , Javid Nasrin , Newson Ainsley J. , Freeman Lucinda , Bonner Carissa , Shand Antonia W. , Nassar Natasha , Bell Katy J.L.
Published: May 2022

Background

Non‐invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) is being increasingly used by expectant parents. Much provision of this test in Australia is occurring in clinical settings where specialised genetic counselling is unavailable, such as general practice. Potential psychosocial consequences from this kind of prenatal genetic screening remain largely unexplored.

Aims

To explore clinicians' experiences with NIPS for aneuploidy, their perspectives of the benefits and harms of NIPS, clinicians' information needs, and their perceptions of the needs of expectant parents.

Materials and Methods

Qualitative, semi‐structured interviews with 17 health professionals (clinical geneticists, obstetricians, genetic counsellors and general practitioners) who request and counsel for NIPS in Australian hospital and private practice settings, conducted between June 2019 and February 2020.

Results

Five themes were identified relating to clinicians' perceptions and experiences of NIPS in their practice: perceived benefits of NIPS, perceived harms of NIPS (with two subthemes: clinical harms and psychosocial harms), financial and equity‐related concerns, counselling as a protective buffer against perceived harms, and clinicians' unmet education needs. While clinicians view NIPS as a useful and high‐quality screening test, especially for detection of common trisomies, many participants had concerns about how NIPS has been implemented in practice, particularly the quality (and often absence) of pre‐/post‐test counselling and the routinisation of testing for sex chromosome aneuploidies, microdeletion and microduplication syndromes.

Conclusion

These findings support the need for targeted clinician training around NIPS, and for a shared decision‐making approach to support expectant parents' autonomous decisions about NIPS.
Increased COX‐2 after ureter obstruction attenuates fibrosis and is associated with EP2 receptor upregulation in mouse and human kidney
Authors: Tofteng Signe S. , Nilsson Line , Mogensen Amalie K. , Nørregaard Rikke , Nüsing Rolf , Diatchikhine Mikhail , Lund Lars , Bistrup Claus , Jensen Boye L. , Madsen Kirsten
Published: May 2022

Aim

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) activity protects against oxidative stress and apoptosis early in experimental kidney injury. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that COX‐2 activity attenuates fibrosis and preserves microvasculature in injured kidney. The murine unilateral ureteral‐obstruction (UUO) model of kidney fibrosis was employed and compared with human nephrectomy tissue with and without chronic hydronephrosis.

Methods

Fibrosis and angiogenic markers were quantified in kidney tissue from wild‐type and COX‐2−/− mice subjected to UUO for 7 days and in human kidney tissue. COX‐enzymes, prostaglandin (PG) synthases, PG receptors, PGE2, and thromboxane were determined in human tissue.

Results

COX‐2 immunosignal was observed in interstitial fibroblasts at baseline and after UUO. Fibronectin, collagen I, III, alpha‐smooth muscle actin, and fibroblast specific protein‐1 mRNAs increased significantly more after UUO in COX‐2−/− vs wild‐type mice. In vitro, fibroblasts from COX‐2−/− kidneys showed higher matrix synthesis. Compared to control, human hydronephrotic kidneys showed (i) fibrosis, (ii) no significant changes in COX‐2, COX‐1, PGE2‐, and prostacyclin synthases, and prostacyclin and thromboxane receptor mRNAs, (iii) increased mRNA and protein of PGE2‐EP2 receptor level but unchanged PGE2 tissue concentration, and (iv) two‐ to threefold increased thromboxane synthase mRNA and protein levels, and increased thromboxane B2 tissue concentration in cortex and outer medulla.

Conclusion

COX‐2 protects in the early phase against obstruction‐induced fibrosis and maintains angiogenic factors. Increased PGE2‐EP2 receptor in obstructed human and murine kidneys could contribute to protection.
The effects of body scan meditation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gan Ruochen , Zhang Liuyi , Chen Shulin
Published: May 2022

Standardized mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) has been proved to be effective across many populations while the time commitment for the standardized intervention leads to high attrition rate. To address the problem, there has been a growing interest in conducting a single component of MBSR such as body scan. However, the impact of a sole mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of body scan meditation. A search of databases, including PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Cochrance, Proquest Dissertations, and Theses, was conducted for randomized controlled trials with no population restriction. Fourteen independent articles were identified and outcomes were divided into seven categories. A meta‐analysis with robust variance estimation was conducted separately for different outcome categories. Body scan only had small effect on mindfulness when compared with passive control (Hedge's g = .268, 95% CI = [0.032, 0.504], p < .05). The attrition rate of long‐term interventions was low. The quality of these studies was low. There was high heterogeneity across studies. A sole body scan meditation is not effective enough to improve health‐related outcomes.
You raise me up and I reciprocate: Linking empowering leadership to organizational citizenship behavior and unethical pro‐organizational behavior
Authors: Wang Honglei , Zhang Yejun , Li Peikai , Henry Sarah E.
Published: May 2022

Although empowering leadership is generally thought to be beneficial to employees and organizations, an emerging stream of work shows its potential negative impact. Drawing upon social exchange theory, we propose an integrated model that simultaneously examines the benefits and costs of empowering leadership. Specifically, we propose that team‐level empowering leadership can relate to both organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and unethical pro‐organizational behavior (UPB). We also examine the mediating role of employee workplace status and the moderating role of felt obligation in these processes. Using data from 301 employees and 57 leaders across two time points, we found that team‐level empowering leadership linked to leader‐rated OCB and employee‐rated UPB through workplace status. However, the positive indirect effect of team‐level empowering leadership on OCB was significant only when employees' felt obligation was high, and the indirect effect of team‐level empowering leadership on UPB was positive and significant only when employees' felt obligation was low. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings, as well as future research directions.
Police recruits' predicted and felt emotions during organizational socialization
Authors: Wong Carol M. , Craig Lydia , Bradley‐Geist Jill , Kaplan Seth
Published: May 2022

Research on the honeymoon‐hangover effect suggests that newcomers experience an initial upward increase in job attitudes and motivation upon beginning a new job, followed by a subsequent decline. However, little empirical work has been done to investigate how newcomers feel during this period of adjustment. Despite its relevance, the affective forecasting literature has also not been incorporated in the context of newcomers. In this study, we examined fluctuations in police recruits' predicted and felt emotions (i.e., happiness, anxiety, and anger) during organizational socialization (i.e., 6‐month police academy training). Our results indicated that while their felt happiness did not change significantly, their anxiety and anger levels increased over time, which indicates that their felt affect exhibited a different pattern from that of the honeymoon‐hangover effect. We also found that police recruits' forecasts about their future emotions during the socialization period were generally inaccurate, which is in line with the general affective forecasting literature. Implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.
The effect of hydrolyzed sesame meal protein on the quality and shelf life of hamburgers during refrigerated storage
Authors: Ghanbarinia Shabnam , Ariaii Peiman , Safari Reza , Najafian Leila
Published: May 2022

In this study, to improve the quality and shelf life of hamburgers, sesame meal protein hydrolysates (SPH) were produced using two enzymes of alcalase and flavourzyme and then four hamburger treatments: T1: control (10% soybean), T2: 1% SPH + soybean 9%, T3: 2% SPH + soybean 8%, and T4: 3% SPH + soybean 7% were prepared. Physicochemical properties were analyzed at the beginning of the storage period; microbial and chemical quality was evaluated at intervals of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 days. The results of SPH showed that alcalase enzyme can produce a SPH with a higher antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP, and beta‐carotene‐linoleic acid) (P < 0.05); therefore, this SPH was used for hamburger properties. According to the results, with the addition of SPH, moisture, fat, texture firmness decreased, protein, and brightness increased (P < 0.05), and all treatments had the allowable range. SPH replacement with soybean slowed down the increasing trend of oxidation and microbial spoilage (P < 0.05). In general, better results were observed in T3 and T4, which had a permissible range chemical and microbial index until the end of the storage period, as well as these treatments inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Only T3 was approved by the evaluators.
RNA‐Seq reveals the functional specificity of epididymal caput, corpus, and cauda genes of cattleyak
Authors: Lang Xia , Adjei Michael , Wang Cailian , Chen Xiaoying , Li Chunhai , Wang Peng , Pan Meilan , Li Kerui , Shahzad Khuram , Zhao Wangsheng
Published: May 2022

The first filial generation of the cattleyaks demonstrates hybrid vigor; however, the male cattleyaks are infertile and restrict productivity and breeding. The discovery of genes in a segment‐specific approach offers valuable information and understanding concerning fertility status, yet the biology of cattleyak epididymis is still progressing. Comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on segment pairs of cattleyak epididymis. The caput versus corpus epididymis provided the highest (57.8%) differentially expressed genes (DEGs), corpus versus cauda (25.1%) followed, whereas caput versus cauda pair (17.1%) had the least DEGs. The expression levels of genes coding EPHB6, TLR1, MUC20, MT3, INHBB, TRPV5, EI24, PAOX, KIF12, DEPDC5, and KRT25, which might have the potentials to regulate the homeostasis, innate immunity, differentiation, motility, transport, and sperm maturation‐related function in epididymal cells, were downregulated in the distal segment of epididymis. Top enriched KEGG pathways included mTOR, axon guidance, and taste transduction signaling pathways. EIF4B, EPHB6, and TAS2R42 were enriched in the pathways, respectively. Identifying key, new, and unexplored DEGs among the epididymal segments and further analyzing them could boost cattleyak fertility by maximizing sperm quality from genetically better sires and also facilitate better understanding of the epididymal biology.