bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing Intubations and Related Risks in Neonates with Retinopathy of Prematurity Undergoing Laser Photocoagulation
Authors: Quinones Cardona Vilmaris , Byrne Emma McNell , Arthur Novisi , Young Megan , Lavery Diane , Carroll Amanda , Joshi Swosti , Kehinde Folasade , Menkiti Ogechukwu
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Although associated with respiratory morbidity, elective endotracheal intubation (ETI) for laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the standard practice at our institution, with 100% of patients undergoing preoperation ETI. To mitigate this risk, we strove to reduce the percentage of infants intubated for laser photocoagulation by 30% by June 2022.

Methods:

We assembled a multidisciplinary team and implemented a deep sedation guideline utilizing dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, and midazolam with noninvasive ventilation support for laser photocoagulation in January 2020. Outcome, process, and balancing measures tracked the efficacy and safety of the quality improvement project.

Results:

We reduced the percentage of infants requiring intubation for laser photocoagulation from 100% (8/8) to 10% (1/10). We reduced the average time to return to baseline respiratory status from 224.1 to 33.8 hours (9.3d to1.4 d). Cardiorespiratory index scores slightly increased (1 to 1.2), and pain scores remained unchanged after interventions.

Conclusions:

A multidisciplinary team approach using a deep sedation guideline and noninvasive ventilation can safely reduce the requirement for intubation during laser photocoagulation with a faster return to baseline respiratory status.
Pain in idiopathic scoliosis not associated with known genetic variants for pain
Authors: Cheng Tian , Diarbakerli Elias , Simony Ane , Østerheden Andersen Mikkel , Danielsson Aina , Kere Juha , Einarsdottir Elisabet , Gerdhem Paul
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Back pain is common in idiopathic scoliosis. The aim of this study was to study known genetic variants associated with pain in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods:

We included 1442 individuals with juvenile or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis from Sweden and Denmark. Single nucleotide variants (SNV) genotyping was performed on 37 SNVs. Pain was assessed using 2 questionnaires. The mean pain domain score on the Scoliosis Research Society 22 revised questionnaire (SRS-22r) ranging between 1 (worst) and 5 (best) was dichotomized into a “back pain group” (score <4) and a “no back pain group” (score ≥4). The EuroQol 5-dimensions (EQ-5D) 3 level pain domain was dichotomized into a “no pain group” and a “pain group.” Odds ratios were used to describe the associations.

Results:

Based on the SRS-22r pain domain scores, 456 individuals (32%) reported back pain. Based on the EQ-5D questionnaire, 813 individuals (56%) reported moderate or extreme pain/discomfort. The odds ratio for the associations between the selected genetic variants and back pain or pain in general as measured with SRS-22r and EQ-5D-3L ranged between 0.88 to 1.17 and 0.86 to 1.16, with P-values ranging between 0.08 to 0.99 and 0.08 to 0.95.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that known genetic variants associated with pain do not play a significant role in the development of pain in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis.
CXCR4—A Potential Novel Theranostic Target in Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Authors: Nazar Amir , Kalshetty Ashwini , Basu Sandip
Published: December 2024

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with high recurrence rates and poor prognosis. There are only limited treatment options with poor response rates. ACCs are documented to express chemokine receptor CXCR4, which can be visualized using 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT. We herein present a case of ACC with local recurrence and peritoneal metastases, which was well visualized on FDG and pentixafor PET/CT. The high expression of CXCR4 offers the potential of theranostics and targeted endoradiotherapy in patients with metastatic ACC. We also observed thymic rebound to illustrate mild to moderate grade uptake of 68Ga-pentixafor in this patient.
A photoswitchable HaloTag for spatiotemporal control of fluorescence in living cells
Authors: Walterspiel Franziska , Ugarte-Uribe Begoña , Weidenhausen Jonas , Dimitriadi Anna , Khan Arif Ul Maula , Müller Christoph W. , Deo Claire
Published: December 2024

Photosensitive fluorophores, which emission can be controlled using light, are essential for advanced biological imaging, enabling precise spatiotemporal tracking of molecular features, and facilitating super-resolution microscopy techniques. While irreversibly photoactivatable fluorophores are well established, reversible reporters which can be re-activated multiple times remain scarce, and only few have been applied in living cells using generalizable protein labelling methods. To address these limitations, we introduce chemigenetic photoswitchable fluorophores, leveraging the self-labelling HaloTag protein with fluorogenic rhodamine dye ligands. By incorporating a light-responsive protein domain into HaloTag, we engineer a tunable, photoswitchable HaloTag (psHaloTag), which can reversibly modulate the fluorescence of a bound dye-ligand via a light-induced conformational change. Our best performing psHaloTag variants show high performancein vitroand in living cells, with large, reversible, far-red fluorescence turn-on upon 450 nm illumination across various biomolecular targets. Together, this work establishes the chemigenetic approach as a versatile platform for the design of photoswitchable reporters, tunable through both genetic and synthetic modifications, with promising applications for dynamic imaging.
Ancestry-linked stromal variations impact breast epithelial cell invasion
Authors: Schmidtmann Madison , Elliott Victoria , Clancy James , Nakshatri Harikrishna , D’Souza-Schorey Crislyn
Published: December 2024

Breast cancer is a significant health challenge worldwide, and disproportionately affects women of African ancestry (AA) who experience higher mortality rates relative to other racial/ethnic groups. Several studies have pointed to biological factors that affect breast cancer outcomes. A recently discovered stromal cell population that expressesPROCR,ZEB1 andPDGFRα (PZP cells) was found to be enriched in normal healthy breast tissue from AA donors, and only in tumor adjacent tissues from donors of European ancestry (EA). Here, we investigated the effect of PZP cells on the acquisition of tumorigenic phenotypes in AA and EA human breast epithelial cells to determine its contribution to the biological basis of outcome disparities. Using 3D cell models of tumor invasion, we find that PZP cells confer invasive capacity to epithelial cells independent of genetic ancestry, wherein cells exhibit leader-follower behaviors during extracellular matrix invasion. Enhanced epithelial invasion stems from a combination of AKT activation and fibronectin deposition by the PZP cells. Although activation of AKT in epithelial cells alone is insufficient to induce invasive behaviors, blocking AKT activation markedly reduces invasive capacity. These findings point to the germaneness of differences in breast biology and the multi-faceted roles and enrichment in PZP cells in AA breast tissue, in furthering current understanding of the molecular basis for worse prognosis for patients of African descent.
H3K4-H3K9 Histone Methylation Patterns and Oncofetal Developmental Networks as Drivers of Cell Fate Decisions in Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Uthamacumaran Abicumaran
Published: December 2024

This study employs systems medicine approaches, including complex networks and machine learning-driven discovery, to identify key biomarkers governing phenotypic plasticity in pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), namely, IDHWT glioblastoma and H3K27M diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). By integrating single-cell transcriptomics and histone mass cytometry data, we conceptualize these aggressive tumors as complex adaptive ecosystems driven by hijacked oncofetal developmental programs and pathological attractor dynamics. Our analysis predicts lineage-plasticity markers, including KDM5B (JARID1B), ARID5B, GATA2/6, WNT, TGFβ, NOTCH, CAMK2D, ATF3, DOCK7, FOXO1/3, FOXA2, ASCL4, PRDM9, METTL5/8, RAP1B, CD99, RLIM, TERF1, and LAPTM5, as drivers of cell fate cybernetics. Further, we identified endogenous bioelectric signatures, including GRIK3, GRIN3, SLC5A9, NKAIN4, and KCNJ4/6, as potential reprogramming targets. Additionally, we validate previously discovered plasticity genes such as PDGFRA, EGFR targets, OLIG1/2, FXYD5/6, MTSS1, SEZ6L, MTRN2L1, and SOX11, confirming the robustness of our complex systems approaches. This systems oncology framework offers promising avenues for precision medicine, optimizing patient outcomes by guiding combination therapies informed by single-cell multi-omics and targeting pHGG phenotypic plasticity as therapeutic vulnerabilities. Further, our findings suggest the epigenetic reprogrammability of tumor phenotypic plasticity (i.e., transition therapy) and maladaptive behaviors in pHGG ecosystems toward stable, transdifferentiated states.
Enzyme-independent functions of HDAC3 in the adult heart
Authors: Qian Sichong , Zhang Chen , Li Wenbo , Song Shiyang , Lin Guanqiao , Cheng Zixiu , Zhou Wenjun , Yin Huiqi , Li Haiyang , Shen Hu-Ying , Sun Zheng
Published: December 2024

The cardioprotective effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDIs) are at odds with the deleterious effects of HDAC depletion. Here, we use HDAC3 as a prototype HDAC to address this contradiction. We show that adult-onset cardiac-specific depletion of HDAC3 in mice causes cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction on a high-fat diet (HFD), excluding developmental disruption as a major reason for the contradiction. Genetically abolishing HDAC3 enzymatic activity without affecting its protein level does not cause cardiac dysfunction on HFD. HDAC3 depletion causes robust downregulation of lipid oxidation/bioenergetic genes and upregulation of antioxidant/anti-apoptotic genes. In contrast, HDAC3 enzyme activity abolishment causes much milder changes in far fewer genes. The abnormal gene expression is cardiomyocyte-autonomous and can be rescued by an enzyme-dead HDAC3 mutant but not by an HDAC3 mutant (Δ33-70) that lacks interaction with the nuclear-envelope protein lamina-associated polypeptide 2β (LAP2β). Tethering LAP2β to the HDAC3 Δ33-70 mutant restored its ability to rescue gene expression. Finally, HDAC3 depletion, not loss of HDAC3 enzymatic activity, exacerbates cardiac contractile functions upon aortic constriction. These results suggest that the cardiac function of HDAC3 in adults is not attributable to its enzyme activity, which has implications for understanding the cardioprotective effects of HDIs.
The Mitochondrial Brown Adipose Tissue Maintenance Factor Nipsnap1 Interfaces Directly with the Beta-Oxidation Protein Machinery
Authors: Tsai Pei-Yin , Qu Yue , Walter Claire , Liu Yang , Cheng Chloe , Barrow Joeva J
Published: December 2024

Background

The activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is associated with improved metabolic health in humans. We previously identified the mitochondrial protein 4-Nitrophenylphosphatase Domain and Non-Neuronal SNAP25-Like 1 (Nipsnap1) as a novel regulatory factor that integrates with lipid metabolism and is critical to sustain the long-term activation of BAT, but the precise mechanism and function of Nipsnap1 is unknown.

Objectives

Define how the regulatory factor Nipsnap1 integrates with lipid metabolism.

Methods

We generated adeno-associated viral (AAV) constructs that overexpress Nipsnap1 in the thermogenic fat of mice. We then measured both whole-body and cellular mitochondrial metabolism and mapped the first Nipsnap1 interacting protein-protein network.

Results

Herein, we show that adipose-specific overexpression of Nipsnap1 in mice increases energy expenditure through the utilization of lipids as an energy substrate. The increase in energy expenditure results in reduced weight gain. Additionally, we show that Nipsnap1 overexpression in primary adipocytes increases lipid beta-oxidation. Moreover, we mapped the first protein- protein network of Nipsnap1 in brown adipocytes and show that Nipsnap1 interacts with proteins that regulate both peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation.

Conclusion

This study elucidates a mechanistic function of Nipsnap1 in thermogenic fat where Nipsnap1 facilitates a functional connection between peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathways. By enhancing lipid utilization as energy substrates, Nipsnap1 plays a pivotal role in sustaining thermogenic fat activation to increase energy expenditure. These findings underscore the potential of Nipsnap1 as a therapeutic target for metabolic health.
Analyzing shifts in structural dependence between oil prices and exchange rates in oil-importing economies
Authors: Yamaka Woraphon
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is to unveil the relationship between oil prices and exchange rates, with a specific focus on five major oil-importing countries. By examining this relationship, the research aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, investors and stakeholders operating in the global economic landscape.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a methodological approach to ensure robust and reliable findings. First, we assess the stationarity of the time series data to establish a solid analytical foundation. Subsequently, we construct GARCH(1,1) models to capture the persistence of the volatilities inherent in the data. Building upon this, we propose the novel application of the Markov-switching R-vine copula approach, which enables us to capture structural changes and measure the dependencies between oil prices and exchange rates.

Findings

Our findings uncover significant negative relationships between oil prices and exchange rates across the examined economies while revealing varying degrees of interdependency among these variables. Notably, we elucidate distinct tail dependence structures, encompassing both symmetric and asymmetric aspects, which hold profound implications for risk assessment and portfolio management strategies. Furthermore, this study confirms the presence of regime-switching dynamics, elucidating how the co-movement patterns between oil prices and exchange rates evolve across different states or regimes, reflecting the dynamic nature of these interconnected markets.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this study lie in its comprehensive approach to understanding the relationship between oil prices and exchange rates. By accounting for structural changes and regime-switching behaviors, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics at play. The novel application of the Markov-switching R-vine copula approach contributes to the methodological advancement in this field of study. Furthermore, the insights derived from this research offer practical implications for policymakers, investors and stakeholders navigating the complexities of the global economic landscape, enabling them to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.
Exploring the mechanisms of different social norms influencing green consumption attitude and behavior
Authors: Hu Xiaojuan , Hu Jingchao
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Green consumption is conducive to global sustainable development. This study aims to explore how social norms (i.e. descriptive norms and injunctive norms) impact green consumption attitude and behavior. It examines the mediating role of impression management and the moderating role of self-construal.

Design/methodology/approach

We conduct two online experiments to collect data. A total of 1,070 Chinese consumers participate in Study 1. Study 2 involves 541 Chinese consumers.

Findings

The results show that descriptive norms and injunctive norms stimulate consumers’ impression management, which then promotes green consumption attitude and behavior. When an individual is more predisposed to interdependent self-construal, descriptive norms are more effective in activating impression management and then affecting green consumption attitude and behavior.

Originality/value

Social norms are an effective intervention measure for green consumption. Its influence process is complex. However, previous studies mainly identified the mediating role of personal norms. Other mediating mechanisms and boundary conditions are still unclear. This study identifies the mediating role of impression management and the moderating role of self-construal. It sheds new light on how social norms impact green consumption.
Does a self-managed organization leave employees behind? A critical review of the current trend
Authors: Butsch Thomas , Bell Robin
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Organizations need to achieve some level of self-management and delegation to run effectively without constant management oversight, which has led to numerous organizational frameworks and models being developed, including TEAL, Holacracy, the Spaghetti Organization and the Liberated Firm. As a result, we should consider whether employees desire this, and whether it is a “new future” or just a passing fad or trend. Another question arising from employee encounters is, do we leave some employees behind as they are not confident, or feel inadequate for the new organizational structures, as they require more direction? This paper reviews the literature to explore and answer these questions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the literature on self-management frameworks and models in respect to their potential application and in light of the implication for employees.

Findings

Being self-managed throughout all organisations, as most champions of self-managed frameworks may argue, cannot be the solution if it is only appropriate for a subset of workers. We propose a gradual approach: we should implement self-management where it is acceptable, and employees are interested and capable of engaging in the transition to new management frameworks. However, we recommend against attempting self-management in situations where it is inappropriate.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on a review of existing literature with findings derived from general trends and workforce characteristics, but do not account for specific industries, organizational types or roles. As a result, the conclusions may not be applicable to all organizational contexts or to certain specialized employee groups. Given the restricted breadth of research into SMOs, future research could explore the applicability and success of SMOs in specific contexts.

Practical implications

Organizations are encouraged to take an incremental approach to implementing self-management frameworks. Instead of enforcing self-management universally, it should only be introduced in areas where employees are willing, capable and equipped to handle the transition. Further employers must recognize that self-management is not suitable for all employees. Organizations should assess employee readiness and provide adequate support or alternative structures where needed.

Originality/value

While the transition to self-managed organisations is widely discussed in the literature, as evidenced by the proliferation of organisational models and frameworks, there has been little discussion of the potential for different organisations to apply such frameworks and models in practice, as well as the implications for employees. Given that the business world is not homogeneous, it is reasonable to assume that not all people are suitable for working without a boss, and this must be considered.
Integrating exoskeletons in the construction sector: a systematic review of empirical evaluation tools and future directions
Authors: Al-Khiami Mohamad Iyad , Lindhard Søren Munch , Wandahl Søren
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate and synthesize literature on exoskeleton implementation in the construction industry to understand their current applications, evaluate existing research approaches and identify critical areas for future investigation. Through a comprehensive analysis of empirical studies, the research seeks to establish a clear roadmap for advancing exoskeleton adoption in construction work.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a systematic literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. By searching relevant databases and applying predefined inclusion criteria, the review focused on empirical studies that evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of exoskeletons in construction. Both objective parameters (EMG data, Kinematic analysis, heart rate) and subjective parameters (user comfort, perceived exertion, usability surveys) were analyzed to assess how impactful are exoskeletons among construction workers.

Findings

The review identified 236 publications, of which 36 were included, revealing several critical insights: (1) A significant reliance on studies conducted in controlled environments, accounting for 77.78% of studies. (2) A limited representation of actual construction workers, mainly non-construction worker volunteers, which may affect the practical relevance of the findings. (3) A significant gap exists in standardized evaluation protocols, with researchers using varying assessment methods that hinder cross-study comparisons. (4) Predominantly short-term nature of existing studies. These findings highlight the need for more real-world testing, standardized evaluation frameworks and longitudinal studies.

Originality/value

This review contributes original insights into the deployment of exoskeletons in the construction sector, particularly highlighting the industry's gap in direct, in situ engagement with construction workers. It suggests that future research should prioritize long-term, onsite studies to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of exoskeletons’ impacts, thus supporting the development of targeted intervention strategies for reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers.
Cultural heritage experiences in the metaverse: analyzing perceived value and behavioral intentions
Authors: Sepe Fabiana , Luongo Simone , Di Gioia Leonardo , Della Corte Valentina
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of digital technologies on enhancing visitor engagement and behavioral intentions in cultural heritage settings within the metaverse.

Design/methodology/approach

The work proposes an extended version of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to investigate the factors influencing individuals’ intention to engage in metaverse experiences in cultural heritage sites. To this aim, the research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a questionnaire to collect data from participants. We selected 280 valid responses from cultural tourists. Then, the structural equation model (SEM) was developed to analyze the relationships between TPB and novel constructs, namely utilitarian value, hedonic value and social value and the endogenous latent variable of intention.

Findings

The results emphasize that individuals’ intention to participate in metaverse experiences within cultural heritage sites relies on a multifaceted process. All the relationships are supported, except the influence of perceived behavioral control on intention to engage in metaverse cultural experiences.

Originality/value

The originality of the research lies in its exploration of the influence of perceived hedonic, social and utilitarian values on visitors’ behavioral intentions within the context of metaverse museums.
Condition of local public buildings and the quality of local welfare services
Authors: Hopland Arnt O. , Kvamsdal Sturla
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze how public buildings and their condition relate to how satisfied users are with related public services.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from two surveys are coupled: a survey of public officials on the state of public buildings and on their expectation of the impact on public services and a citizen survey that includes satisfaction measures for public services. Public records on finances and other relevant aspects of local governments are also considered.

Findings

Expectations of public officials on the impact of building conditions on services are weakly correlated with satisfaction of the public with public services. When factors that may impact building conditions as well as services are controlled for, the results are fragmented. For nursing homes, poor building conditions and low satisfaction with elderly care are significantly related. For kindergartens and schools, as well as the overall measure, there is no significant relationship between building conditions and satisfaction with public services.

Originality/value

The results are contrary to earlier analysis and may indicate data quality issues. The results also demonstrate the lack of understanding of how public buildings support and facilitate the production of public services.
Green human resource management and sustainable performance: serial mediating role of green knowledge management and green innovation
Authors: Riaz Adil , Al-Okaily Manaf , Sohail Amir , Ashfaq Khurram , Rehman Shafique Ur
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The sustainable performance of manufacturing companies may commence with employees’ eco-friendly initiatives. The management is responsible for employee green initiatives, requiring the human resource department to develop and implement green strategies. Therefore, it is essential to investigate how green human resource management enhances sustainable performance among manufacturing personnel. This study aims to determine if the green knowledge management and green innovation of manufacturing employees serve as serial mediators in the relationship between green human resource management and sustainable performance. Additionally, if artificial intelligence facilitated the relationship between green human resource management, green knowledge management and sustainable performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered from manufacturing firm managers and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicated a notable and positive correlation between green human resource management and sustainable performance, green knowledge management and green innovation. Green knowledge management and green innovation exhibited significant positive correlations with sustainable performance. Additionally, green knowledge management and green innovation facilitated the connection between green human resource management and sustainable performance. This relationship was serially mediated by green knowledge management and green innovation. Furthermore, artificial intelligence moderated the relationship between green human resource management, green knowledge management and sustainable performance.

Practical implications

This study suggests that management can use study findings in decision-making to improve firms’ sustainable performance.

Originality/value

This study provides novel empirical evidence by investigating the mediation roles of green knowledge management and green innovation between green human resource management and sustainable performance through the lens of the natural resource orchestration theory.
Lesson study and the challenges of initial teacher education in Europe: keys to sustainability. A literature review
Authors: Rodríguez-Robles Cristina , del Pino Rodriguez Lorena , Peña Trapero Noemí , Serván-Núñez María J. , Soto Gómez Encarna
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To present a review of the current state of lesson study (LS) in initial teacher education (ITE) in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search, combined with heuristic and hermeneutic analysis, was conducted in both English and Spanish using indexed academic databases to collect research and experiences of LS in ITE across Europe. The core areas or analysis categories included sustainability, observation and tutoring, the connection between schools and universities, the value of pedagogical knowledge and LS models.

Findings

LS in ITE has seen significant growth in Europe since 2015, particularly in universities where it has established a strong presence. The variety of proposals reflects how institutions have adopted and expanded LS models, indicating a stronger connection between universities and schools. The sustainability of LS hinges on the efforts of a core teaching and research group that not only transforms teaching but also explores learning processes in LS. There is growing interest in improving observation strategies and incorporating pedagogical knowledge in LS, although more in-depth analyses of the learning and teaching processes from both perspectives are still needed.

Research limitations/implications

Searching for references in English and Spanish may limit the visibility of relevant research conducted in other languages and regions, potentially excluding important experiences from non-English or non-Spanish-speaking countries.

Originality/value

This work is the first review of literature on LS in ITE focused on Europe, engaging with and building upon the latest global reviews in ITE and LS while introducing new areas of contrast.
The Well-Being of Future Generations Act (Wales, 2015): towards an ecosystem perspective
Authors: Cummings Beth , Burvill Samantha , Bowen Robert
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Recent times have seen an increasing emphasis on sustainable development as a means of enacting positive regional change. There has also been an emergence in discussions around well-being and its role in promoting holistic sustainable development, such as in Wales through the Well-Being of Future Generations Act (Wales). This paper aims to investigate the role that the Well-Being of Future Generations Act (Wales) currently plays in the ecosystem across South West Wales and ways in which the Well-Being Act could be developed and implemented further.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research is based on seven semi-structured interviews conducted with participants drawn from a range of entrepreneurial ecosystem actors in South West Wales, UK. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis, leading to the establishment of seven themes.

Findings

The findings suggest that there is passion and positivity around the Well-Being of Future Generations Act amongst ecosystem actors. However, policymakers need to consider how to extend the reach of the principles of the Well-Being of Future Generations Act beyond public bodies. This could be achieved through more effective communication of the values of the act and increased collaboration between various stakeholders.

Originality/value

The concept of well-being remains relatively new in the context of regional economic development and therefore requires closer investigation, particularly how this can be evaluated. Wales is one of three countries worldwide to implement well-being legislation, and there is a lack of research examining the implementation of the Well-Being Act, particularly from regional development and an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective.
Development of a conceptual framework for entrepreneurial culture
Authors: Ludwig David , van Laak Jona
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Innovation is key. It improves a nations’ standing in international competition and in-creases the productivity of the workforce – a significant aspect in aging societies with a declining entrepreneurial activity. But how can innovation be fostered? This paper argues that entrepreneurial culture is an underestimated solution to this difficult challenge. It therefore differs from common models in which other measures such as financial capital or networks play a predominant role and thus mask the influence of entrepreneurial culture on innovation in entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative literature analysis, the paper links various interdisciplinary touch points to the entrepreneurial ecosystem – including the individual-focused cognitive aspects of entrepreneurs, the social and spatial communities and the ecosystem as a service model.

Findings

The framework is conceptualized as a multi-layer model, enabling a discussion of policy measures in socioeconomic spaces with a short- and long-term perspective. It dispenses artificial assumptions and considers the complexity of human behavior as a strong and reciprocal driver of entrepreneurial culture.

Practical implications

With this framework, the paper tends to qualify policy makers and researchers in a de-tailed manner, when it comes to the formulation and application of culture-focused innovation policies.

Originality/value

The paper enriches the existing research with a new perspective on the relation between entrepreneurial culture and entrepreneurial ecosystems, which especially emphasizes the entrepreneurs experienced reality and its multi-level embeddedness.
Optimizing health organization performance and patient care outcomes via predictive analytics: implications for data science and artificial intelligence research
Authors: Wan Thomas T.H. , Wan George J.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This commentary presents the analytic development of patient classification, health resource use and outcome research and identifies opportunities to perform longitudinal research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a transdisciplinary framework to formulate multilevel models for ascertaining the causal relationship between hospital efficiency and effectiveness in panel data analysis.

Findings

The longitudinal design of organization research enables to delineate the relationship between hospital performance and quality of care in future research.

Research limitations/implications

The inclusion of multivariates in health organization research and modeling is pivotal to the identification of a comprehensive set of predictor variables. The authors signify the need to build a systems-oriented theoretical framework to integrate micro- and macro-level predictor variables in conducting data analysis.

Practical implications

The authors signify the need to build a theoretical framework to integrate micro- and macro-level predictor variables in conducting data analysis.

Social implications

Health organization research is essential to broaden the scope of health services research and policy development, particularly related to global health as noted in the promotion of sustainable development and health goals.

Originality/value

Health organization research should include a complex set of exogenous and endogenous variables in designing and modeling the determinants of hospital performance and patient care outcomes.
A structural equation modeling approach to assess the Algerian Zakat payers’ acceptability and adoption of a Zakat fintech-based model proposed
Authors: Robbana Aroua , Akbar Mohamed Aslam , Mohd Mohamed Asmy Bin
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perception of Algerian Zakat payers regarding the adoption of technology within the Algerian Zakat Fund.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to a convenience sample of 460 Algerian Zakat payers. The survey was designed by combining the Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM 2) and Theory of Reasoned Actions (TRA) frameworks to provide an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence the model acceptance among the Algerian Zakat payers. The findings were subsequently analyzed to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity as well as composite reliability. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the causal relationship among all proposed constructs.

Findings

The data reveal that all the hypotheses from the TAM 2 and TRA theories were supported, demonstrating the model’s significant acceptance among Algerian Zakat payers.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its unique combination of both the TRA and the Extended TAM 2 within the context of Zakat. It examines the integration of the aforementioned theories to assess the acceptance of Algerian Zakat payers to the suggested Zakat Fintech-based model. This model is specifically tailored to address the challenges encountered by the Algerian Zakat Fund, offering innovative solutions to enhance management and governance mechanisms while aligning with Islamic financial principles.
Quitting leadership style? The influence of transformational and transactional leadership styles on librarians’ retention in municipal libraries
Authors: Masenya Johannes , Ngoepe Mpho
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of transformational leadership and transactional leadership styles on the retention of public librarians in Gauteng Province in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study used a survey research design to target a population of 394 librarians in municipal libraries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A proportional stratified sampling was used to target a total of 191 respondents. A total of 120 respondents completed and returned the survey, resulting in a response rate of 62.2%. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.

Findings

The findings reveal that transformational and transactional leadership styles have a positive impact on librarian retention. In addition, transformational leadership style is observed to have more impact on employee retention compared to transactional leadership practice.

Practical implications

The results could be used as the basis for avoiding significant spending on ineffective leadership programmes and unprofitable directions to retain librarians in light of the multitude of leadership models.

Originality/value

To date, there is limited research on the impact of transformational and transactional leadership styles on the retention of public librarians in the context of public libraries in South Africa.
A geometry-based decomposition method for energy prediction in early design stages of residential buildings
Authors: Taştemir İbrahim Agah , Koymen Erdem , Yasa Enes
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to develop a geometry-based energy estimation method for surrogate and metamodels to be used in the early design phase of buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Optimizing building form and design variables in the early stages of the architectural design process, particularly during the conceptual phase, can significantly enhance overall design performance and energy efficiency at minimal cost. This study introduces a novel decomposition method for evaluating building energy performance by simplifying complex building forms into basic geometric shapes.

Findings

The developed method is applied to certain cases of design variation under specified boundary conditions, and the accuracy of heating and cooling energy loads is calculated with simulated energy models of these cases. As a result of the calculation, accuracy rates between 84.30 and 99.98% were founded.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a prediction model with a geometric identification method for an innovative geometry-based surrogate modeling method. This method also provides a way for artificial intelligence-based prediction models used in surrogate models to create a dataset and can be used in the training in future works.
Detrimental influences of social comparison and problematic WeChat use on academic achievement: significant role of awareness of inattention
Authors: Pang Hua , Hu Zhuyun
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The primary purposes of this research are to empirically examine four distinctive technological traits (social comparisons, self-disclosure, information acquisition and entertainment acquisition) as significant determinants of problematic WeChat use among university students and to illuminate their connections with students’ awareness of inattention and declined academic achievement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes two established theoretical frameworks (the stressor-strain-outcome model and the transactional model of stress) to formulate a comprehensive conceptual study model. Data were collected from 770 WeChat users at mainland Chinese universities using a cross-sectional methodology. Primitive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to test the corresponding hypotheses.

Findings

The study demonstrates that all four technological traits significantly influence problematic WeChat use, which can disrupt students’ attention and contribute to declined academic achievement. Moreover, the detrimental impact of awareness of inattention on academic achievement is also demonstrated by the research.

Research limitations/implications

The findings deepen the comprehension of the detrimental influence of problematic WeChat use from the perspective of stress, offering valuable insights for both practitioners and scholars engaged in devising strategies to mitigate psychological problems encountered by social media users.

Originality/value

The underlying mechanism of problematic WeChat use in higher education has received limited attention. This study fills that gap and clarifies the adverse effects of social media use in mainland China.
Social networks and maintenance of an endangered language: the Kejaman of Malaysia
Authors: Joan Amee , Ting Su-Hie
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study examined how social network influences maintenance of the indigenous language of the Kejaman, a small indigenous group living in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were 123 Kejaman speakers from three generations living in two longhouses in Belaga, Sarawak. Participants were presented with 20 situations relevant to the lives of Kejaman people to find out the people they interact with.

Findings

The grandparents, parents and children’s generations all had more exchange networks (M = 131.7) than interactive networks (M = 110.3). They consulted kin on matters related to family, money, culture, death and taboos, providing the avenue for the use of the Kejaman language. Generation 2 had more interactive networks and Generation 3 consulted non-kin on more matters, and the communication takes place in languages other than Kejaman. Chi-Square tests of independence showed no significant differences in the number of exchange and interactive networks across generations. The three generations were not significantly different in uniplexity (M = 29.5%) and multiplexity scores (M = 20.6%). The Kejamans belong to a low-density, uniplex social network community.

Research limitations/implications

There is a limitation in using social network analysis as a reliable predictor of future language use. This is because social networks are not fixed. They can expand, shrink and change over lifetime, and the fact that the generation of children does not talk about family matters in their mother tongue does not mean that they will not do so in future.

Practical implications

As interactive networks comprise non-Kejaman people, there will be inadequate close ethnic ties to support transmission and maintenance of Kejaman linguistic and cultural norms. Therefore, their language fluency may decline to the extent that they experience language anxiety and feel uncomfortable using it.

Social implications

The quantity and quality of interactive networks for the Kejaman are not conducive for upward mobility. What this means in the sociopolitical context of Sarawak is that, this small indigenous group is still family-centred and does not have adequate social contacts in the wider society, indicating lack of social standing.

Originality/value

The study suggests that in future the Kejaman will rely on interactive networks to talk about life-choices, and the lessened contact with Kejaman people will affect maintenance of Kejaman linguistic and cultural norms.
Exploring the role of student-run journals in shaping academic identity
Authors: Lujano Vilchis Ivonne , Thurber Derek , Romkey Matt
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Student-led journals have a long history, yet they have received little attention in academic publishing and higher education research. This study aims to fill this gap and enrich the analysis of student-led publications from a novel point of view: the role of journals in shaping the academic identity of graduate students through a collaborative autoethnographic study.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore their personal experiences as student editors of Current Issues in Education (CIE) produced at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College (MLFTC) at Arizona State University (ASU). The data were collected by first writing a personal narrative about their experiences serving on CIE’s editorial board. To support their notes, they drew from their memories and informal conversations with other student editors and reviewers, as well as advisors. They also drew upon some of CIE’s internal documents, such as editorial meeting minutes.

Findings

This study aligns with Inouye and McAlpine's (2019) systematic review of academic identity development for doctoral students, highlighting editorial work’s relevance to developing academic identity, particularly related to reflective thinking, authorial identity, confidence and learning through critique. Participating in the publication landscape through academic journals allows students to develop their authorial voice and collective identity as academics.

Research limitations/implications

It is authors’ hope that this autoethnography provides a unique perspective for doctoral programs to consider how students can shape their scholarly identity outside of formal classroom learning. More pointedly, this study could be considered a useful resource for those institutions that run student-journals or plan to do so. The authors’ experiences could inform the policies that frame the day-to-day editorial practices, such as the peer review procedures.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates how student journals, as third spaces, provide opportunities for constructive interactions that contribute to the construction of academic identity and offer a platform for student engagement in scholarly publishing processes, ultimately boosting their confidence as writers and sense of belonging to academia.
Performance below social aspirations, CSR initiatives and CEO characteristics: a conceptual framework
Authors: Thosuwanchot Nongnapat , Chanphati Jitrinee
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This conceptual paper aims to contribute to prior corporate social responsibility (CSR) studies by examining CSR issues through the lens of the behavioral theory of the firm, which emphasizes the bounded rationality and limited cognition of firms’ decision-makers. The authors suggest that social aspiration may be a more important benchmark since stakeholders tend to evaluate a firm’s corporate social performance (CSP) against other comparable firms.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing various theoretical perspectives that have been applied to CSR studies spanning from 1985 to 2023, the authors summarize their limitations on examining executives’ decisions toward CSR initiatives. By drawing on the behavioral theory of the firm, a conceptual model was developed to explain how firm executives increase subsequent CSR initiatives when their firms’ CSP is below social aspiration.

Findings

This study suggests that firms increase their subsequent CSR initiatives when their CSP is below the performance of their peers. Furthermore, the authors propose three important characteristics of chief executive officers, including tenure, hubris and international experience, as boundary conditions that can impact the extent of firms’ subsequent CSR initiatives when CSP is below social aspiration.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the CSR literature by emphasizing the influence of decision-makers’ bounded rationality on firms’ CSR initiatives.