bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P-599 The use of serum test to detect the LH surge in ultrasound-monitored intrauterine insemination (IUI) significantly increases pregnancy rates.
Authors: Kim M J , Kim S G , Kim H Y , Park J S , Son H J , Kim G W , Heo G D , Seong J Y , Noh H K , Lee K H
Published: June 2023

Study question

Could a serum test to detect LH surge in ultrasound-monitored IUI cycle improve pregnancy rates?

Summary answer

Serum test to detect LH surges with ultrasound monitoring during IUI cycle significantly increased pregnancy rates.

What is known already

IUI is known as the first line of treatment for infertile couples and is usually administered with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) before ovulation with clomiphene citrate (CC) or/and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) to ovarian known to stimulate. One of the key factor for IUI is that insemination should be performed close to ovulation time, as there are many reports that sperm injection at the ovulation time has a high pregnancy rates. However, there are still few reports on the optimal timing of ovulation for performing IUI.

Study design, size, duration

The IUI performed from January 2016 through November 2022 (n = 3187) was included in this study. A total of 875 patients underwent the IUI by inferring LH surge with procedure with serum test, while 2312 patients underwent the procedure IUI without the serum test (control).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

In this study included 3187 IUI cycle were analyzed. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was conducted with CC (100 mg/day) and hMG. Patients were divided into two groups with serum test or not test (control). The serum test group was monitored LH surge by inferring LH peak during IUI cycle. When the sufficient follicular size and endometrial thickness had been reached, hCG was administrated and insemination was performed. Pregnancy rates were compared by Chi-squared test.

Main results and the role of chance

In each group, there were no significantly difference in age (34.4±3.7 vs. 34.7±3.7 years old) and endometrial thickness (8.8±2.2 vs. 8.9±2.2 mm) for IUI cycle condition. The serum test group was significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates compared to control group (19.0 vs. 15.7 % respectively) during IUI cycle (P < 0.05). In addition, patients were classified according to the history of at least one or more failed IUI cycle. The clinical pregnancy rates was significantly higher in the serum test group than control group (21.6 vs. 10.8 % respectively) who history of at least one or more failed IUI cycle (P < 0.001).

Limitations, reasons for caution

A limitation of this study has a too small size of the intervention group compared with the control group.

Wider implications of the findings

In our results, the serum test group had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates than the control group. Therefore, detecting a surge in LH with a serum test during the IUI cycle could predict the optimal timing of ovulation and thus increase the pregnancy rates.

Trial registration number

not applicable
P-672 Vaginal microbiome changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a large cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhao S , Jin C , Qin L , Zhao H , Chen Z J
Published: June 2023

Study question

How the vaginal microbiome changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Summary answer

The PCOS women had a higher diversity in the vaginal microbiome and showed an enhanced level of heterogeneity.

What is known already

PCOS is a common reproductive endocrine disorder with a highly heterogeneous clinical presentation. Recently, few studies with limited sample size have reported that the inconsistent vaginal microbiota composition changes in PCOS.

Study design, size, duration

The cross-sectional study conducted at a single academic university-affiliated center. A total of 1,446 subjects, including 713 PCOS cases and 733 controls, were recruited.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Vaginal swabs were collected for subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The microbiome diversities, community distances, vaginal bacterial relative abundances, and microbial interactions network were compared between the PCOS group and control group.

Main results and the role of chance

The PCOS group had a higher alpha diversity in the vaginal microbiome than the control (P < 0.05), while higher intra-group variability was observed in PCOS (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Lactobacillus in the PCOS group decreased, while the abundance of Gardnerella and Ureaplasma increased (FDR<0.2). Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella buccalis, and Prevotella timonensis were identified as differential species and were significantly associated with clinical parameters of PCOS, like AMH. The microbial interaction network analysis revealed that Prevotella and Lactobacillus could be key drivers for network rewiring in PCOS. Notable alterations of predicted pathways, which significantly differed between PCOS and control women, mainly enriched in amino acid metabolism.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The study only included Chinese Han population data. Due to the structure of the vaginal flora may vary between ethnic groups, generalizing the results of this study to other populations should be taken caution.

Wider implications of the findings

This study with large samples could enhance our understanding of the PCOS vaginal microbiome, and provide a basis for future research on the potential mechanism by which pathogenic bacteria are involved in PCOS vaginal microbial imbalances.

Trial registration number

Not applicable
Evaluating imaging uncertainty associated with the near surface and added value of vertical arrays using Bayesian seismic refraction tomography
Authors: Silvestrov Ilya , Egorov Anton , Bakulin Andrey
Published: June 2023

Traditional tomographic methods do not consider the uncertainties associated with near-surface velocities and static corrections and provide a deterministic solution to the estimation problem. However, these uncertainties significantly affect structural mapping and interpretation of seismic imaging results. On the other hand, Bayesian first-arrival tomography provides multiple near-surface models that fit observed traveltimes equally well and enable the study of potential solution distributions. We demonstrate this approach on a complex synthetic near-surface model, representative of arid environments, to quantify associated velocity and statics uncertainties. We evaluate two different parameterizations for subsurface velocities in the context of near-surface Bayesian tomography: Voronoi tessellation with natural neighbor interpolation and the more conventional Delaunay triangulation with linear interpolation. Our analysis shows that the Voronoi cell parameterization with natural neighbor interpolation is more appropriate for this problem. Finally, the new approach is applied to compare two alternative acquisition geometries comprising conventional surface receivers and surface receivers augmented with vertical receiver arrays. The results demonstrate that adding vertical receiver arrays to conventional surface receivers can significantly reduce the near-surface velocity uncertainty and thus increases the accuracy of the seismic imaging results. Furthermore, the study shows that Bayesian tomography can be used as a tool for evaluating different source and receiver geometries during the acquisition design stage.
Massive dermal ulcerative lesions because of brown recluse spider bite: a rare case report and review of literature
Authors: Fakhar Mahdi , Alian Shahriar , Zakariaei Ashkan , Nourzad Fatemeh , Zakariaei Zakaria
Published: June 2023

A brown recluse spider (BRS) bite is challenging to confirm, but can be clinically diagnosed by considering the location, the season of the year and the clinical manifestations. We described a 26-year-old male who presented after a BRS bite with a skin lesion, bruising, severe swelling and diffuse blisters on the right lower extremity after 3 days. This case should be considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Although spider bite poisoning is rare, proper diagnosis and management are important because, in some cases, it can have devastating outcomes.
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Nepheline Syenite From the Bang Phuc Massif of the Alkaline Cho Don Complex in North-Eastern Vietnam—Implications for Magma Evolution and Fluid–Rock Interactions
Authors: Dumańska-Słowik M , Powolny T , Nguyen Khac G
Published: June 2023

The alkaline Cho Don complex in NE Vietnam comprises several mafic-felsic suites related to the widespread magmatism developed during the early Permian–late Triassic. The contribution explores the petrogenesis of nepheline syenite from the Bang Phuc massif and its petrogenetic relationship with cogenetic scapolite-rich gabbro. The nepheline syenite formed through fractional crystallization of pristine mantle-derived basaltic melt modified by subduction-related components (chiefly sediment-derived melts), as shown by, e.g. low Ba/Th and high Th/Nb ratios of the rocks. The transition from gabbro to syenite follows a within-plate enrichment trend (e.g. increasing Ta/Yb, Nb/Yb, and Th/Yb ratios) that might reflect switch from post-orogenic to intra-plate regimes, accompanied by subduction–collision–extension events related to the Indosinian Orogeny. Furthermore, magma evolution involved the progressive contribution of asthenospheric-derived melts that resulted in the appearance of OIB-like signatures (e.g. high Nb/La ratios) in the nepheline syenite. Fractional crystallization of fluorapatite and mafic phases, as well as assimilation of carbonate wall rocks ultimately led to the decrease of LREE contents and/or modification of Zr/Hf ratios. Magmatic phases of the nepheline syenite include nepheline, sodalite, oligoclase, orthoclase, and annite, as well as accessory fluorapatite, fluorite, and minor amounts of zircon and metamict allanite-Ce. The nepheline equilibrated at temperatures ranging between 850°C and 700°C, which reflects protracted residence at a higher temperature. Later, it has been locally altered to cancrinite, dawsonite, and natrolite via CO2- and alkali-rich fluid influx. The fluid–rock interactions were also manifested by the presence of chessboard-twinned albite and coarsening of braid-perthite into patch-perthite, as well as recrystallization of primary orthoclase into microcline. The orthoclase→microcline conversion, albeit fairly indiscrete under a polarizing microscope and confirmed by Raman micro-spectroscopy, is followed by the change of cathodoluminescence colours, i.e. from light-blue (activated by Ti4+ and/or Al-O—Al centres) in orthoclase towards brownish and/or greenish (activated by Mn2+ and structural defects) in microcline.
Marketing the Self vs. Preserving the Self: Resisting Downward Mobility in the New Economy
Authors: Lopez Steven , Ibañez Lindsey
Published: June 2023

How do dislocated workers try to avoid downward mobility as they navigate insecure, nonstandard, and precarious work in the contemporary American economy? Should they embrace flexibility, or follow their passions? Drawing on in-depth, qualitative interviews with 56 displaced job seekers, we extend the job searching literature to distinguish two kinds of job searching: self-marketing and self-preservation. Self-marketers are willing to reinvent themselves to pursue opportunities wherever they perceive the best payoffs. By contrast, self-preservers, drawing on affective commitments to particular kinds of work, limit their searches to their current occupation. In this paper, we show how the neoliberal economy buffets and preys on both types of job seekers and how bounded rationality and asymmetric information problems leave self-marketers vulnerable to downward mobility via cons, scams, and predatory business models. But self-preservation searches contain their own pathways to downward mobility: descents into low-wage work that begin as temporary measures often become permanent. Thus, even though self-marketers and self-preservers embrace very different job search strategies, neither flexibility nor passion offers protection against downward mobility in the post-Great Recession economy. We conclude with some reflections on how these two job search orientations may help us better understand current labor market upheavals.
Revision of the generic classification of pike cichlids using an integrative phylogenetic approach (Cichlidae: tribe Geophagini: subtribe Crenicichlina)
Authors: Varella Henrique R , Kullander Sven O , Menezes Naércio A , Oliveira Claudio , López-Fernández Hernán
Published: June 2023

Pike cichlids form the largest clade of Neotropical cichlids, with over 100 species presently classified in two genera: Crenicichla (93 species widespread in rivers of South America east of the Andes) and Teleocichla (nine rheophilic Amazonian species). Here, we combined a new dataset of 216 morphological characters with molecular data compiled from published sources, comprising 74 terminal taxa of pike cichlids (68 out of 102 valid species, plus four putative new species), and performed phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and parsimony. Based on a synthesis of our results and previous phylogenies, we propose a new classification in which the clade including all pike cichlids is elevated to the rank of subtribe (Crenicichlina) and the genus Crenicichla is redefined, including three subgenera: Crenicichla (monotypic with the type species), Batrachops (resurected as subgenus), and Lacustria (new subgenus). Teleocichla is maintained as a valid genus and four new genera are proposed: Wallaciia, Saxatilia, Hemeraia, and Lugubria. Our results on character mapping support the hypothesis that resource partitioning in environments with fast-flowing water and rocky beds might have played a role in the origin or maintenance of the great diversity of pike cichlids, resulting in parallel evolution of similar ecomorphs.
The Ralstonia Research Community Rejects the Proposal to Classify Phylotype I Ralstonia into the New Species Ralstonia nicotianae
Authors: Lowe-Power Tiffany , Sharma Parul , Alfenas-Zerbini Poliane , Álvarez Belén , Arif Mohammad , Baroukh Caroline , Bocsanczy Ana Maria , Biosca Elena G. , Castillo José A. , Cellier Gilles , Coutinho Teresa , Drenth André , Friman Ville-Petri , Genin Stephane , Guidot Alice , Hikichi Yasufumi , Huang Qi , Iyer-Pascuzzi Anjali , Kai Kenji , Pecrix Yann , Poussier Stephane , Ray Jane D. , Rossato Maurício , Schomer Rebecca , Siri Maria Inés , Vinatzer Boris A. , Allen Caitilyn
Published: June 2023

The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is a group of globally important plant pathogens. Bacteria in this very large and genetically diverse group all colonize the xylem elements of angiosperm plants and cause high-impact wilting diseases of many crops. Because they threaten economic and food security, several R. solanacearum species complex subgroups are strictly regulated as quarantine pests. Biologically meaningful and consistent nomenclature is essential for organisms that have major economic and regulatory importance, such as plant-pathogenic Ralstonia. There are currently three species of Ralstonia wilt pathogens: R. pseudosolanacearum (corresponding to two phylogenetic groups that are described in the literature as phylotypes I and III), R. solanacearum (phylotypes IIA, IIB, and IIC), and R. syzygii (phylotype IV, containing three subspecies: subsp. syzygii, subsp. celebensis, and subsp. indonesiensis). A recent paper proposed reclassifying phylotype I as a new species named “ Ralstonia nicotianae.” The purpose of this commentary is to register our objection to the taxon “ Ralstonia nicotianae.”

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .
Erosive balanitis caused by Staphylococcus haemolyticus in a healthy, circumcised adult male.
Authors: Mazuecos-Blanca José , Mazuecos-Gutiérrez José Rafael , Jiménez-Gil Ana
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans penis. Balanoposthitis involves both the glans penis and prepuce and occurs only in uncircumcised males. Recurrent balanoposthitis represents a strong indication for circumcision. After candida infections, bacteria are the second etiological cause of infectious balanoposthitis, mainly streptococci, groups A and B, and staphylococci, usually S. aureus. Staphylococcus haemolyticus is a part of skin microflora and one of the main species of coagulase-negative staphylococci. S. haemolyticus causes various infections of the male urogenital tract such as urinary tract infections, chronic prostatitis and epididymo-orchitis, but it has not been associated with balanitis.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old man underwent circumcision due to several episodes of balanoposthitis with only partial responses to the established treatments. The patient consulted for an episode of painful, erosive, and exudative lesions on the glans penis and over the post-operative scars. He had no urinary discomfort or inguinal lymphadenopathy. Abundant growth of Staphylococcus haemolyticus was obtained in the culture in standard bacterial media of the sample taken from the genital lesion. The fungal culture was negative. Based on the antimicrobial susceptibility test, treatment was started with oral ciprofloxacin and topical mupirocin, and the genital infection was completely cured.

Conclusion

we present a non-diabetic, circumcised male patient with severe, erosive, and painful balanitis due to S. haemolyticus.
Searching for Strep A in the clinical environment during a human challenge trial: a sub-study protocol
Authors: Enkel Stephanie Louise , Hla Thel K. , Wong Bernadette , Pickering Janessa , Barnett Timothy C. , Thomas Hannah M. M. , Lansbury Nina , Carapetis Jonathan R. , Manning Laurens , Bowen Asha C.
Published: June 2023

Introduction
Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as Group A Streptococcus, Strep A) is an obligate human pathogen with significant global morbidity and mortality. Transmission is believed to occur primarily between individuals via respiratory droplets, however knowledge about other potential sources of transmission via aerosols or the environment is limited. Such knowledge is required to design optimal interventions to control transmission, particularly in endemic settings. We aimed to detail experimental methodology to assess the transmission potential of Strep A in a clinical environment.
Materials and methods
We will examine potential sources of transmission in up to 20 participants recruited to the Controlled human infection for penicillin against Streptococcus pyogenes (CHIPS) Trial. Three approaches to understanding transmission will be used: the use of selective agar settle plates to capture possible droplet or airborne spread of Strep A; measurement of the possible distance of Strep A droplet spread during conversation; and environmental swabbing of personal and common high-touch items to detect the presence of Strep A on hard and soft surfaces. All methods are designed to allow for an assessment of transmission potential by symptomatic, asymptomatic, and non-cases. Ethical approval has been obtained through Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval 2021-03-295). Trial Registration number: ACTRN12621000751875.
Discussion
Any results elicited from these experiments will be of benefit to the scientific literature in improving our knowledge of opportunities to prevent Strep A transmission as a direct component of the primordial prevention of rheumatic fever. Findings will be reported at local, national, and international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Advanced methodology for bacterial colonization of 3D organotypic epidermal models: a gateway to long-term host-microbe interaction and intervention studies
Authors: Rikken Gijs , Meesters Luca D. , Jansen Patrick A.M. , Rodijk-Olthuis Diana , van Vlijmen-Willems Ivonne M.J.J. , Niehues Hanna , Oláh Peter , Homey Bernhard , Schalkwijk Joost , Zeeuwen Patrick L.J.M. , van den Bogaard Ellen H.
Published: June 2023

Background

Following descriptive studies on skin microbiota in health and disease, mechanistic studies on the interplay between skin and microbes are on the rise, for which experimental models are in great demand. Here, we present a novel methodology for microbial colonization of organotypic skin and analysis thereof.

Results

An inoculation device ensured a standardized application area on thestratum corneumand a homogenous distribution of bacteria, while preventing infection of the basolateral culture medium even during prolonged co-culture periods for up to two weeks at a specific culture temperature and humidity. Hereby, host-microbe interactions and antibiotic interventions could be studied, revealing diverse host responses to various skin-related bacteria and pathogens.

Conclusions

Our methodology is easily transferable to a wide variety of organotypic skin or mucosal models and different microbes at every cell culture facility at low costs. We envision that this study will kick-start skin microbiome studies using human organotypic skin cultures, providing a powerful alternative to experimental animal models in pre-clinical research.
Developmental mitochondrial Complex I activity determines lifespan
Authors: Stefanatos Rhoda , Robertson Fiona , Uribe Alejandro Huerta , Yu Yizhou , Myers Kevin , Castejon-Vega Beatriz , Kataura Tetsushi , Martins L. Miguel , Korolchuk Viktor I. , Maddocks Oliver D.K. , Sanz Alberto
Published: June 2023

Aberrant mitochondrial function has been associated with an increasingly large number of human disease states. Observations fromin vivomodels where mitochondrial function is altered suggest that adaptations to mitochondrial dysfunction may underpin disease pathology. We hypothesized that the severity of these maladaptations could be shaped by the plasticity of the system when mitochondrial dysfunction manifests. To investigate this, we have used inducible fly models of mitochondrial complex I (CI) dysfunction to reduce mitochondrial function at two stages of the fly lifecycle, from early development and adult eclosion. Here, we show that in early life (developmental) mitochondrial dysfunction results in severe reductions in survival and stress resistance in adulthood, while flies where mitochondrial function is perturbed from adulthood, are long-lived and stress resistant despite having up to an 75% reduction in CI activity. After excluding developmental defects as a cause, we went on to molecularly characterize these two populations of mitochondrially compromised flies, short- and long-lived. We find that our short-lived flies have unique transcriptomic and metabolomic responses which overlap significantly in discreet models of CI dysfunction. Our data demonstrate that early mitochondrial dysfunction via CI depletion elicits an adaptive response which severely reduces survival, while CI depletion from adulthood is not sufficient to reduce survival and stress resistance.
The Herpes Simplex Virus pUL16 and pUL21 Proteins Prevent Capsids from Docking at Nuclear Pore Complexes
Authors: Thomas Ethan C.M. , Finnen Renée L. , Mewburn Jeffrey D. , Archer Stephen L. , Banfield Bruce W.
Published: June 2023

After entry into cells, herpes simplex virus (HSV) nucleocapsids dock at nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) through which viral genomes are released into the nucleoplasm where viral gene expression, genome replication, and early steps in virion assembly take place. After their assembly, nucleocapsids are translocated to the cytoplasm for final virion maturation. Nascent cytoplasmic nucleocapsids are prevented from binding to NPCs and delivering their genomes to the nucleus from which they emerged, but how this is accomplished is not understood. Here we report that HSV pUL16 and pUL21 deletion mutants accumulate empty capsids at the cytoplasmic face of NPCs late in infection. Additionally, prior expression of pUL16 and pUL21 prevented incoming nucleocapsids from docking at NPCs, delivering their genomes to the nucleus and initiating viral gene expression. Both pUL16 and pUL21 localized to the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear envelope, placing them in an appropriate location to interfere with nucleocapsid/NPC interactions.
Role of open innovation and strategy on SMEs in Dubai: review and theoretical framework
Authors: Almehairbi Khalfan , Arunprasad P. , El Hathat Zakaria
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine and discuss the importance and benefits of Open Innovation (OI), Transformational Leadership (TL), Innovation Strategy (IS), Creative Climate (CC), Radical Innovation (RI) and Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai. This work also examines the mediating impact of future foresight drivers (FFD) on SMEs' SCA. The study provides a theoretical framework for enhancing SMEs' organizational performance and highlights the need for future empirical research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a systematic literature review (SLR) approach and a bibliometric analysis approach to collect, examine and analyze data from previous research on OI, TL, IS, CC, RI and SCA. This work evaluated 110 publications from separate scholarly databases, Scopus and Web of Science (WoS).

Findings

The study finds a positive relationship between OI, TL, IS, CC, RI and SCA and that future empirical research is needed. While there is limited information on the impact of these concepts on SMEs in the Middle East and especially in Dubai, the study presents new concepts to be debated. The study provides a vital tool for businesses to improve their performance by adopting OI, TL and IS and analyzing their present competitive status to develop new strategies and build competitiveness.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its contribution to understanding the relationships among OI, TL, IS, CC and RI and their impact on SMEs' SCA in Dubai. By emphasizing the importance of OI, TL and IS in improving SMEs' performance and competitiveness, this study provides valuable insights for SME managers seeking to enhance their organizations' sustainability and long-term success. The review also identifies a gap in the literature regarding the impact of these concepts on SMEs in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.
Thriving in the face of burnout? The effects of wellbeing-oriented HRM on the relationship between workload, burnout, thriving and performance
Authors: Bartram Timothy , Cooper Brian , Cooke Fang Lee , Wang Jue
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The development of sustainable employee-focused HRM approaches have grown in importance during and post-COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which wellbeing-oriented HRM practices can transform workers’ feelings of burnout to enable thriving, and subsequently enhance in-role employee performance in high workload contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on data gathered from 561 employees in bank branches operating in China across two time periods. The authors test the following hypotheses: (1) wellbeing-oriented HRM is positively related to employee thriving; (2) perceived workload is positively related to employee burnout; (3) thriving will mediate the relationship between wellbeing-oriented HRM and employee performance; (4) burnout will mediate the relationship between workload and employee performance; (5) thriving will mediate the relationship between workload and employee performance; and (6) burnout and thriving will sequentially mediate the relationship between wellbeing-oriented HRM and employee performance.

Findings

This study confirmed hypotheses 1–5. Hypothesis 6 was not confirmed. The authors find that thriving mediates the relationship between wellbeing-oriented HRM and employee performance, and burnout mediates the relationship between workload and employee performance. The authors also find workload was positively related to thriving (after controlling for burnout), consistent with the challenge–hindrance model of occupational stress.

Originality/value

The study builds on growing evidence that employees can thrive at work even when in stressful situations by using conservation of resources theory to examine how wellbeing-oriented HRM practices act as protective resources against demanding work situations. Findings demonstrate alternative pathways through which wellbeing-oriented HRM can enhance employee performance via reducing burnout and enhancing thriving.
Exploring student psychological contract in the hybrid mode of business education: a mixed-method study
Authors: Dash Itilekha , Gupta Jaya
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the student psychological contract in the post-pandemic induced hybrid mode of the academic ecosystem in residential business schools of India. The study puts forth three facets of understanding student expectations for contract fulfillment: the business school, academic staff (faculty) and peers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sequential mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative), data were gathered and analyzed in two phases. Perceptions of students regarding their expectations were captured through in-depth semi-structured telephonic interviews. The sample comprised 64 students pursuing two years of full-time master's in management courses at four residential business schools in India. Data obtained through interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The themes extracted were prioritized using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in the second phase.

Findings

The study provides insight into the prioritized expectations of students from their peers, academic staff and the institute. The findings of the study propose that though the expectations may differ across different groups, the mutual interdependence of these groups was mandatory for contract fulfillment.

Originality/value

Research on student psychological contracts in the hybrid mode of business education is scarce. The study provides a holistic perspective on this from the lens of students.
Characteristics in hard conformal EHL line contacts
Authors: Schmid Ferdinand , Paschold Constantin , Lohner Thomas , Stahl Karsten
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Internal gearings are commonly used in transmissions due to their advantages like high-power density. To ensure high efficiency, load-carrying capacity and good noise behavior, a profound knowledge of the local gear mesh is essential. The tooth contact of internal gears relates to a convex and concave surface that form a conformal contact. This is in contrast to external gears, where two convex surfaces form a contraformal contact. This paper aims at a better understanding of conformal contacts under elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) to improve the design of internal gearings.

Design/methodology/approach

An existing numerical EHL model is used for studying the characteristic properties of a hard conformal EHL line contact. A hard contraformal EHL line contact is studied as reference. Non-Newtonian fluid behavior and thermal effects are considered. By taking into account the local contact conformity and kinematics, the effects and relevance of the curvature of the lubricant gap and micro-slip are analyzed. In a parameter study, scale effects of the contact radii on film thickness, temperature rise and friction are examined.

Findings

The curvature of the lubricant gap and effects of micro-slip are small in hard conformal EHL line contacts. For high micro-slip, it can be neglected. Hence, the modeling of conformal contacts using an equivalent geometry of the contact problem is reasonable. The parameter study shows beneficial tribological aspects of the conformal contact compared to the contraformal contact. Higher film thickness and lower fluid coefficient of friction are observed for conformal contacts, which can be attributed to lower pressures for the case of the same external normal force, or to a higher contact temperature rise for the case of equivalent contact pressure.

Originality/value

Despite its widespread existence, the local geometry and kinematics in hard conformal EHL line contacts like in internal gearings have been rarely studied. The findings help for a better understanding of local contact characteristics and its relevance. The quantified scale effects help to improve the efficiency and load-carrying capacity of machine elements with hard conformal EHL contacts, like internal gearings.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-12-2022-0366/
Transformational school leadership: a systematic review of research in a centralized education system
Authors: Toprak Mustafa , Karakus Mehmet , Chen Junjun
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study intends to systematically review empirical evidence on transformational school leadership (TSL) in a centralized educational context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study includes a topographical mapping and a narrative review of thirty-seven research articles published in Turkey between 2000 and 2021. The review strategy included systematically searching the Turkish Academic Network and Information Center (ULAKBIM) and Scopus. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram guided the review and reporting process.

Findings

Three key themes emerged: (1) perceptions, attitudes and behaviors; (2) psychological resources, learning and innovation and (3) school climate and culture. The results indicated that the research evidence on TSL in the review did not correspond well with the evidence on TSL in non-Western contexts. The authors also discussed the state of research narratively to provide an overview of the topical foci and methodological and conceptual trends.

Research limitations/implications

First, although the databases of the study are claimed to be regularly updated locally, these two search databases may inevitably have missed some journal articles relevant to the inclusion criteria. A possible solution is to include more databases like ERIC, PsycArticles, SAGE, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, Web of Science and ProQuest. Second, the authors decided to limit the exploration of journal articles on transformative leadership to peer-reviewed journal articles. The authors might have missed a wider range of insights available in book chapters, books, research papers, dissertations and gray literature. Third, as there were many levels of research foci, the authors did the coding on research foci and methods. However, the approach may not allow authors to explore the relationships between research foci and method design. One possible solution is to do all coding in one file so that more complex analysis can follow. Finally, the authors agree that TSL is only one leadership style that is related to leadership effectiveness and that effective leadership is multi-faceted and requires a combination of leadership styles. Accordingly, the evidence in the study sheds light on only one dimension of leadership effectiveness.

Originality/value

Our review is part of an effort to demonstrate the importance of a culturally-situated understanding of TSL and to develop a globally validated knowledge base. It identifies and summarizes research in a non-Western school context defined by centrality, lack of autonomy and accountability.
Do political connections cause over-indebtedness? Empirical evidence from China’s listed construction firms
Authors: Hu Xiang , Nor Eliza , Hooy Chee-Wooi
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between political connections and the over-indebtedness of firms in the construction industry. Furthermore, this study explores the moderating effect of corporate governance mechanisms with monitoring intent on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the data from China’s listed construction firms for the years 2010–2019 to run the fixed-effect regression. This study constructs the optimal capital structure mathematical model by following the trade-off approach.

Findings

The research results show that most of China’s listed construction firms are surprisingly over-indebted in the long run. This study affirms that political connections positively impact the over-indebtedness of China’s listed construction firms. However, corporate governance can alleviate the impact of political connections on the over-indebtedness of China’s listed construction firms.

Originality/value

There were limited studies to discuss the relationship between political connections and the over-indebtedness of construction firms, and no particular attention has been given to the moderating effect of corporate governance mechanisms on the relationship between political connections and over-indebtedness. Moreover, in calculating the over-indebtedness of China’s listed construction firms, this study considers the financial characteristics of China’s construction firms when building the mathematical model of optimal capital structure, which makes the calculation results of over-indebtedness closer to reality.
Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets: the impact of learning motivation, personal innovativeness, technological self-efficacy, and human capital on entrepreneurial intention
Authors: Aboobaker Nimitha , D. Renjini , K.A. Zakkariya
Published: June 2023

Purpose

In the context of exponential technological advancements in the economy and the role of entrepreneurial ventures in significantly contributing towards social and economic growth, this study aims to examine the influence of learning motivation and personal innovativeness (PI) on students’ entrepreneurship intention. The study gains relevance in the context of students in emerging economies like India, where the digital divide is still on the higher side. The study also seeks to understand the extent to which varying levels of technological self-efficacy moderate the interaction effects of human capital in the aforementioned relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample for this study consisted of 330 students from various disciplines, including science, technology and management, who were selected randomly from different universities in India. A self-administered and structured questionnaire was used to obtain responses from the participants. The data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (IBM SPSS 23.0), and path analysis was performed using Hayes PROCESS Macro.

Findings

The study's results indicated that learning motivation and PI had a significant indirect effect on students’ entrepreneurship intention, mediated through human capital. However, interestingly, the relationships were varyingly influenced by technological self-efficacy as the moderator.

Practical implications

The contemporary student cohort consists of individuals known as “digital natives,” who possess a strong inclination towards digital learning and demonstrate innovative behaviour. The insights gained from this study underscore the crucial role of technological self-efficacy in shaping entrepreneurial intentions, indicating the necessity of incorporating technological training and skill development within international business education curricula. Also, the results of the study emphasize the need for integrating PI into business education programs, as it positively influences the entrepreneurial mindset and potential.

Originality/value

This study is pioneering in conceptualizing and testing a model that provides a more comprehensive understanding of student attitudes and outcomes. This understanding can be used to customize entrepreneurial programs to better meet the needs of students. Entrepreneurship fosters technological innovation and creates employment opportunities, making student venture creations a crucial factor in economic development and sustainability. For educators and university administrators, it is essential to comprehend how to enhance entrepreneurial intentions among students to design a learning environment that facilitates the creation of new ventures as a result of higher education.
Leadership styles and employee creativity: the interactive impact of online knowledge sharing and organizational innovation
Authors: Nguyen Mai , Sharma Piyush , Malik Ashish
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the differences in the impact of three leadership styles (transactional, transformational and creative) on intraorganizational online knowledge-sharing and employee creativity. Specifically, we use self-determination theory (SDT) to examine the impact of these three leadership styles on four aspects of online knowledge sharing (knowledge donating, knowledge collecting, lurking and active lurking) and the moderating role of organizational innovation on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 361 employees of business-to-business organizations in Vietnam to support all our hypotheses. Structural equation modelling was used for data analysis.

Findings

Transformational, transactional and creative leadership were found to affect online knowledge sharing, wherein creative leadership had the most potent effect. Online knowledge sharing was found to mediate the impact of three types of leadership on employee creativity. The results also showed that organizational innovation moderates the influence of leadership on online knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

This paper extends the current knowledge management research on online knowledge sharing by studying two new behaviors (lurking and active lurking), linking diverse leadership styles to these behaviors and employee creativity, and exploring the moderating role of organizational innovation. Our findings shed light on the complexity of the relationship between leadership and online knowledge sharing. This study also provides valuable implications for practitioners to help them choose the most appropriate leadership style for their digitalization process to ensure optimal outcomes.
The interplay of CEO ability and governance robustness on the performance effects of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Al-Shammari Marwan A. , Banerjee Soumendra Nath , Al-Shammari Hussam , Doty Harold
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance, documented in prior research, is affected by the joint effects of managerial ability and attributes of the firm's governance structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Unbalanced panel contains the essence of cross-sectional time-series data. A significant F-test proves the inappropriateness of pooled OLS regression to the sample. Further, the rejection of the Hausman test null favors fixed-effects over random-effects. However, statistically significant results from Shapiro–Wilk test, Breusch–Pagan test and Wooldridge test reveal non-normal distribution of the dependent variable, the presence of heteroscedasticity and the existence of first-order autocorrelation, respectively. Thus, this study applies feasible generalized least squares with panel-specific autocorrelation structure (hence, a slightly smaller sample) controlling for heteroskedasticity to all models after lagging all the explanatory variables by a year.

Findings

This study finds that higher levels of managerial ability enable firms to benefit more/less from their CSR investments depending on the presence/absence of appropriate governance devices. While CEO ability may be seen as an indicator of how well the CEO might serve the firm in the market-domain strategies, the results suggest that this may not be the case in the non-market domain in the absence of appropriate governance mechanisms.

Originality/value

The arguments and analyses in this study support two important contributions to the growing literature on CSR. First, the current study is one of the few to identify CEO ability as an important factor that may influence the dynamics of the firm's CSR (see also Garcì-Sànchez et al., 2019 and Yuan et al., 2019). Second, this study examines whether governance robustness minimizes the potential for opportunistic behavior of more able CEOs or constraints the effectiveness of more able CEOs in decisions pertaining to CSR.
Commentary on “What can a Family Liaison Service offer families of children with disabilities and/or developmental difficulties?”
Authors: Murphy Mark
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the key themes highlighted by Collins et al., in light of the wider research evidence base on informal sources of support for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary reflects on the provision of informal support services for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Findings

The wider literature highlights the key role of family support in shifting negative narratives concerning parenting a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the impact of austerity and COVID-19 on support provision and the importance of services working effectively in collaboration to promote self-determination for families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Originality/value

Continued efforts to explore how services and informal social supports might work together in an effective manner are key to improving the quality of life of parents caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Profound Implications of the Meaning of Health for Health Care and Health Equity
Authors: FISCELLA KEVIN , EPSTEIN RONALD M.
Published: June 2023

Policy Points

The meaning of health in health care remains poorly defined, defaulting to a narrow, biomedical disease model. A national dialogue could create a consensus regarding a holistic and humanized definition of health that promotes health care transformation and health equity.

Key steps for operationalizing a holistic meaning of health in health care include national leadership by federal agencies, intersectoral collaborations that include diverse communities, organizational and cultural change in medical education, and implementation of high‐quality primary care.

The 2023 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on achieving whole health offers recommendations for action.
Radioembolisation of liver metastases
Authors: Boshell David , Bester Lourens
Published: June 2023

This review aims to present contemporary data for SIRT in the treatment of secondary hepatic malignancies including colorectal, neuroendocrine, breast and uveal melanoma.
Assessment of lung doses in patients undergoing total body irradiation for haematological malignancies with and without lung shielding
Authors: Lonski Peta , MacManus Michael , Campbell Belinda A , Wheeler Greg , Ungureanu Elena , Kron Tomas
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Total body irradiation (TBI) practices vary considerably amongst centres, and the risk of treatment related toxicities remains unclear. We report lung doses for 142 TBI patients who underwent either standing TBI with lung shield blocks or lying TBI without blocks.

Methods

Lung doses were calculated for 142 TBI patients treated between June 2016 and June 2021. Patients were planned using Eclipse (Varian Medical Systems) using AAA_15.6.06 for photon dose calculations and EMC_15.6.06 for electron chest wall boost fields. Mean and maximum lung doses were calculated.

Results

Thirty‐seven patients (26.2%) were treated standing using lung shielding blocks with 104 (73.8%) treated lying down. Lowest relative mean lung doses were achieved using lung shielding blocks in standing TBI, reducing the mean lung doses to 75.2% of prescription (9.9 Gy), ±4.1% (range 68.6–84.1%) for a prescribed dose of 13.2 Gy in 11 fractions, including contributions from electron chest wall boost fields, compared to 12 Gy in 6 fraction lying TBI receiving 101.6% mean lung dose (12.2 Gy) ±2.4% (range 95.2–109.5%) (P ≪ 0.05). Patients treated lying down with 2 Gy single fraction received the highest relative mean lung dose on average, with 108.4% (2.2 Gy) ±2.6% of prescription (range 103.2–114.4%).

Conclusion

Lung doses have been reported for 142 TBI patients using the lying and standing techniques described herein. Lung shielding blocks significantly reduced mean lung doses despite the addition of electron boost fields to the chest wall.