bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance of Genotyping in von Willebrand Disease to Elucidate Pathogenic Mechanisms and Variability in Phenotype
Authors: Atiq Ferdows , Boender Johan , van Heerde Waander L. , Tellez Garcia Juan M. , Schoormans Selene C. , Krouwel Sandy , Cnossen Marjon H. , Laros-van Gorkom Britta A. P. , de Meris Joke , Fijnvandraat Karin , van der Bom Johanna G. , Meijer Karina , van Galen Karin P. M. , Eikenboom Jeroen , Leebeek Frank W. G. ,   for the WiN Study Group
Published: May 2022

Genotyping is not routinely performed at diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Therefore, the association between genetic variants and pathogenic mechanism or the clinical and laboratory phenotype is unknown in most patients, especially in type 1 VWD. To investigate whether genotyping adds to a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and variability in phenotype, we analyzed the VWF gene in 390 well-defined VWD patients, included in the WiN study. A VWF gene variant was found in 155 patients (61.5%) with type 1, 122 patients (98.4%) with type 2, and 14 patients (100%) with type 3 VWD. Forty-eight variants were novel. For each VWF gene variant, the pathogenic mechanisms associated with reduced VWF levels was investigated using the FVIII:C/VWF:Ag and VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratios. In type 1 VWD, reduced synthesis or secretion of VWF was most frequently found in patients with nonsense variants, frameshift variants, and deletions, whereas rapid clearance of VWF was mainly found in patients with missense variants. Furthermore, type 1 VWD patients with and without a VWF gene variant were clearly distinct in their clinical features such as age of diagnosis, laboratory phenotype, and bleeding phenotype. In type 2 VWD, 81% of variants were associated with an increased clearance of VWF. To conclude, we identified the pathogenic mechanisms associated with various VWF gene variants in type 1, 2, and 3 VWD patients. Additionally, major differences in the phenotype of type 1 VWD patients with and without a variant were observed, which may be of importance for clinical management.
KeratoScreen: Early Keratoconus Classification With Zernike Polynomial Using Deep Learning
Authors: Gao He-Bei , Pan Zhi-Geng , Shen Mei-Xiao , Lu Fan , Li Hong , Zhang Xiao-Qin
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

We aimed to investigate the usefulness of Zernike coefficients (ZCs) for distinguishing subclinical keratoconus (KC) from normal corneas and to evaluate the goodness of detection of the entire corneal topography and tomography characteristics with ZCs as a screening feature input set of artificial neural networks.

Methods:

This retrospective study was conducted at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China. A total of 208 patients (1040 corneal topography images) were evaluated. Data were collected between 2012 and 2018 using the Pentacam system and analyzed from February 2019 to December 2021. An artificial neural network (KeratoScreen) was trained using a data set of ZCs generated from corneal topography and tomography. Each image was previously assigned to 3 groups: normal (70 eyes; average age, 28.7 ± 2.6 years), subclinical KC (48 eyes; average age, 24.6 ± 5.7 years), and KC (90 eyes; average age, 25.9 ± 5.4 years). The data set was randomly split into 70% for training and 30% for testing. We evaluated the precision of screening symptoms and examined the discriminative capability of several combinations of the input set and nodes.

Results:

The best results were achieved using ZCs generated from corneal thickness as an input parameter, determining the 3 categories of clinical classification for each subject. The sensitivity and precision rates were 93.9% and 96.1% in subclinical KC cases and 97.6% and 95.1% in KC cases, respectively.

Conclusions:

Deep learning algorithms based on ZCs could be used to screen for early KC and for other corneal ectasia during preoperative screening for corneal refractive surgery.
Visual recovery after immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery at a veterans' hospital
Authors: Kwedar Kathleen , Arnold Joseph , Hesemann Nathan
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

To answer patient questions about the expected timeline for recovery, the objective postoperative visual acuities were reviewed for patients undergoing immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS).

Setting:

Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri.

Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Methods:

All patients who underwent ISBCS in 2019 were evaluated. A total of 116 patients (232 eyes) were studied. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) for postoperative day 0 or 1 (POD0/1), postoperative week 1 (POW1), and postoperative month 1 (POM1) were required for study inclusion. Patients with ocular comorbidities were not excluded, although all patients passed an initial screening to qualify for ISBCS. The outcome measures included POD0/1, POW1, and POM1 UDVA.

Results:

Postoperative UDVA was stable or improved compared with preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) for 48% (66/138) of eyes on POD0, 79% (74/94) of eyes on POD1, and 90% (209/232) of eyes on POW1. 83% of patients at POD1 and 90% of patients at POW1 had stable or improved visual acuity in at least 1 eye. 92% (214/232) of eyes had a POW1 UDVA of 20/40 or better. Of the 18 eyes with a postoperative POW1 UDVA of 20/50 or worse, 5 (28%) were known preoperatively to have limited visual potential. 99% (115/116) of patients had at least 1 eye 20/40 or better.

Conclusions:

Most of the patients who underwent ISBCS demonstrated meaningful improvement in UDVA compared with preoperative CDVA as early as POD1. These results serve to guide discussion of postoperative expectations with patients interested in ISBCS.
Age-related appearance of lamellar structures in lens capsule of cataractous eyes and its pathological significance
Authors: Hirata Akira , Mine Keiko , Hayashi Ken
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

To determine morphological changes in the lens capsule with aging.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.

Methods:

Twenty-five eyes from the older patient group (aged ≥ 80 years) and 25 eyes from the younger patient group (aged ≤ 65 years) who were diagnosed with cataract and indicated for surgery were included in the study. After continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), the anterior lens capsule was collected, immediately fixed, and processed for electron microscopy analysis. Backscattered electron images of the cross-section of the anterior lens capsule were observed under a scanning electron microscope. The ultrastructure of the anterior lens capsule was observed and compared between groups. Factors associated with the occurrence of the lamellar structure were also identified. The presence or absence of a lamellar structure was an objective variable, and preoperative clinical characteristics were the explanatory variables.

Results:

Fifty eyes of 50 patients were included. In the younger patient group, 20 (80%) eyes had a homogeneous lens capsule, whereas 5 eyes had a lamellar structure. By contrast, in the older patient group, 5 eyes had homogeneous structures, while the remaining 20 (80%) eyes had lamellar structures. One eye showed capsular delamination. The only significant factor for the occurrence of lamellar structures was age group (p<0.01, nominal logistic regression analysis).

Conclusions:

Lamellar structures appear in the anterior capsule during aging. The appearance of lamellar structures indicates fragility of the lens capsule, which may, in turn, lead to capsular delamination or lens dislocation in some cases.
Grpr expression defines a population of superficial dorsal horn vertical cells that have a role in both itch and pain
Authors: Polgár Erika , Dickie Allen C. , Gutierrez-Mecinas Maria , Bell Andrew M. , Boyle Kieran A. , Quillet Raphaëlle , Ab Rashid Elisha , Clark Ross A. , German Morgan T. , Watanabe Masahiko , Riddell John S. , Todd Andrew J.
Published: May 2022

Neurons in the superficial dorsal horn that express the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) are strongly implicated in spinal itch pathways. However, a recent study reported that many of these correspond to vertical cells, a population of interneurons that are believed to transmit nociceptive information. In this study, we have used a GRPRCreERT2 mouse line to identify and target cells that possess Grpr mRNA. We find that the GRPR cells are highly concentrated in lamina I and the outer part of lamina II, that they are all glutamatergic, and that they account for ∼15% of the excitatory neurons in the superficial dorsal horn. We had previously identified 6 neurochemically distinct excitatory interneuron populations in this region based on neuropeptide expression and the GRPR cells are largely separate from these, although they show some overlap with cells that express substance P. Anatomical analysis revealed that the GRPR neurons are indeed vertical cells, and that their axons target each other, as well as arborising in regions that contain projection neurons: lamina I, the lateral spinal nucleus, and the lateral part of lamina V. Surprisingly, given the proposed role of GRPR cells in itch, we found that most of the cells received monosynaptic input from Trpv1-expressing (nociceptive) afferents, that the majority responded to noxious and pruritic stimuli, and that chemogenetically activating them resulted in pain-related and itch-related behaviours. Together, these findings suggest that the GRPR cells are involved in spinal cord circuits that underlie both pain and itch.
Partial Substitution of Simulation-Based Learning Allows Equal Student Self-confidence in the Acute Care Setting
Authors: Dale Daniel C. , Perlow Ellen R. , Lucado Ann M.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

This study examines whether 20% substitution of a simulation-based learning experience (SBLE) during a physical therapist (PT) education integrated clinical experience (ICE) produces differences in student confidence in the acute care setting.

Methods:

Twenty-one students were randomized into 2 groups. The control group received the traditional 5 days of ICE. The experimental group received 4 days of ICE and 1 day of SBLE focused on the acute care setting. Students were administered the Acute Care Confidence Survey (ACCS) at the beginning, midterm, and conclusion of the semester. Statistical methods were used to examine within- and between-group differences in the ACCS.

Results:

Eleven of 15 items on the ACCS did not demonstrate any significant difference in change of scores between groups at midterm. Four items related to psychomotor-based skills showed a significant difference, with the group receiving simulation showing greater improvements in confidence scores at midterm. Acute care confidence improved significantly in both groups over time; however, no significant difference between groups was observed in self-reported confidence levels by the end of the semester.

Conclusion:

Health care simulation has the potential to increase the self-confidence of students in the acute care setting and should be further examined to see whether SBLE could potentially supplement or substitute ICE days in PT education.
Machine Learning in Cardiac Surgery: Predicting Mortality and Readmission
Authors: Park Jiheum , Bonde Pramod N.
Published: May 2022

Predicting outcomes in open-heart surgery can be challenging. Unexpected readmissions, long hospital stays, and mortality have economic implications. In this study, we investigated machine learning (ML) performance in data visualization and predicting patient outcomes associated with open-heart surgery. We evaluated 8,947 patients who underwent cardiac surgery from April 2006 to January 2018. Data visualization and classification were performed at cohort-level and patient-level using clustering, correlation matrix, and seven different predictive models for predicting three outcomes (“Discharged,” “Died,” and “Readmitted”) at binary level. Cross-validation was used to train and test each dataset with the application of hyperparameter optimization and data imputation techniques. Machine learning showed promising performance for predicting mortality (AUC 0.83 ± 0.03) and readmission (AUC 0.75 ± 0.035). The cohort-level analysis revealed that ML performance is comparable to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk model even with limited number of samples (e.g., less than 3,000 samples for ML versus more than 100,000 samples for the STS risk models). With all cases (8,947 samples, referred as patient-level analysis), ML showed comparable performance to what has been reported for the STS models. However, we acknowledge that it remains unknown at this stage as to how the model might perform outside the institution and does not in any way constitute a comparison of the performance of the internal model with the STS model. Our study demonstrates a systematic application of ML in analyzing and predicting outcomes after open-heart surgery. The predictive utility of ML in cardiac surgery and clinical implications of the results are highlighted.
Trends in Performance of Anti-Incontinence Treatment at the Time of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair From 2011 to 2019
Authors: Zemtsov Gregory E. , Jelovsek J. Eric , O’Shea Michele , Luchristt Doug
Published: May 2022

Importance

There are no publications on national trends in performance of concomitant stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment with pelvic organ prolapse surgery over the past decade.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to describe trends in the performance and type of concomitant SUI treatment from 2011 to 2019.

Study Design

Surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse and coding for prolapse repair were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. An autoregressive interrupted time series model estimated temporal trends in concomitant SUI treatment associated with 3 consequential events: U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) requirement for postmarketing studies from mesh manufacturers (January 2012), publication of the Outcomes following Vaginal Prolapse Repair and Midurethral Sling (OPUS) trial (June 2012), and the FDA's reclassification of vaginal mesh as a high-risk device (January 2016).

Results

There were 43,370 cases identified. The rate of concomitant SUI treatment decreased from 46.1% to 35.7% across the analysis period. No significant trend before postmarketing studies (−0.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.8 to 1.1) was observed. After postmarketing studies, there was a downward deflection of −2.0% per quarter (95% CI, −3.6 to −0.4). After OPUS, we observed a flattening of the trend to −0.2% (95% CI, −0.8 to 0.4) that persisted after FDA reclassification. Sling procedures remained predominant (96.2% of SUI procedures) and performance of urethropexy decreased across the analysis period (−0.1%; 95% CI, −0.08 to −0.2).

Conclusions

After the FDA's order for postmarketing studies, rates of concomitant SUI treatment significantly decreased. Rates stabilized after the OPUS trial at around 35% and did not subsequently change. Rates of nonmesh concomitant SUI treatment decreased during the analysis period.
Postprocedural Pain Associated With 5 Versus 20 Intradetrusor Injections of onabotulinumtoxinA for Treatment of Overactive Bladder: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Chang Eric S. , Ringel Nancy , Woodburn Katherine L. , Tanner Jean Paul , Bassaly Renee , Greene Kristie , Wyman Allison , Iglesia Cheryl
Published: May 2022

Importance

Intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxinA is performed via varying injection paradigms but no studies have studied the various effects of these paradigms on patient experience with the procedure.

Objectives

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare pain and procedure time between patients receiving a 100-unit dose of onabotulinumtoxinA in 5 injections compared to 20 injections for the treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder or urgency urinary incontinence.

Study Design

Patients presenting with refractory overactive bladder or urgency urinary incontinence at 2 clinical sites were identified and randomized to undergo onabotulinumtoxinA treatment with 5 injections versus 20 injections. Patients rated their pain level on a 10-point visual analog scale at procedure completion. The procedure duration was recorded with a stopwatch. Patients were followed up 6 weeks postprocedure, at which time they completed a Global Response Assessment to determine subjective efficacy of treatment. Participants were additionally monitored for incidence of adverse events in the follow-up period.

Results

The average pain score was not statistically significant between groups (2; interquartile range, 1–4 for the 5 injection group vs 3; interquartile range, 2–4 for the 20 injection group; P = 0.27). Patients who received 5 injections experienced significantly shorter mean procedure time as compared with patients who received 20 injections (76 seconds vs 176 seconds; P < 0.001). There were no differences in subjective efficacy or adverse events between groups.

Conclusions

Perceived pain, efficacy, and postprocedure complications did not significantly differ between patients receiving 5 injections and 20 injections, but procedure time was significantly shorter.
Fearless distasteful butterflies and timid mimetic butterflies: comparison of flight initiation distances in Papilioninae
Authors: Kojima Wataru
Published: May 2022

Prey are expected to flee from an approaching predator when the cost of remaining (i.e. being captured) exceeds the cost of fleeing. In species where individuals experience less predation pressure, delayed escape responses to predatory threats are predicted. Therefore, non-chalant behaviour should be observed in unpalatable and Batesian mimetic prey while rapid escape behaviour may be displayed in palatable and non-mimetic prey from closely related species. This study compared the flight initiation distances (FIDs; the distances at which a prey starts to flee during a standardized human approach) of several sympatric swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae) in two areas with different temperate zones. As predicted, it was found that unpalatable species had significantly shorter FIDs than palatable species in both areas. By contrast, FIDs of Batesian mimic species were significantly longer than those of unpalatable model species and were not significantly different from those of palatable species. FIDs were not significantly different between mimetic and non-mimetic forms of the intraspecific polymorphic speciesPapilio polytes.The mimetic species or form may reduce the risk of revealing their identity (i.e. palatability) through early escape behaviour. These findings have implications for the selective forces that affect the escape tendency of prey.
Costly teaching contributes to the acquisition of spear hunting skill among BaYaka forager adolescents
Authors: Lew-Levy Sheina , Bombjaková Daša , Milks Annemieke , Kiabiya Ntamboudila Francy , Kline Michelle Anne , Broesch Tanya
Published: May 2022

Teaching likely evolved in humans to facilitate the faithful transmission of complex tasks. As the oldest evidenced hunting technology, spear hunting requires acquiring several complex physical and cognitive competencies. In this study, we used observational and interview data collected among BaYaka foragers (Republic of the Congo) to test the predictions that costlier teaching types would be observed at a greater frequency than less costly teaching in the domain of spear hunting and that teachers would calibrate their teaching to pupil skill level. To observe naturalistic teaching during spear hunting, we invited teacher–pupil groupings to spear hunt while wearing GoPro cameras. We analysed 68 h of footage totalling 519 teaching episodes. Most observed teaching events were costly. Direct instruction was the most frequently observed teaching type. Older pupils received less teaching and more opportunities to lead the spear hunt than their younger counterparts. Teachers did not appear to adjust their teaching to pupil experience, potentially because age was a more easily accessible heuristic for pupil skill than experience. Our study shows that costly teaching is frequently used to transmit complex tasks and that instruction may play a privileged role in the transmission of spear hunting knowledge.
Using genomic prediction to detect microevolutionary change of a quantitative trait
Authors: Hunter D. C. , Ashraf B. , Bérénos C. , Ellis P. A. , Johnston S. E. , Wilson A. J. , Pilkington J. G. , Pemberton J. M. , Slate J.
Published: May 2022

Detecting microevolutionary responses to natural selection by observing temporal changes in individual breeding values is challenging. The collection of suitable datasets can take many years and disentangling the contributions of the environment and genetics to phenotypic change is not trivial. Furthermore, pedigree-based methods of obtaining individual breeding values have known biases. Here, we apply a genomic prediction approach to estimate breeding values of adult weight in a 35-year dataset of Soay sheep (
Ovis aries)
. Comparisons are made with a traditional pedigree-based approach. During the study period, adult body weight decreased, but the underlying genetic component of body weight increased, at a rate that is unlikely to be attributable to genetic drift. Thus cryptic microevolution of greater adult body weight has probably occurred. Genomic and pedigree-based approaches gave largely consistent results. Thus, using genomic prediction to study microevolution in wild populations can remove the requirement for pedigree data, potentially opening up new study systems for similar research.
Generation and analysis of context-specific genome-scale metabolic models derived from single-cell RNA-Seq data
Authors: Gustafsson Johan , Robinson Jonathan L. , Roshanzamir Fariba , Jörnsten Rebecka , Kerkhoven Eduard J , Nielsen Jens
Published: May 2022

Single-cell RNA sequencing has the potential to unravel the differences in metabolism across cell types and cell states in both the healthy and diseased human body. The use of existing knowledge in the form of genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) holds promise to strengthen such analyses, but the combined use of these two methods requires new computational methods. Here, we present a method for generating cell-type-specific genome-scale models from clusters of single-cell RNA-Seq profiles. Specifically, we developed a method to estimate the number of cells required to pool to obtain stable models, a bootstrapping strategy for estimating statistical inference, and a faster version of the tINIT algorithm for generating context-specific GEMs. In addition, we evaluated the effect of different RNA-Seq normalization methods on model topology and differences in models generated from single-cell and bulk RNA-Seq data. We applied our methods on data from mouse cortex neurons and cells from the tumor microenvironment of lung cancer and in both cases found that almost every cell subtype had a unique metabolic profile, emphasizing the need to study them separately rather than to build models from bulk RNA-Seq data. In addition, our approach was able to detect cancer-associated metabolic differences between cancer cells and healthy cells, showcasing its utility. With the ever-increasing availability of single-cell RNA-Seq datasets and continuously improved GEMs, their combination holds promise to become an important approach in the study of human metabolism.
Interplay of thermal diffuse scattering and correlated compositional disorder in KCl1–x
Br
x
Authors: Schmidt Ella Mara , Thomas Sofia , Bulled Johnathan M. , Minelli Arianna , Goodwin Andrew L.
Published: May 2022

Single-crystal X-ray diffuse scattering measurements are reported of the compositional series KCl1–x
Br
x
, a model system for the broader family of disordered rocksalts. Using a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and lattice dynamical calculations, we show that the observed diffuse scattering is well described in terms of (i) non-statistical anion distributions, (ii) local lattice relaxations accompanying Cl/Br substitution, and (iii) the contribution from low-energy phonons. It is found that a tendency for compositional domain formation broadens the thermal diffuse scattering by splitting and softening the acoustic phonon branches. This effect, which is strongest for intermediate compositions, is seen in both experiment and calculation alike. These results establish a link between local compositional order and unconventional lattice dynamics in this system, and reinforce emerging design principles of exploiting compositional fluctuations to tailor physical properties, such as thermal conductivity, that depend on phonon broadening.
Potentials of prognostics and health management for polymer electrolyte fuel cells in aviation applications
Authors: Ebner Kathrin , Koops Lily
Published: May 2022

Purpose

A reliable and safe operation of fuel cells (FCs) is imperative for their application in aviation, especially within the main powertrain. Moreover, performance and lifetime requirements for technical and economic viability are demanding compared to their stationary or road transportation counterparts, while the operating conditions are considered challenging. Prognostics and health management (PHM) could represent a powerful tool for enhancing reliability, durability and performance by detecting, predicting and/or mitigating relevant degradation and failure mechanisms. Against this backdrop, the authors consider it of high relevance to obtain an understanding of the effectiveness of PHM approaches for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) for future aircraft applications, which represents the aim of this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors first discuss application relevant failure modes, review state-of-the-art PHM approaches and, consecutively, assess the potential of FC control strategies for aviation. Aiming for a tangible, comparable metric for this initial assessment, the authors apply a published remaining useful life prediction method to load profiles for a range of aviation-specific applications.

Findings

The authors’ analysis shows significant potentials for lifetime improvement by (partial) avoidance of high power operation and rapid load change through control strategies. Tapping into these theoretical potentials, however, requires significant developments in the field of PEFC PHM and a focus on aviation specific degradation and performance testing.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in creating an understanding of the potential of avoiding or preventing certain degradation modes by means of PHM in the PEFC specifically in aviation applications.
The value for money factors and their interrelationships for smart city public–private partnerships projects
Authors: Almarri Khalid
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The amount of expenditure required to scale up smart infrastructure projects is often enormous. Public–private partnership (PPP) is one of the proposed and viable solutions for addressing the financial issues of smart infrastructure projects. However, the most important criterion in choosing PPP over other procurement methods is that the project under the PPP method should deliver the best value for money (VFM) while also including defined economic and social objectives, rather than relying exclusively on efficiency factors. While PPP provides a variety of advantages for developing infrastructure, significant challenges may arise as a result of smart infrastructure initiatives. Diverse PPP approaches have been used to build smart infrastructure around the world, with varying degrees of success. The purpose of this study is to identify the VFM factors that are suitable for smart infrastructure projects and to examine the impact of their interrelationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for this study consisted of three stages: identifying VFM factors in PPP for smart cities based on an extensive literature review, analyzing data from a sample of 90 PPP practitioners using a Likert scale questionnaire and estimating interrelationships among VFM factors using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

After performing a SEM analysis on the gathered data, the best fitted measurement model consisted of 11 VFM factors acting as indicators of three latent variables for smart infrastructure projects (clear output specification for measuring performance, efficient dispute resolutions, optimized risk allocation and business models, improved and integrated community services, economic sustainability, appropriate capital structure and collaterals, smart asset management, diffusion of smart technologies, technical innovation, Ince) and three clusters of their interrelations (economic sustainability, integration drive, optimization and smart technology).

Practical implications

This research has resulted in a useful and readily applicable list of factors and clusters of value for money criteria for the implementation of PPP in smart infrastructure projects, assisting public sector management by providing a measure of pre-conditions that can be used as an assessment tool when determining whether a PPP should be used instead of conventional methods.

Originality/value

In addition to the theoretical and methodological contributions, this study produced a usable and readily adaptable list and clusters of value for money factors for the implementation of PPP in smart infrastructure projects.
The bright side of entitlement: exploring the positive effects of psychological entitlement on job involvement
Authors: Lin Szu-Yin , Chen Hsien-Chun , Chen I-Heng
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Although the sense of entitlement was traditionally associated with a range of maladaptive personality characteristics, the purpose of the current study is to take an initial step to explore a positive implication of psychological entitlement.

Design/methodology/approach

The target population for this study comprises employees from various industries in Taiwan. To examine the research hypotheses, structural equation modeling techniques were employed to perform a mediation analysis and conditional process analysis.

Findings

The results of this research showed that career ambition mediates the relationship between psychological entitlement and job involvement, where psychological entitlement is positively related to career ambition, and career ambition is positively related to job involvement. Nonetheless, the authors' data did not support the proposed moderation effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between career ambition and job involvement.

Originality/value

This work is among the first to investigate how an employee's psychological entitlement is associated with his/her job involvement and the boundary conditions that affect this relationship.
Eye-tracking study of public acceptance of 5G base stations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Fu Hanliang , Zhu Hong , Xue Pengdong , Hu Xi , Guo Xiaotong , Liu Bingsheng
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study applied eye-tracking techniques and questionnaires within the framework of the Stimulus-Organism-Response Model (SOR) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), to investigate the influencing factors of the public acceptance of 5G base stations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a combination of eye-tracking experiments and questionnaires. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

(1) The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) could be used to explain the effects on public acceptance of 5G base stations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The public's perceived usefulness and ease of use of 5G base stations positively affects public acceptance of 5G base stations. (2) The public's perceived risk of 5G base stations has a negative influence on the public acceptance of 5G base stations. (3) The public's visual attention to the different valence information about 5G base stations positively impacts the perceived ease of use while having negative impacts on perceived risk. (4) Visual attention to various valence information of 5G base stations can indirectly influence public acceptance through the perceived risk.

Originality/value

Applying the SOR and TAM to data obtained from eye-tracking experiments and questionnaires, this study analyzed the factors and mechanisms influencing public acceptance of 5G base stations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact of perceived organisational justice, support and identity on workplace behaviour through job attitudes: verification in the role of LOC
Authors: Abdullah Hasan Oudah , Al-Abrrow Hadi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study used attribution and social exchange theories as bases to test a model comprising the most significant variables, namely, perception, attitudes and positive behaviour. The current research concentrated on the effects of three variables (i.e. organisational justice, support and identity) on task performance and organizational citizenship behaviour via job satisfaction, organisational commitment and work engagement. Additionally, this study aims to determine the external locus of control’s moderator role.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based quantitative design was used as basis in collecting data from 1,125 industrial sector (i.e. electricity and oil industry) employees in southern Iraq.

Findings

Analysis of data reinforced the majority of the relationships in the research model. Results showed the mediator variables’ significance in providing explanation to the majority of the relationships and the external locus of control’s role in moderating such relationships. Research outcomes were used as bases in discussing several theoretical and practical implications, as well as presenting a few recommendations for studies in the future.

Originality/value

This research centres on determining the antecedents of positive behaviours via six circumstantial variables and one personal variable in a single model. Moreover, this study is applied in a developing country’s industrial sector with a moderately large sample size to yield evident and significant outcomes. Consequently, practitioners and academics are provided with a reference on managing and changing workplace behaviour.
The use of visual presentations for integrated reports in the investment decision-making process
Authors: Widyatama Arif , Narsa I Made
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the effect of the format of a presentation and the form of information on the decision-making process of non-professional investors in Indonesia. Investor behaviors, including acquisition, evaluation, weighting, judgment, and allocation decisions, are explained explicitly after taking a look at the form of the information and the way it is conveyed in various presentation formats.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used web-based experiments. It used a 2 × 2 between-subjects design. Eighty-nine selected students acted as surrogate investors. They were provided with company performance reports presented in different report formats (integrated versus non-integrated) and different forms of information (visual versus descriptive).

Findings

The results showed that information, when presented visually, is more influential on investment allocation decisions in Indonesia. In addition, the result of the post hoc test indicated that integrated reports are more influential than non-integrated reports.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study have significant implications for companies that publish financial and non-financial disclosures. The reports are required to be presented in an integrated and visual form in order to increase the investors' level of understanding so they can comprehend a company's performance holistically.

Practical implications

It is necessary for Indonesian policymakers to create regulations regarding the presentation of financial and non-financial information in an integrated and visual way.

Originality/value

This study fills a gap in the literature on integrated reports by showing that the visualization of information in such reports increases the level of understanding that underpins investment decision-making. Furthermore, this study contributes to cognitive load theory by providing evidence that the kind of presentation of information that facilitates people's cognitive ability is not only in the narrative form but visual presentation also works.
The evolution and determinants of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in a developing country: extent and quality
Authors: Soobaroyen Teerooven , Ramdhony Dinesh , Rashid Afzalur , Gow Jeff
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper examines the evolution and determinants of the extent and quality of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in a developing country (Mauritius).

Design/methodology/approach

CSR disclosures from annual reports of all listed companies were hand-collected for a 12-year period (2007–2018). The extent of disclosure was measured using a dichotomous index (41 items) while the quality of each disclosure item was assessed on a three-point scale. We rely on organisational legitimacy and resource dependence theories to investigate (1) trends in CSR disclosure extent and quality (2) the role of selected board and firm characteristics, namely the business qualifications of board members, extent of cross-directorships and the firm’s use of employee volunteering scheme, on CSR disclosure.

Findings

CSR disclosure extent, notably in relation to environment and human resources, gradually increased to an overall score of 45%. Comparatively, the quality of disclosures was low, with an average score of 20%. The proportion of business-qualified directors is only positively associated with CSR disclosure extent. The extent of cross-directorships is negatively associated with CSR disclosure quality while employee volunteering is positively associated with disclosure extent and quality.

Originality/value

The findings reveal the relatively low quality of information being disclosed, and in spite of CSR and governance reforms, there seems to be limited influence from the board of directors and their networks; prompting a call to foster greater board engagement on CSR matters. The results also highlight the need for a multi-dimensional assessment of CSR disclosure.
Reporting challenges and organisational mechanisms of change: a Latourian perspective on risk disclosure of a pioneer company in integrated reporting
Authors: Stacchezzini Riccardo , Florio Cristina , Sproviero Alice Francesca , Corbella Silvano
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the reporting challenges and related organisational mechanisms of change associated with disclosing corporate risks within integrated reports.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a Latourian performative approach to explore the organisational mechanisms of change in terms of networks of actors, both “human” and “non-human”, involved in the preparation of risk-related disclosure. Empirical evidence is collected by means of in-depth interviews with the preparers of an integrated reporting pioneer company.

Findings

Preparing disclosure on corporate risks in the context of integrated reporting demands close interaction among several actors. When disclosure shifts from listing key risks to providing information on how these risks are managed or connect with corporate strategy and value creation, departments not usually involved in corporate reporting play an active role and external stakeholders offer pertinent insights, benchmarks and feedback. Integrated reporting and risk management frameworks are the “non-human” actors that facilitate the engagement of diverse “human” actors.

Practical implications

Preparers should be aware that risk disclosure within integrated reports requires collaboration among (“human”) actors belonging to different departments and the engagement of external stakeholders. Preparers should consider the frameworks of integrated reporting and risk management as facilitators of cross-departmental discussions and dialogue, rather than mere contributors of guidelines and recommendations.

Originality/value

This study enriches the scant literature on organisational mechanisms of change made in response to integrated reporting challenges, showing subsequent advancements in the organisational process underlying the preparation of risk disclosure.
Employer branding: design and development of a scale
Authors: Nanjundeswaraswamy T.S. , Bharath Sindu , Nagesh P.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to design, develop and validate an instrument to measure employer branding by considering existing employee perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this systematic research, the predominant factors of employer branding are identified through Pareto analysis; using structured questionnaire information and data collected from 423 employees. The number of items and dimensions was reduced by conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and validated extracted dimensions using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using statistical software (SPSS-21). The designed scale was verified by applying relevant statistical techniques, including a multicollinearity test, construct validity, content validity, divergent validity, convergent validity and reliability test. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS, to explore the interrelationship between the dimensions of the scale.

Findings

Considering the perception of existing employees, seven factors along with 24 items scale were designed and developed to measure the employer branding. The identified seven factors are; career development opportunities; compensation and benefits; corporate social responsibility; training and development; work environment; organizational culture; and work-life balance. The proposed model explains a total variance of 70.35% and the model fit indices are within the acceptable range, validity and statistical reliability are established for seven dimensions of employer branding.

Research limitations/implications

Employer branding is studied from existing employee perspective by collecting responses from the employees of the IT sector only.

Practical implications

This validated scale is valuable for practitioners and academicians. The proposed dimensions in the scale may help practitioners explore the impact on the outcomes of organizations such as employee commitment, employee retention, employee satisfaction and total productivity. This novel instrument helps to measure employees' perception of their employers. Further, the authors identify the gaps and accordingly plan strategies to attract and retain the talented workforce.

Originality/value

The authors believe that this novel measuring instrument is comprehensive and the first of its kind. Employer branding has been modeled using SEM analysis by considering the perceptions of the present employees.
The integrated reporting quality, cost of equity and financial performance in Islamic banks
Authors: Chouaibi Yamina , Belhouchet Saida , Chouaibi Salim , Chouaibi Jamel
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of integrated reporting quality (IRQ) on the cost of equity and financial performance of Islamic banks (IBs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines 67 IBs in the MENA region over a period of six years (2015–2020). This paper is motivated by the use of the method of ordinary least on square panel data. A multiple regression model is used to analyze the impact of the quality of integrated reporting, on the one hand, on the cost of equity and, on the other hand, on the financial performance of IBs in the MENA region. Similarly, as an extension of the research, the authors exploited the dynamic effect of the data set through the generalized method of moments and estimated the impact of the one-year lagged value of the cost of equity.

Findings

The empirical results obtained do indicate that the quality of integrated reporting seems to have a significant negative effect on the cost of equity capital. It is also interesting to note that IRQ has a positive and significant impact on the financial performance of IBs.

Research limitations/implications

Current research can help and encourage IBs to provide quality information to reduce the cost of equity. Furthermore, this research could be a valuable source of information for policymakers, regulators and stakeholders on IB governance practices and disclosure. Finally, integrated reporting is very important for the progress and development of the Islamic banking sector.

Originality/value

This paper is motivated by the limited research on integrated reporting and financial performance of IBs. It makes an important contribution to the academic literature by adding to the limited body of research on the cost of equity, performance and quality of integrated reporting in the MENA region. This study is also important for the investors seeking to reduce the cost of equity to improve financial performance.
The original sin of crowd work for human subjects research
Authors: Xia Huichuan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Academic scholars have leveraged crowd work platforms such as Amazon Mechanical Turk for human subjects research for almost two decades. However, few scholars have reflected or questioned this mode of academic research. This paper aims to examine three fundamental problems of crowd work and elaborates on their lasting effects on impacting the validity and quality of human subjects research on crowd work.

Design/methodology/approach`

A critical analysis is conducted on the characteristics of crowd work, and three fundamental problems of crowd work since its origin were identified, namely, the position of “Human-as-a-service,” the confusion of terminology and crowd work platforms’ abdication of responsibilities.

Findings

This paper explains that the three identified fundamental problems of crowd work render at least two lasting problems in crowd work-based research: first, the negligence of the teleological difference between crowd work and academic research; second, the ontological schism between scholars and institutional review boards (IRBs) in their ethical concerns and practices.

Originality/value

This paper critiques the foundation of crowd work-based research that has become growingly popular, extolled and taken for granted. Such a critique is deficient in literature and may seem a bit peculiar. However, we hold that it is time to take research ethics seriously in crowd work because we need to introspect and question ourselves as scholars: What is our motive or ethical stance in using crowd work for human subjects research? Is it for advancing scientific knowledge, promoting crowd workers’ welfare, or predominantly for benefiting ourselves from the fast, cheap and “good” data via crowd work?