bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 12 correlates with performance, metabolism and acid-base balance during physical exercise
Authors: Castilho Ione Vieira , Gonçalves Luis Carlos Oliveira , Rodolpho Shirley Gomes Leite , Lopes Jaqueline Santos Silva , França Eduardo Luzia , Honório França Adenilda , de Magalhães Neto Aníbal Monteiro
Published: February 2023

Studies involving physical exercise are no longer performed only to evaluate the performance of athletes, but have become an important tool to understand how different forms of stress affect immunometabolism. The present study investigated the acute impact of a treadmill running test on different biomarkers, the acid-base system, glycemia/lactatemia, and the correlation between IL-12 and metabolism/performance. Ten male subjects participated in a cross-sectional study. The treadmill protocol was progressively increased until exhaustion. The IL-12 concentration was measured using the “Cytometric Bead Array” kit (CBA, BD Bioscience, USA) through flow cytometry, and the data were analyzed using FCAP Array software. The test had an average time of 13 minutes and 51 seconds and induced alterations in IL-12 concentration of 160%, lactate of 607%, blood glucose of 58%, blood pH of −3%, BE of −529%, bicarbonate of - 58%, and anion gap of 232%. It was observed that the lower the percentage variation in IL-12, the greater the phase to reach the anaerobic threshold (AT) in Km/h, and the time to reach this same threshold, and the opposite was also true, confirmed by the Spearman test. (−0.900 between IL-12 and the time to reach AT and −0.872 between IL-12 and the phase to reach AT). Other correlations were observed: between post-IL-12 and pre anion gap of 1.0, post-IL-12 and post chloride of 1.0, percentage change in IL-12 and post anion gap of 1.0 and percentage variation in IL-12 and post lactate of 0.943, pre-IL-12 and post anion gap of −1.0, post-IL-12 and pre LDH of −0.943, post-IL-12 and post LDH of −0.943, post-IL −12 and BE post of −9.943, post-IL-12 and post bicarbonate of −0.943, and post-IL-12 and post pH of −0.943. The AT was reached in 7:52 minutes, in the 14.9 km/h phase, with a heart rate of 163 beats per minute, an absolute power of 524 W, and an absolute VO2 of 3.12 l.min. A correlation between IL-12 and performance, metabolism, and blood acid-base balance is suggested. Furthermore, it is expected that approximately 15% of glycemia is formed by the CORI cycle, through the removal of lactate and reestablishment of glycemia, however, this estimate can be exceeded in athletes, according to the level of training.
Comparative transcriptomics reveal differential gene expression inPlasmodium vivaxgeographical isolates and implications on erythrocyte invasion mechanisms
Authors: Kepple Daniel , Ford Colby T. , Williams Jonathan , Abagero Beka , Li Shaoyu , Popovici Jean , Yewhalaw Delenasaw , Lo Eugenia
Published: February 2023

Plasmodium vivaxuses Duffy binding protein (PvDBP1) to bind to the Duffy Antigen-Chemokine Receptor (DARC) to invade human erythrocytes. Individuals who lack DARC expression (Duffy-negative) are thought to be resistance toP. vivax. In recent years,P. vivaxmalaria is becoming more prevalent in Africa with a portion of these cases detected in Duffy-negatives. Apart from DBP1, members of the reticulocyte binding protein (RBP) and tryptophan-rich antigen (TRAg) families may also play a role in erythrocyte invasion. While the transcriptomes of the Southeast Asian and South AmericanP. vivaxare well documented, the gene expression profile ofP. vivaxin Africa and more specifically the expression level of several erythrocyte binding gene candidates as compared to DBP1 are largely unknown. This paper characterized the firstP. vivaxtranscriptome in Africa and compared with those from the Southeast Asian and South American isolates. The expression of 4,404 gene transcripts belong to 12 functional groups including 43 specific erythrocyte binding gene candidates were examined. Overall, there were 10-26% differences in the gene expression profile amongst the geographical isolates, with the Ethiopian and CambodianP. vivaxbeing most similar. Majority of the gene transcripts involved in protein transportation, housekeeping, and host interaction were highly transcribed in the EthiopianP. vivax. Erythrocyte binding genes includingPvRBP2aandPvRBP3expressed six-fold higher thanPvDBP1and60-fold higher thanPvEBP/DBP2. Other genes includingPvRBP1a, PvMSP3.8, PvMSP3.9, PvTRAG2, PvTRAG14, andPvTRAG22also showed relatively high expression. Differential expression was observed among geographical isolates, e.g.,PvDBP1andPvEBP/DBP2were highly expressed in the Cambodian but not the Brazilian and Ethiopian isolates, whereasPvRBP2a andPvRBP2b showed higher expression in the Ethiopian and Cambodian than the Brazilian isolates. Compared toPvs25, the standard biomarker for detecting female gametocytes,PvAP2-G(PVP01_1440800), GAP (PVP01_1403000), andPvs47(PVP01_1208000) were highly expressed across geographical samples. These findings provide an important baseline for future comparisons ofP. vivaxtranscriptomes from Duffy-negative infections and highlight potential biomarkers for improved gametocyte detection.
Overall biomass yield on multiple nutrient sources
Authors: Golan Ohad , Gampp Olivia , Eckert Lina , Sauer Uwe
Published: February 2023

Microorganisms utilize nutrients primarily to generate biomass and replicate. When a single nutrient source is available, the produced biomass increases linearly with the initial amount of the available nutrient. This linear trend can be predicted to high accuracy by “black box models” that consider growth as a single chemical reaction with nutrients as substrates and biomass as a product. Since natural environments typically feature multiple nutrients, we here quantify the effect of co-utilization of multiple nutrients on bacterial biomass production. First, we demonstrate a mutual effect between the metabolism of different nutrient sources where the ability to utilize one is affected by the other. Second, we show that for some nutrient combinations, the produced biomass is no longer linear to the initial amount of nutrients. These observations cannot be explained by the traditional “black box models”, presumably because the metabolism of one nutrient affects another, which is not accounted for by these models. To capture these observations, we extent “black box models” to include catabolism, anabolism, and biosynthesis of biomass precursors and phenomenologically add a mutual effect between the metabolism of the nutrient sources. The expanded model qualitatively recaptures the experimental observations and, unexpectedly, predicts that the produced biomass is not only dependent on the combination of nutrient sources but also on their relative initial amounts. We validate this prediction experimentally by demonstrating how measurement of the produced biomass can be used to determine how each nutrient effects the metabolic processes of another.
CrystalMELA: a new crystallographic machine learning platform for crystal system determination
Authors: Corriero Nicola , Rizzi Rosanna , Settembre Gaetano , Del Buono Nicoletta , Diacono Domenico
Published: February 2023

Determination of the crystal system and space group is the first step of crystal structure analysis. Often this turns out to be a bottleneck in the material characterization workflow for polycrystalline compounds, thus requiring manual interventions. This work proposes a new machine-learning (ML)-based web platform, CrystalMELA (Crystallography MachinE LeArning), for crystal systems classification. Two different ML models, random forest and convolutional neural network, are available through the platform, as well as the extremely randomized trees algorithm, available from the literature. The ML models learned from simulated powder X-ray diffraction patterns of more than 280 000 published crystal structures from organic, inorganic and metal–organic compounds and minerals which were collected from the POW_COD database. A crystal system classification accuracy of 70%, which improved to more than 90% when considering the Top-2 classification accuracy, was obtained in tenfold cross-validation. The validity of the trained models has also been tested against independent experimental data of published compounds. The classification options in the CrystalMELA platform are powerful, easy to use and supported by a user-friendly graphic interface. They can be extended over time with contributions from the community. The tool is freely available at https://www.ba.ic.cnr.it/softwareic/crystalmela/ following registration.
Optical rotation in the lithium triborate nonlinear crystal
Authors: Shopa Mykola , Ftomyn Nazar , Shopa Yaroslav
Published: February 2023

A dual-wavelength polarimetric technique at 633 and 661 nm has been used for the characterization of a nonlinear lithium triborate (LiB3O5) nonenantiomorphous biaxial crystal. The mismatch of the crystallographic and optical coordinate systems was taken into account. The optical rotatory power for light propagation along one of the optical axes is ρ = 7.06° mm−1. The gyration tensor component along the bisector between the x and y crystallographic axes has been measured as g
12 = 4.31 × 10−5. Computed values based on the crystalline structure and electronic polarizabilities are in good agreement with those obtained experimentally.
Structures of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase III andEscherichia coliβ-ketoacylsynthase III co-crystallized with partially hydrolysed acetyl-oxa(dethia)CoA
Authors: Benjamin Aaron B. , Stunkard Lee M. , Ling Jianheng , Nice Jaelen N. , Lohman Jeremy R.
Published: February 2023

Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a reactive metabolite that nonproductively hydrolyzes in a number of enzyme active sites in the crystallization time frame. In order to elucidate the enzyme–acetyl-CoA interactions leading to catalysis, acetyl-CoA substrate analogs are needed. One possible analog for use in structural studies is acetyl-oxa(dethia)CoA (AcOCoA), in which the thioester S atom of CoA is replaced by an O atom. Here, structures of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase III (CATIII) andEscherichia coliketoacylsynthase III (FabH) from crystals grown in the presence of partially hydrolyzed AcOCoA and the respective nucleophile are presented. Based on the structures, the behavior of AcOCoA differs between the enzymes, with FabH reacting with AcOCoA and CATIII being unreactive. The structure of CATIII reveals insight into the catalytic mechanism, with one active site of the trimer having relatively clear electron density for AcOCoA and chloramphenicol and the other active sites having weaker density for AcOCoA. One FabH structure contains a hydrolyzed AcOCoA product oxa(dethia)CoA (OCoA), while the other FabH structure contains an acyl-enzyme intermediate with OCoA. Together, these structures provide preliminary insight into the use of AcOCoA for enzyme structure–function studies with different nucleophiles.
Hospitality SMEs and the circular economy: strategies and practice post-COVID
Authors: Bowen Robert , Dowell David , Morris Wyn
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This research evaluates specific circular economy issues in relation to the hospitality sector. This is investigated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the impact that the experiences of UK hospitality SMEs had on their circular economy activities. Viewed through a resource bricolage lens, for some this was a consequence of the challenges of the pandemic, while others were proactive in pursuing circular economy strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential mixed methods research design is established based on a pragmatic worldview. The first phase analyses secondary data from the Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) to evaluate circular economy aspects on hospitality businesses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 2 collects and analyses qualitative semi-structured interview data from directors of hospitality SMEs to investigate the experiences of businesses in this research context.

Findings

Results point to a desire for hospitality SMEs to engage in circular economy activities, especially as a means of achieving financial efficiency, however this is sometimes constrained by increased costs. Resource bricolage theory underlines potential advantages for SMEs to engage with the local community to support circular economy activities and bring mutual benefits.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the under-researched topic of circular economy issues in hospitality SMEs. The focus on SMEs is significant as small businesses are more resource-constrained than larger businesses. The context of the post-COVID period is also notable due to changing attitudes towards circular economy aspects from the experiences of the pandemic.
Farmers’ policy cognition, psychological constructs and behavior of land transfer: empirical analysis based on household surveys in Beijing
Authors: Zhang Yating , Tsai Chung-Han , Liu Wei , Weng Kun
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This research examines farmers’ cognitions to the policy and how such cognitions influence their intentions and behaviors of land transfer, with the implementation of the Three Rights Separation (TRS) policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from the Beijing area, this research tests the relationship between farmers’ policy cognition and their intention/behavior through the mediation of their psychological constructs. Both Causal step test and Bootstrap test are adopted.

Findings

Farmers’ intention of land transfer is influenced by their cognition of the TRS policy. In this process, farmers’ psychological constructs play a mediating role between their policy cognition and their intentions of land transfer, thereby eventually influencing their behaviors. This research confirms that institutions are not exogenous and the policy is not wishful thinking from the government. Instead, any policies, even enacted by governmental authority, have to be internalized within target groups’ cognition to be implemented.

Originality/value

Land transfer deserves close attention since it is the direct aim of the TRS reform. In this regard, this paper, based on an institutional perspective, aims to extend our understanding on the incentives of land transfer. This research proposes a revised model of planned behavior and argues that farmers’ intention of land transfer is influenced by their cognition of the TRS policy. On one hand, this study is the first to examine farmers’ cognition formed through the implementation of the TRS policy. On the other hand, it reveals the path of how policy can finally influence farmers’ intentions and behaviors through shaping their cognitions and changing subjective perceptions, which enriches our understanding of the mechanism of how policy has a concrete impact on society.
The coordination mechanism of a risk-averse green supply chain
Authors: Wang Yuhong , Sheng Xiaoqi , Xie Yudie
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to establish a centralized decision-making game model and manufacturer-led Stackelberg game model based on factors of risk aversion of supply chain members and product greenness. The research aims to study whether the introduction of the “cost + risk sharing” contract affects coordination of this type of green supply by calculating the optimal decision of each mode.

Design/methodology/approach

This research designs a supply chain model under centralized and decentralized decision-making. This model uses the Stackelberg game to calculate the optimal decision under decentralized decision-making to evaluate the effect of a green supply chain and then analyze the “cost + risk sharing” contract and the degree of coordination of the supply chain. A sensitivity analysis is conducted on the centralized mode for the impact of variables on the supply chain.

Findings

This research finds a double marginalization effect in decentralized decision-making, and the risk aversion coefficient plays a decisive role in the utility of supply chain members. The specific range of risk- and cost-sharing factors allows supply chain members to achieve Pareto improvements and provides decision-making based on the corresponding management strategies according to each other’s risk preference degree.

Research limitations/implications

The influence of each variable on the green supply chain in the centralized mode is studied by MATLAB numerical simulation. It provides reference for green supply chain members to formulate corresponding management strategies according to each other's risk preference degree.

Originality/value

This research innovatively considers manufacturers and retailers to explore the market demand for product greenness. It introduces a novel “cost + risk sharing” contract to coordinate the green supply chain.
Exploring the outcomes of servant leadership under the mediating role of relational energy and the moderating role of other-focused interest
Authors: Özkan Osman Seray , Üzüm Burcu , Çakan Serdar , Güzel Mevlüdiye , Gülbahar Yasemin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the mediating role of relational energy and the moderating role of other-focused interest in the relationship between servant leadership and its outputs (namely, work effort, flourishing and organizational citizenship behavior), using the theory of resource conservation and social contagion.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method was used in the study, and longitudinal data were collected to prevent the common method variance error and to reveal the causal relationships. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

According to the results, it was observed that relational energy has a full mediator role in the relationship between servant leadership, work effort and flourishing, and relational energy has an integral part mediator role in the relationship between servant leadership and organizational citizenship behavior. In addition, it has been determined that other focus interest plays a moderating role in the relationship between servant leadership and relational energy.

Practical implications

The research offers important implications for servant leaders on how to improve individual and organizational outcomes.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the servant leadership literature by associating resource conservation theory with social contagion theory. The study differs from previous studies with two main features. First, the previous studies generally adopted a perspective of energy sender. This research, on the other hand, is based on the perception of energy receivers (followers of a servant leader). Second, a moderating role of other-focused interest is explored in the relationship between servant leadership and relational energy.
Assessment of barriers to the adoption of sustainable building materials (SBM) in the construction industry of a developing country
Authors: Eze Emmanuel Chidiebere , Sofolahan Onyinye , Omoboye Olayinka Gideon
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Sustainable/Green building materials (SBMs/GBMs) offer a wide range of benefits which cut across the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability. The incorporation of these materials in construction projects in most developing countries is still low owing to some factors. This study assessed the major barriers to the incorporation of SBMs in the delivery of construction projects in developing countries, with Nigeria as a case in point.

Design/methodology/approach

The well-structured quantitative questionnaire was used to gather data from the key players in the construction industry, using the snowball sampling method and electronic means of questionnaire administration. Frequencies, percentile, relative importance index, Kruskal–Wallis H test, Kendall's coefficient of concordance and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the gathered data.

Findings

The study revealed that the major constructs of barriers to SBM adoption in construction projects are: (1) resistance and information barriers (Eigenvalues = 5.237; % of V = 23.806), (2) regulation and funding of R&D (Eigenvalues = 2.741; % of V = 12.457), (3) cost and market barriers (Eigenvalues = 2.223; % of V = 10.105), (4) government incentive and suppliers' availability (Eigenvalues = 1.728; % of V = 7.852) and (5) GB experts and labour barriers (Eigenvalues = 1.307; % of V = 5.942).

Originality/value

This study assessed the view of construction experts in the five states of the south-eastern geo-political zone of Nigeria, particularly as regards the barriers to the incorporation of sustainable building materials in construction projects in the region.
Measuring performances through multiplicative functions by modifying the MEREC method: MEREC-G and MEREC-H
Authors: Keleş Nuh
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to apply new modifications by changing the nonlinear logarithmic calculation steps in the method based on the removal effects of criteria (MEREC) method. Geometric and harmonic mean from multiplicative functions is used for the modifications made while extracting the effects of the criteria on the overall performance one by one. Instead of the nonlinear logarithmic measure used in the MEREC method, it is desired to obtain results that are closer to the mean and have a lower standard deviation.

Design/methodology/approach

The MEREC method is based on the removal effects of the criteria on the overall performance. The method uses a logarithmic measure with a nonlinear function. MEREC-G using geometric mean and MEREC-H using harmonic mean are introduced in this study. The authors compared the MEREC method, its modifications and some other objective weight determination methods.

Findings

MEREC-G and MEREC-H variants, which are modifications of the MEREC method, are shown to be effective in determining the objective weights of the criteria. Findings of the MEREC-G and MEREC-H variants are more convenient, simpler, more reasonable, closer to the mean and have fewer deviations. It was determined that the MEREC-G variant gave more compatible findings with the entropy method.

Practical implications

Decision-making can occur at any time in any area of life. There are various criteria and alternatives for decision-making. In multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models, it is a very important distinction to determine the criteria weights for the selection/ranking of the alternatives. The MEREC method can be used to find more reasonable or average results than other weight determination methods such as entropy. It can be expected that the MEREC method will be more used in daily life problems and various areas.

Originality/value

Objective weight determination methods evaluate the weights of the criteria according to the scores of the determined alternatives. In this study, the MEREC method, which is an objective weight determination method, has been expanded. Although a nonlinear measurement model is used in the literature, the contribution was made in this study by using multiplicative functions. As an important originality, the authors demonstrated the effect of removing criteria in the MEREC method in a sensitivity analysis by actually removing the alternatives one by one from the model.
An integrated model to study workplace passion and job satisfaction among hotel employees: an emerging market perspective
Authors: Pathak Deepti , Srivastava Shalini , Tripathi Prasoon M. , Gugnani Ritika
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The present study is intended to examine the association between work passion (WP) (obsessive and harmonious) and job satisfaction (JS) of hotel employees in India. It further examines the mediating influence of psychological empowerment (PE) and organizational identification (OI) on the relationship. The study has taken conservation of resources (COR) perspectives to support the association.

Design/methodology/approach

This research work has used a time lag survey on a sample of 290 employees belonging to hotels located in four states of India. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the hypothesized relationship.

Findings

Results derived from path analysis proved the hypothesized relationships. OI and PE were found to be the complementary mediators between workplace passion and JS.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted on hotels, the research can be further expanded to other industries. Future research might examine the effect of increased WP, strong organizational identity and increased JS on some of the citizenship behaviors. The present study data were collected using self-report questionnaires; no data were collected to find out whether the passion for work or stronger OI with the hotel is an outcome of some unique initiative taken by their respective hotels.

Practical implications

Top officials can promote entrepreneurial culture, form employee-friendly policies, develop a climate of trust which in return will facilitate the cognitive as well as emotional satisfaction with the organization fostering WP and JS.

Originality/value

The researchers in past have mostly studied the harmonious passion and JS association but there is a dearth of studies exploring the obsessive passion and JS relationship in the Indian context. In addition, associating OI and PE in predicting JS can also add as a unique contribution to the literature.
Co-creation of value in smart ecosystems: past trends and future directions in tourism literature
Authors: Díaz Estrella , Esteban Águeda , Koutra Christina , Almeida Sofia , Carranza Rocío
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to present a general approach for understanding and analyzing the thematic evolution of the concept of co-creation in smart environments within the tourism context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs a co-word analysis with a longitudinal framework that produces strategic diagrams to categorize the detected themes and concepts related to co-creation.

Findings

By combining the performance analysis of science mapping, the following clusters are distinguished: information technology, social media and behavior; tourism organizations, management and innovation; co-creation, technology and sharing economy; co-production and hospitality; and Smart tourism, destinations, sustainability and residents.

Originality/value

This study provides a valuable tool for tourism scholars and managers to effectively analyze the importance of different themes linked to co-creation in the concept of the smart environment. This research outlines the evolving issues in and around the touchpoints and associated emerging research topics for future research.
A research on users' behavioral intention to adopt Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the logistics industry: the case of Cainiao Logistics Network
Authors: Zhang Xin Yue , Lee Sang Yoon
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In the current dynamic business environment, Internet of Things (IoT) is employed by a number of companies in the logistics industry to achieve intelligent sorting, network optimization, real-time tracking and simplifying last-mile service. Although logistics entities are trying to introduce IoT into their business areas, users' perception of this new technology is still limited. This paper aims to develop a research model for the factors influencing the user adoption of IoT technology in the logistics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, based on the major theories on the application of new technologies such as technology acceptance model (TAM), technology–organization–environment (TOE) and innovation diffusion theory (IDT), a new research model was established to identify factors affecting customers' behavioral intention (BI) to adopt IoT technology provided by logistics companies. In addition, the authors surveyed unspecified customers of Cainiao Logistics Network, which is in charge of the logistics operation of Alibaba Group, China's largest e-commerce company, and tested the causality between the latent variables presented in the model using the structural equation model (SEM).

Findings

This empirical study shows that the support system of a logistics company and users' innovative propensity significantly affect perceived ease of use (PEOU) and BI for logistics services to which IoT technology is applied. It also presents that users' perceived security and enjoyment significantly affect perceived usefulness (PU) and BI. In addition, it was possible to confirm that the causal structure between variables suggested by TAM that PEOU has a significant effect on PU and BI, and PU has a substantial effect on BI.

Practical implications

Logistics companies should expand and upgrade technical support systems so that customers can flexibly accept logistics services with IoT technology and make efforts to alleviate customers' concerns about personal information leakage. In addition, it is necessary to find customers with an inclusive attitude toward using new technologies, to induce them to become leading users of logistics devices with IoT technology and to find various ways to amplify their enjoyment. Through a strategic approach to these technical and individual factors, it will be possible to boost customers' intention to use IoT logistics services.

Originality/value

As far as the authors know, this paper is the first study to set significant factors that affect users' BI to use IoT technology-applied logistics services provided by logistics companies and empirically analyze the causal relationships between proposed latent variables.
Social networks in Iranian academic libraries: complementary or antagonistic tools?
Authors: Parhamnia Farshad
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of social networks on the use of academic libraries by university students.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used in the present study was a survey. The statistical population included 461 university students. The data collection tool was a questionnaire. The result of the Cronbach test was equal to 0.726 indicating the acceptable reliability of the questionnaire. For data analysis, descriptive statistical methods and inferential statistical methods using SPSS 21 software were employed.

Findings

The findings showed that 243 of the participants used social networks for 4–6 h a day, 192 students never used university libraries and 229 used the university library only once in a month. Communication with friends was also reported to be one of the main goals in using social networks. The results of regression analysis also indicated that four predictor variables including information retrieval, social influence, trust and attractiveness of social networking environment were statistically able to explain the variance of reluctance to use university libraries.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the few studies that has examined the negative impact of social networks on visiting university libraries.
Assessment of facilities management sourcing approaches in hotels in Ghana: a study of selected hotels in Wa
Authors: Alhassan Tahiru , Kidido Joseph Kwaku , Tannor Oliver
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The study aims to assess the sourcing approaches used in providing facilities management (FM) services in hotels. It further explores the factors that influence hotels' choice of sourcing approach and the challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a case study design. Simple random, census and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the hotels and respondents. Data were collected using interviews and analysed thematically. The data were presented in narration and direct quotes from the respondents. The critical factors influencing outsourcing decisions were ranked using the relative importance index. This study is based on a single case. Therefore, further research should be conducted to expand the scope of study nationwide as a step toward making the results more robust.

Findings

Both in-house and outsourcing sourcing approaches were used to provide FM services. In-house FM services mainly focused on cleaning, security and aspects of maintenance. Internet and information technology related services and other maintenance activities were also outsourced. Outsourcing decisions in the various hotel categories were mostly guided by the cost of outsourcing, core business, lack of in-house skills and hotel size.

Practical implications

FM strategy can be developed to guide the management of FM activities in hotels. An approach that adds value and enhances the activities of hotels and provides convenience to customers must be adopted by hotels. Further studies should be conducted on the cost implications of the two main sourcing approaches, as well as the impact of sourcing approaches on customer satisfaction. An additional study should focus on the driving factors influencing the cost and quality of outsourced FM services in hotels. This will help provide comprehensive information on effective FM sourcing approaches and the operations of hotels.

Originality/value

The study focused on the sourcing approaches used by hotels to provide FM services. It also explored the influencing factors and challenges of FM practices in hotels.
Discursive interactions shaping online brand communities’ social dynamics
Authors: Lima Vitor Moura , Pessôa Luís Alexandre
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Based on Landowski’s sociosemiotics theory, this paper aims to propose an alternative outlining of online brand communities’ social dynamics, not for their collective behaviors but for their discursive interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected during a three-year netnographic immersion into a Disney-related Facebook group and authors’ trips to Walt Disney World.

Findings

The findings point to four styles of discursive interactions that shape an online brand community’s social dynamic. On the one hand, utterances based on the guiding and following styles of discursive interactions inform desired behaviors, which subsequently become tacitly routinized. On the other hand, utterances based on the adapting and venturing styles of discursive interactions mark random and unusual communicational situations.

Originality/value

This work expands current theoretical discussions on online brand communities by unveiling an unexplored linguistic dimension of them.
Environmental risk and foreign direct investment: the role of financial deepening, access and efficiency
Authors: Yiadom Eric B. , Mensah Lord , Bokpin Godfred A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to decompose financial development into its three key components (depth, access and efficiency) to investigate whether they can help to overturn the negative impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a dynamic panel of 43 economies from 1982 to 2018 and decomposed financial development into its three key components: depth, access and efficiency.

Findings

The results from the various estimations indicate that financial deepening and efficiency reduce environmental risk and can overturn the negative impact of FDI on the environment. In addition, the study finds that low levels of financial access worsen environmental risk but doubling financial access is likely to reduce it which makes the relationship between access and environmental risk non-monotonic. After splitting the data set into high and low financially developed economies, the study reports that FDI is more environmentally depressive among low financially developed economies.

Practical implications

The practical implications are that improvement in financial efficiency guarantees high returns on savings and investment and can reduce environmental risk. So, central governments should invest in financial technologies and formulate financial regulations through monetary and fiscal policies to enhance financial efficiency and depth.

Social implications

If inward FDI to Africa continues the business-as-usual trend, the environmental risk in the region may continue to rise, environmental conditionalities for FDI must be strengthened.

Originality/value

The study uses a comprehensive measure of financial sector development and decomposes financial development indicators to assess their efficacy in mitigating the relationship between FDI and environmental quality.
Exploring partnerships with justice-involved children in Hong Kong: the role of social workers and barriers towards transformation
Authors: Burns Samantha
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore adult professional’s role using the conceptual framework of co-production. It proposes that when adult professionals recognise children’s expertise, they can form equal, interdependent partnerships as co-constructors of knowledge which are integral to co-production practice, but structural and cultural barriers persist when working with justice involved children. This study investigates the sociocultural context of Hong Kong to expand critical knowledge of co-production in youth justice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a qualitative approach and reports on data gathered from participant observation and interviews with social workers in a local children’s service.

Findings

This paper empirically uncovers how missed opportunities for social workers to transform their role when working with justice involved children. Partnerships were highly valued as an important part of social workers role, but in practice, equal partnerships were met with institutional and cultural barriers, whereas interdependency formed but social workers still navigated tensions of regulating children’s behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

Deeper theoretical understanding of the structural and cultural impact on co-production across youth justice in the Hong Kong context remains to be explored, though focusing on the repositing of adult professional roles supports a greater understanding of the conflicting practice within youth justice.

Practical implications

Professionals can reflect critically on how their role as co-constructors of knowledge can be achieved to expand children’s meaningful participation into the planning and design of programmes to co-create objectives and share power.

Originality/value

This paper combines theory of co-production with local Asian practices, identifying how barriers towards transformation play out through relationships between children and front-line professionals.
The impact of supply chain quality integration on a firm’s sustainable performance
Authors: Huma Sehrish , Ahmed Waqar , Zaman Sohaib Uz
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of supply chain quality integration (SCQI) and green supply chain practices and their impact on the Triple bottom line (TBL) in driving sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling of partial least squares was used to study the relationships between SCQI and green supply chain practices (GSCPs) in driving sustainable performance and is empirically tested using data from 167 manufacturing firms.

Findings

This study reveals that supply chain quality integration (SCQI) enhances the green purchasing activity as well as the implementation of internal environmental management (IEM) of the firm. However, IEM is a crucial factor that contributes to sustainability performance.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few relevant researches that would benefit manufacturing organizations to further improve their triple bottom line by integrating supply chain quality with green practices.
Young consumers influence by older generations: developing the construct and scale to measure intergenerational brand influence
Authors: Sotelo-Duarte Manuel , Gónzalez-Cavazos Beatriz
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to propose increasing the number of dimensions around current intergenerational influence (IGI) construct and renaming it to intergenerational brand influence (IGBI). This research describes the development and validation of the items comprising the dimensions of this new construct.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performed a literature review to identify potential dimensions for IGBI based on previous research about IGI. Analysis of items used to measure IGI was conducted to establish a set for each dimension. A structured, self-administered survey was used. Item reduction, measure validation and regression analysis were conducted to measure the predictive validity of the instrument. Moreover, three separate studies were conducted to develop and validate IGBI construct.

Findings

IGBI quantifies the various interactions that contribute to intergenerational brand transfer. The interactions could be classified according to one of the five IGBI dimensions: communication, recommendation, observed behavior, good impression and co-shopping with parents.

Practical implications

IGBI recognizes the relevance of influence behaviors such as children observing their parents buy a brand, children participating in shopping and children attempting to develop a good impression through brand loyalty. The first two behaviors indicate the importance of brands advocating purchase behavior as a family activity. The measure of good impression suggests that consumers use brands to maintain family connections, which should be considered a pertinent brand strategy.

Originality/value

This study develops the aforementioned five IGBI dimensions that describe the interactions between parent–child consumers that result in brand transfer.
Clinical features of pagetoid spread: Analysis of perianal lesions associated with anal canal adenocarcinoma and perianal primary extramammary Paget disease
Authors: Kosano Megumi , Kiniwa Yukiko , Mikoshiba Asuka , Iwaya Mai , Okuyama Ryuhei
Published: February 2023

Secondary extramammary Paget disease (s‐EMPD) represents anal canal and rectal, bladder, and gynecological cancers, which horizontally extend within the epidermis of the anal and vulvar skin. It is necessary to distinguish this condition from primary extramammary Paget disease (p‐EMPD), which occurs primarily in genital and perianal areas. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and histopathological features of these two conditions in the perianal skin and to identify useful features for differentiation. We retrospectively analyzed 16 patients who visited Shinshu University Hospital from 2009 to 2022 and presented with perianal skin lesions and suspected EMPD. Six patients had p‐EMPD and 10 had s‐EMPD derived from anal canal adenocarcinoma. Regarding clinical features, nine of 10 (90%) of the s‐EMPD cases had symmetric skin lesions, whereas all of the p‐EMPD cases had asymmetrical lesions (p = 0.0004). Furthermore, assessment of symmetry around the anus showed that s‐EMPD had a significantly smaller coefficient of variation than p‐EMPD (0.35 and 0.62, respectively; p = 0.048), suggesting that s‐EMPD was more symmetric around the anus. The frequency of raised lesions, such as foci or nodules, was nine of 10 (90%) for s‐EMPD and one of six (16%) for p‐EMPD (p = 0.003). Well‐defined tumor borders on the lateral margins were identified in s‐EMPD (5/10, 50%); however, they were not identified in p‐EMPD (0/6, 0%). The borders tended to be clearer in s‐EMPD; however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.078). Based on these findings, we recommend consideration of s‐EMPD when anal skin lesions are symmetrical, well‐defined, or raised.
Too Much of a Good Thing? Australian Cash Transfer Replacement Rates During the Pandemic
Authors: Breunig Robert , Sainsbury Tristram
Published: February 2023

During the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 the Australian federal government temporarily expanded the level of cash relief available to the working‐age population through supplemental benefit payments, a wage subsidy and allowing lump sum withdrawals from private pensions. Here we examine the scope and direct distributional consequences of these measures. Two in five working‐age Australians received at least one of these three forms of transfer over a 12‐month window. The median recipient had close to half their pre‐COVID‐19 income ‘replaced’ by transfers. The programs interacted to create a two‐tier welfare safety net that put in place a poverty‐alleviating income floor for workers in low‐earning occupations and those on unemployment benefits, and provided job certainty and greater direct income support to those with higher incomes. Aggregate weekly incomes were higher during the initial period of COVID‐19 than they were pre‐COVID‐19. Descriptive exercises, such as this, do not provide information about the ‘impact’ of pandemic policies and are limited to what they directly measure. That noted, we raise an important question for decision‐makers facing future shocks: at what point is there ‘too much of a good thing’ with crisis cash transfers?
Elemental and spectral chemometric analyses of Octopus vulgaris beaks as reliable markers of capture location
Authors: Duarte Bernardo , Mamede Renato , Duarte Irina A. , Caçador Isabel , Reis‐Santos Patrick , Vasconcelos Rita P. , Gameiro Carla , Rosa Rui , Tanner Susanne E. , Fonseca Vanessa F.
Published: February 2023

The high demand and economic relevance of cephalopods make them prone to food fraud, including related to harvest location. Therefore, there is a growing need to develop tools to unequivocally confirm their capture location. Cephalopod beaks are nonedible, making this material ideal for traceability studies as it can also be removed without a loss of commodity economic value. Within this context, common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) specimens were captured in five fishing areas along the Portuguese coast. Untargeted multi‐elemental total X‐ray fluorescence analysis of the octopus beaks revealed a high abundance of Ca, Cl, K, Na, S, and P, concomitant with the keratin and calcium phosphate nature of the material. We tested a suite of discrimination models on both elemental and spectral data, where the elements contributing most to discriminate capture location were typically associated with diet (As), human‐related pressures (Zn, Se, and Mn), or geological features (P, S, Mn, and Zn). Among the six different chemometrics approaches used to classify individuals to their capture location according to their beaks’ element concentration, classification trees attained a classification accuracy of 76.7%, whilst reducing the number of explanatory variables for sample classification and highlighting variable importance for group discrimination. However, using X‐ray spectral features of the octopus beaks further improved classification accuracy, with the highest classification of 87.3% found with partial least‐squares discriminant analysis. Ultimately, element and spectral analyses of nonedible structures such as octopus beaks can provide an important, complementary, and easily accessible means to support seafood provenance and traceability, whilst integrating anthropogenic and/or geological gradients.