bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The steady-state response of a three-phase elliptical inhomogeneity with interface slip and diffusion under an edge dislocation in the matrix
Authors: Wang Xu , Schiavone Peter
Published: September 2024

We study the steady-state response of a three-phase elliptical inhomogeneity in which the internal elliptical elastic inhomogeneity is bonded to the surrounding infinite matrix through an interphase layer with two confocal elliptical interfaces permitting simultaneous interface slip and diffusion. The matrix is subjected to an edge dislocation at an arbitrary position and uniform remote in-plane stresses. An analytical solution to the steady-state problem is derived using Muskhelishvili’s complex variable formulation. The effect of the edge dislocation and remote loading on the elastic fields in the inhomogeneity and the interphase layer is exhibited through a single loading parameter. More specifically, when divided by this loading parameter, the expressions for the stresses and strains in the inhomogeneity and the interphase layer are uninfluenced by the specific loading applied in the matrix. After excluding a particular common factor, the stresses and strains in the inhomogeneity and the interphase layer are also unaffected by the mismatch in shear moduli between the interphase layer and the matrix.
Undergraduate rheumatology teaching in the UK: a survey of current practice by teachers and students
Authors: Watson Pippa , Hanna David , Wakefield Sophia M , Coady David , Andrew Donna , Southam Daisy , Wakefield Richard J
Published: September 2024

Objectives

The last major UK survey of medical undergraduate rheumatology teaching was 25 years ago. This study aimed to describe current teaching practice, the perceptions of teachers and students and their engagement with Versus Arthritis teaching resources and future challenges and opportunities.

Methods

Electronic surveys were distributed by e-mail and/or social media to relevant teachers and students identified within all 37 UK medical schools.

Results

A total of 34/37 (91%) teacher and 30/37 (81%) student surveys were returned. Compared with the last survey, the proportion of schools delivering rheumatology-identifiable teaching has fallen from 100% to 86% and the mean number of teaching days from 30 to 10. Rheumatology teaching is now more dispersed throughout the curriculum. Students preferred active learning methods such as simulation and expert patient teaching, while teachers preferred small-group teaching, online learning and lectures. The Versus Arthritis resources appeared underutilized by students but were considered useful. Most students thought rheumatology careers were not promoted within their medical school.

Conclusion

A decrease in dedicated rheumatology teaching time was noted since the last survey 25 years ago. Greater promotion of rheumatology as a speciality and future career is required to maintain its professional identity and prevent marginalization.
Genetic Risk, Lifestyle Adherence, and Risk of Developing Hyperuricaemia in a Japanese Population
Authors: Takase Masato , Nakaya Naoki , Nakamura Tomohiro , Kogure Mana , Hatanaka Rieko , Nakaya Kumi , Chiba Ippei , Tokioka Sayuri , Kanno Ikumi , Nochioka Kotaro , Tsuchiya Naho , Hirata Takumi , Narita Akira , Obara Taku , Ishikuro Mami , Ohseto Hisashi , Uruno Akira , Kobayashi Tomoko , Kodama Eiichi N , Hamanaka Yohei , Orui Masatsugu , Ogishima Soichi , Nagaie Satoshi , Fuse Nobuo , Sugawara Junichi , Kuriyama Shinichi , Matsuda Biobank Japan Project; Koichi , Izumi Yoko , Kinoshita Kengo , Tamiya Gen , Hozawa Atsushi , Yamamoto Masayuki ,   ToMMo investigators
Published: September 2024

Objective

To investigate the inter-relationships among genetic risk, healthy lifestyle adherence, and hyperuricaemia susceptibility.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted with 7,241 hyperuricaemia-free individuals aged ≥ 20 years from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-based cohort study. A comprehensive lifestyle score included body mass index, smoking, drinking, and physical activity, and a polygenic risk score (PRS) was constructed based on uric acid loci from a previous genome-wide association study meta-analysis. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between genetic risk, healthy lifestyle, and hyperuricaemia incidence and calculate the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Hyperuricaemia was defined as a uric acid level ≥7.0 mg/dl or a self-reported history of hyperuricaemia.

Results

Of the 7,241 adults (80.7% females; mean [SD] age: 57.7 [12.6] years), 217 (3.0%) developed hyperuricaemia during 3.5 years of follow-up. Genetic risk correlated with hyperuricaemia development (P for interaction = 0.287), and lifestyle risks were independently associated. Those with a high genetic risk and poor lifestyle had the highest risk (odds ratio: 5.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.61–12.10). Although not statistically significant, incorporating the PRS in the model with lifestyle information improved predictive ability (AUROC = 0.771, 95% CI: 0.736–0.806 for lifestyle; AUROC = 0.785, 95% CI: 0.751–0.819 for lifestyle and PRS; p = 0.07).

Conclusion

: A healthy lifestyle to prevent hyperuricaemia, irrespective of genetic risk, may mitigate the genetic risk. Genetic risk may complement lifestyle factors in identifying individuals at a heightened hyperuricaemia risk.
Sexual health in patients with malignant hematological disease: a Danish cross-sectional study
Authors: Nørskov Kristina Holmegaard , Schjoedt Ida , Tolver Anders , Jarden Mary
Published: September 2024

Background

Patients who undergo treatment for hematologic malignancies may experience a decline in sexual health, alterations in sexual functioning, and reproductive capacity during survivorship.

Aim

This study investigated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and factors influencing sexual activity and functioning in patients with hematologic malignancies, to identify potential targets for interventions in clinical practice.

Methods

This nationwide cross-sectional study included adult patients diagnosed with a hematologic malignant disease in Denmark in the period from January 20, 2013, to August 20, 2022. Eligible participants received electronic questionnaires through their officially assigned digital mailbox.

Outcomes

Outcomes included the Female Sexual Function Index, International Index of Erectile Function, Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire–Sexual Health, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results

A total of 362 patients, on average 5.7 ± 3.4 years postdiagnosis, completed the questionnaires. Of these, 52.5% women and 73.2% men reported sexual dysfunction, with more women (40.9%) than men (34.1%) being sexually inactive. Across gender, this was significantly more prevalent in patients >65 years of age and in those with a low quality of life. In addition, for women a significant association with fatigue and sleep difficulties was observed. In total, 40.3% reported sexual-related personal distress, with the highest proportion among patients 40 to 65 years of age. Most patients (98.7%) with sexual dysfunction had not discussed sexual issues with their healthcare professional.

Clinical implications

It is hoped that knowledge from this study will help healthcare professionals in clinical practice and encourage them to proactively address and discuss sexual health issues with their patients, irrespective of age.

Strengths and Limitations

Sexually inactive participants may reduce the overall score of sexual function in the scoring of both the Female Sexual Function Index and International Index of Erectile Function. We therefore analyzed sexual function in a subgroup analysis in only those being sexually active to emphasize that level of dysfunction persists in sexually active participants.

Conclusion

Patients report a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, and gender-specific sexual symptoms following diagnosis and treatment of a malignant hematologic disease, impacting their quality of life.

Sexual Health in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies; NCT05222282; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05222282.
Nocturnal sleep dynamics alterations in the early stages of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Gnoni Valentina , Tamburrino Ludovica , Baldazzi Giulia , Urso Daniele , Zoccolella Stefano , Giugno Alessia , Figorilli Michela , Nigro Salvatore , Tafuri Benedetta , Vilella Davide , Vitulli Alessandra , Zecca Chiara , Dell’Abate Maria Teresa , Pani Danilo , Puligheddu Monica , Rosenzweig Ivana , Filardi Marco , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: September 2024

Study Objectives

Sleep disorders have been recognized as an integral component of the clinical syndrome in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, limited data exist for rarer types of neurodegenerative diseases, such as behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). This study aims to analyze EEG power spectra and sleep stage transitions in bvFTD patients, hypothesizing that bvFTD may show distinctive sleep stage transitions compared to patients with AD.

Methods

Eighteen probable bvFTD patients and 18 age- and sex-matched probable patients with AD underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) and completed sleep disorders questionnaires. Sleep questionnaires, full-night EEG spectra, and sleep stage transition indexes were compared between groups.

Results

bvFTD patients had higher Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0, 5) and reported poorer sleep quality than AD patients (p < .01). Compared to AD, bvFTD patients showed higher N1 percentage (95% CI: 0.1, 6), lower N3 percentage (95% CI: −13.6, −0.6), higher sleep–wake transitions (95% CI: 1.49, 8.86) and N1 sleep–wake transitions (95% CI: 0.32, 6.1). EEG spectral analysis revealed higher spectral power in bvFTD compared to patients with AD in faster rhythms, especially sigma rhythm, across all sleep stages. In bvFTD patients, sleep–wake transitions were positively associated with ISI.

Conclusions

Patients with bvFTD present higher rates of transitions between wake and sleep than patients with AD. The increased frequency of sleep transitions indicates a higher degree of sleep instability in bvFTD, which may reflect an imbalance in sleep–wake-promoting systems. Sleep stage transitions analysis may provide novel insights into the sleep alterations of patients with bvFTD.
Impacts of dietary supplementation of chitosan nanoparticles on growth, carcass traits nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry, intestinal microbial load, and meat quality of broilers
Authors: Adil Sheikh , Aldhalmi Ahmed K , Wani Manzoor A , Baba Irfan A , Sheikh I U , Abd El-Hack Mohamed E , Aljahdali Nesreen , Albaqami Najah M , Abuljadayel Dalia A
Published: September 2024

This study explores the impact of chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical, immunity, microbial load, carcass traits, and meat attributes of broilers. A total of 200 7-d-old Cobb chicks were distributed to 4 groups, each replicated 5 times, with 10 birds in each replicate. The experimental diets were as follows: First group was fed a basal diet only (control); 2nd, 3rd, and 4th groups received a basal diet supplemented with 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 g CNP/kg of feed, respectively. Results showed that the body weight (BW) and body weight gain significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the birds belonging to the 0.4 CNP group compared to the other groups. The best feed efficiency (feed conversion ratio [FCR]) was found in the group supplemented with a 0.4-g CNP/kg diet. The digestibility coefficients for dry matter and crude protein were significantly higher, and ether extract was significantly lower in the 0.4 g CNP/kg group than in other groups (P < 0.05). Broiler birds of the 0.4 CNP group had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced serum cholesterol, AST, and ALT levels. The humoral immunity (increased serum IgG and IgM levels) tended to improve in birds fed 0.3 and 0.4 g CNP/kg of feed. Compared to the control, total bacterial load and coliform count decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by supplementing 0.4 g CNP in the diet. The dressing weight, breast weight, and abdominal fat % were altered in birds receiving dietary 0.4 g CNP/kg. The treatment with CNP at 0.4 g/kg feed enhanced the broiler meat quality by increasing the values for water holding capacity, ABTS [2, 2ʹ-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)], DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) while reducing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value. Based on the results above, it could be concluded that CNP supplementation at 0.4 g/kg is recommended as a beneficial feed additive for broiler chickens.
Determination of energy values in pistachio shell powder and soybean hulls fed to gestating and lactating sows
Authors: Kim Yeonwoo , Lee Su A , Stein Hans H
Published: September 2024

Pistachio shell powder is a high-fiber co-product from the pistachio nut industry that may provide energy and nutrients in animal diets, but no data have been reported for the nutritional value of pistachio shell powder when fed to pigs. Two experiments were, therefore, conducted to test the hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), and total dietary fiber (TDF) and concentration of digestible energy (DE) in pistachio shell powder are not different from those in soybean hulls when fed to gestating or lactating sows. In experiment 1, 24 gestating sows were housed in metabolism crates and fed a corn-based basal diet or 2 diets that contained corn and 20% pistachio shell powder or corn and 20% soybean hulls. Sows were fed experimental diets for 13 d with feces and urine being quantitatively collected for 4 d after 6 d of adaptation. In experiment 2, 24 lactating sows were housed in farrowing crates and fed a diet based on corn and soybean meal (SBM) or 2 diets that contained corn, SBM, and 20% of either pistachio shell powder or soybean hulls, and feces were collected for 6 d after 7 d of adaptation to the diets. Results indicated that for gestating sows, the diet containing soybean hulls had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM, GE, and TDF than the diet containing pistachio shell powder. The DE and metabolizable energy (ME) in the pistachio shell powder diet were less (P < 0.05) than in the basal diet and the diet containing soybean hulls. The ME in pistachio shells (2,606 kcal/kg DM) was less (P < 0.05) than in soybean hulls (3,645 kcal/kg DM). When fed to lactating sows, ATTD of DM, GE, and TDF in the diet containing pistachio shell powder was less (P < 0.05) than in the diet containing soybean hulls or in the basal diet. The DE in the diet containing pistachio shell powder was also less (P < 0.05) than in the soybean hulls diet. The DE in pistachio shell powder (1,664 kcal/kg DM) was less (P < 0.05) than in soybean hulls (2,795 kcal/kg DM). In conclusion, the ATTD of DM and GE and the DE in pistachio shell powder were less than in soybean hulls, and inclusion in lactation diets, therefore, needs to be limited.
Independent repeated mutations within the alphaviruses Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus indicates convergent evolution and past positive selection in ancestral populations despite ongoing purifying selection
Authors: Pyke Alyssa T , Wilson Daniel J , Michie Alice , Mackenzie John S , Imrie Allison , Cameron Jane , Doggett Stephen L , Haniotis John , Herrero Lara J , Caly Leon , Lynch Stacey E , Mee Peter T , Madzokere Eugene T , Ramirez Ana L , Paramitha Devina , Hobson-Peters Jody , Smith David W , Weir Richard , Sullivan Mitchell , Druce Julian , Melville Lorna , Robson Jennifer , Gibb Robert , van den Hurk Andrew F , Duchene Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) are arthritogenic arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) that exhibit generalist host associations and share distributions in Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG). Using stochastic mapping and discrete-trait phylogenetic analyses, we profiled the independent evolution of RRV and BFV signature mutations. Analysis of 186 RRV and 88 BFV genomes demonstrated their viral evolution trajectories have involved repeated selection of mutations, particularly in the nonstructural protein 1 (nsP1) and envelope 3 (E3) genes suggesting convergent evolution. Convergent mutations in the nsP1 genes of RRV (residues 248 and 441) and BFV (residues 297 and 447) may be involved with catalytic enzyme mechanisms and host membrane interactions during viral RNA replication and capping. Convergent E3 mutations (RRV site 59 and BFV site 57) may be associated with enzymatic furin activity and cleavage of E3 from protein precursors assisting viral maturation and infectivity. Given their requirement to replicate in disparate insect and vertebrate hosts, convergent evolution in RRV and BFV may represent a dynamic link between their requirement to selectively ‘fine-tune’ intracellular host interactions and viral replicative enzymatic processes. Despite evidence of evolutionary convergence, selection pressure analyses did not reveal any RRV or BFV amino acid sites under strong positive selection and only weak positive selection for nonstructural protein sites. These findings may indicate that their alphavirus ancestors were subject to positive selection events which predisposed ongoing pervasive convergent evolution, and this largely supports continued purifying selection in RRV and BFV populations during their replication in mosquito and vertebrate hosts.
Transition to primary school in China: an analysis of policy documents since 1949
Authors: Ma Junqian
Published: September 2024

Purpose

China’s education has rapidly developed since 1949. Although much has been written about reforms in China’s preschool and primary education policies, less attention has been given to the transition-to-primary school policies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the evolution of these policies from 1949 onward, analysing 61 policy documents from the PKULaw.

Findings

Four phases are identified: minimal political attention (1949–1982), steady policy releases (1983–2004), stagnation (2005–2010) and frequent updates (since 2011). Policy changes align with educational development, reflecting a shift from academic readiness to overall development. Increased government involvement has led to more diverse themes and more cooperation among stakeholders. The role of the preschool class has evolved from basic support for children without kindergarten access to an institution for early academic learning, prompting policies to restrict it.

Originality/value

These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing China’s educational policies and offer lessons for other nations facing similar challenges in transitioning children from preschool to primary school.
Board gender equality and ESG performance. Evidence from European banking sector
Authors: Menicucci Elisa , Paolucci Guido
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between board gender equality and environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in the European banking sector. The study examines whether and how the presence of women on the board of directors (BoD) influences ESG dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed a sample of 72 European Union banks for the period 2015–2021 and developed an econometric model applying unbalanced panel data regression with firm fixed effects and controls per year. To test the research hypotheses, the authors considered gender equality in terms of female participation on the BoD and measured ESG dimensions by using the ESG score provided by Refinitiv.

Findings

The findings suggest a significant positive relationship between the number of women on BoD and the ESG performance of European banks only up to a certain threshold of female directors (at least three women). The study also explores how the proportion of women on BoD influences the individual ESG pillars. The results show that the percentage of female directors has a positive and statistically significant impact on the social dimension of the ESG framework.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation is highly relevant to investors considering ESG issues in their decision-making process. The overall findings support policymakers and regulators on how to improve ESG performance through the design and the application of corporate governance (CG) mechanisms. From a managerial perspective, the study suggests that managers and CEOs should focus their efforts on establishing the right gender combination of directors on bank BoDs.

Originality/value

This paper offers an in-depth examination of the CG practices of banks, and it attempts to bridge the gap in prior literature on the determinants of ESG issues in the European banking industry. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first that investigates the relationship between the representation of women on BoDs and the ESG dimensions measured by the Refinitiv Eikon score. The use of critical mass theory adds a fresh perspective to the literature on ESG in Europe since the influence of board gender diversity on ESG performance of the European banks is still unaccounted for. This study addresses this pressing research issue drawing on resource dependence, agency and legitimacy theories.
Nexus between corporate governance and FinTech disclosure: a comparative study between conventional and Islamic banks
Authors: Shehadeh Maha , Ahmed Fatma , Hussainey Khaled , Alkaraan Fadi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of corporate governance on FinTech disclosure levels in Jordanian conventional and Islamic banks. It aims to determine whether governance mechanisms affect disclosure practices in the FinTech sector, exploring the interplay between governance and transparency in financial innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology entails a thorough analysis of data from all 15 Jordanian conventional and Islamic banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange, covering the period from 2015 to 2022. This study uses manual content analysis using a custom FinTech Disclosure Index (FDI) and quantitative analysis with a two-way clustered error regression model.

Findings

The findings show that corporate governance mechanisms, particularly board size, board meetings and “Big4” audit firms, are crucial in enhancing FinTech disclosure across conventional and Islamic banks. However, Islamic banks consistently show higher disclosure levels than their conventional counterparts, attributed to their distinct governance structures that emphasize ethical governance and transparency. These results indicate an awareness among decision-makers about the importance of business model transformation toward FinTech.

Originality/value

This study pioneers the introduction of FDI, using it for a novel comparative analysis of FinTech disclosure levels between Islamic and conventional banks. By exploring how various governance structures influence FinTech disclosure, this research provides fresh insights into the interplay between corporate governance and financial technologies in the banking sector.
Does psychological capital alleviate work overload-induced work exhaustion and burnout among teleworkers? A moderated-mediation approach
Authors: Anwar Imran , Yasin Naveed , Jamal Mohd Tariq , Rashid Muhammad Haroon , Saleem Imran
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how work overload, resulting from full-time telecommuting, aggravates telecommuting accounting professionals’ burnout via the mediation of work exhaustion. Further, the study also tests the conditional moderation effect of psychological capital on the association between work exhaustion and burnout, proposing that it becomes least severe for employees who perceive a high level of psychological capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted using a sample of 322 employees from Big Four accounting firms, and the measurement model was established using confirmatory factor analysis. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and model-14 in the PROCESS Macro for SPSS.

Findings

The results confirmed that work overload directly and indirectly (via the mediation of work exhaustion) aggravates employees’ burnout. However, psychological capital negatively conditions the mediating effect of work exhaustion on burnout such that the aggravating effect of work overload on burnout, via the mediation of work exhaustion, gets least severe (insignificant) for those employees who perceive a high level of psychological capital.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on work overload-induced “work exhaustion burnout” association and offers suggestions for implications.
A bibliometric study on the effects of e-learning technologies on innovative competency development of university librarians and smart library services
Authors: Shahzad Khurram , Khan Shakeel Ahmad , Javeed Asfa Muhammed Din , Latif Mujahid , Shabbir Omar
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis to discover the published information on the effects of e-learning technologies on innovative competency development of university librarians and smart library services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on bibliometric research methodology. The data were retrieved from the leading database Web of Science to analyze the scholarly publications on the topic during 1965–2023. VOSviewer and Biblioshiny software were used to analyze the bibliometric data on the subject.

Findings

Results displayed that the topic of e-learning technologies in the domain of librarianship has been greatly used by several authors as a title to publish their research work. The dominance of countries such as the USA, China and the UK in research output reveals their leadership in advancing research and innovation in the field of e-learning technologies for university libraries.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first bibliometric study that has been conducted to measure the productivity of literature at the international level on the effects of e-learning technologies on innovative competency development of university librarians and smart library services.
Digital transformation of reading behaviors among allied health students: insights from medical libraries in Pakistan
Authors: Jabeen Misbah , Faraz Muhammad Tasawar , Jabeen Munazza
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the digital transformation of students' reading preferences and behaviors, considering the significant impact of digital resources accessible through the internet among allied health students.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers used a structured questionnaire to collect data. The study focused on undergraduate allied health students from medical universities in Pakistan. The researchers used a convenient sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using statistical software packages R and SPSS.

Findings

The results indicate that allied health students frequently use databases, e-books and e-journals to fulfil their academics and research needs, aiding in the acquisition of up-to-date information and supporting various academic research pursuits. The study emphasizes the positive effects on the reading habits of allied health students, attributing these improvements to factors such as enhanced online databases, a broader array of materials and the integration of digital tools. However, challenges arise from the limited availability of relevant e-resources and the dispersion of information across various library sources.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights into the availability and utilization of e-resources among allied health students in Pakistan. It highlights the crucial role that digital resources play in shaping reading behaviors within the educational landscape. This study holds significance as it contributes to educational enhancement, proves beneficial for the improvement of university library resources and services and aids in the development of policies in health-care education.
Behavioral determinants of investment decisions: evidence from Indian retail equity investors in the wake of COVID-19 induced financial risks
Authors: Hans Arjun , Choudhary Farah S. , Sudan Tapas
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The study aims to identify and understand the underlying behavioral tendencies and motivations influencing investor sentiments and examines the relationship between these underlying factors and investment decisions during the COVID-19-induced financial risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the primary data and information collected from 300 Indian retail equity investors using a nonprobability sampling technique, specifically purposive and snowball sampling. This research uses the insights from Phuoc Luong and Thi Thu Ha (2011) and Shefrin (2002) to delineate behavioral factors influencing investment decisions. Structural equation modeling estimates the causal relationship between underlying behavioral factors and investment decisions during the COVID-19-induced financial risks.

Findings

The study establishes that the “Regret Aversion,” “Gambler’s Fallacy” and “Greed” significantly influence investment decisions, and provide a comprehensive understanding of how psychological motivations shape investor behavior. Notably, “Mental Accounting” and “Conservatism” exhibit insignificance, possibly influenced by the unique socioeconomic context of the pandemic. The research contributes to 35% of variance understanding and prompts the researchers and policymakers to tailor investment strategies aligned to these behavioral tendencies.

Research limitations/implications

The findings hold policy implications for investors and policymakers and provide tailored recommendations including investor education programs and regulatory measures to ensure a resilient and informed investment community in the context of India's evolving financial landscapes.

Originality/value

Theoretically, behavior tendencies and motivations have been strongly linked to investment decisions in the stock market. Yet, empirical evidence on this relationship is limited in developing countries where investors focus on risk management. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to document the influence of underlying behavioral tendencies and motivation factors on investment decisions regarding retail equity in a developing country.
Digital integration capability asymmetry and buyer product innovation: the contingent roles of environmental dynamism and innovative climate
Authors: Xiong Sichu , Paulraj Antony , Dai Jing , Irawan Chandra Ade
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Firms are increasingly digitalizing their business processes and expanding them into digital platforms, which are believed to generate digital and relational resources that can facilitate and deliver innovations for firms. Instead of focusing on the extent of digital integration capability (DI), this paper seeks to empirically evaluate whether the DI asymmetry between the buyer and supplier firms influences bilateral information sharing and the buyer’s product innovation. We also examine the moderating effects of firms’ external (environmental dynamism) and internal (innovative climate) environments on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary and secondary archival data on 180 buyer-supplier Chinese dyadic relationships were collected and analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Additionally, the Process macro was used to shed a nuanced light on the moderation effects of environmental dynamism and innovative climate.

Findings

The results show that DI asymmetry negatively impacts buyer firms’ product innovation through decreased information sharing. Environmental dynamism weakens the negative relationship between DI asymmetry and information sharing. Meanwhile, the innovative climate negatively moderates the relationship between information sharing and product innovation.

Originality/value

This study adds knowledge to the literature regarding the dark side of “one-sided digitalization.” By exploring the influences of unbalanced DI in buyer-supplier relationships, this study yields essential theoretical and managerial implications for product innovation success in a digital era.
Online sustainability education: purpose, process and implementation for transformative universities
Authors: Hakkarainen Viola , King Jordan , Brundiers Katja , Redman Aaron , Anderson Christopher B. , Goodall Celina Natalia , Pate Amy , Raymond Christopher M.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Universities strategically organize themselves around sustainability, including transformative goals in teaching and learning. Simultaneously, the role of online education has become more prominent. This study aims to better understand the purpose and process of creating online sustainability education (OSE) and to identify challenges and opportunities for implementing these courses and programs to achieve universities’ broader transformative sustainability goals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a multiple case study design to research three universities in diverse geographical and institutional contexts (Finland, the USA and Colombia). Qualitative data was collected by interviewing program-related experts (n = 31) and reviews of universities’ strategic documents.

Findings

The findings suggest that despite important advances, further attention is merited regarding aligning the purpose of OSE with student learning outcomes, clarifying the values underlying the process of online program/course creation and developing transformative and process-oriented approaches and pedagogies to implement OSE. The authors also highlight emerging challenges and opportunities in online environments for sustainability education in different institutional contexts, including reaping the benefits of multilocality and diverse student experiences regarding sustainability issues.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of studies on university-level sustainability education in relation to online environments. This research expands on the existing literature by exploring three different geographical and institutional contexts and shedding light on the relationship between the practical implementation of OSE and universities’ broader sustainability goals.
Personalized and adaptive e-learning systems for semantic Web: a systematic review and roadmap
Authors: Iqbal Muddesar , Sarwar Sohail , Safyan Muhammad , Nasralla Moustafa
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a systematic and comprehensive review of personalized, adaptive and semantic e-learning systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Preferred reporting items of systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines have been used for a thorough insight into associated aspects of e-learning that complement the e-learning pedagogies and processes. The aspects of e-learning systems have been reviewed comprehensively such as personalization and adaptivity, e-learning and semantics, learner profiling and learner categorization, which are handy in intelligent content recommendations for learners.

Findings

The adoption of semantic Web based technologies would complement the learner’s performance in terms of learning outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The evaluation of the proposed framework depends upon the yearly batch of learners and recording is a cumbersome/tedious process.

Social implications

E-Learning systems may have diverse and positive impact on society including democratized learning and inclusivity regardless of socio-economic or geographic status.

Originality/value

A preliminary framework of an ontology-based e-learning system has been proposed at a modular level of granularity for implementation, along with evaluation metrics followed by a future roadmap.
Role of big data analytics and information processing capabilities in enhancing transparency and accountability in e-procurement applications
Authors: Alnuaimi Nasser Tuwali , CHatha Kamran Ali , Abdallah Salam
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Considering information processing theory, this study aims to examine how big data analytics (BDA) mediates the influence of e-procurement coordination (EPC) and e-procurement transactional (EPT) applications on transparency and accountability (TA) in the procurement processes of firms within the United Arab Emirates' private sector. Furthermore, it investigates the moderating role of information processing capabilities (IPCs) in the relationships among EPC, EPT and BDA to clarify their collective impact on enhancing TA and procurement performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from procurement and information technology professionals in the UAE’s private sector through a Web-based survey. Established scales were used to assess e-procurement, BDA, TA, procurement performance and IPCs. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

Integrating e-procurement with BDA demonstrates the potential to improve TA and procurement performance in the UAE’s private sector. BDA is positively associated with EPC and EPT applications use, contributing to increased procurement TA and enhancing overall procurement performance.

Practical implications

Organizations can enhance procurement TA by adopting e-procurement and BDA technologies.

Originality/value

This study identifies the mediating role of BDA in the relationship between e-procurement and procurement TA. In addition, it investigates the moderating role of IPCs in the relationship between e-procurement and BDA.
Risk disclosure, earnings smoothing and firm perceived risk
Authors: Monjed Hend , Ibrahim Salma , Jørgensen Bjørn N.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the association between perceived firm risk and two reporting mechanisms: risk disclosure and earnings smoothing in the UK context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study juxtaposes three competing views, the “null”, the “divergence” and the “convergence” hypotheses, and empirically investigates whether risk disclosure and earnings smoothing affect firm perceived risk for a sample of large UK firms with rich and poor information environments. This study also uses the global financial crisis as an external shock on overall risk in the economy to investigate when and how managers use these two reporting mechanisms to shape the firm perceived risk.

Findings

This paper documents that risk disclosures have no significant effect on investors’ risk perceptions, consistent with risk disclosures containing boilerplate and generic statements about firm risk. This paper also finds that earnings smoothing reduces investors’ risk perceptions, reflecting investors’ interpretations about future firm performance. Additional tests reveal that earnings smoothing is not associated with perceived firm risk for firms with rich information environments and expanded risk disclosures. Furthermore, reporting smooth earnings decreases perceived firm risk following the global financial crisis. These findings are robust to alternative specifications and measures of earnings smoothing as well as post-filing perceived firm risk.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not distinguish between the garbling role and the informational role of earnings smoothing. The risk disclosure measurement used in this study, developed based on UK annual reports, may limit the generalizability of findings to other countries.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that managers should revise their risk disclosure strategies to provide in-depth details on firm risk. Investors might require information and thorough assessment to evaluate investment risks when firms provide generic risk disclosures and smoothed earnings by consulting sources like financial intermediaries. Regulators should keep an eye on firms reporting boilerplate risk disclosures and on how smoothing earnings impacts the firm perceived risk following economic turmoil, to guide interventions that promote market stability.

Originality/value

The findings provide new insights into when and how managers use their financial reporting discretion to make firms appear less risky and, therefore, influence investors’ risk perceptions.
Exploring how strategic sensitivity and leadership unity of the university influence the innovativeness of faculty
Authors: Khorshid Seddigheh
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to analyze how leadership unity (LU) within universities affects the innovativeness of faculty, with a focus on the potential moderating role of strategic sensitivity (SS).

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model of this research shows that SS and LU of the university impact the faculty's innovativeness. Meantime, the moderating effect of SS is assessed. A 49-item questionnaire was administered to 350 respondents who were managers and faculties of the university. The hierarchical regression technique was used for analyzing data and testing hypotheses.

Findings

The findings support both a curvilinear relationship based on a concave upward pattern and a linear relationship between LU in the university and the innovativeness of faculty. In addition, the university's SS positively influences the faculty's innovativeness. SS negatively moderates the curvilinear relationship between LU and faculty's innovativeness, i.e. the U-shaped effect exists only when the level of SS is high.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study shed new light on the relationships between LU and SS with innovativeness in the higher education landscape. It underlines the importance of SS as a moderator in the relationship between LU and innovativeness. This study was conducted in a developing country under sanctions with an Eastern culture, Iran. Thus, it is recommended that the conceptual framework of this study be tested in different countries with cultural diversity to generalize its findings.

Practical implications

Administrators of universities need to recognize that creating unity and cohesion among managers of various levels of the university is crucial. They should also be aware that responses to external changes can lead to new opportunities for the university. Embracing transformation within the organizational strategies of the university will have a significant influence on competition, politics, and internal operations.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the academic discussions on the importance of LU and SS and also the moderation effect of SS in driving and promoting innovativeness in among faculties by providing empirical evidence. The results present valuable insights for scholars, practitioners and policymakers seeking to understand innovativeness among faculties in the higher education setting.
Am I willing to take a mental health day off? Integrating perspectives from self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Lee Yi-Chih
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The mental health issues faced by young people can significantly hinder a nation’s development. The purpose of this study is to integrate the Self-Determination Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior to examine the factors influencing the utilization of mental health days among young individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to collect data from young people.

Findings

The results indicated that more positive attitudes, favorable subjective norms and a stronger sense of perceived behavioral control regarding mental health days are all associated with a higher intention to use them. Young individuals who have used counseling resources are more likely to endorse the use of mental health days. Satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness has a diminishing effect on both motivation and intention to request mental health days. However, there is a positive relationship between motivation and intention to apply for mental health days. When competence needs are less well satisfied, the motivation and, in turn, the intention to request mental health days are enhanced.

Research limitations/implications

Shifting the leave framework from a disease-centered approach to a psychological leave model focused on mood adjustment can maximize the positive impact of mental health leave.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of the relationships between needs and motivation within the framework of self-determination theory. Furthermore, it integrates components from the theory of planned behavior to examine the influence of social pressures and self-efficacy on the intention to use mental health days. Mental health days can be seen as a cry for help from young adults. The utilization of mental health days serves as an effective means of managing one's mental state.
A novel combined control of flexible single-link manipulator based on singularly perturbed theory
Authors: Zhu Qixin , Sun Wenxin , Shen Yehu , Fu Guizhong , Yang Yong , Li Jinbin
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to improve the control accuracy and antidisturbance performance of the manipulator with the flexible link, a combined controller, which combines the novel backstepping sliding mode controller based on the extended state observer (ESO) and super-twisting sliding mode controller.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the dynamic of the system is constructed by Lagrange method and assumed mode method, and then the dynamic is decoupled by the singular perturbation theory to obtain the slow-varying subsystem and fast-varying subsystem. For the slow-varying subsystem, the novel backstepping sliding mode controller based on ESO is used to achieve joint tracking. For the fast-varying subsystem, the super-twisting sliding mode controller is used for vibration suppression. At the same time, to suppress chattering, the tanh function is used to replace the sign function in the reaching law.

Findings

The simulation results show that the combined control has better trajectory tracking performance, antiinterference performance and vibration suppression performance than traditional sliding mode control (SMC).

Originality/value

A novel backstepping sliding mode controller based on ESO is designed to guarantee the performance of the tracking trajectory. The new controller improves the converge rate. A super-twisting sliding mode controller, which can stabilize the fast-varying subsystem, is used to suppress the vibration of flexible link.