bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Greenwashing practices and ESG reporting: an international review
Authors: Ben Mahjoub Lassaad 
Published: October 2024

PurposeThis study provides an overview of the numerous theoretical facets of greenwashing (GW) and their relationship with sustainability, social responsibility and sustainable development. This study highlights the actions of governments and international organizations in GW. It delves into the sins of GW and the various metrics used in the literature to measure them. It seeks to distinguish between sustainability reporting and GW practices by offering a critical perspective on GW.Design/methodology/approachThis study measures GW practices at the international level and compares them with the ESG disclosure score. The main determinants of GW are assessed by examining the impact of a set of variables on GW. The influence of various sources used to gather the data were assessed using multiple regression analysis.FindingsFactors such as protocols and conventions, media role and the strength of environmental policies have a considerable and positive impact on the occurrence of GW.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to the research method chosen for measuring variables such as GW scores, procedures for measuring GW in companies should be developed. Multicriteria modeling could be a suitable approach to address the sorting or portfolio approach.Originality/valueThis study provides a theoretical basis for examining GW from a business-economic standpoint. It presents various perspectives on GW, analyzes relevant theories and explores potential GW strategies. This study highlights the connection between GW and various factors, including the influence of conventions, role of the media and strength of environmental policies.
How can I trust you if you’re fake? Understanding human-like virtual influencer credibility and the role of textual social cues
Authors: Yoo Joon Woo , Park Junsung , Park Heejun 
Published: October 2024

PurposeThis study explores the influence of textual social cues on virtual influencers' perceived attractiveness, homophily and credibility, and their impact on consumers' purchase intentions. The moderating role of perceived anthropomorphism is also assessed.Design/methodology/approachA randomized between-subjects experiment with 265 participants (134 low social cue/131 high social cue) was conducted. Participants viewed a fictional virtual influencer’s social media profile and post, then completed a survey. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was used to examine the effects of textual social cues on attractiveness, attitude homophily, credibility and purchase intention as well as the moderating role of perceived anthropomorphism.FindingsThe study found that textual social cues directly influence attractiveness and attitude homophily, which significantly impact virtual influencer credibility. Credibility, in turn, strongly predicted purchase intention.Practical implicationsIncorporating textual social cues into a virtual influencer’s profile to create a likable persona can help overcome the novelty effect and build lasting relationships with followers. Marketers should use textual cues, like emojis and self-disclosure, to enhance marketing effectiveness and select virtual influencers aligned with their target audience.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to explore the role of textual social cues in virtual influencers, extending the source credibility model and social information processing theory to the influencer marketing context.
Objectives pursued by European football clubs: compete for income through victories and media exposure
Authors: Garcia-del-Barrio Pedro , Rossi Giambattista 
Published: October 2024

PurposeThe paper aims to revisit the debate on the priorities of football clubs in talent hiring with respect to maximizing sporting performance or economic profitability. Based on the degree of media exposure of the clubs, we examine whether the clubs’ objectives include, in addition to the classic twofold choice, the aspiration of club managers to gain popularity through media exposure.Design/methodology/approachThis paper applies structural equation modelling (path analysis) techniques to re-examine what is the more realistic description of football club owners’ decisions when hiring talent. Our database comprises teams from the first division of four top European football leagues: 80 observations per season during the pre-COVID period spanning from 2009/10 to 2017/18.FindingsThe results suggest that, when recruiting players, in addition to considering the two classic objectives (wins and profits), club owners also seem to aim expanding the media exposure and popularity of their clubs. Our study reveals that, to explain talent-hiring decisions in football, the ability to attract media attention is as crucial as sporting performance could be. Furthermore, by examining the direct, indirect and total effects on annual revenue, we found that our media visibility index performs a mediation effect connecting sports performance and revenue.Originality/valueAn innovative feature of our analysis is the use of the MERIT media visibility index, which jointly captures the on-field and off-field players’ skills. The consistency and robustness of the results derive from the various specifications of the estimated models.
Functioning in the hot seat: exploring the competencies of police incident commanders
Authors: Ferguson Lorna , Huey Laura , Kalyal Hina , Andersen Judith P. 
Published: October 2024

PurposeIncident commanders (ICs) are senior police officials tasked with being the key operational decision-makers and leading a command team during major, critical and public order incidents (e.g. bomb threats, hostage situations and protests). Such events are often characterized by heavy time pressures and little information, requiring a highly skilled, integrated emergency response across multiple agencies and significant police planning, organizing and management. ICs must possess the necessary skills, traits and behaviors to deal with such incidents and their challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the competencies of ICs.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a thematic analysis of thirty-eight (n = 38) in-depth interviews with police personnel who have professional experience as ICs.FindingsResults provided information on the competencies important for effective incident command, including a range of skills, traits and behaviors these police personnel should exhibit, such as command presence, decision-making, confidence, risk assessment, teamwork, task management, stress management, humility and others.Originality/valueWe provide a novel literature contribution by proposing a framework of police IC competencies and their interrelatedness based on first-hand interviews with experts in the field. Practitioners and policymakers need to know actionable strategies for developing standardized training and assessment curricula for ICs. The next steps are to delineate what skills, traits and behaviors are trainable and need to be selected for at the time of recruitment (e.g. occupational aptitude, personality). We provide the foundation upon which researchers and practitioners can make actionable decisions on moving forward to attain these important goals.
Mass exodus? Police officer turnover intention and organizational commitment in New York City
Authors: Quick Kenneth M. , Wolff Kevin T. 
Published: October 2024

PurposeThis study assesses the relationship between job satisfaction, perceived organizational support and workplace factors on officer turnover intention within an urban, municipal police organization.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from an online survey of New York City Police Officers (n = 1,823), both bivariate analysis and logistic regression models were utilized to assess the salience of police officer job satisfaction, perceived organizational support and perception of six workplace domains, including financial compensation, environmental factors, professional fulfillment, work/quality of life balance, treatment from management and occupational risk, on predicting turnover intention.FindingsThe cross-sectional study finds that job satisfaction, financial factors (salary, benefits and retirement benefits) and fulfillment predict lower levels of turnover intention (i.e. higher levels of organizational commitment). Work–life balance and environmental factors (cleanliness of work environment and condition of equipment) predict higher levels of turnover intention. Both perceptions of organizational support and occupational risk, while significant in the bivariate models, were not significantly associated after accounting for other factors. There is no evidence that officer perception of public support or the risk of being injured/killed at work were related to officer turnover intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study is limited by its focus on only one police department and its use of cross-sectional data, which may limit the generalizability of the results to agencies that differ in size and type and do not allow for assessment of causality.Practical implicationsOfficer turnover intention may be reduced by increasing financial compensation, improving the work environment and promoting a healthy work–life balance.Originality/valueThe study contributes to a growing body of research on police officer voluntary turnover by evaluating established predictors along with workplace factors in an urban police department: the setting where officer turnover intention is hypothesized to be the greatest.
Knowledge sharing among academics in higher education: a qualitative approach
Authors: Fan Zhenyu , Beh Loo-See 
Published: October 2024

Purpose
Higher education institutions are the contemporary embodiment of knowledge-intensive organizations. The role of knowledge sharing among academics in enhancing teaching, research and innovation performance cannot be overlooked. However, a paucity of studies were devoted to uncovering the influencing factors of knowledge sharing among academics in China. This study aims to dig into the factors that influence academics’ knowledge-sharing behaviors in the context of Chinese higher education.

Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 academics from universities across various regions in China by using a combination of convenience, snowball and purposive sampling methods. Thematic analysis was used where data sets were examined according to the initial categorization of factors based on a review of the literature while new factors were searched based on frequency of re-occurrence.

Findings
Perceived loss of power and time and effort significantly hinder knowledge sharing whereas expected self-development and association are major catalysts of knowledge sharing. The organizational climate in higher education is featured by competition and individualism, which is not conducive to knowledge sharing while affiliation and trust are essential for cultivating a pro-sharing environment. Technological tools are perceived as user-friendly and useful in facilitating knowledge sharing, but doubts were raised about the effectiveness of online knowledge sharing compared to face-to-face communication.

Originality/value
Deviating from the conventional quantitative approach, this study provides novelty insights on this topic by revealing some less-investigated factors of knowledge sharing among Chinese academics by taking the qualitative approach.
Two weeks of exercise alters neuronal extracellular vesicle insulin signaling proteins and pro‐BDNF in older adults with prediabetes
Authors: Malin Steven K. , Battillo Daniel J. , Beeri Michal S. , Mustapic Maja , Delgado‐Peraza Francheska , Kapogiannis Dimitrios 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAdults with prediabetes are at risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). While exercise may lower ADRD risk, the exact mechanism is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that short‐term exercise would raise neuronal insulin signaling and pro‐BDNF in neuronal extracellular vesicles (nEVs) in prediabetes. Twenty‐one older adults (18F, 60.0 ± 8.6 yrs.; BMI: 33.5 ± 1.1 kg/m2) with prediabetes (ADA criteria; 75 g OGTT) were randomized to 12 supervised work‐matched continuous (n = 13, 70% HRpeak) or interval (n = 8, 90% HRpeak and 50% HRpeak for 3 min each) sessions over 2‐wks for 60 min/d. Aerobic fitness (VO2peak) and body weight were assessed. After an overnight fast, whole‐body glucose tolerance (total area under the curve, tAUC) and insulin sensitivity (SIis) were determined from a 120 min 75 g OGTT. nEVs were acquired from 0 and 60 min time‐points of the OGTT, and levels of insulin signaling proteins (i.e., p‐IRS‐1, total−/p‐Akt, pERK1/2, pJNK1/2, and pp38) and pro‐BNDF were measured. OGTT stimulatory effects were calculated from protein differences (i.e., OGTT 60‐0 min). Adults were collapsed into a single group as exercise intensity did not affect nEV outcomes. Exercise raised VO2peak (+1.4 ± 2.0 mL/kg/min, p = 0.008) and insulin sensitivity (p = 0.01) as well as decreased weight (−0.4 ± 0.9 kg, p = 0.04) and whole‐body glucose tAUC120min (p = 0.02). Training lowered 0‐min pro‐BDNF (704.1 ± 1019.0 vs. 414.5 ± 533.5, p = 0.04) and increased OGTT‐stimulated tAkt (−51.8 ± 147.2 vs. 95 ± 204.5 a.u., p = 0.01), which was paralleled by reduced pAkt/tAkt at 60 min of the OGTT (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.2 ± 0.1 a.u., p = 0.04). Thus, 2 weeks of exercise altered neuronal insulin signaling responses to glucose ingestion and lowered pro‐BNDF among adults with prediabetes, thereby potentially lowering ADRD risk.
Modelling Tree Allometries to Understand the Impact of African Savannah Elephant Herbivory Dynamics on the Vegetation Structure and Tree Cover Change in a Protected Area
Authors: Mukomberanwa Nobert Tafadzwa , Taru Phillip , Utete Beaven , Ngorima Patmore 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIn landscapes with high elephant density, trees often exhibit more open canopies with fewer branches and foliage due to browsing pressure. This can result in altered tree morphology, with trees exhibiting stunted growth, multiple stems or unusual branching patterns in response to repeated damage from browsing. The objectives of this research were to (i) model the vegetation structure allometries, (ii) assess the impact of African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) herbivory on the vegetation structure and (iii) assess tree cover change and vegetation performance over time in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. We established 26 plots of 30 × 30 m size. Selection of sampling plots was done following several steps. First, a fish net grid with 30 × 30 m polygons was created and projected on the polygon of Mana Pools National Park. The polygons for exclusion zones were then clipped from the fish net grid using the clip tool in ArcGIS Pro 3.0. Then, selection of sampling plots was done initially by stratified random sampling using the Sampling Design Tool add in for ArcGIS Pro 3.0. Landsat images for the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 were used to assess land use land cover (LULC) time series and to calculate Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) for the period. A generalised linear model (GLM) was used to analyse tree allometries. Further statistical investigations were performed using Bayesian piecewise regression (BPR) and Bayesian regression modelling (BRM). Basal area, number of stems, height, long canopy, diameter and basal circumference were all significantly different (p < 0.05) across all sampled plots. The change in growing conditions occurring as a tree grows beyond the reach of the African savannah elephant browsing indicates a natural system breakpoint. The best‐fitting models were a simple linear model and a two breakpoint model for the plant population exposed to elephant herbivory. LULC, NDVI and SAVI confirm evidence of high tree regeneration over 2 decades. Understanding the dynamics in vegetation and LULC changes is critical for effective conservation and management of the habitats for African savannah elephants, as well as for maintaining the health and resilience of forest ecosystems.
Association between volume and cost in low‐resection volume regions: a population‐level study on pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer patients
Authors: Li Ling , Aryal Nanda , Ackermann Khalia , Merrett Neil , Richardson Arthur , Westbrook Johanna I , Dunn Susan , Lam Vincent 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundPancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is a highly complex, invasive, and costly surgical procedure. Limited evidence on the PD volume‐cost relationship in countries with a low population density exists. This study aimed to investigate this issue in Australia.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included pancreatic cancer patients who had a PD at any public hospital in New South Wales, Australia between 2016 and 2019. The primary outcome was the total hospital cost during PD admission (not including patient financial burden). Study hospitals were grouped into low‐volume hospitals (LVHs; <10 PDs per annum) or high‐volume hospitals (HVHs). Multivariable modelling was applied to examine the association between volume and cost.ResultsOf 443 PDs, the median total hospital cost per patient at HVHs was AU$55398; significantly lower than that at LVHs (AU$62859; P = 0.001). After adjusting for available patient and clinical factors, the total cost per patient at LVHs was 22% higher than that of HVHs (adjusted estimate: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08–1.37; P = 0.002). Similar patterns were found in three main cost components: 24% higher employee cost at LVHs than at HVHs (1.24, 95% CI: 1.10–1.41; P < 0.001), 15% higher operating cost (1.15, 95% CI: 1.00–1.31; P = 0.047), and 31% higher other costs (1.31, 95% CI: 1.12–1.53; P < 0.001).ConclusionPerformance of PDs at HVHs was associated with substantially lower hospital costs. Our findings demonstrate the likely economic benefit of centralizing PDs in countries with a relatively low population density. Future studies should investigate related patient financial burdens.
Chronotypes in middle‐aged women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A population‐based study
Authors: Kroneld Linnea , Polo‐Kantola Päivi , Ollila Meri‐Maija , Arffman Riikka K. , Hurskainen Elisa , Morin‐Papunen Laure , Jokimaa Varpu , Piltonen Terhi T. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIntroductionCircadian rhythm disruption has been associated with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as the evening chronotype (EC) shares several traits with PCOS, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric disorders. It has been suggested that the biological clock could be targeted with new, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for PCOS in women with biorhythm disorders. We evaluated inner circadian rhythmicity in middle‐aged women with PCOS in a population‐based setting, focusing on whether women with PCOS and an EC have a specific subtype in relation to their clinical characteristics.Material and MethodsThe data derived from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort, a population‐based longitudinal birth cohort of 12 058 individuals born in 1966. We compared the circadian phenotype between 314 women with PCOS (according to the Rotterdam criteria) and 1248 women without PCOS at age 46 years using the validated Finnish shortened 6‐item Morningness‐Eveningness Questionnaire (sMEQ) and the single‐item self‐assessed morningness‐eveningness question.ResultsPCOS was not associated with the EC by the sMEQ (p = 0.495) or self‐assessment (p = 0.303). The self‐assessed morningness‐eveningness values differed from the sMEQ chronotype distribution (p < 0.001), nevertheless, the most frequent chronotype was the intermediate chronotype (IC) determined by both chronotyping methods (sMEQ PCOS 47.7% vs. 45.2% non‐PCOS; self‐assessment PCOS 66.5% vs. 68.4% non‐PCOS). The hyperandrogenic PCOS phenotypes A–C did not differ from the non‐hyperandrogenic phenotype D as for the chronotype (p = 0.271). The EC was associated in both groups with depressive and anxiety symptoms (PCOS p = 0.012, non‐PCOS p < 0.001) and the use of sleep medication (PCOS p = 0.017, non‐PCOS p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe EC was not over‐represented in middle‐aged women with PCOS or in the hyperandrogenic PCOS phenotypes A–C in our study. This does not support the need for chronotyping in the comprehensive assessment of women with PCOS. However, as chronotypes tend to change with aging, cross‐sectional studies in different age groups are warranted to draw conclusions on the role of chronotypes in PCOS and the associated metabolic risks.
Histone deacetylase 6 inhibition promotes microtubule acetylation and facilitates autophagosome–lysosome fusion in dystrophin‐deficient mdx mice
Authors: Agrawal Akanksha , Clayton Erin L. , Cavazos Courtney L. , Clayton Benjamin A. , Rodney George G. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimDuchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle‐wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Despite progress in dystrophin‐targeted gene therapies, it is still a fatal disease requiring novel therapeutics that can be used synergistically or alternatively to emerging gene therapy. Defective autophagy and disorganized microtubule networks contribute to dystrophic pathogenesis, yet the mechanisms by which microtubule alterations regulate autophagy remain elusive. The present study was designed to uncover possible mechanisms underpinning the role of microtubules in regulating autophagy in dystrophic mice.MethodsMdx mice were also supplemented with Tubastatin A, a pharmacological inhibitor of histone deacetylase 6, and pathophysiology was assessed. Mdx mice with a genetic deletion of the Nox‐2 scaffolding subunit p47phox were used to assess redox dependence on tubulin acetylation.ResultsOur data show decreased acetylation of α‐tubulin with enhanced histone deacetylase 6 expression. Tubastatin A increases tubulin acetylation and Q‐SNARE complex formation but does not alter microtubule organization or density, indicating improved autophagosome–lysosome fusion. Tubastatin A increases the acetylation of peroxiredoxin and protects it from hyper‐oxidation, hence modulating intracellular redox status in mdx mice. Tubastatin A reduces muscle damage and enhances force production. Genetic down regulation of Nox2 activity in the mdx mice promotes autophagosome maturation but not autolysosome formation.ConclusionOur data highlight that autophagy is differentially regulated by redox and acetylation in mdx mice. By improving autophagy through promoting tubulin acetylation, Tubastatin A decreases the dystrophic phenotype and improves muscle function, suggesting a great potential for clinical translation and treating dystrophic patients.
Invasive neurophysiological recordings in human basal ganglia. What have we learned about non‐motor behaviour?
Authors: Sanchez Ana Maria Alzate , Roberts Mark J. , Temel Yasin , Janssen Marcus L. F. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractResearch into the function of deep brain structures has benefited greatly from microelectrode recordings in animals. This has helped to unravel physiological processes in the healthy and malfunctioning brain. Translation to the human is necessary for improving basic understanding of subcortical structures and their implications in diseases. The use of microelectrode recordings as a standard component of deep brain stimulation surgery offers the most viable route for studying the electrophysiology of single cells and local neuronal populations in important deep structures of the human brain. Most of the studies in the basal ganglia have targeted the motor loop and movement disorder pathophysiology. In recent years, however, research has diversified to include limbic and cognitive processes. This review aims to provide an overview of advances in neuroscience made using intraoperative and post‐operative recordings with a focus on non‐motor activity in the basal ganglia.