Intermediate Function Research Articles

Managing digital transformations: the intermediary function of digital readiness in facilitating strategic renewal within the healthcare industry

Managing digital transformations: the intermediary function of digital readiness in facilitating strategic renewal within the healthcare industry

The relationship between immune cells and prostate cancer, and the mediating role of metabolites: a Mendelian randomization study

Research has demonstrated the significant involvement of immune cells in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). However, the precise causal relationship between immune cells and PCa remains unclear. This study utilized bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal link between immune cells and PCa. Additionally, employed mediation MR design to ascertain the potential mediating role of metabolites in the connection between immune cells and PCa outcomes. Unswitched memory B cell % lymphocyte and CD24 + CD27 + B cell % lymphocyte were positively related to PCa risk, while CD62L − monocyte absolute count and CD62L − monocyte % monocyte were negatively associated with PCa risk. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate these results. The mediation MR results indicate that 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoate (CMPF) levels may be an independent risk factor for PCa, while the succinate to acetoacetate ratio (SA ratio) was found to be a mediator for the effect of CD62L − monocyte % monocyte on PCa, with a mediation proportion of 16.6% (mediation percentage: 16.6%, 95%CI − 163% − 196%). The research validates the genetic causality between particular immune cells and PCa, and has emphasized the potential intermediary function of SA ratio. These noteworthy discoveries provide fresh perspectives for the clinical management of PCa.

Urban green space, perceived everyday discrimination and mental health among rural-to-urban migrants: a multilevel analysis in Wuhan, China

BackgroundWhile the mental health benefits of urban green spaces (UGS) are increasingly recognized, less is known about how these relationships vary for socially marginalized groups. This study investigates the association between UGS and mental health among rural-to-urban migrants in Wuhan, China, examining the roles of the quality and quantity of UGS and the intermediary function of perceived everyday discrimination.MethodsWe used Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling to analyze data from a social survey, integrating with park-related social media ratings, street view imagery, and geospatial datasets to characterize UGS features and contextual factors, therefore verifying our hypotheses.ResultsBoth the quality and quantity of UGS significantly influence migrants’ mental health, with quantity demonstrating a stronger overall correlation, challenging common assumptions. Notably, social media scores of parks, reflecting positive user experiences, were found to improve mental health. However, the relationship with UGS quantity was nuanced: higher park density and green view index were positively associated with mental health, while increased park area proportion demonstrated the opposite effect. Furthermore, perceived discrimination emerged as a critical socio-psychological factor and operated spatial heterogeneity. In inner-city areas, neighborhoods characterized by plaza-type parks and high park density were associated with reduced perceived discrimination among migrants, showing active social functions of UGS. However, larger park areas are paradoxically correlated with increased discrimination experiences and poorer mental health. Interestingly, this mediatory effect of perceived discrimination was less pronounced in inner-suburban areas. These findings suggest a nuanced role of UGS in the lives of migrants. While certain aspects of UGS quantity, such as plentiful smaller parks, can facilitate social inclusion and improve mental health, others, like overlarge parks, may unintentionally contribute to feelings of marginalization and negatively impact mental health.ConclusionOur findings highlight the crucial need for context-sensitive green space planning that balances quality and quantity while mitigating discriminatory experiences to improve the mental health of rural-to-urban migrants.

Create and strengthening innovation ecosystem: roles of policy-affiliated transition intermediaries in latecomers

Purpose This study aims to explore the functions of policy-affiliated intermediaries and their roles in driving innovation in latecomers. Design/methodology/approach Latecomers have recently recognized the significance of an innovation ecosystem in transitioning to an innovation-driven economy. However, these countries encounter various market and system failures, making policy-affiliated transition intermediaries crucial in orchestrating innovation ecosystems. To achieve this, this study used a case study of a policy-affiliated intermediary and conducted interviews with 19 managers. The results from the content analysis revealed that innovation intermediaries in latecomers perform more comprehensive duties than those mentioned in the literature in the transition to innovation-based development. Findings Results show that the most important of policy-affiliated innovation intermediaries’ roles is orientation to the government and private sector market, attracting the participation of the private sector through the implementation of tax credits and the development of the corporate innovation ecosystem, developing science and technology parks, developing laboratory research infrastructure, supporting prominent and capable professors to create innovation networks, developing innovation zones around research institutions and leading universities and developing international scientific cooperation. These are new and important functions that innovation intermediaries should play in the transition process. Originality/value The research found that the innovation intermediary acts as a change agent in the mental model of other executive and decision-making bodies. Also result shows that this intermediaries can play more roles than what is mentioned in the literature for the development of innovation.

Forecasting Tingkat Kesehatan dan Ketahanan Perbankan di Indonesia

The number of commercial banks in Indonesia after the 2008 global crisis declined. The decrease in this number was caused by mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, integrations and conversions in the context of forming a resilient national banking industry structure. To ensure a stable banking sector, these banks must be evaluated through a Risk-based Bank Rating. When the 2008 global crisis economic shock and the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, the banking intermediary function was disrupted. In these conditions, the financial performance of banks also experienced a decline. This study aimed to assess the bank rating and resilience of banks in 2008-2020, forecast the bank rating and resilience of banks in Indonesia in 2021-2030 and analyze the effect of bank rating on bank resilience. This study used secondary data, that is a annual financial reports published by the Financial Services Authority. The data was analysed by ARIMA and panel data regression. The results showed that the bank rating and resilience of commercial banks declined during the economic shocks of the 2008 global crisis and the 2020 Covid pandemic. It is predicted that the resilience of commercial banks will increase in 2021-2030. Earnings as measured by ROA had a positive effect on bank resilience. Credit risk (NPL) had a negative effect on resilience, while liquidity risk (LDR) showed a positive effect on the resilience of commercial banks in Indonesia. GCG and Capital had no effect on bank resilience

Indonesian Islamic Banks’ Post-Pandemic Profitability Alignment with Sustainability Goals

Purpose — The Islamic banking sector in Indonesia has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the sector’s resilience to the crisis, Islamic banks have lower levels of profitability than their conventional counterparts. They therefore need to optimise profitability as well as implement sustainability practices due to their high reliance on income from intermediary functions and their core principle of protecting life and preventing harm. This study aims to optimise the post-pandemic profitability of Indonesian Islamic banks while seeking to align profitability with sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/Methodology/Approach — The model is developed based on the combination of linear programming and financial analysis, with constraints considering banking regulations and practices. The model highlights financing product types, financing fields of business, and types of deposit products that contribute to higher profits and support sustainability practices. Findings — The recommended financing product types, financing fields of business, and deposit product types lead to profitability growth of up to 85 per cent, even better than the pre-pandemic performance of Islamic banking and the overall Indonesian banking industry. This research also finds that Islamic banks’ strategy for profit optimisation is consistent with the increasing support for SDGs. Originality/Value — There is a lack of literature discussing the alignment of Islamic banks’ profit optimisation with the SDGs. This study contributes to the literature by aligning the Islamic banks’ profitability strategy with sustainable financing. Research Limitations/Implications — The study is expected to promote the implementation of sustainability practices as well as increase the profitability of Islamic banks, drawing from evidence in Indonesia.

Impact of psychological empowerment on job satisfaction among preschool teachers: mediating role of professional identity

The centrality of job satisfaction in fostering the stability and progression of the teaching cadre and in underpinning the effective operation of educational institutions is paramount. Drawing from motivation theory and the Job Demands-Resources model, this research delves into the influence of psychological empowerment on the job satisfaction of 533 preschool educators in China, employing the Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire, the Occupational Identity Questionnaire, and the Job Satisfaction Scale. The inquiry probes the intermediary function of occupational identity in the nexus between psychological empowerment and job satisfaction within the cohort of preschool teachers. The findings underscore that psychological empowerment substantially foretells heightened job satisfaction in preschool educators, and concurrently, occupational identity serves as a partial mediator in the association between psychological empowerment and job satisfaction. Augmenting levels of psychological empowerment and occupational identity among preschool teachers is a strategic avenue for fortifying their holistic contentment in their professional roles, thereby contributing indispensably to the fortification of a robust teaching workforce in kindergarten establishments.

Solitons in magneto-optic waveguides with generalized Kudryashov’s form of self-phase modulation structure

AbstractThe current paper recovers soliton solutions in magneto-optic waveguides having generalized form of Kudryashov’s self-phase modulation structure. The retrieval of soliton solutions is achieved by the well-known and primitive $$G^{\prime }/G$$ G ′ / G -expansion scheme. The intermediary functions that made this retrieval possible are Jacobi’s elliptic functions and Weierstrass’ elliptic functions. The parameter constraints for the solitons to exist are also presented.

The study on the relationship between perceived value, satisfaction, and tourist loyalty at industrial heritage sites

The legacy of industry reflects a city's journey and marks its cultural essence, highlighting the significance of preserving and promoting such historical assets. There is a noticeable gap in the discourse surrounding the intrinsic value of industrial heritage attractions and their impact on the fidelity of tourists. In light of this, the present investigation, rooted in the ABC attitude framework, examines the linkage between the perceived value, contentment, and allegiance of initial visitors to these sites. The study delves into the intermediary function of contentment and the variable influence of gender. Focusing on the Maoming Open-pit Ecological Park as a case in point, this research gathered and scrutinized 320 valid questionnaires. The outcomes demonstrate that the perceived value exerts a positive effect on both the satisfaction and the steadfastness of tourists. Satisfaction is identified as an intermediary between perceived value and tourist steadfastness. Additionally, gender plays a notable role in moderating specific aspects of the model. This inquiry aids in harnessing the potential of industrial heritage sites for the advancement of tourism, fostering economic prosperity and the rebirth of cultural practices. Furthermore, it lays down essential theoretical and practical building blocks for the evolution of industrial heritage as a tourism asset.

Causal relationship between immune cells and epilepsy mediated by metabolites analyzed through Mendelian randomization

Our study investigated the causal relationship between immune cells, metabolites, and epilepsy using two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) and mediation MR analysis of 731 immune cell traits and 1400 metabolites. Our core methodology centered on inverse-variance weighted MR, supplemented by other methods. This approach was crucial in clarifying the potential intermediary functions of metabolites in the genetic links between traits of immune cells and epilepsy. We found a causal relationship between immune cells and epilepsy. Specifically, the genetically predicted levels of CD64 on CD14-CD16- are positively correlated with the risk of epilepsy (p < 0.001, OR = 1.0826, 95% CI 1.0361–1.1312). Similarly, metabolites also exhibit a causal relationship with both immune cells (OR = 1.0438, 95% CI 1.0087–1.0801, p = 0.0140) and epilepsy (p = 0.0334, OR = 1.0897, 95% CI 1.0068–1.1795), and sensitivity analysis was conducted to further validate these relationships. Importantly, our intermediate MR results suggest that the metabolite Paraxanthine to linoleate (18:2n6) ratio may mediate the causal relationship between immune cell CD64 on CD14-CD16- and epilepsy, with a mediation effect of 5.05%. The results suggest the importance of specific immune cell levels and metabolites in understanding epilepsy’s pathogenesis, which is significant for its prevention and treatment.

Intestinal Microbiota and Its Effect on Vaccine-Induced Immune Amplification and Tolerance.

This review provides the potential of intestinal microbiota in vaccine design and application, exploring the current insights into the interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the immune system, with a focus on its intermediary function in vaccine efficacy. It summarizes families and genera of bacteria that are part of the intestinal microbiota that may enhance or diminish vaccine efficacy and discusses the foundational principles of vaccine sequence design and the application of gut microbial characteristics in vaccine development. Future research should further investigate the use of multi-omics technologies to elucidate the interactive mechanisms between intestinal microbiota and vaccine-induced immune responses, aiming to optimize and improve vaccine design.

Determinants Of Total Loans Disbursed By Rural Banks In Indonesia

The financial sector can influence the process of economic development, one of which is through banking by carrying out its intermediary function. One of the banks that have the function of channelling credit and collecting public funds is the Rural Bank. By using the VECM (Vector Error Correction Model) approach model, this study was conducted to determine the long-term and short-term effects of external factors such as Inflation and BI rate and also on internal factors such as the amount of deposits and non-performing loan rates on the amount of credit in the period 2008 - 2022. The results showed both in the long and short term that the internal factors of deposits and non-performing loans had a significant and negative effect on the amount of credit disbursed. External factors such as Inflation and BI rates do not affect the loan disbursed.

Analysis of the Financial Banking Intermediary Function on Economic Growth and Poverty in East Kalimantan from 2011 to 2022

Banking intermediation in Indonesia is crucial because it directly affects economic growth to accommodate and channel capital from depositors to debtors to be used for production activities, encouraging economic growth in a region, in a certain period. The increase in economic growth caused by banking intermediation will directly or indirectly affect various aspects, one of which is the poverty rate. This paper aims to look at the effect of banking intermediation on economic growth directly and its effect on poverty levels both directly and indirectly through economic growth in East Kalimantan Province. The dataset used in this study comprises secondary time series data spanning from 2011 to 2022, sourced from the East Kalimantan Province’s BPS (Central Bureau of Statistics) and the Indonesian Financial Services Authority. To analyze these relationships, this study employed path analysis with SPSS 25. The findings of this research revealed that banking intermediation in East Kalimantan Province had a direct impact on economic growth in the same region. However, the relationship between banking intermediation and economic growth in East Kalimantan Province did not have a direct effect on poverty levels in the region. Instead, the influence of banking intermediation in East Kalimantan Province on poverty levels operates indirectly through its impact on economic growth. Keywords: financial intermediary, economic growth, poverty

From Influence to Purchase: Unraveling the Impact of Influencer Credibility, Brand-Involvement and Influencer Professionalism on Perceived Quality and Trust-Driven Purchase intention

This study aims to examine the impact of influencer attributes specifically, influencer credibility, professionalism, brand involvement and content quality on customer perceived quality in the realm of influencer marketing. The study also investigates the role of customer trust in moderating the relationship between perceived quality and purchase intention, offering insights into the mechanisms by which influencers impact consumer behavior. In the digital era, influencer marketing has emerged as a crucial instrument for firms to connect with consumers. Nevertheless, although considerable research has concentrated on the direct impact of influencer marketing on purchase intentions, lack of emphasis has been given on elucidating the intermediary function of customer perceived quality and the moderating impact of customer trust. The deficiency in the literature constrains our comprehension of the mechanisms by which influencer marketing influences customer behavior, especially for perceived quality and ensuing purchase decisions. The study employed a quantitative design, employing survey data gathered from 330 a varied sample of social media users who actively interact with influencer content. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzes the interactions among independent variables influencer credibility, professionalism, brand involvement, and content quality, the mediating variable consumer perceived quality, and the dependent variable purchase intention. The influence of customer trust on the relationship between perceived quality and purchase intention is also examined. This study's findings provide significant insights for marketers and brands utilizing influencer marketing methods. By comprehending the essential qualities of influencers that elevate customer perceived quality and how trust can improve these impacts, marketers can more effectively plan and optimize campaigns to increase purchase intention.

THE IMPACT OF NON PERFORMING LOAN, LOAN TO DEPOSIT RATIO, AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY RATIO ON RETURN ON ASSET

Banking plays an important role in managing the wheels of economic transactions in a country's society. Therefore, as a financial institution that has an intermediary function, banks must demonstrate good financial performance through their financial ratios. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the ratio of Non Performing Loans, Loan to Deposit Ratios, and Operational Efficiency Ratio on Return on Assets in Kompas100 indexed banking in 2018-2020. There are eight research samples that meet the criteria in the purposive sampling method with data analysis using multiple linear regression. The findings of this study are Non Performing Loans and Loan to Deposit Ratio have a positive but not significant effect on Return on Assets, while Operational Efficiency Ratio have a negative and significant effect on Return on Assets. Simultaneously, NonPerforming Loans, Loan to Deposit Ratios, and Operational Efficiency Ratio have a significant effect on Return on Assets.

Metacognition as a transdiagnostic factor across eating disorders: a latent profile analysis study.

Metacognition is a crucial aspect of understanding and attributing mental states, playing a key role in the psychopathology of eating disorders (EDs). This study aims to explore the diverse clinical profiles of metacognition among patients with EDs using latent profile analysis (LPA). A total of 395 patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of ED (116 AN-R, 30 AN/BP, 100 BN, 149 BED) participated in this study. They completed self-report measures assessing metacognition, eating psychopathology, depression, emotional dysregulation, personality traits, and childhood adversities. LPA and Welch ANOVAs were conducted to identify profiles based on metacognition scores and examine psychological differences between them. Logistic regression models were employed to explore associations between personal characteristics and different profiles. A 3-class solution had a good fit to the data, revealing profiles of high functioning (HF), intermediate functioning (IF), and low functioning (LF) based on levels of metacognitive impairments. Participants in the IF group were older and had a higher BMI than those in the HF and LF groups. Individuals with BN were largely categorized into HF and LF profiles, whereas participants with BED were mainly included in the IF profile. Participants in the LF group reported an impaired psychological profile, with high levels of depression, emotional dysregulation, childhood adversity, and personality dysfunction. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed significant associations between metacognitive profiles and emotional and neglect abuse, emotion dysregulation, and detachment. This exploratory study unveils distinct metacognitive profiles in EDs, providing a foundation for future research and targeted interventions. In this light, metacognitive interpersonal therapy could be a valid and effective treatment for EDs, as suggested by the initial promising results for these patients.

Bifurcations and optical soliton perturbation for the Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel system with Kerr law of nonlinear refractive index

AbstractThis paper carries out the bifurcation analysis of the Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel model. The phase portrait analysis is carried out and the soliton solutions naturally emerge from the scheme. The intermediary functions are the Jacobi’s elliptic functions.

Social media’s sway: how social comparison on social media stimulates impulse travelling; serial mediation study on Indian millennials tourists

PurposeThe study explores the impact of social media-induced social comparison on impulse travelling, drawing upon social comparison theory. It thoroughly examines the intermediary functions of fear of missing out (FoMO) and compulsive use of social media, alongside exploring the moderating impacts of self-esteem and self-control within this dynamic process.Design/methodology/approachTo meet the objective, we conducted a survey of 382 social media users among Indian millennial tourists. The analysis has been done using SPSS (AMOS 24) and Process macro (model 1) for moderation effect. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques have been employed for data collection.FindingsThe results indicate a positive influence of social comparison on impulsive travel. Additionally, the findings suggest that FoMO and the compulsive use of social media serve as serial mediations on the link between social comparison and impulse travelling. Moreover, self-esteem has shown a negatively significant relationship between social comparison and FoMO. Furthermore, self-control has also been found to have a negatively significant effect on the relationship between FoMO and the compulsive use of social media.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings offer valuable guidance for destination administrators. It suggests that administrators should refrain from engaging in aggressive and overly tailored marketing tactics. Instead, they should focus on sharing real and authentic stories that resonate with travellers, and administrators can mitigate the effects of social comparison and discourage impulsive travelling.Originality/valueThis study delves into an unexplored realm in digital marketing literature, shedding light on how social comparison on social media influences the impulsive travelling of Indian millennial tourists. This study is an inaugural attempt to formulate a theoretical framework within the scope of the tourism sector.

Optimizing Supply Chain Integration: Exploring the Role of Distribution Channels in Enhancing Enterprise Performance

Abstract: Distribution channels, or basically paths, are how items are delivered from the maker to the consumer. This is the subject of the study. It examines the various varieties of these pathways and their mechanisms, emphasizing the function of intermediaries who facilitate this process. The growing significance of electronic channels for product sales is also mentioned. A supply chain can be thought of as a large network that consists of all the various companies, individuals, and tasks necessary to move an item from its point of manufacture to its point of purchase. This covers every step of the process, from obtaining the supplies needed to create something to carrying out the actual production to selling the completed good. Keywords: Distribution channels, Production, Manufacturer, A supply chain, Purchaser.

Road Transport Efficiency and Organizational Performance: Does Traffic Infrastructure Management Matter?

The objective of this study is to assess the relationships between road transport efficiency and organizational performance. In addition, the investigation explored the intermediary function of traffic infrastructure management in the relationship between road transport efficiency and organizational performance. A study model was built, drawing on a resource-based approach and stakeholder theories, to investigate the interactions between the constructs. The data was collected from a sample of 30 logistics enterprises located in Ghana. The research model underwent analysis utilizing the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. The results of the study indicate that there is a strong and statistically significant relationship between road transport efficiency and organizational performance. Once more, the analysis has demonstrated a favorable impact of traffic infrastructure management on the performance of organizations. Furthermore, the management of transportation infrastructure has shown a noteworthy and substantial role in mediating the impact on organizational performance.