Level Of Congruence Research Articles

Evaluation of polyethylene pipe–sandy soil interaction subjected to strike-slip faulting

Pipelines are simulated in the form of a continuous beam resting on a collection of linear springs. The relationships put forth by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) guidelines are commonly used to derive the specifications of the spring elements. Some recent studies have suggested that these relationships are accompanied by a certain degree of inaccuracy. In this study, two full-scale tests were carried out on polyethylene pipes (with diameters of 120.5 and 214 mm) buried in sandy soil. The displacement of the pipe along its length was recorded throughout the entire test. Then, using the Abaqus finite-element software package and an optimisation algorithm developed in the Matlab software, a modelling approach was adopted so that the properties of the equivalent linear springs simulating the soil could be determined. In this way, the displacements obtained from the experiments would have the highest level of congruence with the values derived from the numerical simulations. Using this approach, the initial stiffness and the maximum force resulting from the pipe–soil interaction were computed and compared with the values given by the ASCE and American Lifelines Alliance (ALA) guidelines. The results showed that for a polyethylene pipe at the condition of strike-slip faulting, these values were much smaller than the values put forth by ASCE and ALA.

Information system integration, forecast information quality and market responsiveness: Role of socio-technical congruence

Organisations integrate information systems with their channel partners to improve forecasting capabilities and to respond to changes in consumers and market. Given the advancement and radical growth in information technology and the large capital outlays required for the implementation and integration of such technologies there is need for more research into how partnering organisations can maximise the benefits accruing form information systems integration. Thus, the current study tests a moderated mediated model that investigates how perceived socio-technical congruence by partnering organisations enhances the effect of interorganisational information systems integration on forecasting information quality and market responsiveness. Using absorptive capacity and socio-technical congruence theory, first, the study examines the mediating role of forecast information quality on the relationship between interorganisational information systems integration and market responsiveness. Second, the study examines the moderating role of perceived socio-technical congruence. SPSS-PROCESS model was used for the analysis. The study contributes to knowledge by extending the applicability of socio-technical congruence theory to information systems and forecasting literature in inter-organisational context. The study points to the need for high levels of socio-technical congruence between partnering organisations to maximise the benefits accruing from interorganisational information systems integration.

Unequal Representation of Women and Youth on Climate Policy Issues

ABSTRACT Women and youth support climate policies to a larger extent than their counterparts, and they are underrepresented in formal politics. This paper explores whether descriptively underrepresented groups also are substantively underrepresented on climate issues. I study issue congruence between the public and elected representatives on climate policies in Norway and find high levels of overall congruence. However, representatives are less congruent with women and youth than they are with men and older age groups, linking descriptive and substantive representation.

The Voice of the Absent? The Link Between Descriptive and Substantive Representation of the Working Class in Western Europe

Recent research has revealed a considerable representation gap disadvantaging the lower social class in the political process. However, we know little about the underlying mechanisms of this bias or the measures that could compensate for it. Combining cross-national data from a general population survey and an elite-level survey, the present article addresses this knowledge deficit by looking at one potential determinant of working-class underrepresentation: the unequal composition of parliaments. Building on arguments for descriptive representation, I argue that members of the working class experience similar living situations and life chances that form their preferences. Consequently, working-class politicians may be better suited to representing working-class views. The results confirm lower congruence levels between the political elite and working-class citizens. However, class-based preference gaps among politicians are relatively small, and politicians’ social class appears to have a limited impact on compensating for the representational inequality of the working class.

Complete mitochondrial genomes from museum specimens clarify millipede evolution in the Eastern Arc Mountains

AbstractThe Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania represent a hotspot for biological diversity of global importance. The level of endemism is high, and Eastern Arc biodiversity has been studied extensively in vertebrates and invertebrates, including millipedes. However, millipede evolution is vastly understudied at the molecular level. Therefore, we used next-generation ‘shotgun’ sequencing to obtain mitochondrial genome sequences of 26 museum specimens, representing six genera and 12 millipede species found across the Eastern Arc Mountains. Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods yielded consistent topologies with high node support, confirming a high level of congruence between molecular and morphological analyses. The only exception was a Tropostreptus sigmatospinus individual from Zanzibar, which was placed outside an otherwise monophyletic group consisting of mainland individuals of the same assumed species. For two species with a distribution across several mountain blocks (Tropostreptus sigmatospinus and Tropostreptus hamatus), each mountain population represents a distinct monophyletic lineage. In contrast, we also observe that distinct species exist sympatrically in the same montane forests, indicative of older speciation events that are not defined by current forest distribution. Our results are important for understanding speciation mechanisms in montane rain forests and highlight that ethanol-preserved invertebrates exhibit a tremendous potential for genomic analyses.

Target capture data resolve recalcitrant relationships in the coffee family (Rubioideae, Rubiaceae).

Subfamily Rubioideae is the largest of the main lineages in the coffee family (Rubiaceae), with over 8,000 species and 29 tribes. Phylogenetic relationships among tribes and other major clades within this group of plants are still only partly resolved despite considerable efforts. While previous studies have mainly utilized data from the organellar genomes and nuclear ribosomal DNA, we here use a large number of low-copy nuclear genes obtained via a target capture approach to infer phylogenetic relationships within Rubioideae. We included 101 Rubioideae species representing all but two (the monogeneric tribes Foonchewieae and Aitchinsonieae) of the currently recognized tribes, and all but one non-monogeneric tribe were represented by more than one genus. Using data from the 353 genes targeted with the universal Angiosperms353 probe set we investigated the impact of data type, analytical approach, and potential paralogs on phylogenetic reconstruction. We inferred a robust phylogenetic hypothesis of Rubioideae with the vast majority (or all) nodes being highly supported across all analyses and datasets and few incongruences between the inferred topologies. The results were similar to those of previous studies but novel relationships were also identified. We found that supercontigs [coding sequence (CDS) + non-coding sequence] clearly outperformed CDS data in levels of support and gene tree congruence. The full datasets (353 genes) outperformed the datasets with potentially paralogous genes removed (186 genes) in levels of support but increased gene tree incongruence slightly. The pattern of gene tree conflict at short internal branches were often consistent with high levels of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) due to rapid speciation in the group. While concatenation- and coalescence-based trees mainly agreed, the observed phylogenetic discordance between the two approaches may be best explained by their differences in accounting for ILS. The use of target capture data greatly improved our confidence and understanding of the Rubioideae phylogeny, highlighted by the increased support for previously uncertain relationships and the increased possibility to explore sources of underlying phylogenetic discordance.

Acetabular Coverage Area Occupied by the Femoral Head as an Indicator of Hip Congruency.

Simple SummaryRadiographic diagnosis is essential for the genetic control of canine hip dysplasia (HD). The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scoring HD scheme is based on objective and qualitative radiographic criteria. Subjective interpretations can lead to errors in diagnosis and, consequently, to incorrect selective breeding, which in turn impacts the gene pool of dog breeds. The aim of this study was to use a computer method to calculate the Hip Congruency Index (HCI) to objectively estimate radiographic hip congruency for future application in the development of computer vision models capable of classifying canine HD. The HCI measures the percentage of acetabular coverage that is occupied by the femoral head. Normal hips are associated with an even, parallel joint surface that translates into reduced acetabular free space, which increases with hip subluxation and becomes maximal in hip dislocation. We found statistically significant differences in mean HCI values among all five FCI categories. These results demonstrate that the HCI reliably reflects the different degrees of congruency associated with HD. Therefore, it is expected that when used in conjunction with other HD evaluation parameters, such as Norberg angle and assessment of osteoarthritic signs, it can improve the diagnosis by making it more accurate and unequivocal.Accurate radiographic screening evaluation is essential in the genetic control of canine HD, however, the qualitative assessment of hip congruency introduces some subjectivity, leading to excessive variability in scoring. The main objective of this work was to validate a method-Hip Congruency Index (HCI)-capable of objectively measuring the relationship between the acetabulum and the femoral head and associating it with the level of congruency proposed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), with the aim of incorporating it into a computer vision model that classifies HD autonomously. A total of 200 dogs (400 hips) were randomly selected for the study. All radiographs were scored in five categories by an experienced examiner according to FCI criteria. Two examiners performed HCI measurements on 25 hip radiographs to study intra- and inter-examiner reliability and agreement. Additionally, each examiner measured HCI on their half of the study sample (100 dogs), and the results were compared between FCI categories. The paired t-test and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed no evidence of a systematic bias, and there was excellent reliability between the measurements of the two examiners and examiners’ sessions. Hips that were assigned an FCI grade of A (n = 120), B (n = 157), C (n = 68), D (n = 38) and E (n = 17) had a mean HCI of 0.739 ± 0.044, 0.666 ± 0.052, 0.605 ± 0.055, 0.494 ± 0.070 and 0.374 ± 0.122, respectively (ANOVA, p < 0.01). Therefore, these results show that HCI is a parameter capable of estimating hip congruency and has the potential to enrich conventional HD scoring criteria if incorporated into an artificial intelligence algorithm competent in diagnosing HD.

Goal Congruence Dalam Pengelolaan Restoran Padang

The balance of the organization or company in the long term is determined by the level of alignment of goals (goal congruence) of the parties who run the company. Broadly speaking, the parties in the company are grouped into two, namely the founders or owners of the company and the employees who run the company, starting from the directors and the ranks and workers. The goals of the company, which also reflect the goals of the owners and founders of the company, are not necessarily the same as those of the directors and the ranks and the workers. A conflict of interest is very likely to occur between them because naturally indeed the goals of both parties can be opposites. The purpose of writing this paper is to present the results of research in the Sederhana Restaurant group, which forms a concept of company management supported by profit sharing accounting based on mato system (hereinafter abbreviated as mato system) which can increase goal congruence among stakeholders in the company. The research uses a case study approach to understand the reality of goal congruence. Researchers visited the field, held discussions with the founders of the company, the board of directors, branch leaders, and employees. The Sederhana Restaurant (Sa) Jakarta research site, which is focused on one of the main branches in Rawamangun. The results of the interview were analyzed and resulted in the conclusion that the mato system is able to bridge and align the goals of the founders of the company with the Directors, Branch Leaders, and their workers so as to encourage a high level of goal congruence.&#x0D; Keywords: conflict of interest. Goal congruence, case studies, mato system.

Leader–member exchange congruence and feedback seeking behavior: a role theory perspective

PurposeWhile studying the association between leader–member exchange (LMX) quality and employee work outcomes, the existing scholarship has generally focused on employee perspectives of LMX quality. Being more inclusive, this study utilizes role theory to incorporate the dyadic (in)congruence in LMX quality and their effects on ratee feedback seeking behavior.Design/methodology/approachData elicited from N = 156 matched rater–ratee dyads comprising engineers working with telecommunication organizations of Pakistan. Purposive sampling was done to ensure that rater–ratee dyads were in continuous contact by their customized employee portals.FindingsResults of polynomial regression analysis revealed that leader–member congruence in their perceptions of LMX quality enhanced member's feedback seeking behavior. Asymmetrical incongruence, i.e. the member perceived higher LMX quality than the leader, is found to predict member's feedback seeking behavior, even higher than both levels of congruence (high- and low-quality LMX).Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this study was members' reactions to performance appraisal. However, other performance appraisal outcomes are plausible such as, leader performance. This study explored the objective incongruence, yet subjective congruence can be more conclusive about the results of the present study.Practical implicationsLMX incongruence is more detrimental to members in high interaction situations. When the member perceives lower quality LMX than the leader, expectations regarding resource exchanges and behaviors are more likely to be unfulfilled for the member. Feedback seeking behavior being a member related outcome is likely to be affected more negatively in such conditions of incongruence. Second, it is likely that when there is a high degree of incongruence among the dyads, LMX congruence may become more critical to the members which in turn may give them a sense of belongingness within the dyad. Third, the relationship between leader–member dyads is affected by the social interactions facilitating the members' opinion sharing.Originality/valueThe study suggests that to fully grasp the implications of LMX theory, we need to consider the viewpoints of both the dyadic members at the same time.

Neuronal congruency effects in macaque prefrontal cortex

The interplay between task-relevant and task-irrelevant information may induce conflicts that impair behavioral performance, a.k.a. behavioral congruency effects. The neuronal mechanisms underlying behavioral congruency effects, however, are poorly understood. We recorded single unit activity in monkey prefrontal cortex using a task-switching paradigm and discovered a neuronal congruency effect (NCE) that is carried by target and distractor neurons which process target and distractor-related information, respectively. The former neurons provide more signal, the latter less noise in congruent compared to incongruent conditions, resulting in a better target representation. Such NCE is dominated by the level of congruency, and is not determined by the task rules the subjects used, their reaction times (RT), the length of the delay period, nor the response levels of the neurons. We propose that this NCE can explain behavioral congruency effects in general, as well as previous fMRI and EEG results in various conflict paradigms.

The effect of different insert design congruencies on the kinematics of a mobile bearing TKA: A cadaveric study

IntroductionTotal knee arthroplasty has proved to be a safe, effective and reproducible surgical treatment for patients with serious/advanced degenerative joint disease of the knee, but the optimal results after these implants can be achieved only if the joint kinematics and kinetics are carefully respected and not significantly altered after the replacement. In order to enhance the capability of matching the healthy configuration, therefore, different prosthesis models in terms of constraints and designs are available for the surgeons to choose among. As an example of this variety, mobile bearing models allow the surgeon to choose among different insert designs in terms of geometry and relative biomechanical approaches, with the relative performances depending on which one is adopted.This article aims to analyse the effect of different levels of congruency of mobile bearing inserts through an experimental activity performed on an ultra-congruent insert design, also referred as deep-dished. MethodsThe experimental activity followed the same protocol used in a previous study focused on the effect of symmetricity/asymmetricity (in order to allow a comparison among the results obtained), i.e. it analysed passive squat on 5 cadaveric knee specimens; internal-external rotations of femur and tibial insert respect to the tibia tray were thus measured via a motion capture system in order to compare the insert-femur relative rotation among the different congruency configurations. ResultsThe overall knee kinematic (in terms of flexion-extension and internal-external rotation ranges of motion) with an ultra-congruent insert did not differ from the ones found for the other inserts; the insert-femur rotation values, instead, returned to be between the ones obtained with the other two inserts. ConclusionIn terms of adaptability to tibio-femoral rotation, therefore, this insert represents a valid option for the surgeon seeking for an intermediate solution among the opposed approaches of the other two.

A typology of strategies that recognize, reward, and incentivize blood donation.

Blood collection agencies (BCAs) worldwide are continuously looking to improve recognition, reward, and incentive (RRI) policies to optimize the recruitment and retention of blood donors. However, given the inconsistent categorization and variety of strategies available, there is a need for a theoretically informed and empirically supported framework to guide RRI research and policy development. Survey data from 1028 voluntary nonremunerated whole blood and plasma donors in Australia was used to validate a theorized RRI typology based on distinctions between the level of congruency with the act of donating blood (congruent vs. incongruent), visibility of acknowledgment (public vs. private), benefits provided (self vs. other), and likely reinforcement schedule (fixed vs. variable). A six-factor solution met all statistical criteria and was most consistent with a priori theoretical underpinnings. The factors were labeled (i) deal promotion, (ii) loyalty program, (iii) BCA token, (iv) health check, (v) charity donation, and (vi) travel compensation. This typology provides researchers with a standardized theoretical and conceptual framework to organize and synthesize findings from the existing literature and help BCAs develop RRI policies that are likely to be successful. We present a future research agenda across and within the RRI strategies.

A TKA Insert with A Lateral Flat Articular Surface Maximizes External and Internal Tibial Orientations without Anterior Lift-Off Relative to Low- and Ultracongruent Surfaces.

Background: In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), inserts can have different levels of medial and lateral congruency determined by the acuteness of the upslopes of the anterior and posterior articular surfaces. The present study evaluated an insert with different levels of lateral congruency and a medial ball-in-socket congruency to test the hypothesis that a lateral flat (F) insert maximizes external tibial orientation at extension and internal orientation at 90° flexion and lowers the incidence of anterior lift-off relative to low-congruent (LC) and ultracongruent (UC) lateral inserts. Methods: Two surgeons treated 23 patients with unrestricted caliper-verified kinematic alignment (KA) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retention. They randomly trialed inserts with a medial radial dial that functioned as a built-in goniometer by measuring the tibial orientation relative to a sagittal line on the femoral trial component. Anterior lift-off of the insert from the baseplate indicated PCL tightness. Results: The F insert’s mean of 9° of external tibial orientation was higher than that of the LC (5°, p < 0.0001) and UC inserts (2°, p < 0.0001). The −13° of internal tibial orientation at 90° flexion was higher than that of the LC (−9°, p < 0.0001) and UC inserts (−7°, p < 0.0001). The 0% incidence of anterior lift-off was less than that of the LC (26%) and UC inserts (57%) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Surgeons and implant manufacturers should know that adding congruency to the lateral articular surface limits external tibial orientation in extension and internal tibial orientation at 90° flexion and overtightens the PCL. These rotational limitations and flexion space tightness can adversely affect patellofemoral tracking and knee flexion.

‘Student tutors go online’ - Investigation of cognitive and social congruence in online student tutorials - a longitudinal study

ABSTRACT The concept of peer-assisted learning (PAL) has been implemented at many medical faculties. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, parts of the medical education experience transitioned to digital formats. However, little is known about PAL and online student tutorials. PAL is effective due to cognitive and social congruence. This study aims to investigate these concepts in an online student tutorial on taking a patient’s medical history. This longitudinal study took place in a preclinical communication course on how to take a patient’s medical history. In an online student tutorial, the students learned how to take a patient’s psychosocial medical history. Using standardised questionnaires, cognitive and social congruence were assessed. T-tests of independent samples were performed for data comparison. The participants included 128 second-year medical students and 5 student tutors. Cognitive congruence (Mstudent = 4.19 ± 0.56; Mstudenttutor = 4.04 ± 0.57) and social congruence (MStudent = 4.25 ± 0.56; MStudenttutor = 4.06 ± 0.57) were high for both students and student tutors in the online setting. In comparison to the face-to-face group, students in the online setting considered the student tutors to be significantly (p < .05) more socially congruent. Learning success increased during the course; however, it was not influenced by cognitive congruence. Cognitive and social congruence are high in an online setting. The students’ learning success increased during the online tutorial. Based on the higher level of social congruence, student tutors might be very motivated to be open and approachable in an online setting. Simultaneously, students might pay more attention and participate actively in the online setting. Social and cognitive congruence contribute to the effectiveness of online student tutorials and, thus, online student tutorials should be integrated into medical training.

Self-representation through avatars in digital environments

Due to its prominent role in online social networks, avatar creation has become an important research topic in the field of computer-mediated communication. One main motive for creating avatars is the representation of one’s own identity. Previous research indicates that avatar creation depends on the activity context for which the avatar is created. Though, studies comparing avatar creation for a wide variety of activity contexts are still missing. The present study addresses this empirical gap by examining (1) the self-representation of physical, demographical, and personality characteristics through avatars, (2) differences in self-representation between various online activity contexts, and (3) between-participant variance in ascribed personality traits. Participants attributed physical, demographical, and personality characteristics to their avatar for one of six online activity contexts and indicated the same characteristics for their actual and ideal selves. We analysed the data of 568 participants and found a high level of congruence between demographical/physical characteristics of the avatar, the actual self, and the ideal self. Furthermore, we found an idealised representation of the avatar’s personality traits, which was affected by the specific activity context. Last, the between-participant variance in the avatar’s personality traits was mainly larger than the variance in the ideal self but smaller than the variance in the actual self, indicating a link between avatar creation and social norms. These results deliver new insights into the strategies behind avatar creation in different contexts and build a basis for future research and practical implications for developers and designers of virtual worlds.

A Double-Edged Sword: The Role of Prior Knowledge in Memory Aging.

IntroductionPeople accumulate knowledge throughout their lifespan and the accumulated knowledge influences how we encode and retrieve information in memory processing. This study aims to investigate the role of knowledge in associative memory across the adult lifespan, and specifically examines the effects of two material properties that interact with prior knowledge: congruency – whether the material is congruent with people’s prior knowledge, and ambiguity – whether the material is ambiguous to interpret based on prior knowledge.Method273 participants (aged 22–70 years old) completed an incidental memory task online. Participants were shown pictures depicting an object in a scene and judged if the object was likely or unlikely to be in the particular scene. Later, in the recognition test, participants were asked to identify if the exact picture was presented earlier. The pictures were manipulated to have varying levels of congruency, meaning that some depicted likely object–scene pairs and some unlikely. We also measured how different the likely/unlikely judgment for each object–scene pair was across all participants to determine the ambiguity level of the object–scene pair: some were more likely to receive diverse responses across people, whereas others are unambiguously consistent (or inconsistent) with common knowledge shared by most people. We used mixed-effects logistic regressions to predict memory outcome for each trial as a function of age, age2, congruency/ambiguity, and their interactions.ResultsThe object–scene pairs perceived as congruent had higher hit rates than incongruent ones, as well as higher false alarm rates, especially in middle-aged and older people. Higher ambiguity was also related to both greater true and false memory, independent of age. Finally, the effect of ambiguity only emerged when the object–scene pair was perceived incongruent.DiscussionThe results suggest that people rely on prior knowledge to process new information and that this reliance improves hit responses, but also induces false memories particularly for middle-aged and older people, suggesting a double-edged role of knowledge in associative memory and its disproportionate influence on memory aging. Over-reliance on knowledge in older adults, which has been suspected in other cognitive processes, may be one of the mechanisms underlying associative memory decrease in aging.

Quantifying Joint Congruence With an Elastic Foundation.

The level of congruence between the articulating surfaces of a diarthrodial joint can vary substantially between individuals. Quantifying joint congruence using the most widespread metric, the "congruence index," is not straightforward: the areas of the segmented bone that constitute the articular surfaces require accurate identification, their shape must be carefully described with appropriate functions, and the relative orientation of the surfaces measured precisely. In this work, we propose a new method of measuring joint congruence, which does not require these steps. First, a finite element (FE) simulation of an elastic layer compressed between each set of segmented bones is performed. These are then interpreted using the elastic foundation model, enabling an equivalent, but simpler, contact geometry to be identified. From this, the equivalent radius (quantification of joint congruence) is found. This defines the radius of a sphere contacting plane (or "ball on flat") that produces an equivalent contact to that in each joint. The minimal joint space width (in this joint position) can also be estimated from the FE simulations. The new method has been applied to ten healthy instances of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The ten thumb MCPs had similar levels and variability of congruence as the other diarthrodial joints that have been characterized previously. This new methodology enables efficient quantification of joint congruence and minimal joint space width directly from CT- or MRI-derived bone geometry in any relative orientation. It lends itself to large data sets and coupling with kinematic models.

A random-object-kinematogram plugin for web-based research: implementing oriented objects enables varying coherence levels and stimulus congruency levels

One of the recent major advances in cognitive psychology research has been the option of web-based in addition to lab-based experimental research. This option fosters experimental research by increasing the pace and size of collecting data sets. Importantly, web-based research profits heavily from integrating tasks that are frequently applied in cognitive psychology into open access software. For instance, an open access random-dot kinematogram (RDK) plugin has recently been integrated into the jsPsych software for web-based research. This plugin allows researchers to implement experimental tasks with varying coherence levels (with that varying task difficulty) of moving dots or varying signal to noise ratios of colored dots. Here, we introduce the random-object kinematogram (ROK) plugin for the jsPsych software which, among other new features, enables researchers to include oriented objects (e.g., triangles or arrows) instead of dots as stimuli. This permits experiments with feature congruency (e.g., upwards-moving triangles pointing upwards) or incongruency (e.g., upwards-moving triangles pointing downwards), allowing to induce gradual degrees of stimulus interference, in addition to gradual degrees of task difficulty. We elaborate on possible set-ups with this plugin in two experiments examining participants’ RTs and error rates on different combinations of coherence and congruency levels. Results showed increased RTs and error rates on trials with lower coherence percentages, and on trials with lower congruency levels. We discuss other new features of the ROK plugin and conclude that the possibility of gradually varying the coherence level and congruency level independently from each other offers novel possibilities when conducting web-based experiments.

Speaking vs. listening? Balance conversation attributes of voice assistants for better voice marketing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping marketing in an unprecedented way. Empowered by AI, voice assistants are increasingly capable of speaking and listening like humans, offering a great opportunity for a new marketing approach - voice marketing. This research examines how conversation attributes of voice assistants determine consumer trust and intention to engage in voice shopping. Using a sequential mixed-method design, three studies consistently show that consumers perceive the speaking attribute of voice assistants as more human-like than the listening attribute. We find that such incongruency between the two conversation attributes can undermine consumers' trust in voice assistants, leading to reduced willingness to accept product recommendations from voice assistants and shop via voice assistants, which would hamper the development of voice marketing. Accordingly, this research suggests that AI giants with strong technological strength and capital support should distribute more resources to advance the underlying technologies enabling human-like listening (e.g., natural language understanding and voice recognition). But for AI startups with limited financing ability and technical talents, they may consider appropriately reducing investments in the underlying technologies enabling human-like speaking (e.g., natural language generation and voice synthesis) to enhance the congruency level between the conversation attributes of voice assistants.

Ontological congruence, discipline and academic identity in university schools of nursing

Nursing is an old vocation but is relatively new to the academy, with schools of nursing being established in Western universities in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Their establishment was presaged by earlier moves of the preparation of pre-registration nurses from apprenticeships served in hospitals to tertiary education institutions (mainly community colleges and polytechnics) during the last quarter of the twentieth century. Preparation for a life in the professions has been a feature of universities since their inception. Nevertheless, changing a university’s offerings is contested, and new disciplines and the new academics within them often struggle to establish their legitimacy within the academy. This paper challenges contemporary accounts of nursing as a discipline the weak disciplinary boundaries of which undermine its place in the academy and hamper nurse academics’ development of an academic identity. Drawing on data from interviews with nursing academics, the paper discusses the ways in which the participants are, by their own actions, devising, amending and reinforcing the structures, code, rules and conceptual frameworks of the Nursing discipline. It also considers how, as they do so, these academics achieve a level of ontological congruence that is only possible as their internal biography, the nature of their day-to-day work and the expectations of their employer are able to ‘rub along’ together without creating the conditions for (self) destructive resistance or the exercise of coercive institutional power.