DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferases

The prevailing views as to the form, function, and regulation of genomic methylation patterns have their origin many years in the past, at a time when the structure of the mammalian genome was only dimly perceived, when the number of protein-encoding mammalian genes was believed to be at least five times greater than the actual number, and when it was not understood that only ~10% of the genome is under selective pressure and likely to have biological function. We use more recent findings from genome biology and whole-genome methylation profiling to provide a reappraisal of the shape of genomic methylation patterns and the nature of the changes that they undergo during gametogenesis and early development. We observe that the sequences that undergo deep changes in methylation status during early development are largely sequences without regulatory function. We also discuss recent findings that begin to explain the remarkable fidelity of maintenance methylation. Rather than a general overview of DNA methylation in mammals (which has been the subject of many reviews), we present a new analysis of the distribution of methylated CpG dinucleotides across the multiple sequence compartments that make up the mammalian genome, and we offer an updated interpretation of the nature of the changes in methylation patterns that occur in germ cells and early embryos. We discuss the cues that might designate specific sequences for demethylation or de novo methylation during development, and we summarize recent findings on mechanisms that maintain methylation patterns in mammalian genomes. We also describe the several human disorders, each very different from the other, that are caused by mutations in DNA methyltransferase genes

The medical tourism index and behavioral responses of medical travelers: A mixed-method study

This empirical study applies complexity theory to understand complex interactions of demographics and medical tourism index (MTI) dimensions in predicting causal models leading to high and low levels of satisfaction and behavioral intentions among medical travelers. A questionnaire-based survey is applied to investigate causal models (i.e., a combination of predictors) to predict satisfaction and the behavioral intentions of international patients who traveled to Cyprus. This study also conducted an in-depth interview to identify motives, complications, and conditions stimulating the behaviors of medical travelers. According to the necessary condition analysis (NCA) results, three dimensions of MTI, excluding cost, are necessary to achieve satisfaction and desired behavioral intention. Findings from interviews reveal that medical complications and legal conditions in the origin country influence medical traveler’s behaviors. The model testing results support key tenets of complexity theory and extend our knowledge of how to regulate conditions to discharge a dis/satisfied and dis/loyal patient

Different voices from community groups to support sustainable tourism development at Iranian World Heritage Sites: evidence from Bisotun

This empirical study investigates the causal factors affecting support for sustainable tourism development (SSTD) at a world heritage site in Bisotun, a city in Kermanshah Province, Iran. It uses social exchange theory to assess the effects of community attachment, community involvement, perceived benefits, and perceived costs on SSTD. Using social identity theory, it identifies whether these associations significantly vary across four different community groups: farmers, businesses, handicraft sellers, and local government employees. A questionnaire was administered to 489 respondents from these four community groups in the Bisotun area. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling and invariance metric tests. The results revealed that community attachment, community involvement, and perceived benefits had a significant and positive impact on SSTD. The results of the metric invariance tests show that the effects of community attachment and community involvement on SSTD varied across the community groups at this world heritage site located in a developing country. The study discusses the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings

A multi-analytical approach to studying customers motivations to use innovative totally autonomous vehicles

Increasing technological innovation means level 5 fully autonomous vehicle pods (AVPs) that do not require a human driver are approaching reality. However, the adoption of AVPs continues to lag behind predictions. In this paper, we draw on Mowen's (2000) 3M model taking a multi-analytical approach utilising PLS-SEM and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, to investigate how personality trait sets motivate consumers to adopt AVPs. Based on a survey of 551 US respondents, we identify four necessary traits and five combinations of traits that predict adoption. We contribute to consumer psychology theory by advancing the understanding of the motivational mechanisms of consumers’ adoption of autonomous vehicles that are triggered and operationalised by personality traits and conceptualising innovativeness as a complex multidimensional construct. From a managerial perspective, our findings highlight the significance of incorporating elements that are congruent with target customers’ personality traits, when designing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative products

Progress on outbound tourism expenditure research: A review

This study aims to identify how the paradigm of outbound tourism expenditure (OTE) research transforms from economic to social concern. It also explicates the evolution of OTE from an advocacy platform to a sustainability platform. This study adopts a hybrid of narrative and systematic reviews to study OTE as a complex social phenomenon. This hybrid review is complemented by a thematic review and semantic network analysis on gaps and future directions of relevant studies. The results reveal that the paradigm of OTE research is directed from economic toward social thinking. This study proposes an application of socially related antecedent configurations, social theories, pragmatic methods, and various scales of study contexts as promising solutions to address the complexity and heterogeneity of OTE. The study concludes that the conceptual structure of OTE is premised on a sustainability platform, which is influenced by socio-cultural, environmental, economic, and political issues. This study provides a road map that enlightens the current state of OTE, prevailing topics, and pathways for further research

Antecedents of space traveler behavioral intention

This study extends the current knowledge of behavioral intention of space travelers based on motivation and risk antecedents of undertaking a space trip. Using cumulative prospect theory, we develop and test research models to investigate sufficient motivation and risk antecedents on behavioral intention, to explore complex combinations of above antecedents (i.e., causal recipes) leading to both high and low scores of behavioral intention, and to identify necessary motivation and risk antecedents to achieve desired behavioral outcome. The results revealed that although motivations appeared as sufficient and necessary antecedents, but risk antecedents play a dominant role such that risks can diminish the effects of motivations in shaping desired behavioral intention of space travelers. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Engaging visitors of science festivals using augmented reality: asymmetrical modelling

Purpose This paper aims to explore a complex combination of four realms of the experience economy in formulating memories and satisfaction among festival visitors by using augmented reality (AR), thus engaging visitors in the physical science experience. This study also identifies necessary conditions to achieve desired responses from visitors. Design/methodology/approach Asymmetrical modelling with fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to investigate causal recipes of two configurations of the experience economy and evaluation of experience leading to both high and low scores from visitor engagement. Necessary condition analysis was applied to examine necessary predictors in visitor engagement. The proposed configuration model was tested by using data obtained from visitors to science festivals in the UK. Findings Five causal recipes explained the complex conditions in which visitors were more likely engaged in AR. Aesthetics, education, entertainment and satisfaction were necessary for high engagement among festival visitors. Research limitations/implications The results from fsQCA and analyses of necessary conditions help festival organizers improve visitor satisfaction and engagement in a memorable AR experience. Originality/value This empirical study deepens current festival understanding of how visitors experience AR by exploring combinations of complex configurations of the experience economy and evaluations of visitor experience based on memories and satisfaction. Unlike symmetrical approaches, asymmetrical modelling by using fsQCA can explore recipes for both high and low scores of visitor satisfaction and engagement. This is the first empirical study investigating necessary predictors of festival visitor behaviour

Psychology of space tourism marketing, technology, and sustainable development: from a literature review to an integrative framework

Space tourism, a niche segment of the aviation industry, has radically altered the private sector. A noticeable trend in this market has been the development of commercial space with numerous start-ups and ventures underway. Adopting a concept-driven approach, we conduct a hybrid review to sketch the emerging market areas in space tourism and provided insights into tourists' behavioral responses. Our results are supplemented by an analysis of public viewpoints on space-faring to gauge their alignment with academic views on space tourism. We also develop an integrative framework to elucidate how personality interacts with scenario to influence the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of space tourists and their responses toward space tourism. We recognize critical gaps in previous literature and propose the following recommendations to guide future research: 1) Conceptualization of travel services and tourism typology in the new space market; 2) theoretical contribution on pragmatic and semantic levels; 3) need for empirical and multi-disciplinary studies; 4) investigating the role of ethical issues on bilateral arguments toward commercialized space tourism; 5) integrating stakeholders' perspectives to maximize the socioeconomic impacts of space tourism and environmental sustainability; 6) media platforms and application of new technologies; and 7) role of scientific journals in knowledge enhancement

What are the triggers of Asian visitor satisfaction and loyalty in the Korean heritage site?

Based on complexity theory, this study examines a configurational model that uses motivation antecedents and demographic configurations to explore the causal recipes that lead to high and low levels of Asian visitor satisfaction and loyalty. Data were collected from 183 Chinese and Japanese visitors to the Hanok heritage site in Seoul, South Korea. Asymmetrical modeling using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was applied and a combination of desired behavioral outcomes identified. Hanok experience from the motivation configuration and gender from the demographic configuration appeared as necessary conditions to make visitors satisfied and loyal. Key tenets of complexity theory are supported by the study's findings

Model of sustainable behavior: Assessing cognitive, emotional, and normative influence in the cruise context

There is a lack of published research on individuals’ decision formation for proenvironmental behaviors while traveling on cruise ships. This study included the cognitive, affective, and normative processes related to this, and considered their interrelations in the prediction model of passenger cruising intention in an environmentally responsible way. We estimated the proposed theoretical framework using structural equation analysis. The final model was generated by altering the proposed model. The findings indicated that our conceptual framework had a sufficient level of anticipatory power for green intention and that moral and subjective norms were the most influential determinants of intention. In addition, the important interrelationships among these cognitive, affective, and normative factors were identified. Moreover, anticipated emotions and moral norm were significant mediators. Overall, the results of this study substantially supported our theoretical framework comprising the intricate associations among study variables. Implications for tourism researchers and cruise practitioners are discussed