bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silver-Russell syndrome-like features in a child with recombinant chromosome 11 derived from maternal pericentric inversion
Authors: Urzua Abraham , Catena Sofía , Morales Paulina , Lay-Son Guillermo
Published: May 2024

Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a well-known syndrome but with heterogeneous etiologies. We present the case of a child with severe SRS-like features resulting from a complex rearrangement of chromosome 11 inherited from his mother. We studied the index case with karyotyping, MS-MLPA and molecular karyotyping. The mother was studied with karyotyping and subtelomeric FISH. We found a child with marked developmental delay and fatal outcome due to failure to thrive, carrying an 11p15 duplication and an 11q25 deletion of maternal origin. We discovered that the mother was a carrier of a pericentric inversion of chromosome 11, with a history of recurrence in other family members who had severe growth retardation and early death. To our knowledge, no similar SRS-like cases have been described in the literature. This report supports the importance of identification the causative genetic mechanism in SRS-like individuals with duplication in 11p15 region due to high risk of recurrence and to provide an appropriate genetic counseling to the family.
Ferroptosis-related genes DUOX1 and HSD17B11 affect tumor microenvironment and predict overall survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Wei Chunhui , Li Lixia , Qiao Youping , Chen Yujuan , Zhang Chunfeng , Xie Jinye , Fang Jiayan , Liang Zhu , Huang Dan , Wu Dong
Published: May 2024

Background:

Recent studies have found that ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) have broad applications in tumor therapy. However, the predictive potential of these genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains to be fully characterized. We aimed to investigate the FRGs that might be potential targets for LUAD.

Methods:

We screened the RNA sequencing samples from LUAD patients from the GEO database and analyzed the ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A functional analysis of DEGs was performed. The risk model was constructed to evaluation and validation FRGs. We explored the immune landscape of LUAD and controls. The value of FRGs in diagnosing LUAD was tested in the GSE30219, GSE37745, GSE0081 datasets, and qPCR was used to verify their diagnostic value in LUAD patients in our hospital.

Results:

A total of 1327 DEGs in quantitative proteomics were obtained, of which ferroptosis-related DEGs were 259. Enrichment analysis showed significant enrichment in the absorption and metabolism of fatty acids and arachidonic acid. The upregulated genes (GCLC, RRM2, AURKA, SLC7A5, and SLC2A1) and downregulated genes (ANGPTL7, ALOX15, ALOX15B, HSD17B11, IL33, TSC22D3, and DUOX1) were selected as core genes in tissue samples from 62 patients by qPCR. DUOX1 and HSD17B11 were obtained by bioinformatics analysis, both of which showed similar expression trends at the RNA and protein levels. The Kaplan–Meier method showed that DUOX1 and HSD17B11 were closely related to the overall survival (OS) of LUAD patients.

Conclusion subsections:

Ferroptosis-related genes DUOX1 and HSD17B11 are of considerable value in the diagnosis of LUAD patients. Their low expression suggests an increased recurrence rate and leads to a decrease in the patient quality of life.
Medicinal plants with promising antileishmanial activity in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Worku Kassahun Misgana , Asfaw Birhanu Genanew , Mamo Daniel Niguse , Haile Yosef , Tesfa Habtie , Aemero Mulugeta
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Toxicity and resistance to chemotherapy used to treat leishmaniasis are increasing. Research on natural plant compounds has revealed their antileishmanial effects on certain Leishmania organisms. This review aimed to estimate the pooled IC50 values of medicinal plants with promising antileishmanial activity in Ethiopia.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted using Science Direct, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to locate potential studies. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals and gray literature in university repositories before April 1, 2022, which included a full-length study reporting the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ethiopian medicinal plants that were written in English were included. Conference proceedings, review articles, letters to the editor, and correspondence were excluded. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the GIVIMP critical appraisal tools. Heterogeneity between studies was verified using Cochrane Q test statistics and I
2 test statistics, and the effects were checked using Egger statistical test at a level of significance. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled IC50 of the medicinal plants.

Results:

Six articles that were conducted in Ethiopia that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with a total of 62 in vitro experiments, were reviewed. The aggregated mean IC50 for medicinal plants in Ethiopia was 16.80 (95% CI: 12.44, 21.16) and 13.81 (95% CI: 13.12, 14.50) µg/mL for antipromastigote and antiamastigote activity, respectively. Aqueous was the significant preparation with IC50 of 0.53 (0.34, 0.73) µg/mL against promastigote and 0.98 (0.20, 1.76) µg/mL against the amastigote stage.

Discussion:

This review indicated that the pooled mean of IC50 for Ethiopian medicinal plants against promastigotes and amastigotes was relatively low and showed better efficacy. This strongly suggests the need to focus on antipromastigote and antiamastigote medicinal plants in Ethiopia for the development of antileishmanial drugs. It is necessary to identify their active components, and their potential toxic effects can lead to the production of well-tolerated and safe drugs for leishmaniasis. The high heterogeneity is the limitation of this study.

Registration:

The review has been registered at Prospero with identification number CRD42022343543.
Psychogenic Hyperphagia: Excessive Eating as Stereotypy in a Patient with Catatonia
Authors: Garman John C. , Mahgoub Yassir , Pathare Aum
Published: May 2024

Catatonia is a complex syndrome with unique cognitive, psychomotor, and mood features. Mannerisms and stereotypies are catatonic signs that have been extensively observed and described in the literature, mostly in the context of movements or motor acts. Stereotypies are commonly described as repetitive psychomotor or verbal acts with the abnormality not inherent in the act but in its frequency. Mannerisms, like stereotypies, are repetitive psychomotor or verbal acts, but they are fundamentally odd in nature. Recently, several reports have described these phenomena in the context of complex behaviors, such as eating and drinking. Identification and appreciation of personal and cultural norms, in addition to a careful analysis of behavioral processes and actions, are important tools for clinicians to identify these potentially elusive and often missed patterns of behavior in patients with catatonia. We present the case of a 30-year-old male with a psychiatric history of treatment-resistant, recurrent major depressive disorder with psychotic features who presented to the inpatient psychiatric unit with signs of catatonia, including repeated, purposeless eating. The patient’s chart was reviewed, and a literature review was conducted using PubMed with the keywords catatonia, stereotypies, mannerisms, and hyperphagia. The patient, who was diagnosed with catatonia and expressed hyperphagia as a stereotypy, responded to lorazepam. This case shows that hyperphagia may present as a stereotypy in patients with catatonia.
Treatment of an Overcorrected Ear After Previously Performed Otoplasty
Authors: Obradovic Bojan
Published: May 2024

No single otoplasty technique can be applied to all prominent ear deformities. The factors determining the type of operative method are based on the surgeon’s preference for and confidence in the technique as well as long-term results. However, all cutting or scoring techniques include a risk of development of undesired edges, defects, or deformities on the ear being operated on. One of the patients’ complaints and dissatisfactions after otoplasty is an overcorrected ear in its upper half. This condition leads to the loss of helix and prominent and conspicuous crus superior and antihelix. The article presents a simple and successful surgical procedure for correction of the condition.
Maintaining Skin Integrity of Patients Diagnosed With SARS CoV2: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Singh Charleen , Thorpe Lee , Villanueva Stephanie , Valencerina-Javier Gladys , Koyuncu Fadime , Sohal Sarina
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE:

This purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and evaluate a protocol (intervention bundle) designed to prevent pressure injuries in patients admitted with SARS-CoV2 and required prone positioning.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:

The sample comprised 267 patients aged 18 years and older, who were admitted with SARS-CoV2 and required prone positioning. Their age ranged from 32 to 76 years; a majority (54%, n = 145) were intubated. The study setting was an urban 220 bed acute care hospital in Northern California.

APPROACH:

A task force comprising the quality management team, certified wound care nurses and nursing leadership used the plan-do-study-act cycle completed a quality improvement project designed for preventing pressure injuries among patients admitted with SARS-CoV2 and managed with prone positioning, either with or without mechanical ventilation. The five phases of the quality improvement project were protocol development, education, implementation, and evaluation. Data collection period for this quality improvement was between April 2020 and August 2020. Outcomes were evaluated using descriptive statistics.

OUTCOMES:

Sixteen patients (6%) experienced a total of 25 pressure injuries. The time between initial prone placement and change back to supine positioning was 24 hours (36 ± 12 hours). The most common pressure injuries were deep tissue injuries, primarily over the heels and sacrum.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:

This protocol maintained the skin integrity of 94% of a group critically ill patients admitted with SARS-CoV2 and managed by prone positioning.
Characteristics of Urinary Tract Infections and the Use of Cranberry Products in Patients With Urinary Diversions: A Narrative Review
Authors: Droste Linda R. , Ratliff Catherine R
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE:

The aim of this narrative literature review was to summarize evidence regarding bacteriuria and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients living with a urinary diversion and the use of cranberry products for the prevention of these infections.

METHODS:

We searched for articles in the English language and available in full text to address the role of cranberry products in the management of UTIs in those with urinary diversions. We searched the electronic databases of MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials between January 2003 and December 2023. Thirty-two elements were read in full and 9 elements that evaluated UTIs and/or the role of cranberries in preventing UTIs are included in this narrative review.

RESULTS:

Research indicates no significant difference in UTI rates, microbiology, or antibiotic sensitivity and resistance patterns between the different types of urinary diversions (orthoptic diversions, ileal conduit diversions, and continent cutaneous diversions). Similar to persons with an intact urinary tract, Escherichia coli (a prevalent coliform bacteria) was the most prevalent pathogen resulting in symptomatic UTIs. In addition, we found that E. coli strains persisted in urinary diversions involving reconstructed intestinal segments for prolonged periods of time despite antibiotic treatment. We found sparse evidence suggesting that cranberry products are effective for the prevention of UTIs after ileal conduit urinary diversion.

CONCLUSIONS:

There are inconsistencies in the definition of bacteriuria in the literature making it difficult to compare findings among the studies. Clinical guidance discussing the optimal method for obtaining a urine specimen from a urinary diversion and its management is limited. Research studies on the use of cranberry products to treat UTIs in persons living with a urinary diversion are urgently needed.
Causal discovery in biodiversity-mediated social-ecological systems
Authors: Santos Maria J. , Zu Pengjuan , Zuppinger-Dingley Debra , Eppinga Maarten B. , Gupta Anubhav , Pennekamp Frank , Li Cheng , Mayor Sarah , Stefanini Camilla , Tokumoto Yuji , van Moorsel Sofia J. , Harpe Marylaure , Reader Martin O. , Mo Lidong , Muccione Veruska , Schuman Meredith C.
Published: May 2024

Global biodiversity loss and climate change exacerbate feedbacks within social-ecological systems, i.e., between ecosystems, their services and well-being of human societies. Our ability to mediate these feedbacks is hampered by incomplete understanding of the underlying causal links, which could benefit from interdisciplinary approaches to discover theoretical or empirical links from heterogeneous data characteristic of social-ecological studies. We propose a novel framework connecting literature-based causal knowledge with data-driven inference of causality. We test this framework for the highly biodiverse island of Borneo by conducting a systematic literature review of 7473 studies over 170 years, and a causal inference analysis for three conceptual causal diagrams connecting global change, socio-economics, ecosystem services, and biodiversity-ecosystem function using a set of 227 spatially explicit variables. We find that, while natural or social processes have been mostly studied independently, a set of studies already documents causal links across social-ecological domains for processes related to deforestation, food or energy. Causal discovery unveiled consistent negative causal links between global change, social-economic landscape, and biodiversity-ecosystem function, and positive causal links between global change and socio-economics, and these links were robust to indicator selection and addition. We detected few and weak links between social-economic landscape, global change, and ecosystem services. When comparing the data-driveninferredcausal links to thosedocumentedby the literature, we find that links between biodiversity and ecosystem function with global change, and links between social-economic landscape and ecosystem services were also consistent, and causal analysis uncovered new (potential) causal links not yet described in the literature.

Significance Statement

Addressing climate change and biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene requires us to recognize that human societies and ecological systems are inherently interconnected in complex adaptive systems. Causal understanding in social-ecological systems enables understanding system dynamics and response to pressures and shocks. While promising, few studies have studied these systems using a combination of ‘big literature’ which provides the state-of-the-knowledge and ‘big data’ that provides the underlying information for causal discovery. With this framework, we can specify and rigorously test, causal links in biodiversity-mediated social-ecological processes under global change and examine potential interventions that lead to much needed sustainable outcomes.
Retinoblastoma-related (RBR) has both canonical and non-canonical regulatory functions during thermo-morphogenic responses in Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Shiekh Bin Hamid Rasik , Nagy Fruzsina , Kaszler Nikolett , Domonkos Ildikó , Gombos Magdolna , Molnár Eszter , Pettkó-Szandtner Aladár , Bögre László , Fehér Attila , Magyar Zoltán
Published: May 2024

Warm temperatures accelerate plant growth, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we show that increasing the temperature from 22°C to 28°C rapidly activates proliferation in the apical shoot and root meristems of wild-type Arabidopsis seedlings. We found that one of the central regulators of cell proliferation, the cell cycle inhibitor RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (RBR), is suppressed by warm temperatures. RBR became hyper-phosphorylated at a conserved CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE (CDK) site in young seedlings growing at 28°C, in parallel with the stimulation of the expressions of the regulatory CYCLIN D/A subunits of CDK(s). Interestingly, while under warm temperatures ectopic RBR slowed down the acceleration of cell proliferation, it triggered elongation growth of post-mitotic cells in the hypocotyl. In agreement, the central regulatory genes of thermomorphogenic response, includingPIF4andPIF7, as well as their downstream auxin biosyntheticYUCCAgenes (YUC1-2andYUC8-9) were all up-regulated in the ectopic RBR expressing line but down-regulated in a mutant line with reduced RBR level. We suggest that RBR has both canonical and non-canonical functions under warm temperatures to control proliferative and elongation growth, respectively.
Location- and feature-based selection histories make independent, qualitatively distinct contributions to urgent visuomotor performance
Authors: Oor Emily E , Salinas Emilio , Stanford Terrence R
Published: May 2024

Attention mechanisms guide visuomotor behavior by weighing physical salience and internal goals to prioritize stimuli as choices for action. Although less well studied, selection history, which reflects multiple facets of experience with recent events, is increasingly recognized as a distinct source of attentional bias. To examine how selection history impacts saccadic choices, we trained two macaque monkeys to perform an urgent version of an oddball search task in which a red target appeared among three green distracters, or vice versa. By imposing urgency, performance could be tracked continuously as it transitioned from uninformed guesses to informed choices as a function of processing time. This, in turn, permitted assessment of attentional control as manifest in motor biases, processing speed, and asymptotic accuracy. Here, we found that the probability of making a correct choice was strongly modulated by the histories of preceding target locations and target colors. Crucially, although both effects were gated by success (or reward), their dynamics were clearly distinct: whereas location history promoted a motor bias, color history modulated perceptual sensitivity, and these influences acted independently. Thus, combined selection histories can give rise to enormous swings in visuomotor performance even in simple tasks with highly discriminable stimuli.

Impact statement

During visual search, the choice of where to look next is biased to a remarkable degree by the location and color histories of recently viewed target stimuli.
Bolstering Wheat’s Immunity: BABA-Mediated Defense Priming AgainstBipolaris sorokinianaAmid Competition
Authors: Tiwari Menka , Singh Prashant
Published: May 2024

Plants encounter numerous biotic and abiotic challenges, with biotic stresses significantly limiting wheat productivity. Competition for nutrients and space among plants adds another layer of stress. Defense priming is a promising approach to enhancing plant protection against these environmental stresses. This study explores BABA (β-aminobutyric acid) priming in wheat againstBipolaris sorokinianaunder varying degrees of competition. We assessed growth parameters, disease phenotype, biochemical changes, and yield-related traits in both primed and non-primed wheat under disease pressure and competition. Our findings revealed that growth parameters declined in both primed and non-primed wheat as competition increased. However, primed wheat showed better morphological growth than non-primed wheat at each competition level. Under disease pressure, primed wheat demonstrated protection comparable to non-challenged plants at all competition levels, while non-primed plants were susceptible. Non-primed wheat under high-density (HD) conditions exhibited the highest disease susceptibility due to intense competition. BABA-primed plants showed better disease protection at each competition level compared to non-primed plants. BABA priming allowed plants to mitigate competition effects and maintain a consistent defense response. The yield performance of primed wheat was superior to that of non-primed wheat across all competition levels. Our research suggests BABA priming as an effective pesticide-free strategy for crop protection against pathogens under competitive conditions.
Confirmation of HLA-II associations with TB susceptibility in admixed African samples
Authors: Croock Dayna , Swart Yolandi , Schurz Haiko , Petersen Desiree C. , Möller Marlo , Uren Caitlin
Published: May 2024

The International Tuberculosis Host Genetics Consortium (ITHGC) demonstrated the power of large-scale GWAS analysis across diverse ancestries in identifying tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility loci. Despite identifying a significant genetic correlate in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II region, this association did not replicate in the African ancestry-specific analysis, due to small sample size and the inclusion of admixed samples. Our study aimed to build upon the findings from the ITHGC and identify TB susceptibility loci in an admixed South African cohort using the local ancestry allelic adjusted association (LAAA) model. We identified a suggestive association peak (rs3117230,p-value = 5.292 ×10−6, OR = 0.437, SE = 0.182) in theHLA-DPB1gene originating from KhoeSan ancestry. These findings extend the work of the ITHGC, underscore the need for innovative strategies in studying complex admixed populations, and confirm the role of the HLA-II region in TB susceptibility in admixed South African samples.
Light-matter coupling and spin-orbit interaction of polariton modes in liquid crystal optical microcavities
Authors: Sedov E. S. , Glazov M. M. , Lagoudakis P. G. , Kavokin A. V.
Published: May 2024

In this theoretical study, we explore the dispersion and basic properties of optical microcavities filled with liquid crystal (LC) media that contain embedded quantum wells. As a result of the strong coupling between cavity photons and excitons, exciton polariton quasiparticles arise in these structures. LC-filled microcavities have an advantage of the ability to manipulate the spin (polarization) of the photonic component of the polariton states by controlling the orientation of LC molecules using an external electric field. This enables the engineering of controllable synthetic Hamiltonians for the polariton eigenmodes in microcavity structures. The introduction of synthetic spin-orbit interaction via placing of the quantum wells at particular positions in the LC-filled cavity enables control over the propagation of exciton polaritons, leading to various spatial effects. Through numerical calculations, we successfully reproduce the birefringence and phenomena exhibited by exciton polaritons propagating within the microcavity plane. We also examine the conditions required for strong coupling when utilizing perovskite layers as hosts for excitons. While the strong coupling regime can be also achieved in this material system, the manifestations of the synthetic spin-orbit interaction are suppressed owing to stronger disorder and nonradiative processes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylanilido)tin(IV)
Authors: Lämmer Christian , Merzweiler Kurt
Published: May 2024

Transamination of Sn(NMe2)4 with H2NMes (Mes is 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, C9H11) led to the formation of the title compound, [Sn(C9H12N)4] or Sn(NHMes)4, which crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P\overline{4}21
c, with four formula units per unit cell. The molecular structure consists of a central tin(IV) atom, which is surrounded by four NHMes groups. Sn(NHMes)4 possesses crystallographically imposed \overline{4} symmetry. The SnN4 coordination polyhedron is best described as a compressed bisphenoid.
Conceptual analysis of sensitive business processes
Authors: Ben Hassen Mariam , Turki Mohamed , Gargouri Faiez
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper introduces the problematic of the SBP modeling. Our objective is to provide a conceptual analysis related to the concept of SBP. This facilitates, on the one hand, easier understanding by business analysts and end-users, and one the other hand, the integration of the new specific concepts relating to the SBP/BPM-KM domains into the BPMN meta-model (OMG, 2013).

Design/methodology/approach

We propose a rigorous characterization of SBP (Sensitive Business Processes) (which distinguishes it from classic, structured and conventional BPs). Secondly, we propose a multidimensional classification of SBP modeling aspects and requirements to develop expressive, comprehensive and rigorous models. Besides, we present an in-depth study of the different modeling approaches and languages, in order to analyze their expressiveness and their abil-ity to perfectly and explicitly represent the new specific requirements of SBP modeling. In this study, we choose the better one positioned nowadays, BPMN 2.0, as the best suited standard for SBP representation. Finally, we propose a semantically rich conceptualization of a SBP organized in core ontology.

Findings

We defined a rigorous conceptual specification for this type of BP, organized in a multi-perspective formal ontology, the Core Ontology of Sensitive Business Processes (COSBP). This reference ontology will be used to define a generic BP meta-model (BPM4KI) further specifying SBPs. The objective is to obtain an enriched consensus modeling covering all generic concepts, semantic relationships and properties needed for the exploitation of SBPs, known as core modeling.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the problem of conceptual analysis of SBPs for (crucial) knowledge identification and management. These processes are highly complex and knowledge-intensive. The originality of this contribution lies in the multi-dimensional approach we have adopted for SBP modeling as well as the definition of a Core Ontology of Sensitive Business Processes (COSBP) which is very useful to extend the BPMN notation for knowledge management.
Nurturing loving fat: growing beyond the weeds of fat phobia
Authors: Smith Dywanna E.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to use an autoethnography and ethnopoetic approach, interweaving personal narratives with scholarly research, to illuminate the profound and far-reaching consequences of fat phobia. Through a multifaceted lens, the lived experiences of a fat, black woman subjected to fat shaming, discrimination and societal prejudice are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Ethnopoetic methodologies were used to showcase how creating critically compassionate dialogues on fat phobia can be used to create discursive spaces where fat folx are able to share their lived experiences, discuss how they are socialized into current beliefs and analyze the confluence of face, gender, fat and body positivity.

Findings

By artfully blending autoethnographic memories with poetical insight, the manuscript offers a poignant exploration of the emotional and psychological toll exacted upon those marginalized by fat bias.

Originality/value

The works aims to cultivate understanding and empathy, fostering a deeper awareness of the urgent need to challenge and dismantle fat phobia within educational institutions and society at large for the betterment of all individuals.
Examining the factors influencing students’ productivity in architectural design studio of governmental Jordanian universities
Authors: Alhusban Safa A. , Alhusban Ahmad A. , Sqour Saqer , Al Shawabkeh Rami , Eshruq Labin Ahlam , Alhusban Mohammad Ward A.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to determine, examine and rank the factors/subfactors that may influence the students’ productivity through different design phases inside the architectural design studio. In addition, it examines the relationships/interrelationships between these factors and students’ educational level.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used different research methods: literature review, semi-structured interview and questionnaire (n = 420), and different statistical analysis methods: descriptive, comparative and Pearson r correlation analysis.

Findings

This research found that physical and administration factors significantly influence students’ productivity, followed by social and psychological, design and operational, personal and natural environmental factors. Additionally, thermal comfort was the subfactor most affecting the students’ productivity through all design phases. This research found that there were significant strong/very strong positive linear relationships/interrelationships between the student’s education level and all the factors that may increase the students’ productivity (r > 0.647), and between all the factors that may increase the students’ productivity (r ranged between 0.521 and 0.873). The factors affecting students’ productivity in the architectural design studio must be considered as a pool when designing architectural spaces.

Practical implications

The research findings provide the stakeholders, researchers, architects and facilities managers in architectural education with information on improving students’ productivity and enhancing the learning experience that positively affects their confidence and well-being in the design studio. In addition, this research provides information to develop guidelines for evaluating, designing and/or improving design studio environments that facilitate students’ productivity.

Originality/value

This research provides valuable insights into the students’ productivity during design study and how to prepare students for future professional roles, increase their involvement in their design development process and improve the quality of design education. The productivity of the architectural design students during the design studio hours plays a significant role in improving the architectural learning process. Enhancing students’ productivity during design studio hours promotes their design skills and future abilities of a problem-solving approach, which enhances the profession, provides an effective and comfortable student work environment, reduces the students’ stress inside the design studio and meets the students’ physical and emotional needs.
Application of smart systems and emerging technologies for disaster risk reduction and management in Nepal
Authors: Dixit Avani , Chauhan Raju , Shaw Rajib
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of smart systems and emerging technologies for disaster risk management (DRM) in Nepal. This delves into specific technologies, including advanced connection and communication technologies, AI, big data analytics, autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics, examining their capabilities and potential contributions to DRM. Further, it discusses the possibility of implementing these technologies in Nepal, considering the existing policies and regulations, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed for successful integration.

Design/methodology/approach

For this review journal series of search strategy for identifying relevant journals, the initial examination of results, a manual assessment, geographical refinement, establishment of criteria for the final selection, quality assessment and data management, along with a discussion of limitations. Before delving into the relevant literature within the field of research interest, the authors identified guiding keywords. Further, the authors refined the list by filtering for articles specifically related to Nepal, resulting in a final selection. The final selection of these 95 articles was based on their direct relevance to the research topics and their specific connection in the context of Nepal.

Findings

The way technology is used to reduce disaster risk has changed significantly in Nepal over the past few years. Every catastrophe has given us a chance to shift to something innovative. The use of new emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, autonomous vehicles, advanced robotics and advanced connection and communication technologies are increasing for the purpose of generating risk knowledge, reducing disaster risk and saving the loss of lives and properties. The authors conclude that the successful implementation of smart systems and emerging technologies for disaster risk management in Nepal has the potential to significantly improve the country's resilience and minimize the impact of future disasters. By leveraging data-driven decision-making, enhanced connectivity and automation, Nepal can build a more proactive, adaptive and efficient disaster management ecosystem.

Originality/value

Studies on the application of smart systems in Nepal are limited and scattered across different database. This work collects together such literatures to understand the current status of the application of the smart system and technologies and highlights the challenges and way forward for effective disaster risk management in Nepal. Therefore, this work is an original one and adds value to the existing literatures.
Strengthening a sustainable Islamic financial industry through digital banking
Authors: Riza Alex Fahrur , Wijayanti Dwi Marlina
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to determine the factors that influence the actual behavior of Islamic digital banking customers based on the users’ perspectives during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a causal exploratory method with quantitative and qualitative approaches presented in two parts. The first study (Study 1) was empirical testing of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) used WARP-partial least square by modifying the variables of customer trust and satisfaction. A. Hayes’s PROCESS procedures were applied to examine the moderating effects of age, gender and experience. The second study (Study 2) explored the obstacles and solutions to improve digital banking services. The survey was conducted on 897 Islamic bank customers throughout Indonesia.

Findings

The results showed that all the hypotheses about the direct effect of the modification of the UTAUT2 model were supported empirically except for the effect of price value and hedonic motivation on behavioral intention, and there was just one moderating effect in this study. The other results show that 35 factors became obstacles to using digital banking.

Research limitations/implications

This study had limited qualitative data collection techniques that were less deep and comprehensive. This happened because respondents were given complete confidence to fill in the open questions without any follow-up to customer answers. For further research, an in-depth interview method can be added to crucial information from the customer and expert side to get in-depth and complementary data regarding constraints and solutions. This study only used a sample of customers of Islamic banks; further research is expected to use customers of Islamic banks and conventional banks to compare their preferences for digital banking.

Practical implications

This study offered seven strategies that could encourage increased digital banking transactions to accelerate crisis management, mitigate cybercrime and communicate the positive impact of digital banking effectively and efficiently.

Social implications

This study offered seven strategies that could encourage increased transactions using digital banking to accelerate crisis management, mitigate cybercrime and communicate the positive impact of digital banking effectively and efficiently.

Originality/value

Most of the existing studies focused on the modification model of the UTAUT2 model. The study is unique because it has proposed the obstacle and solution to improve digital banking service in Islamic Bank in Indonesia.
The intention of adopting blockchain technology in agri-food supply chains: evidence from an Indian economy
Authors: Saha Aditi , Raut Rakesh D. , Kumar Mukesh , Paul Sanjoy Kumar , Cheikhrouhou Naoufel
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the underlying intention behind using blockchain technology (BLCT) in the agri-food supply chain (AFSC). This is achieved by using a conceptual framework based on technology acceptance models that considers various factors influencing user behavior toward implementing this technology in their practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework developed is empirically validated using structural equation modeling (SEM). A total of 258 respondents from agri-food domain in India were involved in this survey, and their responses were analyzed through SEM to validate our conceptual framework.

Findings

The findings state that food safety and security, traceability, transparency and cost highly influence the intention to use BLCT. Decision-makers of the AFSCs are more inclined to embrace BLCT if they perceive the usefulness of the technology as valuable and believe it will enhance their productivity.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing thorough examination of the variables that influence the intention to adopt BLCT within the AFSC. The insights aim to benefit industry decision-makers, supply chain practitioners and policymakers in their decision-making processes regarding BLCT adoption in the AFSC.

Originality/value

This study investigates how decision-makers’ perceptions of BLCT influence their intention to use it in AFSCs, as well as the impact of the different underlying factors deemed valuable in the adoption process of this technology.
Impact of health tourism visitor experiences on behavioral intention
Authors: Baydeniz Erdem , Çılgınoğlu Hakkı , Valeri Marco
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper examines the factors that influence behavioral intention in the context of medical tourism in Türkiye. With the growing popularity of Türkiye as a destination for medical tourism, it is essential to understand the key determinants influencing individuals’ intention to engage in medical tourism activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (E-PBT) variables, which include attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control, to measure their influence on behavioral intention. In addition, a customer experience scale was used to assess the influence of dimensions such as education, entertainment, aesthetics and escapism on behavioral intention. The research instrument was validated by expert review, and data were collected using purposive sampling. A total of 420 surveys were deemed suitable for analysis.

Findings

The path analysis revealed that attitudes and perceived behavioral control positively impacted behavioral intention within the domain of medical tourism in Türkiye. Conversely, subjective norms did not have a significant positive effect on behavioral intention. Furthermore, it was observed that the dimensions of entertainment, escape and aesthetics positively affected behavioral intention. However, education and aesthetics did not significantly influence behavioral intentions.

Practical implications

The results of this paper have practical implications for marketers and policymakers in the medical tourism industry in Türkiye. Understanding the factors that drive individuals’ behavioral intentions can assist in developing effective marketing strategies to attract and serve potential medical tourists. Medical tourism providers can enhance their services by optimizing attitudes and perceived behavioral control while emphasizing entertainment and escapism for their clientele.

Originality/value

This research focuses on uncovering factors influencing individuals’ behavioral intentions in medical tourism in Türkiye. Using the E-PBT framework and exploring the dimensions of the customer experience scale, this study aimed to understand the driving forces behind individuals’ decisions to engage in medical tourism.
Unraveling market access opportunities through one stop border posts: Traders’ perceptions on the influence of administrative practices and cross-cultural competences
Authors: Nguvila Toba , John Elia , Ismail Ismail Juma
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In the process of one stop border posts (OSBP), market access is dynamic. In this context, administrative practices and cross-cultural competence among traders are crucial for market access. However, there is limited research on how cross cultural competences can strengthen the influence of administrative practices on market access among small traders. This study therefore aims at exploring this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used structured questionnaire to collect data from 328 traders of maize, onion and tomatoes at Namanga OSBP. Data were analyzed using PLS-SEM.

Findings

The results of this study imply that administrative practices and cross-cultural competences significantly and positively influence market access. Finally, cross-cultural competence is a significant positive moderator of the relationship between administrative practices and market access.

Originality/value

The results suggest that cross-cultural competence is a significant moderator of the relationship between administrative practices and market access. This adds new knowledge in the literature on how cross-cultural competences of the traders can strengthen the influences of administrative practices at the OSBPs for high market access.
Optimization study of station track utilization in high-speed railroad based on constraints of control in random origin and process
Authors: Zheng Yajing , Zhang Dekun
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to eliminate the fluctuations in train arrival and departure times caused by skewed distributions in interval operation times. These fluctuations arise from random origin and process factors during interval operations and can accumulate over multiple intervals. The aim is to enhance the robustness of high-speed rail station arrival and departure track utilization schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this objective, the paper simulates actual train operations, incorporating the fluctuations in interval operation times into the utilization of arrival and departure tracks at the station. The Monte Carlo simulation method is adopted to solve this problem. This approach transforms a nonlinear model, which includes constraints from probability distribution functions and is difficult to solve directly, into a linear programming model that is easier to handle. The method then linearly weights two objectives to optimize the solution.

Findings

Through the application of Monte Carlo simulation, the study successfully converts the complex nonlinear model with probability distribution function constraints into a manageable linear programming model. By continuously adjusting the weighting coefficients of the linear objectives, the method is able to optimize the Pareto solution. Notably, this approach does not require extensive scene data to obtain a satisfactory Pareto solution set.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the field by introducing a novel method for optimizing high-speed rail station arrival and departure track utilization in the presence of fluctuations in interval operation times. The use of Monte Carlo simulation to transform the problem into a tractable linear programming model represents a significant advancement. Furthermore, the method’s ability to produce satisfactory Pareto solutions without relying on extensive data sets adds to its practical value and applicability in real-world scenarios.
Macroalgal eukaryotic microbiome composition indicates novel phylogenetic diversity and broad host spectrum of oomycete pathogens
Authors: Timanikova Natalia , Fletcher Kyle , Han Jon‐Wong , van West Pieter , Woodward Steve , Kim Gwang‐Hoon , Küpper Frithjof C. , Wenzel Marius
Published: May 2024

Seaweeds are important components of marine ecosystems with emerging potential in aquaculture and as sources of biofuel, food products and pharmacological compounds. However, an increasingly recognised threat to natural and industrial seaweed populations is infection with parasitic single‐celled eukaryotes from the relatively understudied oomycete lineage. Here we examine the eukaryomes of diverse brown, red and green marine macroalgae collected from polar (Baffin Island), cold‐temperate (Falkland Islands) and tropical (Ascension Island) locations, with a focus on oomycete and closely related diatom taxa. Using 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we show unexpected genetic and taxonomic diversity of the eukaryomes, a strong broad‐brush association between eukaryome composition and geographic location, and some evidence of association between eukaryome structure and macroalgal phylogenetic relationships (phylosymbiosis). However, the oomycete fraction of the eukaryome showed disparate patterns of diversity and structure, highlighting much weaker association with geography and no evidence of phylosymbiosis. We present several novel haplotypes of the most common oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii and report for the first time a cosmopolitan distribution and absence of host specificity of this important pathogen. This indicates rich diversity in macroalgal oomycete pathogens and highlights that these pathogens may be generalist and highly adaptable to diverse environmental conditions.
The role of air transportation in emissions through energy usage: Evidence from global data
Authors: Katircioglu Setareh
Published: May 2024

Investigating the role that air transportation plays in regard to carbon emissions offers several valuable insights and contributions that are critical for addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development as far as climate mitigation, policy development and evaluation, technological innovation, public awareness engagement, international cooperation, and risk management and resilience are concerned. Such studies are of importance since aviation holds approximately 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Therefore, this study aims to search for the role of air transportation in pollutant emissions around the globe. A global data split by regions and income groups is constructed and evaluated through the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) methodology. Results reveal that means of air transportation generally exert statistically significant effects on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions; however, the signs of coefficients of air transportation are in mixed directions across different regions and income groups. The study concludes that alternative air transport systems such as solar‐powered aircraft and technological innovations should be seriously considered as a business strategy due to increasing pollutant emissions.