bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human cerebral organoids model tumor infiltration and migration supported by astrocytes in an autologous setting
Authors: Schickel Esther , Bender Tamara , Kaysan Leon , Hufgard Simone , Mayer Margot , Grosshans David R. , Thielemann Christiane , Schroeder Insa S.
Published: January 2025

Efforts to achieve precise and efficient tumor targeting of highly malignant brain tumors are constrained by the dearth of appropriate models to study the effects and potential side effects of radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy on the most complex human organ, the brain. We established a cerebral organoid model of brain tumorigenesis in an autologous setting by overexpressing c-MYC as one of the most common oncogenes in brain tumors. GFP+/c-MYChighcells were isolated from tumor organoids and used in two different culture approaches: assembloids comprising of a normal cerebral organoid with a GFP+/c-MYChightumor sphere and co-culture of cerebral organoid slices at air-liquid interface with GFP+/c-MYChighcells. GFP+/c-MYChighcells used in both approaches exhibited tumor-like properties, including overexpression of the c-MYC oncogene, high proliferative and invasive potential, and an immature phenotype as evidenced by increased expression of Ki-67, VIM, and CD133. Organoids and organoid slices served as suitable scaffolds for infiltrating tumor-like cells. Using our highly reproducible and powerful model system that allows long-term culture, we demonstrated that the migratory and infiltrative potential of tumor-like cells is shaped by the environment in which glia cells provide support to tumor-like cells.
A multi-pore model of the blood-brain barrier tight junction strands recapitulates the permeability features of wild-type and mutant claudin-5
Authors: Berselli Alessandro , Alberini Giulio , Cerioni Linda , Benfenati Fabio , Maragliano Luca
Published: January 2025

In the blood-brain barrier (BBB), endothelial cells are joined together by multi-protein assemblies called tight junctions (TJs), which seal the paracellular space and restrict the passage of substances. Among the proteins forming BBB TJs, Claudin-5 (Cldn5) is the most abundant one. Structural models for complexes of Cldn5 and other claudins have been proposed and assessed via experimental and computational approaches. In these models, first introduced for channel-forming, selectively permeable claudins, protomers are arranged to form pores in the paracellular space that regulate transport by electrostatic and/or steric effects arising from the pore-lining residues. With limited exceptions, however, previous computational studies focused on oligomers of only a few subunits, while extended polymeric claudin strands form TJs. Here, we employ multi-microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics and free energy (FE) calculations to study two distinct models of TJ-forming Cldn5 complexes, called multi-Pore I and multi-Pore II, each comprising sixteen protomers arranged around three adjacent pores. Free energy calculations of water and ions permeation across the pores reveal that, in both models, the passage of ions is hindered by FE barriers, which are higher than in single-pore architectures. Moreover, only the multi-Pore I structural model recapitulates the effect of the G60R variant of Cldn5, making it permeable to anions. The results provide new insights into Cldn5 structure and function and validate a structural model of BBB TJs that may be useful for the study of barrier impairment in brain diseases and for developing new therapeutic approaches.
Rapid and accurate demultiplexing of direct RNA nanopore sequencing datasets with SeqTagger
Authors: Pryszcz Leszek P , Diensthuber Gregor , Llovera Laia , Medina Rebeca , Delgado-Tejedor Anna , Cozzuto Luca , Ponomarenko Julia , Novoa Eva Maria
Published: January 2025

Nanopore direct RNA sequencing (DRS) enables direct measurement of RNA molecules, including their native RNA modifications, without prior conversion to cDNA. However, commercial methods for molecular barcoding of multiple DRS samples are lacking, and community-driven efforts, such as DeePlexiCon, are not compatible with newer RNA chemistry flowcells and the latest-generation GPU cards. To overcome these limitations, we introduce SeqTagger, a rapid and robust method that can demultiplex direct RNA sequencing datasets with 99% precision and 95% recall. We demonstrate the applicability of SeqTagger in both RNA002/R9.4 and RNA004/RNA chemistries and show its robust performance both for long and short RNA libraries, including custom libraries that do not contain standard poly(A) tails, such as Nano-tRNAseq libraries. Finally, we demonstrate that increasing the multiplexing up to 96 barcodes yields highly accurate demultiplexing models. SeqTagger can be executed in a standalone manner or through the MasterOfPores NextFlow workflow. The availability of an efficient and simple multiplexing strategy improves the cost-effectiveness of this technology and facilitates the analysis of low-input biological samples.
Origin of the non-Fermi-liquid behavior in
CeRh2As2
Authors: Khanenko P. , Hafner D. , Semeniuk K. , Banda J. , Lühmann T. , Bärtl F. , Kotte T. , Wosnitza J. , Zwicknagl G. , Geibel C. , Landaeta J. F. , Khim S. , Hassinger E. , Brando M.
Published: January 2025

Unconventional superconductivity in heavy-fermion systems appears often near magnetic quantum critical points (QCPs). This seems to be the case also for CeRh2As2 (Tc ≈0.31 K). CeRh2As2 shows two superconducting (SC) phases, SC1 and SC2, for a magnetic field along the c axis of the tetragonal unit cell, but only the SC1 phase is observed for a field along the basal plane. Furthermore, another ordered state (phase I) is observed below T0≈0.48K whose nature is still unclear: Thermodynamic and magnetic measurements pointed to a nonmagnetic multipolar state, but recent µSR and nuclear quadrupole resonance/nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments have clearly detected antiferromagnetic (AFM) order below T0. Also, quasi-two-dimensional AFM fluctuations were observed in NMR and neutron-scattering experiments above T0. The proximity of a QCP is indicated by non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior observed above the ordered states in both specific heat C(T)/T∝T−0.6 and resistivity ρ(T)∝T. These T dependencies are not compatible with any generic AFM QCP. Because of the strong magnetic-field anisotropy of both the SC phase and phase I, it is possible to study a field-induced SC QCP as well as a phase-I QCP by varying the angle α between the field and the c axis. Thus, by examining the behavior of the electronic specific-heat coefficient

C

(

T

)

/

T

across these QCPs, we can determine which phase is associated with the NFL behavior. Here, we present low-temperature specific-heat measurements taken in a magnetic field as high as 21 T applied at several angles α. We observe that the NFL behavior very weakly depends on the field and the angle α, a result that is at odds with observations in standard magnetic QCPs. This suggests a nonmagnetic origin of the quantum critical fluctuations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Multi-
Z′
signatures of spontaneously broken local
U(1)′
symmetry
Authors: Nomura Takaaki , Yagyu Kei
Published: January 2025

We discuss multi-Z′ signatures coming from decays of Higgs bosons in models with a spontaneously broken U(1)′ symmetry, which can be observed as “lepton jets” or multilepton final states depending on the mass range of new bosons. We consider anomaly-free U(1)′ models without introducing new fermions except for right-handed neutrinos, in which the Higgs sector is composed of an isospin doublet and a singlet fields with zero and nonzero U(1)′ charges, respectively. The multi-Z′ signatures can then be obtained via the decays of the discovered (extra) Higgs boson h (ϕ), i.e., h→Z′Z′, ϕ→Z′Z′, and/or h→ϕϕ→4Z′ as far as kinematically allowed. We give the upper limit on the branching ratios of h into Z′Z′ and 4Z′ from the current experimental data in each model. We also show the deviation in the hhh coupling from the standard model prediction at one-loop level, and find that its amount is typically smaller than 1%.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
The relationship between financial statement comparability and accounting conditional and unconditional conservatism
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Ghasemi Sarnish Toktam , Rababah Abedalqader
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to examine the correlation between financial statement comparability and conditional and unconditional conservatism within companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this, a sample of 193 companies, resulting in 1,546 firm-year observations, were listed on the TSE between 2014 and 2021. The study’s research hypotheses are assessed by applying multiple regression models.

Findings

The findings reveal a notable positive association between financial statement comparability and conditional conservatism. Additionally, the research results indicate a significant and negative connection between financial statement comparability and unconditional conservatism.

Practical implications

According to the findings, corporate managers may prioritize financial statement comparability to enhance conditional accounting conservatism, which might be translated as a suitable benchmark for competitors. Equity owners may decrease the agency problems associated with CEOs by emphasizing comparable financial reports, as it improves the quality of financial figures and facilitates stakeholders’ evaluation and comparison of various companies’ performances.

Originality/value

A review of the relevant literature underscores the absence of research focusing on the relationship between financial statement comparability and conditional and unconditional conservatism within emerging markets. Consequently, this study aims to address this gap by investigating this relationship in the context of emerging markets and contributing to the existing body of literature in this field.
Digital capabilities of SMEs: driving the Industry 4.0 revolution and measuring its innovative effects
Authors: Castillo-Vergara Mauricio , Duarte Valdivia Diego , Muñoz-Cisterna Víctor , Álvarez-Marín Alejandro , Geldes Cristian , Ortiz-Henriquez Rodrigo Esteban
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study developed a theoretical model to test the relationship between digital capability and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and its effect on innovation performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed theoretical model was evaluated using partial least-squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The data were obtained from a sample of 536 SMEs in Chile.

Findings

The proposed model presented two dimensions of digital capability: management and information and communication technologies (ICTs). Management models composed of enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management systems are essential for optimizing organizational management. Meanwhile, ICTs facilitate the smooth flow of information within an organization, leading to improved efficiency in production processes. I4.0 is encouraged by exposing SMEs to base technologies such as data analytics. These results confirm that I4.0 influences innovation performance.

Practical implications

SME managers should encourage the development of digital capabilities to transition toward I4.0, as this can make SMEs more competitive and innovative in changing and dynamic scenarios.

Social implications

I4.0 adoption and the development of digital capabilities can directly affect employment and national economic growth.

Originality/value

Most studies focus on the organizational factors affecting SMEs’ I4.0 adoption. They do not, however, address the role played by current digital capability in I4.0 technology adoption and its effect on firms’ innovation performance.
Balancing technology and humans – A sociomaterialistic approach to enhance learning effectiveness in the digital era
Authors: Patnaik V Susmitha , Yallamilli VVSSS Vara Prasad
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research paper elaborates on how to balance the social (human interaction) and material (technology) aspects of e-learning and development (e-L&D) to enhance learning effectiveness in an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study was implemented in two phases – in the first phase, 30 employees from oil and gas industry were reached through three focus group discussions (company-wise). The employees were spread over three different companies within the state using the same e-learning platform successfully for more than five years. Discussions were conducted to understand their experiences while using e-learning platforms. In the second phase, pain points from the first phase were discussed with eight HR practitioners from the same industry through interviews to propose countermeasures for balancing human interaction and learning effectiveness.

Findings

The findings show that the use of e-L&D has increased learning effectiveness but reduced human interaction. This limited human interaction negatively impacts the relationship between the use of e-L&D and learning effectiveness. Countermeasures have been suggested through this article to optimize learning effectiveness in the ongoing digital scenario.

Research limitations/implications

Other factors influencing learning effectiveness were not considered for this study. Longitudinal study would strengthen the findings.

Practical implications

A humane approach in e-learning fosters more productive and happier workplaces. This study guides the organization to rightly invest time and money in e-learning resources.

Originality/value

Many publications unerringly prove how digitalization has productively transformed e-learning and development. This paper adds to the ongoing discussion by focusing on the balance between ‘human’ advantage and ‘digital’ advantage in organizations.
Understanding sense of belonging of faculty and staff in higher education
Authors: Wilson Miguel , Ghosh Sayoni , Jason Kendra
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Studies and programming on belonging in higher education tend to focus on college students’ sense of belonging, but the experiences of faculty and staff are equally important. Minoritized faculty and staff disproportionately report lower levels of sense of belonging and experience greater turnover outcomes. A sense of belonging among faculty and staff lessens their intention to quit, facilitates research collaboration and increases organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this scoping review, we analyzed 24 articles yielded from three databases (Academic Search Complete, JSTOR and Web of Science) that synthesize extant literature on faculty and staff’s sense of belonging.

Findings

We found that a sense of belonging for faculty and staff (1) is often examined without being consistently defined; (2) can be hindered by the stigmatization of minoritized identities (e.g. race, gender and class), exclusive organizational policies and the academy’s socio-political structure remain barriers to a sense of belonging and (3) can be fostered through social support, celebrating professional legitimacy and valuing diversity.

Originality/value

This study details the educational landscape of sense of belonging for faculty, and call for more attention to sense of belonging for staff, so that higher education institutions can utilize organizational policies and interventions to help foster a sense of belonging, which can lead to an increase in productivity, retention and job satisfaction.
From traditional to consumer-centric: the evolution of themes in technology-focused last mile delivery
Authors: Nandy Indranil , Padhy Ramakrushna
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Previous research on last mile delivery (LMD) has not attempted to identify thematic patterns within the literature to comprehend the prevailing research direction within this field. This study thus aims to identify significant latent topics in the technology-focused and consumer-centric LMD literature over a span of 45 years (1978–2023) and to propose topics for future research in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a text mining methodology in conjunction with bibliometric analysis to comprehensively review the literature.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal the top emerging topics in the field of LMD and include the bibliometric results.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on highly rated Australian Business Deans Council journals found in Scopus and Google Scholar. In addition to its methodological novelty, this study contributes to two interconnected strands of literature. First, it offers a fresh categorization of different concepts in the LMD literature, emphasizing the use of technology built upon prior efforts in the field. Second, it demonstrates the evolution of focus on different dimensions of consumer-centric LMD over time.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to use an unsupervised text mining method called topic modeling in the overall consumer-focused LMD literature. It thus overcomes the limitations of previous analytical methods for conducting literature reviews focused on other time periods.
Does homeworking affect employee engagement in a German service company? A thematic analysis of employees’ perspectives of engagement whilst homeworking during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hauer Georg , Beschle Ann-Kathrin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how homeworking influences employee engagement in a German service company during the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide recommendations for organisations on how to secure employees’ engagement remotely.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative research design in a case study setup with a German service company. A refined framework links homeworking and engagement based on the data collected from interviews and surveys.

Findings

This paper identifies several factors that affect engagement whilst homeworking, such as work–life balance, family, work intensification, team environment, leadership, organisational activities and flexible working arrangements. The paper also proposes a refined framework that links homeworking and engagement and offers practical implications for organisations.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on a small and homogeneous sample from one service company in Germany, which limits the generalisability of the findings. Future research could use larger and more diverse samples, longitudinal designs and quantitative methods to examine the impact of homeworking on engagement.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the scarce literature on homeworking and engagement by providing new and up-to-date insights into the homeworking experience and its effect on engagement in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper also offers useful suggestions for organisations on how to adapt their practices and policies to secure engagement in a remote work environment.
Designing and application of a Comprehensive Farm Assessment Index: towards efficient and relevant policy analysis
Authors: Gill Suveera , Johal Ramanjit Kaur , Muthuprakash Siva K. M. , Sharma Maitri
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Sustainability indicators that allow integrated farm assessments have received increasing attention. However, limited evidence is available for the use of the same when assessing the agricultural sustainability of farming systems, especially in regions practising incessant monoculture. Therefore, this study aims to develop a holistic index to assess alternative farming systems based on a stock-and-flow framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A composite metric was developed by aggregating the economic, social and environmental indicators. The methodology involved estimation, normalisation, hierarchical weighting and progressive aggregation of indicators to form the Comprehensive Farm Assessment Index (CFAI). The CFAI was applied to assess the farming practices of 88 organic and 90 conventional farming plots across three agro-climatic zones over two cropping seasons in selected districts of Punjab, India.

Findings

Results showed statistical mean differences between the organic and conventional farming systems in terms of key production costs and income for wheat, rice and cotton crops. The normalised values of the selected social indicators were higher for the organic farming system. Similarly, in the environmental dimension, more biodiversity and less water contamination were found in organic farms. Except for paddy cultivation in the North–East region, the CFAI for organic farming is higher than that for conventional farming, even under the mono-cropping system with a single-crop rotation.

Originality/value

The CFAI has ubiquitous applications and can be used to assess alternate sustainable approaches and practices across crops and regions. It provides a perspective on the social viability and ecological sustainability of agriculture, which would enable contextual and effective policy analysis and implementation.
The new era of outdoor events post-pandemic: how psychological factors drive participants' social distancing intentions
Authors: Jung Inyoung , Li Jiachen , Kim Seongseop (Sam) , Han Heesup
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The outdoor event market was devastated during the COVID-19 pandemic because of social distancing measures. Therefore, this study aimed to explore stereotyped tendencies and behavioral intentions associated with the prosocial and sustainable practices of outdoor event participants to assess shifts in industry paradigms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to relatively examine sequential and combined effects of cognitive (knowledge of COVID-19, awareness of consequences, ascribed responsibility and perceived threat of COVID-19), affective (positive and negative anticipated emotions) and normative drivers (social and moral norms) on intention to practice social distancing requirements. The impact of cultural differences was further explored by comparing attendees from China and USA.

Findings

The SEM results showed that most cognitive drivers significantly affected affective drivers and normative drivers, leading to the intention to practice social distancing requirements. In addition, China and the USA showed significant differences on six paths including the path from moral norm to intention to practice social distancing requirements. Further, fsQCA results revealed the important combination of the factors that affects social distancing intention.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides meaningful theoretical and practical implications for outdoor events scholars and managers. The research suggests a changing direction in event studies and shares ideas on how to manage and make outdoor events a new success after the pandemic.

Originality/value

This is the first study to adopt a mixed method of SEM and fsQCA attempt to explore the driving forces of outdoor participants’ pro-social behavior from cognitive, affective and normative perspectives.
Supply chain integration in project manufacturing environments: the case of the offshore wind energy construction sector
Authors: Martinez-Neri Ivan F.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Most academic studies of supply chain integration (SCI) have taken large-scale manufacturing environments as their source of empirical data. This paper aims to find the applicability of the dimensions of SCI in the context of project manufacturing environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a single-case-study approach to examine the network relationship among the constructor of an offshore wind farm, the provider of the main subsystems and two other companies providing subsystems and services in the project used as the empirical setting.

Findings

The findings suggest that although some of the dimensions of SCI in large-scale manufacturing environments might have similar applications in projects, some others might be unique to the context of large construction endeavors, e.g. relationship management, information integration and information sharing. An explanation of the possible causes for these differences is provided.

Research limitations/implications

The findings cannot be generalized to the overall context of project manufacturing environments, as only one industry, the construction sector, was studied.

Practical implications

Contrary to suggestions to relax the formal aspect of the partnership with the aim of improving the collaborative relationships, keeping the formality by means of contracts and nondisclosure agreements seems to be necessary for projects that have a considerable amount of resources and intellectual capital at stake.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is one of the first case studies specifically designed to explore the applicability of the dimensions of SCI in project manufacturing environments. It aims to fill the gap of research carried out in these manufacturing environments, which represent a significant share of the world’s economic output.
Investigation on the nonlinear behaviors of floating ring bearings based on nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficient models
Authors: Zhao Zequn , Li Peng , Li Xin , Chen Yang , Zhang Hao
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the gaps in existing research on the nonlinear characteristics of floating ring bearings, particularly by focusing on second-order nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficients. Traditional analytical models have limitations in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. This research aims to develop a more efficient and accurate method for analyzing these nonlinear characteristics, which are crucial for optimizing the design and performance of turbocharger floating ring bearings. The study also seeks to explore how variations in clearance ratio and load influence these coefficients.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a novel approach for analyzing the nonlinear characteristics of floating ring bearings by utilizing second-order nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficients. The proposed method replaces traditional analytical solution models with a nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficient model, enhancing both computational efficiency and accuracy. The model is validated through extensive simulations that account for varying clearance ratios and load conditions. The results are compared with those obtained from conventional methods, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accurately capturing the nonlinear behavior of turbocharger floating ring bearings.

Findings

The study finds that the proposed nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficient model significantly enhances computational efficiency while accurately representing the nonlinear characteristics of floating ring bearings. The model not only reduces computation time but also provides a more precise analysis compared to traditional methods. Moreover, the research reveals that the clearance ratio and load conditions of the floating ring bearings have a substantial impact on the nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficients. These findings suggest that the proposed model and method could be highly beneficial for advancing the design and research of floating ring bearings in turbochargers.

Originality/value

With this statement, the authors hereby certify that the manuscript “Investigation on the nonlinear behaviors of floating ring bearings based on nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficient models” submitted to the journal Industrial Lubrication and Tribology is the results of their own effort and ability. They hereby confirm that this manuscript is their original work and has not been published nor has it been submitted simultaneously elsewhere. They further confirm that they have checked the manuscript and have agreed to the submission.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-09-2024-0324/
Optimizing a multimodal hub and spoke network for vaccine distribution using regional vulnerability index during healthcare emergencies
Authors: Kar Biswajit , Jenamani Mamata
Published: January 2025

Purpose

A vaccination strategy to cover the susceptible population is key to containing the spread of any virus during a healthcare emergency. This study quantifies the susceptibility of a region based on initial infection rates to prioritize optimal vaccine distribution strategies. The authors propose a metric, the regional vulnerability index (RVI), that identifies the degree of susceptibility/vulnerability of a region to virus infections for strategically locating hubs for vaccine storage and distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-phase methodology is used to address this problem. Phase 1 uses a modified Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model, ModSIR, to estimate the RVI. Phase 2 leverages this index to model a P-Center problem, prioritizing vulnerable regions through a Mixed Integer Quadratically Constrained Programming model, along with three variations that incorporate the RVI.

Findings

Results indicate a weighting scheme based on the population-to-RVI ratio fosters fair distribution and equitable coverage of vulnerable regions. Comparisons with the public distribution strategy outlined by the Government of India reveal similar zonal segregations. Additionally, the network generated by our model outperforms the actual distribution network, corroborated by network metrics such as degree centrality, weighted degree centrality and closeness centrality.

Originality/value

This research presents a novel approach to prioritizing vaccine distribution during pandemics by applying epidemiological predictions to an integer-programming framework, optimizing COVID-19 vaccine allocation based on historical infection data. The study highlights the importance of strategic planning in public health response to effectively manage resources in emergencies.
Value reciprocity mechanism in hotels: testing customer participation behaviour and value co-creation as mediators and previous experience as a moderator
Authors: Sadighha Jinous , Pinto Patrícia , Guerreiro Manuela , Campos Ana Cláudia
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study investigates the reciprocity mechanism in value co-creation and clarifies how service providers may effectively trigger customer participation behaviour and boost value co-creation to enhance customer citizenship behaviour, which brings extra benefits for service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

By combining equity theory, social exchange theory and co-creation theory, this research proposes a model for the reciprocity mechanism in value co-creation incorporating customer co-creation perception (CCCP) conducting hotel dialogue, access, risk assessment and transparency (DART) activities; customer participation behaviour (CPB – information seeking, information sharing, responsible behaviour and personal interaction); customer citizenship behaviour (CCB – feedback, advocacy, helping and tolerance) and value co-creation in hotels. It also applies script theory to explore how customers’ previous experiences with the hotel may impact the value reciprocity mechanism. The collected data from tourists are analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results confirm that CCCP drives CPB, value co-creation and CCB. CPB also enhances value co-creation, consequently boosting CCB. Moreover, CPB and value co-creation are the reciprocity mechanisms that mediate CCCP to CCB. Findings also reveal that CPB has a greater impact on value co-creation for first-time customers. In contrast, CCCP has a higher effect on value co-creation for repeat customers.

Practical implications

The proposed model is a managerial tool that assists practitioners in effectively driving customer participation behaviour and improving value co-creation for first-time customers and repeat customers.

Originality/value

This study uncovers the significance of the hospitality service provider’s DART actions in forming customer perceptions and leading customer behaviour towards value co-creation.
Halal tourism with the family: destination – local islands of the Maldives
Authors: Adham Khairul Akmaliah , Mahmad Nasir Nadiah , Muhamad Nur Sa’adah , Sarkam Saida Farhanah , Md Ramli Raudha
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the attributes of halal tourism with family members by exploring the experiences of Muslims who had travelled with their families to the local islands of the Maldives. This country was chosen as the context of the study as it is a destination with a fully Muslim population, which served as a normative context for studying halal tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

A basic qualitative design was adopted as the research methodology, with the data collected through in-depth interviews with the selected Muslim families.

Findings

Nine emergent themes unique to the context of halal tourism with family members extend the existing discussion on family tourism and halal tourism. Overall, halal family tourism experience is laden with Islamic family values, characterised by the dimensions of group organisation, safety, practicality, risk management as well as mutual respect and benefit between travellers and providers, and among family members. This experience leads to increased family bonding and the internalisation of Islamic values. Hence, this study highlights halal tourism with family members as a form of dignified tourism.

Originality/value

Travel with the family deserves greater academic attention due to the large market size and the distinctive nature of travel undertaken by groups of individuals bonded through familial relationships. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to explore the attributes of halal tourism with family members, and the normative Islamic context of the local islands of the Maldives assisted in elucidating the emergent themes and values of this form of halal tourism with family members. Halal family tourism, as a nexus of family tourism and halal tourism, offers a huge potential of future research avenue.
Does CEO power affect the risk profile of acquiring insurance company?
Authors: Sghaier Adnene
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine, on the one hand, the effect of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on the evolution of the risk profile of insurance companies and, on the other hand, determine the impact of chief executive officer (CEO) power as well as its determinants on the evolution of the risk profile of the acquiring insurance company.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on 131 transactions between 2010 and 2022 involving European Union-based acquirers. To assess the impact of M&A on the acquiring insurance company’s risk profile (RP), the authors compare changes in the acquirer’s RP to control insurance companies. This study uses linear regression with two-stage least squares instrumental variables to examine the effect of CEO power on changes in merger-related risk.

Findings

The results indicate that M&A significantly increase the RP of the acquiring insurance company. Furthermore, CEO power, as measured by its four proxies (structural, ownership, experience and prestige), is positively correlated with an increase in the RP of the acquiring insurance company. These findings suggest that powerful CEOs tend to take on more risk during M&A transactions in the insurance sector.

Practical implications

The study’s findings can inform managerial decision-making around mergers and executive incentives. Regulators can use the insights to develop early warning systems and policies to promote financial stability. Insurance firms can enhance their own risk management by assessing the potential M&A impact and designing robust risk governance frameworks. Investors can better evaluate the risk implications of M&A and CEO influence when assessing insurance companies.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first empirical investigation to introduce diverse executive power metrics to analyze the link between executive power and risk-taking in the European insurance sector, with a specific emphasis on the impact on M&A as critical investment choices.
Natural tree colonisation of organo‐mineral soils does not provide a net carbon capture benefit at decadal timescales
Authors: Housego Naomi C. , Parker Thomas C. , Street Lorna E. , Vanguelova Elena I. , Mitchell Ruth J.
Published: January 2025

Tree cover is often increased with the aim of increasing ecosystem carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change. However, when planting trees in ecosystems with carbon‐rich soils, soil disturbance during ground preparation can cause soil carbon losses not counteracted by tree carbon gains at the decadal timescales relevant to climate change mitigation targets. Tree establishment via natural colonisation, which does not involve soil disturbance, might prevent these soil carbon losses, but this is unknown.

We measured soil, ground vegetation, and tree carbon stocks and tree inputs along an 8 metre transect from single, native, 25‐year‐old naturally colonised trees (Pinus sylvestris or Betula spp.) onto Calluna vulgaris‐dominated moorland, at sites with carbon‐rich organo‐mineral soils in the Cairngorms, UK.

Along the transect away from the tree, organic soil carbon stocks increased from 4.0 kg C m−2 at 0.5 m, to 6.0 kg C m−2 at 8 m. Meanwhile, carbon stocks in the top 10 cm of the mineral soil horizon, 3.6 kg C m−2, did not vary. Ground vegetation carbon stocks increased only slightly, from 1.0 kg C m−2 at 0.5 m, to 1.3 kg C m−2 at 8 m. Mean carbon stock per tree was 32.4 kg, so overall, sparse natural colonisation resulted in no net ecosystem carbon gain.

Policy implications: Sparse natural colonisation of carbon‐rich soils by low biomass trees might not result in net ecosystem carbon gains at decadal timescales, and instead lead to unforeseen soil carbon losses. Soil carbon changes should be taken into account when quantifying the climate change mitigation potential of natural colonisation.
“Am I in ‘Suboptimal Health’?”: The Narratives and Rhetoric in Carving out the Grey Area Between Health and Illness in Everyday Life
Authors: Cheng Lijiaozi
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the concept of ‘suboptimal health’ (subhealth, 亚健康), a term popularised by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) professionals and widely used in public health discourses in China at the turn of the century. Despite criticisms of it being a commercial buzzword, subhealth provides a unique lens for individuals to articulate their health experiences concerning work and life pressures. Through virtual ethnography on Chinese social media such as Weibo and interviews, this study explores the usage and implications of subhealth in everyday life. It particularly focuses on how young Chinese people employ this concept to navigate and express health‐related issues. Drawing on Leder's concept of the lived body, as well as literature on illness narratives and the sociology of diagnosis and risk, the study argues that attention to the everyday narratives of subhealth could potentially open up a space for a greater range of narratives of embodiment and might even offer a space for collective critique in a context often dominated by individual responsibility narratives. In some cases, it also enables private and public narratives that critique lifestyle factors detrimental to health. Ultimately, this paper hints at the conceptualisation of “subhealth narratives” as a research framework.
Quantifying Bone Collagen Fingerprint Variation Between Species
Authors: Baker Andrew , Buckley Michael
Published: January 2025

Collagen is the most ubiquitous protein in the animal kingdom and one of the most abundant proteins on Earth. Despite having a relatively repetitive amino acid sequence motif that enables its triple helical structure, in type 1 collagen, that dominates skin and bone, there is enough variation for its increasing use for the biomolecular species identification of animal tissues processed or degraded beyond the amenability of DNA‐based analyses. In recent years, this has been most commonly achieved through the technique of collagen peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) known as ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry), applied to the analysis of tens of thousands of samples across over one hundred studies in the past decade alone. However, a robust means to quantify variation between these fingerprints remains elusive, despite being increasingly required due to the shift towards a wider range of wild fauna and those that are more distantly related from currently known sequences. This is particularly problematic in fish due to their greater sequence variation. Here we evaluate the quantification of the relative closeness of collagen fingerprints between families using ANOSIM and a modified SIMPER analysis, incorporating relative peak intensity. Our results show a clear correlation between sequence differentiation and statistical distance of PMFs, indicating that the additional complexity of type 1 collagen in fish could directly affect the efficacy of biomolecular techniques such as ZooMS. Furthermore, this multivariate statistical analysis demonstrates that PMFs in fish are substantively more distinct than those of mammalian or amphibian taxa.
Raman Spectroscopy in Cellular and Tissue Aging Research
Authors: Kim Jeong Hee , Yang Daejong , Park Seungman
Published: January 2025

The establishment of various molecular, physiological, and genetic markers for cellular senescence and aging‐associated conditions has progressed the aging study. To identify such markers, a combination of optical, proteomic‐, and sequencing‐based tools is primarily used, often accompanying extrinsic labels. Yet, the tools for clinical detection at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels are still lacking which profoundly hinders advancements in the specific detection and timely prevention of aging‐related diseases and pathologies. Raman spectroscopy, with its capability for rapid, label‐free, and non‐invasive analysis of molecular compositions and alterations in aging cells and tissues, holds considerable promise for in vivo applications. In this review, we present recent advancements in the application of Raman spectroscopy to the study of aging in cells and tissues. We explore the use of Raman spectroscopy and related techniques for detecting cellular aging and senescence, focusing on the molecular alterations that accompany these processes. Subsequently, we provide a review of the application of Raman spectroscopy in identifying aging‐related changes in various molecules within tissues and organs.
Comparison of the incidence of recovery agitation with two different doses of ketamine in procedural sedation: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Türkücü Çağrı , Parlak İsmet , Kokulu Kamil , Sert Ekrem T. , Mutlu Hüseyin
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The objective was to compare the incidence of recovery agitation and efficacy of two different intravenous (IV) doses of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg vs. 1 mg/kg) in adult patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) requiring procedural sedation with ketamine.

Methods

This randomized, prospective clinical trial included patients aged 18–75 years who required procedural sedation with ketamine in the ED. Patients were randomized to receive IV ketamine at either 0.5 mg/kg (low dose) or 1 mg/kg (high dose). The primary outcome was the incidence of recovery agitation, assessed by the Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale (RASS) at 5, 15, and 30 min following the procedure, in both dosage groups. Secondary outcomes included overall efficacy, sedation duration, and changes in vital signs.

Results

A total of 108 patients were enrolled in the study, 54 in each group. The median (IQR) RASS scores at 5, 15, and 30 min were −4 (−5 to −4), −1 (−1.3 to 0), and 0 (−1 to 0.5), respectively, in the low‐dose group and −4 (−5 to −4), −1 (−3 to 0), and 0 (0 to 0), respectively, in the high‐dose group. The incidence of recovery agitation was similar between the low‐ and high‐dose groups (difference 1.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] −14.8% to 18.4%). No significant difference was observed in sedation duration between the two groups (difference 0%, 95% CI −3.0% to 4.0%). While no additional ketamine was required in the high‐dose group, four patients (7.4%) in the low‐dose group required an additional half‐dose (difference 7.4%, 95% CI −2.3% to 18.7%). Changes in vital signs were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in recovery agitation, sedation duration, and changes in vital signs between 0.5 and 1 mg/kg IV ketamine for procedural sedation in the ED.
Revealing mitochondrial architecture and functions with single molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Jolivet Nicolas , Bertolin Giulia
Published: January 2025

Understanding the spatiotemporal organization of components within living systems requires the highest resolution possible. Microscopy approaches that allow for a resolution below 250 nm include electron and super‐resolution microscopy (SRM). The latter combines advanced imaging techniques and the optimization of image processing methods. Over the last two decades, various SRM‐related approaches have been introduced, especially those relying on single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). To develop and apply SMLM approaches, mitochondria are an ideal cellular compartment due to their size, which is below the standard diffraction limit. Furthermore, mitochondria are a dynamic yet narrow compartment, and a resolution below 250 nm is required to study their composition and multifaceted functions. To this end, several SMLM technologies have been used to reveal mitochondrial composition. However, there is still room for improvement in existing techniques to study protein–protein interactions and protein dynamics within this compartment. This review aims to offer an updated overview of the existing SMLM techniques and probes associated with mitochondria to enhance their resolution at the nanoscale. Last, it paves the way for future SMLM improvements to better resolve mitochondrial dynamics and functions.
Tasteful Play: Christian Artists, Ambiguity and the Theo‐politics of Taste
Authors: Willey Robin D. , Jervis Carolyn
Published: January 2025

Émile Durkheim (1912) argues that art is an essential part of religious life—it ‘refreshes a spirit worn down by all that is overburdening in day‐to‐day labor’ (385). For Durkheim, making art in religious contexts is akin to sacred play. We explore how contemporary Christian artists use play, frivolity and experimentation to intentionally, and more often unintentionally, challenge, or at least, reveal various social and theo‐political dynamics within their religious communities. We will explore some of the pressures artists face to ‘fit in’ to church environments, their encounters with various arbiters of ‘taste’, and the threat that artists pose to power structures in churches that have been traditionally derived through the interpretation of text. This work is part of a multi‐sited ethnography that investigated the relationship between visual art and religious innovation in Canadian Christian communities, including 4 years of ethnographic observation and interviews in Alberta, Southern Ontario, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.