bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metformin is Associated with Reduced COVID-19 Severity in Patients with Prediabetes
Authors: Chan Lauren E. , Casiraghi Elena , Laraway Bryan , Coleman Ben , Blau Hannah , Zaman Adnin , Harris Nomi , Wilkins Kenneth , Gargano Michael , Valentini Giorgio , Sahner David , Haendel Melissa , Robinson Peter N. , Bramante Carolyn , Reese Justin
Published: September 2022

Background

With the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, identifying medications that improve COVID-19 outcomes is crucial. Studies suggest that use of metformin, an oral antihyperglycemic, is associated with reduced COVID-19 severity in individuals with diabetes compared to other antihyperglycemic medications. Some patients without diabetes, including those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and prediabetes, are prescribed metformin for off-label use, which provides an opportunity to further investigate the effect of metformin on COVID-19.

Participants

In this observational, retrospective analysis, we leveraged the harmonized electronic health record data from 53 hospitals to construct cohorts of COVID-19 positive, metformin users without diabetes and propensity-weighted control users of levothyroxine (a medication for hypothyroidism that is not known to affect COVID-19 outcome) who had either PCOS (n = 282) or prediabetes (n = 3136). The primary outcome of interest was COVID-19 severity, which was classified as: mild, mild ED (emergency department), moderate, severe, or mortality/hospice.

Results

In the prediabetes cohort, metformin use was associated with a lower rate of COVID-19 with severity of mild ED or worse (OR: 0.630, 95% CI 0.450 - 0.882, p < 0.05) and a lower rate of COVID-19 with severity of moderate or worse (OR: 0.490, 95% CI 0.336 - 0.715, p < 0.001). In patients with PCOS, we found no significant association between metformin use and COVID-19 severity, although the number of patients was relatively small.

Conclusions

Metformin was associated with less severe COVID-19 in patients with prediabetes, as seen in previous studies of patients with diabetes. This is an important finding, since prediabetes affects between 19 and 38% of the US population, and COVID-19 is an ongoing public health emergency. Further observational and prospective studies will clarify the relationship between metformin and COVID-19 severity in patients with prediabetes, and whether metformin usage may reduce COVID-19 severity.
Sequence to graph alignment using gap-sensitive co-linear chaining
Authors: Chandra Ghanshyam , Jain Chirag
Published: September 2022

Co-linear chaining is a widely used technique in sequence alignment tools that follow seed-filter-extend methodology. It is a mathematically rigorous approach to combine short exact matches. For colinear chaining between two sequences, efficient subquadratic-time chaining algorithms are well-known for linear, concave and convex gap cost functions [Eppsteinet al. JACM’92]. However, developing extensions of chaining algorithms for directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) has been challenging. Recently, a new sparse dynamic programming framework was introduced that exploits small path cover of pangenome reference DAGs, and enables efficient chaining [Makinenet al. TALG’19, RECOMB’18]. However, the underlying problem formulation did not consider gap cost which makes chaining less effective in practice. To address this, we develop novel problem formulations and optimal chaining algorithms that support a variety of gap cost functions. We demonstrate empirically the ability of our provably-good chaining implementation to align long reads more precisely in comparison to existing aligners. For mapping simulated long reads from human genome to a pangenome DAG of 95 human haplotypes, we achieve 98.7% precision while leaving<2% reads unmapped.

Implementation

https://github.com/at-cg/minichain
Isolating the effect of COVID-19 related disruptions on HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2020
Authors: Viguerie Alex , Song Ruiguang , Johnson Anna Satcher , Lyles Cynthia M. , Hernandez Angela , Farnham Paul G.
Published: September 2022

Background

Diagnoses of HIV in the US decreased by 17% in 2020 due to COVID-related disruptions. The extent to which this decrease is attributable to changes in HIV testing versus HIV transmission is unclear. We seek to better understand this issue by analyzing the discrepancy in expected versus observed HIV diagnoses in 2020 among persons who acquired HIV between 2010-2019, as changes in diagnosis patterns in this cohort cannot be attributed to changes in transmission.

Methods

We developed three methods based on the CD4-depletion model to estimate excess missed diagnoses in 2020 among persons with HIV (PWH) infected from 2010-2019. We stratified the results by transmission group, sex assigned at birth, race/ethnicity, and region to examine differences by group and confirm the reliability of our estimates. We performed similar analyses projecting diagnoses in 2019 among PWH infected from 2010-2018 to evaluate the accuracy of our methods against surveillance data.

Results

There were approximately 3100-3300 (approximately 18%) fewer diagnoses than expected in 2020 among PWH infected from 2010-2019. Females (at birth), heterosexuals, persons who inject drugs, and Hispanic/Latino PWH missed diagnoses at higher levels than the overall population. Validation and stratification analyses confirmed the accuracy and reliability of our estimates.

Conclusions

The substantial drop in number of previously infected PWH diagnosed in 2020, suggests that changes in testing played a substantial role in the observed decrease. Levels of missed diagnoses differed substantially across population subgroups. Increasing testing efforts and innovative strategies to reach undiagnosed PWH are needed to offset this diagnosis gap. These analyses may be used to inform future estimates of HIV transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assessing Artificial Intelligence Models to Diagnose and Differentiate Common Liver Carcinomas
Authors: Thomas MG , Mastorides SM , Borkowski SA , Reed JR , Deland LA , Thomas LB , Borkowski AA
Published: September 2022

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care delivery is growing rapidly. Due to its visual nature, the specialty of anatomic pathology has great promise for applications in AI. We examine the potential of six different AI models for differentiating and diagnosing the three most common primary liver tumors: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and combined HCC and CCA (cHCC/CCA). Our results demonstrated that for all three diagnoses, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value was ≥ 94% in the best model tested, with results ≥ 92% in all categories in three of the models. These values are comparable to interpretation by general pathologists alone and demonstrate AI’s potential in interpreting patient specimens for primary liver carcinoma. Applications such as these have multiple implications for delivering quality patient care, including assisting with intraoperative consultations and providing a rapid “second opinion” for confirmation and increased accuracy of final diagnoses. These applications may be particularly useful in underserved areas with shortages of subspecialized pathologists or after hours in larger medical centers. In addition, AI models such as these can decrease turnaround times and the inter- and intra-observer variability well documented in pathologic diagnoses. AI offers great potential in assisting pathologists in their day-to-day practice.
Increased rostral medial frontal GABA+ in early psychosis is obscured by levels of negative affect
Authors: Simmonite Molly , Yao Beier , Welsh Robert C. , Taylor Stephan F.
Published: September 2022

Background

Evidence suggests dysfunction of GABAergic interneurons in psychosis, and prior research has linked GABAergic function with a tendency toward negative affective states. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies measuring GABA have yielded inconsistent findings. We investigate GABA concentrations in young adults with attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS) and first episode psychosis (FEP), as well as testing the hypothesis that negative affect is a clinical phenotype that is associated with reduced GABA.

Materials

MRS data were obtained from 14 patients with FEP, 7 patients with APS and 15 healthy controls (HC), using a MEGA-PRESS sequence on a 3T Philips Ingenia scanner. Voxels were placed in rostral MFC and midline-occipital cortex. Gannet 3.1 was used to determine GABA+ and Glx (glutamate and glutamine combined) concentrations.

Results

We found a trend towards increased rostral MFC GABA+ concentrations in FEP, but no group differences in occipital GABA+ concentrations. When covarying for scores on the Psychological Stress Index, rostral MFC GABA+ levels in FEP were significantly greater than APS and HC. Planned comparisons revealed a trend towards increased rostral MFC GABA+ in APS relative to HC. No group differences in Glx or occipital GABA+ were found.

Conclusion

These results, considered alongside previously published findings, suggest multiple factors influencing GABA+ in psychosis. We conclude a process exists which drives up GABA+ in early psychosis, alongside a separate process in which reduced GABA+ is associated with increased negative affect. These multiple processes have resulted in contradictory findings, and their untangling is critical to understanding of GABA+ in psychosis.
Factors influencing patterns of gene expression in large bowel mucosa
Authors: Vaughan-Shaw P.G. , Ooi L.Y. , Timofeeva M. , Grimes G. , Din F.V.N. , Farrington S.M. , Dunlop M.G.
Published: September 2022

Aim

Variation in genomic sequences that control gene expression in target tissues is increasingly recognized as the underlying basis of disease susceptibility, especially cancer. This is particularly relevant to common genetic variation impacting on cancer risk. Exogenous factors may also influence gene expression, potentially leaving a transcriptomic signature of environmental risk factors in normal tissues. Therefore, understanding endogenous and exogenous influences over gene expression patterns in normal tissue is critical to the study of functional genomics and its relationship to disease susceptibility. Here, we investigated demographic and sampling variables that could impact on gene expression in normal colorectal mucosa.

Method

We prospectively collected normal mucosa from 424 patients undergoing colorectal surgery or outpatient assessment through surgical stripping of normal mucosa from resected colorectal specimens or rectal biopsy. Gene expression was assessed using Illumina HT-12 microarrays and analysed against demographic (age, gender, BMI) and sampling factors (general anaesthesia, cleansing bowel agents, sample site, time to RNA preservation) using adjusted linear regression modelling.

Results

Age, gender, smoking status, sampling under anaesthetic, sample site and sampling method were associated with differential gene expression in the adjusted model. BMI or use of cleansing bowel preparation did not impact gene expression. Age was associated with differential expression of 16 genes and significant enrichment in pathways relevant to tumourigenesis, including immune process, cell proliferation, adhesion and death. Sample site was associated with differential expression of 2515 genes, with 1102 genes more highly expressed in the proximal colon (proximal to splenic flexure). Gender and sampling under anaesthetic were associated with differential expression of 99 and 851 genes respectively. Increased time to RNA preservation (45-90 minutes) was associated with enrichment of pathways consistent with tissue ischaemia including ‘response to wounding’, ‘apoptotic process’, and ‘response to oxygen levels’.

Conclusions

Demographic and sampling factors influence gene expression patterns in normal colorectal mucosa, often with a large magnitude of effect. Meanwhile, greater time to RNA preservation is associated with patterns of gene expression consistent with tissue ischaemia which questions the generalisability of assessment of gene expression patterns generated from post-mortem studies. These results highlight the importance of fully adjusted expression analyses and may indicate mechanisms underlying age, gender and site-specific differences in CRC incidence, progression and outcome.
Animal complexity defines the functionality of synonymous mutations through mediating microRNA regulations
Authors: Cui Chunmei , Lin Xiao , Cui Qinghua
Published: September 2022

Most recently, Shen et al. revealed that most synonymous mutations (SMs) in yeast genes are strongly non-neutral, however, which was soon challenged by Kruglyak et al. who find no evidence for deleterious effect on fitness of SMs in yeast genes. We previously revealed that SMs in numerous human genes show functionality through changing miRNA regulations. Given that higher animals show higher complexity of miRNA regulations, here we present a hypothesis that SMs in lower animal genes show less functionality and vice versa. To confirm this, we comprehensively investigated the SMs changing miRNA regulations in yeast, C.elegans, Drosophila, mouse, and human. As expected, the result showed that the proportion of SMs affecting gene functionality through altering miRNA regulations is about 0%, 14%, 16%, 51%, and 60% in yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, mouse, and human, respectively, suggesting that the complexity of animals indeed determines the functionality of SMs through mediating miRNA regulations. Finally, this study supports no evidence that most SMs in yeast genes are deleterious.
Mesenchymal stem cell culture within perfusion bioreactors incorporating 3D-printed scaffolds enables improved extracellular vesicle yield with preserved bioactivity
Authors: Kronstadt Stephanie M. , Patel Divya B. , Born Louis J. , Levy Daniel , Lerman Max J. , Mahadik Bhushan , McLoughlin Shannon T. , Fasuyi Arafat , Fowlkes Lauren , Van Heyningen Lauren Hoorens , Aranda Amaya , Abadchi Sanaz Nourmohammadi , Chang Kai-Hua , Hsu Angela Ting Wei , Bengali Sameer , Harmon John W. , Fisher John P. , Jay Steven M.
Published: September 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are implicated as promising therapeutics and drug delivery vehicles in various diseases. However, successful clinical translation will depend on development of scalable biomanufacturing approaches, especially due to the documented low levels of intrinsic EV-associated cargo that may necessitate repeated doses to achieve clinical benefit in certain applications. Thus, here we assessed effects of a 3D-printed scaffold-perfusion bioreactor system on the production and bioactivity of EVs secreted from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a cell type heavily implicated in generating EVs with therapeutic potential. Our results indicate that perfusion bioreactor culture results in an ~40-80-fold increase, depending on measurement method, in MSC EV production compared to conventional cell culture. Additionally, we demonstrated that MSC EVs generated using the bioreactor system significantly improved wound healing in a diabetic mouse model, with increased CD31+ staining in wound bed tissue compared to animals treated with flask cell culture-generated MSC EVs. Overall, this study establishes a promising solution to major EV translational issues (i.e., scalability and low potency) with potential for adaptation to various EV-based therapeutics and capacity for improvement alongside the continuous advancements in 3D-printing technologies.
Periodic epidemic outbursts explained by local saturation of clusters
Authors: Gostiaux Louis , Bos Wouter J. T. , Bertoglio Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2022

Adding the notion of spatial locality to the susceptible-infected-recovered (or SIR) model, allows to capture local saturation of an epidemic. The resulting minimum model of an epidemic, consisting of five ordinary differential equations with constant model coefficients, reproduces slowly decaying periodic outbursts, as observed in the COVID-19 or Spanish flu epidemic. It is shown that if immunity decays, even slowly, the model yields a fully periodic dynamics.
Diversity, Phylogenetic Relationships, And Expression Profiles Of Invertase Inhibitor Genes In Sweetpotato
Authors: Acheampong Samuel , Sederoff Heike , Olukolu Bode A. , Asare Aaron T. , Yencho G. Craig
Published: September 2022

Invertases and their inhibitor proteins are key regulators of carbon allocation in plants. Manipulation of invertase inhibitor (ITI) activity can potentially increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to determine the sequence diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and expression profiles of ITI genes in sweetpotato(Ipomoea batatas).. The coding sequences of two ITI paralogs (SPITI1 and SPITI2) were cloned from two sweetpotato varieties (Beauregard and Jewel) and sequenced. The DNA sequences were used to deduce amino acids sequences and predicted protein properties. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was carried out to study the expression profiles of the genes at different developmental stages. The results show that introns are absent in both SPITI paralogs. SNPs, Indels, and variable simple sequence repeats (SSR) were present in the SPITI1 paralog, however, only SNPs were identified in the SPITI2 paralog. The predicted SPITI1 protein had 168, 172, or 174 amino acid residues, and molecular weights ranging from 17.88 to 18.38 kDa. In contrast, SPITI2 coded for a protein with 192 amino acid residues, with molecular weight ranging from 20.59 to 20.65 kDa. All conserved domains of ITI proteins were present in both protein isoforms.

Phylogenetic analysis indicated that SPITI genes were more closely related to I.trifida and I.triloba than I.nil, thus, suggesting their evolutionary relationship and conservation. A qPCR study indicated that both SPITI genes were expressed in all the sample tissues, though relative expression values differed across tissues at different developmental stages. This is the first study reporting diversity of SPITI genes and of an ~18 kDA isoform in sweetpotato. The findings may enable design of genetic engineering strategies for SPITI genes, including CRISPR/Cas gene editing in sweetpotato.
COVID-19 individual participant data meta-analyses. Can there be too many? Results from a rapid systematic review
Authors: Maxwell Lauren , Shreedhar Priya , Levis Brooke , Chavan Sayali Arvind , Akter Shaila , Carabali Mabel
Published: September 2022

Background

Individual participant data meta-analyses (IPD-MAs), which include harmonising and analysing participant-level data from related studies, provide several advantages over aggregate data meta-analyses, which pool study-level findings. IPD-MAs are especially important for building and evaluating diagnostic and prognostic models, making them an important tool for informing the research and public health responses to COVID-19.

Methods

We conducted a rapid systematic review of protocols and publications from planned, ongoing, or completed COVID-19-related IPD-MAs to identify areas of overlap and maximise data request and harmonisation efforts. We searched four databases using a combination of text and MeSH terms. Two independent reviewers determined eligibility at the title-abstract and full-text stage. Data were extracted by one reviewer into a pretested data extraction form and subsequently reviewed by a second reviewer. Data were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. A formal risk of bias assessment was not conducted.

Results

We identified 31 COVID-19-related IPD-MAs, including five living IPD-MAs and ten IPD-MAs that limited their inference to published data (e.g., case reports). We found overlap in study designs, populations, exposures, and outcomes of interest. For example, 26 IPD-MAs included RCTs; 17 IPD-MAs were limited to hospitalised patients. Sixteen IPD-MAs focused on evaluating medical treatments, including six IPD-MAs for antivirals, four on antibodies, and two that evaluated convalescent plasma.

Conclusions

Collaboration across related IPD-MAs can leverage limited resources and expertise by expediting the creation of cross-study participant-level data datasets, which can, in turn, fast-track evidence synthesis for the improved diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
Quantitative analysis of diffuse electron scattering in the lithium-ion battery cathode material Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2
Authors: Poppe Romy , Vandemeulebroucke Daphne , Neder Reinhard B. , Hadermann Joke
Published: September 2022

In contrast to perfectly periodic crystals, materials with short-range order produce diffraction patterns that contain both Bragg reflections and diffuse scattering. To understand the influence of short-range order on material properties, current research focuses increasingly on the analysis of diffuse scattering. This article verifies the possibility to refine the short-range order parameters in submicrometre-sized crystals from diffuse scattering in single-crystal electron diffraction data. The approach was demonstrated on Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2, which is a state-of-the-art cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. The intensity distribution of the 1D diffuse scattering in the electron diffraction patterns of Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 depends on the number of stacking faults and twins in the crystal. A model of the disorder in Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 was developed and both the stacking fault probability and the percentage of the different twins in the crystal were refined using an evolutionary algorithm in DISCUS. The approach was applied on reciprocal space sections reconstructed from 3D electron diffraction data since they exhibit less dynamical effects compared with in-zone electron diffraction patterns. A good agreement was achieved between the calculated and the experimental intensity distribution of the diffuse scattering. The short-range order parameters in submicrometre-sized crystals can thus successfully be refined from the diffuse scattering in single-crystal electron diffraction data using an evolutionary algorithm in DISCUS.
The effect of hydrostatic compression on the crystal structure of glycinium phosphite
Authors: Bogdanov Nikita E. , Korabel'nikov Dmitry V. , Fedorov Igor A. , Zakharov Boris A. , Boldyreva Elena V.
Published: September 2022

The crystal structure of glycinium phosphite (GPI) was studied in the pressure range from ambient to 6.5 GPa at 293 K using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The changes in the unit-cell volume and parameters were continuous and anisotropic. The major compression was observed normal to the direction of the spontaneous polarization that occurs in this structure during a ferroelectric phase transition on cooling, whereas the structural compression along the b axis coinciding with the 21 axis was almost zero. The effect of pressure on the hydrogen bonds linking the H2PO3 tetrahedra into zigzag chains along the c axis was different from that on the hydrogen bonds connecting the glycinium cations with the H2PO3 tetrahedra in the (b × c) plane. The discontinuous changes in the geometries of selected hydrogen bonds at about 1.21 GPa may be evidence of a phase transition, e.g. into an ordered ferroelectric phase (with ordered positions of protons). The anisotropy of compression of GPI in the ferroelectric state (at 0 K) was studied using DFT calculations taking into account dispersive van der Waals interactions. The calculations predicted negative linear compressibility along the b axis.
Job demands and resources when using technologies at work – development of a digital work typology
Authors: Ruiner Caroline , Debbing Christina Elisabeth , Hagemann Vera , Schaper Martina , Klumpp Matthias , Hesenius Marc
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Digital technologies comprehensively change work processes and working conditions. However, the use of digital technologies and the modes of collaboration between technologies and human workers differ in terms of specific work organization and automatization. Referring to the job demands-resources model (JD-R), this paper investigates job demands and resources from the workers' perspectives and develops a digital work typology according to dimensions of digitalization and forms of human–computer interaction (HCI).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative-empirical study with 49 interviews in four German production and logistics organizations, emphasizing different job demands and job resources for five digital work types identified.

Findings

The results indicate that job demands and resources are to be differentiated in relation to specific work contexts. In this sense, this paper presents an analysis of dimensions of technology use and the impact of technology use on working conditions through empirically analyzing job demands and resources in digital work settings.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is to empirically analyze job demands and resources in digital work settings from the workers' perspectives and to develop a digital work typology based on the dimensions of digitalization and form of HCI. This typology can set the basis for further research insights as well as management practice measures in human resources management (HRM).
Mental health in higher education: faculty staff survey on supporting students with mental health needs
Authors: Ramluggun Pras , Kozlowska Olga , Mansbridge Sarah , Rioga Margaret , Anjoyeb Mahmood
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how faculty staff on health and social care programmes support students with mental health issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative survey design to gain in-depth information on faculty staff experiences. Seventy-one faculty staff at two universities in the South East of England out of an eligible population of 115 staff responded to an anonymous online questionnaire which were thematically analysed.

Findings

The findings indicated that faculty staff faced uncertainties in providing support to students with mental health needs. They reported tensions between their academic, professional and pastoral roles. There was a wide recognition that supporting students was physically and emotionally demanding for faculty staff and especially challenging when their roles and expectations were unclear. This was compounded by lack of explicit guidelines and an apparent severed connection between faculty staff and student support services.

Practical implications

A need for clearly defined roles and responsibilities for faculty staff in supporting students with mental health needs including a review of their pastoral role were identified. The study reinforces the need for effective collaborative arrangements and collective decision making and clearer procedures in the planning and implementation of students' personal support plans. A concerted effort into adopting a transpersonal approach which incorporates mental health staff awareness training, restorative spaces for reflection and supportive pathways for faculty staff are recommended.

Originality/value

This paper provides rare empirical evidence of faculty staff views on their role in supporting students with mental health needs on health and social care programmes.
Crisis innovation: a study of Michelin-starred restaurants' strategic renewal and alignment
Authors: Gottardello Debora , Karabag Solmaz Filiz
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Using the lens of crisis innovation and strategic alignment, this study explores how a segment of the restaurant sector that may be less agile than others—Michelin-starred restaurants—perceives and aligns with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19-pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected data from 19 Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain using a qualitative interview method. The data were analyzed qualitatively and organized thematically.

Findings

Four key categories of strategic challenges were identified: human resources, uncertainty, control and economic challenges. In response, chefs displayed both behavioral and organizational strategies. Those organizational strategies were new human resource management, reorganization, product and service innovation and marketing. While the new human resource management actions adopted to align with the human resource challenges identified, a misalignment remains between some of the other strategic actions, such as product and service innovation, marketing and economic and uncertainty challenges.

Originality/value

The findings offer new insight into Michelin-starred restaurant chefs' challenges and (mis)alignment strategies, an area that has been understudied in the current literature on innovative responses in the hospitality sector post-pandemic.
Consumer pandemic animosity: scale development and validation
Authors: Rojas-Méndez José I. , Massi Marta , Gallito Elena
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study introduces and investigates the concept of consumer pandemic animosity to (1) develop and validate a scale (i.e. CPAS) to measure consumer animosity in the context of a health pandemic; and (2) identify the effects of pandemic animosity on consumer purchase intentions in the field of general consumption and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The CPAS factor structure was initially tested on a sample of 201 American consumers based on participant interviews and expert evaluations. This exploratory phase identified two factors, namely CPAS emotions and beliefs, which were subsequently supported in the confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement and configural invariance of CPAS and discriminant and nomological validity were confirmed in an independent sample of 303 American consumers. A new sample of 203 Canadian consumers was used to test the external validity of CPAS by controlling for other types of consumer animosity dimensions. Structural equation modelling was used to test the effects of CPAS on consumer purchase intentions in general product consumption and tourism.

Findings

This study contributes to expanding on the conceptualization of the consumer animosity construct that has been dealt with in economics, politics, culture and religion but never of a pandemic health crisis to date. Results indicate the psychometric soundness of the CPAS and the multifaceted nature of this construct by clearly identifying two levels of animosity (i.e. beliefs and emotions). Moreover, the structural model shows a significant and unique impact of pandemic animosity on consumer purchase intentions and travel intentions.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study proposing a new scale to measure the consumer disposition of animosity developed due to a pandemic affecting the world. It also offers a new dimension to the typology of animosity proposed by Junget al. (2002): intentionality (intention-driven vs non-intention-driven). This paper presents a number of propositions that serve to identify testable hypotheses amenable both to validation and usefulness.
Behavioral adaptation of drivers when driving among automated vehicles
Authors: Aramrattana Maytheewat , Fu Jiali , Selpi
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore whether drivers would adapt their behavior when they drive among automated vehicles (AVs) compared to driving among manually driven vehicles (MVs).Understanding behavioral adaptation of drivers when they encounter AVs is crucial for assessing impacts of AVs in mixed-traffic situations. Here, mixed-traffic situations refer to situations where AVs share the roads with existing nonautomated vehicles such as conventional MVs.

Design/methodology/approach

A driving simulator study is designed to explore whether such behavioral adaptations exist. Two different driving scenarios were explored on a three-lane highway: driving on the main highway and merging from an on-ramp. For this study, 18 research participants were recruited.

Findings

Behavioral adaptation can be observed in terms of car-following speed, car-following time gap, number of lane change and overall driving speed. The adaptations are dependent on the driving scenario and whether the surrounding traffic was AVs or MVs. Although significant differences in behavior were found in more than 90% of the research participants, they adapted their behavior differently, and thus, magnitude of the behavioral adaptation remains unclear.

Originality/value

The observed behavioral adaptations in this paper were dependent on the driving scenario rather than the time gap between surrounding vehicles. This finding differs from previous studies, which have shown that drivers tend to adapt their behaviors with respect to the surrounding vehicles. Furthermore, the surrounding vehicles in this study are more “free flow'” compared to previous studies with a fixed formation such as platoons. Nevertheless, long-term observations are required to further support this claim.
Adoption of blockchain technology to improve Halal supply chain performance and competitiveness
Authors: Hendayani Ratih , Fernando Yudi
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between blockchain technology adoption and firm competitiveness through Halal supply chain performance as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has used the explanatory approach and multivariate data analysis using partial least squares with structural equation modelling. The data were collected from 178 Indonesian manufacturing firms producing Halal-certified foods and beverages.

Findings

The findings reveal that adopting blockchain technology positively and significantly affects Halal supply chain performance and firm competitiveness. The total indirect effect shows that the availability of blockchain technology indirectly affects the firm’s competitiveness through Halal supply chain performance.

Originality/value

This study has provided a novel theoretical framework showing that adopting blockchain technology can improve the Halal supply chain performance and the firm’s competitiveness. The transparency and integrity features of blockchain technology have strengthened the consumers’ confidence in the reliability of the Halal-certified food and beverage products.
Is tenure important in the sustainability assurance context? An empirical analysis of the informative value of assurance statements
Authors: Ruiz-Barbadillo Emiliano , Martinez-Ferrero Jennifer
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the communicative value of assurance reports by investigating whether the impact on information asymmetries is contingent on the length of the contractual relationship between clients and assurance providers, which can compromise the provider’s independence.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a firm-level data set of publicly listed international firms from 2007 to 2016, the authors estimate several regression models for panel data by using the generalized method of moments estimator to address the endogeneity issue.

Findings

Results find that the greater the communicative value in assurance statements, the lower the information asymmetries. However, this effect is constrained when the assurance provider’s independence is compromised due to an excessively long-term contractual relationship. In other words, assurance statements with more informative value enhance the firm’s transparency and increase users’ confidence in the sustainability information provided. However, the loss of independence linked to longer tenure jeopardizes the communicative value of the assurance report and contributes to reducing information asymmetries.

Originality/value

The study makes at least three clear contributions to current literature. First, the authors contribute to the limited existing research about the communicative value attributed to assurance statements by stakeholders. Second, the authors indirectly contribute to the literature that analyses whether stakeholders understand the assurance report, a complex statement in a growing market. Addressing the communicative value of assurance is certainly a difficult task, as it is a novel and complex activity. Third, the main contribution is providing initial empirical evidence about the moderating effect that assurance provider tenure has in the relationship between the informational content of the assurance report and the level of information asymmetries. To date, there is no empirical evidence regarding the moderating effect of long assuror’s tenure as an important feature of the assurance market, and beyond that, regarding its impact on the communicative value assigned by stakeholders to assurance statements.
Employee welfare and firm financial performance revisited
Authors: Liang Woan-lih , Nguyen Duc Nguyen , Tran Quynh-Nhu , Truong Quang-Thai
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to revisit the link between employee welfare and firm financial performance using a large sample. Besides, the study explores mechanisms behind the link and heterogeneous effects of employee welfare on firm performance across firms and industries with different characteristics. These findings help partly explain mixed results in previous works.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized KLD database data from 2001 to 2015 to capture the firm-level employee welfare, then analyze the link between employee welfare and firm financial performance. The findings are further verified using clustered standard errors ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis along with robustness testing, which supports the validity of our conclusions.

Findings

The research result confirms a positive association between employee-friendly practices and firm performance indicated by Tobin's q. Regarding the mechanisms linking the two, the study shows that higher employee welfare is positively associated with firm productivity and innovation investment, while it is negatively related to the cost of finance. Further, consistent with agency and modern management theories, the effect of employee welfare on financial performance is more pronounced for human-intensive (i.e. R&D-based) firms and firms with better corporate governance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on the association between employee welfare and firm performance in several ways. First, using the index of employee welfare from KLD can alleviate inherent limitations in previous studies. Second, the authors provide and validate the possible mechanisms linking employee welfare and firm value. Third, the authors also extend the literature by providing new insights into the employee welfare–firm performance nexus through a contingency perspective.
Body composition of young male rats fed on diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour
Authors: da Costa Carlos Alberto Soares , Pessôa Letícia Rozeno , Ribeiro Gracio Gabrielle , de Abreu Maíra Duque Coutinho , Boueri Bianca Ferolla da Camara , Pessanha Carolina Ribeiro , Pereira Aline D'Avila , Ribeiro Danielle Cavalcante , Boaventura Gilson Teles
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour on the body composition of rats.

Design/methodology/approach

Weanling male rats were divided into Control (n = 11) and experimental groups (Taro, n = 12); experimental rats were fed on taro for 90 days. Food intake, body mass and length were evaluated on a weekly basis. Body composition was assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and intra abdominal fat mass was measured at the end of 90 days.

Findings

Taro group recorded protein intake (55.5 ± 14.1 vs 43.8 ± 12.8 kcal, P < 0.009), body mass (between 40 and 90 days, P < 0.05), fat mass (147.3 ± 7.7 vs 99 ± 6.1 g, P < 0.001), lean mass (282.8 ± 4 vs 253.5 ± 7 g, P < 0.001), trunk fat mass (97.1 ± 7.7 vs 71.5 ± 4.1 g, P < 0.010), as well as intra-abdominal (31.3 ± 1.9 vs 21.1 ± 1.7 g, P < 0.001), epididymal (9.2 ± 0.8 vs 4.7 ± 0.5 g, P < 0.001) and retroperitoneal (14.2 ± 0.9 vs 8.8 ± 1.2 g, P < 0.002) fat mass higher than that of the Control group.

Originality/value

Taro flour would show anabolic effects on body compartments of rats. The extrapolation of these findings herein recorded for rats to humans requires caution; however, it is necessary conducting further studies to investigate potentials anabolic effects of taro (Colocacia esculenta) flour on the body composition of physical training models.
Studies on low stress mechanical properties of Eri silk knitted fabric
Authors: B. Senthil Kumar , D. Anita Rachel , C.B. Sentil Kumar
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Eri silk fiber has superior thermal insulation behavior, better softness than cotton fiber. However, Eri silk’s use in the commercial arena has not yet taken off. The purpose of the study is to explore the comfort properties of the fabric, which enhances the commercial acceptance of Eri silk clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

In this investigation, three different single knit Eri silk structures were produced with different loop lengths and yarn counts to analyze the influence of process variables on low-stress mechanical properties. To execute the research work, Eri silk spun yarn of three different linear densities (15 tex, 20 tex, 25 tex) were chosen. Three different knitted structures were produced, such as single jersey, popcorn and cellular blister, and two different loop lengths were also selected.

Findings

The cellular blister structure has shown appreciable low-stress properties next highest position was attained by the popcorn structure. Yarn fineness and loop length were significant with most of the low-stress properties.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research will contribute to a greater awareness of Eri silk knitted fabric and its process parameters in relation to its commercial utility.

Originality/value

This study was conducted to explore the influence of knit structure, loop length and yarn count on the low-stress properties of Eri silk-based thermal clothing.
Lessons for resilience building in tourism and hospitality: the case of New Zealand
Authors: Munasinghe Sarath , Powell Lawrence , Herath Hanshika Madushani , Frey Rosemary A.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This opinion piece outlines the actions taken by the New Zealand government and tourism sectors in response to Covid-19 and to explore the potential lessons for resilience building in tourism for other destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis integrates descriptions of the Covid-19 outbreak and tourism-related policy responses in New Zealand, taken from prominent medical, governmental and journalistic accounts.

Findings

The resilience of the economy and domestic tourism was a major New Zealand policy priority, but this was seen by the Ardern administration as best achieved by first ensuring the health and well-being of the populace, as quickly and comprehensively as possible. This, in turn, required proactive, nationally coordinated measures designed to minimize the spread of Covid-19 including: lockdowns, preventive social-distancing and mask mandates, a four-level graduated strategy for ensuring national Covid-19 recovery (which later morphed into the “traffic light” system) and closely following the medical and epidemiological advice of experts in the related academic sciences. As a result of these, the negative impact on health, the overall economy and the tourism sector was substantially minimized, when compared with many other similar nations during the 2020–2022 period.

Originality/value

The New Zealand experience holds important lessons for preserving and rebuilding the hospitality and tourism industry in the aftermath of Covid-19, and during future similar pandemics.
What innovations would enable the tourism and hospitality industry in Malaysia to rebuild?
Authors: Balasubramanian Kandappan , Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper explores the challenges Malaysian tourism and hospitality organisations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and assesses how they coped and strategized with these challenges. Next, the study explores innovative action and best practices in dealing with the pandemic. Additionally, the study focusses on the efforts of policymakers. The paper also reviews government policy and support programmes made available to the business sector during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies the key pandemic-related issues and challenges faced in the tourism and hospitality industry through open-ended questions with senior industry practitioner insights and policymakers.

Findings

The study highlights emerging challenges and issues for Malaysian hospitality and tourism businesses. In addition, it offers specific recommendations and strategies to enable industry stakeholders to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical implications

These findings are of interest to Malaysian tourism and hospitality industry stakeholders and policymakers as they highlight challenges and offer possible post-pandemic solutions.

Originality/value

The paper reflects current issues and challenges from the perspective of tourism and hospitality practitioners on managerial and operational issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phygital rural cultural heritage: a digitalisation approach for destination recovery and resilience
Authors: Muangasame Kaewta , Tan Eunice
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study examines a phygital approach to rural cultural heritage tourism, adopted by a rural community in Sapphaya, Chai Nat Province, Thailand, in response to the Covid-19 crisis. Specifically, it investigates a community’s initiatives to amalgamate its physical and digital marketing communications in order to engage with consumers as a strategy for destination recovery and resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative exploratory study involving three stages of action, applying two research approaches: (1) participatory action research (PAR) with Sapphaya’s tourism stakeholders, and (2) social media research utilising netnographic analysis of Sapphaya’s tourism social enterprise social media pages.

Findings

The findings indicate that a phygital rural cultural heritage strategy can facilitate the interconnectivity between a destination’s physical and digital dimensions of its cultural heritage tourism product, thereby enhancing its intrinsic value, meaning and experiential perceptions. Specifically, it recommends that a successful community-based phygitalisation strategy requires grassroot engagement across all stages of planning, development, implementation and management of the rural cultural heritage tourism product.

Practical Implications

The paper focusses on the cultural heritage tourism strategy adopted by a rural community across the physical-digital-phygital spectrum to augment its sustainable tourism development during a time of crisis. A framework for phygital rural cultural heritage as a strategy for destination resilience and recovery is also proposed.

Originality/value

This study adopts a local engagement approach to develop a cooperative community heritage management strategy, based upon local rural capacity building towards digitalisation and empowering innovative partnerships amongst its stakeholders.
Firm‐Level Climate Change Risk and CEO Equity Incentives
Authors: Hossain Ashrafee , Masum Abdullah‐Al , Saadi Samir , Benkraiem Ramzi , Das Nirmol
Published: September 2022

We document evidence that CEOs who lead firms that face higher climate change risk (CCR) receive higher equity‐based compensation. Our finding is consistent with the compensating wedge differential theory and survives numerous robustness and endogeneity tests. The result is more prominent for firms that are socially responsible, susceptible to higher environmental litigation and part of the non‐high‐tech industries. Furthermore, we find supportive evidence that firms offering higher equity incentives to their CEOs for managing higher CCR are usually better off in the long run via a lower cost of equity capital and higher firm valuation.