bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Antimalarial Adherence on Mortality Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Hoque M. Rashedul , Aviña‐Zubieta J. Antonio , De Vera Mary A. , Qian Yi , Esdaile John M. , Xie Hui
Published: January 2021

Objective

To assess the association of antimalarial (AM) adherence with premature mortality among incident systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Methods

All patients with incident SLE and incident AM use in British Columbia, Canada, between January 1997 and March 2015 were identified using the provincial administrative databases. Follow‐up started on the first day of having both SLE and AM. The outcome was all‐cause mortality. An adherence measure, proportion of days covered (PDC), was calculated and categorized as adherent (PDC ≥ 0.90), nonadherent (0 < PDC < 0.90), and discontinuer (PDC = 0) during 30‐day windows. We first used Cox models for time‐to‐death, adjusting for baseline and time‐varying confounders on medication usages, health care utilization, and comorbidities. We then used marginal structural Cox models via inverse probability weighting designed for causal inference with time‐varying confounders to assess the effect of AM adherence on premature mortality.

Results

We identified 3,062 individuals with incident SLE and incident AM use (mean age 46.9 years). Over the mean follow‐up period of 6.4 years, 242 (7.9%) of those patients died. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRadj) from the Cox model for AM adherent and nonadherent SLE patients were 0.20 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.13–0.29) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.42–0.91), respectively, compared to discontinuers. The corresponding HRadj from the marginal structural Cox model were 0.17 (95% CI 0.12–0.25) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.40–0.85), respectively. A significant trend in the HRadj of mortality risk over the adherence levels was found (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with SLE adhering to AM therapy had a 71% and 83% lower risk of death than patients who do not adhere or who discontinued AMs, respectively.
Insight into the Mechanism of Action and Peptide‐Membrane Interactions of Aib‐Rich Peptides: Multitechnique Experimental and Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Lizio Maria Giovanna , Campana Mario , De Poli Matteo , Jefferies Damien F. , Cullen William , Andrushchenko Valery , Chmel Nikola P. , Bouř Petr , Khalid Syma , Clayden Jonathan , Blanch Ewan , Rodger Alison , Webb Simon J.
Published: January 2021

The increase in resistant bacterial strains necessitates the identification of new antimicrobial molecules. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an attractive option because of evidence that bacteria cannot easily develop resistance to AMPs. The peptaibols, a class of naturally occurring AMPs, have shown particular promise as antimicrobial drugs, but their development has been hindered by their mechanism of action not being clearly understood. To explore how peptaibols might interact with membranes, circular dichroism, vibrational circular dichroism, linear dichroism, Raman spectroscopy, Raman optical activity, neutron reflectivity and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study a small library of peptaibol mimics, the Aib‐rich peptides. All the peptides studied quickly partitioned and oriented in membranes, and we found evidence of chiral interactions between the phospholipids and membrane‐embedded peptides. The protocols presented in this paper open new ground by showing how chiro‐optical spectroscopies can throw light on the mechanism of action of AMPs.
Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Nanospheres Decorated with Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Efficient Earth‐Abundant Zinc‐Air Battery Catalysts
Authors: He Yingjie , Aasen Drew , McDougall Alexandra , Yu Haoyang , Labbe Matthew , Ni Chuyi , Milliken Sarah , Ivey Douglas G. , Veinot Jonathan G. C.
Published: January 2021

Hybrids comprising hollow mesoporous nitrogen‐doped carbon (HMC) nanospheres and metal‐oxide nanoparticles were prepared through a hydrothermal synthesis. These materials exhibit excellent bifunctional catalytic activity in the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER, respectively) that are core to the efficient operation of Zn‐air batteries. When incorporated into prototype devices, Co3O4 and MnCo2O4 nanoparticle‐decorated HMC exhibited discharge potentials of 1.26 and 1.28 V at 10 mA cm−2, respectively. ‘CoFeNiO’‐decorated HMC exhibited a charging potential of 1.96 V at 10 mA cm−2. These metrics are far superior to benchmark Pt−Ru, which displayed discharge and charging potentials of 1.25 and 2.01 V, respectively, at the same current density. The battery equipped with Co3O4‐decorated HMC demonstrated 63 % initial efficiency before cycling. After cycling at 10 mA cm−2 for 100 hours, the battery efficiency was maintained at 56.5 %, outperforming the battery with Pt−Ru (50.2 % after 50 h).
IL‐17 Inhibitors and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Postmarketing Study in Vigibase
Authors: Petitpain Nadine , D’Amico Ferdinando , Yelehe‐Okouma Melissa , Jouzeau Jean‐Yves , Netter Patrick , Peyrin‐Biroulet Laurent , Gillet Pierre
Published: January 2021

Several gastrointestinal symptoms and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have been reported after therapy with IL‐17 inhibitors. To date, however, no study has shown a clear association between these drugs and IBD onset. We searched on Vigibase, the worldwide pharmacovigilance database, to investigate reporting prevalence, characteristics, and prognosis of all gastroenterological adverse events in patients treated with IL‐17 inhibitors. In total, 1,129 gastrointestinal Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) were identified, including 850 IBD (42.5% Crohn’s disease, 31.9% ulcerative colitis, and 25.6% undifferentiated IBD) and 279 colitis (mainly undifferentiated colitis (79.2%), and microscopic colitis (10.4%)). ICSRs were associated with secukinumab (SEC, 83.6%) or ixekizumab (IXE, 16.3%), whereas only one colitis occurred with brodalumab (0.1%). Most IBD and colitis cases were detected within 6 months from therapy start in both the SEC (68.8% and 73.5%) and IXE groups (100% and 66.7%). Patients’ outcomes were reported in 428 ICSRs (37.9%). Complete or ongoing recovery from symptoms was detected in about two‐thirds of patients experiencing IBD (59.5%) or colitis (64.2%), whereas in the other cases, there was no recovery (33.9% and 29.5%) or there were sequelae (5.4% and 4.2%). Fatal events occurred in four patients (1.2%) in the IBD group (3 after SEC and on1e with IXE) and two SEC‐treated subjects in the colitis group (2.1%). Treatment with IL‐17 inhibitors is associated with a relevant number of exacerbations and new onset of IBD and colitis. Careful evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms and the monitoring of intestinal inflammatory biomarkers should be recommended before prescribing these drugs.
Germline APOBEC3B deletion increases somatic hypermutation in Asian breast cancer that is associated with Her2 subtype, PIK3CA mutations and immune activation
Authors: Pan Jia‐Wern , Zabidi Muhammad Mamduh Ahmad , Chong Boon‐Keat , Meng Mei‐Yee , Ng Pei‐Sze , Hasan Siti Norhidayu , Sandey Bethan , Bahnu Saira , Rajadurai Pathmanathan , Yip Cheng‐Har , Rueda Oscar M. , Caldas Carlos , Chin Suet‐Feung , Teo Soo‐Hwang
Published: January 2021

A 30‐kb deletion that eliminates the coding region of APOBEC3B (A3B) is >5 times more common in women of Asian descent compared to European descent. This polymorphism creates a chimera with the APOBEC3A (A3A) coding region and A3B 3′UTR, and it is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer in Asian women. Here, we explored the relationship between the A3B deletion polymorphism with tumour characteristics in Asian women. Using whole exome and whole transcriptome sequencing data of 527 breast tumours, we report that germline A3B deletion polymorphism leads to expression of the A3A‐B hybrid isoform and increased APOBEC‐associated somatic hypermutation. Hypermutated tumours, regardless of A3B germline status, were associated with the Her2 molecular subtype and PIK3CA mutations. Compared to nonhypermutated tumours, hypermutated tumours also had higher neoantigen burden, tumour heterogeneity and immune activation. Taken together, our results suggest that the germline A3B deletion polymorphism, via the A3A‐B hybrid isoform, contributes to APOBEC mutagenesis in a significant proportion of Asian breast cancers. In addition, APOBEC somatic hypermutation, regardless of A3B background, may be an important clinical biomarker for Asian breast cancers.
Plasma protein biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yu Jingru , Ploner Alexander , Kordes Maximilian , Löhr Matthias , Nilsson Magnus , de Maturana Maria Evangelina Lopez , Estudillo Lidia , Renz Harald , Carrato Alfredo , Molero Xavier , Real Francisco X , Malats Núria , Ye Weimin
Published: January 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis, mainly due to late diagnosis at advanced tumor stages. In this study, we aimed to identify plasma protein biomarkers for early detection of PDAC. Totally, 135 PDAC patients (early PDAC, Stage I/II, n = 71; advanced PDAC, Stage III/IV, n = 64), 13 benign lesions/chronic pancreatitis patients and 72 healthy individuals, with corresponding plasma samples from a case‐control study in Sweden were included. A proximity extension assay was used to detect 92 cancer‐related proteins, and an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay/electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect CA19‐9. Predictive features were selected from these 93 candidate proteins and three covariates in the Swedish participants, and then validated in Spanish participants, including 37 early PDAC patients, 38 advanced PDAC patients, 19 chronic pancreatitis patients and 36 healthy controls. A panel of eight proteins discriminating early PDAC from healthy individuals was identified, and the cross‐validated area under the curves (AUCs) were 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 0.78‐0.91) and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.70‐0.92) in the Swedish and Spanish participants, respectively. Another eight‐protein panel was predictive for classifying advanced PDAC from healthy controls in two populations, with cross‐validated AUCs of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.83‐0.95) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83‐0.98), respectively. In conclusion, eight protein biomarkers were identified and externally validated, potentially allowing early detection of PDAC patients if validated in additional prospective studies.
Editorial: The Science of Citizen Science Evolves
Authors: Vohland Katrin , Land-Zandstra Anne , Ceccaroni Luigi , Lemmens Rob , Perelló Josep , Ponti Marisa , Samson Roeland , Wagenknecht Katherin
Published: January 2021

Citizen science broadly refers to the active engagement of the general public in scientific research tasks. Citizen science is a growing practice in which scientists and citizens collaborate to produce new knowledge for science and society. Although citizen science has been around for centuries, the term citizen science was coined in the 1990s and has gained popularity since then. Recognition of citizen science is growing in the fields of science, policy, and education and in wider society. It is establishing itself as a field of research and a field of practice, increasing the need for overarching insights, standards, vocabulary, and guidelines. In this editorial chapter we outline how this book is providing an overview of the field of citizen science.
Participation and Co-creation in Citizen Science
Authors: Senabre Hidalgo Enric , Perelló Josep , Becker Frank , Bonhoure Isabelle , Legris Martine , Cigarini Anna
Published: January 2021

Citizen science practices have different frames to general scientific research – the adoption of participatory methods in research design has long been pursued in citizen science projects. The citizen science research design process should be inclusive, flexible, and adaptive in all its stages, from research question formulation to evidence-based collective results. Some citizen science initiatives adopt strategies that include co-creation techniques and methodologies from a wide variety of disciplines and practices. In this sense, the will to collaborate between researchers and other stakeholders is not new. It is traditionally found in public participation in science, including participatory action research (PAR) and the involvement of civil society organisations (CSOs) in research, as well as in mediatory structures, such as science shops. This chapter critically reviews methodologies, techniques, skills, and participation based on experiences of civic involvement and co-creation in research and discusses their limitations and potential improvements. Our focus is on the reflexivity approach and infrastructure needed to design citizen science projects, as well as associated key roles. Existing tools that can be used to enhance and improve citizen participation at each stage of the research process will also be explored. We conclude with a series of reflections on participatory practices.
Participants in Citizen Science
Authors: Land-Zandstra Anne , Agnello Gaia , Gültekin Yaşar Selman
Published: January 2021

The most important factor that defines citizen science is that non-professional scientists contribute to scientific research. Therefore, it is important to recognise the perspectives and experiences of these participants. Projects may provide ways for participants to contribute to scientific research at different stages of the scientific process according to different levels of engagement. Understanding what motivates citizen scientists to engage in a project, and subsequently matching the project to these motivations, will help project leaders to recruit and retain participants. In addition, it is important to understand what benefits participants gain from engagement in citizen science projects. For individual projects, this will help ensure that scientists as well as participants benefit. For the wider field of citizen science, this will provide evidence of the potential impact of citizen science on participants. However, participants may also encounter challenges during their engagement with citizen science projects. Project leaders and scientists should plan in advance to address these challenges and ensure that relevant expertise is present in the project team.
Citizen Science Case Studies and Their Impacts on Social Innovation
Authors: Butkevičienė Eglė , Skarlatidou Artemis , Balázs Bálint , Duží Barbora , Massetti Luciano , Tsampoulatidis Ioannis , Tauginienė Loreta
Published: January 2021

Social innovation brings social change and aims to address societal challenges and social needs in a novel way. We therefore consider citizen science as both (1) social innovation in research and (2) an innovative way to develop and foster social innovation. In this chapter, we discuss how citizen science contributes to society’s goals and the development of social innovation, and we conceptualise citizen science as a process that creates social innovation. We argue that both citizen science and social innovation can be analysed using three dimensions – content, process, and empowerment (impact). Using these three dimensions as a framework for our analysis, we present five citizen science cases to demonstrate how citizen science leads to social innovation. As a result of our case study analysis, we identify the major challenges for citizen science in stimulating social innovation.
Creating Positive Environmental Impact Through Citizen Science
Authors: van Noordwijk Toos , Bishop Isabel , Staunton-Lamb Sarah , Oldfield Alice , Loiselle Steven , Geoghegan Hilary , Ceccaroni Luigi
Published: January 2021

Interest in citizen science is growing, including from governments and research funders. This interest is often driven by a desire for positive environmental impact, and the expectation that citizen science can deliver it by engaging the public and simultaneously collecting environmental data. Yet, in practice, there is often a gap between expected and realised impact. To close this gap, we need to better understand pathways to impact and what it takes to realise them. We articulate six key pathways through which citizen science can create positive environmental change: (1) environmental management; (2) evidence for policy; (3) behaviour change; (4) social network championing; (5) political advocacy; and (6) community action. We explore the project attributes likely to create impact through each of these pathways and show that there is an interplay between these project attributes and the needs and motivations of target participant groups. Exploring this interplay, we create a framework that articulates four citizen science approaches that create environmental impact in different ways: place-based community action; interest group investigation; captive learning research; and mass participation census.
Finding What You Need: A Guide to Citizen Science Guidelines
Authors: García Francisco Sanz , Pelacho Maite , Woods Tim , Fraisl Dilek , See Linda , Haklay Mordechai , Arias Rosa
Published: January 2021

In line with the growth in citizen science projects and participants, there are an increasing number of guidelines on different aspects of citizen science (e.g. specific concepts and methodologies; data management; and project implementation) pitched at different levels of experience and expertise. However, it is not always easy for practitioners to know which is the most suitable guideline for their needs. This chapter presents a general classification of guidelines, illustrating and analysing examples of each type. Drawing on the EU-Citizen.Science project, we outline criteria for categorising guidelines to enable users to find the right one and to ensure that guidelines reach their intended audience. We discuss challenges and weaknesses around the use and creation of guidelines and, as a practical conclusion, provide a set of recommendations to consider when creating guidelines.
Citizen Science Platforms
Authors: Liu Hai-Ying , Dörler Daniel , Heigl Florian , Grossberndt Sonja
Published: January 2021

Adequate infrastructure for citizen science is constantly growing and has become increasingly important in providing support to citizen science activities, both nationally and internationally. Many types of citizen science infrastructures exist, with different functionalities. This chapter focuses on current citizen science platforms. The platforms addressed in this chapter are those which display citizen science data and information, provide good practical examples and toolkits, collect relevant scientific outcomes, and are accessible to different stakeholders, ranging from interested citizens to scientific institutions to authorities, politicians, and public media. We present current citizen science platforms in Europe and associated (inter)national citizen science networks and discuss how these platforms have become increasingly vital within citizen science. Based on these examples, we elaborate on challenges for citizen science platforms, such as establishing and financing platforms, designing user interfaces, maintaining platforms, promoting the usage of platforms, etc. We conclude with an outlook into potential development needs of citizen science platforms in the future.
Citizen Science in the Digital World of Apps
Authors: Lemmens Rob , Antoniou Vyron , Hummer Philipp , Potsiou Chryssy
Published: January 2021

In this chapter, we highlight the added value of mobile and web apps to the field of citizen science. We provide an overview of app types and their functionalities to facilitate appropriate app selection for citizen science projects. We identify different app types according to methodology, data specifics, and data collection format.

The chapter outlines good practices for creating apps. Citizen science apps need to ensure high levels of performance and usability. Social features for citizen science projects with a focus on mobile apps are helpful for user motivation and immersion and, also, can improve data quality via community feedback. The design, look and feel, and project identity are essential features of citizen science apps.

We provide recommendations aimed at establishing good practice in citizen science app development. We also highlight future developments in technology and, in particular, how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can impact citizen science projects.
The Recent Past and Possible Futures of Citizen Science: Final Remarks
Authors: Perelló Josep , Klimczuk Andrzej , Land-Zandstra Anne , Vohland Katrin , Wagenknecht Katherin , Narraway Claire , Lemmens Rob , Ponti Marisa
Published: January 2021

This book is the culmination of the COST Action CA15212 Citizen Science to Promote Creativity, Scientific Literacy, and Innovation throughout Europe. It represents the final stage of a shared journey taken over the last 4 years. During this relatively short period, our citizen science practices and perspectives have rapidly evolved. In this chapter we discuss what we have learnt about the recent past of citizen science and what we expect and hope for the future.
Science as a Commons: Improving the Governance of Knowledge Through Citizen Science
Authors: Pelacho Maite , Rodríguez Hannot , Broncano Fernando , Kubus Renata , García Francisco Sanz , Gavete Beatriz , Lafuente Antonio
Published: January 2021

In recent decades, problems related to the accessibility and sustainability of science have increased, both in terms of the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and its generation. Policymakers, academics, and, increasingly, citizens themselves have developed various approaches to this issue. Among them, citizen science is distinguished by making possible the generation of scientific knowledge by anyone with an interest in doing so. However, participation alone does not guarantee knowledge generation, which represents an epistemological challenge for citizen science. Simultaneously, economic and socio-institutional difficulties in science governance and maintenance have grown. To solve those problems, several market elements have been introduced, a solution rejected by those who consider science as a public good that states must guarantee. Alternatively, research and work on the commons are growing worldwide, the concept being extended from natural resources to knowledge resources. In this chapter, we propose science as a commons, underlining the essential role of citizen science. Difficulties also apply to citizen science itself, but the increasing development of a multitude of projects based on cooperation favours the conditions required for its sustainability and quality.

Our philosophical proposal is based on empirical knowledge about citizen science coupled with socio-economic concepts, according to a sociopolitical epistemology.
Data Quality in Citizen Science
Authors: Balázs Bálint , Mooney Peter , Nováková Eva , Bastin Lucy , Jokar Arsanjani Jamal
Published: January 2021

This chapter discusses the broad and complex topic of data quality in citizen science – a contested arena because different projects and stakeholders aspire to different levels of data accuracy. In this chapter, we consider how we ensure the validity and reliability of data generated by citizen scientists and citizen science projects. We show that this is an essential methodological question that has emerged within a highly contested field in recent years. Data quality means different things to different stakeholders. This is no surprise as quality is always a broad spectrum, and nearly 200 terms are in use to describe it, regardless of the approach. We seek to deliver a high-level overview of the main themes and issues in data quality in citizen science, mechanisms to ensure and improve quality, and some conclusions on best practice and ways forwards. We encourage citizen science projects to share insights on their data practice failures. Finally, we show how data quality assurance gives credibility, reputation, and sustainability to citizen science projects.
A Conceptual Model for Participants and Activities in Citizen Science Projects
Authors: Lemmens Rob , Falquet Gilles , Tsinaraki Chrisa , Klan Friederike , Schade Sven , Bastin Lucy , Piera Jaume , Antoniou Vyron , Trojan Jakub , Ostermann Frank , Ceccaroni Luigi
Published: January 2021

Interest in the formal representation of citizen science comes from portals, platforms, and catalogues of citizen science projects; scientists using citizen science data for their research; and funding agencies and governments interested in the impact of citizen science initiatives. Having a common understanding and representation of citizen science projects, their participants, and their outcomes is key to enabling seamless knowledge and data sharing. In this chapter, we provide a conceptual model comprised of the core citizen science concepts with which projects and data can be described in a standardised manner, focusing on the description of the participants and their activities. The conceptual model is the outcome of a working group from the COST Action CA15212 Citizen Science to Promote Creativity, Scientific Literacy, and Innovation throughout Europe, established to improve data standardisation and interoperability in citizen science activities. It utilises past models and contributes to current standardisation efforts, such as the Public Participation in Scientific Research (PPSR) Common Conceptual Model and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards. Its design is intended to fulfil the needs of different stakeholders, as illustrated by several case studies which demonstrate the model’s applicability.
Finding Meaning Through Travel Journaling: A Strength-Based Approach
Authors: Wan C. K. Bruce , de Bont Cees J. P. M. , Hekkert Paul , Chow Kenny K. N.
Published: January 2021

This study explores how technology-mediated journaling can support memorable and meaningful tourism experiences (MMEs). The digital photo is the most common medium for travelers to keep a record of memorable and meaningful moments and share them via social media. We explore the potential of using these footprints for travelers to connect the implicit dimensions of their well-being. In particular, we draw reference from positive psychology, which emphasizes that human well-being is rooted in people’s implicit personal factors and psychological needs such as character strengths, motives, and values. Making the implicit explicit may help people to make a wiser choice that matches their own aspirations. To support people in (re)creating meaningful narratives, we created a proof-of-concept prototype by incorporating character strengths into the design of a digital journaling platform. This study involved ten participants and each of them created at least five MME narratives from their past journeys. In this article, we discuss the design concerns for such a platform and examine the effectiveness of the platform in producing meaningful narrative by collecting participant feedback, and looking into the character strengths that the participants draw upon in their MMEs. The result suggests that not only the platform supports the reminiscing of MMEs, but the narration also deepened their self-awareness and allowed the participants to connect their behaviors with their personality traits and implicit values. Some participants were able to identify meanings that were hitherto obscured to them. Implications for quantified travelers and smart tourism are discussed.
Blockchain Technology’s Potential for Sustainable Tourism
Authors: Tyan Inessa , Yagüe Mariemma I. , Guevara-Plaza Antonio
Published: January 2021

Achieving sustainable tourism is a process that focuses on numerous goals and faces many challenges. The advent of disruptive technology like blockchain could help to tackle some challenges in sustainable tourism development and address its goals. This conceptual paper aims to discuss how blockchain technology could contribute to sustainable tourism. Precisely, the authors investigate the potential benefits of blockchain technology to disrupt tourism operations and boost local economy, manage food supply chain and mitigate food waste, achieve tourists’ satisfaction, affect the tourists’ sustainable behaviour, and address awareness rise issues. The authors conclude that blockchain technology has a potential to contribute to sustainable tourism development as well as the SDGs and propose the directions for future research.
Measuring the Value of Social Media Marketing from a Destination Marketing Organization Perspective
Authors: Kumpu Jonna , Pesonen Juho , Heinonen Johanna
Published: January 2021

Even though social media is one of the most significant marketing tools in tourism, the measurement of its value is still developing. Assessing return-on-investment on social media marketing is challenging. Thus, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are nonetheless pouring money and time in social media marketing without being aware of the results. In this study, we seek to understand what DMOs are measuring in social media marketing that they do and why. The qualitative data was gathered via semi-structured interviews among eight representatives of Finnish DMOs. The interview responses were analyzed with a theory-guided content analysis method. The results demonstrate that even though the goals for social media presence are clear, the actions taken are more of an experimental nature and undocumented. Only the basic metrics that the platforms automatically provide are used and the evaluation of financial value is difficult. However, social media marketing creates value beyond financial value. Non-measurable data like customer emotions and opinions in various channels are considered as important especially to understand customer engagement. Even though the evaluation of financial value is challenging the total value of social media marketing is considered extremely valuable. Social media marketing is utilized in decision-making by top management especially with the help of measurable data. In addition to this, non-measurable insights are utilized in product development and marketing planning.
Hear No Virus, See No Virus, Speak No Virus: Swiss Hotels’ Online Communication Regarding Coronavirus
Authors: Zizka Laura , Chen Meng-Mei , Zhang Effie , Favre Amandine
Published: January 2021

Tourism is a lucrative business, and Swiss hotels rely heavily on international clientele to book their rooms. The Coronavirus pandemic has halted travel and hotel stays from March to June 2020. Based on Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), this paper investigates the messages Swiss hotels have posted on their official websites and Facebook pages to reassure guests that it is safe to book rooms in Switzerland again. The findings from 73 independent 4 and 5-star hotels show that most hotels did not publish messages regarding the Coronavirus or the measures they have taken; instead, the hotels posted positive messages about reopening their rooms and services. Official hotel websites emphasized deals and offers while the Facebook pages concentrated on enthusiastic ‘welcome back’ messages. The findings presented here contribute to the literature by offering the first results of a larger project on communication during the de-confinement stage of a pandemic.
Covid-19 and Instagram: Digital Service Innovation in Top Restaurants
Authors: Tuomi Aarni , Tussyadiah Iis , Ashton Mark
Published: January 2021

Governments across the world have imposed strict rules on social distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19. In particular, restaurants have been impacted by government-mandated lockdowns. This study adopts a mixed methods approach to explore how Finnish high-profile restaurants used Instagram as a means for service innovation and diffusion during nine weeks of government-mandated lockdown. Comparatively analysing 1,119 Instagram posts across two time-stamps (2019 and 2020) and across 45 restaurants, as well as conducting five semi-structured interviews with restaurant managers, it is found that while the overall number of Instagram posts and likes on posts stayed relatively similar to the year prior, the number of comments increased significantly, suggesting a move towards a more didactic and dyadic form of Instagram communication. In addition, four digital service innovation strategies are identified: launching new service offerings and introducing new elements to existing service offerings, fostering social relationship with customers, exploring novel streams of revenue, and reinvigorating the brand’s image. Implications to service innovation theory and practice are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.
“Nothing Can Stop Me!” Perceived Risk and Travel Intention Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study of Wuhan and Sapporo
Authors: Li Si Ru , Ito Naoya
Published: January 2021

The global tourism industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to strict travel restrictions imposed by most countries. In order to achieve a swift post-pandemic recovery, it is important to understand what psychological obstacles people would face when making travel decisions. Building upon the dual-route theory of information processing, this study examined and compared how the perceived risk of COVID-19 would affect people’s travel intentions in the Japanese city of Sapporo and the Chinese city of Wuhan through two rounds of data collection. While both cities were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic at an early stage, the cumulative numbers of confirmed human cases and the levels of intervention adopted were largely different. Results from the present study showed that risk perception of COVID-19 had a negative effect on people’s travel intentions in Sapporo. However, no significant effect of COVID-19 perception could be observed in post-lockdown Wuhan. Meanwhile, although the dual-route structure of information processing was obtained in Sapporo and post-lockdown Wuhan, neither routes seemed to predict the perceived risk of COVID-19 in Wuhan when lockdown restrictions were still in place. Several theoretical and practical implications concerning the results are discussed in this study.
Factors Influencing Tourists’ Intention to Use COVID-19 Contact Tracing App
Authors: Ukpabi Dandison , Olaleye Sunday , Karjaluoto Heikki
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model that explores the antecedents of tourists’ acceptance of COVID-19 contact tracing app (CTA). Data was obtained from a crowdsourcing platform (Pollfish), in which 400 respondents answered the questionnaire. We used SmartPLS to analyse the data. Results reveal that trust and structural assurance have the strongest relationship. Furthermore, the relationship between trust and destination safety was positive. Finally, self-efficacy moderated the relationship between trust and intention, implying that trust was stronger for tourists who have higher levels of self-efficacy. Recommendations are offered.
A Model to Predict Users’ Intentions to Adopt Contact-Tracing Apps for Prevention from COVID-19
Authors: Ezzaouia Imane , Bulchand-Gidumal Jacques
Published: January 2021

Technological advances are increasingly progressing and have brought unprecedented solutions for real-world problems for various domains, particularly, when it comes to a health-related domain. This study aims to examine the predictors of users’ intentions to adopt contact-tracing apps for prevention from COVID-19. Based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2), our research model incorporates the following eight constructs: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived privacy, perceived value, safety and accuracy. The empirical results were obtained from a sample of 93 questionnaires (currently still in course). We used the partial least squares approach to test our hypotheses. The results reveal that performance expectancy has the strongest impact on the intentions to use contact-tracing apps. The accuracy, effort expectancy and social influence are also important, followed by perceived value, safety and perceived privacy. Facilitating condition is listed as much less important. The theoretical and managerial implications of these results are discussed.
A Comparison of Hotel Guest Experience Before and During Pandemic: Evidence from Online Reviews
Authors: Chan Irene Cheng Chu , Ma Jing , Ye Huiyue , Law Rob
Published: January 2021

This paper compares the determinants of guest experience at luxury hotels in Mainland China before and during the pandemic—COVID-19. In particular, 740 Chinese reviews posted before the pandemic outbreak, and 1283 reviews posted during the pandemic were collected. Text analytics were applied to segment and count the frequency of words in these online reviews. The results show that the core dimensions of guest experiences at luxury hotels include services, room quality and settings, hotel facilities, dining, location, and environment. These core dimensions do not change regardless of the period before or during the pandemic. However, guests have higher expectations on hotel services such as late check-out and delivery service of takeaway during the pandemic. Online reviews amid-pandemic also contain words related to pandemic prevention and control measures, such as guest traffic and body temperature. Suggestions on operations and management are provided for hotel practitioners to improve their services during the critical period.
Examining Post COVID-19 Tourist Concerns Using Sentiment Analysis and Topic Modeling
Authors: Balasubramanian Sreejith , Kaitheri Supriya , Nanath Krishnadas , Sreejith Sony , Paris Cody Morris
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a destructive effect on the tourism sector, especially on tourists’ fears and risk perceptions, and is likely to have a lasting impact on their intention to travel. Governments and businesses worldwide looking to revive and revamp their tourism sector, therefore, must first develop a critical understanding of tourist concerns starting from the dreaming/planning phase to booking, travel, stay, and experiencing. This formed the motivation of this study, which empirically examines the tourist sentiments and concerns across the tourism supply chain. Natural Language Processing (NLP) using sentiment analysis and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) approach was applied to analyze the semi-structured survey data collected from 72 respondents. Practitioners and policymakers could use the study findings to enable various support mechanisms for restoring tourist confidence and help them adjust to the’new normal.’
How Artificial Intelligence Will Change the Future of Tourism Industry: The Practice in China
Authors: Tuo Yanzheng , Ning Lanyu , Zhu Aiyuan
Published: January 2021

In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to substantially change both the tourism industry and tourist behavior. At present, research on artificial intelligence and tourism is receiving widespread attention, but most of them focus on a certain subject or a specific aspect of the tourism industry. For example, artificial intelligence influences the behavior of tourists and tourism enterprises. The analysis of the impact of artificial intelligence on the tourism industry as a system is still insufficient. Therefore, this research proposes a multi-dimensional framework from an industry perspective based on the existing definition of artificial intelligence. The framework involves three aspects: the level of intelligence, task types, and whether artificial intelligence is embedded in robots. The authors use a large number of Chinese practice cases to investigate how AI affects the tourism industry, then put forward a research agenda to analyze how destination government, tourism enterprises and tourist experience will change in the future. Finally, they highlight important issues related to privacy, prejudice and ethics.
Co-creating Personalised Experiences in the Context of the Personalisation-Privacy Paradox
Authors: Volchek Katerina , Yu Joanne , Neuhofer Barbara , Egger Roman , Rainoldi Mattia
Published: January 2021

The personalisation-privacy paradox demonstrates a two-fold effect of tourists’ awareness about personalisation on their experience. Compulsory personal data agreements under the GDPR and similar legislation acts raise tourists’ concerns regarding privacy and security. The role of tourist awareness about the value of data-driven personalisation in their co-creation behaviour remains underexplored. This paper applies an exploratory experiment methodology to identify the effects of information about personalisation on tourists’ experience with travel information websites. It triangulates the data from eye-tracking and self-report techniques, to compare the co-creating behaviour of respondents who have or have not been informed about the value of personalisation. The study demonstrates the presence of a personalisation-privacy paradox. It further reveals that awareness about data-driven personalisation motivates tourists to reinforce value co-creation by ensuring the accuracy of information filtering. The study advances our understanding of tourist digital behaviour and provides insights for the design of personalised information services.
A Platform for Difficulty Assessment and Recommendation of Hiking Trails
Authors: Calbimonte Jean-Paul , Martin Simon , Calvaresi Davide , Cotting Alexandre
Published: January 2021

In recent years, the popularity of hiking has steadily increased across different segments of the population. Although there is considerable evidence of the benefits for hikers regarding physical and mental health, the inherent risks of these outdoor activities cannot be underestimated. Accident prevention and an increase of awareness about possible risks are necessary to minimize hiking and pedestrian tourism’s negative consequences. In most hiking information maps and interactive applications, there is usually not enough information about difficulty points or the granularity level required to provide tailored recommendations to hikers with physical or psychological limitations. In this paper, we present Syris, a geo-information system for hiking itineraries that incorporates Points-Of-Difficulty to assess the level of effort, technique, and risk of hiking trails. The system allows users to filter itineraries and obtain recommendations based on the assessment of difficulty following a well-established methodology. The system has been implemented, deployed and tested with real data in the region of Val d’Anniviers in Switzerland, and is openly available to enable further developments and refinement.
General Context of Smallholder Farmers’ Access to Seed of Improved Legume Varieties and Innovation Platform Perspectives
Authors: Akpo Essegbemon , Ojiewo Chris O. , Kapran Issoufou , Omoigui Lucky O. , Diama Agathe , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: January 2021

The high percentage of farmers (80–90%), including the pro-poor in remote areas, who have no access to recently released and high-yielding varieties proves the failure of various seed delivery models implemented so far. The ideal model to grow a crop commodity business to reach farmers in developing countries with seed of improved legume crop varieties has been a hard topic for development organizations. Past studies have shown that the full and balanced integration of multiple stakeholders’ knowledge and contexts into the process of agricultural technology development increases the uptake and ownership among end users.
Impacts of Cowpea Innovation Platforms in Sustaining TL III Project Gains in Ghana
Authors: Yirzagla Julius , Atokple Ibrahim K. D. , Haruna Mohammed , Mohammed Abdul Razak , Adobaba Desmond , Haruna Bashiru , Karikari Benjamin
Published: January 2021

Over the past decades, farm-level yields of cowpea have remained low (0.6–0.8 t/ha) compared to what is observed on research fields (1.8–2.5 t/ha). Lack of farmer access to quality seeds of improved varieties and inappropriate cultural practices are the major factors responsible for the low productivity of the crop. The use of Innovative Platforms (IPs) as a strategy to facilitate farmer access to quality seeds was, therefore, considered under the Tropical Legume (TL) III and USAID Cowpea Outscaling projects in Northern Ghana. The platform activities started in 2016 with a total membership of 100, which increased steadily to 820 by December 2018. The research team of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) trained platform members to produce certified seeds to be supplied to target communities, thereby enhancing smallholder farmers’ access to improved varieties. A total of 1848 members of the platform were trained in various farm operations. A revolving system was set up in which each farmer group was supplied with improved seed and after harvesting returned the equivalent of seed received to the platform. Having been trained to produce their own seed, members of the platform are self-reliant in acquiring improved seed and are actively engaged in various operations that sustain the gains of the two projects that have been phased out.
Groundnut Seed Production and Distribution Through Multi-Stakeholder Platforms in Southern Region of Tanzania
Authors: Lukurugu Gerald Alex , Mponda Omari Kalanje , Akpo Essegbemon , Monyo Emmanuel S. , Nzunda Joseph , Daudi Happy , Joseph Athanas , Mlimbila Hamphfrey George , Ndolelwa David , Mkandawile Charles
Published: January 2021

Southern Groundnut Platform (SGP) was established in 2016 to enhance seed access and adoption of improved groundnut varieties by farmers. The platform serves all districts in Lindi and Mtwara regions and Tunduru district in Ruvuma region. The platform has 53 members of which 22 are females and 31 are males. Since its establishment, there has been a marked increase in farm advisory services using government extension officers, community extension services and lead farmers. Groundnut seed production and distribution networks have increased to include more actors such as NGOs, seed companies, farmers groups and individual seed entrepreneurs. The increased seed access to farmers in the southern zone has contributed to 11% increase in area under cultivation resulting in 15% increase in groundnut production in Nanyumbu district between 2012 and 2018. New market linkages formed helped improve farm gate prices by 80% (from Tshs. 1000 to 1800). The platform also introduced 29 new labour saving technologies reducing women drudgery and increasing farmer improved varieties choice from 3 to 11 new varieties released between 2009 and 2018.
Kolokani Groundnut Innovation Platform Activities and Achievements Through TL III Project in Mali
Authors: Sako Dramane , Traoré Mamary , Doumbia Folocoum , Diallo Fodé , Fané Moussa , Kapran Issoufou
Published: January 2021

Groundnut productions have been declining in Mali in spite of several new improved varieties being released, the key problem being inadequacy of the seed supply system. To solve this problem, Kolokani MSP was established in 2012 and reorganized with support from TL III in 2015 to include more stakeholders in the groundnut value chain—farmers particularly women, farmer associations, cooperative societies, seed producers, agro-dealers, grain traders, processors, research and extension. Four new varieties Fleur11, ICGV 86124, ICGV 86015, and ICGV 86024 were supplied to the platform for FPVS and among them two, Fleur 11 and ICGV 86124 were preferred for their high yields and large grain size under farmer conditions. Through training of trainers, the different members of the platform reached 1246 farmers among them 928 women with improved groundnut seed production, aflatoxin management, seed business plans, and small-scale mechanization. A total 47 FPVS, 50 Demonstrations, and three multi-locational variety trials were conducted annually from 2016 to 2018. Kolokani platform have played an important role in groundnut value chain by producing and marketing 85 tons groundnut certified seed of these varieties annually for farmers. This is expected to stop the national productivity decline while improving platform members’ livelihoods and nutrition status.