bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the South Bronx
Authors: Biskupski Patrick , Heraud Sebastian Ocrospoma , Khalil Mahmoud , Horoub Ali , Maqsood Muhammad , Ong Kenneth , Cemalovic Nail , Menon Vidya
Published: June 2022

Background

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major health challenge; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OHCA in the South Bronx is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine differences between return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC), witnessed arrest, bystander CPR and survival to discharge, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve ROSC and survival.

Methods

Single-center retrospective study of non-traumatic OHCA adult patients admitted to Lincoln Medical Center between 8/2019 to 6/2021, 3/2020 being the first established date of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding was used to identify cardiac arrests and collect information. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS.

Results

ROSC time pre COVID-19 was 26 minutes, during the COVID-19 pandemic it was 25 minutes 54 seconds. A significant difference in witnessed arrests in the pre COVID-19 period compared to the COVID-19 period (86% vs 55% p = 0.03). Bystander CPR occurred 36% of the time in the pre COVID-19 period contrasting to 19% during. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the overall survival to discharge in OHCA ROSC cases was 28.5% comparing to 29% during the pandemic. ROSC was 18 minutes among survivors during the pandemic, compared to 21 minutes in survivors prior to COVID (p = 0.2).

Conclusion

There was a non-significant difference in ROSC, bystander CPR and survival to discharge in non-traumatic OHCA prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the South Bronx. There was a significant difference in witnessed vs unwitnessed OHCA prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Estimating the within-person change in dental service access measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Semprini Jason
Published: June 2022

Background

American adults delay dental care more than any other healthcare service. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic may have stalled efforts to address dental service delays. Early evidence has suggested substantial declines in dental service visits in the early phase of the pandemic, however our study is among the first to measure within-person changes from 2019 to 2020 and conduct subgroup analyses to examine if changing dental patterns were mediated by exposure to the pandemic, risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes, or dental insurance.

Methods

We analyzed a National Health Interview Survey panel of individuals initially surveyed in 2019, with subsequent follow up in 2020. The outcomes included dental service access measures and the interval of a most recent dental visit. By constructing a probability weighted linear regression model with fixed-effects, we estimated the average within-person change from 2019 to 2020. Robust standard errors were clustered within each respondent.

Results

Overall, adults in 2020 were 4.6%-points less likely to visit the dentist compared to 2019 (p < 0.001). Significantly higher declines were found in Northeast/West regions compared to Midwest/South. We find no evidence that declining dental services in 2020 were associated with more chronic diseases, older age, or lack of dental insurance coverage. Adults did not report more financial or non-financial access barriers to dental care in 2020 compared to 2019.

Conclusions

The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on delayed dental care warrants continued monitoring as policymakers aim to mitigate the pandemic’s negative consequences on oral health equity.
Linear discriminant analysis reveals hidden patterns in NMR chemical shifts of intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Romero Javier A. , Putko Paulina , Urbańczyk Mateusz , Kazimierczuk Krzysztof , Zawadzka-Kazimierczuk Anna
Published: June 2022

NMR spectroscopy is key in the study of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Yet, even the first step in such an analysis—the assignment of observed resonances to particular nuclei—is often problematic due to low peak dispersion in the spectra of IDPs. We show that the assignment process can be aided by finding “hidden” chemical shift patterns specific to the amino acid residue types. We find such patterns in the training data from the Biological Magnetic Resonance Bank using linear discriminant analysis, and then use them to classify spin systems in an alfa-synuclein sample prepared by us. We describe two situations in which the procedure can greatly facilitate the analysis of NMR spectra. The first involves the mapping of spin systems chains onto the protein sequence, which is part of the assignment procedure—a prerequisite for any NMR-based protein analysis. In the second, the method supports assignment transfer between similar samples. We conducted experiments to demonstrate these cases, and both times the majority of spin systems could be unambiguously assigned to the correct residue types.

Author summary

Intrinsically disordered proteins dynamically change their conformation, which allows them to fulfil many biologically significant functions, mostly related to process regulation. Their relation to many civilization diseases makes them essential objects to study. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is the method for such research, as it provides atomic-scale information on these proteins. However, the first step of the analysis – assignment of experimentally measured NMR chemical shifts to particular atoms of the protein – is more complex than in the case of structured proteins. The methods routinely used for these proteins are no more sufficient. We have developed a method of resolving ambiguities occurring during the assignment process.

In a nutshell, we show that an advanced statistical method known as linear discriminant analysis makes it possible to determine chemical shift patterns specific to different types of amino acid residues. It allows assigning the chemical shifts more efficiently, opening the way to a plethora of structural and dynamical information on intrinsically disordered proteins.
The crosstalk between DNA-PK and cGAS drives tumor immunogenicity
Authors: Taffoni Clara , Marines Johanna , Chamma Hanane , Saccas Mathilde , Bouzid Amel , Guha Soumyabrata , Valadao Ana-Luiza Chaves , Polak Katarzyna , Del Rio Maguy , Gongora Celine , Pineau Donovan , Hugnot Jean-Philippe , Kissa Karima , Fontenille Laura , Blanchet Fabien P. , Vila Isabelle K. , Laguette Nadine
Published: June 2022

Cytosolic DNAs promote inflammatory responses upon detection by the cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS). It has been thus suggested that cGAS downregulation is an immune escape strategy harnessed by tumor cells. Here, we used glioblastoma cells that lack cGAS to question whether alternative DNA detection pathways can promote pro-inflammatory signaling. We show that the DNA-PK DNA repair complex drives cGAS independent inflammatory responses but that its catalytic activity is required for cGAS-dependent cGAMP production and optimal downstream signaling. We further show that the cooperation between DNA-PK and cGAS favors the expression of chemokines that promote macrophage recruitment in the tumor microenvironment, a process that impaired early tumorigenesis but correlated with poor outcome. Thus, our study supports that cGAS-dependent signaling is acquired during tumorigenesis and that cGAS and DNA-PK activities should be analyzed concertedly to predict the impact of strategies aiming to boost tumor immunogenicity.
Genomic analysis in Entamoeba reveals intron gain and unbiased intron loss, transformed splicing signals, and a coevolved snRNA
Authors: Roy Scott William , Bowser Bradley A.
Published: June 2022

The intron-exon structures of nuclear genes show striking diversity across eukaryotes. Several independent lineages have undergone convergent evolution including widespread loss of introns and transformed cis splicing signals. The causes and mechanisms of these changes remain mysterious: (i) transformation of splicing signals could reflect either selective loss of suboptimal introns or coevolution of introns and splicing machinery; and (ii) corresponding changes in the splicing machinery remain poorly characterized. A promising model to study these questions is Entamoeba. Analysis of five Entamoeba species revealed low intron densities, nearly universal atypical 5’ splice sites and 3’ intronic sequences. A flexible search for U1 snRNA genes revealed a modified 5’-AACAAAC-3’ recognition sequence, affording complete Watson-Crick basepairing potential with the atypical 5’ splice site and extended basepairing potential. A U1 candidate in the related species Mastigamoeba balumuthi revealed a separate modification complimenting a different atypical consensus splice site. Genome-wide study of intron loss and gain revealed that introns with suboptimal splicing motifs were no more likely to be lost, suggesting against genome-wide homogenization of intron splicing motifs by selective intron loss. Unexpectedly, this analysis also revealed widespread intron gain in Entamoeba invadens. In total, the current analyses: (i) provide the most direct available evidence of coevolution of spliceosomal introns and splicing machinery; (ii) illuminate the evolutionary forces responsible for concerted intron loss and splicing motif transformation; and (iii) reveal widespread intron gain in an otherwise highly reduced lineage.
Targeting ATP12A, a non-gastric proton pump alpha subunit, for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment
Authors: Abdelgied Mohamed , Uhl Katie , Chen Oliver G , Schultz Chad , Tripp Kaylie , Peraino Angela M , Paithankar Shreya , Chen Bin , Kakazu Maximiliano Tamae , Bahena Alicia Castillo , Jager Tara E , Lawson Cameron , Chesla Dave W , Pestov Nikolay , Modyanov Nikolai N. , Prokop Jeremy , Neubig Richard R , Uhal Bruce D , Girgis Reda E , Li Xiaopeng
Published: June 2022

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a pathological condition of unknown etiology which results from injury to the lung and an ensuing fibrotic response that leads to thickening of the alveolar walls and obliteration of the alveolar space. The pathogenesis is not clear and there are currently no effective therapies for IPF. Small airway disease and mucus accumulation are prominent features in IPF lungs, similar to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung disease. The ATP12A gene encodes the alpha-subunit of the non-gastric H+, K+-ATPase, which functions to acidify the airway surface fluid and impairs mucociliary transport function in cystic fibrosis patients. We hypothesize that the ATP12A protein may play a role in the pathogenesis of IPF. Our studies demonstrate that ATP12A protein is overexpressed in distal small airways from IPF patient lungs compared to normal human lungs. In addition, overexpression of the ATP12A protein in mouse lungs worsened the bleomycin (BLEO)-induced experimental pulmonary fibrosis. This was prevented by a potassium-competitive proton pump blocker, vonoprazan (VON). This data supports the concept that the ATP12A protein plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. Inhibition of the ATP12A protein has the potential as a novel therapeutic strategy in IPF.
Large-scale identification of phospho-modulated motif-based protein-protein interactions
Authors: Kliche Johanna , Garvanska Dimitriya Hristoforova , Simonetti Leandro , Badgujar Dilip , Dobritzsch Doreen , Nilsson Jakob , Davey Norman , Ivarsson Ylva
Published: June 2022

Phosphorylation is an extensively studied post-translation modification that regulates protein function by promoting, inhibiting or modulating protein-protein interactions. Deciphering which of the hundreds of thousands of phosphosites in the proteome that regulate interactions remains challenging. We generated a proteomic peptide-phage display (ProP-PD) library to screen for phosphosites that regulate short linear motif-based interactions. The phage peptidome covers 13,500 phospho-serine/threonine sites found in the intrinsically disordered regions of the human proteome, each phosphosite being represented as a wildtype and a phosphomimetic variant. We screened 73 modular domains and identified 252 putative phospho-modulated interactions. Affinity measurements confirmed the phosphomodulation of 16 out of 21 tested interactions. We discovered a novel phospho-dependent interaction between clathrin and the mitotic spindle protein hepatoma-upregulated protein (HURP). We validated the phospho-dependent clathrin interaction in a cellular context and found it to be essential for the mitotic function of HURP. Structural characterisation elucidated the molecular basis for the phospho-dependency of the clathrin-HURP interaction. Collectively, our work showcases the power of phosphomimetic ProP-PD to discover novel phospho-modulated SLiM-based interactions required for cellular function.
Multiplexed protein detection and parallel binding kinetics analysis with label-free digital single-molecule counting
Authors: Zhou Xinyu , Wang Rui , Wan Zijian , Zhang Pengfei , Wang Shaopeng
Published: June 2022

Multiplexed protein detection is critical for improving the drug and biomarkers screening efficiency. Here we show that multiplexed protein detection and parallel protein interaction analysis can be realized by evanescent scattering microscopy with label-free digital single-molecule counting. We implemented an automatic single-molecule counting strategy with high temporal resolution to precisely determine the binding time, which improves the counting efficiency and accuracy. We show that digital single-molecule counting can recognize proteins with different molecular weights, thus making it possible to monitor the protein binding processes in the solution by real time tracking the numbers of free and bound proteins landing on the sensor surface. Furthermore, we show that this strategy can simultaneously analyze the kinetics of two different protein interaction processes on the surface and in the solution. This work may pave a way to investigate complicated protein interactions, such as the competition of biomarker-antibody binding in biofluid with biomarker-protein binding on the cellular membrane.
Emergent Actin Flows Explain Diverse Parasite Gliding Modes
Authors: Hueschen Christina L. , Zarko Li-av Segev , Chen Jian-Hua , LeGros Mark A. , Larabell Carolyn A. , Boothroyd John C. , Phillips Rob , Dunn Alexander R.
Published: June 2022

During host infection, single-celled apicomplexan parasites like Plasmodium and Toxoplasma use a motility mechanism called gliding, which differs fundamentally from other known mechanisms of eukaryotic cell motility. Gliding is thought to be powered by a thin layer of flowing filamentous (F)-actin1–3 sandwiched between the plasma membrane and a myosin-coated4,5 inner membrane complex. How this surface actin layer drives the diverse apicomplexan gliding modes observed experimentally - helical, circular, and twirling6,7, and patch8, pendulum9, or rolling2 – presents a rich biophysical puzzle. Here, we use single-molecule imaging to track individual actin filaments and myosin complexes in live Toxoplasma gondii. Based on these data, we hypothesize that F-actin flows arise by self-organization, rather than following a microtubule-based template as previously believed. We develop a continuum model of emergent F-actin flow within the unusual confines provided by parasite geometry. In the presence of F-actin turnover, our model predicts the emergence of a steady-state mode in which actin transport is largely rearward. Removing actin turnover leads to actin patches that recirculate up and down the cell, a “cyclosis” that we observe experimentally for drug-stabilized actin bundles in live parasites. These findings provide a mechanism by which actin turnover governs a transition between distinct self-organized F-actin states, whose properties can account for the diverse gliding modes known to occur. More broadly, we illustrate how different forms of gliding motility can emerge as an intrinsic consequence of the self-organizing properties of F-actin flow in a confined geometry.
Mechanistic insights into the activation of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase in therapeutic nanodiscs composed of apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptides and phospholipids
Authors: Giorgi Laura , Niemelä Akseli , Kumpula Esa-Pekka , Natri Ossi , Parkkila Petteri , Huiskonen Juha T. , Koivuniemi Artturi
Published: June 2022

The mechanistic details behind the activation of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) by apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and its mimetic peptides are still enigmatic. Resolving the fundamental principles behind the LCAT activation will facilitate the design of advanced HDL-mimetic therapeutic nanodiscs for LCAT deficiencies and coronary heart disease, and for several targeted drug delivery applications. Here, we have combined coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations with complementary experiments to gain mechanistic insight into how apoA-I mimetic peptide 22A and its variants attune LCAT activity in peptide-lipid nanodiscs. Results highlight that peptide 22A forms transient antiparallel dimers in the rim of nanodiscs. The dimerization tendency considerably decreases with the removal of C-terminal lysine K22, which has also been shown to reduce the cholesterol esterification activity of LCAT. In addition, our simulations revealed that LCAT prefers to localize to the rim of nanodiscs in a manner that shields the membrane-binding domain (MBD), αA-αA’, and the lid amino acids from the water phase, following the previous experimental evidence. Meanwhile, the location and conformation of LCAT in the rim of nanodisc are spatially more restricted when the active site covering lid of LCAT is in the open form. The average location and spatial dimensions of LCAT in its open form were highly compatible with the electron microscopy images. All peptide 22A variants studied here had a specific interaction site in the open LCAT structure flanked by the lid and MBD domain. The bound peptides showed different tendencies to form antiparallel dimers and, interestingly, the temporal binding site occupancies of the peptide variants affected their in vitro ability to promote LCAT-mediated cholesterol esterification.
Kinetic and structural studies of the reaction of Escherichia coli dihydrodipicolinate synthase with (S)-2-bromopropionate
Authors: Chooback Lilian , Thomas Leonard N. , Blythe Nathan , Karsten William
Published: June 2022

Dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) catalyzes the first committed step in the lysine-biosynthetic pathway converting pyruvate and L-aspartate-β-semialdehyde to dihydrodipicolinate. Kinetic studies indicate that the pyruvate analog (S)-2-bromopropionate inactivates the enzyme in a pseudo-first-order process. An initial velocity pattern indicates that (S)-2-bromopropionate is a competitive inhibitor versus pyruvate, with an inhibition constant of about 8 mM. Crystals of DHDPS complexed with (S)-2-bromopropionate formed in a solution consisting of 50 mM HEPES pH 7.5, 18% polyethylene glycol 3350, 8 mM spermidine, 0.2 M sodium tartrate and 5.0 mg ml−1 DHDPS. The crystals diffracted to 2.15 Å resolution and belonged to space group P1. The crystal structure confirms the displacement of bromine and the formation of a covalent attachment between propionate and Lys161 at the active site of the enzyme. Lys161 is the active-site nucleophile that attacks the carbonyl C atom of pyruvate and subsequently generates an imine adduct in the first half-reaction of the ping-pong enzymatic reaction. A comparison of the crystal structures of DHDPS complexed with pyruvate or (S)-2-bromopropionate indicates the covalent adduct formed from (S)-2-bromopropionate leads to a rotation of about 180° of the β–δ C atoms of Lys61 that aligns the covalently bound propionate fairly closely with the imine adduct formed with pyruvate.
Design advancements for an integrated mission management system for small air transport vehicles in the COAST project
Authors: Di Vito Vittorio , Grzybowski Piotr , Rogalski Tomasz , Maslowski Piotr
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the activities that are ongoing, in the Cost Optimized Avionics SysTem (COAST) project, to design an integrated mission management system (IIMS) to be used as support to the pilot and/or to act as a backup in case of pilot incapacitation onboard on small air transport (SAT) vehicles, under single-pilot operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The COAST project, funded by Clean Sky 2 programme, is developing enabling technologies for single-pilot operations in the European Aviation Safety Agency CS-23 category vehicles. Such technologies include specific tools that are designed as individual enablers for single-pilot operations and specifically address: the real-time support to pilot’s decision making in maintaining the vehicle self-separation (this technology is the tactical separation system [TSS]); the real-time support to pilot’s situational awareness about observed and forecasted weather conditions (this technology is the advanced weather awareness system [AWAS]); and the real-time management of emergency conditions due to pilot’s incapacitation under single-pilot operations (this technology is the flight reconfiguration system [FRS]). Based on the outcomes of the design activities of such individual tools, in the COAST project emerged the opportunity to proceed with the design of a further system, leveraging the individual tools and benefitting from their integration.

Findings

The IMMS design started in the year 2020 and the activities carried out up to mid-2021 allowed to define the concept of operations of the system, its high-level requirements (functional, interface and operational requirements) and the preliminary system architecture.

Originality/value

The IMMS contributes enabling the implementation of single-pilot operations in CS-23 category vehicles, thanks to the possibility to support, in normal operational conditions, the pilot’s decision-making and, in emergency conditions due to pilot’s incapacitation, the automatic flight management up to the safe destination.
Do CEO's attributes increase risk-taking? Empirical evidence from France
Authors: Loukil Nadia , Yousfi Ouidad
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The current paper studies how CEO attributes could influence corporate risk-taking. The authors examine the effects of CEO demographic attributes and CEO position's attributes on financial and strategic risk-taking.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is drawn on non-financial firms listed on the SBF120 index, between 2001 and 2013.

Findings

First, long-tenured CEOs are prone to decrease the total risk and the leverage ratio. Second, despite the many CEOs have political connections; they are not prone to engage in risky decisions not serving the business' interests. Third, old CEOs are likely to rely on debt to fund internal growth. Moreover, business and science-educated CEOs behave differently in terms of risk-taking. Finally, the authors show that CEOs' attributes have less influential effects in family firms than in non-family firms. Also, they seem to have more significant associations with risk-taking during and after the financial subprime crisis.

Originality/value

This paper examines how cognitive traits could shape investments decisions, in terms of risk preferences.
Scenarios for optimizing timing for new product exits: a trifecta of models' predictive performances
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Lichtenthal J. David
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is applying and comparing models that predict optimal time for new product exit based on its demand pattern and survivability. This is to decide whether or not to continue investing in new product development (NPD).

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates the optimal time for new product exit within the hi-tech sector by applying three models: the dynamic learning demand model (DLDM), the generalized Bass model (GBM) and the hazard model (HM). Further, for inter- and intra-model comparison, the authors conducted a simulation, considering Weiner and exponential price functions to enhance generalizability.

Findings

While higher price volatility signifies an unstable technology, greater investment into research and development (R&D) and marketing results in higher product adoption rates. Imitators have a more prominent role than innovators in determining the longevity of hi-tech products.

Originality/value

The study conducts a comparison of three different models considering time-varying parameters. There are four scenarios, considering variations in advertising intensity and content, word-of-mouth (WOM) effect, price volatility effect and sunk cost effect.
Bankruptcy courts and the marketization of bond issuance
Authors: Huang Xinyi , Teng Fei , Xin Yu , Xu Liping
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effect of the establishment of bankruptcy courts on bond issuance market. This paper helps to predict that the introduction of bankruptcy courts in China can mitigate price distortions caused by the implicit government guarantees and promote the development of the high-risk bond market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper exploits the staggered introduction of bankruptcy courts across cities to implement a differences-in-differences strategy on bond issuance data. Using bonds issued in China between 2018 and 2020, the impact of bankruptcy courts on the bond issuance market can be analyzed.

Findings

This paper reveals that bond issuance credit spreads increase and is more sensitive to firm size, profitability and downside risk of issuance entity after the introduction of bankruptcy courts. It also reveals a substantive increase in bond issuance quantity and a decrease in issuer credit ratings following the establishment of bankruptcy courts. In addition, the increase of credit spreads is more prominent for publicly traded bonds, those whose issuers located in provinces with lower judicial confidence, bonds issued by SOEs and bonds with stronger government guarantees. Finally, the role of bankruptcy courts is more pronounced in regions with higher marketization.

Originality/value

This paper relates to previous studies that investigate the impact of laws and institutions on external financing. It helps provide new evidence to this literature on how improvements of efficiency and quality in bankruptcy enforcements relate to the marketization of bond issuance. The results provide further evidence on legal institutions and bond financing.
ESG and performance in public health-care companies: the role of disclosure and director liability
Authors: El Khoury Rim , Nasrallah Nohade , Toumi Amina
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The seepage of companies' capital accommodated by weak country-level institutions is inconducive to building sustainable businesses. Companies' performance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues is still a challenging question. This study aims to test the predictability of ESG on the performance of the health-care industry from a global perspective, while accounting for the country disclosure and director liability indices and performing robustness tests.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on panel data of 912 companies operating in 38 different countries for 2012–2020. This study controls for firm-level variables (leverage, size and loss), macroeconomic variables (COVID, gross domestic product and inflation) and institutional variables.

Findings

Findings indicate that countries with different levels of disclosure exhibit different patterns. Distinctly, the environmental pillar has a concave impact on return on assets, and the role of the disclosure index greatly manifests with the environmental pillar.

Practical implications

This study ponders the impact of country disclosure on sustainability practices from a global health-care perspective.

Originality/value

This paper is original, as it addresses the relationship between ESG performance and financial performance while accounting for the impact of institutional factors such as the business disclosure and director liability indices.
Gautrain: contextualising strategic leadership of African rapid rail
Authors: Mthombeni Morris , Scheepers Caren Brenda , Mgedezi Viwe
Published: June 2022

Learning Outcomes

After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to do the following: • Analyse the aspects of strategic leadership and evaluate effectiveness of the leadership in the case study. • Identify stakeholders in a large-scale project and differentiate between their needs and sources of power. • Establish what behavioural mechanisms can be used by leaders to gain support from stakeholders with seemingly divergent pro-poor and pro-growth development orientations for expansion in an emerging market context. • Generate recommendations to communicate the benefits of expansion plans.

Case overview/synopsis

On November 8, 2019, Jack van der Merwe, the chief executive officer of the public rapid rail organisation, Gautrain Management Agency (GMA), was considering how to influence stakeholders to support the pace of the expansion planning phase, without alienating the surrounding communities and balancing the various and sometimes opposing stakeholder interests. The case highlights the background to this dilemma in offering the financial background of the Gauteng province and the evolution of the Gautrain project in the context of an emerging market country characterised by institutions at different development levels and how the unique characteristics of the protagonist could influence stakeholder orientations. The case illustrates how the Gautrain is at the centre of a complex transport conflagration in the South African transport ecosystem. Specific stakeholders and their needs are exposed in the case to enable students to analyse their several levels of influence on the project and proposed expansion. The differences between pro-poor and pro-growth development orientations are also highlighted in this case as input to describe the dilemma Van der Merwe faced in his influencing role in this particular South African context. Students will gain insight into how to manage the tensions between pro-poor and pro-growth orientations.

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for a graduate-level course on strategy; organisational behaviour; or leadership. The case is also suitable for a post-graduate-level course on an MBA or MPhil program on strategy and leadership.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 7: Management Science.
Department chairs’ perceptions of union membership on academic human resource decision-making
Authors: Dzwik Leigh Settlemoir , Park Sunyoung
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore unionization’s impact on university department chairs for academic human resource decision-making in terms of faculty hiring; re-employment, promotion and tenure; other faculty evaluation decisions; and discipline and discharge.

Design/methodology/approach

The subjects were department chairs with more than one year of experience in institutions with faculty bargaining units in the USA. Half of the department chairs were members of the bargaining unit and half were not members of the bargaining unit. T-test and Chi square statistics were used to examine and compare 136 chair responses.

Findings

While there were significant differences between the groups when making all academic human resource decisions based on role affiliation, there was a weak identification as a bargaining unit member. There was no difference between groups when determining how the participants perceived the process rules, and the majority of the responses indicated membership in the union does not complicate making academic human resource decisions.

Originality/value

Based on these findings, this study provides the first empirical evidence against a long-held administrative belief department chairs should not be unionized as they will side with union colleagues in difficult academic human resource cases. The findings of this study also produce three key recommendations for practice and faculty development.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation and experimental investigation of a thermoelectric system for predicting influence of applied voltage and cooling water on cooling performance
Authors: Ceviz Mehmet Akif , Afshari Faraz , Muratçobanoğlu Burak , Ceylan Murat , Manay Eyüphan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to experimentally and numerically investigate the cooling performance of the air-to-water thermoelectric cooling system under different working conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

An air-to-water thermoelectric cooling system was designed and manufactured according to the principle of discrete binary thermoelectric Peltier modules, and the thermal performance, heat transfer rate and average COP values were examined at different cooling water temperatures and voltages applied. Additionally, numerical simulations were performed by computational fluid dynamics approach to investigate the temperature distribution and airflow structure inside the cooling chamber.

Findings

Analyses were performed using experimental tests and numerical methods. It was concluded that, by decreasing the cooling water temperature from 20 to 5 °C, the average COP increases about 36%. The voltage analysis showed that the efficiency of the system does not always increase as the voltage rises; more importantly, the optimum voltage is different and depends on whether it is desired to increase COP or increase the cooling rate.

Originality/value

In the studies published in the field of thermoelectric cooling systems, little attention has been paid to the voltage applied and its relationship to other operating conditions. In most cases, the tests are performed at a constant voltage. In this study, several options, including applied voltage and cooling water temperature, were considered simultaneously and their effects on performance have been tested. It was found that under such studies, optimization work should be done to evaluate maximum performance in different working conditions.
Perceived value in a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the case of Quito, Ecuador
Authors: Moreno-Manzo Jessenia , Gassiot-Melian Ariadna , Coromina Lluís
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The city of Quito is a World Heritage Site (WHS) in Ecuador and the city owns one of the best-preserved and extensive historic centers in Latin America for cultural tourism. This study aims to identify the factors that constitute perceived value construct at the WHS of Quito.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collects data from tourists who have visited the city of Quito, Ecuador. A total of 381 on-site questionnaires are used. Data have been analyzed using exploratory factorial analysis.

Findings

Results regarding the dimensional structural framework of perceived value indicate that perceived value at the WHS of Quito has five factors: (1) monetary and non-monetary costs (MNC), (2) staff service quality (SSQ), (3) tourist offer accessibility (TOA), (4) destination attractiveness (DA) and (5) information accessibility (IA).

Originality/value

Two new factors of accessibility have been proposed in this study for measuring consumer value at a WHS. Perceived value and accessibility have been treated as two separate subjects in academic literature before. However, this article contributes to the understanding of perceived value at WHS, including factors linked to accessibility. Both managerial and theoretical implications for WHS are discussed.
A holistic decolonial lens for library and information studies
Authors: Jimenez Andrea , Vannini Sara , Cox Andrew
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to introduce a holistic decolonial lens for Library and Information Studies (LIS). As such it centres in the following questions: what does decolonisation mean in the context of LIS? How can a holistic approach help improve our understanding of the field?

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that draws on theoretical analysis and discussion with in-depth examination of two cases of librarianship and information for development.

Findings

The paper presents a decolonial framework for interpreting and comprehending LIS-specific issues. As a result, we believe it is critical to recognise three interconnected types of colonial legacies and identify ways in which LIS academics and practitioners can consider these in the context of their research and work.

Research limitations/implications

The paper introduces a holistic framework for thinking about decoloniality in the LIS discipline. Further work should consider how this framework can be useful for other LIS fields.

Practical implications

The framework is of practical significance for LIS academics and practitioners who wish to take a decolonial approach to their research and thinking. We provide questions intended to lead to action.

Originality/value

The paper provides a holistic decolonial approach to critically reflect on research and teaching practices in the context of LIS.
How online communities are important for rural entrepreneurial change – the library revolt
Authors: Jonsson Josefina , Gaddefors Johan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to discuss how an online community interacts with a local community during the entrepreneurial process. By having a contextualized view of entrepreneurship, this study acknowledges the social and spatial dynamics of the process.

Design/methodology/approach

The inductive approach used in this study is empirically anchored in the case “the library revolt”. This paper analysed interviews conducted in a selected region in Sweden and followed a netnographic method to capture the social interactions online. By using qualitative modes of inquiry, this study attempts to illuminate the social aspects of the entrepreneurial process.

Findings

This study shows how social media works as a contextual element in entrepreneurship. By presenting interactions between an online community and a rural community, it is shown how entrepreneurial processes in rural areas can be shaped not only through local community relations but also by online interaction. It illustrates how an online context, where actors are located with their own unique set of resources, contributes to rural development. By being a part of an ongoing process of structuration, we can view the actors are gaining access to the resources online, which contributes to the change happening in a local community.

Originality/value

This study adds to the conversation of the role of context in entrepreneurship studies. Rural entrepreneurship largely discusses the local social bonds and actions, while this study includes the online social bonds as a part of the reality in which entrepreneurship is developed.
Context, school principals and professional learning communities in China: the case of educational group schools
Authors: Ye Wangbei
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper explores education group school principal’s influence on professional learning community (PLC) development in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative comparative case studies were conducted.

Findings

The findings show that principals indicated principal-level factors were their major concerns regarding PLC cultural condition design, school needs were the major concerns in PLCs’ relational and structural design, and educational-group factors impacted principals’ extension of PLCs’ structural conditions.

Originality/value

This article concludes by presenting a “three-context” framework for understanding education group principal’s influence on PLCs in China.
Eco-friendly single bath dyeing of wool yarns with extracted cochineal dye: optimization and additives effect
Authors: Imani Hooman , Gharanjig Kamaladin , Ahmadi Zahra
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is simultaneous dyeing and mordanting of wool yarns with extracted cochineal dye and aluminum sulfate to the reduction of consuming energy, water and time.

Design/methodology/approach

The dyeing process was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach. pH, dyeing duration and the presence of additives were chosen as variables and the color strength of samples as a response. The color characteristics and fastness attributes of samples dyed in the best condition were evaluated and compared to pre-mordant dyeing outcomes on wool yarns.

Findings

The best conditions for deep dyeing wool with cochineal dye were as follows: pH 2.5, time 110 min and the ratio of aluminum: additives 1:0 at 100 °C. Color strength of dyed wool yarns by one-bath and pre-mordant dyeing methods were approximately the same. Wool yarns can dye to the on-bath dyeing method such that the dyed samples have similar color strength and fastness properties to pre-mordant dyeing.

Social implications

Wool dyeing processes that use one-bath dyeing consume less water and produce fewer effluents. As a result, this strategy conserves water and energy for a higher quality of life. The findings of this study, in general, aid environmental protection.

Originality/value

A novel one-bath process for dyeing wool with cochineal dye at heavy depths is introduced. RSM was used to optimize the procedure and determine effective parameters on the color strength of dyed wools. Using extracted cochineal dye and aluminum sulfate in a simultaneous dyeing technique, good color fastness qualities on wool fibers were achieved.
A wavelength calibration method for photoelastic-modulated Fourier transform spectrometers
Authors: Zhang Minjuan , Jing Ning , Liu Zhen , Li Chunyang , Zhang Ning
Published: June 2022

Purpose

An interferogram is produced by modulating the difference between the extraordinary refractive index and the ordinary refractive index for photoelastic crystals in photoelastic-modulated Fourier transform spectrometers (PEM-FTs). Due to the influence of the refractive index dispersion characteristics on the maximum optical path difference of the interferogram, it is necessary to study wavelength calibration methods.

Design/methodology/approach

A wavelength calibration method for PEM-FTs was proposed based on the modulation principle of the photoelastic-modulated interferometer and the relationship between the maximum optical path difference and the refractive index difference. A 632.8 nm narrow-pulse laser was used as a reference source to measure the maximum optical path difference () of the interferogram, and the parameter was used to calculate the discrete frequency points in the frequency domain. To account for the influence of refractive index dispersion on the maximum optical path difference, the refractive index curve for the photoelastic crystal was used to adjust the discrete frequency coordinates.

Findings

The error in the reconstructed spectral frequency coordinates clearly decreased. The maximum relative error was 2.5%. A good solar absorption spectrum was obtained with a PEM-FT experimental platform and the wavelength calibration method.

Originality/value

The interferogram is produced by adjusting the difference between extraordinary refractive index and ordinary refractive index for the photoelastic crystal in the PEM-FTs. Given the wavelength dependence on the refractive indices, in view of the modulation principle of the photoelastic modulated interferometer, the relationship between the maximum optical path difference and the refractive index difference, the variation law of the refractive index of the photoelastic crystal and the process of spectral reconstruction is presented in this paper.
Nutritional intake and foodservice satisfaction of adults receiving specialist inpatient mental health services
Authors: Porter Judi , Collins Jorja
Published: June 2022

Aim

Meeting the nutritional needs and foodservice expectations of hospital inpatients is challenging. This study aimed to determine whether adults receiving specialist inpatient mental health services meet their energy and protein requirements and are satisfied with the foodservice.

Methods

An observational study of adults admitted to three specialist inpatient mental health services within a large health service. Energy and protein intake were determined over 24 h via observation, and nutritional requirements were estimated using standard procedures. Validated questionnaires were used to assess satisfaction with the lunch meal, elements of the foodservice system, and overall foodservice satisfaction.

Results

Among 74 participants, the median (IQR) energy intake (6954 [5111–10 250]kJ/day) was less than estimated requirements (8607 [7319–9951]kJ/day), whilst protein intake (85 [62–120]g/day) exceeded requirements (59 [46–70]g/day). Food from external sources was consumed by 50% of participants. Satisfaction surveys found vegetables were rated more poorly than the meat or carbohydrate portion of the meal, food quality was rated lowest compared with meal service, staffing and physical environment. The majority of participants (89%) rated their last meal as average, with the remainder (11%) rating it as poor.

Conclusion

There are opportunities to improve the meal and foodservice experience for this patient group to meet their nutritional requirements and expectations. Investment in quality food and menus that are appropriate for the demographics, exploration of the most appropriate foodservice system, and adequate dietetic resourcing are needed to improve nutrition care within specialist inpatient mental health services.
Consensus statements for evaluation and nonpharmacological Management of Psoriatic Arthritis in UAE
Authors: Alnaqbi Khalid A. , Hannawi Suad , Namas Rajaie , Alshehhi Waleed , Badsha Humeira , Al‐Saleh Jamal
Published: June 2022

Objective

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory arthropathy, is often underdiagnosed in Middle Eastern countries, substantially impacting the treatment of affected individuals. This article aims to highlight current unmet clinical needs and provide consensus recommendations for region‐specific evaluation methods and nonpharmacological therapies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Method

An extensive literature review was conducted, focusing especially on global and regional guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of PsA. These form the basis of the consensus statements formulated. Additionally, an expert panel of key opinion leaders from the UAE reviewed these guidelines and available literature at an advisory board meeting to identify unmet needs, bridge clinical gaps in the UAE, and develop consensus statements for the evaluation and treatment of PsA.

Result

The consensus statements were developed based on overarching principles for the management of PsA, evaluation of patients with PsA, and nonpharmacological approaches for the management of PsA. The overarching principles included adopting a targeted, multidisciplinary approach, along with collaboration between rheumatologists and dermatologists in cases of clinically significant skin involvement. The panel also highlighted the value of composite disease severity measures for characterizing clinical manifestations of PsA. In terms of nonpharmacological management approaches, lifestyle modification (comprising dietary change, exercise, and cessation of smoking) and psychotherapy were recommended.

Conclusion

The consensus statements will aid healthcare professionals in clinical decision‐making in the context of PsA.