bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring a cost-effective and straightforward mechanism for uninterrupted
in situ
maximum wave runup measurements
Authors: Villarroel-Lamb Deborah , Simons Richard R.
Published: September 2024

Wave runup, the excess water level above mean sea level, has been measured using different techniques with varying degrees of precision and associated practical limitations. This critical parameter, typically included in coastal assessment studies, varies temporally and spatially and depends on variables that include beach characteristics and nearshore hydrodynamics. Access to continuous datasets, using efficient mechanisms can assist resource-limited regions, such as Caribbean small-island developing states (SIDS), in overcoming coastal resilience obstacles. Experiments were conducted at University College London (UCL) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), which were designed to explore the temporal behaviour of the water surface within the bed during runup events. The experiments encompassed linear waves impacting a static porous bed (UCL) and a moveable granular beach (UWI), with pressure sensors buried at the base of each beach. The analyses showed that the averaged values of the time-varying water elevations within the bed, when spatially presented, produced a quadratic or cubic polynomial fit, where the curves’ stationary points were accurate indicators of the location of the maximum runup position at the surface of the bed. In this way, an arrangement of buried pressure sensors can be used as an efficient means to accurately produce a continuous time series of maximum runup positions.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Royal Society Newton International Fellowship’.
Open, Active-Controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Correlation between Whole Body DEXA and BIA Muscle Measurements
Authors: Ha Yong-Chan , Kim Shinjune , Yoo Jun-Il
Published: September 2024

Background: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for diagnosing sarcopenia. However, comparative studies using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) would be required in the Korean population. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between total-body bone density measuring devices (Hologic and GE Lunar) and a bioelectrical impedance measurement device (InBody 970) as well as the correlation between upper body muscle mass.Methods: A total of 119 participants were involved in this study, aged 20 to 70 years, with specific body mass index ranges and no severe health conditions used both DXA (or DEXA) and BIA technologies to assess body composition. The participants were scanned using a Hologic QDR-4500W DXA scanner and GE-Lunar Prodigy DXA systems, and the InBody 970 type of multi-frequency BIA machine. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the devices, with a coefficient of at least 0.8.Results: The muscle mass measurement comparisons between the InBody 970 and Hologic devices demonstrated remarkably high correlation coefficients (exceeding 0.9) across all limbs. Similarly, the muscle mass comparison between the Inbody 970 and GE Lunar devices also revealed substantial correlation coefficients, ranging from 0.83 upwards, across all limbs.Conclusions: Limb muscle mass measurements using Hologic and GE Lunar whole-body DXA and Inbody 970 BIA demonstrated particularly high levels of concordance. In addition, a conversion formula that bridges limb muscle mass measurements from two widely used whole-body DXA machines and a BIA machine will facilitate sarcopenia research and patient management.
Population genetics of Himalayan langurs and its taxonomic implications
Authors: Sharwary M.R , Arekar K. , Karanth P.
Published: September 2024

Himalayan langurs (Semnopithecus schistaceus) are one of the most widely distributed colobine monkeys found in the Himalayas from Pakistan in the west to Bhutan in the east. Further, their distribution encompasses a wide range of elevation (from the foothills of the Himalayas to 4,270 m above sea level) and is interspersed with numerous deep river valleys. In this study, we investigate the role of riverine barriers and elevational gradients in shaping the population genetic structure in these langurs. Previous mitochondrial marker-based broad scale studies suggested limited role of river valleys in shaping the phylogeography of these langurs. Here we have utilized nuclear microsatellites and a more fine-scale sampling to further explore this issue. Fecal samples were non-invasively collected from two Indian Himalayan states Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand based on distribution records from past studies. A total of 7 microsatellite markers were genotyped for these samples. The data were subjected to various analyses, including Neighbor-joining tree, PCoA, AMOVA, STRUCTURE, and paired Mantel test. The results show an overall lack of population genetic structure and a much higher geneflow along elevational gradient than across river valleys. Significant isolation by distance was also observed. Additionally, our results do not support splitting the Himalayan langurs into multiple species/subspecies based on elevational gradient.
Enhancer activation from transposable elements in extrachromosomal DNA
Authors: Kraft Katerina , Murphy Sedona E. , Jones Matthew G. , Shi Quanming , Bhargava-Shah Aarohi , Luong Christy , Hung King L. , He Britney J. , Li Rui , Park Seung K. , Weiser Natasha E. , Luebeck Jens , Bafna Vineet , Boeke Jef D. , Mischel Paul S. , Boettiger Alistair N. , Chang Howard Y.
Published: September 2024

Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is a hallmark of aggressive cancer, contributing to both oncogene amplification and tumor heterogeneity. Here, we used Hi-C, super-resolution imaging, and long-read sequencing to explore the nuclear architecture ofMYC-amplified ecDNA in colorectal cancer cells. Intriguingly, we observed frequent spatial proximity between ecDNA and 68 repetitive elements which we called ecDNA-interacting elements or EIEs. To characterize a potential regulatory role of EIEs, we focused on a fragment of the L1M4a1#LINE/L1 which we found to be co-amplified withMYCon ecDNA, gaining enhancer-associated chromatin marks in contrast to its normally silenced state. This EIE, in particular, existed as a naturally occurring structural variant upstream ofMYC, gaining oncogenic potential in the transcriptionally permissive ecDNA environment. This EIE sequence is sufficient to enhanceMYCexpression and is required for cancer cell fitness. These findings suggest that silent repetitive genomic elements can be reactivated on ecDNA, leading to functional cooption and amplification. Repeat element activation on ecDNA represents a mechanism of accelerated evolution and tumor heterogeneity and may have diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Sex-specific chemosensory gene expression in the whitelined sphinx moth (Lepidoptera:Hyles lineata) suggests a role for odorant-binding proteins in host plant choice
Authors: Godfrey R. Keating , Auletta Anthony , Cheung Edison , Harper Riley , Kates Kireina , Kawahara Akito Y. , Li Yichen , Mercado Cristina , Miguelena Fernando , Pickett Ginger , DiGennaro Peter
Published: September 2024

The whitelined sphinx moth,Hyles lineata, is a generalist during both the larval and adult stages with a broad geographic range extending across North and Central America. Within the genusHylesthere have been multiple transitions to a narrower host plant range, makingHylesan ideal group to study the evolution and mechanisms of host plant selection. We characterize sex- and appendage-specific chemosensory gene expression inH. lineata, the oldest extant member of the genus. We also describe female-specific gene expression in appendages used to sense plant surfaces as a means of identifying candidate genes involved in host plant choice. Sensilla on these appendages house sensory neurons and support cells that express chemosensory genes, receptors, and small proteins that bind, shuttle, and transport small molecules to allow detection of odorants and other small molecules. We considered genes detected more frequently in the female leg and ovipositor samples to be candidate oviposition-relevant genes. Most chemosensory genes of interest were detected in both sexes, while several odorant receptors were only detected in females. We identified 18 putative chemosensory genes that were specific to female legs, ovipositors, or both body parts. However, most of these genes did not reach statistical criteria to be considered differentially expressed. Instead, a set of OBPs show statistically significant female-biased expression in legs and ovipositors. These genes may serve as candidates for future study of the evolution and mechanisms of oviposition behavior in this species and its relatives.

The sphinx moth genusHylescontains both generalist and specialized feeders, making it an ideal system to study the evolution of host plant breadth. The whitelined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) is a generalist feeder at both adult and larval stages and is the oldest lineage of the genus. In this analysis of sex-specific gene expression, Godfrey and colleagues identify several odorant binding proteins as being more frequently detected in female appendages used to assess host plants. These genes could play a role in host plant selection and can be targets for future mechanistic studies on this species.
Toward an understanding of the small groups of thumb muscles that produce lateral pinch movement: application to surgical restoration of grasp following neurologic impairment
Authors: Smith Cole D. , Towles Joseph D.
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT AND KEY TERMS

Purpose

Tendon transfer surgeries that engage the flexor pollicis longus muscle (FPL) are commonly performed to enable lateral pinch grasp in persons with tetraplegia. Functional outcomes, however, have been mixed. This might be the case, in part, because FPL produces hyperflexion at the interphalangeal (IP) joint and radial deviation at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Therefore, the goal of this simulation study was to investigate whether small groups of muscles could produce movement with less IP joint hyperflexion and CMC ab/adduction than FPL produces during lateral pinch movement.

Methods

We adapted a published, open-source computational musculoskeletal model of the hand to implement lateral pinch grasp. A forward-dynamics simulation approach was used to drive the thumb for 27 muscle groups being considered from an extended posture to a flexed posture to make contact with the side of the index finger. We calculated CMC ab/adduction deviation from the flexion-extension plane and IP joint flexion in the plane that all muscle groups produced, and compared those joint angle movements to those of FPL when it alone drove the thumb.

Results

Of the 27 simulations, three muscle groups, each consisting of three or four muscles, generated lower IP joint flexion and CMC ab/adduction than those of FPL.

Conclusions

This simulation work points to the potential of novel, multi-insertion site tendon transfer surgeries to out-perform the current standard of care to restore lateral pinch grasp following tetraplegia.
An online, group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is acceptable to stroke survivors: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Foote Hannah , Bowen Audrey , Cotterill Sarah , Patchwood Emma
Published: September 2024

Mental health difficulties are common post-stroke and developing support for psychological adjustment is a research priority. Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS) is a nine-week, online, group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-informed intervention, delivered by trained third-sector practitioners, supervised by a clinical neuropsychologist. This study aimed to explore the acceptability of WAterS from the stroke survivors ‘ perspective.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve stroke survivors who received WAterS. The interview schedule was informed by theorised components of acceptability, including understanding, burden and perception of effectiveness. The data were analysed inductively and deductively using Template Analysis.

Six qualitative themes were generated. Results indicate the intervention was mostly understandable and participants were able to engage with ACT and apply it to life. Online delivery reduced burden in accessing the intervention, and was acceptable when supported by live facilitation and a physical handbook. Group cohesion and understanding was facilitated by practitioners. The social aspect of the group was beneficial. Attending WAterS supported some participants to seek further support; others were left feeling unsupported when the intervention ended.

Stroke survivors valued attending an online, group ACT-informed intervention, delivered by practitioners. This is a promising avenue in increasing the reach of interventions to support wellbeing.
Diazinon residues levels in farm-gateBrassica oleraceavar.acephalaof Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farm Improvement Project, Kenya
Authors: Oromo George Odoyo , Owuor Philip Okinda , Kwach Bowa , Otieno Peter
Published: September 2024

Pesticides use in vegetable production often has residual effects on the plants and environment with potential health risks. Diazinon, though associated with human health impacts, is a popular pesticide in the production ofBrassica oleraceavar.acephalaat the Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farmers Improvement Project (KOSFIP), Kenya. The long preharvest interval (PHI) of diazinon application may not be observed by farmers with inadequate appreciation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). It is not documented whether diazinon residues levels in the farm-gateBrassica oleraceavar.acephalaof KOSFIP could be a health risk to the consumers. The diazinon residues levels and corresponding health risks in farm-gateBrassica oleracea var, acephalaat KOSFIP were determined. Cross-sectional survey based on snowball sampling identified 40 farms applying diazinon on the vegetable. Triplicate samples were collected from each farm for residue analysis, using the QuEChERS method, and LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Standard normal distribution function f(z), revealed ≈ 78% of farm-gate samples had detectable residual diazinon levels and 70% were above the Codex MRL of 0.05 mg/kg. The farm-gateBrassica oleracea var. acephalaare exposing consumers to health risks. Efforts must be intensified to ensure GAP are adopted. The estimated farm-gate samples with health risk indices for children and adults (HRIc and HRIA) >1.0 were 64% and 26%, respectively. Farm-gateBrassica oleracea var. acephaladiazinon levels are therefore causing high health risks to both children and adults. Farm-gate residual levels and HRI were comparatively higher than findings of most previous studies. Inappropriate label PHI and malpractices against GAP may be responsible for high residual levels. There should be regular surveillance and trainings of farmers on GAP for sustainable production ofBrassica oleraceavar.acephalain the Lake Victoria region. Use of diazinon onBrassica oleraceavar.acephalashould be discouraged and alternative approaches including integrated pest management practices should be encouraged.
Single-molecule magnetic tweezers reveals that TAV2b-derived peptides underwind and stabilize double-stranded RNA
Authors: Rashid Zainab M. , Quack Salina , Klein Misha , Smitskamp Quinte , America Pim P. B. , Albers Marvin A. , Paulus Jannik , Grossmann Tom N. , Dulin David
Published: September 2024

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has evolved into a key tool in understanding and regulating biological processes, with promising implications in therapeutics. However, its efficacy is often limited due to instability in biological settings. Recently, the development of peptidic dsRNA binders derived from naturally occurring RNA-binding proteins has emerged as a favorable starting point to address this limitation. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how these high affinity dsRNA binders alter the structure and flexibility of dsRNA. To this end, we employed single-molecule magnetic tweezers experiments to investigate the effects of TAV2b-derived peptidic dsRNA binders on the mechanical properties of dsRNA. Torque spectroscopy assays demonstrated that these peptides underwind dsRNA, while also stabilizing the duplex. Additionally, force spectroscopy experiments demonstrate that a wild type TAV2b peptide derivative extends the contour length and lowers the bending rigidity of dsRNA, while a homodimeric version triggers the formation of higher order complexes at forces below 1 pN. Our study presents a quantitative approach to investigate how these peptides alter the structure of dsRNA, and whether peptide structural design alters the affinity to dsRNA and its stability. This approach could inform the design of more potent and effective dsRNA binders in the efforts to advance RNA therapeutics.
Mutagenesis Sensitivity Mapping of Human Enhancers In Vivo
Authors: Kosicki Michael , Zhang Boyang , Pampari Anusri , Akiyama Jennifer A , Playzer-Frick Ingrid , Novak Catherine S , Tran Stella , Zhu Yiwen , Kato Momoe , Hunter Riana D , von Maydell Kianna , Barton Sarah , Beckman Erik , Kundaje Anshul , Dickel Diane E , Visel Axel , Pennacchio Len A
Published: September 2024

Distant-acting enhancers are central to human development. However, our limited understanding of their functional sequence features prevents the interpretation of enhancer mutations in disease. Here, we determined the functional sensitivity to mutagenesis of human developmental enhancers in vivo. Focusing on seven enhancers active in the developing brain, heart, limb and face, we created over 1700 transgenic mice for over 260 mutagenized enhancer alleles. Systematic mutation of 12-basepair blocks collectively altered each sequence feature in each enhancer at least once. We show that 69% of all blocks are required for normal in vivo activity, with mutations more commonly resulting in loss (60%) than in gain (9%) of function. Using predictive modeling, we annotated critical nucleotides at base-pair resolution. The vast majority of motifs predicted by these machine learning models (88%) coincided with changes to in vivo function, and the models showed considerable sensitivity, identifying 59% of all functional blocks. Taken together, our results reveal that human enhancers contain a high density of sequence features required for their normal in vivo function and provide a rich resource for further exploration of human enhancer logic.
Longitudinal and Geographic Trends in Perceived Racial Discrimination Among Adolescents in the U.S.: The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
Authors: Fields Christopher T. , Black Carmen , Calhoun Amanda J. , Assari Shervin , Zhou Xin , Nagata Jason , Gee Dylan G.
Published: September 2024

This study examines longitudinal and geographic trends in perceived racial discrimination among U.S. adolescents using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. A diverse sample of 11,868 children aged 9-10 at baseline from 22 sites across the U.S. was analyzed, assessing perceived discrimination at ages 10-11, 11-12, and 13-14 using items adapted from the Perceived Discrimination Scale. Binomial logistic regression models were used to evaluate longitudinal trends and geographic variation, adjusting for demographic factors such as race/ethnicity, parental education, and income. Results show that perceived racial discrimination increased significantly from ages 10-11 to 13-14, particularly among Black and Asian adolescents. By age 13-14, nearly half of Black adolescents and over a quarter of Asian adolescents reported discrimination. Geographic analysis revealed that Black adolescents in the Western U.S. and predominantly White affluent neighborhoods had the highest odds of perceived discrimination. Higher state-level anti-Black bias was associated with lower discrimination rates among Black adolescents but higher rates for Asian adolescents. These findings highlight the evolving nature of racial discrimination during adolescence and underscore the need for targeted interventions that address racism’s mental health impacts on adolescents, particularly in high-risk geographic and socio-economic contexts.
Proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells depends on the zinc finger transcription factor BCL11/Chronophage
Authors: Redhai Siamak , Hirschmüller Nick , Wang Tianyu , Bahuguna Shivohum , Leible Svenja , Peidli Stefan , Valentani Erica , Kharuk Sviatoslav , Holzem Michaela , Bräckow Lea , Port Fillip , Ibberson David , Huber Wolfgang , Boutros Michael
Published: September 2024

The molecular programs that drive proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are essential for organismal fitness. Notch signalling regulates the binary fate decision of ISCs, favouring enterocyte commitment when Notch activity is high and enteroendocrine cell (EE) fate when activity is low. However, the gene regulatory mechanisms that underlie this process on an organ scale remain poorly understood. Here, we find that the expression of the C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factorChronophage(Cph), homologous to mammalian BCL11, increases specifically along the ISC-to-EE lineage when Notch is inactivated. We show that the expression ofCphis regulated by the Achaete-Scute Complex (AS-C) gene,scute,which directly binds to multiple sites within theCphlocus to promote its expression. Our genetic and single-cell RNA sequencing experiments demonstrate that Cph maintains the ISC and EE populations and is necessary to remodel the transcriptome of progenitor cells with low Notch activity. By identifying and functionally validating Cph target genes, we uncover a novel role forsugar free frosting(sff) in directing proliferative and lineage commitment steps of ISCs. Our results shed light on the mechanisms by whichCphsustains intestinal epithelial homeostasis and could represent a conserved strategy for balancing proliferation and differentiation in different tissues and species.
Nonuniversality of heavy quark hadronization in elementary high-energy collisions
Authors: Dai Yuxuan , Zhao Shouxing , He Min
Published: September 2024

It has been traditionally hypothesized that the heavy quark (charm c and bottom b) fragmentation is universal across different collision systems, based on the notion that hadronization as a soft process should occur at the characteristic nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics (QCD) scale, ΛQCD. However, this universality hypothesis has recently been challenged by the observation that the c- and b-baryon production relative to their meson counterparts in minimum bias proton-proton (pp) collisions at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) energies is significantly enhanced as compared to the electron-positron (e+e−) collisions. The conception of nonuniversality is unambiguously reinforced by the latest measurement of the charged-particle multiplicity dependence of the b-baryon–to–meson yield ratio, Λb/B, by the LHCb experiment in s=13TeVpp collisions at the LHC, evolving continuously from the saturation value in minimum bias pp collisions toward the small value in

e

+

e

−

collisions as the system size gradually reduces. We address the multiplicity dependence of b-baryon production in the canonical statistical hadronization model with input b-hadron spectrum augmented with many hitherto unobserved states from quark model predictions. We demonstrate that the decreasing trend of the Λb/B toward low multiplicities can be quantitatively understood from the canonical suppression on the yield of Λb, as caused by the requirement of strict conservation of baryon number in sufficiently small systems. We have therefore proposed a plausible scenario for understanding the origin of the nonuniversality of heavy quark fragmentation in elementary collisions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Constraining light dark matter and mediator with
B+→K+νν¯
data
Authors: Abdughani Murat , Reyimuaji Yakefu
Published: September 2024

We study the decay of B+ meson into K+ plus a light mediator ϕ, which subsequently decays into a dark matter pair, χ¯χ. Integrating constraints from DM relic density, direct detection, collider data and B-physics, alongside the recently reported results form Belle II experiment, we analyze the couplings between the mediator, standard model fermions, and the dark matter particles. Our results indicate that if the decay process ϕ→χ¯χ is kinematically allowed, i.e., mϕ>2mχ, then the mediator mass must be constrained within 0.35  GeV≲mϕ≲3  GeV. Conversely, if mϕ<2mχ, the mediator mϕ is long-lived relative to the detector size, and the only allowed decay channel is ϕ→e+e−.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Proteome-Wide Assessment of Protein Structural Perturbations under High Pressure
Authors: Moran Haley M. , Manriquez-Sandoval Edgar , Sharma Piyoosh , Fried Stephen D. , Gillilan Richard E.
Published: September 2024

One of the planet's more understudied ecosystems is the deep biosphere, where organisms can experience high hydrostatic pressures (30–110 MPa); yet, by current estimates, these subsurface and deep ocean zones host the majority of the Earth's microbial and animal life. The extent to which terrestrially relevant pressures up to 100 MPa deform most globular proteins—and which kinds—has not been established. Here, we report the invention of an experimental apparatus that enables structural proteomic methods to be carried out at high pressures for the first time. The method, called high-pressure limited proteolysis (Hi-P LiP), involves performing pulse proteolysis on whole cell extracts brought to high pressure. The resulting sites of proteolytic susceptibility induced by pressure are subsequently read out by sequencing the peptide fragments with tandem liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method sensitively detects pressure-induced structural changes with residue resolution and on whole proteomes, providing a deep and broad view of the effect of pressure on protein structure. When applied to a piezosensitive thermophilic bacterium, , we find that approximately 40% of its soluble proteome is structurally perturbed at 100 MPa. Proteins with lower charge density are more resistant to pressure-induced deformation, as expected; however, contrary to expectations, proteins with lower packing density (i.e., more voids) are also more resistant to deformation. Furthermore, high pressure has previously been shown to preferentially alter conformations around active sites. Here, we show this is also observed in Hi-P LiP, suggesting that the method could provide a generic and unbiased modality to detect binding sites on a proteome scale. Hence, data sets of this kind could prove useful for training emerging artificial intelligence models to predict cryptic binding sites with greater accuracy.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Satyadarshan Technologies & Services: revolutionizing urban mobility?
Authors: Dadhich Manish , Yadav Neetu
Published: September 2024

Learning outcomes

After reading and analyzing this case study, students will be able to describe the challenges of creating an electric vehicle (EV) start-up with the objective of zero-carbon emissions, identify opportunities and challenges for Satyadarshan Technologies & Services (STS) in enhancing the B2B customer base and sales volumes in the EV market, identify and assess government incentives to reinforce STS’s existing EV business and compose an understanding of and determine an ability to use various industrial marketing and promotion strategies for STS in the present environment.

Case overview/synopsis

STS was launched in 2020 to provide environmentally conscious urban commuting. Himanshu Purohit, the founder of STS, commenced an e-bicycle assembly unit and produced the first advanced electric drivetrain technology. The vision was to transform how people viewed mobility and make EVs the standard for a healthier globe. Nurturing a start-up with zero-carbon emissions was tedious due to limited infrastructure, high costs, low market acceptance and supply chain constraints. With the relentless pursuit of excellence, STS constantly pushed the boundaries and crossed the break-even ceiling in the year 2022. As a budding player in the souk, the company expected to gain a strong presence in the EV market with particular attention to the B2B customer segment. At the same time, the company aimed to ensure business sustainability by leveraging government incentives. The company needed to expand its corporate sales volume and craft a sustainable competitive advantage. Purohit recognized various challenges to the sustainability of STS that stood between the company's goals and their realization, particularly in achieving a sustainable move in the EV segment. Consequently, Purohit found himself at a critical juncture to pave the path toward the growth of the start-up. Eventually, analysis of the company's business challenges, industrial marketing and promotional strategies required strategic planning to appraise and evaluate the business model.

Complexity academic level

This case study is designed for new-age Master of Business Administration and executive management programs. It should be used in entrepreneurship and strategic management courses to discuss small innovative e-bike start-ups. This includes conducting a competitive analysis and self-assessing a firm's market-oriented strategies. Prima facie, undergraduate and postgraduate students are beneficiaries of this case. This case study may also be conducive to teaching how to initiate a sustainable and green vehicle business. This case study guides students entering the EV business, addressing industry-specific challenges and conducting market analysis.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
The pulse of buying: mapping the conceptual structure and decoding impulse purchase patterns
Authors: Dalal Garima , Pannu Sonia , Vyas Pooja , Chugh Priya
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to conduct a rigorous bibliometric analysis of impulse buying research trends and patterns, map the conceptual landscape of the field, identify significant themes and propose a roadmap for future studies in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used Snyder’s (2019) four-step systematic review approach. By using a specific search string, articles from the past 21 years (2003–2023) were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Performance analysis and science mapping were conducted using Biblioshiny to analyze the field’s knowledge base.

Findings

The volume and influence of impulse buying research have surged over the past two decades. The factorial analysis identified three main sub-themes within the impulse buying literature. In addition, Bradford’s law confirmed that the top five journals account for a significant portion of the relevant research. Despite the increased publications, author productivity diverges from Lotka’s law, indicating a few influential authors. This study provides a detailed conceptual map of the research landscape and proposes targeted future research questions by highlighting untapped opportunities.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers insights for refining marketing strategies and highlights the importance of ethical considerations in marketing, especially during crises. It also strengthens the theoretical foundation of impulse buying by mapping core themes and identifying unexplored areas.

Originality/value

This study introduces an innovative approach by using factorial analysis with the multiple correspondence analysis technique to develop a detailed conceptual structure map of impulse buying research. It applies bibliometric laws such as Bradford’s law and Lotka’s law to explain the dispersion of research articles. By identifying core themes, this study charts a roadmap for future inquiry, addressing significant gaps and uncovering new research directions.
Numerical study on the behavior of a polymeric MHD nanofluid: entropy optimization and thermal analysis
Authors: Khan Razi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Analyzing and reducing entropy generation is useful for enhancing the thermodynamic performance of engineering systems. This study aims to explore how polymers and nanoparticles in the presence of Lorentz forces influence the fluid behavior and heat transfer characteristics to lessen energy loss and entropy generation.

Design/methodology/approach

The dispersion model is initially used to examine the behavior of polymer additives over a magnetized surface. The governing system of partial differential equations (PDEs) is subsequently reduced through the utilization of similarity transformation techniques. Entropy analysis is primarily performed through the implementation of numerical computations on a non-Newtonian polymeric FENE-P model.

Findings

The numerical simulations conducted in the presence of Lorentz forces provide significant insights into the consequences of adding polymers to the base fluid. The findings suggest that such an approach minimizes entropy in the flow region. Through the utilization of polymer-MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) interactions, it is feasible to reduce energy loss and improve the efficiency of the system.

Originality/value

This study’s primary motivation and novelty lie in examining the significance of polymer additives as agents that reduce entropy generation on a magnetic surface. The author looks at how nanofluids affect the development of entropy and the loss of irreversibility. To do this, the author uses the Lorentz force, the Soret effect and the Dufour effect to minimize entropy. The findings contribute to fluid mechanics and thermodynamics by providing valuable insights for engineering systems to increase energy efficiency and conserve resources.
The impact of soft lean practices on business performance: mediating role of customer satisfaction
Authors: Machingura Tinotenda , Muyavu Ashleigh Tatenda , Adetunji Olufemi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Many firms have adopted different methodologies such as lean management to increase customer satisfaction. This is because they need to respond to customer demands for improved products and responsive service. This study aims to evaluate the influence of soft lean practices (SLP) on business performance in the service sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Out of 702 questionnaires distributed to various service companies in Zimbabwe, 260 valid responses were received. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationship among the factors of the proposed model.

Findings

The implementation of SLP leads to improvement in the business performance of the service companies. However, the impact of SLP on business performance is mainly indirect, mediated by customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on the implementation of SLP in the service industry of a developing country; hence, the results obtained may require further investigations before generalization to other countries with different sociocultural contexts is made.

Originality/value

Most previous studies focused mainly on the implementation of the technical lean practices in the manufacturing industry without properly acknowledging the importance of SLP. This research investigates the importance of SLP in the service sector and further explores the mediatory role of customer satisfaction on business performance. The findings also validate the service-profit-chain theory.
Sexual harassment, rape myths and paraphilias in the general population: a mediation analysis study
Authors: Snow Emily , Longpré Nicholas
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Sexual harassment is a worldwide and prevalent problem that can have severe consequences. The #MeToo movement has highlighted that sexual harassment is not an isolated event and is linked to misogynistic cognitions and other forms of sexual violence. However, there is a lack of research regarding the relationship between sexual harassment and its nomological network, particularly in the general population. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the nomological network of harassment.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perception of harassment and rape myths (RMS), with paraphilia (fantasy and behaviour) as mediators. In addition, the prevalence of paraphilia in the general population was explored and gender difference was analysed. Frequencies, Pearson's r correlations, independent sample t-tests and mediation analyses were conducted on a sample of n = 254 participants from the general population.

Findings

Analyses revealed that half of the sample have engaged in at least one paraphilia behaviour. Furthermore, correlations between a more lenient perception of harassment, RM acceptance and paraphilia were found, as well as significant gender differences. Finally, mediation models revealed a strong relationship between RM acceptance and a more lenient perception of harassment, with paraphilia mediating this relationship.

Practical implications

This study has several implications, highlighting the role of misogynistic cognitions in predicting a lenient perception of sexual harassment, and thus, proposing a key focus for prevention and intervention models.

Originality/value

This research is mostly conducted on male samples in these areas; thus, this study aimed to collect data from a diverse sample that may provide a better overview of sexual harassment and its nomological network.
School principals’ resistance to change: a multilevel analysis of individual factors and contextual conditions
Authors: Kalbermatten Cyrill Julian , Ritz Adrian
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between the attitudes of principals, municipality-specific aspects of reform implementation, and principals’ resistance to change.

Design/methodology/approach

The collected data are based on a multi-level structure. The levels of analysis are at the school level (school principal) and at the municipality level. Therefore, the research question posed in this study is examined using a quantitative multi-level analysis.

Findings

The results show that both the personal attitudes of school principals and adjustments made by the school presidency of the municipality affect the school principals’ willingness to change.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s focus on schools limits the ability to generalize the results to apply to other organizations. Nevertheless, schools are an important object of study for change management research because they share crucial organizational characteristics with other organizations in the public sector.

Originality/value

Studies that have looked at the change reactions of leaders in the public school sector have rarely examined individual and collective factors together. We focus on both, since the municipalities in many countries have a certain amount of leeway in implementing reforms, meaning that their involvement is of central importance for a successful change process.
Exploring the role of heuristics in buyer–supplier relationship dynamics
Authors: Åberg Susanne , Andersen Poul Houman
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of heuristics in the reassessment of relationship events and how it influences perceptions of commitment, fairness and relationship value. It answers the question of how heuristics interrelate with decision-makers’ evolving interpretations of commitment, fairness and relationship value in a specific buyer-supplier relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents data from a longitudinal study of an evolving buyer–supplier relationship involving a multinational supplier of fast-moving consumer goods and a medium-sized and highly specialized supplier. It analyzes qualitative data about the use of heuristics in buyer–supplier relationships, and it is based on evidence collected from interviews, presentations, meetings and secondary data.

Findings

This paper shows that a buyer’s unexpected behavior can lead to a reassessment of commitment, fairness and relationship value. Heuristics can delay relationship reassessments, however. The case shows that heuristics have a preserving quality and that the effect of transformative events only slowly changes the perception of the value of the relationship. In this change process, the link between commitment, perceived fairness and heuristics is crucial.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research on the relationship between buyer–supplier relationships and heuristics. In particular, the paper contributes to the understanding of how relational events in a buyer-supplier relationship change the commitment and perception of fairness, and how heuristics change accordingly. On a more overarching level, the study contributes to our understanding of business relationship dynamics.
Quiet quitting in the Dominican Republic: the employers’ perspective
Authors: Rodríguez-Montoya Cristóbal , De Castro Morel Raquel , Frías-Rodríguez Diana
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the phenomenon of “Quiet Quitting” from the perspective of employers in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the context of changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

From a qualitative approach, based on methods of Grounded Theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with managers from various sectors. The data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding techniques to identify emerging themes.

Findings

The study identifies four main scenarios contributing to quiet quitting: Social Disconnection, Stress and Anxiety, Re-evaluation of Priorities and Changes in Job Expectations. These factors indicate a significant shift in the employee–employer relationship post-pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

The exploratory nature of this study limits its generalizability.

Practical implications

Organizations can mitigate quiet quitting by implementing flexible work policies, promoting work-life balance and enhancing communication between supervisors and employees.

Social implications

Addressing quiet quitting can lead to improved employee well-being, higher productivity and a more positive work environment.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to examine quiet quitting in the Dominican Republic from the employers’ perspective, providing unique insights into this understudied phenomenon in the region.
Integrated optimization of logistics routing problem considering chance preference
Authors: Ren Liang , Zhou Zerong , Fu Yaping , Liu Ao , Ma Yunfeng
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of the decision makers’ risk preference on logistics routing problem, contributing to logistics behavior analysis and route integration optimization under uncertain environment. Due to the unexpected events and complex environment in modern logistics operations, the logistics process is full of uncertainty. Based on the chance function of satisfying the transportation time and cost requirements, this paper focuses on the fourth party logistics routing integrated optimization problem considering the chance preference of decision makers from the perspective of satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the quantitative method to investigate the relationship between route decision making and human behavior. The cumulative prospect theory is used to describe the loss, gain and utility function based on confidence levels. A mathematical model and an improved ant colony algorithm are employed to solve the problems. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm.

Findings

The study’s findings reveal that the dual-population improvement strategy enhances the algorithm’s global search capability and the improved algorithm can solve the risk model quickly, verifying the effectiveness of the improvement method. Moreover, the decision-maker is more sensitive to losses, and the utility obtained when considering decision-makers' risk attitudes is greater than that obtained when the decision-maker exhibits risk neutrality.

Practical implications

In an uncertain environment, the logistics decision maker’s risk preference directly affects decision making. Different parameter combinations in the proposed model could be set for decision-makers with different risk attitudes to fit their needs more accurately. This could help managers design effective transportation plans and improve service levels. In addition, the improved algorithm can solve the proposed problem quickly, stably and effectively, so as to help the decision maker to make the logistics path decision quickly according to the required confidence level.

Originality/value

Considering the uncertainty in logistics and the risk behavior of decision makers, this paper studies integrated routing problem from the perspective of opportunity preference. Based on the chance function of satisfying the transportation time and cost requirements, a fourth party logistics routing integrated optimization problem model considering the chance preference of decision makers is established. According to the characteristics of the problem, an improved dual-population ant colony algorithm is designed to solve the proposed model. Numerical examples show the effectiveness the proposed methods.
Relationship between dietary diversity and haemoglobin concentration among women of reproductive age (15−49 years) in the Upper East Region of Ghana
Authors: Ayamba Joseph Awimbugre , Nkumsah-Riverson Portia , Intiful Freda D. , Asante Matilda , Boateng Laurene
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dietary diversity and haemoglobin concentration of women of reproductive age (WRA), 15−49 years in the Binduri District, of the Upper East Region (UER) of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 153 non-pregnant, non-lactating WRA from three randomly selected communities in the Binduri District of the UER of Ghana. Socio-demographic information, 24-h dietary recall and minimum dietary diversity scores (DDS) of the women were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Haemoglobin concentration of the participants was measured by finger prick using Hemocue 301 Analyzer and classified according to WHO standards. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between DDS and haemoglobin concentrations of the participants.

Findings

Total study participants were 153 with mean age of 32.8 ± 8.7 years. Anaemia prevalence of 66.7% and a mean DDS of 4.0 ± 1.2 was recorded. DDS was found to be a strong predictor of haemoglobin concentration (p = 0.00, R2 = 0.48).

Practical implications

Interventions that increase DDS may be effective in improving haemoglobin levels of WRA.

Originality/value

The results showed that DDS is a strong predictor of haemoglobin concentration of the WRA in this study. As the dietary diversity of the women increased, their mean haemoglobin concentration also improved. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to be conducted in the study area.