bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social processing modulates the initial allocation of attention towards angry faces: evidence from the N2pc component
Authors: Wirth Benedikt Emanuel , Wentura Dirk
Published: November 2023

Previous research has shown that attentional bias towards angry faces is moderated by the activation of a social processing mode. More specifically, reliable cueing effects for angry face cues in the dot-probe task only occurred when participants performed a task that required social processing of the target stimuli. However, cueing effects are a rather distal measure of covert shifts in spatial attention. Thus, it remains unclear whether the social processing mode modulates initial allocation of attention to or attentional disengagement from angry faces. In the present study, we used the N2pc, an event-related potential component, as an index of attentional shifts towards angry faces. Participants performed a dot-probe task with two different target conditions while the electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. In the social target condition, target stimuli were socially meaningful (schematic faces), and in the non-social target condition, they were meaningless (scrambled schematic faces). The amplitude of the N2pc component elicited by angry face cues was significantly larger in the social target condition than in the non-social target condition. This pattern also occurred for behavioural cueing effects. These results suggest that the activation of a social processing mode due to current task demands affects the initial allocation of attention towards angry faces.
Physical exercise ameliorates age‐related deterioration of skeletal muscle and mortality by activating Pten‐related pathways in Drosophila on a high‐salt diet
Authors: Hou Wen‐qi , Wen Deng‐tai , Zhong Qi , Mo Lan , Wang Shuo , Yin Xin‐yuan , Ma Xing‐feng
Published: November 2023

The phosphatase and tensin congeners (Pten) gene affects cell growth, cell proliferation, and rearrangement of connections, and it is closely related to cellular senescence, but it remains unclear the role of muscle‐Pten gene in exercise against age‐related deterioration in skeletal muscle and mortality induced by a high‐salt diet (HSD). In here, overexpression and knockdown of muscle Pten gene were constructed by building MhcGAL4/PtenUAS‐overexpression and MhcGAL4/PtenUAS‐RNAi system in flies, and flies were given exercise training and a HSD for 2 weeks. The results showed that muscle Pten knockdown significantly reduced the climbing speed, climbing endurance, GPX activity, and the expression of Pten, Sirt1, PGC‐1α genes, and it significantly increased the expression of Akt and ROS level, and impaired myofibril and mitochondria of aged skeletal muscle. Pten knockdown prevented exercise from countering the HSD‐induced age‐related deterioration of skeletal muscle. Pten overexpression has the opposite effect on skeletal muscle aging when compared to it knockdown, and it promoted exercise against HSD‐induced age‐related deterioration of skeletal muscle. Pten overexpression significantly increased lifespan, but its knockdown significantly decreased lifespan of flies. Thus, current results confirmed that differential expression of muscle Pten gene played an important role in regulating skeletal muscle aging and lifespan, and it also affected the adaptability of aging skeletal muscle to physical exercise since it determined the activity of muscle Pten/Akt pathway and Pten/Sirt1/PGC‐1α pathway.
Clinical Efficacy of Gadobutrol: Review of Over 25 Years of Use Exceeding 100 Million Administrations
Authors: Endrikat Jan , Gutberlet Matthias , Barkhausen Jörg , Schöckel Laura , Bhatti Aasia , Harz Cornelia , Hoffmann Karl-Titus
Published: November 2023

Background

Gadobutrol has been administered more than 100 million times worldwide, since February 1998, that is, over the last 25 years. Numerous clinical studies in a broad range of indications document the long-term experience with gadobutrol.

Objective

The aim of this study was to provide a literature-based overview on gadobutrol's efficacy in 9 approved indications and use in children.

Materials and Methods

Efficacy results in patients of all age groups including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive/negative predictive values were identified by a systematic literature search on Embase until December 31, 2022. Nine approved indications were considered: central nervous system (CNS), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), breast, heart, prostate, kidney, liver, musculoskeletal, whole body, and various indications in children.

Results

Sixty-five publications (10 phase III, 2 phase IV, 53 investigator-initiated studies) reported diagnostic efficacy results obtained from 7806 patients including 271 children, at 369 centers worldwide. Indication-specific sensitivity ranges were 59%–98% (CNS), 53%–100% (MRA), 80%–100% (breast), 64%–90% (heart), 64%–96% (prostate), 71–85 (kidney), 79%–100% (liver), 53%–98% (musculoskeletal), and 78%–100% (children). Indication-specific specificity ranges were 75%–100% (CNS), 64%–99% (MRA), 58%–98% (breast), and 47%–100% (heart).

Conclusions

The evaluated body of evidence, consisting of 65 studies with 7806 patients, including 271 children and 7535 adults, showed that gadobutrol is an efficacious magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent for all age groups in various approved indications throughout the whole body.
Perturbation of tonoplast sucrose transport alters carbohydrate utilization for seasonal growth and defense metabolism in coppiced poplar
Authors: Tuma Trevor T. , Nyamdari Batbayar , Hsieh Chen , Chen Yen-Ho , Harding Scott A. , Tsai Chung-Jui
Published: November 2023

Non-structural carbohydrate reserves of stems and roots underpin overall tree fitness. These reserves also contribute to productivity under short-rotation management practices such as coppicing for bioenergy. While sucrose and starch comprise the predominant carbohydrate reserves ofPopulus, utilization is understood primarily in terms of starch turnover. The tonoplast sucrose transport protein SUT4 modulates sucrose export from source leaves to distant sinks during photoautotrophic growth, but the possibility of its involvement in remobilizing carbohydrates from sinks during heterotrophic growth has not been explored. Here, we usedPtaSUT4-knockout mutants ofPopulus tremula × P. alba(INRA 717-1B4) in winter (cool) and summer (warm) glasshouse coppicing experiments to strain carbon demand and test for SUT4 involvement in reserve utilization. We show that epicormic bud emergence, subsequent growth, and xylem hexose increases were delayed or reduced insut4mutants following lower temperature ‘winter’ coppicing. Depletion of stem reserves during post-coppice regrowth was not impaired insut4, butsut4winter maintenance costs may have been higher in metabolic terms. Bark accrual of abundant defense metabolites, including salicinoids, chlorogenic acids, and flavonoid products, was prioritized in the summer, but attenuated insut4mutants. Summer sprout growth was not reduced insut4compared to controls. Together, our results point to shifting priorities for SUT4 modulation of seasonal trade-offs between growth and other priorities in the stem and emerging buds during reserve utilization inPopulus.
Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron HK.3 variant harboring the “FLip” substitution
Authors: Kosugi Yusuke , Plianchaisuk Arnon , Putri Olivia , Uriu Keiya , Kaku Yu , Hinay Alfredo A. , Chen Luo , Kuramochi Jin , Sadamasu Kenji , Yoshimura Kazuhisa , Asakura Hiroyuki , Nagashima Mami ,   The Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium, Ito Jumpei , Sato Kei
Published: November 2023

In November 2023, SARS-CoV-2 XBB descendants, including EG.5.1 (XBB.1.9.2.5.1), the currently predominant lineage, are circulating worldwide according to Nextstrain. EG.5.1 has a characteristic amino acid substitution in the spike protein (S), S:F456L, which contributes to its escape from humoral immunity. EG.5.1 has further evolved, and its descendant lineage harboring S:L455F (i.e., EG.5.1+S:L455F) emerged and was named HK.3 (XBB.1.9.2.5.1.1.3). HK.3 was initially discovered in East Asia and is rapidly spreading worldwide. Notably, the XBB subvariants bearing both S:L455F and S:F456L substitutions, including HK.3, are called the “FLip” variants. These FLip variants, such as JG.3 (XBB.1.9.2.5.1.3.3), JF.1 (XBB.1.16.6.1) and GK.3 (XBB.1.5.70.3), have emerged convergently, suggesting that the acquisition of these two substitutions confers a growth advantage to XBB in the human population. Here, we investigated the virological properties of HK.3 as a representative of the FLip variants.
Oxidation of hemoglobin in the lung parenchyma facilitates the differentiation of pneumococci into encapsulated bacteria
Authors: Alibayov Babek , Scasny Anna , Vidal Ana G. Jop , Murin Landon , Wong Sandy , Edwards Kristin S. , Eichembaun Zehava , Punshon Tracy , Jackson Brian P. , Hopp Marie-T. , McDaniel Larry S. , Akerley Brian J. , Imhof Diana , Vidal Jorge E.
Published: November 2023

Pneumococcal pneumonia causes cytotoxicity in the lung parenchyma but the underlying mechanism involves multiple factors contributing to cell death. Here, we discovered that hydrogen peroxide produced byStreptococcus pneumoniae(Spn-H2O2) plays a pivotal role by oxidizing hemoglobin, leading to its polymerization and subsequent release of labile heme. At physiologically relevant levels, heme selected a population of encapsulated pneumococci. In the absence of capsule and Spn-H2O2, host intracellular heme exhibited toxicity towards pneumococci, thus acting as an antibacterial mechanism. Further investigation revealed that heme-mediated toxicity required the ABC transporter GlnPQ.In vivoexperiments demonstrated that pneumococci release H2O2to cause cytotoxicity in bronchi and alveoli through the non-proteolytic degradation of intracellular proteins such as actin, tubulin and GAPDH. Overall, our findings uncover a mechanism of lung toxicity mediated by oxidative stress that favor the growth of encapsulated pneumococci suggesting a therapeutic potential by targeting oxidative reactions.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

Oxidation of hemoglobin byStreptococcus pneumoniaefacilitates differentiation to encapsulated pneumococciin vivo

DifferentiatedS. pneumoniaeproduces capsule and hydrogen peroxide (Spn-H2O2) as defense mechanism against host heme-mediated toxicity.

Spn-H2O2-induced lung toxicity causes the oxidation and non-proteolytic degradation of intracellular proteins tubulin, actin, and GAPDH.

The ABC transporter GlnPQ is a heme-binding complex that makes Spn susceptible to heme toxicity.
Epigenetics and chromatin structure regulatevar2csaexpression and the placental binding phenotype inPlasmodium falciparum
Authors: Lenz Todd , Sirel Madle , Hoppe Hannes , Shafeeq Sulman , Roch Karine Le , Ribacke Ulf
Published: November 2023

Plasmodium falciparumis responsible for what appears to be a never-ending public health issue in the developing world. With repeated infections, a gradual semi-immunity to severe malaria can be acquired but this is disrupted when women become pregnant as the parasite cytoadheres in the placenta to prevent splenic clearance. This change in tissue tropism is due to specific expression of the antigenically variable adhesin VAR2CSA. To better understand the molecular mechanisms activatingvar2csaand antigenic variation over all, we used a combination of phenotypic and systems biology assays. We first established phenotypically homogenous populations of VAR2CSA expressing and placenta binding parasites that were shown to exclusively transcribevar2csawhile all othervargenes remained silenced. We also confirmed that the transcriptional activation was strongly associated with distinct depletion of repressive H3K9me3 marks. Further, we used chromatin conformation capture as a high-resolution approach to determine interchromosomal interactions and established that transcriptional activation is linked to a small yet significant repositioning ofvar2csarelative to heterochromatic telomeric clusters. Lastly, we demonstrated that occupancy of 5-methylcytosine was present in allvargenes but independent of transcriptional activation and switching. All together, these findings provide insights at high resolution into the potential role of 5-methylcytosine inP. falciparumand increase our understanding of the mechanisms regulating antigenic variation at the epigenetics and chromatin structure level.
Cryptography in the DNA of living cells enabled by multi-site base editing
Authors: Volf Verena , Zhang Simon , Song Karen M. , Qian Sharon , Chen Fei , Church George M.
Published: November 2023

Although DNA is increasingly being adopted as a generalizable medium for information storage and transfer, reliable methods for ensuring information security remain to be addressed. In this study, we developed and validated a cryptographic encoding scheme, Genomic Sequence Encryption (GSE), to address the challenge of information confidentiality and integrity in biological substrates. GSE enables genomic information encoding that is readable only with a cryptographic key. We show that GSE can be used for cell signatures that enable the recipient of a cell line to authenticate its origin and validate if the cell line has been modified in the interim. We implement GSE through multi-site base editing and encode information through editing across >100 genomic sites in mammalian cells. We further present an enrichment step to obtain individual stem cells with more than two dozen edits across a single genome with minimal screening. This capability can be used to introduce encrypted signatures in living animals. As an encryption scheme, GSE is falsification-proof and enables secure information transfer in biological substrates.
Heparan sulfate dependent phase separation of CCL5 and its chemotactic activity
Authors: Yu Xiaolin , Duan Guangfei , Pei Pengfei , Chen Long , Gu Renji , Hu Wenrui , Zhang Hongli , Wang Yan-Dong , Gong Lili , Liu Lihong , Chu Ting-Ting , Li Jin-Ping , Luo Shi-Zhong
Published: November 2023

Secreted chemokines form concentration gradients in target tissues to control migratory directions and patterns of immune cells in response to inflammatory stimulation; however, how the gradients are formed is much debated. Heparan sulfate (HS) binds to chemokines and modulates their activities. In this study, we investigated the roles of HS in the gradient formation and chemoattractant activity of CCL5 that is known to bind to HS. CCL5 and heparin underwent liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) and formed gradient, which was confirmed using CCL5 immobilized on heparin-beads. The biological implication of HS in CCL5 gradient formation was established in CHO-K1 (wild type) and CHO-677 (lacking HS) cells by Transwell assay. The effect of HS on CCL5 chemoattractant activity was further proved by Transwell assay of human peripheral blood cells. Finally, peritoneal injection of the chemokines into mice showed reduced recruitment of inflammatory cells either by mutant CCL5 (lacking heparin binding sequence) or by addition of heparin to wild type CCL5. Our experimental data propose that co-phase separation of CCL5 with HS establishes a specific chemokine concentration gradient to trigger directional cell migration. The results warrant further investigation on other heparin binding chemokines and allows for a more elaborate insight into disease process and new treatment strategies.
Single-cell morphological tracking of liver cell states to identify small-molecule modulators of liver differentiation
Authors: Graham Rebecca E. , Zheng Runshi , Wagner Jesko , Unciti-Broceta Asier , Hay David C. , Forbes Stuart J. , Gadd Victoria L. , Carragher Neil O.
Published: November 2023

Alternative therapeutic strategies are urgently required to treat liver disease, which is responsible for 2 million deaths anually. By combining Cell Painting, a morphological profiling assay that captures diverse cellular states, with the bi-potent HepaRG®liver progenitor cell line, we have developed a high-throughput, single-cell technique, to track liver cell fate and map small-molecule induced changes using a morphological atlas of bi-lineage liver cell differentiation. To our knowledge this is the first-time single-cell trajectory inference has been applied to image-based Cell Painting data and leveraged for drug screening. The overarching goal of this new method is to aid research into understanding liver cell regeneration mechanisms and facilitate the development of cell-based and small-molecule therapies. Using this approach, we have identified a class of small-molecule SRC family kinase inhibitors that promote differentiation of HepaRG®single-cells towards the hepatocyte-like lineage and promotes differentiation of primary human hepatic progenitor cells towards a hepatocyte-like phenotypein vitro.
Omecamtiv mecarbil and Mavacamten target the same myosin pocket despite antagonistic effects in heart contraction
Authors: Auguin Daniel , Robert-Paganin Julien , Réty Stéphane , Kikuti Carlos , David Amandine , Theumer Gabriele , Schmidt Arndt W. , Knölker Hans-Joachim , Houdusse Anne
Published: November 2023

Inherited cardiomyopathies are amongst the most common cardiac diseases worldwide, leading in the late-stage to heart failure and death. The most promising treatments against these diseases are small-molecules directly modulating the force produced by β-cardiac myosin, the molecular motor driving heart contraction. Two of these molecules that produce antagonistic effects on cardiac contractility have completed clinical phase 3 trials: the activatorOmecamtiv mecarbiland the inhibitorMavacamten. In this work, we reveal by X-ray crystallography that both drugs target the same pocket and stabilize a pre-stroke structural state, with only few local differences. All atoms molecular dynamics simulations reveal how these molecules can have antagonistic impact on the allostery of the motor by comparing β-cardiac myosin in the apo form or bound toOmecamtiv mecarbilorMavacamten. Altogether, our results provide the framework for rational drug development for the purpose of personalized medicine.
Arterial mechanics, extracellular matrix, and smooth muscle differentiation in carotid arteries deficient for Rac1
Authors: Assoian Richard K. , Xu Tina , Roberts Emilia
Published: November 2023

Stiffening of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occurs after vascular injury and contributes to the injury-associated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ECM stiffness also activates Rac-GTP, and SMC Rac1 deletion strongly reduces the proliferative response to injuryin vivo. However, ECM stiffening and Rac can affect SMC differentiation, which, in itself, can influence ECM stiffness and proliferation. Here, we used pressure myography and immunofluorescence analysis of mouse carotid arteries to ask if the reported effect of Rac1 deletion onin vivoSMC proliferation might be secondary to a Rac effect on basal arterial stiffness or SMC differentiation. The results show that Rac1 deletion does not affect the abundance of arterial collagen-I, -III, or -V, the integrity of arterial elastin, or the arterial responses to pressure, including the axial and circumferential stretch-strain relationships that are assessments of arterial stiffness. Medial abundance of alpha-smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, markers of the SMC differentiated phenotype, were not statistically different in carotid arteries containing or deficient in Rac1. Nor did Rac1 deficiency have a statistically significant effect on carotid artery contraction to KCl. Overall, these data argue that the inhibitory effect of Rac1 deletion onin vivoSMC proliferation reflects a primary effect of Rac1 signaling to the cell cycle rather than a secondary effect associated with altered SMC differentiation or arterial stiffness.
High Throughput Tomography (HiTT) on EMBL beamline P14 on PETRA III
Authors: Albers Jonas , Nikolova Marina , Svetlove Angelika , Darif Nedal , Lawson Matthew J. , Schneider Thomas R. , Schwab Yannick , Bourenkov Gleb , Duke Elizabeth
Published: November 2023

Here, high-throughput tomography (HiTT), a fast and versatile phase-contrast imaging platform for life-science samples on the EMBL beamline P14 at DESY in Hamburg, Germany, is presented. A high-photon-flux undulator beamline is used to perform tomographic phase-contrast acquisition in about two minutes which is linked to an automated data processing pipeline that delivers a 3D reconstructed data set less than a minute and a half after the completion of the X-ray scan. Combining this workflow with a sophisticated robotic sample changer enables the streamlined collection and reconstruction of X-ray imaging data from potentially hundreds of samples during a beam-time shift. HiTT permits optimal data collection for many different samples and makes possible the imaging of large sample cohorts thus allowing population studies to be attempted. The successful application of HiTT on various soft tissue samples in both liquid (hydrated and also dehydrated) and paraffin-embedded preparations is demonstrated. Furthermore, the feasibility of HiTT to be used as a targeting tool for volume electron microscopy, as well as using HiTT to study plant morphology, is demonstrated. It is also shown how the high-throughput nature of the work has allowed large numbers of `identical' samples to be imaged to enable statistically relevant sample volumes to be studied.
Exploring the effects of virtual annotation background display mode and transparency through a 360-degree panorama approach to online shopping
Authors: Zhai Weimin , Lin Zhongzhen , Xu Biwen
Published: November 2023

Purpose

With the rapid development of technology, 360° panorama on mobile as a very convenient way to present virtual reality has brought a new shopping experience to consumers. Usually, consumers get product information through virtual annotations in 360° panorama and then make a series of shopping behaviors. The visual design of virtual annotation significantly influences users' online visual search for product information. This study aims to investigate the influence of the visual design of virtual annotation on consumers' shopping experience in the online shopping interface of 360° panorama.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 3 between-subject design was planned to help explore whether different display model of annotation (i.e. negative polarity and positive polarity) and different background transparency of annotation (i.e. 0% transparency, 25% transparency and 50% transparency) may affect users' task performance and their subjective evaluations.

Findings

(1) Virtual annotations with different background transparency affect user performance, and transparency has better visual search performance. (2) Virtual annotation background display mode may affect the user operation performance; the positive polarity of the virtual annotation is more convenient for the users' visual searching for product information. (3) When the annotation background transparency is opaque or semi-transparent, the negative polarity display is more favorable to the users' visual search. However, this situation is reversed when the annotation background transparency is 25%. (4) Participants preferred the presentation of positive polarity virtual annotations. (5) Regarding the degree of willingness to use and ease of understanding, participants preferred the negative polarity display for 0% background transparency or 50% background transparency. However, the opposite result was obtained for 25% background transparency.

Originality/value

The findings generated from the research can be a good reference for the development of virtual annotation visual design for mobile shopping applications.

Highlights

Virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode are two essential attributes of 360° panoramas.

This study examined how virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode influence user performance and experience.

It is recommended to use a translucent or opaque annotation background with a negative polarity display.

Virtual annotation presentation with 25% background transparency facilitates consumer searching and comparison of product information.

Users prefer a positive polarity annotation display.
Health literacy and subjective well-being amongst university students: moderating role of gender
Authors: Rashid Irfana , Amin Faseeh , Lone Aashiq Hussain , Gulzar Shahzada Shahid
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The present study has attempted to examine the connection between health literacy (HL) and subjective well-being (SWB) amongst university students in North India. In addition, the present research also sought to establish the role of “gender” and “absence/presence of health professional in the family” as a socio-demographic variable in the relationship between HL and SWB.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a descriptive and quantitative research design. Students were asked to respond to an online questionnaire as part of a survey strategy. Out of 550 respondents who completed the survey, only 511 responses were usable after data cleaning.

Findings

The structural equation modelling regression analysis revealed a positive association between HL and SWB. In addition, the moderating role of gender and the “presence/absence of health professionals in the family” between HL and SWB was also established.

Research limitations/implications

Although a sizable sample of university students responded to this poll, it was a convenience sample. The study cannot be generalised to the general population; thus, future scholars can include other socio-demographic sections. Theoretically, it has tested a research framework concerning multiple dimensions of students' SWB and HL. In addition, the moderating role of gender and the “presence/absence of health professionals in the family” is another unique research contribution of this study.

Practical implications

The results of the current study provided evidence that HL promotion efforts are needed amongst the student population in India to enhance their well-being. The objective of practitioners and relevant stakeholders (parents, government agencies and universities) should be to build capacities concerning HL at both personal and institutional levels. Based on the findings, more educational programmes should be created for the students to promote HL and raise awareness of healthy lifestyles.

Originality/value

The degree to which people can locate, comprehend and use information and services to support health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others is known as “health literacy.” HL is closely associated with SWB, which means how people perceive and assess their lives and particular spheres and activities within them. The current research on the relationship between the two domains is limited. This study looked into the effects of HL on SWB amongst university students in North India.
“…I have my dad, sister, brother, and mom’s password”: unveiling users’ mental models of security and privacy-preserving tools
Authors: Dumaru Prakriti , Shrestha Ankit , Paudel Rizu , Haverkamp Cassity , McClain Maryellen Brunson , Al-Ameen Mahdi Nasrullah
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand user perceptions and misconceptions regarding security tools. Security and privacy-preserving tools (for brevity, the authors term them as “security tools” in this paper, unless otherwise specified) are designed to protect the security and privacy of people in the digital environment. However, inappropriate use of these tools can lead to unexpected consequences that are preventable. Hence, it is significant to examine why users do not understand the security tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative study with 40 participants in the USA to investigate the prevalent misconceptions of people regarding security tools, their perceptions of data access and the corresponding impact on their usage behavior and data protection strategies.

Findings

While security vulnerabilities are often rooted in people’s internet usage behavior, this study examined user’s mental models of the internet and unpacked how the misconceptions about security tools relate to those mental models.

Originality/value

Based on the findings, this study offers recommendations highlighting the design aspects of security tools that need careful attention from researchers and industry practitioners, to alleviate users’ misconceptions and provide them with accurate conceptual models toward the desired use of security tools.
The role of social intrapreneurship and serious games in generating social innovation in the healthcare sector
Authors: Khelladi Insaf , Castellano Sylvaine , Vinçotte Edouard Charles
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This research paper aims to explore how social intrapreneurs use serious games to generate social innovation. In particular, the study depicts the coproduction process between caregivers acting as intrapreneurs, patients and other stakeholders, and unveils the contributions of serious games and their key features in producing social innovation within healthcare facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an original case study, the article analyzes a social innovation initiated by caregivers in the French care eco-system. Primary and secondary data were used to observe and examine the successful implementation of a serious game. Specifically, caregivers in hospital designed a game that helps children overcome the stress and anxiety inherent to their hospital journey.

Findings

Results unveil the role of social innovations as catalyst of social intrapreneurship and the coproduction of services. In the healthcare setting, serious games both participate in improving the stay of child in hospitals, and in facilitating the working conditions of caregivers.

Originality/value

This article brings together the theoretical background of social intrapreneurship, social innovation and serious games. The successful implementation of social innovation depends on the intrinsic features of social intrapreneurs, coupled with those pertaining to serious games. The positive outcome of social innovation benefits both internal and external stakeholders. Such innovation improves the end users' experience, as the latter participate in the coproduction of their own care.
Effectuation and strategic evolution for sustainable longevity: the case of a 19th-generation family firm
Authors: Welsh Dianne H.B. , Llanos-Contreras Orlando , Hebles Melany Rebeca
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This article explains the causal mechanism supporting sustainable longevity by analysing the last three generations of one of the oldest family firms in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

An explanatory single-case qualitative research based on critical realism explores why and how this family firm has been able to maintain its multigenerational longevity.

Findings

Los Lingues's evolutionary strategy, driven by transgenerational entrepreneurship under effectuation, has supported this family firm's sustainable longevity. Its effectual logic emerged mainly from the richness of the firm's historical resources embedded in its identity, knowledge and social capital and priority to preserve socioemotional wealth.

Originality/value

This study integrates socioemotional wealth and effectuation theory to explain a family firm's ability to survive through generations and sustain longevity. The study demonstrates the relevance of effectual logic in the entrepreneurial dynamics of a multigenerational family firm. Effectual logic drives the firm evolution and adaptation for sustainable longevity.
“Recover together, recover stronger”: an exploratory literature review on the recovery challenges of creative SMEs following the COVID-19 pandemic and proposed future recommendations
Authors: Akintola Bolanle Maryam , Kumar Anil , Chokshi Hemakshi , Samadhiya Ashutosh , Agrawal Rohit
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The rise of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has enabled researchers and industry professionals to reinvent their strategies for basic economic understanding. Two years after the outbreak of the pandemic, businesses are now trying to adapt to the impact it has brought, hoping to receive support as it did in the past. However, before this feat can be accomplished, it is imperative to understand the recovery hurdles created by the pandemic. This research aims to fill the literature gaps by examining the challenges during recovery within the creative small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) industry, as there are few relevant studies that focus on this field.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a methodical bibliometric literature review and network analysis, the paper intends to critically explore relevant recovery challenges within the field while providing answers to the appropriate research questions. A total of 43 articles were selected for an in-depth review. Using the analysis from the selected articles as a guide, a framework was developed to address the recovery challenges alongside the recommended propositions.

Findings

The findings from this paper suggest that a lack of synergy among four major categories (governmental, supply chain, organizational and stakeholders) contributes to recovery challenges within the field of research.

Originality/value

The review also offers clarification in understanding the current and upcoming trends within the creative industry, SMEs and COVID-19. This paper can thus help researchers, industry practitioners and managers discover and analyze the recovery challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
An exploratory investigation of performance criteria in managing and controlling new product development projects: Canadian SMEs' perspectives
Authors: Blais Caroline , Agbodoh-Falschau Raymond K.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to understand and document evaluation criteria used in the new product development (NPD) process of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to support the management and control of their NPD projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines exploratory and explanatory methodology (case studies) involving five Canadian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are successful in NPD. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with nine selected managers and project managers to explore the process and evaluation criteria used to manage and control NPD projects.

Findings

The results highlight that cost, time and quality are key evaluation criteria used by SMEs to make decisions relative to the NPD project's success. Profitability, return on investment, expected sales and customer satisfaction are additional criteria used to evaluate NPD project's success. It has been also found that the SMEs did not consider sustainability issues in the criteria used as their focus are on the needs of stakeholders, mainly customers.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations: The evaluation criteria are extracted from a limited number of SMEs that have successfully carried out NPD projects and may therefore be influenced by some contextual factors. The results cannot be generalized to all SMEs or to all projects, as their characteristics may differ. Implications: This study offers a novel outlook on NPD process in SMEs, by documenting criteria related to constraints in project management. The integration of theory of constraints contributes to increasing theoretical knowledge about the management and control of NPD projects in SMEs. It provides insight into how project managers (and other decision makers) can increase the chances of project success by managing project constraints and criteria.

Practical implications

The evaluation criteria identified in this study can therefore be of use to SMEs managers and project leaders seeking to improve the management and control of their NPD projects. These criteria can help them better manage their limited resources and skills and allocate them to the most promising projects. They can also help them conduct their NPD process more efficiently to achieve the intended objectives, including the desired project profitability targets.

Originality/value

This paper offers new insight and practical implications about evaluation criteria within the stages and activities of the NPD process that needed to be considered by SMEs' managers involved in NPD projects.
Seeing with fresh eyes – the potential of paradox theory to explore persistent, interdependent tensions in supply chains
Authors: Kocabasoglu-Hillmer Canan , Vanpoucke Evelyne , Son Byung-Gak , Roden Sinéad
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study explores the potential of paradox theory as a novel theoretical lens to investigate persistent and interdependent tensions in supply chains. It is based on a critical literature review focusing on paradoxes observed within complex supply chains in dynamic business environments, including the articles selected for this special issue, “Environmental Dynamism and Supply Chain Complexity: Managing the Paradoxes.”

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces the key concepts and themes of the paradox theory literature and possible methodological approaches to studying paradoxes in supply chains. Through a literature review, this study also reflects on the current state of paradox research in the field of operations and supply chain management (OSCM) and proposes future research questions.

Findings

The application of paradox theory to OSCM research is in its early stages. This paper presents opportunities to explore persistent and interdependent tensions in supply chains using paradox theory.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests several new research questions that should be translated into more precise propositions. The main implication for research is a call to focus attention on how and why a paradox perspective can help supply chain researchers view complex supply chain problems with fresh eyes.

Originality/value

The study provides the first critical review of paradoxical tensions in OSCM research. While the papers in this special issue contribute significantly to a better understanding of these issues, there is still significant potential for understanding how to respond to paradoxes in supply chains.
On the starting situation for business relationship initiation in turbulent business networks
Authors: Wadell Olof , Bengtson Anna
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a model of a starting situation for relationship initiation in turbulent business networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is designed as an extreme single case study that takes its point of departure in a company’s bankruptcy in the Swedish automotive industry.

Findings

This study illustrates how a new business relationship can start from a resource combination previously controlled by one actor (i.e. a single company) in a turbulent business network, thereby bringing nuances to the common understanding that new relationships start in stable business networks where resource combinations are developed between actors in established business relationships.

Originality/value

Previous studies have stated that the development of a mutual orientation between actors leads to the formation of a business relationship. The business relationship then leads to resource adaptations between the two companies. The developed model, however, illustrates that this pattern can be reversed in situations of turbulence. Hence, previously adapted resources might lead to the formations of a business relationship. Based on this observation, the authors argue that there are reasons to question if previous models of business relationship initiation and development in business networks are adequately equipped for analysis in turbulent business networks.
How to succeed with an AI-first strategy?
Authors: Ruokonen Mika , Ritala Paavo
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential and the challenges for different firms in adopting an AI-first strategy. The study attempts to discern if any company can prioritize AI at the forefront of their strategic plans.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from illustrative examples from well-known AI-leaders like Netflix and Spotify, as well as from upcoming AI startups and industry incumbents, the paper explores the strategic role of AI in core business processes and customer value creation. It also discusses the advent and implications of generative AI tools since late 2022 to firms’ business strategies.

Findings

The authors identify three types of AI-first strategies, depending on firms’ starting points: digital tycoon, niche carver and asset augmenter. The authors discuss how each strategy can aim to achieve data, algorithmic and execution advantages, and what the strategic bottlenecks and risks are within each strategy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to systematically describe how companies can form “AI-first” strategies from different starting points. This study includes actionable examples from known industry players to more emerging startups and industrial incumbents.
The impact of exchange rates on stock market performance of the Emerging 7
Authors: El-Diftar Doaa
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations and stock market returns of the seven highest economic performing emerging countries (E7).

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted using the daily data for exchange rates and stock market returns in each of the E7 countries from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2022. The study employs the ordinary least squares, autoregressive distributed lag error correction regression and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH (1,1)) regression models to fully investigate the impact of exchange rate on stock markets. For further investigation, the GARCH (1,1) model is run twice for each country with and without the inclusion of exchange rate to determine its effect on the volatility of stock returns.

Findings

The findings support the presence of cointegration relationship between the variables for all countries. The results reveal significant positive long-run relationship between exchange rates and stock market returns in all countries except for Indonesia, which evidenced a significant negative impact. The results of the GARCH (1,1) add that the inclusion of exchange rate in the model accounts for a slight change in the volatility of stock returns.

Originality/value

The research provides empirical evidence that appreciating currencies are perceived positively by investors leading to better performing capital markets. The outcomes of this study may assist policy makers in understanding to what degree changes in exchange rates can influence capital markets, as well as narrow the gap in literature regarding which theory is more relevant in explaining how exchange rate fluctuations impact market values.
Dynamic capabilities of the SMEs for sustainable innovation performance: role of environmental turbulence
Authors: Taghizadeh Seyedeh Khadijeh , Rahman Syed Abidur , Nikbin Davoud , Radomska Malgorzata , Maleki Far Shaghayegh
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how dynamic capabilities, i.e. sensing, learning, integrating and coordinating trigger sustainable innovation performance. It also examines the direct and moderating role of environmental turbulence towards the sustainable innovation performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 169 SMEs in Oman and analysed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS software.

Findings

Findings of this study reveal that the sustainable innovation performance of SMEs is greatly influenced by the synergy of learning, integrating and coordinating capabilities. Notably, among these capabilities, coordinating capability emerges as the most important capability for SMEs with a primary emphasis on fostering both human and organizational well-being. However, this research reveals that building dynamic capabilities alone might not be sufficient to address social, ecological and economic sustainability criteria, and SMEs may need to extend their view beyond internal processes and integrate various environmental contingencies into their approaches while focusing on sustainable innovation performance.

Practical implications

This research is useful for business managers while allocating resources in their business efficiently and effectively to achieve sustainable innovation performance. It also highlights that SMEs need to integrate various environmental contingencies into their approaches while focusing on sustainable innovation performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to contribute to SME scholarship by mainly investigating the effect of specific four types of dynamic capabilities on sustainable innovation performance in a turbulent environment. This study is likely to contribute to the SMEs addressing sustainability innovation performance and develop capabilities to be sustainable in a turbulent environment.
Determinants of supply chain finance adoption among SMEs: evidence from a developing economy
Authors: Nartey Edward
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Little is known about the determinants of supply chain finance (SCF) adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. This study aims to address this relevant research gap and hence, draws on the resource-based view and transaction cost economies to empirically investigate five factors that make SCF adoption practicable among SMEs in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involves a sample of 257 SME managers/owners and modelling via structural equations modelling.

Findings

All five factors (innovative capability, information sharing, inter- and intra-firm collaboration, external financing and trade process digitization) were found to impact positively and significantly on SCF adoption. The findings provide SME managers/owners with a research model which guides them on how to settle the SCF process.

Research limitations/implications

This paper used a cross-sectional survey, which makes it impossible to access changes over time. In addition, the use of quantitative method limits respondents from expressing their feelings fully. Using a mixed or qualitative methodology will provide avenues for future research.

Practical implications

This paper offers a completive advantage for Ghanaian SMEs to strengthen their relationships while collaborating with each other. The findings suggest that by adopting SCF solutions, SMEs can optimize their liquidity and working capital. The factors underpinning SCF adoption are of incredible attractiveness for SME managers/owners to discover the relevant practice of SCF solutions. SMEs should adopt SCF strategies for improving their capability to respond promptly to transactions.

Originality/value

This paper is among the few papers that have examined these five factors in a developing economy context. The study also provides new understanding of the factors that influence SCF adoption in the context of a developing economy.