bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and Usefulness of Bone Turnover Marker in Osteoporosis Patients: A Multicenter Study in Korea
Authors: Yoo Jun-Il , Park So Young , Kim Deog-Yoon , Ha Jeonghoon , Rhee Yumie , Hong Namki , Kim Jung-Taek , Yi Hyon-Seung , Kim Bu Kyung , Lee Young-Kyun , Ha Yong-Chan , Jeon Yun Kyung , Kim Ha-Young , Ahn Seong Hee , Hong Seongbin , Lee Sang-Yeob
Published: December 2023

Background: This study aimed to investigate real-world data of C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP), and osteocalcin through present multicenter clinical study, and retrospectively analyze the usefulness of bone turnover markers (BTMs) in Koreans. Methods: The study focused on pre- and post-menopausal patients diagnosed with osteoporosis and excluded patients without certain test results or with test intervals of over 1 year. The demographic data and 3 BTMs (CTX, P1NP, and osteocalcin) were collected. The patients were classified by demographic characteristics and the BTM concentrations were analyzed by the group. Results: Among women with no history of fractures, the levels of P1NP (N=2,100) were 43.544±36.902, CTX (N=1,855) were 0.373 ±0.927, and osteocalcin (N=219) were 10.81 ±20.631. Among men with no history of fractures, the levels of P1NP (N=221) were 48.498±52.892, CTX (N=201) were 0.370±0.351, and osteocalcin (N=15) were 7.868 ±10.674. Treatment with teriparatide increased the P1NP levels after 3 months in both men and women, with a 50% increase observed in women. Similarly, treatment with denosumab decreased the CTX levels after 3 months in both men and women, with a reduction of 50% observed in women. Conclusions: The results of this study can contribute to the accurate assessment of bone replacement status in Koreans. We also provide the P1NP level in the Korean population for future comparative studies with other populations.
Decoding multi-limb movements from low temporal resolution calcium imaging using deep learning
Authors: Park Seungbin , Lipton Megan , Dadarlat Maria C.
Published: December 2023

Two-photon imaging has been a critical tool for dissecting brain circuits and understanding brain function. However, relating slow two-photon calcium imaging data to fast behaviors has been challenging due to relatively low imaging sampling rates, thus limiting potential applications to neural prostheses. Here, we show that a recurrent encoder-decoder network with an output length longer than the input length can accurately decode limb trajectories of a running mouse from two-photon calcium imaging data. The encoder-decoder model could accurately decode information about all four limbs (contralateral and ipsilateral front and hind limbs) from calcium imaging data recorded in a single cortical hemisphere. Furthermore, neurons that were important for decoding were found to be well-tuned to both ipsilateral and contralateral limb movements, showing that artificial neural networks can be used to understand the function of the brain by identifying sub-networks of neurons that correlate with behaviors of interest.
Selection shapes the genomic landscape of introgressed ancestry in a pair of sympatric sea urchin species
Authors: Glasenapp Matthew R. , Pogson Grant H.
Published: December 2023

A growing number of recent studies have demonstrated that introgression is common across the tree of life. However, we still have a limited understanding of the fate and fitness consequence of introgressed variation at the whole-genome scale across diverse taxonomic groups. Here, we implemented a phylogenetic hidden Markov model to identify and characterize introgressed genomic regions in a pair of well-diverged, non-sister sea urchin species:Strongylocentrotus pallidusandS. droebachiensis. Despite the old age of introgression, a sizable fraction of the genome (1% - 5%) exhibited introgressed ancestry, including numerous genes showing signals of historical positive selection that may represent cases of adaptive introgression. One striking result was the overrepresentation of hyalin genes in the identified introgressed regions despite observing considerable overall evidence of selection against introgression. There was a negative correlation between introgression and chromosome gene density, and two chromosomes were observed with considerably reduced introgression. Relative to the non-introgressed genome-wide background, introgressed regions had significantly reduced nucleotide divergence (dXY) and overlapped fewer protein-coding genes, coding bases, and genes with a history of positive selection. Additionally, genes residing within introgressed regions showed slower rates of evolution (dN,dS,dN/dS) than random samples of genes without introgressed ancestry. Overall, our findings are consistent with widespread selection against introgressed ancestry across the genome and suggest that slowly evolving, low-divergence genomic regions are more likely to move between species and avoid negative selection following hybridization and introgression.
Molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into ULK-101 potency and selectivity toward autophagic kinases ULK1/2
Authors: Vaughan Robert M. , Dickson Bradley M. , Martin Katie R. , MacKeigan Jeffrey P.
Published: December 2023

Kinase domains are highly conserved within protein kinases in both sequence and structure. Many factors, including phosphorylation, amino acid substitutions or mutations, and small molecule inhibitor binding, influence conformations of the kinase domain and enzymatic activity. The serine/threonine kinases ULK1 and ULK2 are highly conserved with N- and C-terminal domains, phosphate-binding P-loops, -αC-helix, regulatory and catalytic spines, and activation loop DFG and APE motifs. Here, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand better the potency and selectivity of the ULK1/2 small molecule inhibitor, ULK-101. We observed stable bound states for ULK-101 to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding site of ULK2, coordinated by hydrogen bonding with the hinge backbone and the catalytic lysine sidechain. Notably, ULK-101 occupies a hydrophobic pocket associated with the N-terminus of the -αC-helix. Large movements in the P-loop are also associated with ULK-101 inhibitor binding and exit from ULK2. Our data further suggests that ULK-101 could induce a folded P-loop conformation and hydrophobic pocket reflected in its nanomolar potency and kinome selectivity.
Epistemic uncertainty challenges aging clock reliability in predicting rejuvenation effects
Authors: Kriukov Dmitrii , Kuzmina Ekaterina , Efimov Evgeniy , Dylov Dmitry V. , Khrameeva Ekaterina E.
Published: December 2023

Epigenetic aging clocks have been widely used to validate rejuvenation effects during cellular reprogramming. However, these predictions are unverifiable because the true biological age of reprogrammed cells remains unknown. We present an analytical framework to consider rejuvenation predictions from the uncertainty perspective. Our analysis reveals that the DNA methylation profiles across reprogramming are poorly represented in the aging data used to train clock models, thus introducing high epistemic uncertainty in age estimations. Moreover, predictions of different published clocks are inconsistent, with some even suggesting zero or negative rejuvenation. While not questioning the possibility of age reversal, we show that the high clock uncertainty challenges the reliability of rejuvenation effects observed during in vitro reprogramming before pluripotency and throughout embryogenesis. Conversely, our method reveals a significant age increase after in vivo reprogramming. We recommend including uncertainty estimation in future aging clock models to avoid the risk of misinterpreting the results of biological age prediction.
Hypothesizing mechanistic links between microbes and disease using knowledge graphs
Authors: Santangelo Brook , Bada Michael , Hunter Lawrence , Lozupone Catherine
Published: December 2023

Knowledge graphs have found broad biomedical applications, providing useful representations of complex knowledge. Although plentiful evidence exists linking the gut microbiome to disease, mechanistic understanding of those relationships remains generally elusive. Here we demonstrate the potential of knowledge graphs to hypothesize plausible mechanistic accounts of host-microbe interactions in disease. To do so, we constructed a knowledge graph of linked microbes, genes and metabolites called MGMLink. Using a semantically constrained shortest path search through the graph and a novel path prioritization methodology based on cosine similarity, we show that this knowledge supports inference of mechanistic hypotheses that explain observed relationships between microbes and disease phenotypes. We discuss specific applications of this methodology in inflammatory bowel disease and Parkinson’s disease. This approach enables mechanistic hypotheses surrounding the complex interactions between gut microbes and disease to be generated in a scalable and comprehensive manner.
Breathing in sync: how a social behavior structures respiratory epidemic risk in bottlenose dolphins
Authors: Collier Melissa A. , Jacoby Ann-Marie , Foroughirad Vivienne , Patterson Eric M. , Krzyszczyk Ewa , Wallen Megan , Miketa Madison , Karniski Caitlin , Wilkin Sarah , Mann Janet , Bansal Shweta
Published: December 2023

Dolphin morbillivirus has caused mass mortalities in dolphin populations globally. Given their role as ecosystem sentinels, mass mortalities among these populations can be detrimental. Morbillivirus is transmitted through respiratory droplets and occurs when dolphins breathe synchronously, a variable social behavior. To assess the role of variable social behavior on disease risk empirically, we collected behavioral data from two wild bottlenose dolphins populations (Tursiopsspp.), developed network models that synthesize transmission contacts, and used an epidemiological model to predict disease consequences. We find that juveniles have more contacts than adults, adult males have more contacts than adult females, and that individuals preferentially contact others in their own demographic group. These patterns translate to higher infection risk for juveniles and adult males, which we support using data from a morbillivirus outbreak. Our work characterizes the impact of bottlenose dolphin social dynamics on infectious disease risk and informs the structure of vulnerability for future epizootics.
Functional network collapse in neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Brown Jesse A. , Lee Alex J. , Fernhoff Kristen , Pistone Taylor , Pasquini Lorenzo , Wise Amy B. , Staffaroni Adam M. , Mandelli Maria Luisa , Lee Suzee E. , Boxer Adam L. , Rankin Katherine P. , Rabinovici Gil D. , Tempini Maria Luisa Gorno , Rosen Howard J. , Kramer Joel H. , Miller Bruce L. , Seeley William W. ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Published: December 2023

Cognitive and behavioral deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) result from brain atrophy and altered functional connectivity. However, it is unclear how atrophy relates to functional connectivity disruptions across dementia subtypes and stages. We addressed this question using structural and functional MRI from 221 patients with AD (n=82), behavioral variant FTD (n=41), corticobasal syndrome (n=27), nonfluent (n=34) and semantic (n=37) variant primary progressive aphasia, and 100 cognitively normal individuals. Using partial least squares regression, we identified three principal structure-function components. The first component showed overall atrophy correlating with primary cortical hypo-connectivity and subcortical/association cortical hyper-connectivity. Components two and three linked focal syndrome-specific atrophy to peri-lesional hypo-connectivity and distal hyper-connectivity. Structural and functional component scores predicted global and domain-specific cognitive deficits. Anatomically, functional connectivity changes reflected alterations in specific brain activity gradients. Eigenmode analysis identified temporal phase and amplitude collapse as an explanation for atrophy-driven functional connectivity changes.
Phase-free local ancestry inference mitigates the impact of switch errors on phase-based methods
Authors: Avadhanam Siddharth , Williams Amy L.
Published: December 2023

Local ancestry inference (LAI) is an indispensable component of a variety of analyses in medical and population genetics, from admixture mapping to characterizing demographic history. However, the accuracy of LAI depends on a number of factors such as phase quality (for phase-based LAI methods), time since admixture of the population under study, and other factors. Here we present an empirical analysis of four LAI methods using simulated individuals of mixed African and European ancestry, examining the impact of variable phase quality and a range of demographic scenarios. We found that regardless of phasing options, calls from LAI methods that operate on unphased genotypes (phase-free LAI) have 2.6-4.6% higher Pearson correlation with the ground truth than methods that operate on phased genotypes (phase-based LAI). Applying the TRACTOR phase-correction algorithm led to modest improvements in phase-based LAI, but despite this, the Pearson correlation of phase-free LAI remained 2.4-3.8% higher than phase-corrected phase-based approaches (considering the best performing methods in each category). Phase-free and phase-based LAI accuracy differences can dramatically impact downstream analyses: estimates of the time since admixture using phase-based LAI tracts are upwardly biased by ≈10 generations using our highest quality phased data but have virtually no bias using phase-free LAI calls. Our study underscores the strong dependence of phase-based LAI accuracy on phase quality and highlights the merits of LAI approaches that analyze unphased genetic data.
Optimizing PCR using mtDNA Universal Primers for Detecting Indigenous Domestic Animal Species from Pakistan
Authors: Saeed Hafiza Iqra , Suhail Mashmoom , Gill Sehreem , Saif Rashid
Published: December 2023

The prevalence of specific animal meat consumption is integral to human nutrition but is jeopardized by the widespread issue of meat adulteration, posing threats to both the industry and consumer health. Escalating demand has led to fraudulent practices, necessitating reliable techniques for authentic source identification, aligning with ethical and religious principles. PCR has proven effective in addressing this concern by examining twelve domestic animal species in Pakistan, differentiating between halal and haram species. The method employs universal primers for 16S rRNA gene amplification, generating species-specific DNA fragments. This sophisticated approach, producing distinct fragments for cow, camel, goat, sheep, chicken, cat, dog, donkey, duck, rabbit, horse, and human with 507, 385, 787, 763, 470, 700, 370, 600, 500, 750, 800 and 300bp holds promise for identifying and tracing these species in commercial meat products. By ensuring robust food traceability, this methodology combats contemporary challenges in adulteration, preserving the integrity of the food supply chain.
Harvesting and amplifying gene cassettes confers cross-resistance to critically important antibiotics
Authors: Dulyayangkul Punyawee , Beavis Thomas , Lee Winnie WY , Ardagh Robbie , Edwards Frances , Hamilton Fergus , Head Ian , Heesom Kate J. , Mounsey Oliver , Murarik Marek , Reding Carlos , Satapoomin Naphat , Shaw John M. , Takebayashi Yuiko , Tooke Catherine L. , Spencer James , Williams Philip B. , Avison Matthew B.
Published: December 2023

Amikacin and piperacillin/tazobactam are frequent antibiotic choices to treat bloodstream infection, which is commonly fatal and most often caused by bacteria from the familyEnterobacterales. Here we show that two gene cassettes located side-by-side in and ancestral integron similar to In37have been “harvested” by insertion sequence IS26as a transposon that is already globally disseminated among theEnterobacterales. This transposon encodes the enzymes AAC(6’)-Ib-cr and OXA-1, reported, respectively, as amikacin and piperacillin/tazobactam resistance mechanisms. However, by studying bloodstream infection isolates from 769 patients from, three hospitals serving a population of 1.5 million people in South West England, we show that increased enzyme production due to mutation in an IS26/In37-derived hybrid promoter or, more commonly, transposon copy number amplification is required to simultaneously remove these two key therapeutic options; in many cases leaving only the last-resort antibiotic, meropenem. These findings may help improve the accuracy of predicting piperacillin/tazobactam treatment failure, allowing stratification of patients to receive meropenem or piperacillin/tazobactam, which may improve outcome and slow the emergence of meropenem resistance.
Deep Learning-based structural and functional annotation of Pandoravirus hypothetical proteins
Authors: Horder Joseph L. , Connor Abbie J. , Duggan Amy L. , Hale Joshua J. , McDermott Frederick J. , Norris Luke E. , Whinney Sophie J.D. , Mesdaghi Shahram , Murphy David L. , Simpkin Adam J. , Mello Luciane V. , Rigden Daniel J.
Published: December 2023

Giant viruses, including Pandoraviruses, contain large amounts of genomic ‘dark matter’ - genes encoding proteins of unknown function. New generation, deep learning-based protein structure modelling offers new opportunities to apply structure-based function inference to these sequences, often labelled as hypothetical proteins. However, the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database, a convenient resource covering the majority of UniProt, currently lacks models for most viral proteins. Here, we apply a panoply of predictive methods to protein structure predictions representative of large clusters of hypothetical proteins shared among four Pandoraviruses. In several cases, strong functional predictions can be made. Thus, we identify a likely nucleotidyltransferase putatively involved in viral tRNA maturation that has a BTB domain presumably involved in protein-protein interactions. We further identify a cluster of membrane channel sequences presenting three paralogous families which may, as seen in other giant viruses, induce host cell membrane depolarization. And we identify homologues of calcium-activated potassium channel beta subunits and pinpoint their likely Acanthamoeba cellular alpha subunit counterparts. Despite these successes, many other clusters remain cryptic, having folds that are either too functionally promiscuous or too novel to provide strong clues as to their role. These results suggest that significant structural and functional novelty remains to be uncovered in the giant virus proteomes.
Tracer-based metabolomics for profiling nitric oxide metabolites in a 3D microvessel-on-a-chip model
Authors: Pandian Kanchana , Huang Luojiao , Junaid Abidemi , Harms Amy , van Zonneveld Anton Jan , Hankemeier Thomas
Published: December 2023

Endothelial dysfunction is a common denominator in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, renal failure or hypercholesterolemia. In these disease states, circulating adverse metabolic or hemostatic risk factors drive the progression of inflammation, thrombosis, platelet activation and atherosclerosis. A hallmark of endothelial dysfunction is the reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule essential for vascular homeostasis. Numerous studies have focused on NO synthesis by endothelial cells (ECs) usingin vitrocultures to understand the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction. A limitation of these studies is that the expression of the NO-generating enzyme, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), in physiological conditions is modulated by the exposure of the ECs to laminar shear stress, a stimulus that is clearly lacking in most two-dimensional (2D) cultures.

Here we developed a tracer-based metabolomics approach to measure NO-specific metabolites with mass spectrometry (MS) and show the impact of unidirectional fluid flow on metabolic parameters associated with NO synthesis using 2D and three-dimensional (3D) platforms. Specifically, we tracked the conversion of stable-isotope labeled NO substrate L-Arginine to L-Citrulline and L-Ornithine to determine eNOS activity. We demonstrated that when human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) cultured in media containing13C6,15N4-L-Arginine treated with eNOS stimulator – vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), eNOS inhibitor – L-NAME and arginase inhibitor - S-(2- boronoethyl)-L-cysteine (BEC), their downstream metabolites -13C6,15N3L-Citrulline and13C5,15N2L- Ornithine showed clear responses as measured using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). In this study, we also assessed the NO metabolic status of a static 2D culture, a 3D microvessel model with bidirectional flow, and our 3D model with unidirectional fluid flow generated by a microfluidic pump. Compared to 2D culture, our 3D model showed significant effects in the control and microvessels exposed to VEGF when Citrulline/Ornithine ratio was analyzed. The obtained result indicates that the 2D static culture mimics more endothelial dysfunction status. Our detection method and 3D model with a unidirectional fluid flow provides a more representative physiological environment that exhibits perfect model to study endothelial dysfunction.
Tumor-selective effects of active RAS inhibition in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wasko Urszula N. , Jiang Jingjing , Curiel-Garcia Alvaro , Wang Yingyun , Lee Bianca , Orlen Margo , Drizyte-Miller Kristina , Menard Marie , Dilly Julien , Sastra Stephen A. , Palermo Carmine F. , Dalton Tanner , Hasselluhn Marie C. , Decker-Farrell Amanda R. , Chang Stephanie , Jiang Lingyan , Wei Xing , Yang Yu C. , Helland Ciara , Courtney Haley , Gindin Yevgeniy , Zhao Ruiping , Kemp Samantha B. , Clendenin Cynthia , Sor Rina , Vostrejs Will , Amparo Amber A. , Hibshman Priya S. , Rees Matthew G. , Ronan Melissa M. , Roth Jennifer A. , Bakir Basil , Badgley Michael A. , Chabot John A. , Kluger Michael D. , Manji Gulam A. , Quintana Elsa , Wang Zhengping , Smith Jacqueline A. M. , Holderfield Matthew , Wildes David , Aguirre Andrew J. , Der Channing J. , Vonderheide Robert H. , Stanger Ben Z. , Singh Mallika , Olive Kenneth P.
Published: December 2023

Broad-spectrum RAS inhibition holds the potential to benefit roughly a quarter of human cancer patients whose tumors are driven by RAS mutations. However, the impact of inhibiting RAS functions in normal tissues is not known. RMC-7977 is a highly selective inhibitor of the active (GTP-bound) forms of KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS, with affinity for both mutant and wild type (WT) variants. As >90% of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases are driven by activating mutations inKRAS, we assessed the therapeutic potential of RMC-7977 in a comprehensive range of PDAC models, including human and murine cell lines, human patient-derived organoids, human PDAC explants, subcutaneous and orthotopic cell-line or patient derived xenografts, syngeneic allografts, and genetically engineered mouse models. We observed broad and pronounced anti-tumor activity across these models following direct RAS inhibition at doses and concentrations that were well-toleratedin vivo. Pharmacological analyses revealed divergent responses to RMC-7977 in tumor versus normal tissues. Treated tumors exhibited waves of apoptosis along with sustained proliferative arrest whereas normal tissues underwent only transient decreases in proliferation, with no evidence of apoptosis. Together, these data establish a strong preclinical rationale for the use of broad-spectrum RAS inhibition in the setting of PDAC.
Democratizing computational pathology: optimized Whole Slide Image representations for The Cancer Genome Atlas
Authors: Lazard Tristan , Lerousseau Marvin , Gardrat Sophie , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Stern Marc-Henri , Rodrigues Manuel , Decencière Etienne , Walter Thomas
Published: December 2023

Automatic analysis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained Whole Slide Images (WSI) bears great promise for computer assisted diagnosis and biomarker discovery. However, scarcity of annotated datasets leads to underperforming models. Furthermore, the size and complexity of the image data limit their integration into bioinformatic workflows and thus their adoption by the bioinformatics community. Here, we present Giga-SSL, a self-supervised method for learning WSI representations without any annotation. We show that applying a simple linear classifier on the Giga-SSL representations improves classification performance over the fully supervised alternative on five benchmarked tasks and across different datasets. Moreover, we observe a substantial performance increase for small datasets (average gain of 7 AUC point) and a doubling of the number of mutations predictable from WSIs in a pan-cancer setting (from 45 to 93). We make the WSI representations available, compressing the TCGA-FFPE images from 12TB to 23MB and enabling fast analysis on a laptop CPU. We hope this resource will facilitate multimodal data integration in order to analyze WSI in their genomic and transcriptomic context.
The picturesque roots of impression management: framing, Claude glass and “rose”-tinted lens?
Authors: McBride Karen , Atkins Jill Frances , Atkins Barry Colin
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper explores the way in which industrial pollution has been expressed in the narrative accounts of nature, landscape and industry by William Gilpin in his 18th-century picturesque travel writings. A positive description of pollution is generally outdated and unacceptable in the current society. The authors contrast his “picturesque” view with the contemporary perception of industrial pollution, reflect on these early accounts of industrial impacts as representing the roots of impression management and use the analysis to inform current accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses an interpretive content analysis of the text to draw out themes and features of impression management. Goffman's impression management is the theoretical lens through which Gilpin's travel accounts are interpreted, considering this microhistory through a thematic research approach. The picturesque accounts are explored with reference to the context of impression management.

Findings

Gilpin's travel writings and the “Picturesque” aesthetic movement, it appears, constructed a social reality around negative industrial externalities such as air pollution and indeed around humans' impact on nature, through a lens which described pollution as adding aesthetically to the natural landscape. The lens through which the picturesque tourist viewed and expressed negative externalities involved quite literally the tourists' tricks of the trade, Claude glass, called also Gray's glass, a tinted lens to frame the view.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the wealth of literature in accounting and business pertaining to the ways in which companies socially construct reality through their accounts and links closely to the impression management literature in accounting. There is also a body of literature relating to the use of images and photographs in published corporate reports, which again is linked to impression management as well as to a growing literature exploring the potential for the aesthetic influence in accounting and corporate communication. Further, this paper contributes to the growing body of research into the historical roots of environmental reporting.
A framework for consumers' assessments of location-based advertising (LBA) and selective exposure to privacy-related online information
Authors: Ryu Sann
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the current research is to present an explanatory framework for how people selectively attend to privacy-related news information about LBA depending on the extent to which they know about LBA already as well as their appraisals of privacy threats and efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling based on a total of 522 useable responses obtained from an online survey.

Findings

The results revealed two different approaches to information exposure: (1) people choose to seek out privacy-related news articles when their persuasion knowledge and perceived threat level are high, whereas (2) they tend to avoid such information when perceived threats accompany fear as well as psychological discomfort, or when they believe that they are knowledgeable about LBA practices and highly capable of protecting their privacy.

Originality/value

With the development of real-time location-tracking technologies, the practice of LBA is becoming increasingly popular. As such, however, concerns about data collection and privacy are also on the rise, garnering a great deal of media attention. Despite the importance and constant stream of news reports on the subject, a comprehensive understanding of consumers' privacy assessments and information consumption remains underexamined. By incorporating the persuasion knowledge model and extended parallel process model, the current research presents an explanatory framework for consumers' privacy perceptions and information choice.
Role of social media news consumption in cultivating opinion polarization
Authors: Kothur Labeeba , Pandey Vidushi
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms through which social media news consumption across different platforms leads to opinion polarization in society. To this end, the authors draw from cultivation theory to examine whether social media news consumption imparts a mainstreaming or resonance effect. Media consumption imparts a mainstreaming effect if frequent users, regardless of their social identity, develop homogenous attitudes about issues, whereas resonance is at play if there is a differing cultivation effect on various social groups depending on their relatability of life experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct the study in the developing context of India, using a population survey dataset from 2019. Regression-based mediation and moderation analyses were carried out to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that resonance is the most prominent mechanism through which social media news consumption cultivates opinion polarization, contrary to the mainstreaming effect imparted by television. Further, WhatsApp use was found to strengthen the polarizing effect of overall social media news consumption, while YouTube use weakened the cultivation of polarization.

Research limitations/implications

The paper unearths how social media news consumption influences the opinion polarization of various social groups differently. The authors also find the differential effect of specific platform use. These findings have the potential to inform policymakers and developers about how to mitigate the detrimental effects of platform-based political persuasion.

Originality/value

This study offers significant contributions. First, the authors explain social media-induced polarization using the novel theoretical lens of cultivation. Second, the authors find that social media and television news consumption differ in their polarizing effects. Third, the authors find that while WhatsApp use amplifies the polarizing effect of social media news consumption, YouTube use weakens it.
Audit quality, firm value and audit fees: does audit tenure matter? Egyptian evidence
Authors: Saleh Aly Saleh Aly , Diab Ahmed , Abdelazim Samir Ibrahim
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of audit fees on audit quality, the impact of audit quality on firm value and whether these effects are conditional on audit tenure by bringing evidence from an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Different regression techniques are used, such as logistic regression, probit regression, ordinary least squares regression and fixed effects regression. The authors used panel data of 80 nonfinancial Egyptian-listed firms over 2016–2020.

Findings

The authors found a significant positive relationship between audit fees and audit quality and a significant positive relationship between audit quality and firm value. Furthermore, the authors found that the positive relationship between audit fees and audit quality is less pronounced for higher audit tenure firms. Finally, the authors also found that the positive relationship between audit quality and firm value is stronger for lower audit tenure firms.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to bring evidence from an emerging African market about the joint association between audit tenure, audit fees, audit quality and firm value. It provides beneficial insights to regulators regarding the possibility and the benefits of improving audit quality, which is critically needed in contexts with weak governance systems.
Exogenous shock: hierarchical effect of the industrial entrepreneur confidence in the mist of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Conceição Elimar Veloso , Lima Fabiano Guasti
Published: December 2023

Purpose

In the context of investment decisions, the intricate interplay between exogenous shocks and their influence on investor confidence significantly shapes their behaviors and, consequently, their outcomes. Investment decisions are influenced by uncertainties, exogenous shocks as well as the sentiments and confidence of investors, factors typically overlooked by decision-makers. This study will meticulously examine these multifaceted influences and discern their intricate hierarchical nuances in the sentiments of industrial entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing the robust framework of the generalized linear latent and mixed models (GLLAMM), this research will thoroughly investigate individual and group idiosyncrasies present in diverse data compilations. Additionally, it will delve deeply into the exogeneity of disturbances across different sectors and regions.

Findings

Relevant insights gleaned from this research elucidate the adverse influence of exogenous forces, including pandemics and financial crises, on the confidence of industrial entrepreneurs. Furthermore, a significant discovery emerges in the regional analysis, revealing a notable homogeneity in the propagation patterns of industrial entrepreneurs' perceptions within the sectoral and regional context. This finding suggests a mitigation of regional effects in situations of global exogenous shocks.

Originality/value

Within the realm of academic inquiry, this study offers an innovative perspective in unveiling the intricate interaction between external shocks and their significant impacts on the sentiment of industrial entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the utilization of the robust GLLAMM captures the hierarchical dimension of this relationship, enhancing the precision of analyses. This approach provides a significant impetus for data-informed strategic directions.
Powder bed defect classification methods: deep learning vs traditional machine learning
Authors: Du Rand Francois , van der Merwe André Francois , van Tonder Malan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the development of a defect classification system that can be used to detect and classify powder bed surface defects from captured layer images without the need for specialised computational hardware. The idea is to develop this system by making use of more traditional machine learning (ML) models instead of using computationally intensive deep learning (DL) models.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach that is used by this study is to use traditional image processing and classification techniques that can be applied to captured layer images to detect and classify defects without the need for DL algorithms.

Findings

The study proved that a defect classification algorithm could be developed by making use of traditional ML models with a high degree of accuracy and the images could be processed at higher speeds than typically reported in literature when making use of DL models.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a need that has been identified for a high-speed defect classification algorithm that can detect and classify defects without the need for specialised hardware that is typically used when making use of DL technologies. This is because when developing closed-loop feedback systems for these additive manufacturing machines, it is important to detect and classify defects without inducing additional delays to the control system.
Methods and techniques to increase employee motivation
Authors: Voloshchenko Julia , Nikolaeva Maria
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the formation of the concept of “motivation,” as well as to share experiences and modern techniques of motivation for employees.

Design/methodology/approach

This article includes the results of a survey of HR professionals using the Qwoted platform.

Findings

Motivation plays a big role in the life of employees and the company. Motivated employees unknowingly become brand ambassadors and help increase the company’s brand awareness, thus helping the business to grow.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this article was first published in this journal.
Students learning following a single self-guided tour to a history museum
Authors: Eilam Billie , Yosfan Merav , Lanir Joel , Wecker Alan J.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The authors conducted a study at a history museum with the objective of examining changes in the knowledge of students aged 12 to 14 concerning the use of primary sources.

Design/methodology/approach

Students utilized self-led guides while exploring two museum spaces presenting different historical events. These guides encouraged students to scrutinize the exhibits, become acquainted with the methods employed in their research, and develop an awareness of the information derived from them. Students' responses to pre- and postquestionnaires were compared and analyzed using mixed methods.

Findings

The results revealed that students became familiar with various types of primary sources, recognized that only specific sources endure through time and gained an understanding of the research methods employed to study them. Additionally, most students comprehended that the same sources could lead to diverse historical accounts and the potential reasons for such variations.

Practical implications

Recommendations for practice are discussed.

Originality/value

This study contributed to the limited knowledge regarding learning during a single, self-led tour in a history museum. The findings illuminate the potential for learning and advancing historical thinking concepts even within such museum-visit contexts.
Digital humanism in business models: Unveiling value creation mechanisms
Authors: Franco Stefano , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio , Panniello Umberto
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how companies can adopt digital humanism (DH), defined as the integration of humanistic skills in the development process of digital technologies, to create value and consequently develop effective business models. Specifically, the aim is to answer the following research question: what are the main DH mechanisms through which companies create value?

Design/methodology/approach

Given the limited understanding of the phenomenon under investigation, a qualitative approach was adopted based on a multiple-case study to explore how companies are embracing DH. The study will focus on three exemplar cases in the use of DH, namely, IBM, Microsoft and SAP, well recognized as three of the market leaders in the IT industry. In addition, the selected companies are recognized as some of the most innovative in their specific industries, hence offering a rich set of information on how to specifically embrace DH.

Findings

This study unveils the main mechanisms through which companies can create value by implementing DH’s approaches into their business models.

Originality/value

The originality of this research lies in its focus on how companies integrate DH into their business models. Indeed, the study aims at uncovering the main mechanisms that companies use to integrate DH into their overall business practices. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into how companies can effectively integrate DH into their business models, which could have important implications for creating responsible, sustainable and inclusive solutions that prioritize human needs and values.
Evaluating ergonomics and financial distress in manufacturing organization behavior: resiliency framework from operations and strategic management
Authors: Kottala Sri Yogi , Sahu Atul Kumar
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Ergonomics usually reciprocate the study about people fitness toward working environment. In addition, financial distress refers a condition of organizations incompetency in generating sufficient revenues or incomes, which thereby refrain them to pay their financial obligations. This study aims to evaluate two independent organizational fields named as ergonomics in first phase and financial distress in manufacturing organization behavior in the second phase. The study presented a resiliency framework for operations and strategic management in the third phase based on various facts received from the distress organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey based on plant-visit is presented. The study embedded two segments to explicate its novelty. In the first segment, the plant-visit case study is presented and in the second segment, an exploratory data related to financial distress is presented. The study tried to communicate observations related to multiple decision-making fields in single umbrella, where multiple concepts like ergonomics and financial distress of organizations as well as employees are presented. DEMATEL-ANP integrated approach is used to represent the critical financial distress dimensions of employees and their ranking.

Findings

The study provided insights toward connecting two independent fields named as ergonomics and financial distress in single umbrella. The study can benefit practitioners in designing policies and procedures in their planning model to effectively achieve organizational goals. The study presented 14 financial distress drivers of employees and advocated the aggregation of ergonomics and financial distress toward developing a holistic framework for attaining organization goals for sustainability.

Originality/value

The study presented a comprehensive understanding about multiple organization decision-making fields toward developing a holistic approach from different aspects for attaining organizational sustainability. The study can be fruitful in stimulating cross-pollination of ideas between researchers and provides a good understandability of ergonomics and financial distress in single roof.
Role of artificial intelligence (AI) in poverty alleviation: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Raghavendra Ananya Hadadi , Majhi Siddharth Gaurav , Mukherjee Arindam , Bala Pradip Kumar
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the current state of academic research pertaining to the role played by artificial intelligence (AI) in the achievement of a critical sustainable development goal (SDG) – poverty alleviation and describe the field’s development by identifying themes, trends, roadblocks and promising areas for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed a corpus of 253 studies collected from the Scopus database to examine the current state of the academic literature using bibliometric methods.

Findings

This paper identifies and analyses key trends in the evolution of this domain. Further, the paper distils the extant literature to unpack the intermediary mechanisms through which AI and related technologies help tackle the critical global issue of poverty.

Research limitations/implications

The corpus of literature used for the analysis is limited to English language studies from the Scopus database. The paper contributes to the extant research on AI for social good, and more broadly to the research on the value of emerging technologies such as AI.

Practical implications

Policymakers and government agencies will get an understanding of how technological interventions such as AI can help achieve critical SDGs such as poverty alleviation (SDG-1).

Social implications

The primary focus of this paper is on the role of AI-related technological interventions to achieve a significant social objective – poverty alleviation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of a critical research domain such as AI and poverty alleviation.
Virtual idols vs online influencers vs traditional celebrities: how young consumers respond to their endorsement advertising
Authors: Fan Fei , Fu Lin , Jiang Qinghua
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine how young consumers perceive the advertising effectiveness of endorsements by virtual idols and how endorsements by virtual idols differ from endorsements by real human celebrities such as traditional celebrities and online influencers.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental study was conducted with 400 randomly selected young respondents in China in December 2022. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used to test how the type of celebrity endorser and level of product involvement influence the persuasiveness of advertising aimed at young adults. Among 400 respondents, the average age was 21.5 years. A total of 193 male and 207 female respondents participated in the experiment.

Findings

Young consumers find virtual idols, online influencers and traditional celebrities attractive. Although virtual idols are the least credible among the three types of celebrity endorsers, young consumers tend to be more convinced by their endorsements of products with low levels of consumer involvement than those with high levels of involvement. Among the three types of celebrity endorsements, young consumers find traditional celebrities the most effective. In addition, young consumers’ attitudes toward celebrity endorsers mediate the impact of celebrity endorsers’ attractiveness and credibility on their attitudes toward the advertisements. The perceived level of product involvement moderates the transfer of meaning from the attitude toward the celebrity endorsers to the attitude toward the advertisement.

Practical implications

First, when choosing celebrity endorsers to advertise products targeting young consumers, marketing communication practitioners should give priority to the endorsers’ perceived credibility, as young consumers have a variety of views about them that can significantly affect their attitudes toward the advertisement. Second, real human celebrity endorsers are more effective than virtual idols in celebrity endorsements. However, virtual idols may be suited for use in advertisements to promote products with low involvement levels, such as soft drinks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first experimental study to attempt to analyze the effectiveness of virtual idols in advertising aimed at young consumers. This is also the first comparative study to introduce virtual idols as celebrity endorsers in product advertising and to compare their effectiveness with that of the two other types of commonly discussed celebrity endorsers, traditional celebrities and online influencers.