bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using GPT-4 to write a scientific review article: a pilot evaluation study
Authors: Wang Zhiping Paul , Bhandary Priyanka , Wang Yizhou , Moore Jason H.
Published: April 2024

GPT-4, as the most advanced version of OpenAI’s large language models, has attracted widespread attention, rapidly becoming an indispensable AI tool across various areas. This includes its exploration by scientists for diverse applications. Our study focused on assessing GPT-4’s capabilities in generating text, tables, and diagrams for biomedical review papers. We also assessed the consistency in text generation by GPT-4, along with potential plagiarism issues when employing this model for the composition of scientific review papers. Based on the results, we suggest the development of enhanced functionalities in ChatGPT, aiming to meet the needs of the scientific community more effectively. This includes enhancements in uploaded document processing for reference materials, a deeper grasp of intricate biomedical concepts, more precise and efficient information distillation for table generation, and a further refined model specifically tailored for scientific diagram creation.
A graphSAGE discovers synergistic combinations of Gefitinib, paclitaxel, and Icotinib for Lung adenocarcinoma management by targeting human genes and proteins: the RAIN protocol
Authors: Sadeghi Sogand , Kiaei Ali A. , Boush Mahnaz , Salari Nader , Mohammadi Masoud , Safaei Danial , Mahboubi Mitra , Tajfam Arian , Moghadam Sabra
Published: April 2024

Background

Adenocarcinoma of the lung is the most common type of lung cancer, and it is characterized by distinct cellular and molecular features. It occurs when abnormal lung cells multiply out of control and form a tumor in the outer region of the lungs. Adenocarcinoma of the lung is a serious and life-threatening condition that requires effective and timely management to improve the survival and quality of life of the patients. One of the challenges in this cancer treatment is finding the optimal combination of drugs that can target the genes or proteins that are involved in the disease process.

Method

In this article, we propose a novel method to recommend combinations of trending drugs to target its associated proteins/genes, using a Graph Neural Network (GNN) under the RAIN protocol. The RAIN protocol is a three-step framework that consists of: 1) Applying graph neural networks to recommend drug combinations by passing messages between trending drugs for managing disease and genes that act as potential targets for disease; 2) Retrieving relevant articles with clinical trials that include those proposed drugs in previous step using Natural Language Processing (NLP). The search queries include “Adenocarcinoma of the lung”, “Gefitinib”, “Paclitaxel”, “Icotinib” that searched context based in databases using NLP; 3) Analyzing the network meta-analysis to measure the comparative efficacy of the drug combinations.

Result

We applied our method to a dataset of nodes and edges that represent the network, where each node is a drug or a gene, and each edge is a p-value between them. We found that the graph neural network recommends combining Gefitinib, Paclitaxel, and Icotinib as the most effective drug combination to target this cancer associated proteins/genes. We reviewed the clinical trials and expert opinions on these medications and found that they support our claim. The network meta-analysis also confirmed the effectiveness of these drugs on associated genes.

Conclusion

Our method is a novel and promising approach to recommend trending drugs combination to target cancer associated proteins/genes, using graph neural networks under the RAIN protocol. It can help clinicians and researchers to find the best treatment options for patients, and also provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the disease.

Highlights

Proposing the combination of medicinal compounds together for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma

achieved a p-value of 0.002858 between lung adenocarcinoma and targeted proteins/genes

3-Leveraging GraphSAGE for Suggesting an Optimal Drug Combinations.

Abstract Figure
Relationship-centred care for people living with dementia in care homes. A rapid evidence summary
Authors: Gillen Elizabeth , Edwards Deborah , Roberts Seren , Davies Nia , Davies Isobel , Harden Jane
Published: April 2024

Dementia is a progressive degenerative disease, typically affecting older adults for which there is currently no cure. Dementia is characterised by progressive impairment to several cognitive functions including memory and orientation, practical abilities and mood changes, all of which can impact personality and social relationships. The theory of social death has been explored for people living with dementia as the ability to maintain social interactions are threatened leading to a loss of social identity and exclusion and withdrawal from the wider community.

A relationship-centred care approach has been recommended to improve care for older people in long-term care, aiming to create environments conducive to relationships, considering the needs of the person living with dementia and also the staff and family members involved in their care. The ‘Senses Framework’ by Nolan was designed to promote relationships, acknowledging the experiences of all parties across six senses: security, continuity, belonging, purpose, fulfilment and significance. Utilising the Senses Framework has the potential to sustain meaningful relationships by fostering a sense of value and empowerment.

This Rapid Evidence Summary aims to explore the evidence assessing the benefits of a relationship triad approach (Senses Framework and other relationship-centred care approaches) in long term care settings (including care homes) for people living with dementia. Nine primary studies and one systematic review were identified.

The benefits of using a relationship-centred approach were mapped under each of the senses described within the Senses Framework, detailed separately for people living with dementia, relatives and care home staff. For people living with dementia, interventions using touch and music increased the sense of security and belonging reducing neuropsychiatric conditions such as agitation and aggression. Memory boxes were used to support a sense of significance and continuity and significant moments from the past brought pleasure and enabled meaningful conversations. For relatives and staff, improved communication and relationships increased confidence and trust and by working together they found that they could exert more influence and could develop into a powerful force for change.
LEVELS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AND CORRELATES AT 10WEEKS POST-DELIVERY IN A RURAL SETTING
Authors: Ogah Adenike Oluwakemi
Published: April 2024

Background Sustaining a high rate of adherence to exclusive breastfeeding may be challenging in resource constrained setting. This study established the levels of exclusive breastfeeding, alternate feeding patterns, health and growth impacts, among 10 weeks old infants in a remote, understudied village in East Africa. Subject and methods This was a secondary cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort data. Data of 457 out of the 529 mother- newborn pairs recruited from birth were obtained and analysed at 10 weeks post-delivery in the postnatal clinic. Infant feeding patterns were recorded and anthropometry were measured and assessed using NICE criteria for static weight growth. Mothers were interviewed using the Edinburgh postpartum depression score to assess emotional status. Both parametric and non-parametric statistics and binary logistic regression model were applied to examine the relationship between maternal/infant characteristics, feeding patterns and infant weight growth. The results were presented in p-values, Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results Clinic attendance had declined below and prevalence of infant weight faltering had increased above the 6 weeks records. The prevalence of infant weight faltering was 3.7% on NICE criteria, higher than the 2.8% with WHO criteria, but there was 93% concordance between the 2 growth assessment tools. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was still high at 96.3%, however, 10.3% of these infants were being breastfed infrequently. The 3 infants that were not exclusively breastfed were offered infant formula (1) using bottle, maize (1) and millet porridge (1) using cup. Infrequent breastfeeding was the major predictor of infant weight faltering, OR 5.59; 95%CI 1.94, 16.14; p=0.001. For every unit increase in frequency of breastfeeding, the infant weight-for-age z-score is likely to increase by 0.15 z-score. To maintain the infant weight z-score at 0 (median), baby should be breastfed on the average of 10times a day consistently. The head circumference and then length were more deficient than the weight in this cohort, despite high level of EBF rate. Maternal depression score was high in the groups of infants that were adequately breastfed and weight thriving, compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Both the practice of EBF and the daily frequency of breastfeeding should be closely monitored; infant head circumference and length assessments should be integrated into the routine growth monitoring programs in these rural MCH clinics. Lactational and mental support programs should be strengthened in the rural MCH systems, to assist mothers to achieve full exclusive breastfeeding easily. The factors contributing to decline in clinic visits need to be identified and mitigated. Home visits should be intensified for infants lost to follow up. KEY WORDS: weight faltering, frequency of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, post-partum maternal depression score.
Antihypertensive Medication Adherence and Medical Costs, Health Care Utilization, and Labor Productivity among Persons with Hypertension
Authors: Lee Jun Soo , Escano Raul Segura , Therrien Nicole L. , Kumar Ashutosh , Bhatt Ami , Pollack Lisa M. , Jackson Sandra L. , Luo Feijun
Published: April 2024

Background

Hypertension affects nearly half of U.S. adults, yet remains inadequately controlled in over three-quarters of these cases. This study aims to assess the association between adherence to antihypertensive medications and total medical costs, health care utilization, and productivity-related outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using MarketScan databases, which included individuals aged 18–64 with non-capitated health insurance plans in 2019. Adherence was defined as ≥80% Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) for prescribed antihypertensive medications. We used a generalized linear model to estimate total medical costs, a negative binomial model to estimate health care utilization (emergency department visits and inpatient admissions), an exponential hurdle model to estimate productivity-related outcomes (number of sick absences, short-term disability [STD], long-term disability [LTD]), and a two-part model to estimate productivity-related costs in 2019 U.S. dollars. All models were adjusted for age, sex, urbanicity, census region, and comorbidities. We reported average marginal effects for outcomes related to antihypertensive medication adherence.

Results

Among 379,503 individuals with hypertension in 2019, 54.4% adhered to antihypertensives. Per-person, antihypertensive medication adherence was associated with $1,441 lower total medical costs, $11 lower sick absence costs, $291 lower STD costs, and $69 lower LTD costs. Per 1,000 individuals, medication adherence was associated with lower healthcare utilization, including 200 fewer ED visits and 90 fewer inpatient admissions, and productivity-related outcomes, including 20 fewer sick absence days and 442 fewer STD days.

Conclusions

Adherence to antihypertensives was consistently associated with lower total medical costs, reduced healthcare utilization, and improved productivity-related outcomes.
Potentiation of the M1muscarinic acetylcholine receptor normalizes neuronal activation patterns and improves apnea severity inMecp2+/-mice
Authors: Smith Mackenzie , Dodis Grace E. , Vanderplow Amanda M. , Gonzalez Sonia , Rhee Yewon , Gogliotti Rocco G.
Published: April 2024

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is caused by loss-of-function mutations in themethyl-CpG binding protein 2(MeCP2) gene. RTT patients experience a myriad of debilitating symptoms, which include respiratory phenotypes that are often associated with lethality. Our previous work established that expression of the M1muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAchR) is decreased in RTT autopsy samples, and that potentiation of the M1receptor improves apneas in a mouse model of RTT; however, the population of neurons driving this rescue is unclear. Loss of Mecp2 correlates with excessive neuronal activity in cardiorespiratory nuclei. Since M1is found on cholinergic interneurons, we hypothesized that M1-potentiating compounds decrease apnea frequency by tempering brainstem hyperactivity. To test this,Mecp2+/-andMecp2+/+mice were screened for apneas before and after administration of the M1positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0453595 (VU595). Brains from the same mice were then imaged for c-Fos, ChAT, and Syto16 using whole-brain light-sheet microscopy to establish genotype and drug-dependent activation patterns that could be correlated with VU595’s efficacy on apneas. The vehicle-treatedMecp2+/-brain exhibited broad hyperactivity when coupled with the phenotypic prescreen, which was significantly decreased by administration of VU595, particularly in regions known to modulate the activity of respiratory nuclei (i.e. hippocampus and striatum). Further, the extent of apnea rescue in each mouse showed a significant positive correlation with c-Fos expression in non-cholinergic neurons in the striatum, thalamus, dentate gyrus, and within the cholinergic neurons of the brainstem. These results indicate thatMecp2+/-mice are prone to hyperactivity in brain regions that regulate respiration, which can be normalized through M1potentiation.
OrgaMeas: A pipeline that integrates all the processes of organelle image analysis
Authors: Baba Taiki , Inoue Akimi , Tanimura Susumu , Takeda Kohsuke
Published: April 2024

Although image analysis has emerged as a key technology in the study of organelle dynamics, the commonly used image-processing methods, such as threshold-based segmentation and manual setting of regions of interests (ROIs), are error-prone and laborious. Here, we present a highly accurate high-throughput image analysis pipeline called OrgaMeas for measuring the morphology and dynamics of organelles. This pipeline mainly consists of two deep learning-based tools: OrgaSegNet and DIC2Cells. OrgaSegNet quantifies many aspects of different organelles by precisely segmenting them. To further process the segmented data at a single-cell level, DIC2Cells automates ROI settings through accurate segmentation of individual cells in differential interference contrast (DIC) images. This pipeline was designed to be low cost and require less coding, to provide an easy-to-use platform. Thus, we believe that OrgaMeas has potential to be readily applied to basic biomedical research, and hopefully to other practical uses such as drug discovery.
KleTy: integrated typing scheme for core genome and plasmids reveals repeated emergence of multi-drug resistant epidemic lineages in Klebsiella worldwide
Authors: Li Heng , Liu Xiao , Li Shengkai , Rong Jie , Xie Shichang , Gao Yuan , Zhong Ling , Jiang Quangui , Jiang Guilai , Ren Yi , Sun Wanping , Hong Yuzhi , Zhou Zhemin
Published: April 2024

Background

Clinically important lineages inKlebsiella, especially those expressing multi-drug resistance (MDR), pose severe threats to public health worldwide. They arose from the co-evolution of the vertically inherited core genome and horizontal gene transfers by plasmids, which has not been systematically explored.

Results

We designed KleTy, which consists of dedicated typing schemes for both the core genome and plasmids inKlebsiella. We demonstrated the superior performance of KleTy over many state-of-the-art pipelines using both simulated and real data. We used both schemes to genotype 33,272Klebsiellagenomes, categorising them into 1,773 distinct populations and predicting the presence of 87,410 plasmids from 837 clusters (PCs). Notably,Klebsiellais the center of the plasmid-exchange network within Enterobacteriaceae. Our results associated the international emergence of prevalentKlebsiellapopulations with only four carbapenem-resistance (CR) PCs, two hypervirulent PCs, and two hvCR-PCs encoding both carbapenemase and hypervirulence. Furthermore, we observed the ongoing international emergence ofblaNDM, accompanied by the replacement of the previously dominant population,blaKPC-encoding HC1360_8 (CC258), during 2003-2018, with the emergingblaNDM-encoding HC1360_3 (CC147) thereafter. Additionally, expansions of carbapenem-resistantKlebsiella pneumoniae(hvCRKP) were evidenced in both populations, driven by plasmids of MDR-hypervirulence convergences.

Conclusions

The study illuminates how the global genetic landscape ofKlebsiellahas been shaped by the co-evolution of both the core genome and the plasmids, underscoring the importance of surveillance and control of the dissemination of plasmids for curtailing the emergence of hvCRKPs.
Ectopic Reconstitution of a Spine-Apparatus Like Structure Provides Insight into Mechanisms Underlying Its Formation
Authors: Falahati Hanieh , Wu Yumei , De Camilli Pietro
Published: April 2024

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a continuous cellular endomembrane network that displays focal specializations. Most notable examples of such specializations include the spine apparatus of neuronal dendrites, and the cisternal organelle of axonal initial segments. Both organelles exhibit stacks of smooth ER sheets with a narrow lumen and interconnected by a dense protein matrix. The actin-binding protein synaptopodin is required for their formation. Here, we report that expression in non-neuronal cells of a synaptopodin construct targeted to the ER is sufficient to generate stacked ER cisterns resembling the spine apparatus with molecular properties distinct from the surrounding ER. Cisterns within these stacks are connected to each other by an actin-based matrix that contains proteins also found at the spine apparatus of neuronal spines. These findings reveal a critical role of a synaptopodin-dependent actin matrix in generating cis-ternal stacks. These ectopically generated structures provide insight into spine apparatus morphogenesis.
The cis-regulatory logic integrating spatial and temporal patterning in the vertebrate neural tube
Authors: Zhang Isabel , Boezio Giulia LM , Cornwall-Scoones Jake , Frith Thomas , Jiang Ming , Howell Michael , Lovell-Badge Robin , Sagner Andreas , Briscoe James , Delás M Joaquina
Published: April 2024

The vertebrate neural tube generates a large diversity of molecularly and functionally distinct neurons and glia from a small progenitor pool. While the role of spatial patterning in organising cell fate specification has been extensively studied, temporal patterning, which controls the timing of cell type generation, is equally important. Here we define a global temporal programme operating in progenitors throughout the vertebrate nervous systems that governs cell fate choices by regulating chromatin accessibility. Perturbation of this cis-regulatory programme affects sequential cell fate transitions in neural progenitors and the identity of their progeny. The temporal programme operates in parallel to spatial patterning, ensuring the timely availability of regulatory elements for spatial determinants to direct cell-type specific gene expression. These findings identify a chronotopic spatiotemporal integration strategy in which a global temporal chromatin programme determines the output of a spatial gene regulatory network resulting in the temporally and spatially ordered allocation of cell type identity.
Probabilistic association of differentially expressed genes withcis-regulatory elements
Authors: Roberts Brian S. , Anderson Ashlyn G. , Partridge E. Christopher , Cooper Gregory M. , Myers Richard M.
Published: April 2024

Differential gene expression in response to perturbations is mediated at least in part by changes in binding of transcription factors (TFs) and other proteins at specific genomic regions. Association of thesecis-regulatory elements (CREs) with their target genes is a challenging task that is essential to address many biological and mechanistic questions. Many current approaches rely on chromatin conformation capture techniques or single-cell correlational methods to establish CRE-to-gene associations. These methods can be effective but have limitations, including resolution, gaps in detectable association distances, and cost. As an alternative, we have developed DegCre, a nonparametric method that evaluates correlations between measurements of perturbation-induced differential gene expression and differential regulatory signal at CREs to score possible CRE-to-gene associations. It has several unique features, including the ability to use any type of CRE activity measurement, yield probabilistic scores for CRE-to-gene pairs, and assess CRE-to-gene pairings across a wide range of sequence distances. We apply DegCre to six data sets, each using different perturbations and containing a variety of regulatory signal measurements, including chromatin openness, histone modifications, and TF occupancy. To test their efficacy, we compare DegCre associations to Hi-C loop calls and CRISPR-validated CRE-to-gene associations, establishing good performance by DegCre that is comparable or superior to competing methods. DegCre is a novel approach to the association of CREs to genes from a perturbation-differential perspective, with strengths that are complementary to existing approaches and allow for new insights into gene regulation.
Moments of nucleon unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions from lattice QCD at the physical point
Authors: Rodekamp Marcel , Engelhardt Michael , Green Jeremy R. , Krieg Stefan , Liuti Simonetta , Meinel Stefan , Negele John W. , Pochinsky Andrew , Syritsyn Sergey
Published: April 2024

The second Mellin moments ⟨x⟩ of the nucleon’s unpolarized, polarized, and transversity parton distribution functions are computed. Two lattice QCD ensembles at the physical pion mass are used: these were generated using a tree-level Symanzik-improved gauge action and 2+1 flavor tree-level improved Wilson Clover fermions coupling via 2-level HEX-smearing. The moments are extracted from forward matrix elements of local leading twist operators. We determine renomalization factors in RI-(S)MOM and match to MS¯ at scale 2 GeV. Our findings show that operators that exhibit vanishing kinematics at zero momentum can have significantly reduced excited-state contamination. The resulting polarized moment is used to quantify the longitudinal contribution to the quark spin-orbit correlation. All our results agree within two sigma with previous lattice results.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Corner transfer matrix renormalization group approach in the zoo of Archimedean lattices
Authors: Lukin I. V. , Sotnikov A. G.
Published: April 2024

We develop a new methodology to contract tensor networks within the corner transfer matrix renormalization group approach for a wide range of two-dimensional lattice geometries. We discuss contraction algorithms on the example of triangular, kagome, honeycomb, square-octagon, star, ruby, square-hexagon-dodecahedron, and dice lattices. As benchmark tests, we apply the developed method to the classical Ising model on different lattices and observe a remarkable agreement of the results with the available from the literature. The approach also shows the necessary potential to be applied to various quantum lattice models in a combination with the wave-function variational optimization schemes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Full Bell-basis measurement of an atom-photon 2-qubit state and its application for quantum networks
Authors: Arenskötter Elena , Kucera Stephan , Elshehy Omar , Bergerhoff Max , Kreis Matthias , Brunel Léandre , Eschner Jürgen
Published: April 2024

The efficiency of a Bell-state measurement on photon pairs is bound to 50% due to the number of Bell states that can be distinguished using linear optics. Here we present the implementation of a protocol that allows us to distinguish all four Bell states by the use of a single-ion quantum memory and heralded absorption as state-selective measurement. The protocol is implemented in two steps. First we demonstrate the state-preserving mapping of a photonic qubit onto the quantum memory, verified by the preservation of entanglement in the process. Then we demonstrate the full Bell-state projection between a memory qubit and an incoming photonic qubit, by applying it for atom-to-photon quantum-state teleportation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy in fourth-generation storage rings
Authors: Santos Thiago M. , Lordano Sérgio , Mayer Rafael A. , Volpe Lucas , Rodrigues Gustavo M. , Meyer Bernd , Westfahl Jr Harry , Freitas Raul O.
Published: April 2024

Fourth-generation synchrotron storage rings represent a significant milestone in synchrotron technology, offering outstandingly bright and tightly focused X-ray beams for a wide range of scientific applications. However, due to their inherently tight magnetic lattices, these storage rings have posed critical challenges for accessing lower-energy radiation, such as infrared (IR) and THz. Here the first-ever IR beamline to be installed and to operate at a fourth-generation synchrotron storage ring is introduced. This work encompasses several notable advancements, including a thorough examination of the new IR source at Sirius, a detailed description of the radiation extraction scheme, and the successful validation of our optical concept through both measurements and simulations. This optimal optical setup has enabled us to achieve an exceptionally wide frequency range for our nanospectroscopy experiments. Through the utilization of synchrotron IR nanospectroscopy on biological and hard matter samples, the practicality and effectiveness of this beamline has been successfully demonstrated. The advantages of fourth-generation synchrotron IR sources, which can now operate with unparalleled stability as a result of the stringent requirements for producing low-emittance X-rays, are emphasized.
Structure of the five-coordinate CoII complex (1H-imidazole){tris[(1-benzyltriazol-4-yl-κN
3)methyl]amine-κN}cobalt(II) bis(tetrafluoroborate)
Authors: Batra Vipul , Reed Garrett C. , Tierney David L.
Published: April 2024

The title compound, [Co(C3H4N2)(C30H30N10)](BF4)2, is a five-coordinate CoII complex based on the neutral ligands tris[(1-benzyltriazol-4-yl)methyl]amine (tbta) and imidazole. It exhibits a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry in which the equatorial positions are occupied by the three N-atom donors from the triazole rings of the tripodal tbta ligand. The apical amine N-atom donor of tbta and the N-atom donor of the imidazole ligand occupy the axial positions of the coordination sphere. Two tetrafluoroborate anions provide charge balance in the crystal.
Cited by how many? Using Google Scholar for print monograph collection analysis at a small academic library
Authors: Dudash Andrew , Gordon Jacob E.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this case study was to complement existing weeding and retention criteria beyond the most used methods in academic libraries and to consider citation counts in the identification of important scholarly works.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a small sample of items chosen for withdrawal from a small liberal arts college library, this case study looks at the use of Google Scholar citation counts as a metric for identification of notable monographs in the social sciences and mathematics.

Findings

Google Scholar citation counts are a quick indicator of classic, foundational or discursive monographs in a particular field and should be given more consideration in weeding and retention analysis decisions that impact scholarly collections. Higher citation counts can be an indicator of higher circulation counts.

Originality/value

The authors found little indication in the literature that Google Scholar citation counts are being used as a metric for identification of notable works or for retention of monographs in academic libraries.
Women on boards and ESG performance: empirical evidence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Agustina Rahayu Putri , Barokah Zuni
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether the presence of women in the boardroom influences companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Furthermore, it examines whether the COVID-19 pandemic and family control affect the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses nonfinancial firms listed on the Indonesia and Malaysia Stock Exchange during 2018-2021. Thomson Reuters’ database is used to collect the ESG scores. Using 312 firm-year observations, the authors apply multiple regressions and sensitivity testing to ensure the robustness of the results.

Findings

This study provides empirical evidence that the presence of women in the boardroom improves companies’ ESG and family control weakens the relationship. Meanwhile, there is no support on the moderating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors also conducted additional tests using ESG pillars (i.e. environment, social and governance pillars) as the dependent variable. The findings are robust to alternative samplings.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to Indonesia and Malaysia, thus affecting the generalizability of the results to all developing countries. The sample size is relatively small due to data limitations related to the availability of ESG scores.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide a basis for the government to establish mandatory regulations regarding sustainability performance. The positive relationship between women on boards and better ESG performance suggests that encouraging gender diversity in corporate leadership can improve sustainability practices. The government may consider implementing gender quota regulations to increase women's representation on corporate boards.

Social implications

Shareholders can pursue investment portfolios in socially responsible companies, prioritizing ESG performance. In addition, investors should consider the presence of women in the company’s boardroom and whether family control exists when making investment decisions.

Originality/value

Overall, the originality and significance of this research lie in its comprehensive examination of the moderating factors, the inclusion of different governance systems in the sample, and the exploration of psychological aspects, contributing to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the relationship between women on boards and ESG performance in the context of developing countries.
Place branding as rural development policy in China: the case of Guangshan county
Authors: Zhang Yingju , Liu Saimin , Baldi Giovanni
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the rationale, the process and the outcomes and risks of place branding in rural China.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth case study analysis, including interviews, has been conducted.

Findings

Place branding in the case of China is practiced and dominated through administrative entities by using subsidies and regional development programs to coordinate, organize and promote local agricultural resources. Although this government-led place branding has effective effects on rural development, it is unsustainable and unstable because it lacks sufficient market and stakeholder participation.

Research limitations/implications

The effectiveness of place branding in China has been examined and proved.

Practical implications

The government’s role in place branding in China should be adjusted. The government should position itself as a service and auxiliary role. Simultaneously, it should strengthen market-oriented operations and stakeholder participation in place branding.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first contributions to examine the impact of place branding as a rural development policy tool in China, and the in-depth case study examines and proves the effectiveness of place branding in rural China.
Breaking the inequality reproduction circle in the NHS: the importance of senior management team's actions (SMTA)
Authors: Wang Wen , Seifert Roger , Bamber Matthew
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study examines potential ways to break the inequality reproduction circle faced by ethnic minority health workers and sustained by key performance indicators (KPIs)-centred management in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. It does so through the lens of signalling theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Three years panel data for 2018–2020 covering 207 hospitals was compiled from the annual NHS staff survey and matched with relevant administrative records. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed hypotheses at the organisational level.

Findings

The moderated mediating model reveals that persistent racial discrimination by managers and coworkers can disadvantage the career progression of ethnic minority health workers, which in turn reinforces and reproduces economic and health inequalities among them. More importantly, we show how the collective agreement that the senior management team acts (SMTA) on staff feedback can break this vicious circle.

Research limitations/implications

While our research focuses on the not-for-profit health care sector, it opens important opportunities to extend the proposed model to understand organisational inequality and how to address it.

Practical implications

Perceived SMTA can send strong signals to reduce deep-rooted discrimination (race, gender, age, etc.) through resource allocations and instrumental functions. This is also a way to address the current staff burnout and shortage issues in the healthcare sector.

Social implications

This article reveals why the purpose of organisations that provide public service to reduce social inequality was comprised during their business-like operations and more importantly, how to reflect their foundational purpose through management practice.

Originality/value

This study offers a way forward to resolve one of the unintended consequences of KPI-centred management in the not-for-profit sector through unpacking the process of inequality reproduction and, more importantly, how it is possible to break this vicious circle.
Impedance control for force tracking of a dual-arm cooperative robot based on particle swarm optimization
Authors: Li Li , Huang Tong , Pan Chujia , Pan J.F. , Su Wenbin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper aims to investigate the adaptive impedance control and its optimized PSO algorithm for force tracking of a dual-arm cooperative robot. Because the dual-arm robot is directly in contact with external environment, controlling the mutual force between robot and external environment is of great importance. Besides, a high compliance of the robot should be guaranteed.

Design/methodology/approach

An impedance control based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is designed to track the mutual force and achieve compliance control of the robot end.

Findings

The experimental results show that the impedance control coefficients can be automatically tuned converged by PSO algorithm.

Originality/value

The system can reach a steady state within 0.03 s with overshoot convergence, and the force fluctuation range at the steady state decreases to about ±0.08 N even under the force mutation condition.
Climate consciousness: assessing climate change awareness in Gurugram, India
Authors: Manchanda Rimple
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to explore the level of understanding and actions taken by the people of Gurugram (erstwhile Gurgaon) to mitigate the impact of climate change, given its critical importance as a global issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, primary data were collected through in-depth interviews by means of semi-structured interview methods.

Findings

The findings indicate that while people are aware of climate change, the information is deficient for them to translate their knowledge into effective action. Some of the major challenges identified are lack of appropriate understanding, resources, education, motivation and government initiatives, as well as the old habits, peer influence, feeling of incapability and limited media exposure. To bridge the intention-action gap, it is recommended that people should be empowered to act desirably. There is a change need for awareness and education on ways to mitigate the effects of climate change. The study has implications for researchers, environmentalists, policymakers, non-government organizations and local residents of Gurugram.

Originality/value

This study provides unique insights into the understanding of climate change by the general public and challenges faced in taking pro-environment actions. It emphasizes the urgent need to create awareness and educate individuals about ways to mitigate the impact of climate change.
IPO performance anomaly: evidence from new aged ventures and loss-making listings in India
Authors: Agrawal Anshu
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The study examines the IPO resilience grounded on the firm’s intrinsic factors.

Design/methodology/approach

We examine the association of IPO performance and post-listing firm’s performance with issuers' pre-listing financial and qualitative traits using panel data regression.

Findings

IPOs floated in the Indian market from July 2009 to March 31, 2022, evince the notable influence of issuers' pre-IPO fundamentals and legitimacy traits on IPO returns and post-listing earning power. Where the pandemic’s favorable impact is discerned on the post-listing year earning power of the issuer firms, the loss-making issuers appear to be adversely affected by the Covid disruption. Perhaps, the successful listing equipped the issuers with the financial flexibility to combat market challenges vis-à-vis failed issuers deprived of desired IPO proceeds.

Research limitations/implications

High initial returns followed by a declining pattern substantiate the retail investors to be less informed vis-à-vis initial investors, valuers and underwriters, who exit post-listing after profit booking. Investing in the shares of the newly listed ventures post-listing in the secondary market can shield retail investors from the uncertainty losses of being uninformed. The IPO market needs stringent regulations ensuring the verification of the listing valuation, the firm’s credentials and the intent of utilizing IPO proceeds. Healthy development of the IPO market merits reconsidering the listing of ventures with weak fundamentals suspected to withstand the market challenges.

Originality/value

Given the tremendous rise in the new firm venturing into the primary market and the spike in IPOs countering the losses immediately post-opening, the study examines the loss-making and young firms IPOs separately, adding novelty to the study.
Urban sacred forests support human well-being through cultural ecosystem services
Authors: Melaku Alebel , Pastor Ivars Juan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Sacred forests are biocultural landscapes deeply rooted in centuries-old traditions of spiritual veneration. These sacred sites, including shrines, temple forests churches and graveyards, have historically been significant reservoirs of traditional resource management practices underpinned by spiritual reverence. However, despite their cultural and ecological importance, the cultural ecosystem services inherent to these sacred forests remain unexplored, particularly in urban settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on six sacred sites within Kanazawa City, Japan, using a meticulous face-to-face survey with 342 participants. We collected data on the extent of forest utilisation, the breadth of activities engaged in by visitors and their holistic appraisal of the rendered cultural ecosystem services. The findings illustrate the multifaceted benefits of urban sacred forests, encompassing participation in religious ceremonies, cultural events and festivals, complemented by educational programming that elucidates the historical and traditional underpinnings of the shrines and their surrounding communities.

Findings

It has been observed that urban forests have a crucial role in providing spiritual and communal connectivity, preserving traditional heritage, offering vital aesthetic values as green spaces and making visitors connected with nature while they are in the urban landscape. However, a concerning trend has emerged, as the younger demographic appears to lack interest in participating in the stewardship and cultural activities associated with these biocultural landscapes. Community engagement strategies must be strengthened, conservation measures should be implemented and cultural awareness programs need to be established to ensure the perpetuation and appreciation of these valuable urban sacred forests.

Originality/value

This study provides original perspectives on the measurable cultural ecosystem services and intangible values associated with urban sacred forests using the sacred forests in Kanazawa City, Japan. Our research illuminates the various advantages that visitors derive by examining the intersection of spiritual traditions, resource management practices and cultural significance, which has been relatively unexplored. The present study provides a significant basis for establishing initiatives that seek to promote the cultivation of respect and responsibility towards urban sacred forests.
Relationship between job crafting and emotional exhaustion: focusing on the difference between effects of physical and cognitive crafting
Authors: Ikeda Megumi , Tanaka Satoshi , Kido Kaede
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Recently, physical crafting has been found to positively affect emotional exhaustion through workload. However, the role of cognitive crafting in this process remains unexamined. To address this research gap, this study examined the relationship between cognitive crafting and emotional exhaustion, as well as whether cognitive crafting moderates the positive indirect effects of physical crafting on emotional exhaustion through workload.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through an Internet survey conducted with 2,143 Japanese employees, and path regression analysis was conducted to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that cognitive crafting was negatively correlated with emotional exhaustion, weakened the relationship between workload and emotional exhaustion and weakened the indirect effects of physical crafting on emotional exhaustion.

Practical implications

The practical implications of these findings suggest that practitioners should encourage the improvement of cognitive crafting. Implementation of job crafting interventions and customer participation could be effective in enhancing cognitive crafting.

Originality/value

The study provides a deeper understanding of how cognitive crafting influences emotional exhaustion and how it influences the process through which physical crafting influences emotional exhaustion, aligning with the transactional model. The results reiterate the importance of cognitive crafting, an aspect that has received little attention since the introduction of the job demands-resources (JD-R) model of job crafting.
A turning point: utilizing responsive interviewing and graphing as meaning-making techniques to develop leader identity
Authors: Orsini Jonathan , McCain Kate , Sunderman Hannah M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the current innovative practice paper is to introduce a technique to explore leader identity development and meaning-making that builds on the narrative pedagogical tradition. In this paper, we recommend a process for combining turning-point graphing and responsive (semi-structured) interviews to co-explore leadership identity development and meaning-making with college students.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides student feedback data on the effectiveness of the technique in improving understanding of leader identity and transforming meaning-making.

Originality/value

We hope practitioners can utilize this approach to build leadership identity development and meaning-making capacity in college students.
Valorization of intangible cultural heritage through documentation: an Indian scenario
Authors: T K Gireesh Kumar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the progress of documentation efforts of the country, India in conserving and preserving its intangible cultural heritage (ICH) elements. This paper also provides few suggestive measures to improve the effectiveness of documentation process.

Design/methodology/approach

Available published literature and the initiatives of galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM), government, nongovernment and individual efforts on documentation of ICH have been consulted to analyze the strength and growth.

Findings

The use of information and digital technologies can effectively document and enable the communication of ICH values at global level. Community participation plays a pivotal role in conserving the living heritage for its long-term sustainability and to transmit it to future generations. Mutual recognition and respect for cultural diversity, harmony in intercultural relations and sustainable development are essential in safeguarding ICH. More research on preserving the languages, scripts, living heritage and oral traditions has to be carried out. A knowledge modeling framework for ICH has to be developed.

Research limitations/implications

This study evaluated various efforts of the country (India) pertained to the documentation of ICH. Further, it has analyzed only the information available in the published literature and the various information portals developed for this purpose.

Practical implications

In this study, prime consideration is given to discuss about various efforts on the documentation of ICH, which are generally transferred orally through generations. The recommendation aspect highlighted in the results may be useful for policymakers to effectively safeguard and improve the viability of ICH. The paper will also contribute to a better understanding of the problems and challenges faced while documenting the ICH and offer few suggestions to valorize the ICH through its Documentation.

Originality/value

This study deepens the understanding of various documentation efforts of the country. The study will also help those who have been involved in the documentation of ICH to take proper measures to enhance its visibility.