bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘We are not the virus’ – Experiences of racism among East & Southeast Asian heritage young people in London during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gram Lu , Mau Ada
Published: October 2023

The spread of COVID-19 was accompanied by news reports of surging racism, xenophobia, and hate crime all over the Global North targeting individuals of East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) descent. However, little empirical research has documented the impacts of COVID-19 on child and adolescent ESEAs. We describe and analyse the mental health experiences of young ESEA Londoners during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We purposively recruited 23 young people (aged 5-24) of ESEA heritage through social media and existing ESEA networks and analysed transcripts using thematic analysis. Participants experienced distress from being exposed to multiple forms of racism ranging from strangers on the street avoiding or harassing them to classmates at school or university making racist ‘jokes’, comments or ‘banter’. Participants worried about hate crimes reported in news media and experienced anxiety from seeing pervasive racist content in online social media. Some participants responded by physically isolating themselves at home for long periods, whilst others chose to participate in activism, providing a sense of agency. Action by parents and school authorities was reported to help prevent further bullying, but respondents did not always feel able to approach these for help. Our findings put into focus the strain on young ESEA Londoners’ mental health caused by COVID-related racism and jar against simplified depictions of metropolitan places, such as London, as centres of cosmopolitanism and tolerance. To promote the emotional wellbeing of young ESEAs, future policy should facilitate action by schools and universities against anti-ESEA racism and support ESEA community-building efforts to enhance resilience in the face of racism.
Novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks Alzheimer’s disease proteopathology for precision medication
Authors: Xie Ling , Sheehy Ryan N. , Xiong Yan , Muneer Adil , Wrobel John A. , Park Kwang-Su , Velez Julia , Liu Jing , Luo Yan-Jia , Li Ya-Dong , Quintanilla Luis , Li Yongyi , Xu Chongchong , Deshmukh Mohanish , Wen Zhexing , Jin Jian , Song Juan , Chen Xian
Published: October 2023

Current amyloid beta-targeting approaches for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutics only slow cognitive decline for small numbers of patients. This limited efficacy exists because AD is a multifactorial disease whose pathological mechanism(s) and diagnostic biomarkers are largely unknown. Here we report a new mechanism of AD pathogenesis in which the histone methyltransferase G9a noncanonically regulates translation of a hippocampal proteome that defines the proteopathic nature of AD. Accordingly, we developed a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a, MS1262, across the blood-brain barrier to block this G9a-regulated, proteopathologic mechanism. Intermittent MS1262 treatment of multiple AD mouse models consistently restored both cognitive and noncognitive functions to healthy levels. Comparison of proteomic/phosphoproteomic analyses of MS1262-treated AD mice with human AD patient data identified multiple pathological brain pathways that elaborate amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles as well as blood coagulation, from which biomarkers of early stage of AD including SMOC1 were found to be affected by MS1262 treatment. Notably, these results indicated that MS1262 treatment may reduce or avoid the risk of blood clot burst for brain bleeding or a stroke. This mouse-to-human conservation of G9a-translated AD proteopathology suggests that the global, multifaceted effects of MS1262 in mice could extend to relieve all symptoms of AD patients with minimum side effect. In addition, our mechanistically derived biomarkers can be used for stage-specific AD diagnosis and companion diagnosis of individualized drug effects.

One-Sentence Summary:

A brain-penetrant inhibitor of G9a methylase blocks G9a translational mechanism to reverse Alzheimer’s disease related proteome for effective therapy.
Changes in sleep duration during the long-lasting COVID-19 pandemic: individual and regional disparities
Authors: Min Jieun , Oh Jieun , Lee Whanhee
Published: October 2023

The adequate quality and quantity of sleep are related to maintaining the immune system and mental well-being; therefore, it is necessary to evaluate sleep duration during COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the changes in sleep duration during the long-lasting COVID-19 period (2020 and 2021) in South Korea, and to examine the individual and regional disparities. The study population comprised 1,143,460 adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the 2017– 2021 Korea Community Health Survey excluding those who did not respond to the daily sleep duration questionnaire. For statistical analysis, we first conducted a multiple regression model for 229 districts to estimate the district-specific changes in sleep duration. We then applied a meta-analysis to pool the 229 estimates and a meta-regression to examine the association between changes in sleep duration and regional characteristics. The sleep duration increased by 9.66 (95% CI: 8.53, 10.80) min in 2020 and 3.66 (95% CI: 2.09, 5.22) min in 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic period (2017–2019). The increase was more prominent in males, younger adults, employed individuals, and those with a high socioeconomic status compared to the general population. Communities with a higher proportion of apartments, lower normalized difference vegetation index in summer, and lower practice rate of moderate exercise were associated with a higher increase in sleep duration during the pandemic. The sleep duration increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase decreased as the COVID-19 lasted longer. The findings of our study highlight that preventive measures to manage sleep health during a pandemic should be framed in consideration of individual and regional characteristics.
Drivers of geographic patterns in outpatient antibiotic prescribing in the United States
Authors: Kissler Stephen M. , Roster Kirstin I. Oliveira , Petherbridge Rachel , Mehrotra Ateev , Barnett Michael L. , Grad Yonatan H.
Published: October 2023

Antibiotic prescribing rates vary dramatically across regions in the United States, but the relative importance in prescribing practices versus per capita visit rates in driving this variation remain unclear. Quantifying their relative importance can aid in reducing antibiotic use. Using US medical claims data from 2015-2018 covering over 15 million privately insured adults, we conducted a regression analysis to estimate the relative contribution of outpatient visit rates and per-visit prescribing in explaining variation in outpatient antibiotic prescribing rates across metropolitan statistical areas. Variation in visit rates per capita explained more of the geographic variation in outpatient antibiotic prescribing rates than per-visit prescribing for conditions with high prescribing volume. Efforts to reduce antibiotic use may benefit from addressing the factors driving higher rates of outpatient visits, in addition to continued focus on stewardship.
A model for angiogenesis suppression via SERPINF1 in the surrounding pro-acinar microenvironment during human fetal pancreas development
Authors: Mehta Pratik Nailesh , Giardina Charles
Published: October 2023

Pancreas hormone-producing endocrine cell islets are integrated with the blood supply, whereas pancreatic digestive-enzyme producing acini are not. The functional result is that pancreatic acinar cells release their digestive enzymes into the ductal system and the duodenum to aid in digestion, while pancreatic hormone-producing endocrine cells release their hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, into the bloodstream. Despite this understanding, the mechanism for how acinar cells are free of vascularization is not completely clear. Based on an analysis of publicly available single cell RNA-sequencing data (GSE110154) of the human fetal pancreas during gestational weeks 12 through 22, a model is proposed that draws upon the anti-angiogenic properties of SERPINF1. This model envisions +PTF1A/+SOX9/+CPA1 pancreatic pro-acinar tip progenitor and +COL1A2/+PDGFRA pancreatic stromal fibroblast cell populations that surround the developing acini secreting SERPINF1 (PEDF) to inhibit angiogenesis and endothelial cell generation. This secretion could maintain an acinar microenvironment that is free from robust vascularization and integration of blood vessels as seen in mature pancreatic islet of Langerhans/endocrine cells.
Application of nanopore sequencing to identify antimicrobial resistance genes, mobile genetic elements and virulence factors in clinical isolates
Authors: Kimani Rachel , Musundi Sebastian , Wakaba Patrick , Mbogo David , Essuman Suliman , Kanoi Bernard N. , Gitaka Jesse
Published: October 2023

The global health challenge posed by the emergence of antibiotic resistance pathogen is further exacerbated in African countries by the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, poor surveillance and lack of stewardship programs. To address this issue, we employed the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) to sequence 17 clinical isolates from a referral hospital in Kenya. Our comprehensive bioinformatics approach facilitated the assembly, identification of sequence types and prediction of antimicrobial resistance genes, mobile genetic elements (plasmids and integrons) and virulence genes. Of the 17 isolates, five wereA. baumannii, fourE. coli, threeS. haemolyticus, three wereE. cloacae,whileS. aureusandE. faecaliswere single isolates. For the detection of AMR genes,A. baumanniiisolates harbored genes such asblaOXA-23which mediates resistance to carbapenems,E. coliandE. cloacaecarriedblaCTX-M-15which confers resistance to cephalosporins andS. haemolyticusharboredblaZ,responsible for resistance againstpenicillins.S. aureusco-habouredmecAandblaZ genes.In addition,, various other different AMR genes to chloramphenicol, macrolides, aminoglycosides, tetracycline were also observed. For plasmid replicons,E. colicarried the most number of plasmids and shared ColRNAI_1 and IncFIB(pB171)_1_pB171 withA. baumanniiand IncR_1 withE. cloacae.Many genes encoding various virulence factors includingfimA-Iand ompA, senBwere identified inE. coli, hlgA-Candhla/hly, hlb, hldinS. aureusandefaA,ebpA-CinE. faecalis.In conclusion, most isolates contained a combination of different AMR genes harbored in plasmids and integrons and virulence genes. This study provides significant information on genetic determinants of antibiotic resistant pathogens in clinical isolates and could assist in developing strategies that improve patient treatment.

Author Summary

Antimicrobial resistance remains a major health challenge across the globe. The continued misuse and lack of proper monitoring has worsened the problem of antibiotic resistant infections. In this study, we sought to use nanopore sequencing to identify antibiotic resistance genes, mobile genetic elements and virulence factors from clinical isolates which showed resistance against commonly used antibiotics. We found the presence of resistance genes to multiple different antibiotics including beta-lactams, macrolides, tetracycline and aminoglycosides across multiple bacterial species. We also identified plasmid replicons and class I integrons which facilitate the spread of antimicrobial resistant genes. Furthermore, several virulence factors that help resistant bacteria to survive were identified. Overall, this study highlights the widespread issue of antibiotic resistance, factors contributing to its persistence in clinical isolates and utility of nanopore sequencing for monitoring genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance.
Homologs of SD6 and ICE2 from rice may be involved in regulation of ABA in woody perennial buds
Authors: Shi Zhaowan , Pandey Sonika , Halaly-Basha Tamar , Galbraith David W. , Or Etti
Published: October 2023

The availability of ABA, a central component in the regulation of the dormancy cycle in grapevine buds, is controlled by coordinated and opposite regulation of NCED and ABA8OX expression, as shown during natural dormancy release and following treatment with Hydrogen Cyanamide (HC). This implies the existence of a shared regulatory entity, which serves as an upstream switch.

A molecular switch for integrated and opposite regulation of NCED and ABA8OX was recently described in rice, involving a pair of bHLH transcription factors (OsSD6-OsICE2) that directly regulate ABA8OX3 expression and indirectly regulate NCED2 expression, by direct regulation of the expression of the NCED repressor OsbHLH048.

Here, we tested whether expression of theVitishomologs of the rice SD6 and ICE2 are regulated by dormancy release stimuli, and whether the direction of regulation agrees with that ofABA8OX.

Treatment with two independent stimuli of bud break (HC and hypoxia), as well as natural dormancy release, resulted in upregulation of OsSD6 homologs and down regulation of OsICE2 homologs, in agreement with the rice model. In unexpected contrast, the homolog of OsbHLH048 was down-regulated.

Our results suggest a grapevine model in which (1) the homologs ofOsSD6andOsICE2act as direct activators and repressors ofABA8OX3expression, as for rice, (2) they have opposed effects on the expression of an OsbHLH048 homolog, which serves as direct activator of NCED expression, as for Arabidopsis, and (3) together they act as a switch that allows removal of ABA repression, followed by meristem reactivation and bud break.

HIGHLIGHT

A molecular switch for integrated and opposite regulation of NCED and ABA8OX in rice seeds, operated by three bHLH transcription factors, is conserved in grapevine buds and regulates dormancy release
Noradrenergic alpha-2a Receptor Stimulation Enhances Prediction Error Signaling in Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Striatum
Authors: Hassani Seyed A. , Womelsdorf Thilo
Published: October 2023

The noradrenergic system is implicated to support behavioral flexibility by increasing exploration during periods of uncertainty and by enhancing working memory for goal-relevant stimuli. Possible sources mediating these pro-cognitive effects are α2A adrenoceptors (α2AR) in prefrontal cortex or the anterior cingulate cortex facilitating fronto-striatal learning processes. We tested this hypothesis by selectively stimulating α2ARs using Guanfacine during feature-based attentional set shifting in nonhuman primates. We found that α2A stimulation improved learning from errors and facilitates updating the target feature of an attentional set. Neural recordings in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and the striatum showed that α2A stimulation selectively enhanced the neural representation of negative reward prediction errors in neurons of the ACC and of positive prediction errors in the striatum, but not in dlPFC. This modulation was accompanied by enhanced encoding of the feature and location of the attended target across the fronto-striatal network. Enhanced learning was paralleled by enhanced encoding of outcomes in putative fast-spiking interneurons in the ACC, dlPFC, and striatum but not in broad spiking cells, pointing to an interneuron mediated mechanism of α2AR action. These results illustrate that α2A receptors causally support the noradrenergic enhancement of updating attention sets through an enhancement of prediction error signaling in the ACC and the striatum.
The essential chaperone DNAJC17 activates HSP70 to coordinate RNA splicing and G2-M progression
Authors: Allegakoen David V. , Kwong Kristen , Morales Jacqueline , Bivona Trever G. , Sabnis Amit J.
Published: October 2023

Molecular chaperones including the heat-shock protein 70-kilodalton (HSP70) family and the J-domain containing protein (JDP) co-chaperones maintain homeostatic balance in eukaryotic cells through regulation of the proteome. The expansive JDP family helps direct specific HSP70 functions, and yet loss of single JDP-encoding genes is widely tolerated by mammalian cells, suggesting a high degree of redundancy. By contrast, essential JDPs might carry out HSP70-independent functions or fill cell-context dependent, highly specialized roles within the proteostasis network.

Using a genetic screen of JDPs in human cancer cell lines, we found the RNA recognition motif (RRM) containingDNAJC17to be pan-essential and investigated the contribution of its structural domains to biochemical and cellular function. We found that the RRM exerts an auto-inhibitory effect on the ability of DNAJC17 to allosterically activate ATP hydrolysis by HSP70. The J-domain, but neither the RRM nor a distal C-terminal alpha helix are required to rescue cell viability after loss of endogenousDNAJC17. Knockdown ofDNAJC17leads to relatively few conserved changes in the abundance of individual mRNAs, but instead deranges gene expression through exon skipping, primarily of genes involved in cell cycle progression. Concordant with cell viability experiments, the C-terminal portions ofDNAJC17are dispensable for restoring splicing and G2-M progression.

Overall, our findings identify essential cellular JDPs and suggest that diversification in JDP structure extends the HSP70-JDP system to control divergent processes such as RNA splicing. Future investigations into the structural basis for auto-inhibition of the DNAJC17 J-domain and the molecular regulation of splicing by these components may provide insights on how conserved biochemical mechanisms can be programmed to fill unique, non-redundant cellular roles and broaden the scope of the proteostasis network.
fhl2bexpression ameliorates muscular dystrophy
Authors: Dennhag Nils , Kahsay Abraha , Nissen Itzel , Chermenina Maria , Nord Hanna , Liu Jiao , Arner Anders , Liu Jing-Xia , Backman Ludvig J , Remeseiro Silvia , von Hofsten Jonas , Domellöf Fatima Pedrosa
Published: October 2023

In muscular dystrophies, muscle fibers loose integrity and die, leading to significant suffering and a shorter life. Strikingly, the extraocular muscles (EOMs), controlling eye movements, are spared and function well despite the disease progression. Although EOMs have been shown to have important differences compared to body musculature the mechanisms underlying this inherent resistance to muscle dystrophies remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate important differences in gene expression as a response to muscle dystrophies between the EOMs and trunk muscle in zebrafish via transcriptomic profiling. We show that the LIM-protein Fhl2 is upregulated in response to knockout ofdesmin,plectinandobscurin, intermediate filament proteins whose knockout causes different muscle dystrophies, and contributes to disease protection of the EOMs. Moreover, we show that ectopic expression offhl2bcan partially rescue the muscle phenotype in the zebrafish Duchenne muscular dystrophy modelsapje, significantly improving their survival rate. Therefore,fhl2is a protective agent and a candidate target gene for therapy of muscle dystrophies.
Universal inverse modelling of point spread functions for SMLM localization and microscope characterization
Authors: Liu Sheng , Chen Jianwei , Hellgoth Jonas , Müller Lucas-Raphael , Ferdman Boris , Karras Christian , Xiao Dafei , Lidke Keith A. , Heintzmann Rainer , Shechtman Yoav , Li Yiming , Ries Jonas
Published: October 2023

The point spread function (PSF) of a microscope describes the image of a point emitter. Knowing the accurate PSF model is essential for various imaging tasks, including single molecule localization, aberration correction and deconvolution. Here we present uiPSF (universal inverse modelling of Point Spread Functions), a toolbox to infer accurate PSF models from microscopy data, using either image stacks of fluorescent beads or directly images of blinking fluorophores, the raw data in single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). The resulting PSF model enables accurate 3D super-resolution imaging using SMLM. Additionally, uiPSF can be used to characterize and optimize a microscope system by quantifying the aberrations, including field-dependent aberrations, and resolutions. Our modular framework is applicable to a variety of microscope modalities and the PSF model incorporates system or sample specific characteristics, e.g., the bead size, depth dependent aberrations and transformations among channels. We demonstrate its application in single or multiple channels or large field-of-view SMLM systems, 4Pi-SMLM, and lattice light-sheet microscopes using either bead data or single molecule blinking data.
Tumor-induced alterations in single-nucleus transcriptome of atrophying muscles indicate enhanced protein degradation and reduced oxidative metabolism
Authors: Agca Samet , Domaniku Waraich Aylin , Bilgic Sevval Nur , Sucuoglu Melis , Dag Meric , Dogan Sukru Anil , Kir Serkan
Published: October 2023

Tumor-induced skeletal muscle wasting in the context of cancer cachexia is a condition with profound implications for patient survival. The loss of muscle mass is a significant clinical obstacle and is linked to reduced tolerance to chemotherapy and increased frailty. We investigated muscle gene expression at single nucleus level in cachectic mice and revealed distinct myonuclear gene signatures and a shift towards type IIb myonuclei. Notably, atrophy-related genes, includingAtrogin1,MuRF1andEda2rwere upregulated in these myonuclei, emphasizing their crucial role in muscle wasting. Activation of the Ectodysplasin A2 Receptor (EDA2R) pathway suppressed gene sets related to muscle contraction and oxidative metabolism, indicating its involvement in transcriptional reprogramming. Our study also highlighted the negative impact of tumors on oxidative metabolism in muscle tissue and their influence on the transcriptomes of mononuclear cells in skeletal muscle. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cachexia.
A Protein Blueprint of the Diatom CO2-Fixing Organelle
Authors: Nam Onyou , Musial Sabina , Demulder Manon , McKenzie Caroline , Dowle Adam , Dowson Matthew , Barrett James , Blaza James N. , Engel Benjamin D. , Mackinder Luke C. M.
Published: October 2023

Diatoms are central to the global carbon cycle. At the heart of diatom carbon fixation is an overlooked organelle called the pyrenoid, where concentrated CO2is delivered to densely packed Rubisco. Diatom pyrenoids fix approximately one-fifth of global CO2, but virtually nothing is known about this organelle in diatoms. Using large-scale fluorescence protein tagging and affinity purification-mass spectrometry, we generate a high-confidence spatially-defined protein-protein interaction network for the diatom pyrenoid. Within our pyrenoid interaction network are 10 proteins with no known function. We show that six of these form a static shell encapsulating the Rubisco matrix of the pyrenoid, with the shell critical for pyrenoid structural integrity, shape, and function. Although not conserved at a sequence level, the diatom pyrenoid shares some architectural similarities to prokaryotic carboxysomes. Collectively, our results support the convergent evolution of pyrenoids across the two main plastid lineages and uncover a major structural and functional component of global CO2fixation.
Crystal structure of 4-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-oxo-6-phenyl-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Bui Thai Thanh Thu , Mac Dinh Hung , Quang Trung Pham , Pham Chien Thang
Published: October 2023

The synthesis and crystal structure of the title compound, C22H14N2O, are described. The title compound was synthesized by a three-component one-pot reaction in DMSO involving chalcone, cyanoacetamide and elemental sulfur as catalyst. The compound was characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of inversion-related dimers produced by N—H...O hydrogen bonding, which further interact through π–π contacts.
An improved high-dimensional Kriging modeling method utilizing maximal information coefficient
Authors: Zhai Qiangqiang , Liu Zhao , Song Zhouzhou , Zhu Ping
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Kriging surrogate model has demonstrated a powerful ability to be applied to a variety of engineering challenges by emulating time-consuming simulations. However, when it comes to problems with high-dimensional input variables, it may be difficult to obtain a model with high accuracy and efficiency due to the curse of dimensionality. To meet this challenge, an improved high-dimensional Kriging modeling method based on maximal information coefficient (MIC) is developed in this work.

Design/methodology/approach

The hyperparameter domain is first derived and the dataset of hyperparameter and likelihood function is collected by Latin Hypercube Sampling. MIC values are innovatively calculated from the dataset and used as prior knowledge for optimizing hyperparameters. Then, an auxiliary parameter is introduced to establish the relationship between MIC values and hyperparameters. Next, the hyperparameters are obtained by transforming the optimized auxiliary parameter. Finally, to further improve the modeling accuracy, a novel local optimization step is performed to discover more suitable hyperparameters.

Findings

The proposed method is then applied to five representative mathematical functions with dimensions ranging from 20 to 100 and an engineering case with 30 design variables.

Originality/value

The results show that the proposed high-dimensional Kriging modeling method can obtain more accurate results than the other three methods, and it has an acceptable modeling efficiency. Moreover, the proposed method is also suitable for high-dimensional problems with limited sample points.
Numerical investigation of nanofluid buoyant flow behavior and heat transfer characteristics in annular-shaped enclosure with internal baffle
Authors: Reddy N. Keerthi , Yoon Aejung , Mani Sankar , Swamy H.A. Kumara
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Natural convection in finite enclosures is a common phenomenon in various thermal applications. To provide the thermal design guidelines, this study aims to numerically explore the potential of using internal baffles and nanofluids to either enhance or suppress heat transport in a vertical annulus. Furthermore, the annular-shaped enclosure is filled with aqueous-silver nanofluid and the effects of five distinct nanoparticle shapes are examined. In addition, the influence of baffle design parameters, including baffle position, thickness and length, is thoroughly analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite difference method is used in conjunction with the alternating direction implicit and successive line over relaxation techniques to solve nonlinear and coupled partial differential equations. The single phase model is used for nanofluid which is considered as a homogeneous fluid with improved thermal properties. The independence tests are carried out for assessing the sufficiency of grid size and time step for obtaining results accurately.

Findings

The baffle dimension parameters and nanoparticle shape exhibit significant impact on the convective flow and heat transfer characteristics, leading to the following results: sphere- and blade-shaped nanoparticles demonstrate around 30% enhancement in the heat transport capability compared with platelet-shaped nanoparticles, which exhibit the least. When considering the baffle design parameter, either a decrease in the baffle length and thickness or an increase in baffle height leads to an improvement in heat transport rate. Consequently, a threefold increase in baffle height yields a 40% improvement in thermal performance.

Originality/value

Understanding the impact of nanoparticle shapes and baffle design parameters on flow and thermal behavior will enable engineers to provide valuable insight on thermal management and overall system efficiency. Therefore, the current work focuses on exploring buoyant nanofluid flow and thermal mechanism in a baffled annular-shaped enclosure. Specifically, an internal baffle that exhibits conductive heat transfer through it is considered, and the impact of baffle dimensions (thickness, length and position) on the fluid flow behavior and thermal characteristics is investigated. In addition, the current study also addresses the influence of five distinct nanoparticle shapes (e.g. spherical, cylindrical, platelet, blade and brick) on the flow and thermal behavior in the baffled annular geometry. In addition to deepening the understanding of nanofluid behavior in a baffled vertical annulus, the current study contributes to the ongoing advancements in thermal applications by providing certain guidelines to design application-specific enclosures.
Climate change energy futures in business, industry and mining in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Hurlbert Margot , Das Tanushree , Vitto Charisse
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to report business preferences for achieving net-zero power production emissions in Saskatchewan, Canada as well as business perceptions of the most preferable power production sources, barriers to change and suggestions for improvement. Mixed methods included focus groups and a survey with experimental design. This research demonstrates that this method of advancing academic and business knowledge systems can engender a paradigmatic shift to decarbonization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a mixed-methods study using five focus groups and a survey which included a 15-min information video providing more information on power production sources (small modular reactors and biomass). Participants requested more information on these topics in the initial three focus groups.

Findings

There is a significant gap in Canadian Government targets for net-zero emissions by 2050 and businesses’ plans. Communications, knowledge and capacity gaps identified include lack of regulatory requirements, institutional barriers (including a capacity charge in the event a business chooses to self-generate with a cleaner source) and multi-level governance dissonance. More cooperation between provincial governments and the federal government was identified by participants as a requirement for achieving targets. Providing information to survey respondents increased support for clean and renewable sources, but gender and knowledge are still important characteristics contributing to support for different power production sources. Scientists and teachers were the most trusted sources of information. Power generated from small modular nuclear reactors was identified as the primary future source of power production followed by solar, wind and natural gas. Research results also confirmed the high level of support for hydropower generated in Saskatchewan versus import from Manitoba based on high values of energy solidarity and security within the province.

Originality/value

This study is original, as it concerns upstream system power production portfolios and not failed projects; the mixed-method research design including a focus group and an experimental survey is novel. This research partially addresses a gap in knowledge surrounding which knowledge systems advance paradigmatic shifts and how and whether involving business people in upstream power production decisions can inform decarbonization.
Does work-family conflict mediate the effect of psychological resilience on tour guides’ happiness?
Authors: Dönmez Filiz Gümüş , Gürlek Mert , Karatepe Osman M.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore work interfering with family (WIF) and family interfering with work (FIW) as the mediators linking psychological resilience to happiness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data gathered from tour guides in Türkiye were used to test the aforesaid associations. In this paper, partial least squares structural equation modeling was performed to gauge the direct links and mediating impacts of WIF and FIW simultaneously in the link between psychological resilience and happiness.

Findings

Psychological resilience exerts a dual influence on WIF and FIW. Simply put, psychologically resilient tour guides balance their work demands with those of the family or vice versa and exhibit low levels of WIF and FIW. As hypothesized, WIF and FIW are the two mediating mechanisms relating psychological resilience to happiness.

Practical implications

It is important to create a family-supportive atmosphere where tour guides can avail themselves of family-friendly practices (i.e. family leave, flexible work schedules, breaks to be spent with family members after long tours and convenient working hours). Psychologically resilient tour guides, with the abovementioned practices, would experience alleviated conflicts between work and family roles and would therefore have heightened happiness.

Originality/value

Although the extant literature has presented plenty of empirical studies about the predictors and outcomes of WIF and FIW, evidence about the links of personal resources as third variables to WIF and FIW simultaneously is still scanty. In addition, there is no evidence linking personal resources such as psychological resilience to nonwork outcomes such as happiness through the mediating roles of WIF and FIW. This paper fills in these voids by gauging the links given above using data collected from tour guides, a population that has been subjected to limited inquiry in the WIF and FIW literature.
Oil price uncertainty and corporate inventory investment
Authors: Singh Amanjot
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between oil price uncertainty (OPU) and corporate inventory investments using a sample of 6,072 USA manufacturing firms from 1992 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The author's study employs a panel dataset to examine the relationship between OPU and corporate inventory investments. The author uses several alternative specifications such as fixed effects models, an instrumental variable analysis, an impact threshold for confounding variable (ITCV) analysis, alternative measures, additional control variables and the percent bias analysis to account for endogeneity issues.

Findings

Corporate inventory investments decrease in response to high OPU. This decrease in inventory investments happens regardless of firms' expected stockout costs, information environment and reliance on external financing. As a potential mechanism, an uncertainty-induced increase in cash holdings contributes to this reduction in inventory investments. Also, the effect of OPU is non-linear and asymmetric. In response to the volatility of positive (negative) oil price changes, inventory investments decrease (increase) up to a certain point and increase (decrease) after that. Further, uncertainty-induced adjustments in inventory investments positively influence the operating performance of firms.

Originality/value

The author's study adds to the growing literature that examines the impact of OPU on corporate outcomes. Inventory investments directly affect business operations and could better reflect firms' responses to an uncertain environment.
Do the certainty tone and seniority of physicians matter in patients' information adoption in online health communities?
Authors: Jin Jiahua , Chen Qin , Yan Xiangbin
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Given the popularity of online health communities (OHCs) and medical question-and-answer (Q&A) services, it is increasingly important to understand what constitutes useful answers and user-adopted standards in healthcare domain. However, few studies provide insights into how health information characteristics, provider characteristics and recipient characteristics jointly influence user information adoption decisions. To fill this research gap, this study examines the combined effects of physicians' certainty tone as information characteristics, seniority as provider characteristics and disease severity as recipient characteristics on patients' health information adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on dual-process theory and information adoption model, an extended information adoption model is established in this study to examine the effect of attitude certainty on patients' health information adoption, and the moderating effects of online seniority and offline seniority, as well as patient motivation level—disease severity. Utilizing logit regression models, the authors empirically tested the hypotheses based on 4,224 Q&A records from a popular Chinese OHC.

Findings

The results show that (1) attitude certainty has a significant positive impact on patients' health information adoption, (2) the relationship between attitude certainty and information adoption is negatively moderated by physicians' online seniority, but is positively moderated by offline seniority; (3) there is a negative three-way interaction effect of attitude certainty, online seniority and disease severity on patients' health information adoption.

Originality/value

This study extends the information adoption model to examine the two-way interaction between argument quality and source reliability, as well as the three-way interaction with user motivation level, especially for health information adoption in the healthcare field. These findings also provide direct practical applications for knowledge contributors and OHCs.
Industrial robots and firm innovation: big data evidence from China
Authors: Zhong Huijie , Zhang Xinran , Chan Kam C. , Yan Chao
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Robots are widely used in industrial manufacturing and service industries around the world. However, most of the previous studies on industrial robots use data at the national or industry level in the context of developed countries. This study examines the impact of imported industrial robots on firm innovation at the firm level in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a large dataset of more than three million records in China, including non-publicly traded small and medium firms, the authors adopt a difference-in-differences method to investigate the impact and channels of industrial robots on firm innovation.

Findings

The authors find that the application of industrial robots increases firm innovation. Two possible channels are identified through which robots promote innovation: alleviation of financial constraints and the improvement of human capital. Further analysis shows that the effect of robots on innovation is more pronounced for firms that are highly dependent on external financing, belong to high-tech industries, import high-end robots, have insufficient supply of skilled labor and private firms (non-SOEs). The authors also find that industrial robots increase the firms' innovation quality and the marginal contribution of innovation to firms' total factor productivity.

Originality/value

This study provides big data evidence of the unintended positive consequences of industrial robots on firm innovation. The results are helpful to clarify the controversy of industrial robots. It also has important implications for government industrial policy making, firm innovation and human resource management.
Family business in the Arabian Gulf region
Authors: Rice John , Raziq Muhammad Mustafa , Fotiadis Anestis
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide some insights into the importance of family business in the transition of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region into a diversified, modern economic region.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a viewpoint paper, bringing together recent relevant academic and industry literature combined with the authors' observations of emerging regional trends.

Findings

The authors find that family businesses have been an anchor of private sector economic development in the GCC. Family businesses across the region reflect both the challenges and opportunity of the context. Recent social and economic changes present challenges to the historical ways of operation, and yet they also present opportunities.

Originality/value

This paper is intended to be thought provoking and insightful for those in the region and those with an interest in the region. The unique social, historical and economic characteristics of the region are discussed along with their impact on family businesses.
Catering to the experts: food marketing and health professionals in the early 20th century
Authors: Greenfield Rachel
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the marketing strategies designed by three innovative early 1900s food companies. It traces the coordination of these businesses’ research funding, advertising, direct mail and promotional tactics to show how they intersected and impacted consumers and health professionals in the period when scientists were first able to quantify the relationship between good health and food. The paper analyzes internal company documents, advertisements and marketing materials from Knox Gelatine, Borden and Sunkist.

Design/methodology/approach

Research for this paper benefited from the author’s unlimited access to the private documents of the Knox Gelatine Company and its executives. These documents were analyzed chronologically and thematically. They chronicled the company’s attempts to influence the medical world and the ways it cultivated home economists. The paper also used publicly available digitized documents from Sunkist and Borden. The paper would benefit from further detailed analysis of these documents to parse Knox’s targeting by race and ethnicity.

Findings

In the 1920s, Knox, Borden and Sunkist developed a marketing strategy which leveraged a new class of experts – the hundreds of thousands of medical professionals, home economists, teachers and government agents who advised American women. By distributing specific laboratory research on the nutritional benefits of their products to this emerging class of health professionals and the consumers who trusted them, these companies developed relationships with opinion leaders designed specifically to influence product sales.

Research limitations/implications

This research benefited from access to the private documents of Knox Gelatine Company which divulge the company’s attempts to influence the medical world and cultivate home economists. The paper would benefit from further analysis of these documents to parse the company’s targeting by race and ethnicity as well as a deeper comparison to companies that tried to work with health professionals unsuccessfully and companies that adopted this tactic in the household products or tobacco area. Opportunities also exist to do a fuller analysis of variations in food marketing by rural versus urban as well as race.

Originality/value

By reconstructing the sequencing and content of these three companies’ 1920s marketing strategies, this research uncovers a form of early 20th century food marketing directed at health and science professionals which has been neglected in advertising histories.
Investigation on effect of carbon equivalent and inoculation on the solidification and shrinkage tendency of ductile cast iron using thermal analysis
Authors: Sangame Bahubali Babanrao , Reddy Y. Prasannatha
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The foundry industry incurs additional costs as a result of defective castings. Shrinkage defects are a frequent problem in ductile iron castings. It is still essential to understand how shrinkage porosity varies in size when the ductile iron composition changes. This information can be used to produce high-quality cast parts and determine the best processing conditions. The objective of this research paper is to examine the effect of carbon equivalent and inoculation on the morphology of the shrinkage defect using thermal analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on certain thermal analysis parameters, such as the angle of the first derivative curve at the solidus temperature, recalescence and its relationships to graphite nucleation and shrinkage tendency. The results of thermal analysis in terms of the cooling curve and its derivative parameters, and thorough characterizations of the shrinkage observed in cup castings produced with various melt compositions and inoculation are presented in the current study.

Findings

The proportion of caved surfaces and macro shrinkage porosity defects has been reduced as the carbon equivalent of melt increases from hypoeutectic to a hypereutectic composition. The composition that is slightly hypereutectic has the lowest shrinkage propensity. Although inoculation reduces shrinkage, the importance of this parameter differs depending on the carbon equivalent.

Originality/value

The percentage of macro shrinkage porosity and the angle that the cooling rate curve forms are strongly correlated. It is found that the macro shrinkage size decreases as the angle of the first derivative curve at the solidus temperature is reduced. Further, lower macroporosity is produced by a metal that has a higher nodule count in association with a greater cooling rate toward the end of the solidification process.
Novel trends challenging tourism
Authors: Whalen Elizabeth , Bowen John
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Four novel trends: water scarcity, income inequality, labor shortage and gentrification, are receiving ever greater attention because of the devastating effects they having on the well-being of humanity. The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe each trend, discuss its effect on tourism and offer support from research as to how tourism can mitigate the effects of these trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws on a literature review to identify comparatively new events, patterns and trends that are likely to impede the development of tourism in the coming years.

Findings

This study documents the negative implications these trends could have for the future of tourism if they are not well managed. Guidance on how destination managers and travel industry managers can mitigate each of these trends is provided.

Research limitations/implications

Given the damage to humanity these trends have created and the potential future damage they will create, there is a call to researchers to both develop and document ways to mitigate the negative effects of these trends.

Practical implications

Suggested actions on how managers can reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of these trends are provided.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to link these novel trends to the implications they have for tourism.
Madeira tourism—always proactive toward sustainability
Authors: Jesus Eduardo
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper discusses the development of Madeira's tourism and its continuous action on aspects of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the evolution of tourism in the region in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and how an investment in sustainability and on the certification of the archipelago as a sustainable tourist destination is a key move for stakeholders, in particular residents, companies and tourists.

Findings

To return to normality, and thus overcome the 2019 difficulties, Madeira continues to develop promotional activities in various international markets and develop sustainable tourism, supported by practices and policies that optimize the use of environmental resources. In so doing, sociocultural identity and authenticity is secured, while providing socioeconomic benefits for all stakeholders.

Originality/value

The approaches and solutions presented are those of the regional Government of Madeira, illustrated by the efforts and decisions that led to the certification of the archipelago as a sustainable tourist destination.