bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Mendelian Randomization Studies on Celiac Disease
Authors: Omar Mahmud , Agbareia Reem , Nassar Salih , Omar Mohammad , Naffaa Mohammad E. , Lahat Adi , Sharif Kassem
Published: July 2024

Background and Objective

Mendelian randomization (MR) has become an important tool in epidemiology, used to infer causal relationships diseases. This review aims to consolidate existing MR evidence concerning celiac disease (CeD).

Methods

We systematically searched major databases up to May 2024, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Only MR studies explicitly investigating CeD were included. We assessed the quality of each study based on the strength, independence, and exclusivity of the instrumental variables used.

Results

From an initial pool of 207 articles, 35 met our inclusion criteria. These studies frequently addressed the relationship between CeD and autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and explored connections with gut microbiota, various cancers, and metabolic disorders. Significant findings highlight a robust bi-directional association between IBD and CeD and complex interactions with gut microbiota. Notably, many associations reported were near the threshold of clinical significance.

Conclusion

This systematic review highlights the dual nature of current MR evidence on CeD. On one hand, we observe consistent associations between CeD, IBDs, and gut microbiota. On the other, there is a plethora of weaker associations that raise critical questions about their clinical and research significance. This work lays a solid foundation for deeper investigations into these weaker links, particularly in relation to lymphomas and psychiatric conditions. It calls for an expanded use of MR and other methodologies to explore under-researched areas.
Type 1 diabetes risk and severity after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination
Authors: Stene Lars C. , Ruiz Paz Lopez-Doriga , Ljung Rickard , Bøås Håkon , Gulseth Hanne L. , Pihlström Nicklas , Sundström Anders , Zethelius Björn , Størdal Ketil , Gani Osman , Lund-Blix Nicolai A. , Skrivarhaug Torild , Tapia German
Published: July 2024

Aim

To clarify whether SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination contribute to risk of type 1 diabetes or more severe diabetes onset in children and young adults.

Methods

We analysed cohorts of population-wide registries of young individuals from Norway (N=1,986,970) and Sweden (N=2,100,188). We used regression models to estimate adjusted rate ratios (aRR), treating exposures as time-varying, starting 30 days after registered SARS-CoV-2 positive test or vaccination.

Findings

Pooled results from Norway and Sweden and age-groups 12-17 and 18-29 years showed no significant increase in type 1 diabetes after documented infections (aRR 1.06, 95%CI:0.77-1.45). There was moderate heterogeneity, with a suggestive increased risk among children in Norway after infection. Pooled results for Norway and Sweden and age-groups 12-17 years and 18-29 years showed no significant association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and risk of type 1 diabetes (aRR 1.09, 95%CI: 0.81, 1.48). There was significant heterogeneity, primarily driven by a positive association among children and an inverse association in young adults in Sweden. While the type 1 diabetes incidence increased and diabetes ketoacidosis decreased over time during 2016-2023, no significant break in time-trends were seen after March 2020 for HbA1c, risk or severity of diabetic ketoacidosis, or islet autoantibodies, at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Interpretation

Taken together, these results do not indicate any consistent, large effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection or -vaccination on risk of type 1 diabetes or severity at disease onset. Suggestive associations in sub-groups should be investigated further in other studies.

Funding

The work was done as part of regular work at the institutions where the authors had their primary affiliation, and no specific funding was obtained for these studies.
WITHDRAWN: AID-SLR: A Generative Artificial Intelligence-Driven Automated System for Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Lee Kyeryoung , Datta Surabhi , Paek Hunki , Rastegar-Mojarad Majid , Huang Liang-Chin , He Long , Wang Siwei , Wang Jingqi , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: July 2024

Withdrawal Statement

The authors have withdrawn their manuscript owing to [Internal Revision]. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Unexpected diversity and ecological significance of uncultivable large virus-like particles in aquatic environments
Authors: Billard Hermine , Fuster Maxime , Enault François , Carrias Jean-François , Fargette Léa , Carrouée Margot , Desmares Perrine , Delmont Tom O. , Bigeard Estelle , Tanguy Gwenn , Nogaret Pauline , Baudoux Anne-Claire , Christaki Urania , Sime-Ngando Télesphore , Colombet Jonathan
Published: July 2024

The discovery of Jumbo phages and giant viruses of microeukaryotes has transformed our perception of the virosphere. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data further highlight their diversity and ecological impact. Nevertheless, sequence-based approaches fail to take into account the morphological diversity of non-cultivated viruses, resulting in our fragmented understanding of their nature and role in the environment. Here, we combined flow cytometry and electron microscopy to uncover both previously unsuspected morphological diversity as well as significant abundances of large viruses in aquatic environments. We discovered four new viral morphotypes, all of which were associated with microeukaryotes. We also obtained insights into the multi-year dynamics of the abundances of both giant microeukaryotic viruses and Jumbo phages. This work deepens our understanding of large viruses and reveals their key role as regulators of microbial communities.
Innate immune system signaling and CD11b+CD11c+CD103+cell migration to the brain underlie changes in mouse behavior after microbial colonization
Authors: Philip Vivek , Kraimi Narjis , Zhang Hailong , Lu Jun , De Palma Giada , Shimbori Chiko , McCoy Kathy D. , Hapfelmeier Siegfried , Schären Olivier P. , Macpherson Andrew J , Chirdo Fernando , Surette Michael G. , Verdu Elena F. , Liu Fang , Collins Stephen M , Bercik Premysl
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims

Accumulating evidence suggests the microbiota is a key factor in disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), by affecting host immune and neural systems. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive due to their complexity and clinical heterogeneity of patients with DGBIs. We aimed to identify neuroimmune pathways that are critical in microbiota-gut-brain communication during de novo gut colonization.

Methods

We employed a combination of gnotobiotic and state-of-the-art microbial tools, behavioral analysis, immune and pharmacological approaches. Germ-free wild type, MyD88−/−Ticam1−/−and SCID mice were studied before and after colonization with specific pathogen-free microbiota, Altered Schaedler Flora, E. coli or S. typhimurium (permanent or transient colonizers). TLR agonists and antagonists, CCR7 antagonist or immunomodulators were used to study immune pathways. We assessed brain c-Fos, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and dendritic and glial cells by immunofluorescence, expression of neuroimmune genes by NanoString and performed brain proteomics.

Results

Bacterial monocolonization, conventionalization or administration of microbial products to germ-free mice altered mouse behavior similarly, acting through Toll-like receptor or nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain signaling. The process required CD11b+CD11c+CD103+cell activation and migration into the brain. The change in behavior did not require the continued presence of bacteria and was associated with activation of multiple neuro-immune networks in the gut and the brain.

Conclusions

Changes in neural plasticity occur rapidly upon initial gut microbial colonization and involve innate immune signaling to the brain, mediated by CD11b+CD11c+CD103+cell migration. The results identify a new target with therapeutic potential for DGBIs developing in context of increased gut and blood-brain barrier permeability.

Highlights

Microbiota impairment is a key factor in disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI)

Microbial colonization induces changes in brain and behavior via innate immunity

Microbial colonization activates multiple neuro-immune networks in gut and brain

Behavioral change is mediated by CD11b+CD11c+CD103+cells migration to the brain
Spatial proteomic mapping of human nuclear bodies reveals new functional insights into RNA regulation
Authors: Dyakov Boris J.A. , Kobelke Simon , Ahmed B. Raktan , Wu Mingkun , Roth Jonathan F. , Kasmaeifar Vesal , Lin Zhen-Yuan , Youn Ji-Young , Thivierge Caroline , Campbell Kieran R. , Duchaine Thomas F. , Blencowe Benjamin J. , Fox Archa H. , Gingras Anne-Claude
Published: July 2024

Nuclear bodies are diverse membraneless suborganelles with emerging links to development and disease. Explaining their structure, function, regulation, and implications in human health will require understanding their protein composition; however, isolating nuclear bodies for proteomic analysis remains challenging. We present the first comprehensive proximity proteomics-based map of nuclear bodies, featuring 140 bait proteins (encoded by 119 genes) and 1,816 unique prey proteins. We identified 641 potential nuclear body components, including 131 paraspeckle proteins and 147 nuclear speckle proteins. After validating 31 novel paraspeckle and nuclear speckle components, we discovered regulatory functions for the poorly characterised nuclear speckle- and RNA export-associated proteins PAXBP1, PPIL4, and C19ORF47, and revealed that QKI regulates paraspeckle size. This work provides a systematic framework of nuclear body composition in live cells that will accelerate future research into their organisation and roles in human health and disease.
Spatial transcriptomics unveils thein situcellular and molecular hallmarks of the lung in fatal COVID-19
Authors: Garcia-Prieto Carlos A. , Musulen Eva , Davalos Veronica , Ferrer Gerardo , Grases Daniela , Porta Eduard , Pérez-Miés Belén , Caniego-Casas Tamara , Palacios José , Saenz-Sardà Xavier , Englund Elisabet , Esteller Manel
Published: July 2024

Severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induces heterogeneous and progressive diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) highly disrupting lung tissue architecture and homeostasis, hampering disease management leading to fatal outcomes. Characterizing DAD pathophysiology across disease progression is of ultimate importance to better understand the molecular and cellular features driving different DAD patterns and to optimize treatment strategies. To contextualize the interplay between cell types and assess their distribution, spatial transcriptomics (ST) techniques have emerged, allowing unprecedented resolution to investigate spatial architecture of tissues. To this end, post-mortem lung tissue provides valuable insights into cellular composition and their spatial relationships at the time of death. Here, we have leveraged VisumST technology in post-mortem COVID-19 induced acute and proliferative DAD lungs including control samples with normal morphological appearance, to unravel the immunopathological mechanisms underlying DAD, providing novel insights into cellular and molecular communication events driving DAD progression in fatal COVID-19. We report a progressive loss of endothelial cell types, pneumocytes type I and natural killer cells coupled with a continuous increase of myeloid and stromal cells, mostly peribronchial fibroblasts, over disease progression. Spatial organization analysis identified variable cellular compartments, ranging from major compartments defined by cell type lineages in control lungs to increased and more specific compartmentalization including immune-specific clusters across DAD spectrum. Importantly, spatially informed ligand-receptor interaction (LRI) analysis revealed an intercellular communication signature defining COVID-19 induced DAD lungs. Transcription factor (TF) activity enrichment analysis identified TGF-B pathway as DAD driver, highlighting SMAD3 and SMAD7 TFs activity role during lung fibrosis. Integration of deregulated LRIs and TFs activity allowed us to propose a downstream intracellular signaling pathway in peribronchial fibroblasts, suggesting potential novel therapeutic targets. Finally, spatio-temporal trajectories analysis provided insights into the alveolar epithelium regeneration program, characterizing markers of pneumocytes type II differentiation towards pneumocytes type I. In conclusion, we provide a spatial characterization of lung tissue architecture upon COVID-19 induced DAD progression, identifying molecular and cellular hallmarks that may help optimize treatment and patient management.
Computational modelling identifies key determinants of subregion-specific dopamine dynamics in the striatum
Authors: Ejdrup Aske L. , Dreyer Jakob K. , Lycas Matthew D. , Jørgensen Søren H. , Robbins Trevor W. , Dalley Jeffrey W. , Herborg Freja , Gether Ulrik
Published: July 2024

Striatal dopamine (DA) release regulates reward-related learning and behavioural activation and is believed to consist of a short-livedphasicand continuoustoniccomponent. Here, we build a three-dimensional model of extracellular DA dynamics in dorsal (DS) and ventral striatum (VS) that include tens of thousands of DA release sites. The model predicts rapid dynamics in DS with little-to-no basal DA, and much slower dynamics in the VS enabling build-up of atonicDA level. These regional differences do not primarily reflect different release phenomena but rather arise from differential dopamine transporter (DAT) activity. Interestingly, our simulations posit prevalent nanoclustering of DAT as a possible regulator of this activity. Receptor binding simulations show that D1 receptor occupancy follows extracellular DA concentration with millisecond delay, while D2 receptors integrate DA signal over seconds. Summarized, our model distills recent experimental observations into a computational framework that challenge prevailing paradigms of striatal DA signalling.
Fine-tuning of a CRISPRi screen in the seventh pandemicVibrio cholerae
Authors: Debatisse Kevin , Niault Théophile , Peeters Sarah , Maire Amandine , Darracq Baptiste , Baharoglu Zeynep , Bikard David , Mazel Didier , Loot Céline
Published: July 2024

Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor, the etiological agent responsible for the last cholera pandemic, has become a well-established model organism for which some genetic tools exist. While CRISPRi has been applied inV. cholerae, improvements were necessary to upscale it and enable pooled screening by high-throughput sequencing in this bacterium. In this study, we introduce a pooled genome wide CRISPRi library construction specifically optimized for thisV. choleraestrain, characterized by minimal cytotoxicity and streamlined experimental setup. This library allows the depletion of 3, 674 (98.9%) annotated genes from theV. choleraegenome. To confirm its effectiveness, we screened for essential genes during exponential growth in rich medium and identified 368 genes for which guides were significantly depleted from the library (log2FC < - 2). Remarkably, 82% of these genes had previously been described as hypothetical essential genes inV. choleraeor in a closely related bacterium,V. natriegens. We thus validated the robustness and accuracy of our CRISPRi-based approach for assessing gene fitness in a given condition. Our findings highlight the efficacy of the developed CRISPRi platform as a powerful tool for high-throughput functional genomics studies ofV. cholerae.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Effects of temperature and salinity on microbial degradation of bacterial necromass in urban river sediments in outdoor mesocosm experiments
Authors: Hadžiomerović Una , Baikova Daria , Madge Pimentel Iris , Buchner Dominik , Vermiert Anna-Maria , Rehsen Philipp M. , Brauer Verena S. , Meckenstock Rainer U.
Published: July 2024

Microorganisms play a key role in the functioning of healthy river ecosystems because they consume carbon and nutrients from dead biomass derived from algae and other higher organisms, or “necromass”, to feed it back into the food web. This so-called microbial loop is known to be substantial in aquatic systems, but it is so far unknown to which extent microorganisms perform self-recycling, i.e. recycling of necromass derived from microorganisms, and how this process is affected by multiple stressors such as increased temperature and salinity. In this study, we investigated microbial self-recycling in the sediment of the urban river Boye within a food-web context before, during, and after a period of increased temperature and salinity using the outdoor flow-through mesocosm system “ExStream”. Rates of self-recycling were measured in additional microcosms with sediment and water from ExStream as an increase in13CO2-concentration over time resulting from the microbial degradation of13C-labelled microbial necromass, which was offered either in the form of intact but deadEscherichia colicells, or lysedE. colicells. The results showed that microbial self-recycling was highest in the first days of incubation suggesting that microbial necromass is an easily biodegradable carbon source. Increased salinity had no effect, but increased temperature or temperature and salinity strongly increased the rate of whole cell-necromass recycling compared to the unstressed control, while it had no effect on lysed cell-necromass recycling. After stressor removal, rates of self-recycling were not distinguishable from the unstressed control, showing the resilience of this community function. The compositions of the necromass-degrading communities were highly similar and little affected by stressor increase or release but changed during the course of the experiment. This indicated that both necromass types stimulated growth of the same organisms and that stressor levels were rather low for microorganisms and dominated by the effects of the seasonal variation in the Boye. The study suggests that microbial communities in urban rivers exposed to moderate levels of multiple anthropogenic stressors will be rather stressor-resistant and show fast recovery of community functioning.
Cooperativity among clustered κB sites within promoters and enhancers dictates transcriptional specificity of NF-κB-RelA along with specific cofactors
Authors: Shahabi Shandy , Biswas Tapan , Shen Yuting , Sanahmadi Rose , Zou Yaya , Ghosh Gourisankar
Published: July 2024

The functional role of weak DNA binding sites for transcription factor (TF) recruitment and gene expression remains largely unknown. Our study reveals that the weak NF-κB DNA binding sites, which are abundant in gene promoters and enhancers, appear in clusters and exhibit minimal to undetectable NF-κB binding activity in isolation in vitro, yet they play prominent roles in gene regulation within native context in cells. We found nuclear concentration of RelA/p65, the predominant NF-κB, is approximately 0.2 µM in stimulated cells, challenging the idea that these weak κB sites operate through mass action-dependent binding mechanisms. Through proteomic analysis, we identified a range of nuclear factors, including various other TFs, interacting with RelA at these κB-sites. ChIP-seq, RNA-seq and phase-separated condensation analyses suggest these additional TFs, referred to as the cofactors of NF-κB, facilitate dynamic recruitment of NF-κB to clustered κB sites of specific target genes. Overall, our findings demonstrate the collective contribution of both strong and weak κB sites in occupancy of NF-κB at the promoters and enhancers, with the recruitment facilitated by a variety of cofactors. This congregation of multiple factors forming larger dynamic complexes appearing as a transcription condensate is likely to be common to all transcriptional programs.
Women, sustainable development and heritage regeneration in Qatar and Bahrain
Authors: Grichting Solder Anna , Alfaraidy Maryam
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This research examines the role of women in shaping sustainable urban development in Gulf cities. It focuses on heritage preservation and urban regeneration, examining projects commissioned by women in Qatar and Bahrain, which are revitalizing heritage, creating gender-sensitive public spaces and implementing sustainable development. Furthermore, it questions the role of these projects to inspire the next generation of female designers and cultural influencers, while also introducing innovative approaches to sustainable design and heritage regeneration.

Design/methodology/approach

Presented at the Gulf Research Meeting in Cambridge as part of a workshop entitled “Women in the GCC Socio-economic Contributions to the Urbanisation of Gulf Countries” the paper proposes the framework of SDG11 (sustainable cities and communities) and the SDG5 (equity integration of women into the workforce) to discuss the status, challenges and aspirations for integrated future urbanization of desert cultures in the GCC and to achieve the desired net-zero urbanization in deserts and drylands that are part of Gulf countries’ strategic development plans. The methodology uses case studies in Qatar and Bahrain and examines them through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals indicators (SDG 5–SDG 11). It begins by looking at the National context to examine how the SDGs 5 and 11 are being achieved, what indicators are being used and how both countries are scoring.

Findings

The preliminary research findings reveal that both Qatar and Bahrain are reporting on these SDGs that relate to Women and Urbanization, and that the two cases studies demonstrate that certain indicators on women’s empowerment and sustainability can be fulfilled and highlighted through these female led urban projects – Msheireb Downtown and the Muharraq Pearling Path. The projects also contribute to the education and training of young female architects through commissions, internships and seminars.

Originality/value

This is an exploratory research in an emerging field and can lead to further and deeper enquiries into how the SDGs 5 and 11 are being implemented and reported on in Gulf countries, as well as how women in leadership, urban policy and design can contribute to more sustainable, inclusive and female friendly cities, as well to gender mainstreaming in urban design.
Integrating three pillars of sustainability for evaluating the modular construction building
Authors: Tighnavard Balasbaneh Ali , Ramadan Bimastyaji Surya
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sustainability performance of modular construction from a life cycle perspective. So far, the sustainability performance of modular buildings has been explored from a life cycle viewpoint. There is no comprehensive study showing which material is the best choice for modular construction considering all three sustainable pillars. Therefore, a life cycle sustainability performance framework, including the three-pillar evaluation framework, was developed for different modular buildings. The materials are concrete, steel and timber constructed as a modular construction method.

Design/methodology/approach

Transitioning the built environment to a circular economy is vital to achieving sustainability goals. Modular construction is perceived as the future of the construction industry, and in combination with objective sustainability, it is still in the evaluation phase. A life cycle sustainability assessment, which includes life cycle assessment, life cycle cost and social life cycle assessment, has been selected to evaluate alternative materials for constructing a case study building using modular strategies. Subsequently, the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method was used to compute the outranking scores for each modular component.

Findings

The calculated embodied impacts and global warming potential (GWP) showed that material production is the most critical phase (65%–88% of embodied energy and 64%–86% of GWP). The result of embodied energy and GWP shows timber as an ideal choice. Timber modular has a 21% and 11% lower GWP than concrete and steel, respectively. The timber structure also has 19% and 13% lower embodied energy than concrete and steel. However, the result of the economic analysis revealed that concrete is the most economical choice. The cost calculations indicate that concrete exhibits a lower total cost by 4% compared to timber and 11% higher than steel structures. However, the social assessment suggests that steel emerges as the optimal material when contrasted with timber and concrete. Consequently, determining the best single material for constructing modular buildings becomes challenging. To address this, the MCDM technique is used to identify the optimal choice. Through MCDM analysis, steel demonstrates the best overall performance.

Originality/value

This research is valuable for construction professionals as it gives a deliberate framework for modular buildings’ life cycle sustainability performance and assists with sustainable construction materials.
Role of collective organizational engagement in the emergence of innovation: a microfoundations perspective
Authors: Ganesh Pavithra , Srivastava Kailash B.L.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The present study uses dynamic capabilities and micro foundations theory to unearth the emergence of multilevel innovation in service sector organizations. Transformational leadership (TL) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are proposed as human resource (HR) based antecedents. The study also aims to reveal the role of collective organizational engagement (COE) as a mediator in developing dynamic capabilities and contingent pay policy (CPP) as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is a multilevel study where employees are nested within organizations. We used multilevel modeling in Mplus V. 8.7 to perform the analyses.

Findings

Results of multilevel structural equation modeling revealed that TL, CSR, and COE are vital microfoundations through which innovation emerges in an organization. COE acts as a partial mediator in the relationship between CSR and innovation. The level of CPP in organizations moderates these relationships at the employee level rather than at the firm level.

Originality/value

This research is one of the few multilevel and multisource studies to empirically test the impact of HR-based antecedents on innovative work behavior and firm innovativeness simultaneously. It also contributes to engagement literature by furthering an understanding of the nascent concept of COE.
Neoliberalism and the changing direction of schools: an edupreneurial leadership approach
Authors: Larey Desireé Pearl
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This qualitative study discusses the importance of effective leadership practices in connecting the macro-, meso-, and micro-contexts in which school leaders operate, considering the colonial and apartheid history of South Africa and the current era of neoliberal philosophies by exploring the degree to which school leaders in historically disadvantaged schools in Western Cape Province use an edupreneurial approach to steer their schools in new directions. The school leaders, especially in historically disadvantaged Colored schools, are expected to be more autonomous and accountable for making the school environment conducive to performance standards and improved learning results. The study uses an edupreneurial leadership approach as a theoretical lens to explore entrepreneurial agency, together with the educational leadership approach of school principals as a consequence of neoliberal policies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on secondary schools in historically Colored communities in Western Cape Province through semi-structured interviews with four purposively selected school principals and four teachers from four different schools in the Western Cape Province.

Findings

Education and training programs should focus on cultural values and practices to enhance the efficacy of these schools. Furthermore, an entrepreneurial mindset and spirit are aspects that can be encouraged in a culturally sensitive manner. The edupreneurial leadership approach in developing countries has a distinctive nature.

Originality/value

This study contributes to forging an understanding of how neoliberal trends influence school leadership practices in developing countries, especially the leadership work of school principals across public schools in the Western Cape Province in South Africa.
Responsible leadership and organizational sustainability performance: investigating the mediating role of sustainable HRM
Authors: Nakra Neelam , Kashyap Vaneet
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of responsible leadership in impacting organizational sustainability performance grounded in the stakeholder theory. Further, it delves into the underlying mechanism that accentuates the link between responsible leadership and organizational sustainability performance via mediating role of sustainable HRM practices within the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a cross-sectional research design using data collected via questionnaire-based survey from employees working in top 100 NSE listed organizations in India. The proposed hypotheses of the research were tested using SPSS Process Macro.

Findings

Results depicted that there is a direct relationship between responsible leadership and organizational sustainability performance. However, the relationship is better explained with a mediating role of sustainable HRM practices within the organization.

Practical implications

The study is helpful for the practitioners to understand the instrumentality of responsible leadership and sustainable HRM practices within Indian organizations. Moreover, the study promotes the relevance of achieving sustainability-oriented goals of the organizations.

Originality/value

The study fosters the limited research on the integration of leadership style and HRM function. The results further add to literature on sustainable HRM by studying its antecedents and consequences.
Mobility during COVID-19 recovery: role of media and culture as social amplifiers
Authors: Rana Arunima , Mukherjee Tuheena , Adak Souradip
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in countries reacting differently to an ongoing crisis. Latent to this reaction mechanism is the inherent cultural characteristics of each society resulting in differential responses to the epidemic spread. In this study, the moderated moderation role of culture, on information dissemination by media during epidemic recovery-phase has been investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Hofstede’s cultural factors are hypothesized to moderate the moderating effect of free-liberal media on the relationship of COVID-19 recovery rate and human mobility. Panel regression model, using mobility data and recovery rate across 95 countries for a period of 170 days has been preferred to test the hypotheses. The results are further substantiated using factor wise interaction plots and slope difference analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that societies with high power distance and masculinity scores strengthen the impact of media on the relationship between COVID-19 recovery rate and mobility whereas, high individualistic and long-term orientation societies weaken the same effect. However, similar conclusions were not confirmed for uncertainty avoidance. Cross-cultural impact, as elucidated by this study, forms a crucial element in policy formulation on epidemic control by indigenous Governing bodies.

Originality/value

While most of the studies emphasizing on cultural characteristics of a society in an epidemic situation covers the growth phase of infection, This research talks about the recovery-phase of the epidemic and the effect of culture.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2023-0314
Affordance of conciliation: increasing the social impact of hybrid organizations
Authors: Norato Hélida , Pozzebon Marlei
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Hybrid organizations offer an innovative approach to promote social impact. However, hybrids face the challenge of reconciling the dual mission (social/financial). The purpose is to understand how hybrids and information and communication technologies (ICT) interact, unveiling opportunities ICT offers for hybrids regarding the dual mission.

Design/methodology/approach

We used affordance theory and adopted a predominantly inductive approach inspired by the so-called “Gioia template.” The research design was based on semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs, specialists, and people working in institutes, foundations, and accelerators, i.e. social actors operating in the hybrid organizational ecosystem in Brazil.

Findings

Our findings suggest that the affordances of the relationship between organizational and ICT resources act as facilitators. A theoretical contribution is conceptualizing “affordance of conciliation,” indicating how ICT resources might facilitate achieving social/financial goals, thus minimizing efforts to reconcile mission duality. Furthermore, we list categories and aggregate dimensions and elucidate how results aligned with goals are generated through the process-based model. We show that ICT has a significant role in helping hybrids overcome challenges.

Originality/value

Our results extend affordance theory with theoretical and practical implications. We highlight fundamental components that contribute to proposing the new concept of “affordance of conciliation.” We contribute to information systems literature by better understanding the social interactions between ICT and hybrids. Finally, we help hybrids understand the support of ICT resources to fulfill their dual mission.
Predicting the degree of influence of socio-demographic factors and forms of teaching on the experience of negative feelings of university students about their distance education
Authors: Berková Kateřina , Krpálková Krelová Katarína , Krpálek Pavel , Kubišová Andrea
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to predict the extent to which sociodemographic factors and forms of instruction influence university students' emotional experiences of distance education. The need for this research is in designing effective pedagogical methods and educational policies for distance or online education in comparison with studies from international university settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was carried out on an empirical basis using the binary logistic regression method. Data were collected through a questionnaire. A total of 569 respondents participated in the research. The effect of gender, level of education and students' preferred form of teaching (face-to-face or online) on their emotional experience of distance education was predicted.

Findings

University students are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress due to the COVID-19 era of distance education. Women are more likely to experience negative feelings about distance education than men. The negative feelings of students are caused by online education. Bachelor's students are more likely to experience negative feelings due to their lack of digital competence.

Originality/value

This study extends existing knowledge in terms of approaches to working with specific groups of bachelor's students in distance education. This area has not yet received such attention in universities. This fact makes this study to be original. The study has practical implications for the field of educational quality assurance for digital pedagogy.
Revitalizing historic city center a comparative methodology of current approaches and alternatives
Authors: Farhan Sabeeh Lafta , Merie Ula Abd Ali Khalel , Nasar Zuhair
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This article highlights the essential notions of reviving urban space that should adhere to the place’s characteristics and the city’s social-cultural language. It analyzes the central policies and principles that should be considered for revitalizing and sustaining urban spaces in historic city centers.

Design/methodology/approach

As a methodology, the article adopted a comparative methodology through an integrative framework based on reviewing a range of literature that explores the main dimensions that were discussed and argued for sustainable revitalization strategies.

Findings

The article emphasizes the essential revitalization strategies that could adopt specific frameworks according to each case, such as restructuring, creating elements of attraction and revival of the neighborhood’s center, the most important of which are preservation, renewal, rebuilding and reviving urban space through interactive architecture, in addition to identifying when the urban spaces need to implement removal, replacement or restoration as a strategy for reviving historical centers.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to discuss the cognitive background of the concept of reviving the urban space in historic city centers and analyze the main theories and studies that clarified society’s relationship to the design of urban places and its importance in the process of revitalization and rejuvenation.
Unveiling the crypto-terror nexus: law enforcement intelligence challenges against terrorist financing
Authors: Kushelevitch Michael
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of cryptocurrency on intelligence activities by law enforcement agencies, focusing on the changing landscape due to its exploitation by terrorist organizations. Investigating the dual nature of cryptocurrency as a global payment system and a potential threat to national security, the purpose is to understand how law enforcement adapts its strategies in response to this evolving challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a comprehensive approach by analyzing the integration of research and collection stages within the intelligence circle, particularly emphasizing blockchain analysis. By examining the actions of law enforcement authorities in the case study of Hamas’ crypto fundraising campaign, the study highlights how open-source information, accessible through blockchain, allows for strategic collaboration between law enforcement authorities and specialist companies in the field of intelligence analysis. This methodology enables law enforcement to enhance their intelligence gathering capabilities to trace illicit activity by terrorist organizations, leading to a successful seizure of crypto funds.

Findings

The findings reveal a symbiotic relationship between terrorist organizations and the crypto space, with the latter becoming an attractive means for financing activities. Law enforcement, in response, has evolved its intelligence practices, combining collection and research to trace and crack down on illicit crypto transactions.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on the dynamic challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining an effective intelligence response to the ever-evolving methods used by terrorist organizations in using cryptocurrencies.
P(St-BA-MAA)@P GA-Fe3+ photonic crystal composite inks for the construction of noniridescent structured colors on fabric substrates
Authors: Qi Zhichuang , Chen Jingshan , Huang Zhangmi , Hu Chunyan , Liu Baojiang
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to prepare Poly(Styrene-Butyl acrylate-Methacrylic acid) @Poly Gallic acid-Fe3+ photonic crystal composite inks [P(St-BA-MAA)@PGA-Fe3+ PCCI, @ means the PGA-Fe3+ is loaded on the microspheres] and construct noniridescent structural colors on fabric substrates, with the goal of improving the visibility of structural colors.

Design/methodology/approach

P(St-BA-MAA)@PGA-Fe3+ PCCI were prepared by coating P(St-BA-MAA) microspheres with a metal-polyphenol network formed by gallic acid (GA, C7H6O5) and Fe3+. The assembly effects of the inks were explored under different conditions, including pH, temperature, concentration and surface tension. The optimal self-assembly conditions of the inks were determined using the controlled variable method.

Findings

The results demonstrated the successful preparation of P(St-BA-MAA)@PGA-Fe3+ PCCI. The metal polyphenol network film composed of GA and Fe3+ was successfully coated on the surface of P(St-BA-MAA) seed microspheres. The assembly mechanism of the inks was investigated, indicating that at a diethylene glycol (DEG, C4H10O3) concentration of 0.3 wt% and pH of 7, bright noniridescent structural colors could be formed on fabric surfaces after self-assembly by PCCI at 60 °C for 10 min. Furthermore, the mechanical fastness of the structural colors was enhanced due to the adherence of the soft shell composed of P(St-BA-MAA) and GA.

Originality/value

Utilizing a cost-effective approach and a diverse array of readily available raw materials, we have successfully prepared P(St-BA-MAA)@PGA-Fe3+ PCCI, which boasts superior performance and offers fabrics a range of unique coloring styles. This innovation paves the way for potential applications of structural colors in practical production, thereby broadening their realm of utility.
Fiscal policy and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa: unveiling the role of information and communication technology (ICT)
Authors: Olaoye Olumide , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh , Tabash Mosab I.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is twofold. First, this study examines the effect of fiscal policy on sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Second, this study also investigates the moderating role of information and communication technology (ICT) in fiscal policy–sustainable development nexus in SSA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a battery of econometric techniques such as the ordinary least square (OLS), the two-step system generalized method of moments, Driscoll and Kraay covariance matrix estimator and the dynamic panel threshold model.

Findings

This study found that fiscal policy, except for public spending on education do not promote sustainable development in SSA. However, the authors found that ICT promotes sustainable development in SSA, and that when fiscal policy interacts with ICT, the results show that ICT enhances the effectiveness of fiscal policy to promote sustainable development in SSA. Furthermore, this study uncovers the optimal levels of public spending on health and education, and public debts that engenders sustainable development in SSA. The research and policy implications are discussed.

Originality/value

This study assessed the role of ICT in fiscal policy–sustainable development nexus.
Policing, Politics and Prejudice: A Participant Observer's Reflections
Authors: Basu Neil
Published: July 2024

Robert Reiner famously wrote that the public get the police they deserve. Arguably, the police also get the public they deserve. Sir Robert Peel and his Commissioners Rowan and Mayne said that legitimacy relies on consent and that consent demands the public has trust and confidence in the police. A police service asking for that privilege must be professional and understand its role of service and protection. To do this well, it needs to be humble, but policing has lost its humility and no longer understands these concepts (if it ever did). Yet, we also need to consider how the public sees the police. Press and politics have a disproportionate effect on the reputation of the police that is often globalised and catastrophised from the actions of relatively few. This cannot be an excuse for poor policing, but a sense of balance has to be restored if society is to get the policing it deserves. There is a danger, not yet existential, that the actions of a minority of officers, the thoughtless interventions of irresponsible politicians and the disproportionate reporting of a client rather than free press is undermining the model of consent. Before policing can demand a balanced critique from politicians and press, though, it must get its house in order, and this article offers straightforward solutions in recruitment, vetting, and training to solve its current problems. Less straightforward is a demand for changes to a culture which is not fit for purpose.
Identifying Cambodian teachers' concerns about including students with disabilities in regular classrooms: Evidence from a nationwide survey
Authors: Pov Sokunrith , Kawai Norimune , Matsumiya Nagako
Published: July 2024

This study examined teachers' concerns about including students with disabilities (SWDs) in regular classrooms and identified the background variables that were significantly associated with their concerns. A total of 1008 primary school teachers from 236 schools across all 25 provinces and cities in Cambodia participated in the study. The Concern about Inclusive Education Scale (CIES) was used as a research instrument. Descriptive statistics, a principal component analysis, reliability tests, Pearson correlation coefficients and a multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The result of the principal component analysis confirmed a four‐factor model for the CIES. The study found that Cambodian teachers had high levels of concern about including SWDs in regular classrooms. They expressed the deepest concerns about the inadequate availability of special education instructional materials and teaching aids, the lack of knowledge and skills required to teach SWDs, the increased workloads and the challenges of providing equal attention to all students. The experience of inclusive education training, years of teaching in regular classrooms, and experience of teaching SWDs were significantly associated with their concerns about inclusion. The findings were discussed with practical implications for improved policy and practice to address Cambodian teachers' concerns and promote their inclusive practices.
Does the COVID‐19 pandemic change clinic features and treatment of intussusception in children?
Authors: Pişiren Begüm , Boybeyi Özlem , Soyer Tutku
Published: July 2024

Aim

Social restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic decreased the incidence of viral diseases. Intussusception may exhibit seasonal variation, and viral aetiology is a common cause of idiopathic cases. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the clinical course and treatment of intussusception in children.

Patients and Methods

Patients admitted between March 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated for age, gender, clinical findings, symptoms, length and localisation of intussusception, and treatment. They were categorised into two groups: before the pandemic (BP) and during the pandemic (DP).

Results

A total of 55 patients were included in the study, with 54 (78%) in the BP group and 11 (22%) in the DP group. The median age of the patients was significantly younger in the DP group (P < .05). Contrast enema reduction was a common treatment choice in the BP group, whereas ultrasound‐guided hydrostatic reduction was more popular in the DP group (P < .05). The median time to start oral feeding and length of hospitalisation were significantly shorter in the DP group (P < .05). While there was no difference in seasonal occurrences of intussusception, idiopathic causes were more common in the BP group (P < .05). The incidence of intussusception with a leading point as an underlying aetiology was significantly higher in the DP group (P < .05).

Conclusion

During the pandemic, the rate of idiopathic intussusception significantly decreased, with leading points accounting for half of the cases.