bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2638 First study of cardiovascular risk estimation using Globorisk in a Latin American geriatric cohort with COPD
Authors: Hernández J , Ochoa V , Theran J , Badillo L , Torres H , Dulcey L , Gómez J , Trillos M , Vera D , Gómez V , Peña A , Amaya C , Rodriguez M , Ramos G , Gandur N , Gómez V , Olarte A , Trillos V , Picón M
Published: January 2025

Introduction

It is expected that by the fourth decade of the 21st century, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will become the third leading cause of death worldwide. These data require awareness among treating physicians of these patients.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted from January 2020–December 2022 in a South American health institution in which cardiovascular risk was estimated using GLOBORISK and ATP-III criteria. Data derived from the metabolic profile included in the ATP-III criteria were collected. Quantitative variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) according to their distribution and qualitative variables as percentages. Student’s t-test was performed to evaluate differences between two variables. All statistical analyses were performed with (SPSS for Windows, v.22.1; Chicago, IL).

Results

The present study showed that metabolic syndrome variables in these patients were elevated. Male sex was 77% and female 23%, smoking 61%. The GLOBORISK equation found mostly patients with low to moderate cardiovascular risk. It was found that there was a higher cardiovascular risk in those patients with FEV1 less than 30%, showing a statistical correlation of this alteration for the GLOBORISK scale.

Conclusions

This is the first pilot study that estimates cardiovascular risk using GLOBORISK in the COPD population. We consider integrating national and international networks to compare the results found here.
Consecuencias inesperadas de la polarización política: Purga y reconstrucción de la Corte Constitucional en EcuadorUnintended consequences of political polarization: Purge and reconstruction of the Constitutional Court in Ecuador
Authors: Ríos Figueroa Julio , Valarezo Patricia Sotomayor
Published: January 2025

In this article we investigate the impact of affective polarization around the figure of Rafael Correa on the institutions of democracy, specifically on the Constitutional Court of Ecuador. We argue that this polarization led, first, to the purge of the Constitutional Court in 2018 causing a breakdown of the institutional order and stability that had been maintained since 2007. But the same polarization, in a second moment, also produced that the Court appointed after the purge had a different composition than the previous ones, with more diverse and innovative profiles. The new set of magistrates, in turn, initiated a transformation of the constitutional jurisprudence and the political role of the Constitutional Court. The Ecuadorian case qualifies the essentially negative view of political polarization.
One day in Denmark: whole-genome sequence-based analysis of Escherichia coli isolates from clinical settings
Authors: Rebelo Ana Rita , Bortolaia Valeria , Leekitcharoenphon Pimlapas , Hansen Dennis Schrøder , Nielsen Hans Linde , Ellermann-Eriksen Svend , Kemp Michael , Røder Bent Løwe , Frimodt-Møller Niels , Søndergaard Turid Snekloth , Coia John Eugenio , Østergaard Claus , Westh Henrik , Aarestrup Frank M
Published: January 2025

Background

WGS can potentially be routinely used in clinical microbiology settings, especially with the increase in sequencing accuracy and decrease in cost. Escherichia coli is the most common bacterial species analysed in those settings, thus fast and accurate diagnostics can lead to reductions in morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs.

Objectives

To evaluate WGS for diagnostics and surveillance in a collection of clinical E. coli; to examine the pool of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants circulating in Denmark and the most frequent STs; and to evaluate core-genome MLST (cgMLST) and SNP-based clustering approaches for detecting genetically related isolates.

Methods

We analysed the genomes of 699 E. coli isolates collected throughout all Danish Clinical Microbiology Laboratories. We used rMLST and KmerFinder for species identification, ResFinder for prediction of AMR, and PlasmidFinder for plasmid identification. We used Center for Genomic Epidemiology MLST, cgMLSTFinder and CSI Phylogeny to perform typing and clustering analysis.

Results

Genetic AMR determinants were detected in 56.2% of isolates. We identified 182 MLSTs, most frequently ST-69, ST-73, ST-95 and ST-131. Using a maximum 15-allele difference as the threshold for genetic relatedness, we identified 23 clusters. SNP-based phylogenetic analysis within clusters revealed from 0 to 13 SNPs, except two cases with 111 and 461 SNPs.

Conclusions

WGS data are useful to characterize clinical E. coli isolates, including predicting AMR profiles and subtyping in concordance with surveillance data. We have shown that it is possible to adequately cluster isolates through a cgMLST approach, but it remains necessary to define proper interpretative criteria.
Session 2: Understanding Avoidance, Mindfulness (Part I)
Authors: Beck J. Gayle
Published: January 2025

This chapter focuses on educating clients about avoidance and mindfulness. In this session therapists explain the connection between trauma-related memories and avoidance and the hierarchies of trauma cues. Exploring cues that are subtle trauma-related triggers with one group member will help other group members understand how to unpack their own situational reminders. In this session therapists introduce the skill of mindfulness, which will help clients learn to focus their attention and improve concentration. Therapists encourage clients to practice doing one thing while fully engaging their attention on that activity, encouraging clients to notice the difference in how they feel when multi-tasking versus single-tasking.
Session 7: Working With Your Thoughts (Part II)—Becoming Aware of How You Think
Authors: Beck J. Gayle
Published: January 2025

This chapter covers working with thoughts and identifying cognitive shifts. On the positive side, cognitive shifts keep a person focused on a threat, allowing them to better manage the potentially harmful situation. However, cognitive shifts also can maintain feelings of threat and may actually exacerbate avoidance if the person focuses on the worst possible interpretations or potential outcomes of the situation. The chapter describes several types of cognitive shifts, such as filtering, polarized thinking, overgeneralization, personalization, and shoulds. It highlights the importance of being gentle when addressing cognitive shifts as clients become aware of a shift and move to address it.
Session 12: Rebuilding Your Social Connections
Authors: Beck J. Gayle
Published: January 2025

This chapter discusses how to rebuild social connections to reduce stress and manage negative emotions. Trauma changes many different aspects of a Veteran's life and can interrupt relationships in unexpected ways. There are many different reasons why a person's social patterns may have changed, all of which are legitimate and valid. The chapter explains how maintaining social interactions can be difficult while managing symptoms of PTSD, due to avoidance or feeling like others cannot be trusted. This chapter includes a brief assessment to determine the client’s level of social connection and offers ways to rebuild social relationships, such as meeting new people, re-establishing connections, and finding ways to be closer to family.
Session 14: Wrapping Up Group CBT
Authors: Beck J. Gayle
Published: January 2025

This chapter describes the concluding session of the program. It is important for Veterans to consider the road ahead, since recovery from posttraumatic stress disorder is a process, and change is not a straight line when it comes to treatment gains. Even though trauma is likely to remain a bad memory, it should no longer represent a guiding force in the client’s life. Each Veterans’s coping plan can serve as a reminder of the skills learned during the program. The guide can help clients to maintain the gains they made during the treatment program and prevent relapses because of PTSD. Specific skills can be used for specific kinds of PTSD symptoms.
Identifying zooplankton fecal pellets from in situ images
Authors: Perhirin Margaux , Vilgrain Laure , Perrin Geneviève , Lalande Catherine , Picheral Marc , Maps Frédéric , Ayata Sakina-Dorothée
Published: January 2025

Zooplankton play a crucial role in the biological carbon pump by producing sinking particles including sloppy feeding by-products, fecal pellets, molts and carcasses. However, quantifying their impact of these particles on the carbon cycle remains difficult. The contribution of fecal pellets to particulate organic carbon export is usually assessed using fecal pellets collected from sediment traps and laboratory studies. Here, we identified 50 771 fecal pellet-like particles distributed across three morphological clusters. These were extracted from 987 236 in situ images of non-living particles collected from Baffin Bay (Arctic Ocean) using the Underwater Vision Profiler (UVP). We associated which taxonomic groups produced the fecal pellets by comparing the UVP images with observations of fecal pellet morphology and length. Our results emphasize the feasibility of quantifying fecal pellets from in situ images and the importance of developing the resolution of imaging tools that would simultaneously identify smaller fecal pellet-like particles and capture images of large crustacean zooplankton. Using in situ images in identifying fecal pellets will facilitate a better understanding of their dynamics, a more accurate calculation of carbon fluxes, and the representation of fecal pellets in biogeochemical models.
Anesthesia for the Pregnant Patient Undergoing Intracranial Procedures
Authors: Kotadia Naima , Kisilevsky Alexandra E.
Published: January 2025

This focused review explores the current literature on anesthetic care of pregnant patients requiring intracranial intervention. Neuropathology in pregnancy is rare, and existing evidence for management remains limited by the ethical complexities surrounding maternal and fetal research-related risks; pregnant women are typically excluded from randomized controlled trials. Physiological changes during pregnancy, combined with additional fetal considerations, alter pharmacodynamics and complicate the safety profile of maternal interventions. This review highlights the complex interplay between the physiological changes of pregnancy and common neuropathologies in this patient population. Up-to-date strategies for managing elevated maternal intracranial pressure, appropriate timing of delivery relative to neurosurgical intervention, and key medications in neuro-interventional and obstetrical care are described. The appropriateness of imaging, current evidence in stroke management, and consideration for neuraxial anesthesia and awake surgery in pregnant patients are also addressed. Emphasis is placed on the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure safe, patient-centered care tailored to neuropathology, gestational age, and clinical status. Despite recent advances, significant gaps in evidence persist. Further research from large retrospective or observational data sets is recommended to improve evidence-based approaches for managing this complex and uncommon patient population.
Transgression of planetary boundaries and the effects on child health through an infectious diseases lens
Authors: Coleman Mikaela , Khan Palwasha Y. , Linde Lauren , Williams Phoebe C.M. , Marais Ben J.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of review

Life on earth, as we know it, is changing. The likelihood of more frequent pandemics and disease outbreaks is something that current global healthcare infrastructure is ill equipped to navigate. Human activity is forcing our planet into a new geologic epoch, the Anthropocene, which is typified by increased uncertainty resulting from human disruption of earth's life-giving ecosystems. Plagues and pandemics have always been unfortunate partners to periods of disruption, as they will be again if the frequency and severity of climate and conflict-mediated disasters increase in coming years. If we continue to exceed and degrade the planetary boundaries that protect human health, our children and their children will reap the consequences.

Recent findings

Scientists have defined nine ‘safe operating’ planetary boundaries for life in all its glorious diversity to thrive on planet earth. Recent evidence suggests that six of these nine boundaries have already been transgressed, but the potential implications for these transgressions upon child health is not well articulated. We highlight how contravention of these boundaries will impact infectious disease risk and humans’ ability to survive and thrive. We reflect specifically on how paediatricians are called upon to speak up for the most vulnerable members of our species, young children and as yet unborn future generations.

Post COVID-19 initiatives to improve pandemic preparedness and response are certainly warranted, but pandemic prevention should include committed efforts not to exceed safe planetary boundaries. Willingly exceeding these boundaries has deep moral consequences that are poorly articulated by current ethical frameworks. Paediatricians are best placed to develop and champion the neglected ‘third dimension’ of medical ethics, recognizing the moral imperative to protect the long-term best interests of children and future generations.
Coupled strain-gradient plasticity and incoherent martensitic phase boundary kinetics in isotropic solids: theory and analytical results
Authors: Basak Anup
Published: January 2025

A thermodynamically consistent and physically motivated original small strain theory of coupled strain-gradient plasticity and kinetics of incoherent austenite (

A

)-martensite (

M

) phase boundary (PB) is developed for isotropic solids considering yielding of the PBs for the first time. Extending the Mises rate-independent theory for bulk and PBs, the hardenings are considered to depend on the incompatibility tensors, given by double curl of the plastic strain tensor and a tensor related to the jump in curl of the plastic strain tensor across the PBs, respectively, under isotropic symmetry. Thus, the internal length scales are introduced. The coupled PB kinetic law and flow rules for the phases and PBs are derived and used to study the response of a semi-infinite two-phase thin slab with a planar PB under thermomechanical load. However, the existing studies in the literature neglect yielding and kinetic law for the PBs, which is far from the reality. The system of equations is solved semi-analytically during the

A

→

M

transformation, which is the first attempt of this kind, and the results would be the benchmark solution for computational studies on this topic. The effect of the length scales and different loadings on the slab response is studied.
Interaction with refuse piles is associated with co-occurrence of core gut microbiota in workers of the ant Aphaenogaster picea
Authors: Pagalilauan Alison , Pavloudi Christina , Ospina Santiago Meneses , Smith Adam , Saw Jimmy H.
Published: January 2025

Comparing the diversity of gut microbiota between and within social insect colonies can illustrate interactions between bacterial community composition and host behaviour. In many eusocial insect species, different workers exhibit different task behaviours. Evidence of compositional differences between core microbiota in different worker types could suggest a microbial association with the division of labour among workers. Here, we present the core microbiota of Aphaenogaster picea ant workers with different task behaviours. The genus Aphaenogaster is abundant worldwide, yet the associated microbiota of this group is unstudied. Bacterial communities from Aphaenogaster picea gut samples in this study consist of 19 phyla, dominated by Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Firmicutes. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences reveals distinct similarity clustering of Aphaenogaster picea gut bacterial communities in workers that have more interactions with the refuse piles. Though gut bacterial communities of nurse and foraging ants are similar in overall composition and structure, the worker groups differ in relative abundances of dominant taxa. Gut bacterial communities from ants that have more interactions with refuse piles are dominated by amplicon sequence variants associated with Entomoplasmataceae. Interaction with faecal matter via refuse piles seems to have the greatest impact on microbial taxa distribution, and this effect appears to be independent of worker type. This is the first report surveying the gut microbiome community composition of Aphaenogaster ants.
Persistent antigen is essential for sustainingLeishmania-specific memory CD4+T cells and long-term immunity
Authors: Mou Zhirong , Zayats Roma , Salako Enitan , Ikeogu Nnamdi , Onwah Somtochukwu S , Liu Dong , Hamana Hiroshi , Tan Da , Kishi Hiroyuki , Leung Carson , Arsenio Janilyn , Murooka Thomas , Uzonna Jude E
Published: January 2025

Memory T cells are critical for secondary immunity against pathogens, yet their persistence in the absence of antigen remains unclear. While memory CD8+T cells are known to persist independently of their cognate antigen, the durability of memory CD4+T cells in the absence of antigen remains controversial. Recovery from cutaneous leishmaniasis confers lifelong immunity, largely mediated by CD4+T cells, but the necessity of persistent parasites for sustaining this immunity has not been empirically confirmed. We investigated immunity in mice infected with a dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (dhfr-ts)-deficientLeishmania major, which cannot persist due to their thymidine salvage deficiency. These mice lost protection against wild-type challenge, correlating with a decline inLeishmania(PEPCK)-specific CD4+T cells. To further dissect this relationship, we generated PEPCK-specific CD4+TCR transgenic (PEG) mice, enabling precise tracking ofLeishmania-specific memory CD4+T cells. Bothin vitroandin vivo-generated memory PEG cells gradually disappeared over time in the absence of antigen, irrespective of the host’s MHC II status, and this loss paralleled the erosion of infection-induced immunity. PEG and endogenous PEPCK-specific memory cells were not maintained in mice infected withdhfr-ts- orPEPCK-deficientL. major, resulting in loss of recall responses and secondary immunity. These findings demonstrate that continuous antigen presence is crucial for maintainingLeishmania-specific memory CD4+T cells and highlight the role of persistent antigen in sustaining long-term immunity against chronic infections.
Network theory predicts ecosystem robustness across environmental conditions
Authors: Agazzi Germain , Carpentier Camille , Bleeckx Olivia , De Laender Frédérik
Published: January 2025

Theory posits that a network’s link-species relationship predicts how changes in species richnessSlead to changes in the number of linksLbetween species. This relationship quantifies resistance to secondary extinctions and therefore gives pivotal information on ecosystem robustness. However, changes inSoften coincide with environmental shifts, which can lead to unexpected impacts onL. In this paper, we constructed link-species relationships from 18 ecosystems using 1081 observations collected across different environmental conditions. We found that environmental noise (unspecified spatio-temporal variation) and environmental gradients (directional change) profoundly affected ecological network size (SandL), community composition, and induced network rewiring, with a Novotny’s rewiring index up to 0.47. Yet, we found the log(L) ∼ log(S) relationship to be remarkably constant across environmental conditions. Only in two of the 18 ecosystems did we find changes in environmental conditions to shift the log(L) ∼ log(S) relationship down, implying an overall drop inLbut not in how species loss affectsL. Our results show that network theory predicts ecosystem robustness across environmental gradients, which is encouraging for conservation.
TheAspergillus nidulansvelvet domain containing transcription factor VeA is shuttled from cytoplasm into nucleus during vegetative growth and stays there for sexual development, but has to return into cytoplasm for asexual development
Authors: Strohdiek Anja , Köhler Anna M. , Harting Rebekka , Stupperich Helena , Gerke Jennifer , Bastakis Emmanouil , Neumann Piotr , Ahmed Yasar L. , Ficner Ralf , Braus Gerhard H.
Published: January 2025

Survival of multicellular organisms requires the coordinated interplay between networks regulating gene expression and controlled intracellular transport of respective regulators. Velvet domain proteins are fungal transcription factors, which form various heterodimers and play key roles in controlling early developmental decisions towards more either asexual or sexual differentiation. VeA is the central subunit of the trimeric velvet complex VelB-VeA-LaeA, which links transcriptional to epigenetic control for the coordination of fungal developmental programs to specific secondary metabolite synthesis. Nuclear localization of the VeA bridging factor is carefully controlled in fungi. VeA carries three nuclear localization signals NLS1, NLS2 and NLS3, which all contribute to nuclear import. An additional VeA nuclear export sequence (NES) provides a shuttle function, which allows the cell to relocate VeA to the cytoplasm. VeA is nuclear during vegetative growth, but has to be exported from the nucleus to allow and promote asexual development. In contrast, progression of the sexual pathway requires continuous nuclear VeA localization. Accurate nuclear import and export control of velvet proteins is further connected to specific stability control mechanism as prerequisites for fungal development and secondary metabolism. These results illustrate the various complex mutual dependencies of velvet regulatory proteins for coordinating fungal development and secondary metabolism.
Localising enzymes to biomolecular condensates increases their accumulation and benefits engineered metabolic pathway performance inNicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Lindström Battle Anya L. , Barrett Angus W. , Fricker Mark D. , Sweetlove Lee J.
Published: January 2025

Establishment ofN. benthamianaas a robust biofactory is complicated by issues such as product toxicity and proteolytic degradation of target proteins / introduced enzymes. Here we investigate whether biomolecular condensates can be used to address these problems. We engineered biomolecular condensates inN. benthamianaleaves using transient expression of synthetic modular scaffolds. Thein vivoproperties of the condensates that resulted were consistent with them being liquid-like bodies with thermodynamic features typical of multicomponent phase-separating systems. We show that recruitment of enzymes to condensatesin vivoled to several fold yield increases in one- and three-step metabolic pathways (citramalate biosynthesis and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthesis, respectively). This enhanced yield could be for several reasons including improved enzyme kinetics, metabolite channelling or avoidance of cytotoxicity by retention of the pathway product within the condensate, which was demonstrated for PHB. However, we also observed a several-fold increase in amount of the enzymes that accumulated when they were targeted to the condensates. This suggests that the enzymes were more stable when localised to the condensate than when freely diffusing in the cytosol. We hypothesise that this stability is likely the main driver for increased pathway product production. Our findings provide a foundation for leveraging biomolecular condensates in plant metabolic engineering and advanceN. benthamianaas a versatile biofactory for industrial applications.
Extendable optical phase synchronization of remote and independent quantum network nodes over deployed fibers
Authors: Stolk A.J. , Biemond J.J.B. , van der Enden K.L. , van Dooren L. , van Zwet E.J. , Hanson R.
Published: January 2025

Entanglement generation between remote qubit systems is the central tasks for quantum communication. Future quantum networks will have to be compatible with low-loss telecom bands and operate with large separation between qubit nodes. Single-click heralding schemes can be used to increase entanglement rates at the cost of needing an optically phase-synchronized architecture. In this paper we present such a phase synchronization scheme for a metropolitan quantum network, operating in the low-loss telecom L band. To overcome various challenges such as communication delays and optical power limitations, the scheme consists of multiple tasks that are individually stabilized. We characterize each task, identify the main noise sources, motivate the design choices, and describe the synchronization schemes. The performance of each of the tasks is quantified by a transfer-function measurement that investigates the frequency response and feedback bandwidth. Finally we investigate the resulting optical phase stability of the fully deployed system over a continuous period of 10 h, reporting a short-term stability standard deviation of σ≈30∘ and a long-term stability of the average optical phase to within a few degrees. The scheme presented served as a key enabling technology for a nitrogen-vacancy-center-based metropolitan quantum link. This scheme is of interest for other quantum network platforms that benefit from an extendable and telecom-compatible phase-synchronization solution.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Asymmetric long-lived dark matter and leptogenesis from the type-III seesaw framework
Authors: Mahapatra Satyabrata , Paul Partha Kumar , Sahu Narendra , Shukla Prashant
Published: January 2025

We propose a simple model in the type-III seesaw framework to explain the neutrino mass, asymmetric dark matter (DM), and baryon asymmetry of the Universe. We extend the Standard Model with a vectorlike singlet lepton (χ) and a hypercharge zero scalar triplet (Δ) in addition to three hypercharge zero triplet fermions (Σi,i=1, 2, 3). A Z2 symmetry is imposed under which χ and Δ are odd, while all other particles are even. As a result, the lightest

Z

2

odd particle χ behaves as a candidate of DM. In the early Universe, the CP-violating out-of-equilibrium decay of heavy triplet fermions to the Standard Model lepton (L) and Higgs (H) generate a net lepton asymmetry, while that of triplet fermions to χ and Δ generate a net asymmetric DM. The lepton asymmetry is converted to the required baryon asymmetry of the Universe via the electroweak sphalerons, while the asymmetry in χ remains as a DM relic that we observe today. We introduce a singlet scalar Φ, with mass MΦ<Mχ, which not only assists to deplete the symmetric component of χ through the annihilation process χ¯χ→ΦΦ, but also paves a path to detect DM χ at direct search experiments through Φ−H mixing. The electroweak symmetry breaking induces a nonzero vacuum expectation value to Δ, which leads to an unstable asymmetric DM ranging from a few MeV to hundreds of GeV. We then explore the displaced vertex signatures of the charged components of the scalar triplet Δ at colliders.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Probing Gluonic Saturation in Deeply Virtual Meson Production beyond Leading Power
Authors: Boussarie Renaud , Fucilla Michael , Szymanowski Lech , Wallon Samuel
Published: January 2025

Exclusive diffractive meson production represents a golden channel for investigating gluonic saturation inside nucleons and nuclei. In this Letter, we settle a systematic framework to deal with beyond leading power corrections at small x, including the saturation regime, and obtain the γ*→M(ρ,ϕ,ω) impact factor with both incoming photon and outgoing meson carrying arbitrary polarizations. This is of particular interest since the saturation scale at modern colliders, although entering a perturbative regime, is not large enough to prevent higher-twist effects to be sizable.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Determinants of FTAs utilization among Indian textile and clothing exporters: an exploratory study
Authors: Bajaj Parul , Sharma Anuj
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Currently, India has forayed into signing numerous trade agreements with heightened activity being witnessed in recent times. Although government officials anticipate that free trade agreements (FTAs) may potentially enhance exports, numerous exporting firms, particularly the smaller firms remain unaware of the benefits of preferential tariffs. To understand the perceptions relating to the utility of these trade agreements by India’s textile and garment exporter community.

Design/methodology/approach

To accomplish this aim, we conducted in-depth interviews with 16 Indian exporters and two policymakers in the textile and clothing sector. Further, themes and subthemes were obtained using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The results reveal a lack of exporters’ knowledge on the use of trade agreements and their complementary nature as a major impediment to the trade agreements’ usage, the administrative costs are considered high, especially by the smaller enterprises. Further, more public support is demanded by the exporters in the employment of trade agreements.

Practical implications

To ensure the success of FTAs, coordinated government efforts in the sector are essential to boost production and, consequently, enhance trade. The study offers vital policy implications for making the FTA model successful for the stakeholders as well as meeting the government’s economic objectives.

Originality/value

This is the first study, specifically targeting India’s textile and garment exporters to explore their perceptions of trade agreements. This study offers a novel understanding of how trade agreements are perceived and utilized at the grassroots level of international trade.
When digitalization meets sustainability: exploring interactions within a manufacturing firm
Authors: Galvani Serena , Carloni Elisa , Bocconcelli Roberta , Pagano Alessandro
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study explores if and how manufacturing firms can achieve an effective interaction between digitalization and sustainability (in economic, social and environmental terms). The main aim of the study is to understand the extent and nature of the interaction between digitalization and sustainability processes and how business firms manage this interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, in-depth, single case study approach is adopted, drawing upon the Actors-Resources-Activities (ARA) framework proposed by IMP studies. The case of Beta – a manufacturer in the mechatronic sector – is longitudinally analyzed via data collected from sustainability reports and interviews.

Findings

Beyond unveiling the main challenges and intervening factors to accomplish digital-sustainable interaction, the study highlights the need for firms to strategically plan and integrate digital and sustainable initiatives to foster such symbiotic interaction, emphasizing the role of activities, actors and resources in achieving a cohesive digital-sustainable journey.

Originality/value

The originality of the research relies upon the longitudinal perspective on the interaction between digitalization and sustainability and the adoption of an IMP-based approach referring to the ARA framework, which finally lead to novel contributions in both academic and managerial terms.
The impact of sustainability reporting on the cost of capital: evidence from Vietnam’s listed companies
Authors: Nguyen Huu Cuong , Duong Hien Khanh
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between sustainability reporting and the cost of capital among Vietnamese firms using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of the 100 largest firms by market capitalisation listed on the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh stock exchanges as of 31 December 2023, this study applies regression models to examine how sustainability disclosure influences the cost of debt (COD), cost of equity (COE) and the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) over the period from 2021 to 2023.

Findings

The findings indicate a significant negative relationship between sustainability disclosure and the COD, COE and WACC, with environmental-related sustainability development goals (SDGs) disclosures having the most substantial impact. These results highlight the critical role of transparency in reducing information asymmetry and agency costs, ultimately lowering the cost of capital.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends stakeholder and signalling theories by demonstrating how sustainability disclosure affects both shareholders and creditors in a developing economy.

Practical implications

This study provides actionable insights for corporate managers and financial institutions on how sustainable development practices can enhance access to capital at more favourable rates. Policymakers and banks are encouraged to implement green finance initiatives to promote sustainability further.

Social implications

As Vietnam strives to combat climate change, this research underscores the importance of sustainable practices in building trust with investors and lenders.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study offers one of the first comprehensive examinations of the link between sustainability reporting and capital costs in Vietnam, offering important empirical evidence for academics and practitioners.
A sociopolitical perspective on sensegiving and team commitment to change: the role of leader’s change-supportive willingness and political skill
Authors: Li Fangyuan , Zhou Xiaohu , Zhang Hui , Zhang Xueyan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Sensegiving is inherently a sociopolitical activity through which leaders shape their subordinates’ understanding of organizational change. However, it remains unclear as to why and which leaders actively engage in and effectively perform sensegiving during organizational change. This study employs social/political influence theory and develops a two-stage moderated mediation model to address this question. The study aims to examine the antecedent (leader’s willingness to support change) and outcome (team commitment to change) of sensegiving as well as the moderating role of the leader’s political skill in the relationships between the leader’s willingness to support change and sensegiving, and between sensegiving and team commitment to change.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a two-stage, dual-source survey method. In the first stage, data were collected from 56 leaders. In the second stage, data were collected from 271 team members. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that a leader’s willingness to support change positively affects sensegiving, and sensegiving positively affects team commitment to change. The leader’s political skill moderates the effect of the leader’s willingness to support change on sensegiving as well as the effect of sensegiving on team commitment to change. Moreover, a two-stage mediated moderation model shows that the relationship between a leader’s willingness to support change and team commitment to change through sensegiving is moderated by the leader’s political skill.

Originality/value

This study, for the first time, investigates why leaders engage in sensegiving and the collective-level effects of sensegiving during organizational change, deepening our understanding of the antecedents and consequences of sensegiving. Furthermore, by revealing the role of a leader’s political skill in both the engagement in sensegiving and its effectiveness, this study extends our understanding of which leaders actively engage in and effectively perform sensegiving. These findings also contribute to the literature on collective-level change response.
Barriers to advice-seeking by entrepreneurs: the influences of shame, desirability and feasibility
Authors: Ojha Atma Prakash , Nandakumar M.K.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Entrepreneurs often experience rejection, criticism and failure as part of the entrepreneurial journey – which can cause shame. This study examines the influence of shame on advice-seeking and advice-taking. Since advice is known to influence firm performance and entrepreneurs rely on the advice of mentors, advisors and investors, understanding the role of shame in influencing advice-seeking and advice-taking is essential.

Design/methodology/approach

We used an online experimental design on actual entrepreneurs working in business incubators. We asked all participants to evaluate a business idea and then induced shame and neutral emotion in the treatment and control groups, respectively. After emotion manipulation, we showed the expert advice and gave the choice to participants to revisit their earlier assessment.

Findings

We hypothesized that shame would make the entrepreneur less open to seeking advice but more open to utilizing the advice in decision-making. The results showed that we had no support for the impact of shame on advice-seeking and weak support for the impact of shame on advice-taking.

Originality/value

This paper is an original creation of the authors.
Youth entrepreneurship: a systematic literature review of the domain and future research agenda
Authors: Fubah Clavis Nwehfor , Kansheba Jonathan Mukiza , Marobhe Mutaju Isaack , Mohammadparast Tabas Abdollah
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to review the existing literature on youth entrepreneurship (YE), focusing on the context, methodological and theoretical approaches employed, alongside any emerging themes on the subject.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, drawing on an evidence base of 77 articles identified from different databases. These articles were either published in Association of Business Schools (ABS list 2021 edition) or Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) listed journals.

Findings

The review revealed that the majority of research on the topic has been conducted in Africa, employing a quantitative methodology. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been the dominant theoretical lens used by scholars. The four major themes covered on the topic to date include (1) entrepreneurial motivations; (2) entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) and entrepreneurial attitudes (EAs); (3) entrepreneurial competencies, education, training, and support, and (4) innovation and technology adoption.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this SLR is the first review that addresses this fast-growing area of research. This paper incorporated insights on YE across academic disciplines. It also provided a nuanced discussion of the major themes covered in the research and suggested directions for future research.
Systematic literature review on retail agglomeration marketing
Authors: Kuduvalli Manjunath Kavya Shree , Habeeb Safoora , Solomon Priya , Jebarajakirthy Charles , Maseeh Haroon Iqbal , Saha Raiswa , Bharti Anju
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The aim of this study is to perform a systematic literature review on retail agglomeration literature and present an agenda of future research in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

To synthesize and evaluate the retail agglomeration literature, the study adopts a structured systematic literature review approach. Additionally, the study employs the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Methodology (TCCM) framework to present future research directions in the retail agglomeration domain.

Findings

This review proposes a conceptual framework showing the relationships between the antecedents, mediators and consequences reported in the retail agglomeration literature. Lexicometric analysis shows that the key themes of retail agglomeration research are retail store selection and retail performance, retail location strategy and store format, customer perceptions, behavior and expectations.

Research limitations/implications

Specific criteria used for the inclusion of literature limits articles considered for the current systematic review. Also, only those articles published in English were considered.

Practical implications

Based on the proposed model, this review presents strategies to enhance the performance of retail agglomeration.

Originality/value

This study has systematically synthesized the retail agglomeration literature to explore its development over time and proposes a research framework which provides a comprehensive understanding of retail agglomeration literature.
Research on localization control of magneto-controlled capsule endoscopy based on sensor array
Authors: Chi Minglu , Chang Shuaibing , Guo Zuhua , Zhao Qiang , Zhang Guomiao , Meng Fei
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To improve the localization accuracy of the magnetically controlled capsule endoscope (MCCE), a new localization method, based on the magnetic dipole model, is proposed, where the anti-disturbance permanent magnet (APM) is used as the source of stable magnetic field, thus reducing the interference of the geomagnetic field or the electric conductor magnetic field in the system.

Design/methodology/approach

The coupling magnetic force model between the APM and the capsule endoscope is established to obtain the magnetic force relationship and magnetic induction intensity. Along the three axes, magnetic induction intensity data are collected by a 3 × 3 sensor array composed of nine magnetic field intensity sensors, while the data are uploaded to the main computer by the STM32F103C8T6 control board over a ESP8266 WIFI module connection. Next, the axial magnetic induction intensity data are decoupled to obtain the measurement trajectory, whereas the error function is established based on the calculated trajectory parameters. Finally, the Levenberg–Marquardt (L-M) algorithm is used to solve the position information of the MCCE.

Findings

Experiments show that the average localization error of an MCCE in a straight and circular bend tube is 4.76 mm, whereas in a U-bend tube, it is 6.82 mm.

Originality/value

The optimized simulation value in the linear and bending environment is in good agreement with the experimental value, which verifies the accuracy of the MCCE localization system based on magnetic field sensor array, exhibiting good performance in localization and position tracking while providing a theoretical basis for the subsequent research.
High-precision low-cost fabrication of dental surgical guides using dental grade photocurable resin through a hybrid additive-subtractive machine with reverse scanning
Authors: Romario Yulius Shan , Bhat Chinmai , Jiang Wan-Rong , Chou I-Chiang , Weng Dao-Yuan , Ramezani Maziar , Jiang Cho-Pei
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to develop a low-cost additive-subtractive hybrid machine equipped with reverse scanning to fabricate high-precision dental surgical guides. The major focus of developing the hybrid additive manufacturing technology is to achieve clinical precision of dental tools at an affordable price.

Design/methodology/approach

The designed machine consists of a self-developed vat-photopolymerization-based 3D printer that can fabricate dental surgical guides. The 3D printer is integrated with a self-developed 3D scanner that will analyze the fabricated part and evaluate the dimensional discrepancies. Based on the data provided by the scanner, the integrated secondary milling process will successfully machine the part to meet the clinical precision and standard.

Findings

The efficacy of the newly developed hybrid machine is demonstrated with the fabrication of complex part, lower and upper dental surgical guides with the mean dimensional deviations of 198.1, 136.6 and 117.9 µm, respectively. The integration of the secondary scanning and machining system successfully enhanced the mean dimensional deviation of upper and lower guides by 11.88% and 28.75%, respectively. Furthermore, this study also benchmarked the dimensional accuracies achieved by this low-cost technology with the high-end commercial 3D printers. The overall cost of the machine is evaluated to be $2,399.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel hybrid additive manufacturing process with integrated reverse scanning and machining modules to fabricate high-precision dental guides. The developed machine is a low-cost alternative to the existing high-end commercial counterparts. The developed machine has the potential to make endodontic treatments more affordable.
A sound source localization method based on multi-scale cross-STFT complex-valued convolutional neural network
Authors: Liu Mengran , Zhou Chao , Feng Hanghai , Gong Chuanqi , Hu Junhao , Jian Zeming
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to address the limitations of current deep learning algorithms for sound source localization (SSL), which focus on a single feature and frequency scale, neglecting the integration of multi-scale information. The method developed in this study enhances localization accuracy by effectively using the spatial information and spectral diversity provided by microphone arrays.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on a multi-scale cross-short-time Fourier transform (STFT) complex-valued convolutional neural network (CCNN). It uses cross-STFT spectra at different scales to capture detailed acoustic information across various frequencies. The effectiveness of the algorithm was validated through both simulations and experimental studies.

Findings

Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed multi-scale cross-STFT CCNN not only outperforms the single-scale cross-STFT model but also delivers superior localization performance compared to other advanced methods, achieving consistently higher accuracy. The method shows excellent robustness across various signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions and performs well even on imbalanced datasets, confirming its strong generalization capabilities.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a novel approach to SSL that integrates multi-scale information, addressing a key limitation of existing methods. The findings offer significant value to researchers and practitioners in the field of acoustic signal processing, particularly those focused on deep learning-based localization techniques.
Dynamic Interconnectedness of ESG Indices and Crude Oil Prices: A Wavelet Coherence Approach in Asia‐Pacific Markets
Authors: Sharma Chandan , Rani Priya
Published: January 2025

This study examines the interconnectedness between crude oil prices and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) indices in major Asian economies, using wavelet coherence analysis to explore their dynamic co‐movements. The analysis includes daily data from January 2019 to March 2024 for nine economy‐specific ESG indices, an ASEAN regional ESG index, and the Dow Jones Brent Crude Oil Index. Wavelet coherence results reveal high coherence amidst ESG indices and the crude oil index during the COVID‐19 pandemic, indicating a significant synchronized impact on global markets. Post‐2020, the relationship becomes more variable, with intermittent coherence reflecting different phases of economic recovery and responses to new market conditions. Notably, ESG indices often lead crude oil prices, suggesting that they respond anticipatorily to economic signals, sustainability trends, and policy changes. The results highlight the complex and diverse relationships between oil prices and ESG indices. This underscores important implications for investors and policy‐makers striving to balance sustainability goals with economic stability. By contributing to the understanding of regional market dynamics, this research offers valuable insights for developing resilient investment strategies and policies in the context of sustainable finance in Asia.