bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RoomTetris in room committing: why the role of minimum-length-of-stay requirements should be revisited
Authors: Battiti Roberto , Brunato Mauro , Battiti Filippo
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze how different room-committing practices affect the occupancy and profitability of hotels and it critically reviews the role of minimum-length-of-stay (MLOS) requirements given these findings.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach uses statistical analysis of simplified contexts to develop understanding, and simulations of more complex situations to confirm the relevance in realistic contexts.

Findings

The study demonstrates that proper solutions of the room-committing problem improve occupancy and profitability, in particular, for hotels working in high-season and high-occupancy situations. Smart committing algorithms diminish the role of MLOS requirements. More demand can be accepted without sacrificing late-arriving long reservations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work, building upon a previous one cited in this paper, is the first to rigorously study the room-committing problem and to demonstrate its relevance in practical situations and its implications on MLOS rules.
Does Islam promote growth: evidence from Arab Muslim countries and non-Arab Muslim countries
Authors: Khalfaoui Hamdi , Guenichi Hassan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of Islam, as a set of moral and cultural values, on economic growth and development for 17 Muslim countries over the period 1990–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify the relationship between Islam and economic growth, the authors have proceeded with an empirical panel data analysis using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The study is conducted initially on a sample of 17 Muslim countries and then on 2 sub-samples composed of 12 Arab Muslim countries and 5 non-Arab Muslim countries.

Findings

The empirical analysis showed a significant negative relationship between Islam and economic growth for the Arab-Muslim countries. While for the non-Arab Muslim countries, the relationship remains positive. Following the introduction of the interactive social variables (unemployment and illiteracy), the authors show that increasing unemployment exacerbates the negative effect of Islam on growth. While the effect of illiteracy remains statistically insignificant. However, for non-Arab Muslim countries, the positive effect of Islam on growth is all the greater as these countries have large social contemplation. However, the introduction of the interactive cultural variables (uncertainty avoidance index and long run orientation), show that the positive effect of Islam on growth is all the more important as the non-Arab Muslim countries have a wider cultural value system. While for the total sample and the sub-sample of Arab-Muslim countries, the cultural dimension does not affect the relationship between Islam and economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

Although there are more religions, the authors have considered only Islam as its relationship with economic, social and cultural development and its influence on the entrepreneurial culture is problematic. Maybe a comparative study between different religions offers us a more convincing result.

Practical implications

Social conditions, cultural heritage and race (Arab or non-Arab) play an important role in determining the relationship between Islam and economic development.

Social implications

The effect of Islam remains dependent on Islamic thought and its long-term orientation, uncertainty avoidance and the level of social value creation in the countries where it is practiced.

Originality/value

On the theoretical and on the empirical level, the analysis of the relationship between Islam and development is rarely addressed in the relevant literature because of its sociologically sensitive aspect. Islam would have a positive effect on growth when it evolves in countries that have built their growth on an extroverted and developed economic model and an adequate social and cultural value creation system. However, unemployment, illiteracy, cultural patrimony and race of the Muslim population (Arab or non-Arab) plays, in the long run, a very important role in determining the relationship between Islam and economic growth.
Critical assessment of success factors of mass collaboration: a case of Jordanian retail companies
Authors: Hatamleh Amer , Kanaan Anas Ghassan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to carry out the critical assessment of success factors of mass collaboration in the context of retail companies operating in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is quantitative in nature in which data has been gathered from the primary sources of information through a survey questionnaire. The employees and managers from the retail sector of Jordan have been considered. Confirmatory factor analysis has been carried out to determine the reliability and validity of the factors that are included in the research model. Quality of model and predictive prevalence has been tested with the help of determining the R-square of the model. Path assessment has also been done as a part of data analysis to assess the statistical significance of the association between different factors and the success of a mass collaboration.

Findings

The analysis determined that organizational structure, the mechanism in collaborative learning along with technologies adopted in collaborative learning, evaluation of learner’s performance and quality of knowledge has a significant effect on mass collaboration within the context of the retail sector in Jordan.

Research limitations/implications

The context of this research is the Jordanian retail sector; hence, it is very concise and cannot be necessarily applied within the context of other industries. This research has adopted a quantitative design where the data was collected with the help of a survey questionnaire based on the close-ended questionnaire. This has limited the answers to the available options given.

Originality/value

The originality of this study has been ensured by carrying out a primary survey with the employees and managers belonging to the Jordanian retail sector to the promising approach to create agile knowledge and share to enhance the organizational context.
Responding to market turbulence by big data analytics and mass customization capability
Authors: Sheng Hongyan , Feng Taiwen , Chen Lucheng , Chu Dianhui
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore how to respond to market turbulence by big data analytics (BDA) capability and mass customization capability (MCC) from the perspective of organizational information processing theory (OIPT).

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the research hypotheses using hierarchical regression analysis by collecting data from 277 Chinese firms.

Findings

The results reveal that supply chain agility (SCA) completely mediates the impacts of technical skills on product-oriented and service-oriented MCC and the impact of data-driven decision-making culture (DDC) on service-oriented MCC. SCA also partially mediates the impacts of managerial skills on two dimensions of MCC and the impact of DDC on product-oriented MCC. In addition, market turbulence strengthens the impact of managerial skills on SCA.

Originality/value

This study provides insightful contributions and implications for enhancing MCC to cope with market turbulence.
Who sells knowledge online? An exploratory study of knowledge celebrities in China
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Chua Alton Y.K. , Pee L.G.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study explores identity signaling used by an emerging class of knowledge celebrities in China – Knowledge Wanghong – who sell knowledge products on online platforms. Because identity signaling may involve constructing unique online identities and controlling over product-related and seller-related characteristics, the purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to uncover different online identities of knowledge celebrities; and (2) to examine the extent to which the online identity type is associated with their product-related characteristics, seller-related characteristics and sales performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A unique data set was collected from a Chinese leading pay-for-knowledge platform – Zhihu – which featured the online profiles of tens of thousands of knowledge celebrities. Online identity types were derived from their self-edited content using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling. Thereafter, their product-related characteristics, seller-related characteristics and respective sales performance were analyzed across different identity types using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple-group linear regression.

Findings

Knowledge celebrities are clustered into four distinctive online identities: Mentor, Broker, Storyteller and Geek. Product-related characteristics, sell-related characteristics and sales performance varied across four different identities. Additionally, the online identity type moderated the relationships among their product-related characteristics, sell-related characteristics and sales performance.

Originality/value

As emerging-phenomenon-based research, this study extends related literature by using the notion of identity signaling to analyze a peculiar group of online celebrities who are setting an important trend in the pay-for-knowledge model in China.
Ownership structure and environmental, social and governance performance disclosure: the moderating role of the board independence
Authors: Al Amosh Hamzeh , Khatib Saleh F.A.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The current study dealt with the ownership structure effect as a potential determinant of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance disclosure in the Jordanian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the content analysis technique, data were collected and analyzed from a final sample of 51 annual reports of Jordanian industrial companies listed for 2012–2019.

Findings

The results show that foreign ownership and state ownership play a critical role in disclosing the ESG performance. Also, the board's independence plays an influential role in improving disclosure quality, enhancing family ownership in disclosure. It also limits the negative role of block holder ownership and managerial ownership on the ESG disclosure.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that deals with the role of ownership structure on the ESG disclosure level separately and collectively through the moderating role of board independence.
Managing COVID-19 in workplaces – a theoretical framework for integral employees’ health
Authors: Gauer Sandra , Germann Barbara
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework on how to deal with stressors emerging from the COVID-19 outbreak. The theoretical framework aims to explain pandemic-related stressors and potential ways to prevent them, considering a wide range of interacting factors at individual, team and organizational levels to ensure their employees’ health.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors drew on an integrative literature review to identify pandemic-related stressors influenceable by the organization and gathered solution approaches to counteract them. Popular psychological stress theories served as a theoretical base for the framework.

Findings

The authors based the framework on an integration of the transactional stress theory (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984) and the job demands resources model (Schaufeli and Bakker, 2004), focusing on their respective theoretical strengths. The final framework offers a solid orientation for scholars regarding the introduction of holistic and strategic measures in coping with pandemic-related stressors. A section describing possibilities for practitioners’ use of the framework has been integrated.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to offer a framework on how to handle COVID-19-related stressors in the workplace by implementing teamwide and companywide measures.
“I got into a very dark place”: addressing the needs of young people leaving care during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Kelly Berni , Walsh Colm , Pinkerton John , Toal Alicia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to report on the findings of a qualitative study that explored the views and experiences of young people leaving care during the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted involving semi-structured interviews with 24 care leavers 18–25 years old from across the region. Interviews were conducted remotely online or by telephone and explored young people’s lived experiences during the pandemic including their views on the formal support services and how best to provide ongoing for support care leavers during the pandemic.

Findings

Study findings highlight how known adversities for care leavers are exacerbated during the pandemic, having a detrimental impact, particularly on their emotional well-being. The response of the state as a corporate parent in mitigating the impact of the pandemic was found to be inadequate; with a need for much clearer communication, transparent and prompt decision-making and targeted specialist mental health services. The account given by the young people also highlighted the importance of participation and relationship-based practice to build on the young people’s resilience in the context of high levels of social isolation and limited access to informal support systems.

Originality/value

This research, based on the views of care experienced young people themselves, is the first study in Northern Ireland to report on the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on care leaving. As such it makes a contribution to this emerging international field of study and, given the persistence of the pandemic, provides empirical findings and a social justice perspective of ongoing relevance to policy and practice with young people leaving care.
A triple-trickle theory for sustainable fashion adoption: the rise of a luxury trend
Authors: Mohr Iris , Fuxman Leonora , Mahmoud Ali B.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This article critically synthesizes the literature on sustainable fashion, the movement behind it and plausible fashion adoption theories. Then, to build on those studies, developing a new theory about adopting sustainable fashion – mainly among millennials and Generation Z who are behind forwarding and adopting this fashion trend – is sought after.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theory-synthesized conceptual article that presents a literature-informed new theoretical structure pronouncing sustainable fashion adoption and its rise as a new luxury trend. That included explicating and unraveling the conceptual foundations and construction elements that different viewpoints use to articulate the trend under investigation and the searches for a common basis to construct a new and improved conceptual framework.

Findings

This study introduces the triple-trickle theory that incorporates the role of media and technology to organize and understand the diffusion of sustainable fashion and identify paths for future trickle-effects on fashion research.

Research limitations/implications

Even though this has the benefit of offering a vast array of views and evidence that offers an adequate problem inspection, further studies providing empirical evidence are needed to establish the external validity of the theory derived from this research.

Practical implications

This theory can be applied to develop targeted practices to understand the diffusion and adoption of sustainable fashion and further practitioners’ understanding of product positioning, target marketing, marketing strategy and luxury opportunities in general.

Originality/value

Though interest in sustainable fashion has increased among consumers, no theory or model exists to explain its adoption. Therefore, the triple-trickle theory is proposed and aimed to be a more relevant framework to offer a theoretical premise for future empirical investigations of sustainable fashion adoption.
Infrastructure investment projects: financing and management mechanisms
Authors: Yurieva Tatiana , Voropaeva Liudmila , Beliakova Maria , Adamchuk Natalia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper analyses the modern market for project finance, its sectorial structure and main development trends. This study aims to form a constructive diagnostic toolkit for investment support of infrastructure design in regions, taking into account spatial asymmetry in the context of an integrated management approach.

Design/methodology/approach

When analyzing the public–private partnership (PPP) project performance, it is reasonable to distinguish the following two levels of discount rates: state and private. To achieve a high level of development of the general infrastructure of a region, a conceptual approach to the formation of investment support for the development of regional infrastructure has been developed.

Findings

The scientific contribution of this study is to improve the approach to modeling investment support for regional infrastructure design in the context of spatial asymmetry. Implementation of infrastructure projects creates prerequisites for sustainable economic growth, improvement in business and investment and social attractiveness of the national economy and its regions.

Practical implications

The practical significance of this study is that its main provisions allow for an effective regional socio-economic policy, based on the systemic development of regional infrastructure and aim at boosting competitiveness.

Originality/value

Recommendations can be used by regional and local authorities to formulate a socio-economic strategy for regional development as well as by representatives of private business who intend to engage in regional PPP projects.
Core self-evaluations and project managers' competencies: the moderating role of cultural intelligence
Authors: Yazdanshenas Mehdi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The study investigates the effects of core self-evaluations on project managers' competencies. The study further examines the moderating effect of cultural intelligence between core self-evaluations and competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, with a descriptive-survey approach, necessary data were collected from a sample of project managers of Iran's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology through questionnaires. The conceptual framework of the study was tested according to structural equation modeling by PLS software.

Findings

Findings show that core self-evaluations have positive and significant effects on project managers' competencies among which psychological stability has the greatest effect. Furthermore, the moderating role of cultural intelligence in the relationship between core self-evaluations and project managers' competencies was confirmed. According to the calculated coefficient, motivational cultural intelligence had the greatest role.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected using a questionnaire at a single point in time, and thus, not allowing cause–effect inferences. Also, the demographic variables were not controlled.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide some implications for HRM professionals and project managers interested in promoting a system of HR practices that contributes to enhancing project managers' competencies and effectiveness.

Originality/value

This study advances our understanding of the factors that have an effect on project managers' competencies, specifically on a list of main competencies necessary for project managers' performance. Moreover, it suggests that project managers' competencies will benefit from cultural intelligence, which will display a greater effect when embedded in highly diverse cultural contexts.
James March and the poetry of leadership
Authors: Badham Richard
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Taking issue with the predominance of reviews of James March’s writings that focus on his technical contributions to organizational studies, this study aims to emphasize the central significance and contemporary relevance of his critical reflections on the meaning of life and work in modern organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a novel framework illustrated by extensive original quotations for capturing and making more accessible March’s profound contribution to organization studies. His work on organizational behaviour and decision-making is viewed as identifying and grappling with three key paradoxes of modernity: of rationality, performance and meaning. His prescriptions on how to handle and address these paradoxes are explored through a focus on his reflections on the poetry of leadership.

Findings

Whilst March himself emphasized that not all of his insights can be captured in an article level overview, March, his collaborator Olsen and others who worked with and studied under him have confirmed the accuracy of the review and the value of the enterprise.

Practical implications

Capturing March’s advocacy of sensible foolishness and playful seriousness in the face of ambiguity, uncertainty and contestation hopefully contribute to enhancing practitioners’ “lightness of being” in coping with and finding meaning in challenging environments.

Originality/value

Through the range of ideas covered, the framework used and the extensive use of March’s own worlds, the study, hopefully, communicates the depth and richness of March’s humanitarian enterprise and the “playfully serious spirit” that he advocates and exemplifies – in a way that is often omitted from narrower, more technical and somewhat dry treatments of his work.
Difficulties observed in hydroelectric turbine projects management: evidence from case studies
Authors: Noggerini Lucas Nascimento , Martins Vitor William Batista , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Quelhas Osvaldo L. Golçalves , Leal Filho Walter , Anholon Rosley
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the difficulties observed in the management of three hydroelectric turbine projects developed by a large multinational company in the metal-mechanic segment, identifying those most critical.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a bibliographic search, difficulties throughout project management were identified. These difficulties were used as a research protocol to carry out three case studies in a hydroelectric turbine manufacturer. The projects selection aimed to contemplate different characteristics to encompass the diversity of their typologies. Data were analyzed through content analysis technique and the difficulties were ordered via Grey Relational Analysis (GRA).

Findings

Qualitative data analysis provided specific insights regarding the characteristics of each project. When analyzing the difficulties of hydroelectric turbine projects management via GRA, it is observed that those difficulties most evidenced were related to integration and communication, suppliers management and objectives definition.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this research lies in the sector under analysis. The literature about hydroelectric turbine projects is scarce. In addition, no similar studies were found in the literature.
Relational governance, strategic planning and firm performance
Authors: Yeniaras Volkan , Kaya Ilker
Published: August 2021

Purpose

While there is growing attention to the efficacy of business and political ties in emerging economies, there are not many studies explicitly examining the relations of business and political ties to small and medium enterprises (SME) strategy formation in emerging economies outside of the East-Asian setting. This study attempts to refine the facilitating role of formal strategic planning (FSP) in the relation of business and political ties to financial firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling and conditional mediation analyses were used.

Findings

The authors show that while business ties are positively related to FSP, political ties are negatively associated with it. In addition, this study provides empirical evidence that FSP positively mediates the relation of business ties to financial performance. Conversely, there exists a negative indirect relationship between political ties and financial performance. This study shows that the demand uncertainty negatively moderates the relation of FSP to financial performance.

Originality/value

The findings offer noteworthy inferences for firm managers and policy makers, who should evaluate the benefits and costs carried by business and political ties.
ENO receives standing ovation for employee engagement
Authors: Cattermole Gary
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on cultural change and how to boost employee engagement for employees in the arts.

Design/methodology/approach

The research consisted of employee surveys, focus groups as well as in depth evaluation and analysis with the senior management team to bring about cultural change in the organisation.

Findings

The results were extremely impressive with 91% of all employees agreeing that they understand the organisation's culture and values and would recommend the ENO as a place to work.

Originality/value

The ENO is an internationally renowned centre for live performance. This work demonstrates how an organisation can bring people together from a vast range of backgrounds, skillsets to become a cohesive and highly engaged team.
Business success in the platform economy depends on the right ecosystem strategy and execution
Authors: Pooya Golnar , Cheng Nathan , Marshall Anthony , Dencik Jacob , Agrawal Namit
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Ecosystems’ digitally enabled networks that enhance corporate value propositions by linking corporate units, suppliers, distributors, partners, customers and other stakeholders -- have become the engine that drives performance and strategic impact across economies. Article examines which ecosystem strategies are appropriate for firms in various situations.

Design/methodology/approach

A new IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) survey of 700 executives involved in decision-making about their organizations’ ecosystem growth and partnering reveals that the companies most focused on ecosystem engagement consistently generate higher growth and more business value.

Findings

Analysis of the executive responses identified four distinct strategic approaches for ecosystem activity – Accelerate, Expand, Ignite and Reposition.

Practical/implications

Success is likely only if firms pursue the right ecosystem strategy for their situation, with the right business partners, executed the right way.

Originality/value

Ecosystems can enhance the value of products or services through both competition and cooperation with partners and rivals. For enterprises battling dislocation and disruption, ecosystems promote agility and resilience and can identify new revenue opportunities. As such, ecosystems have been the essential vehicle for growth and expansion for many corporations.
A reprise of TQM practices among construction enterprises in Nigeria
Authors: Babatunde Oluwayomi Kayode
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Studies on total quality management (TQM) implementation among construction enterprises in Nigeria have used few TQM constructs and variables and yielded fragmented results. This study adopts comprehensive TQM constructs and variables for comparison with the previous studies to establish the critical variables for effective TQM practices in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection from a stratified sample of Nigerian construction practitioners with practical or theoretical knowledge of TQM, using web-based questionnaires consisting of twelve validated TQM implementation constructs and 65 variables. 72 home and overseas practicing professionals participated (21% response rate) using nonprobability sampling techniques. Following acceptable Cronbach's alpha reliability values equal to 0.7, the author/s rank-ordered the twelve TQM constructs and 65 TQM variables. Then, they computed the z-scores and the percentiles to identify the TQM critical variables – 75th percentiles and above, contrasted with the threshold normalized values equal to 0.5. Furthermore, Pareto analysis determined the 20% “vital many” responsible for 80% of the problem.

Findings

Customer focus, top management commitment and supplier quality management were the top-25% constructs, while employee involvement, statistical process control and design quality management were the bottom-25% constructs. Thirteen TQM critical variables emerged from the top-25% constructs.

Practical implications

Top management to involve employees to be customer-focused and driven toward suppliers' quality management system. Priority should be given to implementing the critical variables advanced in this study.

Originality/value

This study juxtaposes the results of similar studies for consistency to advance the critical success factors.
Technology and leadership styles: a review of trends between 2003 and 2021
Authors: Dhamija Pavitra , Chiarini Andrea , Shapla Shara
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Leadership style denotes the behavioural pattern of a leader, which bears on employee's attitude, perception about organization, manager and job satisfaction. The existence of different styles has presented leadership from diverse perspectives related to individuals' personality and behaviour. The main objective of this article is to explore the association between leadership styles and technology, major themes in this area and what can be the future research directions of this work.

Design/methodology/approach

Leadership style denotes the behavioural pattern of leader, which bears on employee's attitude, perception about organization, manager and job satisfaction. The existence of different styles has presented leadership from diverse perspectives related to individuals' personality and behaviour. The present article aims to review significant work by eminent researchers towards technology and leadership styles in the form trends, annual scientific production; popular affiliations and sources, a three-field plot of countries, scholars and themes, most cited references, trending keywords, thematic analysis of leadership styles and technology research by taking insights from situational leadership theory.

Findings

The findings indicate connections between various keywords and provide interesting themes like transformational leadership style is connected to knowledge management, transactional leadership, empowering leadership, psychological capital and e-leadership. Similarly, leadership is connected to leadership development, gender stereotypes, emotional exhaustion, innovative leadership and organizational performance.

Originality/value

This review analysis of leadership styles and technology is in itself a novice contribution and first of its nature. The identified themes are presenting good knowledge and food for thought for future researches.
Future perspectives on progressive farming with adoption of virtual reality technology for sustainable quality in agriculture
Authors: Kumari Sneha , Raghuram P. , Venkatesh V.G. , Shi Yangyan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to evaluate how progressive stakeholders view the adoption of contemporary techniques such as virtual technology in driving sustainable quality in an emerging economy context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a systematic literature review to develop the theoretical framework for virtual reality (VR) technology adoption in sustaining quality in agriculture production. The framework was refined after discussion with a panel of academic experts. The refined theoretical framework was further empirically validated using Partial Least Square Structure Equation Modelling.

Findings

The study focuses on the future perspective of the perception for progressive farming with the adoption of VR technology in an emerging economy. The data were collected from the stakeholders (farmers, collectives, cooperative, etc.), for their future perspectives for the adoption of VR technology and sustainable quality agriculture production. The study may help build up VR technology in emerging economies which may take years to be established.

Research limitations/implications

The perception of the future perspective of VR technology study conducted has limitations. The findings are well established on technology adoption; however, the technology used will take many extra years to find its application in the agriculture sector. The study offers insightful theoretical, managerial and policy implications for sustainable quality in agriculture production through the adoption of virtual reality (VR) technology. The authors found very few works that focused on VR technology adoption.

Originality/value

The study discusses VR, which has an impact on sustaining the quality of agriculture production. The study has notable managerial and policy implications that suggest the future perspective for VR technology in agriculture production. The study is an unexplored area that needs research to capture future perspectives.
Numerical modeling of liquid sloshing in flexible tank with FSI approach
Authors: Khouf Lydia , Benaouicha Mustapha , Seghir Abdelghani , Guillou Sylvain
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to present a numerical modeling procedure for the analysis of liquid sloshing in a flexible tank subjected to an external excitation, with taking into account the effects of fluid–structure interaction (FSI).

Design/methodology/approach

A numerical model based on coupling a two-phase flow solver and an elastic solid solver is developed in OpenFOAM code. The Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation is adopted for the two-phase Navier–Stokes equations in a moving domain. The volume of fluid (VOF) method is applied for the air–liquid interface tracking. The finite volume method is used for the spatial discretization of both the fluid and the structure dynamics equations. The FSI coupling problem is solved by an explicit coupling scheme. The model is validated for linear and nonlinear sloshing cases. Then, it is used to analyze the effects of the liquid sloshing on the dynamic response of the tank and the effects of the tank flexibility on the liquid sloshing.

Findings

The obtained results show that the flexibility of the tank walls amplifies the amplitude of the sloshing and increases the fluctuation period of the air–liquid interface. Furthermore, it is found that the bending moment acting on the tank walls may be underestimated when rigid walls assumption is adopted as usually done in sloshing tank modeling. Also, tank walls flexibility causes a phase shift in the free surface dynamic response.

Originality/value

A review of previous studies on liquid sloshing in flexible tanks revealed that FSI effects have not been clearly and comprehensively analyzed for large-amplitude liquid sloshing. Many physical and numerical aspects of this problem still require clarifications and enhancements. The added value of the present work and its originality lie in the investigation of large-amplitude liquid sloshing in flexible tanks by using a staggered coupling approach. This approach is carried out by an original combination of a linear solid solver with a two phase fluid solver in OpenFOAM code. In addition, FSI effects on some response quantities, identified and analyzed herein, have not been found in the previous works.
Diversity begets diversity: Low resource heterogeneity reduces the diversity of nut‐nesting ants in rubber plantations
Authors: Miao Bai‐Ge , Peng Yan‐Qiong , Yang Da‐Rong , Guénard Benoit , Liu Cong
Published: August 2021

One of the most general patterns in ecology is the positive relationship between environmental heterogeneity and local diversity. On the one hand, increased resource heterogeneity provides more resources for diverse consumers in the community. On the other hand, increased structural heterogeneity creates variation in the environment's physical structure, thus allowing the coexistence of diverse species with different environmental requirements. Here, we examined the relative importance of resource and structural heterogeneity in determining the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of nut‐nesting ants in natural rainforest and rubber plantation. The species richness of nut‐nesting ants was 70% higher in rainforest than in rubber plantation. The clustered functional and phylogenetic structure in rubber plantation suggested a strong effect of environmental filtering in shaping ant functional and phylogenetic structure. Nesting heterogeneity (nut diversity) was the major factor explaining variation in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, suggesting that resource heterogeneity plays a major role in shaping the biodiversity patterns of nut‐nesting ants. Overall, these results indicate that decreased resource diversity following the conversion of rainforest to rubber plantation can drive biodiversity loss in nut‐nesting ants, through its effect on reducing both ant species, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. The decline in species richness and functional and phylogenetic diversity in the local ant community might have major effects on ecosystem functioning.
Arabis alpina: A perennial model plant for ecological genomics and life‐history evolution
Authors: Wötzel Stefan , Andrello Marco , Albani Maria C. , Koch Marcus A. , Coupland George , Gugerli Felix
Published: August 2021

Many model organisms were chosen and achieved prominence because of an advantageous combination of their life‐history characteristics, genetic properties and also practical considerations. Discoveries made in Arabidopsis thaliana, the most renowned noncrop plant model species, have markedly stimulated studies in other species with different biology. Within the family Brassicaceae, the arctic–alpine Arabis alpina has become a model complementary to Arabidopsis thaliana to study the evolution of life‐history traits, such as perenniality, and ecological genomics in harsh environments. In this review, we provide an overview of the properties that facilitated the rapid emergence of A. alpina as a plant model. We summarize the evolutionary history of A. alpina, including genomic aspects, the diversification of its mating system and demographic properties, and we discuss recent progress in the molecular dissection of developmental traits that are related to its perennial life history and environmental adaptation. From this published knowledge, we derive open questions that might inspire future research in A. alpina, other Brassicaceae species or more distantly related plant families.
Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs)‐derived osteopontin (OPN) upregulatesPD‐L1expression and predicts poor prognosis in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Authors: Li Yue , Liu Hailin , Zhao Yujie , Yue Dongsheng , Chen Chen , Li Chenguang , Zhang Zhenfa , Wang Changli
Published: August 2021

Background

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) is widely known as an immune checkpoint molecule in tumor cells. Osteopontin (OPN) is expressed by both tumor cells and tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), and both autocrine and paracrine of OPN are considered to be involved in tumor metastasis, proliferation and immunosuppression. However, little is known about the relationship between OPN expressed in TAMs (TOPN) and PD‐L1 in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Tissue microarray was used to detect the expression of TOPN, TAMs and PD‐L1 by multiple quantitative fluorescence staining in 509 NSCLC patients undergoing complete pulmonary resection. The correlations between TOPN, PD‐L1 and clinicopathological data were analyzed. An in vitro coculture system was established to investigate the crosstalk between TOPN and neoplastic PD‐L1. In vivo, the intrinsic features of PD‐L1 in NSCLC xenografts were evaluated after being coinjected with OPN‐positive TAMs, and a series of key cytokines and chemokines were detected in the tumor microenvironment.

Results

A positive association between the TOPN and PD‐L1 expression in tumor tissues from 509 patients with NSCLC was verified. In addition, TOPN and PD‐L1 were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) of NSCLC patients. Moreover, TOPN upregulated PD‐L1 expression in NSCLC cells through the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway in vitro TOPN induced the PD‐L1 expression promoted the tumor growth in tumor‐bearing mice, altering immune‐related cytokines and chemokines.

Conclusions

TOPN regulates PD‐L1 expression through the NF‐κB pathway in NSCLS, which is a potential independent biomarker and target for prognosis as well as immunotherapy.
Dextran‐based priming solution during cardiopulmonary bypass attenuates renal tubular injury—A secondary analysis of randomized controlled trial in adult cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Kolsrud Oscar , Barbu Mikael , Dellgren Göran , Björk Kerstin , Corderfeldt Anna , Thoren Anders , Jeppsson Anders , Ricksten Sven‐Erik
Published: August 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a well‐known complication after cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In the present secondary analysis of a blinded randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of a colloid‐based versus a conventional crystalloid‐based prime on tubular injury and postoperative renal function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB.

Methods

Eighty‐four adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were randomized to receive either a crystalloid‐ or colloid‐ (dextran 40) based CPB priming solution. The crystalloid solution was based on Ringer‐Acetate plus mannitol. The tubular injury biomarker, N‐acetyl‐b‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG), serum creatinine and diuresis were measured before, during and after CPB. The incidence of AKI was assessed according to the KDIGO criteria.

Results

The urinary‐NAG/urinary‐creatinine ratio rose in both groups during and after CPB, with a more pronounced increase in the crystalloid group (p = .038). One hour after CPB, the urinary‐NAG/urinary‐creatinine ratio was 88% higher in the crystalloid group (4.7 ± 6.3 vs. 2.5 ± 2.7, p = .045). Patients that received the dextran 40‐based priming solution had a significantly lower intraoperative diuresis (p < .001) compared to the crystalloid group. The incidence of AKI was 18% in the colloid and 22% in the crystalloid group (p = .66). Postoperative serum creatinine did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, colloid‐based priming solution (dextran 40) induced less renal tubular injury compared to a crystalloid‐based priming solution. Whether a colloid‐based priming solution will improve renal outcome in high‐risk cardiac surgery, or not, needs to be evaluated in future studies on higher risk cardiac surgery patients.
Oxygenation targets in ICU patients with COVID‐19: A post hoc subgroup analysis of the HOT‐ICU trial
Authors: Rasmussen Bodil S. , Klitgaard Thomas L. , Perner Anders , Brand Björn A. , Hildebrandt Thomas , Siegemund Martin , Hollinger Alexa , Aagaard Søren R. , Bestle Morten H. , Marcussen Klaus V. , Brøchner Anne C. , Sølling Christoffer G. , Poulsen Lone M. , Laake Jon H. , Aslam Tayyba N. , Bäcklund Minna , Okkonen Marjatta , Morgan Matthew , Sharman Mike , Lange Theis , Wetterslev Jørn , Schjørring Olav L.
Published: August 2021

Background

Supplemental oxygen is the key intervention for severe and critical COVID‐19 patients. With the unstable supplies of oxygen in many countries, it is important to define the lowest safe dosage.

Methods

In spring 2020, 110 COVID‐19 patients were enrolled as part of the Handling Oxygenation Targets in the ICU trial (HOT‐ICU). Patients were allocated within 12 h of ICU admission. Oxygen therapy was titrated to a partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) of 8 kPa (lower oxygenation group) or a PaO2 of 12 kPa (higher oxygenation group) during ICU stay up to 90 days. We report key outcomes at 90 days for the subgroup of COVID‐19 patients.

Results

At 90 days, 22 of 54 patients (40.7%) in the lower oxygenation group and 23 of 55 patients (41.8%) in the higher oxygenation group had died (adjusted risk ratio: 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–1.32). The percentage of days alive without life support was significantly higher in the lower oxygenation group (p = 0.03). The numbers of severe ischemic events were low with no difference between the two groups. Proning and inhaled vasodilators were used more frequently, and the positive end‐expiratory pressure was higher in the higher oxygenation group. Tests for interactions with the results of the remaining HOT‐ICU population were insignificant.

Conclusions

Targeting a PaO2 of 8 kPa may be beneficial in ICU patients with COVID‐19. These results come with uncertainty due to the low number of patients in this unplanned subgroup analysis, and insignificant tests for interaction with the main HOT‐ICU trial.

Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03174002.

Date of registration: June 2, 2017.
Increased Toll‐like Receptor‐MyD88‐NFκB‐Proinflammatory neuroimmune signaling in the orbitofrontal cortex of humans with alcohol use disorder
Authors: Vetreno Ryan P. , Qin Liya , Coleman Leon G. , Crews Fulton T.
Published: August 2021

Background

Many brain disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), are associated with induction of multiple proinflammatory genes. One aspect of proinflammatory signaling is progressive increases in expression across cells and induction of other innate immune genes. High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) heteromers contribute to amplification by potentiating multiple proinflammatory responses, including Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). TLR signaling recruits coupling proteins linked to nuclear transcription factors that induce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and their respective receptors. We tested the hypothesis that AUD induction of TLR expression increases levels of proinflammatory genes and cellular signaling cascades in association with neurodegeneration in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC).

Methods

Postmortem human OFC tissue samples (n = 10) from males diagnosed with AUD were compared to age‐matched moderate drinking controls (CON). Neuroimmune signaling molecules were assessed using immunohistochemistry for protein and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for messenger RNA (mRNA).

Results

In the AUD OFC, we report induction of the endogenous TLR agonist HMGB1 as well as all TLRs assessed (i.e., TLR2‐TLR9) except TLR1. This was accompanied by increased expression of the TLR adaptor protein myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), activation of the proinflammatory nuclear transcription factor nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), and downstream induction of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and their corresponding receptors. Several of these proinflammatory signaling markers are expressed in glia and neurons. The induction of HMGB1‐TLR‐MyD88‐NFκB proinflammatory signaling pathways correlates with neurodegeneration (i.e., Fluoro‐Jade B), lifetime alcohol consumption, and age of drinking onset.

Conclusion

These data implicate the induction of HMGB1‐TLR‐MyD88‐NFκB cascades through coordinated glial and neuronal signaling as contributors to the neurodegeneration seen in the postmortem human OFC of individuals with AUD.