bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Diversity and Outcomes of Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Diagnosed by Whole Genome Sequencing in Pakistani Children
Authors: Cheema Huma Arshad , Skrahin Aliaksandr , Saeed Anjum , Fayyaz Zafar , Alvi Muhammad Arshad , Anjum Muhammad Nadeem , Waheed Nadia , Rehman Khalil Ur , Malik Ahmad , Skrahina Volha , Rolfs Arndt
Published: February 2024

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a rare group of genetic disorders that typically present in infants and children, often progressing to end-stage liver disease. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) for diagnosis, we aimed to assess phenotypic features and outcomes, in Pakistani children with different types of PFIC. The study included 116 pediatric participants with five PFIC types: PFIC1, ATP8B1 gene (n=19); PFIC2, ABCB11 (n=28); PFIC3, ABCB4 (n=52); PFIC4 TJP2 (n=15); and PFIC5 NR1H4 (n=2). Seventy unique variants were identified across the five genes. Age at genetic diagnosis was higher in PFIC3 patients. Clinical and laboratory findings showed significant overlap among all PFIC types. PFIC3 had a less aggressive course and better survival outcomes compared to PFIC1, PFIC2, and PFIC4. The cumulative survival rate was significantly higher at 89% (95% CI 43-98%) for patients who underwent liver transplantation, compared to 9% (95% CI 1-29%) for those who did not (p=0.016). The study provides the first comprehensive analysis of PFIC in Pakistani children, highlighting significant clinical overlap and the critical need for early genetic diagnosis using WGS. The findings underscore the importance of personalized treatment approaches, including early consideration for liver transplantation, to improve patient outcomes.
A versatile reporter system to study cell-to-cell and cell-free bovine leukemia virus infection
Authors: Rammauro Florencia , Fló Martín , Carrión Federico , Ortega Claudia , Di Nunzio Francesca , Vallmitjana Alexander , Pritsch Otto , Olivero-Deibe Natalia
Published: February 2024

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a B-lymphotropic oncogenic retrovirus of the genusDeltaretrovirusthat infects dairy cattle worldwide and is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis. BLV demonstrates remarkably low efficiency in infecting cells via free viral particles derived from infected B cells, as virions are rarely detected in the bloodstream of infected cattle. However, transmission efficacy significantly increases upon the establishment of direct cell-to-cell interactions. Syncytium formation assays are the main tool in the study of BLV infectivity. Although this traditional method is highly robust, the complexity of visually counting syncytia poses a significant technical challenge. Using lentiviral vectors, we generated a stable reporter cell line, in which the GFP reporter gene is under the control of the full-length BLV-LTR. We have demonstrated that the BLV-Tax protein and histone deacetylases inhibitors, such as VPA and TSA, can transactivate the BLV LTR. Upon co-culturing the reporter cell line with BLV-infected cells, fluorescent syncytia can be visualized. By implementing automated scanning and image acquisition using a confocal microscope, together with the development of an analysis software, we can detect and measure single GFP cells and fluorescent multinucleated cells. In summary, our reporter cell line, combined with the development of analysis software, is a useful tool for understanding the role of cell fusion and cell-free mechanism of transmission in BLV infection.
Nanoscale architecture and dynamics of CaV1.3 channel clusters in cardiac myocytes revealed by single channel nanoscopy
Authors: Schwenzer Niko , Tsukanov Roman , Kohl Tobias , Basak Samrat , Sobitov Izzatullo , Seibertz Fitzwilliam , Kapoor Rohan , Voigt Niels , Enderlein Jörg , Lehnart Stephan E.
Published: February 2024

The clustering of L-type calcium channels for functional regulation of intracellular calcium signaling remains poorly understood. Here we applied super-resolution imaging to study CaV1.3 channel clusters in human iPSC-derived atrial cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-aCM) to analyze subcellular localization, dimensions, architecture, and dynamics, which were largely unexplored previously. STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) imaging characterized the localization and structure of CaV1.3 channel clusters in living cardiomyocytes. DNA Points Accumulation for Imaging in Nanoscale Topography (DNA-PAINT) achieved true molecular resolution, revealing an irregular channel distribution with substantial spacing. Single Particle Tracking (SPT) showed that channels co-diffuse in confined and stationary membrane nanodomains. The cytosolic C-terminal tail of CaV1.3 by itself was found sufficient for cluster formation. In conclusion, our LTCC clustering studies demonstrate that CaV1.3 channel clusters consist of mobile individual channels inside defined membrane nanodomains, in contrast to previous models of dense channel packing.
Resisting the resistance: The antimicrobial peptide DGL13K selects for small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus that show increased resistance to its stereoisomer LGL13K, but not to DGL13K.
Authors: Gorr Sven-Ulrik
Published: February 2024

About 30% of the population are nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of bacteremia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, skin and soft tissue infections. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in particular, are an increasing problem in both hospital and community settings. In this study, we sought to determine the cellular consequences of long-term exposure of S. aureus to the antimicrobial peptide stereo-isomers, DGL13K and LGL13K. Both peptides selected for mutations in the chorismate/menaquinone biosynthetic pathway, which resulted in increased resistance to LGL13K but not DGL13K. DGL13K-selected isolates showed a mutation in aroF, while menA and menH were mutated in LGL13K-selected isolates. The latter also contained a mutation of frsA. The peptide-selected isolates exhibited golden coloration, suggesting increased production of the carotenoid staphyloxanthin, which could enhance resistance to cationic AMPs. The peptide-selected isolates grew as small colony variants, which have also been associated with resistance to AMPs. Addition of menaquinone to the growth medium reduced the generation time of DGL13K-selected mutants, but not LGL13K-selected mutants. Instead, the latter showed greatly reduced ATP-levels, suggesting defective electron transport, which is also associated with menadione auxotrophism. The mechanisms behind the differential effect of DGL13K and LGL13K on S. aureus resistance remain to be elucidated. The finding that DGL13K induced resistance to the stereo-isomer LGL13K but not to DGL13K itself, suggests that peptide primary structure is responsible for inducing bacterial defense mechanisms but the peptide secondary structure determines if the defense mechanisms are effective against each peptide.
Decoupling the molecular versatility of aminoglycosides via drug or target modification enables community-wide antiphage defense
Authors: Kever Larissa , Zhang Qian , Hardy Ael , Westhoff Philipp , Yu Yi , Frunzke Julia
Published: February 2024

The ongoing arms race between bacteria and phages has forced bacteria to evolve a sophisticated set of antiphage defense mechanisms that constitute the bacterial immune system. In our previous study, we highlighted the antiphage properties of aminoglycoside antibiotics, which are naturally secreted byStreptomyces. Successful inhibition of phage infection was achieved by addition of pure compounds and supernatants from a natural producer strain highlighting the potential for community-wide antiphage defense. However, given the dual functionality of these compounds, neighboring bacterial cells require resistance to the antibacterial activity of aminoglycosides to benefit from the protection they confer against phages. In this study, we demonstrated the successful uncoupling of antiphage and antibacterial properties via different aminoglycoside-resistance mechanisms encompassing drug and target site modifications. Furthermore, we confirmed the antiphage impact of aminoglycosides in a community context by co-culturing phage-susceptible, apramycin-resistantS. venezuelaewith the apramycin-producing strainStreptoalloteichus tenebrarius. Given the prevalence of aminoglycoside resistance among natural bacterial isolates that allow functional uncoupling of these compounds, this study highlights the ecological relevance of chemical defense via aminoglycosides at the community level.
Reactive Hall and Edelstein effects in a tight-binding model with spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Kokkinis Emmanouil K. , Betouras Joseph J. , Zotos Xenophon
Published: February 2024

The reactive Hall constant RH, described by reactive (nondissipative) conductivities, is analyzed within linear response theory in the presence of spin-orbit interaction. Within a two-dimensional tight-binding model the effect of Van Hove singularities is studied. Along the same line a formulation of the Edelstein constant is proposed and studied as a function of coupling parameters and fermion filling.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ergodic inclusions in many-body localized systems
Authors: Colmenarez Luis , Luitz David J. , De Roeck Wojciech
Published: February 2024

We investigate the effect of ergodic inclusions in putative many-body localized systems. We consider the random field Heisenberg chain, which is many-body localized at strong disorder and we couple it to an ergodic bubble, modeled by a random matrix Hamiltonian. Recent theoretical work suggests that localized systems are unstable to ergodic bubbles, driving the delocalization transition. We tentatively confirm this by numerically analyzing the response of the on-site purities to the insertion of the bubble. For a range of intermediate disorder strengths, this response decays very slowly, or not at all, with increasing distance to the bubble. This suggests that at those disorder strengths, the system is actually delocalized in the thermodynamic limit. However, the signal is quite weak and artefacts in the numerics cannot be ruled out conclusively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hadrophobic axion from a GUT
Authors: Takahashi Fuminobu , Yin Wen
Published: February 2024

We propose a new kind of axion model derived from the grand unified theory (GUT) based on SU(5)×U(1)PQ. We demonstrate that, given a certain charge assignment and potential flavor models, the axion is naturally hadrophobic and provides a novel explanation for the required condition using isospin symmetry. This axion can be the QCD axion that solves the strong CP problem. Furthermore, to satisfy the limit on the axion-electron coupling from the tip of the red giant branch, we impose the condition of electrophobia to determine a possible Peccei-Quinn charge assignment consistent with GUT. We then discuss the possibility that the hadrophobic and electrophobic axion serves as an inflaton and dark matter, as in the axionlike particle miracle scenario. Interestingly, in the viable parameter region, the strong CP phase must be suppressed, providing another solution to the strong CP problem. This scenario is intimately linked to flavor physics, dark matter searches, and stellar cooling. Detecting such an axion with peculiar couplings in various experiments would serve as a probe for GUT and the origin of flavor.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Outflow energy and black-hole spin evolution in collapsar scenarios
Authors: Shibata Masaru , Fujibayashi Sho , Lam Alan Tsz-Lok , Ioka Kunihito , Sekiguchi Yuichiro
Published: February 2024

We explore the collapsar scenario for long gamma-ray bursts by performing axisymmetric neutrino-radiation magnetohydrodynamics simulations in full general relativity for the first time. In this paper, we pay particular attention to the outflow energy and the evolution of the black-hole spin. We show that for a strong magnetic field with an aligned field configuration initially given, a jet is launched by magnetohydrodynamical effects before the formation of a disk and a torus, and after the jet launch, the matter accretion onto the black hole is halted by the strong magnetic pressure, leading to the spin-down of the black hole due to the Blandford-Znajek mechanism. The spin-down timescale depends strongly on the magnetic-field strength initially given because the magnetic-field strength on the black-hole horizon, which is determined by the mass infall rate at the jet launch, depends strongly on the initial condition, although the total jet-outflow energy appears to be huge >1053  erg depending only weakly on the initial field strength and configuration. For the models in which the magnetic-field configuration is not suitable for quick jet launch, a torus is formed, and after a long-term magnetic-field amplification, a jet can be launched. For this case, the matter accretion onto the black hole continues even after the jet launch, and black-hole spin-down is not found. We also find that the jet launch is often accompanied by the powerful explosion of the entire star with the explosion energy of order 1052  erg by magnetohydrodynamical effects. We discuss an issue of the overproduced energy for the early-jet-launch models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Prospects for direct detection of black hole formation in neutron star mergers with next-generation gravitational-wave detectors
Authors: Dhani Arnab , Radice David , Schütte-Engel Jan , Gardner Susan , Sathyaprakash Bangalore , Logoteta Domenico , Perego Albino , Kashyap Rahul
Published: February 2024

A direct detection of black hole formation in neutron star mergers would provide invaluable information about matter in neutron star cores and finite temperature effects on the nuclear equation of state. We study black hole formation in neutron star mergers using a set of 190 numerical relativity simulations consisting of long-lived and black-hole-forming remnants. The postmerger gravitational-wave spectrum of a long-lived remnant has greatly reduced power at a frequency f greater than fpeak, for f≳4  kHz, with fpeak∈[2.5,4]  kHz. On the other hand, black-hole-forming remnants exhibit excess power in the same large f region and manifest exponential damping in the time domain characteristic of a quasinormal mode. We demonstrate that the gravitational-wave signal from a collapsed remnant is indeed a quasinormal ringing. We report on the opportunity for direct detections of black hole formation with next-generation gravitational-wave detectors such as Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope and set forth the tantalizing prospect of such observations up to a distance of 100 Mpc for an optimally oriented and located source with an SNR of 4.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Estimating stable fixed points and Langevin potentials for financial dynamics
Authors: Wand Tobias , Wiedemann Timo , Harren Jan , Kamps Oliver
Published: February 2024

The geometric Brownian motion (GBM) is a standard model in quantitative finance, but the potential function of its stochastic differential equation (SDE) cannot include stable nonzero prices. This article generalizes the GBM to an SDE with polynomial drift of order q and shows via model selection that q=2 is most frequently the optimal model to describe the data. Moreover, Markov chain Monte Carlo ensembles of the accompanying potential functions show a clear and pronounced potential well, indicating the existence of a stable price.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Non-Hermitian chiral skin effect
Authors: Ma Xin-Ran , Cao Kui , Wang Xiao-Ran , Wei Zheng , Du Qian , Kou Su-Peng
Published: February 2024

The interplay between non-Hermitian effects and topological insulators has become a frontier of research in non-Hermitian physics. However, the existence of a non-Hermitian skin effect for topological-protected edge states remains controversial. In this paper, we discover a new type of the non-Hermitian skin effect called the non-Hermitian chiral skin effect. Non-Hermitian chiral skin effect is induced by inhomogeneous edge dissipation under closed boundary conditions. In particular, the chiral modes of the non-Hermitian chiral skin effect localize around “topological defects” characterized by global dissipation rather than being confined to the system boundaries. We show its detailed physical properties by taking the non-Hermitian Haldane model as an example. As a result, the intrinsic mechanism of the hybrid skin-topological effect in Chern insulators is fully understood via the non-Hermitian chiral skin effect. Therefore this work will be helpful for the research on both non-Hermitian physics and topological quantum states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Kondo effect and its destruction in heterobilayer transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Xie Fang , Chen Lei , Si Qimiao
Published: February 2024

Moiré structures, along with line-graph-based d-electron systems, represent a setting to realize flat bands. One form of the associated strong correlation physics is the Kondo effect. Here, we address the recently observed Kondo-driven heavy fermion state and its destruction in AB-stacked hetero-bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides, which can be controlled by the gate voltages. By studying an effective interacting Hamiltonian using the slave spin approach, we obtained a phase diagram with the total filling factor and the displacement field strength as the tunable parameters. In an extended range of the tunable displacement field, our numerical results show that the relative filling of the d orbital, which is associated with the highest moiré band from the MoTe2 layer, is enforced to be νd≈1 by the interaction. This agrees with the experimental observation. We also argue that the observed high coherence temperature scale could be explained by the non-negligible bandwidth of the d orbital. Our results set the stage to address the amplified quantum fluctuations that the Kondo effect may produce in these structures and new regimes that the systems open up for Kondo-destruction quantum criticality.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Shortcuts to Adiabaticity in Krylov Space
Authors: Takahashi Kazutaka , del Campo Adolfo
Published: February 2024

Shortcuts to adiabaticity provide fast protocols for quantum state preparation in which the use of auxiliary counterdiabatic controls circumvents the requirement of slow driving in adiabatic strategies. While their development is well established in simple systems, their engineering and implementation are challenging in many-body quantum systems with many degrees of freedom. We show that the equation for the counterdiabatic term—equivalently, the adiabatic gauge potential—is solved by introducing a Krylov basis. The Krylov basis spans the minimal operator subspace in which the dynamics unfolds and provides an efficient way to construct the counterdiabatic term. We apply our strategy to paradigmatic single- and many-particle models. The properties of the counterdiabatic term are reflected in the Lanczos coefficients obtained in the course of the construction of the Krylov basis by an algorithmic method. We examine how the expansion in the Krylov basis incorporates many-body interactions in the counterdiabatic term.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Design methodology for combustor in advanced gas turbine engines: a review
Authors: Kim Insong , Jin Hakson , Ri Kwangsong , Hyon Sunbong , Huang Cholhui
Published: February 2024

Purpose

A combustor design is a particularly important and difficult task in the development of gas turbine engines. During studies for accurate and easy combustor design, reasonable design methodologies have been established and used in engine development. The purpose of this paper is to review the design methodology for combustor in development of advanced gas turbine engines. The advanced combustor development task can be successfully achieved in less time and at lower cost by adopting new and superior design methodologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The review considers the main technical problems (combustion, cooling, fuel injection and ignition technology) in the development of modern combustor design and deals with combustor design methods by dividing it into preliminary design, performance evaluation, optimization and experiment. The advanced combustion and cooling technologies mainly used in combustor design are mentioned in detail. In accordance with the modern combustor design method, the design mechanisms are considered and the methods used in every stage of the design are reviewed technically.

Findings

The improved performances and strict emission limits of gas turbine engines require the application of advanced technologies when designing combustors. The optimized design mechanism and reasonable performance evaluation methods are very important in reducing experiments and increasing the effectiveness of the design.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the design methodology for the advanced gas turbine engine combustor.
Factors affecting intention to adopt green building practices: a journey towards meeting sustainable goals
Authors: Siddiqui Rabbia Aslam , Adamu Zulfikar , Ebohon Obas John , Aslam Wajeeha
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The construction industry and its activities harmfully affect the environment. Hence, adopting green building (GRB) practices can be helpful in achieving sustainable development goals. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors affecting the intention to adopt GRB practices by extending theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

Using non-probability purposive sampling technique, data was gathered from consultant and contractor engineers in the construction industry through a questionnaire. The analysis was done using partial least square-structural equation modeling technique on a useful sample of 290.

Findings

Findings revealed that the core constructs of TPB [i.e. attitude (AT), subjective norms (SUBN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC)] significantly affect the intention to adopt GRB practices. Moreover, government support and knowledge of green practices (KNGP) were found to be critical influencing factors on AT, SUBNs and PBC. Lastly, the findings confirmed that environmental concerns (ENC) play as a moderating between SUBN and intention to adopt GRB practices, as well as AT and intention to adopt GRB practices.

Practical implications

This study contributes to existing knowledge on GRB, offering evidence base for policy choices regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation in the construction industry.

Originality/value

This study provides insights from the perspective of a developing economy and confirms the applicability of TPB in the adoption of GRB practices. Moreover, this study confirms the moderation role of ENC in between TPB constructs and intention to GRB that is not tested earlier in the context of GRB. This study also confirms that government sustainable support positively affects PBC, and KNGP significantly affects SUBNs.
Enhancing project success: the impact of sociotechnical integration on project and program management using earned value management systems
Authors: Aramali Vartenie , Gibson George Edward , Sanboskani Hala , El Asmar Mounir
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Earned value management systems (EVMS), also called integrated project and program management systems, have been greatly examined in the literature, which has typically focused on their technical aspects rather than social. This study aims to hypothesize that improving both the technical maturity of EVMS and the social environment elements of EVMS applications together will significantly impact project performance outcomes. For the first time, empirical evidence supports a strong relationship between EVMS maturity and environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 35 projects through four workshops, attended by 31 industry practitioners with an average of 19 years of EVMS experience. These experts, representing 23 organizations, provided over 2,800 data points on sociotechnical integration and performance outcomes, covering projects totaling $21.8 billion. Statistical analyses were performed to derive findings on the impact of technical maturity and social environment on project success.

Findings

The results show statistically significant differences in cost growth, compliance, meeting project objectives and business drivers and customer satisfaction, between projects with high EVMS maturity and environment and projects with poor EVMS maturity and environment. Moreover, the technical and social dimensions were found to be significantly correlated.

Originality/value

Key contributions include a novel and tested performance-driven framework to support integrated project management using EVMS. The adoption of this detailed assessment framework by government and industry is driving a paradigm shift in project management of some of the largest and most complex projects in the U.S.; specifically transitioning from a project assessment based upon a binary approach for EVMS technical maturity (i.e. compliant/noncompliant to standards) to a wide-ranging scale (i.e. 0–1,000) across two dimensions.
The role of robots in logistics
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the growing role of robots in the logistics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, which identifies key challenges facing the industry, this paper discusses robotic applications in warehouses, followed by sections covering transportation and delivery and conclusions.

Findings

The logistics industry faces a number of challenges that drive technological and operational changes. Robots are already playing a role within the warehouse sector and more complex applications have recently arisen from developments in artificial intelligence-enabled vision technology. In the transportation sector, autonomous trucks are being developed and trialled by leading manufacturers. Many major logistics companies are involved and limited services are underway. Last-mile delivery applications are growing rapidly, and trials, pilot schemes and commercial services are underway in Europe, the USA and the Far East. The Chinese market is particularly buoyant, and in 2019, a delivery robot was launched that operates on public roads, based on Level-4 autonomous driving technology. The drone delivery sector has been slower to develop, in part due to regulatory constraints, but services are now being operated by drone manufacturers, retailers and logistics providers.

Originality/value

This paper provides details of existing and future applications of robots in the logistics industry.
IT–business alignment and business model design: a moderated mediation model of organizational learning and data-driven culture
Authors: Chen Yao , Zhang Liangqing , Chen Meng , Liu Hefu
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Drawing on the knowledge-based view, this study investigates how IT–business alignment influences business model design via organizational learning and examines the moderating role of data-driven culture in the relationship between IT–business alignment and business model design via organizational learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Using multi-respondent survey data collected from 597 Chinese firms, mediation and moderated mediation analyses were used to examine this study's hypotheses.

Findings

The mediation test results revealed organizational learning served as a mediator between IT–business alignment and two types of business model design (i.e. novelty- and efficiency-centered). In addition, data-driven culture strengthened the indirect effects of IT–business alignment on these two types of business model design via organizational learning.

Originality/value

This study extends current understandings of the relationship between IT–business alignment and business model design by revealing the mediating role of organizational learning and investigating its indirect effects under various degrees of data-driven culture. As such, it contributes to the literature on the business model and IT–business alignment and provides insights for managers seeking to achieve the expected business model design.
Engineering undergraduates’ knowledge: insights into skills’ awareness, difference and interdependence
Authors: Singh Rajni , Sangwan Kuldip Singh , Sangwan Devika
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study seeks insights into the engineering undergraduates’ knowledge of problem-solving process, teamwork characteristics and communication skills.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study were collected through consecutive sampling technique from 78 engineering undergraduates at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, India on a five-point Likert scale-based questionnaire.

Findings

Exploratory factor analysis results traced three stages of the problem-solving process. However, the results of teamwork characteristics and communication skills validated the literature-based results. An important finding was that all the three skills were correlated. This means that one skill can be used to develop and promote other skills. The paired sample t-test demonstrated that all the three skills were perceived with a difference, which indicates that these skills worked in collaboration without losing their individuality.

Research limitations/implications

This study supports that there is a need to engage learners in an active and collaborative environment to improve the engineering undergraduates’ knowledge of skills.

Originality/value

The conscious effort to make the engineering undergraduates aware would reduce the gap between the graduating engineers skills currently possessed in academia and the required skills at workplace.
Toward an understanding of the personal traits needed in a digital selling environment
Authors: Peesker Karen M. , Ryals Lynette J. , Kerr Peter D.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The digital transformation is dramatically changing the business-to-business (B2B) sales environment, challenging long-standing views regarding the critical competencies required of salespeople. This paper aims to explore the personal traits associated with sales performance in a digital selling environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using template analysis, the researchers captured and coded over 21 h of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with senior sales leaders from various industry sectors, exploring their perceptions of the personal traits now required of B2B salespeople in the digital landscape.

Findings

The research identifies three high-level trait types critical to sales success within a digital selling environment: “analytical curiosity” – the natural motivation and ability to gather and synthesize sales-related knowledge, “empathetic citizenship” – the ability to establish initial rapport while building long-term trust and “disciplined drive” – the exertion of selling effort in a highly focused and methodical manner across all stages of the sales process.

Research limitations/implications

The present data came from interviews with sales leaders in Canada. A more global sample may lead to additional insights. Moreover, the sample was drawn from long-cycle B2B sales environments; conclusions may differ for short-cycle or business-to-consumer markets.

Practical implications

This paper presents a framework for hiring and developing salespeople in the digital sales environment, identifying personal trait types that sales leaders should look for when hiring: analytical curiosity, empathetic citizenship and disciplined drive. The paper identifies how these trait types influence sales success, suggesting that sales leaders could coach and educate their teams to make the best use of them.

Originality/value

This paper presents a conceptual framework for hiring in the digital sales environment and introduces the trait of analytical curiosity not previously discussed in the literature.
The impact of financial and behavioural sunk costs on consumers’ choices
Authors: Kovács Kármen
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a systematic literature review on the sunk cost effect from consumers’ perspectives. By applying a comprehensive approach, this paper aims to synthesise and discuss the impact of financial and behavioural sunk costs on consumers’ decisions, judgements and behaviour before and after purchasing. This study also identifies potential research avenues to inspire further studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a search in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, a systematic literature review was conducted by identifying and analysing 56 peer-reviewed articles published between 1985 and 2022 (November). Descriptive and content analysis was implemented based on the selected papers to examine and synthesise the effect of sunk costs on consumers’ choices, evaluations and actions in a comprehensive approach; uncover research gaps; and recommend paths for future research.

Findings

The research results found in the literature are discussed according to five related themes: factors affecting the sunk cost effect; the impact of past investments on purchasing decisions; consumers’ post-purchasing evaluation, behaviour and choices; the mental amortisation of price; and the sunk cost effect on loyalty and switching.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the comprehensive approach to the sunk cost effect from consumers’ perspectives. This review paper synthesises and discusses the research results found in the literature related to financial and behavioural sunk costs that can influence consumers’ decisions, judgements and behaviour before and after paying for a good or service.
From sequence to simultaneity: tonalities and organizational change in digitalized organizations
Authors: Justesen Lise , Plesner Ursula
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inspire a different way of thinking about digitalization and organizational change by theorizing simultaneity as an alternative to the otherwise dominant root metaphor of sequence in the literature on digitalization and organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical argument is based on a reading of central contributions to the literature on digital technology and organizational change, and particularly inspired by the work positing a constitutive entanglement of technology and organization. We argue for an extension of this line of thinking with a reading of Latour’s notion tonalities. The relevance of the theoretical argument is demonstrated through an illustrative empirical example of the phenomenon digital-ready legislation.

Findings

The paper identifies sequence as a root metaphor in the organization and digital change literature. It develops a simultaneity view and illustrates its relevance through the example of digital-ready legislation, pinpointing how technological, organizational and legal elements are attuned to one another at the same time rather than in sequence.

Practical implications

The sequentiality view has dominated the change management research, which has travelled from research into practice. The simultaneity view has the potential to offer a new approach to planning change, with a focus on the simultaneous alignment of, e.g. legal, organizational and technological elements.

Originality/value

The paper offers an alternative to dominant views on digitalization and organizational change, drawing on an overlooked notion in Latour’s scholarship, namely tonalities. This has potential to qualify the entanglement thesis and develop simultaneity as a new metaphor for understanding digital change.
Timing the transition: gender diversity’s role in family IPOs
Authors: Carbone Emmadonata , Mussolino Donata , Viganò Riccardo
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between board gender diversity (BGD) and the time to Initial Public Offering (IPO), which stands as an entrepreneurially risky choice, particularly challenging in family firms. We also investigate the moderating role of family ownership dispersion (FOD).

Design/methodology/approach

We draw on an integrated theoretical framework bringing together the upper echelons theory and the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) perspective and on hand-collected data on a sample of Italian family IPOs that occurred in the period 2000–2020. We employ ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and alternative model estimations to test our hypotheses.

Findings

BGD positively affects the time to IPO, thus, it increases the time required to go public. FOD negatively moderates this relationship. Our findings remain robust with different measures for BGD, FOD, and family business definition as well as with different econometric models.

Originality/value

The article develops literature on family firms and IPO and it enriches the academic debate about gender and IPOs in family firms. It adds to studies addressing the determinants of the time to IPO by incorporating gender diversity and the FOD into the discussion. Finally, it contributes to research on women and outcomes in family firms.
Nonsimilar analysis of ternary hybrid Eyring–Powell nanofluid flow over a linearly stretching surface
Authors: Jan Ahmed , Afzaal Muhammad F. , Mushtaq Muhammad , Farooq Umer , Hussain Muzammil
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the flow and heat transfer in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ternary hybrid nanofluid (HNF), considering the effects of viscous dissipation and radiation.

Design/methodology/approach

The transport equations are transformed into nondimensional partial differential equations. The local nonsimilarity (LNS) technique is implemented to truncate nonsimilar dimensionless system. The LNS truncated equation can be treated as ordinary differential equations. The numerical results of the equation are accomplished through the implementation of the bvp4c solver, which leverages the fourth-order three-stage Lobatto IIIa formula as a finite difference scheme.

Findings

The findings of a comparative investigation carried out under diverse physical limitations demonstrate that ternary HNFs exhibit remarkably elevated thermal efficiency in contrast to conventional nanofluids.

Originality/value

The LNS approach (Mahesh et al., 2023; Khan et al., 20223; Farooq et al., 2023) that we have proposed is not currently being used to clarify the dynamical issue of HNF via porous media. The LNS method, in conjunction with the bvp4c up to its second truncation level, yields numerical solutions to nonlinear-coupled PDEs. Relevant results of the topic at hand, obtained by adjusting the appropriate parameters, are explained and shown visually via tables and diagrams.
Positive tourism experiences for human transformation: a Horizon 2050 paper
Authors: Neuhofer Barbara
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Through an interdisciplinary lens of positive psychology, this paper aims to explore positive experiences for human transformation, recognising their potential for a positive impact and contribution to the future tourism industry and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review forms the basis for the present paper.

Findings

Based on an in-depth literature review, four main avenues for positive experience design are proposed: designing transformative tourism experiences and measuring long-term impact; designing digital transformative tourism experiences; facilitating and guiding transformative experiences; and training to guide transformative experiences.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the interdisciplinary body of literature on positive psychology, experience design, and human transformation in the context of tourism. Cutting-edge perspectives are outlined to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of how to intentionally design for positive transformative experiences in tourism and make a positive contribution to the SDG 3 good health and well-being.
Effects of dialogic reading elements on children's language development
Authors: Dong Yang , Chow Bonnie Wing‐Yin , Mo Jianhong , Miao Xuecong , Zheng Hao‐Yuan
Published: February 2024

Background

Dialogic reading (DR) is an effective shared reading technique based on the prompts–evaluate–expand–repeat (PEER) sequence, which fosters children's language development. This study examines the effects of its elements by comparing shared reading with prompts with minimal feedback (PMF) and PEER.

Methods

This study included 364 typically developing Chinese kindergarteners and used a randomised control trial design. The children and their parents were divided into three groups, namely, the PMF, PEER and control groups. The children were pre‐ and post‐tested on their language skills and reading interest measures before and after the intervention.

Results

Results showed that after a 12‐week intervention, the children in the PMF group outperformed those in the control group in terms of receptive vocabulary, character reading and listening comprehension. Meanwhile, the children in the PEER group outperformed those in the PMF and control groups not only in terms of the above measures but also in their expressive vocabulary and reading interest.

Conclusions

These results highlight the contribution of parents' questions and the additional benefits of their systematically corrective feedback on kindergarten children's language and reading interest development. This study supports the literature on cognitive engagement theory related to young children's individual language and reading interest development through interactive parent–child DR activities.
Role of energy consumption, information and communications technology, and economic complexity in promoting environmental sustainability: Implications for gulf countries
Authors: Ahmed Abdulqadir Almadani Abraheem , Khalifa Wagdi
Published: February 2024

In this empirical investigation, we analyze the correlation among Information and Communication Technology (ICT), economic complexity, CO2, financial development, and energy in Gulf countries over the period from 1995 to 2019. The study also incorporates the role of financial development and energy in understanding these relationships. Various panel techniques are employed to assess these intricate interconnections. The CSD and slope heterogeneity tests support the adoption of second‐generation techniques. The Westerlund cointegration results affirm a long‐term association between CO2 and the independent variables. The findings from the CS‐ARDL model reveal that economic growth, financial development, and oil energy contribute to increased CO2, resulting in a decline in ecological quality. By contrast, economic complexity and gas energy contribute to improved ecological quality by reducing CO2. The MMQR analysis corroborates these results, establishing significant relationships across various quantile distributions of CO2. Furthermore, with the exception of economic complexity, all the variables demonstrate predictive capabilities concerning CO2. These empirical insights provide practical policy implications aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 9, and 13.
Vital sign measurements demonstrate terminal digit bias and boundary effects
Authors: Kleinig Oliver , To Minh‐Son , Ovenden Christopher D. , Kovoor Joshua G. , Goh Rudy , Lam Lydia , Wenzel Tara , Tan Yiran , Harish Hrishikesh , Gupta Aashray K. , Gluck Sam , Gilbert Toby , Bacchi Stephen
Published: February 2024

Objective

The measurement and recording of vital signs may be impacted by biases, including preferences for even and round numbers. However, other biases, such as variation due to defined numerical boundaries (also known as boundary effects), may be present in vital signs data and have not yet been investigated in a medical setting. We aimed to assess vital signs data for such biases. These parameters are clinically significant as they influence care escalation.

Methods

Vital signs data (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure) were collected from a tertiary hospital electronic medical record over a 2‐year period. These data were analysed using polynomial regression with additional terms to assess for underreporting of out‐of‐range observations and overreporting numbers with terminal digits of 0 (round numbers), 2 (even numbers) and 5.

Results

It was found that heart rate, oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure demonstrated ‘boundary effects’, with values inside the ‘normal’ range disproportionately more likely to be recorded. Even number bias was observed in systolic heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Preference for multiples of 5 was observed for heart rate and blood pressure. Independent overrepresentation of multiples of 10 was demonstrated in heart rate data.

Conclusion

Although often considered objective, vital signs data are affected by bias. These biases may impact the care patients receive. Additionally, it may have implications for creating and training machine learning models that utilise vital signs data.
Novel insights into paternity skew in a polyandrous social wasp
Authors: Orr Sarah E. , Hedrick Nicole A. , Murray Kayla A. , Pasupuleti Abhinav K. , Goodisman Michael A. D.
Published: February 2024

Females of many species are polyandrous. However, polyandry can give rise to conflict among individuals within families. We examined the level of polyandry and paternity skew in the common eastern yellowjacket wasp, Vespula maculifrons, in order to gain a greater understanding of conflict in social insects. We collected 10 colonies of V. maculifrons and genotyped workers and prereproductive queens at highly variable microsatellite markers to assign each to a patriline. Genotypic data revealed evidence of significant paternity skew among patrilines. In addition, we found that patrilines contributed differentially to caste production (worker vs. queen), suggesting an important role for reproductive conflict not previously discovered. We also investigated if patterns of paternity skew and mate number varied over time. However, we found no evidence of changes in levels of polyandry when compared to historical data dating back almost 40 years. Finally, we measured a suite of morphological traits in individuals from the most common and least common patrilines in each colony to test if males that showed highly skewed reproductive success also produced offspring that differed in phenotype. Our data revealed weak correlation between paternity skew and morphological phenotype of offspring sired by different males, suggesting no evidence of evolutionary tradeoffs at the level investigated. Overall, this study is the first to report significant paternity and caste‐associated skew in V. maculifrons, and to investigate the phenotypic consequences of skew in a social wasp. Our results suggest that polyandry can have important consequences on the genetic and social structure of insect societies.