bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-PINGUIN: Microtiter plate-based ice nucleation detection in gallium with an infrared camera
Authors: Wieber Corina , Jeppesen Mads Rosenhøj , Finster Kai , Melvad Claus , Šantl-Temkiv Tina
Published: September 2023

Ice nucleation particles play a crucial role in atmospheric processes e.g., they can trigger ice formation in clouds and thus influence their lifetime and optical properties. The quantification and characterization of these particles require reliable and precise measurement techniques. In this publication, we present a novel droplet freezing instrument to measure immersion freezing of biotic and abiotic ice-nucleating particles within the temperature range of 0 °C to −25 °C. Immersion freezing of the samples is investigated using 384-well PCR plates with a sample volume of 30 µl. Nucleation events are detected with high precision using a thermal camera that records the increase in infrared emission due to the latent heat release. To maximize the thermal contact between the PCR plate and the surrounding cooling unit, we use a gallium bath as a mount for the PCR plate. The combination of good thermal connectivity and precise temperature recording enables accurate (± 0.81 °C at −10 °C) and reproducible (± 0.20 °C) detection of the nucleation temperatures.

For comparison with already existing instruments, the new ice nucleation instrument, “micro-PINGUIN”, was characterized using Snomax®(hereafter Snomax) and Illite NX suspensions. The results are in agreement with what has been reported in the literature for the already existing instruments. Consequently, the results that will be produced using the micro-PINGUIN are of good quality and can be compared to the results produced by other validated instruments for the study of immersion freezing of various ice nucleating particles. Further, we investigated the reproducibility of experiments using Snomax suspensions and found poor reproducibility when suspensions were prepared freshly even if the same batch of Snomax is used. This could be attributed to substrate heterogeneity, aging effects, and dilution errors. The reproducibility of the measurements is greatly improved for Snomax suspensions that are prepared in advance and stored frozen in aliquots. Thus, we suggest the use of suspensions frozen in aliquots for further reproducibility measurements and intercomparison studies.
Dissolving microneedle array patches containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles of different pore sizes as a tunable sustained release platform
Authors: Paris Juan L. , Vora Lalitkumar K. , Pérez-Moreno Ana M. , Naser Yara A. , Anjani Qonita Kurnia , Cañas José Antonio , Torres María José , Mayorga Cristobalina , Donnelly Ryan F.
Published: September 2023

Dissolving microneedle array patches (DMAPs) enable efficient and painless delivery of therapeutic molecules across thestratum corneumand into the upper layers of the skin. Furthermore, this delivery strategy can be combined with the sustained release of nanoparticles to enhance the therapeutic potential in a wide variety of pathological scenarios. Among the different types of nanoparticles that can be included in microneedle formulations, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of tuneable pore sizes constitute a promising tool as drug delivery systems for cargos of a wide range of molecular weights. However, the development of efficient methods to produce DMAP containing large amounts of MSNs of different pore sizes has not been reported. In this work, DMAP containing MSNs with varying pore sizes was prepared and characterized. After synthesizing and characterizing MSNs, the pore size of the nanoparticles (in the range of 3 to 13 nm for S-MSN and XL-MSN, respectively) was observed to influence the loading and release of both small and large molecules, using fluorescein and ovalbumin (OVA) as model cargos. Moreover, a new preparation method was developed to produce DMAP containing large amounts of these MSNs located mainly in the microneedle tips. The successful insertion of these DMAPs was confirmedin vitro(using Parafilm),ex vivo(using excised neonatal porcine skin) andin vivo(in the back of mice) models. The dissolution of the microneedles and deposition of the nanoparticles inside the skin were also confirmed bothex vivoandin vivousing fluorescent nanoparticles, with complete microneedle dissolution after 2 h of insertionin vivo. Through histological studies, the microneedle-delivered MSNs were found to end up inside antigen presenting cells in the skin tissue (either F4/80+macrophages or CD11c+dendritic cells). For this reason, the uptake and biological effect of the MSNs was evaluatedin vitroin dendritic cells, showing that while smaller pore MSNs were taken up by cells more efficiently (with over 80 % of S-MSN uptake compared toca. 55 % for XL-MSNs), the dendritic cells treated with OVA- loaded XL-MSNs underwent the largest degree of activation (inducing over 25 % of CD40 expression compared to less than 2 % for OVA-loaded S- MSNs). Finally, the immune response to OVA-loaded XL-MSNs in mice was evaluated after repeated administration either subcutaneously or through DMAP. The results of this experiment showed comparable levels of anti-ovalbumin immunoglobulin generation through both routes of administration (with significant production of OVA-specific IgG1 and IgG2b antibodies), highlighting the good potential of this delivery platform for vaccination or immunotherapy applications.
Spatial association between distributed β-amyloid and tau varies with cognition
Authors: Carbonell Felix , McNicoll Carolann , Zijdenbos Alex P. , Bedell Barry J. ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2023

Several PET studies have explored the relationship between β-amyloid load and tau uptake at the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression. Most of these studies have focused on the linear relationship between β-amyloid and tau at the local level and their synergistic effect on different AD biomarkers. We hypothesize that patterns of spatial association between β-amyloid and tau might be uncovered using alternative association metrics that account for linear as well as more complex, possible nonlinear dependencies. In the present study, we propose a new Canonical Distance Correlation Analysis (CDCA) to generate distinctive spatial patterns of the cross-correlation structure between tau, as measured by [18F]flortaucipir PET, and β-amyloid, as measured by [18F]florbetapir PET, from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study. We found that the CDCA-based β-amyloid scores were not only maximally distance-correlated to tau in cognitively normal (CN) controls and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but also differentiated between low and high levels of β-amyloid uptake. The most distinctive spatial association pattern was characterized by a spread of β-amyloid covering large areas of the cortex and localized tau in the entorhinal cortex. More importantly, this spatial dependency varies according to cognition, which cannot be explained by the uptake differences in β-amyloid or tau between CN and MCI subjects. Hence, the CDCA-based scores might be more accurate than the amyloid or tau SUVR for the enrollment in clinical trials of those individuals on the path of cognitive deterioration.
Polysaccharides fromBalanophora harlandiiHook: Isolation, Characterization, and Anti-Inflammation Activities
Authors: Li Yuanyang , Li Xueqing , Yuan Qi , Zhu Leiqi , Xia Fangqi , Wang Yaqi , Xue Mengzhen , He Yumin , Yuan Chengfu
Published: September 2023

Balanophora harlandiiHook (B. harlandii), a folk medicine, has been traditionally employed to treat traumatic bleeding, gastroenteritis, icteric hepatitis, hemorrhoids, and other conditions. In this work, polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory effects were extracted and purified fromB. harlandii.The extraction conditions were optimized, and the properties of one purified neutral fraction, denoted as BHPs-W-S3, were analyzed. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was carried out to measure the molecular weight. The structure of BHPs-W-S3 was assessed based on monosaccharide composition analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. BHPs-W-S3 has a molecular weight of 14.1 kDa, and its three main monosaccharides are glucose, galactose, and mannose with a molar ratio of 6.4:1.7:1.1. Its main chain consists of →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, and it has branch chains at the O-4 and/or O-3 positions. In addition,in vitroexperiments show that the polysaccharides fromB. harlandican decrease the phosphorylation level of p65 and IKB-α in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells to reduce the expression of the pro-inflammatory genes such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β.

Abstract Figure
Stakeholder perspectives on contributors to delayed and inaccurate diagnosis of cardiovascular disease: a UK-based qualitative study
Authors: Abdullayev K , Gorvett O , Sochiera A , Laidlaw L , Chico TJA , Manktelow M , Buckley O , Condell J , Van Arkel RJ , Diaz-Zuccarini V , Matcham Faith
Published: September 2023

Objective

The aim of this study is to understand stakeholder experiences of cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis to support the development of technological solutions that meet current needs. Specifically, we aimed to identify challenges faced by stakeholders in the process of diagnosis of CVD; to identify discrepancies between patient and clinician experiences of CVD diagnosis, and to make recommendations for the requirements of future health technology solutions intended to improve CVD diagnosis.

Design

The qualitative data was obtained using semi-structured focus groups and 1-1 interviews.

Participants

UK-based individuals (N = 32) with lived experience of diagnosis of CVD (n = 23) and clinicians with experience in diagnosing CVD (n = 9).

Results

Thematic analysis of focus groups and interview transcripts produced four key themes related to challenges contributing to delayed or inaccurate diagnosis of CVD: Symptom Interpretation, Patient Characteristics, Patient-Clinician Interactions, and Systemic Challenges. Sub-themes from each theme are discussed in depth.

Conclusions

Challenges related to time and communication were greatest for both stakeholder groups, however there were differences in other areas, for example patient experiences highlighted difficulties with the psychological aspects of diagnosis and interpreting ambiguous symptoms, while clinicians emphasised the role of individual patient differences and the lack of rapport in contributing to delays or inaccurate diagnosis. Key takeaways from this qualitative study were summarised into a table of considerations to highlight key areas that require prioritisation for future research aiming to improve the efficiency and accuracy of CVD diagnosis using digital technologies.
Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Small Aortic Annulus: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Rodés-Cabau Josep , Ribeiro Henrique , Mohammadi Siamak , Serra Vicenç , Al-Atassi Talal , Iniguez Andres , Vilalta Victoria , Nombela-Franco Luis , de Ibarra Jose Ignacio Saez , Auffret Vincent , Forcillo Jessica , Conradi Lenard , Urena Marina , Moris Cesar , Muñoz-Garcia Antonio , Paradis Jean-Michel , Dumont Eric , Kalavrouziotis Dimitri , Pomerantzeff Pablo Maria , Rosa Vitor Emer Egypto , Lopes Mariana Pezzute , Sureda Carles , Jimenez Diaz Victor Alfonso , Giuliani Carlos , Avvedimento Marisa , Pelletier-Beaumont Emilie , Pibarot Philippe
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and small aortic annulus (SAA) remains to be determined. The objectives of this study were to compare the hemodynamic and clinical outcomes between transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with a SAA.

METHODS

Prospective multicenter international randomized trial performed in 15 university hospitals. Participants were 151 patients with severe AS and SAA (mean diameter <23 mm) were randomized (1:1) to TAVR (n=77) vs SAVR (n=74), The primary outcome was impaired valve hemodynamics (i.e. severe prosthesis patient mismatch [PPM] or moderate-severe aortic regurgitation [AR]) at 60 days as evaluated by Doppler-echocardiography and analyzed in a central echocardiography core laboratory. Clinical events were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 75±5 years, with 93 of women, a median STS of 2.5 (1.7-3.3)%, and a mean annulus diameter of 21.1±1.2 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

This trial will provide clinicians with scientific evidence to determine if population with smaller aortic anatomy in the setting of severe AS maybe better suited to TAVR compared with SAVR.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT03383445
Comparative reservoir competence ofPeromyscus leucopus, C57BL/6J, and C3H/HeN forBorrelia burgdorferiB31
Authors: Bourgeois Jeffrey S. , You Stephanie S. , Clendenen Luke H. , Shrestha Muskan , Petnicki-Ocwieja Tanja , Telford Sam R , Hu Linden T.
Published: September 2023

Borrelia burgdorferi, a Lyme disease spirochete, causes a range of acute and chronic maladies in humans. However, a primary vertebrate reservoir in the United States, the white-footed deermousePeromyscus leucopus, is reported not to have reduced fitness following infection. While laboratory strains ofMus musculusmice have successfully been leveraged to model acute human Lyme disease, the ability for these rodents to modelB. burgdorferi-P. leucopusinteractions remains understudied. Here we compared infection ofP. leucopuswithB. burgdorferiB31 with infection of the traditionalB. burgdorferimurine models—C57BL/6J and C3H/HeNMus musculus, which develop signs of inflammation akin to human disease. We find thatB. burgdorferiwere able to reach much higher burdens (10- to 30-times higher) in multipleM. musculusskin sites, and that the overall dynamics of infection differed between the two rodent species. We also found thatP. leucopusremained transmissive to larvalIxodes scapularisfor a far shorter period than eitherM. musculusstrain. In line with these observations, we found thatP. leucopusdoes launch a modest but sustained inflammatory response againstB. burgdorferiin the skin, which we hypothesize leads to reduced bacterial viability and rodent-to-tick transmission in these hosts. Similarly, we also observe evidence of inflammation in infectedP. leucopushearts. These observations provide new insight into reservoir species and theB. burgdorferienzootic cycle.

Importance

A Lyme disease-causing bacteria,Borrelia burgdorferi, must alternate between infecting a vertebrate host—usually rodents or birds—and ticks. In order to be successful in that endeavor the bacteria must avoid being killed by the vertebrate host before it can infect a new larval tick. In this work we examine howB. burgdorferiand one of its primary vertebrate reservoirs,Peromyscus leucopus, interact during an experimental infection. We find thatB. burgdorferiappear to colonize its natural host less successfully than conventional laboratory mouse models which aligns with a sustained seemingly anti-bacterial response byP. leucopusagainst the microbe. These data enhance our understanding ofP. leucopushost-pathogen interactions and could potentially serve as a foundation to uncover ways to disrupt the spread ofB. burgdorferiin nature.
Structural pathway for class III PI 3-kinase activation by the myristoylated GTP-binding pseudokinase VPS15
Authors: Cook Annan S. I. , Chen Minghao , Ren Xuefeng , Rao Shanlin , Garcia Samantha N. , Claveras Cabezudo Ainara , Iavarone Anthony T. , Hummer Gerhard , Hurley James H.
Published: September 2023

The class III phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase complexes I and II (PI3KC3-C1 and -C2) are central to the initiation of macroautophagy and endosomal maturation, respectively. Through three-dimensional classification of a large cryo-EM dataset of human PI3KC3-C1 bound to the small GTPase RAB1A, we were able to map the structural pathway of enzyme activation. The inactive conformation is stabilized by anN-myristoyl modification of the pseudokinase (PK) subunit VPS15. TheN-myristate is sequestered in the N-lobe of the VPS15 PK domain, which stabilizes a series of interactions whereby VPS15 sequesters and blocks the catalytic and membrane binding units of the VPS34 lipid kinase. In the activated conformation, theN-myristate and the VPS34 lipid kinase domain are liberated to interact with membranes and catalyze PI3P formation. The VPS15 PK domain contains a unique Arg at the gatekeeper position and binds tightly to GTP. GTP binding structurally stabilizes theN-myristate “in” conformation, which promotes the inactive conformation. This pathway provides a general mechanism for PI3KC3 activation in autophagy and endosome biogenesis and a roadmap for their pharmacological upregulation.
Phylogenomics and ancestral reconstruction of Korarchaeota reveals genomic adaptation to habitat switching
Authors: Tahon Guillaume , Köstlbacher Stephan , Pelve Erik A. , Baker Brett J. , Saw Jimmy H. , Eme Laura , Tamarit Daniel , Schön Max Emil , Ettema Thijs J. G.
Published: September 2023

Our knowledge of archaeal diversity and evolution has expanded rapidly in the past decade. However, hardly any genomes of the phylum Korarchaeota have been obtained due to the difficulty in accessing their natural habitats and – possibly – their limited abundance. As a result, many aspects of Korarchaeota biology, physiology and evolution remain enigmatic. Here, we expand this phylum with five high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes. This improved taxon sampling combined with sophisticated phylogenomic analyses robustly places Korarchaeota at the base of TACK and Asgard clades, revisiting the phylum’s long-assumed position. Furthermore, we observe a clear split between terrestrial and marine thermal clades. Gene tree-aware ancestral reconstructions suggest that the last Korarchaeota common ancestor was a thermophilic autotroph. In contrast, Korarchaeaceae, the lineage where environmental transitions occurred, shifted towards a heterotrophic lifestyle. Terrestrial Korarchaeota gained manycasand CARF genes indicating they may need to manage viral infections. Together, our study provides new insights into these early diverging Archaea and suggests that gradual gene gain and loss shaped their adaptation to different thermal environments.

Importance

Korarchaeota are an ancient group of archaea, but their biology, physiology and evolution have remained obscure. Analysis of five novel Korarchaeota MAGs, and publicly available reference data provides robust phylogenomic evidence that Korarchaeota are placed at the base of Asgard archaea and TACK, revisiting the phylum’s long-assumed position. Gene content reconstruction suggests a versatile thermophilic and autotrophic last Korarchaeota common ancestor. Environmental distribution surveying of public databases places all Korarchaeota in thermophilic environments and indicates that their habitat is limited to hydrothermal vents and hot springs. Our modeling indicates at least two transitions linked to habitat switching between these environments in the evolutionary history of Korarchaeota. Both are linked to a significant alteration of the inferred ancestral gene content, including a shift towards a heterotrophic and potential scavenging lifestyle. Furthermore, hot spring Korarchaeota acquired various genes participating in resistance to viruses, suggesting they may need to manage frequent viral threats.
A complex and dynamic redox network regulating oxygen reduction at photosystem I
Authors: Hani Umama , Naranjo Belen , Shimakawa Ginga , Espinasse Christophe , Vanacker Hélène , Sétif Pierre , Rintamäki Eevi , Issakidis-Bourguet Emmanuelle , Krieger-Liszkay Anja
Published: September 2023

Thiol-dependent redox regulations of enzyme activities play a central role in regulating photosynthesis. Beside the regulation of metabolic pathways, alternative electron transport has been shown to be subjected to thiol-dependent regulation. We investigated the regulation of O2reduction at photosystem I. The level of O2reduction in leaves and isolated thylakoid membranes depends on the photoperiod in which plants are grown. We used a set of Arabidopsis mutant plants affected in the stromal, membrane and lumenal thiol network to study the redox protein partners involved in regulating O2reduction. Light-dependent O2reduction was determined in leaves and in thylakoids of plants grown in short day and long day conditions using a spin-trapping EPR assay. In wild type samples from short day, ROS generation was twice the amount of that in samples from long day, while this difference was abolished in several redoxin mutants. An in vitro reconstitution assays showed that thioredoxin m, NADPH-dependent reductase C (NTRC) and NADPH are required for high O2reduction levels in long day thylakoids. Using isolated photosystem I, we also show that reduction of a PSI protein is responsible for the increase in O2reduction. Furthermore, differences in the membrane localization of thioredoxins m and 2-Cys peroxiredoxin were demonstrated between thylakoids of short day and long day plants. Finally, we propose a model of redox regulation of O2reduction according to the reduction power of the stroma and the capabilities of the different thiol-containing proteins to form a network of redox interactions.
Correlations between patterns of activity and the response to treatment yield distinct signatures for different antidepressive treatments
Authors: Spulber Stefan , Elberling Frederik , Ceccatelli Sandra , Gärde Martin , Tiger Mikael , Lundberg Johan
Published: September 2023

Alterations in circadian patterns of activity have been described in several psychiatric disorders, and in major depressive disorder (MDD) have been associated with symptom severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between activity patterns and the response to different antidepressive treatments. We used actigraphy recordings acquired in three independent clinical trials investigating the response to internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), escitalopram, or ketamine, where symptom severity was assessed on MADRS scale. Data processing procedure was designed to extract features describing individual circadian cycles, as well as the average circadian profile for each subject. The analysis of effects of antidepressive treatments on single features (independently from magnitude of response) showed alterations in treatment-specific subsets of features. Further analysis revealed distinct correlations between longitudinal changes in individual features and the response to iCBT, escitalopram, or ketamine. Linear regression ensembles modeling the response to treatment were trained on actigraphy recorded during the depressive episode, before intervention. The analysis of coefficients following Bayesian model averaging showed that better response to iCBT was associated with weaker circadian entrainment; better response to ketamine was associated with more robust circadian entrainment and higher fragmentation of activity patterns; while higher age and steeper propensity to sustain activity was associated with better response to either iCBT or ketamine. Our data suggest that the analysis of circadian patterns of activity can potentially be used for predicting the response to specific MDD treatments, however larger confirmatory studies are required.

Highlights

Different antidepressant treatments alter specific subsets of features of activity patterns.

The magnitude of response to treatment correlate with changes in patterns of activity.

Patterns of activity correlate with the response to specific antidepressive treatments.
Stromal-derived NRG1 enables oncogenic KRAS bypass in pancreas cancer
Authors: Han Jincheng , Xu Jiaqian , Liu Yonghong , Liang Shaoheng , LaBella Kyle A. , Chakravarti Deepavali , Spring Denise J. , Xia Yan , DePinho Ronald A.
Published: September 2023

Activating KRAS mutations (KRAS*) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) drive anabolic metabolism and support tumor maintenance. KRAS* inhibitors show initial antitumor activity followed by recurrence due to cancer cell-intrinsic and immune-mediated paracrine mechanisms. Here, we explored the potential role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in enabling KRAS* bypass and identified CAF-derived NRG1 activation of cancer cell ERBB2 and ERBB3 receptor tyrosine kinases as a mechanism by which KRAS*-independent growth is supported. Genetic extinction or pharmacological inhibition of KRAS* resulted in up-regulation of ERBB2 and ERBB3 expression in human and murine models, which prompted cancer cell utilization of CAF-derived NRG1 as a survival factor. Genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of ERBB2/3 or NRG1 abolished KRAS* bypass and synergized with KRASG12Dinhibitors in combination treatments in mouse and human PDAC models. Thus, we found that CAFs can contribute to KRAS* inhibitor therapy resistance via paracrine mechanisms, providing an actionable therapeutic strategy to improve the effectiveness of KRAS* inhibitors in PDAC patients.
Crystal structure of bis{3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-[6-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,4-triazol-3-ato}iron(II)–methanol–chloroform (1/2/2)
Authors: Znovjyak Kateryna , Fritsky Igor O. , Sliva Tatiana Y. , Amirkhanov Vladimir M. , Malinkin Sergey O. , Shova Sergiu , Seredyuk Maksym
Published: September 2023

The unit cell of the title compound, [Fe(C18H15N6O2)2]·2CH3OH·2CHCl3, consists of a charge-neutral complex molecule, two methanol and two chloroform molecules. In the complex, the two tridentate 2-(5-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-6-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ligands coordinate to the central FeII ion through the N atoms of the pyrazole, pyridine and triazole groups, forming a pseudo-octahedral coordination sphere. Neighbouring tapered molecules are linked through weak C—H(pz)...π(ph) interactions into one-dimensional chains, which are joined into two-dimensional layers through weak C—H...N/C/O interactions. Furthermore, the layers stack in a three-dimensional network linked by weak interlayer C—H...π interactions of the methoxy and phenyl groups. The intermolecular contacts were quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, revealing the relative contributions of the contacts to the crystal packing to be H...H 32.0%, H...C/C...H 26.3%, H...N/N...H 13.8%, and H...O/O...H 7.5%. The average Fe—N bond distance is 2.185 Å, indicating the high-spin state of the FeII ion. Energy framework analysis at the HF/3–21 G theory level was performed to quantify the interaction energies in the crystal structure.
Non-linearity in the Phillips curve: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Onatunji Olufemi Gbenga , Adeleke Oluwayemisi Kadijat , Adejumo Akintoye Victor
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study reinvestigates the validity of the Phillips curve in Nigeria for the period 1980–2020 by considering the asymmetric nexus between unemployment and inflation.

Design/methodology/approach

The nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) technique was used to decompose the unemployment variable into two components: tight and loosened labour markets.

Findings

The empirical outcome shows that unemployment has a significant negative effect on inflation when the labour market is tight and a weakly negative and significant effect on inflation when the labour market is loose. The study confirms an asymmetric Phillips curve in Nigeria since the positive (tight) unemployment rate exerts a greater effect on inflation than the negative (loosened) unemployment rate.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have important implications for implementing monetary policy in Nigeria.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the existence of a nonlinear Phillip curve in Nigeria.
Navigating the postpandemic theme park experience: an experiencescape perspective
Authors: Samuel Saragih Harriman
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to ascertain the fundamental characteristics that influence the theme park experience during the period following the pandemic, using the experiencescape framework.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain electronic word-of-mouth data, this research leverages Google Maps reviews and uses diverse Python libraries for computational and natural language processing-based analyses.

Findings

In the context of theme parks during a pandemic, visitors tend to convey favorable attitudes and engage in discourse pertaining to six primary themes or subjects, i.e. health and safety protocols, ride and queue management, sanitation measures, promotional pricing, family-oriented amenities and exciting escapades.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the continued relevance of the experiencescape framework during the COVID-19 pandemic and the dynamic nature of its five dimensions. Furthermore, it underscores the intricate interplay between these dimensions and advocates for a comprehensive approach to experiencescape management.

Originality/value

The research addresses a notable gap in existing literature by examining the pandemic’s impact on theme park experiences, using natural language processing techniques for insights gleaned from online reviews. In doing so, this study contributes a more profound and nuanced comprehension of the theme park experience in the post-COVID era.
The adoption of digital payments in emerging economies: challenges and policy responses
Authors: Putrevu Jayaprada , Mertzanis Charilaos
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to present a comprehensive overview of the emergence and significance of digital payments, focusing on their impact on competitiveness and the need for policy interventions. In addition, it explores the design of policies that promote the adoption of digital payments, highlighting the benefits they offer to providers and users.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the technological advances that have driven the growth of digital payment systems. It identifies key requirements for successful adoption and discusses the associated risks, along with potential strategies to mitigate these risks.

Findings

The findings emphasize the importance of responsible implementation and safeguarding the well-being of end users to fully realize the benefits of digital payment adoption. Understanding the inherent risks and establishing effective risk mitigation mechanisms are crucial. This necessitates the development of appropriate infrastructure to support the provision of digital payment services.

Research limitations/implications

More research is needed to gain deeper insights into how emerging global trends in financial technology should be analyzed and understood by policymakers, service providers and users.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can guide policymakers, private sector managers and consumers in comprehending the effects of emerging digitalization trends and determining their adoption responses accordingly.

Originality/value

This paper stands out as one of the few research contributions that provide comprehensive and actionable policy recommendations to facilitate a smooth transition to a digital payments ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
Accounting information quality in the digital era – a perspective from ERP system adoption?
Authors: Abu Afifa Malik , Saleh Isam , Vo Van Hien
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Based on the technology acceptance model theory, this study aims to explore whether perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PE) and the availability to embrace technology (AET) influence the intention to accept an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in Jordanian companies. It also analyses the influence of the intention to accept ERP system on ERP system adoption. More crucially, the current research fills a gap in earlier investigations by exploring the influence of adopting an ERP system on accounting information quality moderated by a company size.

Design/methodology/approach

This research seeks to provide evidence about the study context from Jordanian companies, as the research population and sample consist of all companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange in 2022 (totally 170 companies). This signifies that the research method is a complete survey of the study population. The core data were collected using an online survey via Google Forms. It was emailed to the selected companies’ chief financial officers. Because each company received one online survey questionnaire, this unit of analysis is a company. Finally, 141 questionnaires were returned, reflecting an 82.94% response rate.

Findings

Empirically, the findings reveal that PU, PE and AET influence the intention to accept an ERP system, and that there is a positive relation between the intention to accept an ERP system and ERP system adoption. Furthermore, ERP system adoption positively influences relevance and faithful representation of accounting information moderated by company size.

Originality/value

This research adds to the accounting information quality literature by investigating the direct influence of ERP system adoption. Furthermore, the findings show the effectiveness of ERP system adoption and its regulatory roles in companies. Finally, this research was conducted to provide empirical knowledge on ERP system adoption in developing countries, notably Jordan.
Analyzing the online public sentiments related to Russia-Ukraine war over Twitter
Authors: Gulzar Rahat , Gul Sumeer , Verma Manoj Kumar , Darzi Mushtaq Ahmad , Gulzar Farzana , Shueb Sheikh
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Sharing and obtaining information over social media has enabled people to express their opinions regarding any event. Since the tweets regarding the Russia-Ukraine war were extensively publicized on social media, this study aims to analyse the temporal sentiments people express through tweets related to the war.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant hashtag related to the Russia-Ukraine war was identified, and tweets were downloaded using Twitter API, which were later migrated to Orange Data mining software. Pre-processing techniques like transformation, tokenization, and filtering were applied to the extracted tweets. VADER (Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning) sentiment analysis module of Orange software was used to categorize tweets into positive, negative and neutral ones based on the tweet polarity. For ascertaining the key and co-occurring terms and phrases in tweets and also to visualize the keyword clusters, VOSviewer, a data visualization software, was made use of.

Findings

An increase in the number of tweets is witnessed in the initial days, while a decline is observed over time. Most tweets are negative in nature, followed by positive and neutral ones. It is also ascertained that tweets from verified accounts are more impactful than unverified ones. russiaukrainewar, ukraine, russia, false, war, nato, zelensky and stoprussia are the dominant co-occurring keywords. Ukraine, Russia and Putin are the top hashtags for sentiment representation. India, the USA and the UK contribute the highest tweets.

Originality/value

The study tries to explore the public sentiments expressed over Twitter related to Russia-Ukraine war.
CEO overconfidence and tax avoidance: role of institutional and family ownership
Authors: Souguir Zahra , Lassoued Naima , Bouzgarrou Houssam
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of overconfident chief executive officers (CEOs) on corporate tax avoidance and whether this relationship is affected by institutional and family ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of French-listed firms from 2009 to 2021, the authors find that firms managed by overconfident CEOs engage in more tax avoidance practice.

Findings

The authors further find that institutions and families are likely to discourage tax avoidance practices, paying close attention to their long-term horizons and reputational concerns. Overall, the authors' findings shed light on the monitoring role of institutional and family shareholders in restraining the effect of CEO behavioral bias on companies' tax avoidance.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, no study has investigated the impact of managerial overconfidence on the tax behavior of French firms. The authors also extend the growing literature regarding managerial effects by providing new evidence that French firms held by concentrated institutional and family ownership curtail CEO overconfidence behavior toward corporate tax avoidance practices.
Embracing paradox and contingency: integration mechanisms for ambidextrous innovation portfolio management
Authors: Killen Catherine P. , Sankaran Shankar , Knapp Michael , Stevens Chris
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how organizations manage and integrate exploration and exploitation across the innovation project portfolio. Such ambidextrous capabilities are required for organizations to innovate and succeed in today's rapidly changing competitive environment. Understanding how exploration and exploitation projects are integrated can illustrate ways to enhance ambidexterity and boost learning for the benefit of both approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-case study approach was used to explore innovation portfolio management in six large organizations that emphasize innovation in their strategies.

Findings

The findings draw upon concepts of paradox and contingency to reveal that the inherent tension between formality and flexibility in managing innovation project portfolios is aligned with the need for organizational ambidexterity that maintains effective exploitative innovation while supporting explorative innovation capabilities. Four integration mechanisms are identified that enhance ambidexterity across the innovation portfolio by embedding processes for transition from exploration to exploitation and cross-fertilizing knowledge to build innovation capability across both exploration and exploitation.

Practical implications

Managers may find inspiration on ways to enhance learning by bridging exploration and exploitation projects from the four types of integration mechanisms. Recognizing the paradoxical nature of the tension between formality and flexibility in project and portfolio management may also help guide organizations to effectively develop ambidextrous approaches to enhance overall innovation outcomes.

Originality/value

In contrast to perspectives which suggest that paradox and contingency approaches represent disparate perspectives, the authors demonstrate how they can complement each other and work together through innovation portfolio management to support ambidexterity at the portfolio and project levels.
Prioritizing the attributes of sustainable banking performance
Authors: Sharma Deergha , Kumar Pawan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Growing concern over sustainability adoption has presented an array of challenges to businesses. While vital to an economy's success, banking is not immune to societal, environmental and economic consequences of business practices. The study has examined the sustainable performance of banking institutions on the suggested multidimensional framework comprising economic, environmental, social, governance and financial dimensions and 52 sustainability indicators. The study benchmarks the significant performance indicators of leading banks indispensable to sustainable banking performance. The findings attempt to address research questions concerning the extent of sustainable banking performance, ranking the sustainability dimensions and indicators and standardizing sustainability adoption metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the responsiveness of the banking industry to sustainability dimensions, content analysis was conducted using NVivo software for the year 2021–2022. Furthermore, a hybrid multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is used by integrating entropy, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija KOmpromisno Resenje (VIKOR) to provide relative weights to performance indicators and prioritize banks based on their sustainable performance. Sensitivity analysis is used to ensure the robustness of results.

Findings

In the context of the Indian banking industry, the pattern of sustainability reporting is inconsistent and concentrated on addressing environmental and social concerns. The results of the entropy methodology prioritized “Environmental” sustainability over other selected dimensions while “Financial” dimension has been assigned the least priority in the ranking order. The significant sustainable performance indicators delineated in this study should be used as standards to ensure the accountability and credibility of the sustainable banking industry. Additionally, the research findings will provide valuable inputs to policymakers and regulators to assure better contribution of the banking sector in meeting sustainability goals.

Originality/value

Considering the paucity of studies on sustainable banking performance, this study makes two significant contributions to the literature. First, the suggested multidimensional disclosure model integrating financial and nonfinancial indicators would facilitate banking institutions in addressing the five aspects of sustainability. As one of the first studies in the context of the Indian banking industry, the findings would pave the way for better diffusion of sustainability practices. Second, the inclusion of MCDM techniques prioritizes the significance of sustainability indicators and benchmarks the performance of leading banks to achieve better profits and more substantial growth.
Virtual assets and the prevention of money laundering: a critical and comparative analysis of the laws of Mauritius, Japan and South Africa
Authors: Beebeejaun Ambareen , Mahadew Bhavna
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Due to their particular nature, virtual assets (VA) are vulnerable to financial crimes such as money laundering and if the appropriate legal mechanisms are not established, this may result in the financial collapse of various economies. To this effect, best practices and standards have been published by some international organisations such as the Financial Action Task Force and IMF which are now domesticated in the national laws of several countries. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyse the anti-money laundering (AML) legislative framework in the context of VA in three countries, namely, Mauritius, Japan and South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research objective, the Mauritian AML laws in the context of VA were compared with the corresponding laws of some other countries, namely, Japan and South Africa. As such, a qualitative research method was adopted. In particular, the black letter approach was used to examine the relevant laws of these countries. A comparative analysis was conducted concerning the relevance of AML laws for each country when dealing with VA with the view of suggesting recommendations for Mauritian stakeholders to adopt to enhance the existing AML legal and regulatory framework.

Findings

The comparative study conducted has revealed that there are both similarities and divergences among the AML framework of the three countries further to which this research recommends that the Mauritian laws must be amended concerning the duration of information storage on VA, the definition of VA, advertisement by VA service providers and the electronic submission of annual reports. The Mauritian regulatory bodies also need to play a more active role in their joint collaboration to monitor suspicious VA transactions to combat money laundering.

Originality/value

At present, this study will be among the first academic writings on the efficiency of AML laws in the context of VA in Mauritius and also, because existing literature is quite scarce on assessing the adequacy of AML legislation in developing countries, this research aims at filling in the gap in literature. This study is carried out with the aim of combining a large amount of empirical, theoretical and factual information that can be of use to various stakeholders and not only to academics.
Organizational stakeholders and environmental sustainability investment: does China’s regional heterogeneity matter?
Authors: Khalid Fahad , Naveed Khwaja , Voinea Cosmina Lelia , L. Curseu Petru , Xinhui Sun
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Given the regional diversity in China, this study aims to provide an empirical evaluation of how organizational stakeholders (i.e. customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders) affect corporate environmental sustainability investment (ESI).

Design/methodology/approach

To empirically investigate the influence of organizational stakeholders on ESI, this study used regional-level data consists of Chinese A-share stocks for the years 2009–2019.

Findings

This study’s findings show that pressure from customers, employees and suppliers has a significant effect on corporate ESI, with customers being the most important stakeholder group. Shareholders, by contrast, have no significant influence on ESI. The influence of these pressures is more pronounced in developed regions (the east) than in less developed (the west) localities of China.

Research limitations/implications

This study complements the stakeholder–institutional perspective by implying to consider the differentiated logics of the contesting stakeholders in the nonmarket operations.

Practical implications

Practically, this study poses that managers must realize the heterogeneity of pressures from stakeholders and the differentiated impact of these pressures keeping in view the institutional differences in different regions.

Originality/value

Our study reports initial empirical evidence that shows how regional differences influence the role of stakeholders in determining corporate environmental strategy.
Digital tourism research: a bibliometric visualisation review (2002–2023) and research agenda
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Huo Mingmin , Huo Tingting , Luo Hemin
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to review the diversified existing literature on digital tourism from 2002 to 2023 using bibliometric analysis to present a holistic review of the current scientific structure of digital tourism and sets the future research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed search of 646 SSCI articles collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database was analysed through CiteSpace.

Findings

The findings indicate that developed countries are at the core of the co-authorship network, although developing countries represented by China increasingly contribute valued research findings. The conceptual structure of digital tourism mainly evolves from exploration (2002–2006), and acceleration (2007–2014), to diversification (2015-2023), with the most recent focus on consumer-oriented value creation and potential technological risks. Three well-established thematic groups have been identified, namely, technological innovation and application, destination digital management and consumer value creation. Constructive insights for future research are also offered, including digital scenarios, digital production and digital governance.

Practical implications

The research helps scholars and practitioners grasp the current issues and needs of digital tourism and provides a guide for policymakers in the tourism industry who seek to intelligently improve tourism performance.

Originality/value

This study thoroughly evaluates 22 years of digital tourism literature through bibliometric analysis. It creates a framework for understanding how digital tourism is theorised and developed and indicates future research directions.