bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Therapeutic Effects of Cisternostomy versus Decompressive Craniectomy in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury - Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol
Authors: Kyaruzi Victor Meza , de Dieu Tumusifu Manegabe jean , David Samuel Oreoluwa , Kamabu Larrey Kasereka , Ikwuegbuenyi Chibuikem A. , Mukambo Emmanuel , Darko Kwadwo Ofori , Olabatoke Tunde A. , Foka Tcheutchoua Kathy , Emhemed Marwa S , Tango Tamara , Omran Murad Othman , Oyesiji Emmanuel , Bouche Djatche Wesley Harrisson , Javed Saad , Mduma Emmanuel , Shimber Emnet Tesfaye , Hussein Abdul-Aziz Abdellah , Gankpe Fortune , Bureta Costansia Anselim , Rutabasibwa Nicephorus , Mchome Lemeri L , Esene Ignatius , Abdelaziz Osama
Published: March 2023

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical problem which portends an intensive burden with increased mortality and disability affecting more the young population worldwide. The primary goal of TBI treatment is to control intracranial pressure (ICP) and to prevent he devastating effect of secondary brain insult. For over a hundred years decompressive craniectomy has been a standard surgical intervention for treatment of TBI, however it is not without harm since it causes serious complications including meningitis, subdural hygroma, hydrocephalous and increased reoperation rate. Cisternostomy is the most recently introduced intervention for management of cerebral edema Cisternostomy has proven its efficiency a standalone treatment as an adjunctive to decompressive craniectomy in treatment of severe traumatic brain injury. This review aims at investigating the therapeutic effects of cisternostomy when used independently or as an adjunctive to decompressive craniectomy (DC) across the available randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and non randomized studies of effect intervention (NRSI) sectional studies to optimize the strength of evidence for underpinning the strategy for treatment of traumatic brain injury.

Methods and Analysis

We will conduct the systematic review and meta-analysis by employing the provisions of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guideline and the review protocol has been submitted to International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) for registration before commencement of the study. We will construct the search strategy using the all field terms, medical subheading terms [MeSH Terms] with all permutations combined with Boolean operators such as AND and OR. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, COCHRAINE, Web Of Science, Global Index Medicus, Semantic Scholar and Google Scholar electronic databases will be searched.

Ethical Consideration and Dissemination

This review will not include any human participant such that the ethical clearance approval is not applicable. The protocol of this review has been registered at PROSPERO IDCRD42023400894. We will disseminate the final report of this review to local and international scientific conferences and The results of this review will be submitted for publication in the Journal of Neurotrauma.
Oral SARS-CoV-2 host responses predict the early COVID-19 disease course
Authors: Seaman William T , Keener Olive , Mei Wenwen , Mollan Katie R , Jones Corbin D , Pettifor Audrey , Bowman Natalie M ,   UNC OBSc Working Group, Wang Frank , Webster-Cyriaque Jennifer
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Oral fluids provide ready detection of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and host responses. This study sought to determine relationships between oral virus, oral anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, and symptoms.

Methods

Saliva/throat wash (saliva/TW) were collected from asymptomatic and symptomatic, nasopharyngeal (NP) SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR+, subjects (n=47). SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR, N-antigen detection by immunoblot and lateral flow assay (LFA) were performed. RT-qPCR targeting viral subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) was sequence confirmed. SARS-CoV-2-anti-S protein RBD LFA assessed IgM and IgG responses. Structural analysis identified host salivary molecules analogous to SARS-CoV-2-N-antigen. Statistical analyses were performed.

Results

At baseline, LFA-detected N-antigen was immunoblot-confirmed in 82% of TW. However, only 3/17 were saliva/TW qPCR+. Sixty percent of saliva and 83% of TW demonstrated persistent N-antigen at 4 weeks. N-antigen LFA signal in three negative subjects suggested potential cross-detection of 4 structurally analogous salivary RNA binding proteins (alignment 19-29aa, RMSD 1-1.5 Angstroms). At entry, symptomatic subjects demonstrated replication-associated sgRNA junctions, were IgG+ (94%/100% in saliva/TW), and IgM+ (75%/63%). At 4 weeks, SARS-CoV-2 IgG (100%/83%) and IgM (80%/67%) persisted. Oral IgG correlated 100% with NP+PCR status. Cough and fatigue severity (p=0.0008 and 0.016), and presence of nausea, weakness, and composite upper respiratory symptoms (p=0.005, 0.037 and 0.017) were negatively associated with oral IgM. Female oral IgM levels were higher than male (p=0.056).

Conclusion

Important to transmission and disease course, oral viral replication and persistence showed clear relationships with select symptoms, early Ig responses, and gender during early infection. N-antigen cross-reactivity may reflect mimicry of structurally analogous host proteins.
Severe cognitive decline in long-term care is related to gut microbiome production of metabolites involved in neurotransmission, immunomodulation, and autophagy
Authors: Shoubridge Andrew P. , Carpenter Lucy , Flynn Erin , Papanicolas Lito E. , Collins Josephine , Gordon David , Lynn David J. , Whitehead Craig , Leong Lex E.X. , Cations Monica , De Souza David P. , Narayana Vinod K. , Choo Jocelyn M. , Wesselingh Steve L. , Crotty Maria , Inacio Maria C. , Ivey Kerry , Taylor Steven L. , Rogers Geraint B.
Published: March 2023

Ageing-associated cognitive decline affects more than half of those in long-term residential aged care. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiome-host interactions influence the effects of modifiable risk factors. We investigated the relationship between gut microbiome characteristics and severity of cognitive impairment (CI) in 159 residents of long-term aged care. Severe CI was associated with a significantly increased abundance of proinflammatory bacterial species, includingMethanobrevibacter smithiiandAlistipes finegoldii, and decreased relative abundance of beneficial bacterial clades. Severe CI was associated with increased microbial capacity for methanogenesis, and reduced capacity for synthesis of short-chain fatty acids, neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid, and amino acids required for neuro-protective lysosomal activity. These relationships were independent of age, sex, antibiotic exposure, and diet. Our findings implicate multiple gut microbiome-brain pathways in ageing-associated cognitive decline, including inflammation, neurotransmission, and autophagy, and highlight the potential to predict and prevent cognitive decline through microbiome-targeted strategies.
Discovery of paralogous GnRH and corazonin signaling systems in an invertebrate chordate
Authors: Yañez Guerra Luis Alfonso , Zandawala Meet
Published: March 2023

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a key regulator of reproductive function in vertebrates. GnRH is related to the corazonin (CRZ) neuropeptide which influences metabolism and stress responses in insects. Recent evidence suggests that GnRH and CRZ are paralogous and arose by a gene duplication in a common ancestor of bilaterians. Here we report the identification and complete characterization of the GnRH and CRZ signaling systems in the amphioxusBranchiostoma floridae. We have identified a novel GnRH peptide (YSYSYGFAP-NH2) that specifically activates two GnRH receptors and a CRZ peptide (FTYTHTW-NH2) that activates three CRZ receptors inB. floridae. The latter appear to be promiscuous, as two CRZ receptors can also be activated by GnRH in the physiological range. Hence, there is a potential for cross-talk between these closely-related signaling systems. Discovery of both the GnRH and CRZ signaling systems in one of the closest-living relatives of vertebrates provides a framework to discover their roles at the transition from invertebrates to vertebrates.

Significance

Identifying neuropeptides and resolving the relationships of neuropeptides across different phyla is challenging due to their short sequences. Here we resolve a controversy regarding the identities and evolutionary relationships of a family of homologous neuropeptides that include the well-known human reproductive hormone gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and insect stress hormone corazonin (CRZ). We have discovered bona fide GnRH and CRZ signaling systems inBranchiostomawhich provides a basis for investigating the evolution of the physiological roles of these neuropeptides in one of the closest living relatives of vertebrates.
Multiplexed Amplicon Sequencing Reveals High Sequence Diversity of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Québec Sewers
Authors: Gibson Claire , Kraemer Susanne A. , Klimova Natalia , Vanderweyen Laura , Klai Nouha , Díaz Mendoza Emmanuel , Guo Bing , Walsh David , Frigon Dominic
Published: March 2023

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-3) have recognised the importance of the environment in the development, spread and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to humans and animals. Such recognition calls for wider surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) in wastewater and other environmental reservoirs. For ARG surveillance to be valuable to regulators, it must enable source tracking and risk assessment. Adequate surveillance also requires the processing of a large number of samples at a relatively low cost, and a low detection limit to allow quantification of the riskiest ARGs. However, current methods for tracking ARGs have various limitations. The current study presents a multiplexed targeted amplicon sequencing approach for the detection of sequence variants of ARGs in environmental samples. To demonstrate the application of this technique, wastewater samples collected from the inlet to 16 treatment plants located along a 440-km transect of the St-Lawrence river in the province of Quebec (Canada) were analysed. Among the ARGs examined, between 3 and 45 nucleic acid sequence variants were detected demonstrating the high sequence diversity that occurs within genes originating from a single sample type and the information that is missed using traditional techniques. Using the PLSDB and Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD), the risk of ARG sequence variants was inferred based upon their reported mobility and detection in pathogens. Results suggest that sequence variants within a single ARG class present different risks to public health. In the future, targeted amplicon sequencing could be a valuable tool in environmental studies for both risk assessment purposes and in AMR source tracking.
Mutations in an unrecognized internal NPT2A PDZ motif disrupt phosphate transport causing congenital hypophosphatemia
Authors: Sneddon W Bruce , Friedman Peter A , Mamonova Tatyana
Published: March 2023

The Na+-dependent phosphate cotransporter-2A (NPT2A, SLC34A1) is a primary regulator of extracellular phosphate homeostasis. Its most prominent structural element is a carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand that binds Na+/H+Exchanger Regulatory Factor-1 (NHERF1, SLC9A3R1). NHERF1, a multidomain PDZ protein,establishes NPT2A membrane localization and is required for hormone-sensitive phosphate transport. NPT2A also possesses an uncharacterized internal PDZ ligand. Two recent clinical reports describe congenital hypophosphatemia in children harboring Arg495His or Arg495Cys variants within the internal PDZ motif. The wild-type internal494TRL496PDZ ligand binds NHERF1 PDZ2, which we consider a regulatory domain. Ablating the internal PDZ ligand with a494AAA496substitution blocked hormone-sensitive phosphate transport. Complementary approaches, including CRISPR/Cas9 technology, site-directed mutagenesis, confocal microscopy, and modeling, showed that NPT2A Arg495His or Arg495Cys variants do not support PTH or FGF23 action on phosphate transport. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicate that both variants bind NHERF1 similarly to WT NPT2A. However, in contrast to WT NPT2A, NPT2A Arg495His or Arg495Cys variants remain at the apical membrane and are not internalized in response to PTH. We predict that Cys or His substitution of the charged Arg495changes the electrostatics, preventing phosphorylation of the upstream Thr494, interfering with phosphate uptake in response to hormone action, and inhibiting NPT2A trafficking. We advance a model wherein the carboxyterminal PDZ ligand defines apical localization NPT2A, while the internal PDZ ligand is essential for hormone-triggered phosphate transport.
Thinking Outside the “Flow-Mediated” Box: An Analysis of Aortic Dilation in 100 Fetuses with Tetralogy of Fallot Compared to Matched Controls
Authors: Dasgupta Minnie N , Kaplinski Michelle A , Reddy Charitha D , Collins R Thomas
Published: March 2023

Background

Aortic dilation in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is primarily attributed to increased aortic flowin utero. An alternative hypothesis is abnormal neural crest cell migration, with unequal septation of the truncus arteriosus resulting in a larger aorta and inherently hypoplastic pulmonary artery (PA). If so, we hypothesize the aorta to PA ratio (Ao:PA) in TOF is stable throughout gestation, and the total sum of dimensions of the great arteries is similar to controls.

Methods

We performed a single-center retrospective study of all fetuses with TOF (2014-2020) and gestational age-matched controls. We compared sums of diameters, circumferences, and cross-sectional areas of the aorta and PA and evaluated the Ao:PA across gestation in TOF with pulmonary stenosis (TOF-PS) and atresia (TOF-PA). We analyzed data with two-tailed t-tests and Pearson’s correlation.

Results

There were 100 fetuses with TOF (36% TOF-PA) with median gestational age of 31 weeks [IQR 26.5, 34.4] and median maternal age of 34 years [IQR 30, 37]. There were no differences in sums of great artery dimensions between TOF-PS and controls. In TOF-PA, sums were significantly lower than controls. The Ao:PA was stable throughout gestation.

Conclusions

The aorta in fetal TOF is large but grows proportionally throughout gestation, with a sum of great artery dimensions similar to controls. TOF-PA appears to be distinct from TOF-PS (with overall smaller dimensions), and is a group that warrants further investigation. In conclusion, our findings do not support the flow-mediated model of aortic dilation in TOF, and instead suggest an intrinsic developmental mechanism.

Clinical Perspective

What’s New?

The aorta in fetal Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is large, but grows proportionally throughout gestation with a total sum of great artery dimensions similar to controls.

Fetuses with TOF with pulmonary atresia have smaller great artery dimensions than TOF with pulmonary stenosis; this distinct group warrants further investigation.

Our findings suggest that aortic dilation in TOF may be secondary to an intrinsic developmental mechanism, rather than from increased flow to the aortain utero.

What are the clinical implications?

The mechanisms of aortic dilation in fetal TOF have not been previously investigated.

While aortic dilation is commonly seen in TOF, the degree of its progression over time and risk of dissection are not well understood.

A better understanding of the etiology of aortic dilation in TOF could help to inform management decisions, particularly regarding the need for prophylactic surgical repair.
TheVibrio fischeritype VI secretion system incurs a fitness cost under host-like conditions
Authors: Septer Alecia N. , Sharpe Garrett , Shook Erika A.
Published: March 2023

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is an interbacterial weapon composed of thousands of protein subunits and predicted to require significant cellular energy to deploy, yet a fitness cost from T6SS use is rarely observed. Here, we identify host-like conditions where the T6SS incurs a fitness cost using the beneficial symbiont,Vibrio fischeri, which uses its T6SS to eliminate competitors in the natural squid host. We hypothesized that a fitness cost for the T6SS could be dependent on the cellular energetic state and used theoretical ATP cost estimates to predict when a T6SS-dependent fitness cost may be apparent. Theoretical energetic cost estimates predicted a minor relative cost for T6SS use in fast-growing populations (0.4-0.45% of total ATP used cell-1), and a higher relative cost (3.1-13.6%) for stationary phase cells. Consistent with these predictions, we observed no significant T6SS-dependent fitness cost for fast-growing populations typically used for competition assays. However, the stationary phase cell density was significantly lower in the wild-type strain, compared to a regulator mutant that does not express the T6SS, and this T6SS-dependent fitness cost was between 11 and 23%. Such a fitness cost could influence the prevalence and biogeography of T6SSs in animal-associated bacteria. While the T6SS may be required in kill or be killed scenarios, once the competitor is eliminated there is no longer selective pressure to maintain the weapon. Our findings indicate an evolved genotype lacking the T6SS would have a growth advantage over its parent, resulting in the eventual dominance of the unarmed population.
Defining clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential: evolutionary dynamics and detection under aging and inflammation
Authors: Goldman Elisabeth A. , Spellman Paul T. , Agarwal Anupriya
Published: March 2023

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH), in which hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) clones and their progeny expand in the circulating blood cell population, occurs following the acquisition of somatic driver mutations. Individuals diagnosed with clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) carry somatic mutations in hematological malignancy-associated driver genes, historically at or above a variant allele frequency of 2%, but do not exhibit abnormal blood cell counts or any other symptoms of hematologic disease. However, CHIP is associated with moderately increased risk of hematological cancer and a greater likelihood of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Recent advances in the resolution of high-throughput sequencing experiments suggest CHIP is much more prevalent in the population than once thought, particularly among those aged 60 and over. Although CHIP does elevate the risk of eventual hematological malignancy, only one in 10 individuals with CHIP will receive such a diagnosis; the problem lies in the continued difficulty in accurately separating the 10% of CHIP patients who are most likely to be in a premalignant state from those who are not, given the heterogeneity of this condition and the etiology of the associated hematological cancers. Concerns over the risk of eventual malignancies must be balanced with growing recognition of CH as a common age-dependent occurrence, and efforts to better characterize and differentiate oncogenic clonal expansion from that which is much more benign. In this review, we discuss evolutionary dynamics of CH and CHIP, the relationship of CH to aging and inflammation, and the role of the epigenome in promoting potentially pathogenic or benign cellular trajectories. We outline molecular mechanisms that may contribute to heterogeneity in the etiology of CHIP and the incidence of malignant disease among individuals. Finally, we discuss epigenetic markers and modifications for CHIP detection and monitoring with the potential for translational applications and clinical utility in the near future.
Pyridine-4-thiol as halogen-bond (HaB) acceptor: influence of the noncovalent interaction in its reactivity
Authors: Mosquera Marta E. G. , Dortez Silvia , Fernández-Palacio Francisco , Gómez-Sal Pilar
Published: March 2023

The study of pyridine-4-thiol as a halogen-bond (HaB) acceptor has allowed the isolation of its cocrystal with the HaB donor IC6F4I, namely, 1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3,6-diiodobenzene bis(pyridin-1-ium-4-ylsulfanide), C6F4I2·2C5H5NS (1), where the S atom is the HaB acceptor, while the pyridine position is blocked by the proton. Furthermore, the S atom acts a dual acceptor and also establishes an interaction with the pyridinium proton from an adjacent molecule. The presence of these interactions in 1 contributes to the stabilization of the zwitterionic form. This pre-organization seems to have an influence on the reactivity of the compound since when left in dichloromethane solution, an unusual activation of the C—Cl bond is observed that leads to the formation of the bis[(pyridin-1-ium-4-yl)sulfanyl]methane dication, while the Cl atoms are still present as chloride counter-ions, i.e. 4,4′-[methanediyldi(sulfanediyl)]dipyridinium dichloride, C11H12N2S2
2+·2Cl− (2). In the crystal structure of 2 it is observed that the S atom is now acting as the donor part of a chalcogenide bond with the chloride anions.
Crystal structures of three newly synthesized flavanone hydrazones
Authors: Yennawar Hemant P. , Sigmon Anna , Margulis Eleanora
Published: March 2023

The crystal structures of racemic mixtures of three new flavanone-hydrazones in the centrosymmetric space group (P\overline{1}), are reported. The structures of (±,E)-N′-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-ylidene]-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)acetohydrazide ethyl acetate monosolvate, C27H22N2O5·C4H8O2, and of (±,E)-N′-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-ylidene]-4-hydroxybenzohydrazide ethanol monosolvate, C22H18N2O6·C2H5OH, both exhibit an intramolecular O—H...N and multiple intermolecular O—H...O and C—H...O-type hydrogen bonds. The third structure, that of (±,E)-N′-(6-methoxy-2-phenylchroman-4-ylidene)-2-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)acetohydrazide, C28H24N2O4, has only one intermolecular N—H...O-type hydrogen bond. In each of the three cases, the crystal packings are stabilized by π–π stacking interactions between various aromatic components of symmetry-related molecules. The chiral carbon atom of the substituted chromane ring system in each case is puckered away from rest of the ring system.
trans-Dichloridotetrakis(4-methoxypyridine-κN)ruthenium(II)
Authors: Reinheimer Eric W. , Tobias Rebecca A. , Bassel Elisabeth R. , Cantu Nicholas A. , Smucker Bradley W.
Published: March 2023

The structure of the title complex, [RuCl2(C6H6NO)4], exhibits point group symmetry \overline{4}. The structure exhibits disorder around a \overline{4} axis. The 4-methoxypyridine ligands have a propeller-like arrangement around the RuII atom at 52.0 (3)° from the RuN4 plane.
The role of institutional investors in enacting stewardship by corporate boards
Authors: Melis Danielle A.M. , Nijhof André
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the relationship between the voting and engagement behaviour of institutional investors, i.e. institutional investor stewardship behaviour, and the enactment of stewardship by corporate boards. In doing so, this paper contributes to the evaluation of contemporary corporate governance systems and provides recommendations for the redesign of these systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a qualitative exploratory descriptive research study into assumed, prescribed and the actual behaviour of institutional investors. Their behaviour is explored through a survey and in-depth interviews with global institutional investors.

Findings

The prescription of institutional investor stewardship behaviour and the exploration of actual behaviour from an investors’ perspective led to the conclusion that assumed institutional investor stewardship exists variously as either “in form” (i.e. measured by compliance to the relevant corporate governance code) or “in substance” (i.e. the actual behaviour from the investors and investee companies’ perspective). The results suggest that that institutional investors’ actual stewardship behaviour as global investors requires a nuanced conclusion about the existence of institutional investor stewardship.

Research limitations/implications

Although the number of semi-structured interviews with institutional investors was limited to just 14, these interviewees represent the majority share in terms of market capitalisation of Dutch listed companies. Additional research could clarify the perspective of other investors, such as pension funds and private investors.

Practical implications

The outcome of this research can serve as input for corporate governance reforms in the preambles of governance codes and the prescribed principles and best practice provisions of corporate governance and stewardship codes. This research identifies opportunities for further academic research to enrich the understanding of the role of institutional investors in enacting corporate stewardship.

Social implications

This paper contributes to furthering the understanding of the mechanisms by which institutional investors, through their behaviour, contribute to enacting stewardship through their corporate boards. This is an important part of the corporate social responsibility of institutional investors. It also triggers a dialogue about the social and environmental impacts of stock listed companies.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to develop knowledge about new paradigms and offers a more integrated approach to corporate governance reforms in terms of the role of institutional shareholders in the promotion of good corporate governance.
Examining the perception of site workers of their risk-taking behaviours on construction sites in Ghana
Authors: Danso Frederick Owusu , Agyekum Kofi , Manu Patrick , Adinyira Emmanuel , Ahadzie Divine K. , Badu Edward
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Although many health and safety (H&S) studies have widely examined safety risk perception in the construction industry, few studies have explored how this perception influences site workers' risk-taking behaviours during construction. This study aims to examine how construction site workers perceive and judge safety risks in risk-taking behaviours of site workers for intervention safety policy framework that may encourage safe work.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed Pictorial-based Q-Methodology, which documented 63 picture scenarios of risk-taking behaviours from building sites and submitted them for validation from H&S inspectors. In total, 33 pictures emerged as having great potential to cause harm. After using these 33 pictures to elicit data from randomised site workers, the study used Frequency Tabulation, Relative Importance Index (RII) and Kruskal–Wallis Test to analyse the collected data. To fully explain the analysed data for deeper understanding, the study conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with these site workers to share the thoughts of site workers on these pictures.

Findings

Two distinctive pictures emerged from these analyses: one showing risk-taking behaviour likely to contract internal and skin disease and the other likely to fall from height. One of the implications is that construction site workers are unfamiliar with the dangerous contaminants in the materials the site workers use to work, which can potentially harm the site workers' skin and internal organs. Hence, site workers continue engaging in risk-taking behaviours. The other is that site workers are aware of and can mention catastrophic physical injuries attached to site workers' jobs. However, site workers continue engaging in risk-taking behaviours because of site workers' safety plights and rely on the favour and mercies of a supreme being as coping strategies to escape from these physical injuries.

Originality/value

This study is original in that the study uses picture scenarios of risk-taking behaviours to amass an empirical-based understanding of how site workers perceive and respond to H&S risks during construction. This piece of evidence is missing in the numerous research studies in this area. Again, the findings contribute to the state-of-the-art literature regarding risk-taking behaviours on construction sites.
Barriers to modular construction systems implementation in developing countries’ architecture, engineering and construction industry
Authors: Bello Abdulkabir Opeyemi , Khan Ayaz Ahmad , Idris Abdullahi , Awwal Hamzat Mohammed
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to identify and assess the barriers to implementing modular construction systems (MCS) in developing country's architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, targeting built environment professionals from Nigeria and South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative research method, using a structured questionnaire to seek the opinions of the professionals on the identified categories of barriers.

Findings

Results indicated that all identified categories of barriers were statistically significant using a one-sample t-test at p = 0.05 significance level which indicates they are critical towards the implementation of MCS in developing countries. Assessment of the opinion of the professionals using the Kruskal–Wallis scale showed that they hold similar views on the barriers to the adoption of MCS. Pearson correlation shows a high correlation coefficient amongst the barrier categories and an acceptable level of significance (p = 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to two significant African countries (Nigeria and South Africa) selected based on the gross domestic product (GDP). Further studies can consider developing countries outside Africa and investigate broader respondents.

Practical implications

The study provides implications on the barriers affecting MCS in developing countries for the academia, industry and government to have an insight into the barriers and make informed decisions and policies.

Originality/value

The research satisfies the need to study the barriers affecting the MCS in developing countries that can mitigate housing deficits. This innovative construction method has been adopted and implemented in developed countries, and the result has been positive.
Benchmarking the face-centred finite volume method for compressible laminar flows
Authors: Vila-Pérez Jordi , Giacomini Matteo , Huerta Antonio
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to assess the robustness and accuracy of the face-centred finite volume (FCFV) method for the simulation of compressible laminar flows in different regimes, using numerical benchmarks.

Design/methodology/approach

The work presents a detailed comparison with reference solutions published in the literature –when available– and numerical results computed using a commercial cell-centred finite volume software.

Findings

The FCFV scheme provides first-order accurate approximations of the viscous stress tensor and the heat flux, insensitively to cell distortion or stretching. The strategy demonstrates its efficiency in inviscid and viscous flows, for a wide range of Mach numbers, also in the incompressible limit. In purely inviscid flows, non-oscillatory approximations are obtained in the presence of shock waves. In the incompressible limit, accurate solutions are computed without pressure correction algorithms. The method shows its superior performance for viscous high Mach number flows, achieving physically admissible solutions without carbuncle effect and predictions of quantities of interest with errors below 5%.

Originality/value

The FCFV method accurately evaluates, for a wide range of compressible laminar flows, quantities of engineering interest, such as drag, lift and heat transfer coefficients, on unstructured meshes featuring distorted and highly stretched cells, with an aspect ratio up to ten thousand. The method is suitable to simulate industrial flows on complex geometries, relaxing the requirements on mesh quality introduced by existing finite volume solvers and alleviating the need for time-consuming manual procedures for mesh generation to be performed by specialised technicians.
Mobile payment use and payment satisfaction: mediation and moderation analyses
Authors: Chen Fuzhong , Jiang Guohai , Xiao Jing Jian
Published: March 2023

Purpose

With the development of financial technology (FinTech), this paper aims to investigate the association between mobile payment use and payment satisfaction using data from the 2017 China Household Finance Survey (CHFS).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses ordered probit regressions to examine the association between mobile payments and payment satisfaction because the dependent variable is ordinal. To alleviate endogeneity problems, this study uses instrument variables and Heckman's two-step estimation. Furthermore, to explore the potential mediators in this process, this study follows the three steps suggested by Baron and Kenny (1986). Finally, this study divides the whole sample into subsamples to examine whether the association between mobile payments and payment satisfaction differs in diverse groups.

Findings

The results indicate that mobile payment use is positively associated with payment satisfaction. Moreover, mediation analyses imply that mobile payment use may help increase consumers' credit availability, which eventually improves payment satisfaction. Three moderators of this association are financial literacy, expenditure level and portfolio diversification, which enhance the positive association between mobile payment use and payment satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study explores the potential mediators between mobile payment use and payment satisfaction, which is beneficial to comprehensively understanding various pathways of this process. Moreover, this study conducts heterogeneous analyses to investigate whether associations between mobile payments and payment satisfaction are moderated by various factors, which will allow policymakers to formulate policies appropriate for specific situations of diverse consumer groups.
Degree of chitosan deacetylation on thermophysiological comfort properties of nylon 6,6 fabrics
Authors: Varan Nilüfer Yıldız , Durur Güngör
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of treatments using chitosan in different degree of deacetylations (DDs) on thermophysiological comfort properties of nylon 6,6/elastane pressure garments using a large skin model hot plate instrumentation to prevent infection and excess sweating during burn scar management for future designs.

Design/methodology/approach

Chitosans in different DD (DD 70, DD 81 and nylon 6,6/elastane fabrics in different structures, then the total DD 90) are treated with thermal resistance (Rct) ((°ΔC)(m2)/W), total heat loss (Qt or THL) (W/m2), apparent total evaporative resistance (

R

e
t

A

), ((ΔkPa)(m2)/W), apparent intrinsic evaporative resistance (

R

e
f

A

), ((ΔkPa)(m2)/W) and total insulation values (It) (clo) were analyzed using the large skin model hot plate instrumentation in comparison with untreated control samples. Antimicrobial activities, washing tests and moisture regain properties were also evaluated.

Findings

It is found that chitosan DDs have a significant effect on thermophysiological comfort properties of nylon 6,6 fabrics. A small but statistically significant decrease was observed in thermal resistance (Rct) (Tog) and isolation (It) (clo) properties for higher chitosan DDs and for higher chitosan concentrations for all fabric samples after each treatment. Antimicrobial activity showed a small but statistically significant decrease for all samples with the increase of DD and fabrics treated with lower DD 70 of chitosan showed better antimicrobial activity for all samples. Additionally, fabrics treated with higher DD’s exhibited higher moisture regain.

Originality/value

Treatments with chitosan in different DD and in different concentrations impact the heat and moisture transfer properties of nylon 6,6 fabrics significantly. It is a reference to evaluate the thermophysiological comfort properties of pressure garments for future designs using dry and sweating skin tests while imparting antimicrobial activity with chitosans in different DDs.
Future resilience of cultural heritage buildings – how do residents make sense of public authorities’ sustainability measures?
Authors: Godbolt Åsne Lund , Flyen Cecilie , Hauge Åshild Lappegard , Flyen Anne-Cathrine , Moen Louise Leren
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze climate resilience and adaptation of cultural heritage buildings from the perspectives of both public authorities and residents. From a user-oriented domestication perspective, it investigates what barriers the residents meet when trying to make their homes more sustainable and resilient to climate impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a qualitative case study: an apartment building from 1890 in an area with protected heritage buildings in Oslo, Norway. The building is in need of renovation to withstand the impacts of climate strain. Expert interviews with public authorities, and interviews/focus groups with residents in the case study, form the empirical basis of the results.

Findings

The findings reveal that the residents find the public authorities’ sustainability measures confusing and lack information on what to do. The residents have domesticated an environmentally friendly lifestyle, but they are not very concerned about the cultural heritage status of their building. On the contrary, the protection clause is experienced as a barrier against renovation, and the windows are a special concern.

Practical implications

Better cooperation between actors representing public authorities could result in easier access to information and less confusing advices for sustainability in cultural heritage buildings.

Originality/value

This paper gives new insights on how information from public authorities is perceived by residents, and thus indicates how policy measures for cultural heritage and sustainability should be communicated to achieve public understanding.
A refined framework of information sharing in perishable product supply chains
Authors: Lusiantoro Luluk , Yates Nicola , Mena Carlos , Varga Liz
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between information sharing and performance of perishable product supply chains (PPSC). Building on transaction cost economics (TCE), organisational information processing theory (OIPT), and contingency theory (CT), this study proposes a theoretical framework to guide future research into information sharing in perishable product supply chains (IS-PPSC).

Design/methodology/approach

Using the systematic literature review methodology, 48 peer-reviewed articles are carefully selected, mapped, and assessed. Template analysis is performed to unravel the relationship mechanisms between information sharing and PPSC performance.

Findings

The authors find that the relationship between information sharing and PPSC performance is currently unclear, and there is inconsistency in the positioning of information sharing among constructs and variables in the IS-PPSC literature. This implies a requirement to refine the relationship between information sharing and PPSC performance. The review also revealed that the role of perishable product characteristics has largely been ignored in existing research.

Originality/value

This study applies relevant multiple theoretical perspectives to overcome the ambiguity of the IS-PPSC literature and contributes nine propositions to guide future research. Accordingly, this study contributes to the refined roles of relationship uncertainty, environmental uncertainty, information sharing capabilities, and perishable product characteristics in shaping the relationship between information sharing and PPSC performance.
Contextual factors affecting moral stress: a study of military and police officers
Authors: Hyllengren Peder , Nilsson Sofia , Ohlsson Alicia , Kallenberg Kjell , Waaler Gudmund , Larsson Gerry
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and gain a deeper understanding of environmental, organizational, and group conditions, and leadership-related issues in particular, in severely stressful situations involving a moral stressor faced by military and police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined deductive and inductive approach was used, and in total 23 military and police officers, all having experience of morally difficult decisions during severely stressful conditions, were interviewed.

Findings

A hierarchical conceptual framework of contextual characteristics was developed. The environmental, organizational, leadership-related, and group aspects identified in this study on morally stressful situations resemble findings from general research on work and stress. However, a stronger emphasis was put on leaders’ handling of values and his or her ability to confront senior management when needed.

Practical implications

The results suggest that well-documented methods aimed at the prevention of, and recovery from, work-related stress, also can be used in the case of extreme situations involving moral stressors.

Originality/value

The interplay between leadership and extreme situations involving moral stressors is, to the best of the knowledge, understudied.
Reliability analysis of multi-state complex system with multi-state weighted subsystems
Authors: Meenkashi K. , Singh S.B. , Kumar Akshay
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability indices such as reliability, mean time to failure and sensitivity analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A non-repairable multi-state complex system with two subsystems, namely, S1 and S2, is studied. The subsystems S1 and S2 are multi-state weighted r-out-of-n: G and s-out-of-m: G systems, respectively. Every component of the sub-system S1 consists of linear (f, l, k): G system, and the sub-system S2 consists of circular (f, l, k): G system. The subsystems are connected in series arrangement and components of these subsystems are arranged in parallel.

Findings

Markov stochastic process has been applied to obtain probability of components of the subsystems and various results discuss such as reliability, mean time to failure and sensitivity analysis with the help of the universal generating function.

Originality/value

In this work, reliability measures of the purpose system can be enhanced under the high profit.
Effect of product type and time pressure on consumers’ online impulse buying intention
Authors: Zhao Zhanbo , Du Xiaomeng , Liang Fan , Zhu Xiaoming
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Impulse buying has been the focus of attention in the marketing. With the rise of online shopping, online impulse buying phenomenon becomes increasingly serious. Whereas, the impulse buying behavior in an online environment is rarely discussed in relevant literature. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the type of product and time pressure on consumer online impulse buying intention; this is a relatively new issue of marketing academia in China.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the experimental methodology was adopted to explore the impact of consumer online impulse buying tendencies, the departure from the type of product and the time pressure.

Findings

Results show that low-involvement feeling products stimulate consumer online impulse buying tendencies. Simultaneously, there is an interaction effect between time pressure and product type, which is, under the influence of time pressure, the enhancement of low-involvement feeling products on consumer online impulse buying tendency is more significant.

Originality/value

This study discusses the interaction between time pressure and product type on consumers’ online impulse buying tendency, which has not been studied before. While discussing the impact of product types on consumers’ impulse buying tendency on the internet, this paper considers the impact of time pressure on consumers’ impulsive buying tendency, and applies the term of time pressure, a psychological research term, to the field of marketing research, so as to make the cross-links between disciplines closer.
Next steps in children and young people’s research, participation and protection from the perspective of young researchers
Authors: Dan Dan , David David , Evie Evie , Ollie Ollie , Thomas Donna , Larkins Cath
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore young researchers perspectives on children and young people’s research, participation and protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is co-authored by young people and academics involved in a young researcher group. This paper provides a brief introduction from the young researchers and some academic context to their work, then the young researcher group’s contribution. Their contribution is followed by a brief discussion of the issues they raise in the light of current academic debate.

Findings

This paper contains our critical reflection on participation and protection.

Originality/value

The paper presents a unique contribution capturing children and young people’s perspectives on the journal’s theme and other contributions to it.
Organizational sustainability: a redefinition?
Authors: Mohd Zawawi Nur Fadiah , Abd Wahab Sazali
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to redefine the concept of organizational sustainability by assimilating corporate spirituality into the concept of the triple bottom line (TBL).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a conceptual paper which presents a newly coined concept for sustainable organizations as a result of a literature study on management and psychology fields. This study explores the concept of competitive advantage, research-based view (RBV) theory, spiritual leadership theory (SLT), positive environmental psychology (PEP) and human resource development (HRD) to fill the void of “soul” as an element in TBL, which is seen as a barrier that prevents organizations from being more holistically sustainable.

Findings

The paper provides new insights into the redefinition of organizational sustainability by introducing quadruple bottom line (QBL), effectively a combination of management and psychological disciplines. This paper also proposes measurements of corporate spirituality, adapted from well-established mental health research, which have been used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as well.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers are encouraged to test the proposed concept further.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of sustainable organizations by offering CEOs and managers corporate spirituality support with which they can make wise decisions when considering environmental, societal and economic perspectives in their operations.

Originality/value

The QBL concept promises to contribute significantly to the growth of more comprehensive, holistic and sustainable organizations, as well as to extend the current literature on organizational sustainability.