bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity in the Plasmodium falciparum next-generation blood stage vaccine candidate antigen PfCyRPA in Senegal
Authors: Ba Aboubacar , Thiam Laty Gaye , Pouye Mariama Nicole , Guo Yicheng , Patel Saurabh D. , Sene Seynabou Diouf , Diallo Fatoumata , Li Rebecca , Cisse Awa , Guerra Noemi , Laqqa Safia , Mangou Khadidjatou , Moore Adam J. , Sadio Bacary Djilocalisse , Ndiaye Jean Louis Abdourahim , Mbengue Alassane , Sheng Zizhang , Shapiro Lawrence , Bei Amy K.
Published: October 2024

ThePlasmodium falciparumcysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA) is a promising target as a next-generation blood-stage malaria vaccine and together with PCRCR complex members, the reticulocyte binding-like homologous protein 5 (PfRh5) and the Rh5-interacting protein (PfRipr), are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. PfCyRPA is essential for merozoite invasion and appears to be highly conserved within theP. falciparumparasite populations. Here, we used a targeted deep amplicon next-generation sequencing approach to assess the breadth of PfCyRPA genetic diversity in 95P. falciparumclinical isolates from Kédougou, an area with a high seasonal malaria transmission in Senegal. Our data show the dominant prevalence of PfCyRPA wild type reference allele, while we also identify a total of 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Of these, only five have previously been reported, while the majority of the SNPs were present as singletons within our sampled population. Moreover, the variant read frequency of the identified SNPs varied from 2.6 to 100%, while the majority of the SNPs were present at frequencies greater than 25% in polygenomic samples. We also applied a structure-based modelling approach to thread these SNPs onto PfCyRPA crystal structures and showed that these polymorphisms have different predicted functional impacts on the interactions with binding partner PfRH5 or neutralizing antibodies. Our prediction revealed that the majority of these SNPs have minor effects on PfCyRPA antibodies, while others alter its structure, stability, or interaction with PfRH5. Altogether, our present findings reveal conserved PfCyRPA epitopes which will inform downstream investigations on next-generation structure-guided malaria vaccine design.
Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients with Gynecological Cancers: A Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Yang Yue , Yang Jun-Ping , Li Bing-Shu , Cheng Li-Wei , Wei Shu-Jian , Chen Yu-Guo
Published: October 2024

Objective

The survival rate of gynecological cancers (GCs) has improved significantly in recent decades. Patients with GCs did not necessarily succumb to the primary cancer. Cardiovascular health might be a critical determinant of long-term survival. This study aimed to investigate the mortality rate and risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) death in patients with GCs.

Methods

A total of 399,399 cases of GCs diagnosed between 2000 and 2020 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were included in this study. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for CVD mortality was estimated. Prognostic factors for CVD death were assessed using cause-specific hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals within a competing risk model, considering non-cardiovascular death as a competing risk.

Results

Of the 399,399 patients with GCs, 117,551 (29%) died from GCs, and 16,371 (4.1%) died from CVD. Of the CVD deaths, 73.2% were attributed to heart disease. The SMR of CVD mortality was highest in survivors diagnosed before age 45 years, and the risk of CVD mortality remained elevated throughout the follow-up period compared to the general United States (US) population. In recent years, the SMRs for CVD mortality risk increased steadily in all subtypes of GCs, except for vulvar cancer. Older age, black race, localized stage, unmarried/single/divorced, vaginal and vulvar cancers, and radiation therapy were associated with a higher risk of CVD mortality. A nomogram was developed and validated using these variables to predict CVD death risk in patients with GCs.

Conclusions

The risk of CVD mortality in patients with GCs was increased and was significantly higher compared with the general US population. A nomogram was constructed and validated to forecast the risk of CVD mortality in individuals with GCs. More attention should be paid to cardiovascular health during diagnosis to improve survival rates.

HIGHLIGHTS

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29% of patients with gynecological cancers died from cancer, while 4.1% died from CVD, with 73.2% of CVD deaths attributed to heart disease.

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In recent years, SMRs for CVD mortality increased steadily across all GC subtypes, except vulvar cancer.

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Higher CVD mortality was linked to older age, black race, localized disease stage, unmarried/single/divorced status, and prior radiation therapy, especially in vaginal and vulvar cancers.

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We developed and validated a nomogram to predict CVD death risk in GC patients, aiding personalized patient management.
Rural Roads to Cognitive Resilience (RRR): A prospective cohort study protocol
Authors: Besser Lilah M. , Wiese Lisa , Cook Diane , Holt Janet , Magzamen Sheryl , Minor Bryan , Mitsova Diana , Park Juyoung , Sablan Olivia , Tourelle Madeleine , Williams Christine
Published: October 2024

Background: Ambient air pollution, detrimental built and social environments, social isolation (SI), low socioeconomic status (SES), and rural (versus urban) residence have been associated with cognitive decline and risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Research is needed to investigate the influence of ambient air pollution and built and social environments on SI and cognitive decline among rural, disadvantaged, ethnic minority communities. To address this gap, this cohort study will recruit an ethnoracially diverse, rural Florida sample in geographic proximity to seasonal agricultural burning. We will (1) examine contributions of smoke-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposures to SI and cognitive function; (2) determine effects of built and social environments on SI and cognitive function; and (3) contextualize SI and cognitive function among residents from different ethnoracial groups during burn and non-burn seasons.  Methods: We will recruit 1,087 community-dwelling, dementia-free, >=45-year-olds from five communities in Florida’s Lake Okeechobee region. Over 36 months, participants will complete baseline visits to collect demographics, health history, and health measurements (e.g., blood pressure, body mass index) and 6-month follow-ups assessing cognitive function and social isolation at each visit. A subsample of 120 participants representative of each community will wear smartwatches to collect sensor data (e.g., heart rate) and daily routine and predefined activities (e.g., GPS-captured travel, frequent destinations) over two months. Ecological momentary assessments (EMA) (e.g., whether smoke has bothered participant in last 30 minutes) will occur over two months during agricultural burning and non-burning months. PurpleAir monitors (36 total) will be installed in each community to continuously monitor outdoor PM2.5 levels. Ethics and expected impact: This study received Florida Atlantic University’s Institutional Review Board approval and will require participant informed consent.  We expect to identify individual- and community-level factors that increase the risk for SI and cognitive decline in a vulnerable rural population.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training as a Brief Intervention for Cigarette Smoking by Patients with Cancer: A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis of Related Literature
Authors: McCall Marcia H. , Boyd Charlotte T. , Kerr Nicole D. , Daniel Stephanie S. , Sutfin Erin L.
Published: October 2024

Objective

Novel behavioral interventions are needed for patients with cancer who smoke cigarettes. Standard tobacco treatment may not effectively address the psychological distress and/or emotion dysregulation that makes quitting smoking difficult for many patients. Dialectical Behavior Therapy – Skills Training (DBT-ST) has demonstrated efficacy as a brief intervention for managing emotions and stress across varied populations, but has not been adapted for patients with cancer who smoke. To determine its suitability for this population, we conducted a scoping review of brief DBT-ST with similar populations: people with substance use, breast cancer, or emotion dysregulation.

Methods

We followed PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Studies were restricted to English-language publications of DBT-ST as a brief intervention of 20 or fewer sessions. We found 26 publications representing 23 research studies, extracted study details, and narratively synthesized the results.

Results

The 23 studies included 12 quasi-experimental designs, seven pilot randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and four RCTs. All studies found at least one improvement in a main outcome following DBT-ST intervention, with results maintained at follow-up. Qualitative outcomes indicated high satisfaction with DBT-ST and good retention. Studies recruited diverse participants, with some far exceeding population averages. Over half of studies included only females or males. We found considerable heterogeneity across studies in intervention design, testing, and measurement.

Conclusion

DBT-ST as a brief intervention for people with substance use, cancer, or emotion dysregulation demonstrates sufficient positive outcomes to adapt this approach for patients with cancer who smoke cigarettes.
Specific Bacterial Taxa and Their Metabolite, DHPS, Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Christopher Courtney Jayde , Morgan Katherine Hope , Tolleson Christopher Mahone , Trudell Randall , Fernandez-Romero Roberto , Rice Lexis , Abiodun Blessing A , Vickery Zane , Jones Katarina , Woodall Brittni Morgan , Nagy Christopher , Mieczkowski Piotr Andrzej , Campagna Shawn R , Bowen Gregory , Ellis Joseph Christopher
Published: October 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are multifactorial disorders frequently associated with gut dysbiosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation; however, the pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated bacterial and metabolic dyshomeostasis in the gut microbiome associated with early disease stages across three NDDs, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and healthy controls (HC) and discovered a previously unrecognized link between a microbial-derived metabolite with an unknown role in human physiology, 2,3-dihydroxypropane-1-sulfonate (DHPS), and NDDs. DHPS was downregulated in AD, ALS, and PD, whileEubacteriumandDesulfovibrio,capable of metabolizing this metabolite,1–4were increased in all disease cohorts. Additionally, select taxa within the Clostridia class had strong negative correlations to DHPS suggesting a potential role in DHPS metabolism. Hydrogen sulfide is a catabolic product of DHPS,1,5and hydrogen sulfide promotes inflammation,6–8oxidative stress,9mitochondrial damage,10and gut dysbiosis,2,11known hallmarks of NDD. These findings suggest that cryptic sulfur metabolism via DHPS is a missing link in our current understanding of NDD onset and progression. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to provide evidence of a conserved gut-brain axis linkage of specific bacterial taxa and their metabolism of DHPS shared by three neurodegenerative diseases.
A biophysically-detailed model of inter-areal interactions in cortical sensory processing
Authors: Bolaños-Puchet Sirio , Reimann Michael W.
Published: October 2024

Mechanisms of top-down modulation in sensory perception and their relation to underlying connectivity are not completely understood. We present here a biophysically-detailed computational model of two interconnected cortical areas, representing the first steps in a cortical processing hierarchy, as a tool for potential discovery. The model integrates a large body of data from rodent primary somatosensory cortex and reproduces biological features across multiple scales: from a handful of ion channels defining a diversity of electrical types in hundreds of thousands of morphologically detailed neurons, to local and long-range networks mediated by hundreds of millions of synapses. Notably, long-range connectivity in the model incorporates target lamination patterns associated with feed-forward and feedback pathways. We use the model to study the impact of inter-areal interactions on sensory processing. First, we exhibit a cortico-cortical loop between the two model areas (X and Y), wherein sensory input to area X produces a response with two components in time, the first driven by the stimulus and the second by feedback from area Y. We perform a structural and functional characterization of this loop, finding a differential impact of layer-specific pathways in the feed-forward and feedback directions. Second, we explore stimulus discrimination by presenting four different spatially-segregate stimulus patterns. We observe well-defined temporal sequences of functional cell assembly activation, with stimulus specificity in early but not late assemblies in area X, i.e., in the stimulus-driven component of the response but not in the feedback-driven component. We also find the earliest assembly in area Y to be specific to pairs of patterns, consistent with the topography of connections. Finally, we examine the integration of bottom-up and top-down signals. When presenting a second stimulus coincident with the feedback-driven component, we observe an approximate linear superposition of responses. The implied lack of interaction is consistent with the stochastic and hence naive connectivity in the model, but provides a useful foundation for plasticity mechanisms to learn top-down influences. This work represents a first step in the study of inter-areal interactions with biophysically-detailed simulations.
Semi-automated Production of Cell-free Biosensors
Authors: Brown Dylan M. , Phillips Daniel A. , Garcia David C. , Arce Anibal , Lucci Tyler , Davies John P. , Mangini Jacob , Rhea Katherine A. , Bernhards Casey B. , Biondo John R. , Blum Steven M. , Cole Stephanie D. , Lee Jennifer A. , Lee Marilyn S. , McDonald Nathan D. , Wang Brenda , Perdue Dale L. , Thavarajah Walter , Karim Ashty S. , Lux Matthew W. , Jewett Michael C. , Miklos Aleksandr E. , Lucks Julius B
Published: October 2024

Cell-free synthetic biology biosensors have potential as effective in vitro diagnostic technologies for the detection of chemical compounds such as toxins and human health biomarkers. They have several advantages over conventional laboratory-based diagnostic approaches, including being able to be assembled, freeze-dried, distributed, and then used at the point-of-need. This makes them an attractive platform for cheap and rapid chemical detection across the globe. Though promising, a major challenge is scaling up biosensor manufacturing to meet the needs of their multiple uses. Currently, cell-free biosensor assembly during lab-scale development is mostly performed manually by the operator, leading to quality control and performance variability issues. Here we explore the use of liquid handling robotics to manufacture cell-free biosensor reactions. We compare both manual and semi-automated reaction assembly approaches using the Opentrons OT-2 liquid handling platform on two different cell-free gene expression assay systems that constitutively produce colorimetric (LacZ) or fluorescent (GFP) signals. We test the designed protocol by constructing an entire 384-well plate of fluoride sensing cell-free biosensors and demonstrate that they perform closely to expected detection outcomes.
Can we predict sleep health based on brain features? A large-scale machine learning study using UK Biobank
Authors: Raimondo Federico , Bi Hanwen , Komeyer Vera , Kasper Jan , Primus Sabrina Alexandra , Hoffstaedter Felix , Mandal Synchon , Waite Laura , Winkelmann Juliane , Oexle Konrad , Eickhoff Simon , Tahmasian Masoud , Patil Kaustubh
Published: October 2024

Backgrounds: Several correlational or group comparison evidence highlighted robust associations between sleep health and macro-scale brain organization. However, inter-individual variability is critical in such interplay. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the role of brain imaging features in predicting diverse sleep health-related characteristics at the individual subject level using the Machine Learning (ML) approach. Methods: A sample of 28,088 participants from the UK Biobank was employed to calculate 4677 structural and functional neuroimaging markers. Then, we employed them to predict self-reported insomnia symptoms, sleep duration, easiness of getting up in the morning, chronotype, daily nap, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. To assess the predictability of brain features, we built seven different linear and nonlinear ML models for each sleep health-related characteristic. Results: We performed extensive ML analyses that involved more than 19 years of compute time. We observed relatively low performance in predicting all sleep health-related characteristics from brain images (e.g., balanced accuracy ranging between 0.50-0.59). Across all models, the best performance achieved was 0.59, using a linear ML model to predict the ease of getting up in the morning. In fact, a similar performance was achieved with models trained solely on age and sex, indicating that these demographic factors might be the ones driving the predictions. Conclusions: The low capability of multimodal neuroimaging markers in predicting sleep health-related characteristics, even under extensive ML optimization in a large population sample, suggests a complex relationship between sleep health and brain organization.
HIV-2 evolved ZAP resistance despite increased CpG levels
Authors: Kmiec Dorota , Nchioua Rayhane , Erdemci-Evin Sümeyye , Lapp Stacey , Carnathan Diane , Bosinger Steven , Kirchhoff Frank
Published: October 2024

Simian immunodeficiency viruses infecting sooty mangabeys (SIVsmm) have been transmitted to humans on multiple occasions, giving rise to human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) groups A to I. However, only groups A and B spread significantly in humans causing an epidemic in West Africa. The reasons for this are poorly understood. Here, we show that genetically diverse SIVsmm strains efficiently infect primary human T cells. However, they are highly sensitive to type I IFN, indicating that interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) pose a barrier to successful spread of SIVsmm in humans. One well-known ISG is the zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP), which specifically targets CpG dinucleotides in viral RNAs. To evade ZAP restriction, many viruses including HIV-1 suppress their CpG content. Unexpectedly, we found that HIV-2 is less sensitive to restriction by ZAP than HIV-1 and SIVsmm despite significantly higher CpG content. Analyses of chimeric HIV-2/SIVsmm constructs revealed that the determinants of ZAP resistance map to the U3 region of the 3’ LTR that overlaps with thenefgene. Our results indicate that ZAP poses a barrier for efficient spread of SIVsmm in humans and that epidemic HIV-2 evolved an unique mechanism to evade it.
Amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein and tau aggregated co-pathologies enhance neuropathology and neuroinflammation
Authors: Webster Jhodi M. , Stone William J. , Yang Ya-Ting , Miller Aidan T. , Childers Gabrielle M. , Corbin-Stein Nicole J. , Mudium Nikhita , Molina Jeremy , Won Woong-Jai , Sandoval Ivette M. , Tyrrell Daniel J. , Manfredsson Frederic P. , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Harms Ashley S.
Published: October 2024

Lewy pathology due to alpha-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions is one of the major hallmarks of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). β-Amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated-tau, pathologies usually found in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), have also been implicated in PD, with over 50% of patients exhibited the co-expression of these proteins (co-pathologies). In both AD and PD postmortem tissue, neuroinflammation – the activation of microglia and resident macrophages and the infiltration of immune cells from the periphery, including T cells and monocytes–are drivers of neurodegeneration. However, how the co-expression of these pathologies contribute to the inflammatory response and overall neurodegenerative disease phenotype remains unknown. To understand how the co-expression of pathologies drives neuropathology, we developed a novel co-pathology model by stereotaxically injecting α-syn pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum, and AAV-doublemuttau virus into the entorhinal cortex, of 3-month-old J20 transgenic mice with Aβ pathology. We analyzed immune cell populations in the brain and periphery at 3 months post-induction (3MPI). At 6MPI, neuronal loss in the hippocampus and substantia nigra pars compacta were assessed along with pathological protein deposition. At 3MPI, the co-pathology mouse model begins to exhibit enhanced pathology load in the cortex and hippocampus. There was a robust neuroinflammatory response in interconnected brain regions, including increased microglial cell number, changes in microglial activation markers, and infiltration of T cells. This was synergistic in the co-pathology model, compared to the individual models, supporting the hypothesis that these collectively may drive the progression of disease.
Caging of membrane-to-cortex attachment proteins can trigger cellular symmetry breaking
Authors: Dar Srishti , Moreno Rubén Tesoro , Palaia Ivan , Gopalan Anusha B. , Sun Zachary Gao , Strauss Léanne , Sprenger Richard R. , Belmonte Julio M. , Foster Sarah K. , Murrell Michael , Ejsing Christer S. , Šarić Anđela , Leptin Maria , Diz-Muñoz Alba
Published: October 2024

To migrate, divide, and change shape, cells must regulate the mechanics of their periphery. The cell surface is a complex structure that consists of a thin, contractile cortical actin network tethered to the plasma membrane by specialized membrane-to-cortex attachment (MCA) proteins. This active and constantly fluctuating system maintains a delicate mechanochemical state which permits spontaneous polarization and shape change when needed. Combiningin silico,in vitro, andin vivoexperiments we show how membrane viscosity and MCA protein length regulate cortical dynamics. We reveal a novel mechanism whereby caging of linker proteins in the actin cortex allows for the amplification of small changes in these key parameters, leading to major alterations of cortical contractility. In cells, this mechanism alone gives rise to symmetry breaking phenomena, suggesting that local changes in lipid composition, in combination with the choice of MCA proteins, contribute to the regulation of cellular morphogenesis and function.
Legacies and impacts of major sporting events for communities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds: a systematic review
Authors: Liang Xiao , Quinton Mary , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Jet , Duan Zhaoyu , Zoob Carter Barnaby , Heyes Andrew , Lee Mark , Alharbi Abdullah , Chen Shushu
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The global hosting of major events is garnering increasing attention from governments. As this phenomenon expands into emerging states, where arguably the most severe inequalities exist, the question of who truly benefits from these events has not been systematically scrutinised, particularly from an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) perspective. Therefore, adopting a nuanced segmentation approach is increasingly vital to assess the diverse impacts of hosting major sporting events on varied populations. This systematic review offers a broad and exploratory investigation into how major sporting events affect communities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (CIDBs).

Design/methodology/approach

In alignment with the PRISMA guidelines, four academic databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English-language journals from 2000 to 2023. A total of 95 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, culminating in a final sample of 14 articles in the review.

Findings

The selected articles showed moderate quality and primarily used qualitative methods. The urban theories or event leverage frameworks are frequently employed. There are four legacy/impact themes that emerged: social, economic, sport and infrastructure. The prevailing conclusion is that CIDBs tend to experience negative legacies from these events.

Research limitations/implications

This research underscores the pressing need for more socially responsible and equitable approaches to event hosting. Failing to tackle these crucial issues may intensify existing inequalities and provoke significant public dissatisfaction, thereby jeopardising the overarching goals these major events strive to accomplish.

Originality/value

This review marks the first of its kind, offering a thorough and comprehensive synthesis of evidence concerning the legacies of major events for CIDBs.
MHD double diffusive convective squeezing ternary nanofluid flow between parallel plates with activation energy and viscous dissipation
Authors: Sivanandam Sivasankaran , Thangaraj Chandrapushpam , Bhuvaneswari M.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to present the consequences of activation energy and the chemical reactions on the unsteady MHD squeezing flow of an incompressible ternary hybrid nanofluid (THN) comprising magnetite (FE3O4), multiwalled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNT) and copper (Cu) along with water (H2O) as the base fluid. This investigation is performed within the framework of two moving parallel plates under the influence of magnetic field and viscous dissipation.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the complementary benefits of nanoparticles, THN is used to augment the heat transmit fluid’s efficacy. The flow situation is expressed as a system of dimensionless, nonlinear partial differential equations, which are reduced to a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by suitable similarity substitutions. These transformed ODEs are then solved through a semianalytical technique called differential transform method (DTM). The effects of several changing physical parameters on the flow, temperature, concentration and the substantial measures of interest have been deliberated through graphs. This study verifies the reliability of the results by performing a comparison analysis with prior researches.

Findings

The enhanced activation energy results in improved concentration distribution and declined Sherwood number. Enhancement in chemical reaction parameter causes disparities in concentration of the ternary nanofluid. When the Hartmann number is zero, value of skin friction is high, but Nusselt and Sherwood numbers values are small. Rising nanoparticles concentrations correspond to a boost in overall thermal conductivity, causing reduced temperature profile.

Research limitations/implications

Due to its firm and simple nature, its implications are in various fields like chemical industry and medical industry for designing practical problems into mathematical models and experimental analysis.

Practical implications

Deployment of the squeezed flow of ternary nanofluid with activation energy has significant consideration in nuclear reactors, vehicles, manufacturing facilities and engineering environments.

Social implications

This study would be contributing significantly in the field of medical technology for treating cancer through hyperthermia treatment, and in industrial processes like water desalination and purification.

Originality/value

In this problem, a semianalytical approach called DTM is adopted to explore the consequences of activation energy and chemical reactions on the squeezing flow of ternary nanofluid.
Heat transfer in a non-uniformly heated enclosure filled by NEPCM water nanofluid
Authors: Vemula Rajesh , Öztop Hakan F.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to focuses on by investigate the heat transmission and free convective flow of a suspension of nano encapsulated phase change materials (NEPCMs) within an enclosure. Particles of NEPCM have a core-shell structure, with phase change material (PCM) serving as the core.

Design/methodology/approach

The enclosure consists of a square chamber with an insulated wall on top and bottom and vertical walls that are differently heated. The governing equations are investigated using the finite element technique. A grid inspection and validation test are done to confirm the precision of the results.

Findings

The effects of fusion temperature (varying from 0.1 to 0.9), Stefan number (changing from 0.2 to 0.7), Rayleigh number (varying from 103 to 106) and volume fraction of NEPCM nanoparticles (changing from 0 to 0.05) on the streamlines, isotherms, heat capacity ratio and average Nusselt number are investigated using graphs and tables. From this investigation, it is found that using a NEPCM nano suspension results in a significant enhancement in heat transfer compared to pure fluid. This augmentation becomes more important for the low Stefan number, which is around 16.57% approximately at 0.2. Secondary recirculation is formed near the upper left corner as a result of non-uniform heating of the left vertical border. This eddy expands notably as the Rayleigh number rises. The study findings indicate that the NEPCM nanosuspension has the potential to act as a smart working fluid, significantly enhancing average Nusselt numbers in enclosed chambers.

Research limitations/implications

The NEPCM particle consists of a core (n-octadecane, a phase-change material) and a shell (PMMA, an encapsulation material). The host fluid water and the NEPCM particles are considered to form a dilute suspension.

Practical implications

Using NEPCMs in energy storage thermal systems show potential for improving heat transfer efficiency in several engineering applications. NEPCMs merge the beneficial characteristics of PCMs with the enhanced thermal conductivity of nanoparticles, providing a flexible alternative for effective thermal energy storage and control.

Originality/value

This paper aims to explore the free convective flow and heat transmission of NEPCM water-type nanofluid in a square chamber with an insulated top boundary, a uniformly heated bottom boundary, a cooled right boundary and a non-uniformly heated left boundary.
Understanding the drivers of consumers’ acceptance and use of service robots in the hotel industry
Authors: Han Heesup , Kim Sung In , Lee Jin-Soo , Jung Inyoung
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to discover factors and configurations that influence customers’ acceptance behaviors to investigate the current hospitality industry using service robots.

Design/methodology/approach

A mix of symmetrical and asymmetrical modeling methods was used for the data analysis. The symmetrical modeling was used to find the net effects, whereas asymmetrical modeling was adopted to find the combined configurations for hotel guests’ robot service acceptance behaviors.

Findings

The results revealed the significant effect of innovativeness, willingness to be a lighthouse customer, personal norms and concern about service robot performance on acceptance behaviors. In addition, the complex solution models using characteristics of tech-forward consumers, norms and attitude and uncertainty and concern were found.

Practical implications

The study shows directions to hotel marketers, to help them make customers adopt service robots.

Originality/value

The study explored customer service robot acceptance behaviors based on comprehensive theoretical backgrounds, including the technology acceptance model, theory of planned behavior, norm activation model and service robot acceptance model.
Forecasting residential real estate prices and energy usage in Flanders
Authors: Gerassimenko Alesia , De Moor Lieven , Defau Laurens
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Currently, residential forecasting literature is limited with few to no forecasting papers that consider residential prices and energy consumption for the selling and rental market within a single study. The purpose of this paper is to study the prices and energy usage for both markets by combining an explanatory model with the predictions of a predictive model, which will lead to a better understanding of the forecasting results.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents an econometric comparison between 508,612 selling properties and 174,007 rental properties transacted in Flanders between January 2019 and December 2023. The authors study their prices and energy usage by combining the causal results of a hedonic price model (HPM) with the predictions of an autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA).

Findings

The authors find that both markets are extremely sensitive to changes in related factors, whereby selling prices are primarily influenced by macroeconomic factors, but rental prices and especially energy usage are also sensitive to market standards. Policies that target energy efficiency can therefore steer its future trend. In addition, in line with previous literature, the HPM shows an increasingly strong relationship between residential prices and energy efficiency over the years, indicating that these steering energy policies also indirectly monitor residential prices.

Originality/value

This study underscores the importance of integrating the results of an explanatory model with a predictive model. It demonstrates that combining them provides a more comprehensive understanding which is helpful for policymakers, real estate professionals and investors during their decision-making process.
Rhythm and shift frequency of strategic renewal in Indonesian firm performance
Authors: Maharani Ida Ayu Kartika , Sukoco Badri Munir , Ahlstrom David , Usman Indrianawati
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore how manufacturing firms in emerging economies can effectively adjust the rhythm and shift frequency between exploitation and exploration renewal. The authors also examine how these strategic adjustments can significantly boost firm performance, offering insights into the dynamic process of strategic renewal.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes annual reports of 127 Indonesian manufacturing firms from 2014 to 2019, applying both linear and curvilinear regression models to examine the hypotheses. Data on exploration and exploitation renewal were meticulously gathered using computer-aided text analysis, using targeted keywords to identify strategic renewal efforts.

Findings

The study shows that a rather irregular balance rhythm between exploitation and exploration renewal surprisingly enhances firm performance. A curvilinear relationship emerges as performance peaks when the shift frequency of renewal occurs about three times. This relationship optimizes the strategic renewal processes, emphasizing that firms need to remain agile and adaptable in today’s dynamic market environment.

Originality/value

This study leverages organizational learning to assess how the paradoxical dimensions of exploration and exploitation renewal impact firm performance. By focusing on the temporal transition of these tensions, it provides insights into optimizing the rhythm and shift frequency of renewal, transitioning from a static to a dynamic accord.
Development and validation of a scale for citizen distrust in public organizations
Authors: Latusek Dominika , Pikos Anna , Wardaszko Marcin
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Distrust has been a neglected concept in public governance research, especially in comparison with the much more developed stream of studies on trust. Recently, however, there has been a growing recognition of the need to better understand distrust and separate it from trust, especially given contemporary social challenges which endanger trust within societies. This study aims to propose a validated and reliable scale to measure citizen distrust in public organizations through assessment of public organizations’ untrustworthiness.

Design/methodology/approach

A rigorous three-stage scale development procedure was used to identify, operationalize, evaluate and validate the dimensions of distrust. Data obtained from a research sample of 541 Polish citizens was subject to construct validation (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) with satisfactory discriminant and convergent validities. A homogeneity reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha) provided an evidence of internal consistency reliability.

Findings

The study presents a valid and reliable scale assessing distrust through three dimensions of untrustworthiness in the context of public administration. This scale was developed as a three-factor construct with 11 validated items.

Originality/value

The presented instrument allows researchers to study distrust systematically across sectors and countries. It may be useful in future research and may provide insights to design practical remedies for citizen distrust.
Accountingization of the pandemic multiple: enactments of perceived completeness in accounting representations
Authors: Fırtın Cemil Eren
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to add to knowledge regarding the role of accounting in managing a crisis, specifically to show the emergence of multiple and contesting accountings and their roles in governing crises.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical case concerns management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. The analysis is qualitative and based on documents.

Findings

The analysis reveals different enactments of the pandemic multiple: scientific, business, political, patient and household. Within these, accounting representations were used in contention with each other. On the one hand, efforts were made to control the pandemic by testing, quarantines, curfews and other restrictions, supported by the accounts of managerial, political and economic calculations. On the other hand, these accounts were challenged by counter accounts using medical professional calculations.

Originality/value

This study adds new knowledge about the role of calculations in crises by elaborating on the emergence, persistence, transformation and proliferation of accounts that enabled accountingization of the crisis. By understanding the pandemic as an object multiple, I unpack the multiplicity of accounting representations in different enactments. The study also provides new insights into discussions regarding the (in)completeness of accounting. More specifically, different enactments of the pandemic multiple were supported by the perception of completeness among the actors in their accounting representations. The study explored how accounting sustains different versions of objects that existed before accounting while simultaneously trying to relate the different versions: there were both flows and closures between the different enactments of pandemic. In contrast to the argument that the relative completeness of accounting can resolve multiple tensions and that absences trigger innovation, I observed differing interactions among accounting representations while perceived completeness became the source of managing and coordinating the object multiple. That is, accounting is not only used for coordination but also for maintaining the closeness of each enactment of the pandemic.
Destination promotional videos and tourism ethnocentrism in emerging tourism destinations: is there a link?
Authors: Amani David
Published: October 2024

Purpose

There is an increasing focus on the significance of tourism ethnocentrism in determining the success of tourism development and marketing. However, the relationship between tourism ethnocentrism and various tourism-related concepts remains inadequately explored. Hence, this study aims to address the growing need to examine the factors that bolster tourism ethnocentrism in emerging tourism destinations using stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, the study gathered data from 434 respondents, which were subsequently analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results highlight crucial findings: destination promotional videos contribute to the accumulation of tourism knowledge, which, in turn, fosters tourism ethnocentrism. These findings imply that tourism knowledge mediates the relationship between destination promotional videos and tourism ethnocentrism.

Practical implications

The study strongly advocates for using destination promotional videos to enhance resident support for tourism by augmenting perceived tourism knowledge. Managers in destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are encouraged to adopt destination promotional videos as a novel approach for promoting inclusive tourism development by enhancing tourism knowledge as mechanisms for promoting tourism ethnocentrism.

Originality/value

By considering and proposing destination promotional videos as an ambivalent mechanism of tourism ethnocentrism, this study is an academic endeavor that advances insights into the occurrence of tourism ethnocentrism as an important component of inclusive tourism development.
Exploring racial and ethnic disparities in the hidradenitis suppurativa patient disease journey: Results from a real‐world study in Europe and the USA
Authors: Jaleel Tarannum , Mitchell Beth , Burge Russel , Cohee Andrea , Wallinger Hayley , Truman Isabel , Keal Aaron , Middleton‐Dalby Chloe , Barlow Sophie , Patel Dipak
Published: October 2024

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease associated with high morbidity and disability that has limited treatment options. People from racial and ethnic minority groups may experience greater disease severity and delay to diagnosis. This study assessed the impact of race/ethnicity on HS diagnosis and management in real‐world clinical settings. Data were derived from the Adelphi Real World Hidradenitis Suppurativa Disease Specific Programme, a survey of dermatologists and their consulting HS patients in five European countries and the USA in 2020/2021. Dermatologists returned demographic and clinical data, and treatment goals and satisfaction for their next five to seven consulting patients. Patients completed a questionnaire on disease history and diagnosis, disease burden, and treatment satisfaction. Groups were compared with bivariate tests. In total, 312 physicians returned data on 1787 patients; 57.6% were female and 77.7% White. People from racial and ethnic minority groups were younger than White patients (32.9 ± 11.6 vs. 34.9 ± 12.4, mean ± standard deviation) and reported symptoms at a younger age (23.3 ± 10.8 vs. 26.2 ± 11.1), but their time to first consultation was longer than for White patients (2.6 ± 5.7 vs. 1.2 ± 2.5 years). People from racial and ethnic minority groups took longer to receive a correct diagnosis following first consultation (2.7 ± 5.3 vs. 1.5 ± 4.1 years) and were more likely to be misdiagnosed with boils (73.5% vs. 40.4%). People from racial and ethnic minority groups had a greater disease awareness at diagnosis and reported wanting greater support. People from racial and ethnic minority groups reported a greater impact on life, more severe pain, and a greater level of activity impairment in the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: General Health (27.0 ± 25.2 vs. 20.0 ± 20.6). All P values were ≤0.05. These data show evidence of delayed diagnosis and higher HS symptom burden amongst people from racial and ethnic minority groups, highlighting health disparities in HS.
Niche filling predicts evolutionary trajectories in insular bird communities
Authors: Dufour Paul , Sayol Ferran , Steinbauer Manuel J. , Cooke Rob , Faurby Søren
Published: October 2024

Different theories have been proposed to explain the phenotypic changes observed in island lineages, but it remains unclear if predictable evolutionary trajectories can be identified within island communities.

Using a 3D functional space approach, we tested whether insular endemic species tend to evolve towards apparent holes in niche space (expecting niche filling) or tend to become generalists, that is, moving towards the centre of the functional space (expecting niche expansion).

We tested these two hypotheses in 378 insular endemic species from 24 islands of 8 archipelagos, including 177 prehistoric anthropogenically extinct species. Analyses were conducted with and without accounting for species size difference.

We found that 57% of island endemic species evolved towards more unoccupied regions of the global morphospace (i.e. more distinct body sizes compared to the ones of their ancestors), suggesting a tendency for niche filling. When adjusted traits for body size, we found that half of the endemic species (50%) showed more distinct trait values than their ancestors.

Results also revealed that certain dietary niches (terrestrial herbivores and nectarivores) evolved distinct body sizes more frequently. Differences noted between islands and archipelagos suggest that biogeographic factors may influence evolutionary trajectory and interactions between these two hypotheses.

Our study confirms that extinct species occupied specific niches that have been left vacant, suggesting that these evolutionary ‘oddities’ could be more sensitive to extinction. Overall, it calls for a global assessment of the avian functional diversity lost from recent extinctions.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Using Political Connections to Raise Rivals’ Costs: Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: Saeed Abubakr , Baloch Muhammad Saad , Liedong Tahiru Azaaviele
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we leverage resource dependency theory to examine the impact of political connections on rivals’ costs and how this impact is affected by rival‐side and politician‐side contingencies. Using a panel dataset of Pakistani firms, our system generalized method of moments estimates show that politically connected firms can increase their rivals’ costs by influencing their rivals’ dependency relationship with the government. This impact is attenuated by the rivals’ strategic flexibility and social legitimacy, which provide some protection or insulation from political attacks in resource markets. Together, our findings extend the contingent dynamics of resource dependency in political markets from focal firms to competitors and offer significant contributions to the corporate political activity literature and resource dependency theory.
Antecedents of Customer Participation on Sharing Platforms: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Blut Markus , Wang Cheng
Published: October 2024

Given the substantive influence of the digital revolution on the sharing economy, it is timely and relevant to ask why some sharing platforms (e.g. Airbnb and Uber) achieve significant success while others fail. To determine which factors encourage customers to participate in sharing goods and services on sharing platforms, and when they do so, this study conducts a meta‐analysis of empirical findings from 192 independent samples, extracted from 167 studies involving 171,344 customers. As the results clarify, customer‐related factors (customer motives, customer competence, customer satisfaction and subjective norms) are key antecedents. However, platform‐related factors (service quality of the platform, trust in the platform, performance expectancy and effort expectancy) and service‐provider‐related factors (service quality of the provider, trust in the provider and provider gender) also exert meaningful effects. To assess the generalizability of these antecedents, the meta‐analysis includes contextual moderators, namely customer type (previous provider experience), provider type (private/professional supply), platform characteristics (rivalry on the platform, prestige of ownership and services/goods) and exchange type (for‐profit/non‐profit and ownership transfer). The findings advance the literature on the sharing economy and provide specific guidance for platform managers about when to focus on certain antecedents.