bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burden of insomnia on healthcare utilization in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Solomon Shirley , Meiri Gal , Michaelovski Analya , Sadaka Yair , Ilan Michal , Faroy Michal , Dinstein Ilan , Menashe Idan
Published: December 2022

Insomnia is frequently reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is associated with the severity of hyperactivity, irritability, sensory sensitivities, and related symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the extent of healthcare utilization associated with insomnia in children with ASD. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 541 children with ASD registered at the National Autism Database of Israel (NADI). Parents of all children completed the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and insomnia was defined as a total CSHQ score ≥48. We compared sociodemographic characteristics, ASD diagnostic measures, chronic comorbidities, medication usage, hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room (ER), and visits to specialists between ASD children with and without insomnia. Finally, we assessed the independent association of insomnia with clinical characteristics and healthcare utilization using multivariate logistic regression models. Of the 541 children with ASD, 257 (47.5%) had insomnia. Children with insomnia compared to children without insomnia exhibited higher rates of comorbidities within the symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions (ICD-9[780–789]) category (aOR=1.70; 95%CI=1.04-2.77; p=0.033) and were prescribed more medications for chronic comorbidities (aOR=1.47; 95%CI=1.01-2.15; p=0.046). Finally, ASD children with insomnia were 1.75 and 2.82 times more likely to visit the ER and be hospitalized than their counterparts (aOR=1.75; 95%CI=1.17-2.62; p=0.007 and aOR=2.82; 95%CI=1.43-5.56; p=0.003, respectively). Our findings demonstrate that insomnia is associated with greater healthcare utilization among children with ASD. Thus, treating insomnia in children with ASD may have a broad clinical impact beyond specific improvements in sleep disturbances.
Improving cardiovascular health in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm: Development of the Cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with aneurysms (CRISP) behaviour change intervention
Authors: Withers T. M. , Greaves C. J. , Bown M. J. , Saratzis A.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an important cardiovascular health problem. Ultrasound screening is proven to reduce AAA-mortality and programmes have been implemented in some healthcare systems. Those who are identified as having a small AAA in screening enter into a surveillance programme to monitor AAA-size. Individuals in AAA-surveillance are at elevated risk of cardiovascular events, which is not currently addressed sufficiently. We aimed to develop a simple intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk, which could be embedded in AAA surveillance-pathways.

Design

Intervention mapping methods were used to co-develop the intervention

Participants

Individuals with AAA, families/carers, and healthcare staff.

Setting

AAA screening and surveillance programmes in the United Kingdom

Outcome measures

We identified “targets for change” by synthesising research evidence and international guidelines and consulting with patients, caregivers and health service providers. We conducted a series of workshops to identify barriers to and facilitators of change, and used taxonomies of behaviour change theories and techniques to match intervention strategies to each target. Further stakeholder involvement work helped refine the intervention.

Results

The developed intervention focusses on assessment and individually tailored discussion of risk factors, exchanging information, building motivation and action planning, followed by review of progress and problem-solving. Workbooks covering physical activity, diet, stress management, alcohol, smoking, blood pressure and mental health are provided to support behaviour change. The intervention is facilitated by trained healthcare professionals during the patient’s AAA screening appointment for the duration that they are in surveillance.

Conclusions

The developed intervention will now be tested to assess whether it can be integrated with the current AAA screening programme. The developed intervention is a novel approach to reducing cardiovascular disease in the AAA population, it is also the first intervention which tries to do this in this population.
Incivility in the workplace: A study of nursing and midwifery staff in Northern Ghana
Authors: Boo Alipitio , Dzomeku Veronica Millicent , Diji Abigail Kusi-Amponsah , Bonsu Adwoa Bemah , Apiribu Felix
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, sources and effect of incivility in a tertiary hospital in Northern Ghana.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 321 nurses at a tertiary-level hospital in Northern Ghana. Between October and November 2022, participating nurses responded to an online or self-administered questionnaire using the 43-item incivility scale developed by Guidroz and colleagues. Data collected was cleaned in Microsoft Excel and transported into SPSS version 21 for further statistical analysis.

Results

Two-fifths of the participants (n=131, 40.8%) were aged 31-35 years. Over 50% of the participants were males (n=161), married (n=187) and had a Bachelor’s degree (n=166). A little over 30% of the participants had worked in the nursing profession for more than 8 years.

Conclusion

The participants reported an average incidence of 54.5% of incivility sometimes, most of the time, and all the time. Moreover, in terms of incivility reported under the subscales, the average greatest prevalence recorded was displaced frustration under patients/relations, with a rate of 78.9%. The least average prevalence rate indicated under the subscales was from abusive supervision under direct supervisors with a rate of 30.7%.

The existence of incivility in healthcare settings does not support a setting where healthcare workers and patients may operate safely. Therefore, it is advised that frequent in-service training sessions on what constitutes incivility is held for nurses and the hospital’s general staff in order to raise awareness of the negative impacts of incivility.
A multiomics approach reveals RNA dynamics promote cellular sensitivity to DNA hypomethylation
Authors: Ge Alex Y. , Arab Abolfazl , Dai Raymond , Navickas Albertas , Fish Lisa , Garcia Kristle , Asgharian Hosseinali , Goudreau Jackson , Lee Sean , Keenan Kathryn , Pappalardi Melissa B. , McCabe Michael T. , Przybyla Laralynne , Goodarzi Hani , Gilbert Luke A.
Published: December 2022

The search for new approaches in cancer therapy requires a mechanistic understanding of cancer vulnerabilities and anti-cancer drug mechanisms of action. Problematically, some effective therapeutics target cancer vulnerabilities that have poorly defined mechanisms of anti-cancer activity. One such drug is decitabine, a frontline therapeutic approved for the treatment of high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Decitabine is thought to kill cancer cells selectively via inhibition of DNA methyltransferase enzymes, but the genes and mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, we apply an integrated multiomics and CRISPR functional genomics approach to identify genes and processes associated with response to decitabine in AML cells. Our integrated multiomics approach reveals RNA dynamics are key regulators of DNA hypomethylation induced cell death. Specifically, regulation of RNA decapping, splicing and RNA methylation emerge as important regulators of cellular response to decitabine.
Location and concentration of aromatic-rich segments dictates the percolating inter-molecular network and viscoelastic properties of ageing condensates
Authors: Blazquez Samuel , Sanchez-Burgos Ignacio , Ramirez Jorge , Higginbotham Tim , Conde Maria M. , Collepardo-Guevara Rosana , Tejedor Andres R. , Espinosa Jorge R.
Published: December 2022

Maturation of functional liquid-like biomolecular condensates into solid-like aggregates has been linked to the onset of several neurodegenerative disorders. Low-complexity aromatic-rich kinked segments (LARKS) contained in numerous RNA-binding proteins can promote aggregation by forming inter-proteinβ-sheet fibrils that accumulate over time and ultimately drive the liquid-to-solid transition of the condensates. Here, we combine atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with sequence-dependent coarse-grained models of various resolutions to investigate the role of LARKS abundance and position within the amino acid sequence in the maturation of condensates. Remarkably, proteins with tail-located LARKS display much higher viscosity over time than those in which the LARKS are placed towards the center. Yet, at very long timescales, proteins with a single LARKS—independently of its location—can still relax and behave as high viscous liquids. However, phase-separated condensates of proteins containing two or more LARKS become kinetically trapped due to the formation of percolatedβ-sheet networks that display gel-like behaviour. Furthermore, as a work case example, we demonstrate how shifting the location of the LARKS-containing low-complexity domain of FUS protein towards its center effectively precludes the accumulation ofβ-sheet fibrils in FUS-RNA condensates, maintaining functional liquid-like behaviour without ageing.
Chaotic signatures in host-microbe interactions
Authors: Sella Yehonatan , Broderick Nichole A , Stouffer Kaitlin , McEwan Deborah L , Ausubel Frederick M. , Casadevall Arturo , Bergman Aviv
Published: December 2022

Host-microbe interactions constitute dynamical systems that can be represented by mathematical formulations that determine their dynamic nature, and are categorized as deterministic, stochastic, or chaotic. Knowing the type of dynamical interaction is essential for understanding the system under study. Very little experimental work has been done to determine the dynamical characteristics of host-microbe interactions and its study poses significant challenges. The most straightforward experimental outcome involves an observation of time to death upon infection. However, in measuring this outcome, the internal parameters, and the dynamics of each particular host-microbe interaction in a population of interactions are hidden from the experimentalist. To investigate whether a time-to-death (time to event) dataset provides adequate information for searching for chaotic signatures, we first determined our ability to detect chaos in simulated data sets of time-to-event measurements and successfully distinguished the time-to-event distribution of a chaotic process from a comparable stochastic one. To do so, we introduced aninversion measureto test for a chaotic signature in time-to-event distributions. Next, we searched for chaos, in time-to-death ofCaenorhabditis elegansandDrosophila melanogasterinfected withPseudomonas aeruginosaorPseudomonas entomophila, respectively. We found suggestions of chaotic signatures in both systems, but caution that our results are preliminary and highlight the need for more fine-grained and larger data sets in determining dynamical characteristics. If validated, chaos in host-microbe interactions would have important implications for the occurrence and outcome of infectious diseases, the reproducibility of experiments in the field of microbial pathogenesis and the prediction of microbial threats.

Importance

Is microbial pathogenesis a predictable scientific field? At a time when we are dealing with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) there is intense interest in knowing about the epidemic potential of other microbial threats and new emerging infectious diseases. To know whether microbial pathogenesis will ever be a predictable scientific field requires knowing whether a host-microbe interaction follows deterministic, stochastic, or chaotic dynamics. If randomness and chaos are absent from virulence, there is the hope for prediction in the future regarding the outcome of microbe-host interactions. Chaotic systems are inherently unpredictable although it is possible to generate shortterm probabilistic models, as is done in applications of stochastic processes and machine learning to weather forecasting. Information on the dynamics of a system is also essential for understanding the reproducibility of experiments, a topic of great concern in biological sciences. Our study finds preliminary evidence for chaotic dynamics in infectious diseases.
Effects of DNA extraction, DNA integrity, and laboratory on the precision of qPCR-based telomere length measurement - a multi-lab impartial study
Authors: Lin Jue , Verhulst Simon , Alonso Camilo Fernandez , Dagnall Casey , Gadalla Shahinaz , Hastings Waylon J. , Lai Tsung-Po , Shalev Idan , Wang Ying , Zheng Yun-Ling , Epel Elissa , Drury Stacy
Published: December 2022

Measuring telomere length (TL) with high precision is challenging. Currently there is insufficient understanding of the causes of variation in measurement precision, particularly for qPCR-based measurement. To better understand how DNA extraction protocols and laboratory-specific analytical factors influence qPCR-based TL measurement precision, we conducted a multi-laboratory study involving four labs and six DNA extraction protocols assaying the same blinded human whole blood samples. DNA extraction protocols differed in underlying principles (magnetic beads, salting out, silica membrane) and commercial kits. A fifth lab performed Telomere Restriction Fragment (TRF) analysis using Southern Blot technique with one DNA extraction protocol. All labs performed TL measurement using their standard procedures on two sets of fifty double blinded samples. Data was sent to a central point for unblinding and statistical analyses. Precision was quantified using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Correlations with TRF measurements were also calculated. Repeated qPCR-based measurements of the same DNA extraction yielded ICC values ranging from 0.24 to 0.94. ICC values calculated over measurements of repeated DNA extractions were on average 0.23 lower and ranged from 0.02 to 0.83. The latter ICC estimates more strongly predicted the association between qPCR- and Southern blot-based measurements across the protocol / lab combinations (R2=0.56 vs. R2=0.93). We conclude that ICC calculated over measurements on repeated DNA extractions reliably indicates measurement precision, while ICC calculated over multiple measurements of the same DNA extraction overestimates measurement precision. Variation in ICC was driven by variation between laboratories, with few consistent DNA extraction protocol effects. Values of DNA integrity and purity generally characterized as reflecting high sample quality, (e.g. OD 260/280 of 1.8 and OD 260/230 of 2.0) were associated with qPCR-based measurement precision, but did not always predict higher ICCs.
Niche overlap between two large herbivores across landscape variability using dietary eDNA metabarcoding
Authors: Mas-Carrió Eduard , Churski Marcin , Kuijper Dries , Fumagalli Luca
Published: December 2022

Understanding the relationship between a species feeding strategy and its environment (trophic ecology) is critical to assess environmental requirements and improve management policies. However, measuring trophic interactions remains challenging. Among the available methods, quantifying the plant composition of a species’ diet indicates how species use their environment and their associated niche overlap. Nevertheless, most studies focusing on herbivore trophic ecology ignore the influence that landscape variability may have. Here, we explored how landscape variability influences diet composition through niche overlap. We used eDNA metabarcoding to quantify the diet composition of two large herbivores of the Bialowieza Forest, Red deer (Cervus elaphus) and European bison (Bison bonasus) to investigate how increasing habitat quality (i.e. higher abundance of deciduous forage species) and predation risk (i.e. density of wolf in the area) influence their diet composition and niche partitioning. Our findings indicate diet composition is non-homogeneous across the landscape, both within and between species. Red deer showed greater diet variability and lower niche overlap within species compared to bison. We detected a reduction of niche overlap for red deer with increasing predation risk, leading to more dissimilar diets, suggesting their feeding behaviour is affected by wolf presence. This correlation was not found for bison, which are rarely predated by wolf. Higher habitat quality was associated with higher niche overlap only within bison, probably due to their suboptimal feeding strategy as browsers. These results show the importance of integrating environment-induced diet variation in studies aimed at determining the landscape usage or niche overlap of a species. Niche overlap can therefore be a powerful tool for inferring predation risk for red deer, and estimating predator abundance or its perception. This approach has enormous potential for wildlife management in areas where predator estimates are unknown or difficult to quantify.
A novel LC-MS/MS method development and validation for the determination of tezepelumab in rat plasma and its application in rat pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Nimmakayala Madhusudhana Reddy , Kolli Deepti , Kumar J.V. Shanmukha
Published: December 2022

By developing a quick, accurate, reproducible, and straightforward LC-MS/MS system and employing trastuzumab as an internal standard (IS), tezepelumab (TZP)’s quantification was achieved. This study explores the most recent advancement in bioanalytical LC-MS/MS technologies utilizing a 150×4.6 mm, 3.5µ Waters Symmetry C18 column that was set for isocratic mode at ambient temperature. Methanol (MeoH): 0.1% Formic acid (FA) in 40:60 v/v at 1.0 ml/min was utilized as the mobile phase. The injection volume and runtime were 10 µl and 5 minutes, respectively. TZP’s retention time (RT) was 1.944 Minutes, and a chromatographic duration total of 5.0 min. With a correlation value (r2) of 0.99971, the technique was validated for Tezepelumab throughout a linear range of 6.00–120.00 ng/mL. Findings for precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability all occurred within acceptable limits. Below visual abstract is the concise summary of the article.

Abstract Figure
Identification of structurally diverse FSP1 inhibitors that sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis
Authors: Hendricks Joseph M. , Doubravsky Cody , Wehri Eddie , Li Zhipeng , Roberts Melissa A. , Deol Kirandeep , Lange Mike , Lasheras-Otero Irene , Dixon S.J. , Bersuker Kirill , Schaletzky Julia , Olzmann James A.
Published: December 2022

Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death associated with the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides. Inducing ferroptosis is a promising approach to treat therapy resistant cancer. Ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) promotes ferroptosis resistance in cancer by generating the antioxidant form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ). Despite the important role of FSP1, few molecular tools exist that target the CoQ-FSP1 pathway. Exploiting a series of chemical screens, we identify several structurally diverse FSP1 inhibitors. The most potent of these compounds, ferroptosis sensitizer 1 (FSEN1), is an uncompetitive inhibitor that acts selectively through on target inhibition of FSP1 to sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis. Furthermore, a synthetic lethality screen reveals that FSEN1 synergizes with endoperoxide-containing ferroptosis inducers, including dihydroartemisinin, to trigger ferroptosis. These results provide new tools that catalyze the exploration of FSP1 as a therapeutic target and highlight the value of combinatorial therapeutic regimes targeting FSP1 and additional ferroptosis inducers.
Effects of neural noise on predictive model updating across the adult lifespan
Authors: Bornkessel-Schlesewsky Ina , Alday Phillip M. , Corcoran Andrew W. , Wilkinson Erica M. , Sharrad Isabella , Kliegl Reinhold , Lewis Richard L. , Small Steven L. , Schlesewsky Matthias
Published: December 2022

Abstract

In the perceptual and sensorimotor domains, ageing is accompanied by a stronger reliance on top-down predictive model information and reduced sensory learning, thus promoting simpler, more efficient internal models in older adults. Here, we demonstrate analogous effects in higher-order language processing. One-hundred and twenty adults ranging in age from 18 to 83 years listened to short auditory passages containing manipulations of adjective order, with order probabilities varying between two speakers. As a measure of model adaptation, we examined attunement of the N400 event-related potential, a measure of precision-weighted prediction errors in language, to a trial-by-trial measure of speaker-based adjective order expectedness (“speaker-based surprisal”) across the course of the experiment. Adaptation was strongest for young adults, weaker for middle-aged adults, and absent for older adults. Over and above age-related differences, we observed individual differences in model adaptation, with aperiodic (1/f) slope and intercept metrics derived from resting-state EEG showing the most pronounced modulations. We suggest that age-related changes in aperiodic slope, which have been linked to neural noise, may be associated with individual differences in the magnitude of stimulus-related prediction error signals. By contrast, changes in aperiodic intercept, which reflects aggregate population spiking, may relate to an individual’s updating of inferences regarding stimulus precision. These two mechanisms jointly contribute to age-related changes in the precision-weighting of prediction errors and the degree of sensory learning.
Hepatic GATA4 regulates cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis in collaboration with LXRs
Authors: Bideyan Lara , López Rodríguez Maykel , Priest Christina , Kennelly John P. , Gao Yajing , Ferrari Alessandra , Rajbhandari Prashant , Feng An-Chieh , Tevosian Sergei G. , Smale Stephen T. , Tontonoz Peter
Published: December 2022

GATA4 is a transcription factor known for its crucial role in the development of many tissues, including the liver; however, its role in adult liver metabolism is unknown. Here, using high-throughput sequencing technologies, we identified GATA4 as a transcriptional regulator of metabolism in the liver. GATA4 expression is elevated in response to refeeding, and its occupancy is increased at enhancers of genes linked to fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism. Knocking out GATA4 in the adult liver (Gata4LKO) decreased transcriptional activity at GATA4 binding sites, especially during feeding. Gata4LKO mice have reduced plasma HDL cholesterol and increased liver triglyceride levels. The expression of a panel of GATA4 binding genes involved in hepatic cholesterol export and triglyceride hydrolysis was down-regulated in Gata4LKO mice. We further demonstrate that GATA4 collaborates with LXR nuclear receptors in the liver. GATA4 and LXRs share a number of binding sites, and GATA4 was required for the full transcriptional response to LXR activation. Collectively, these results show that hepatic GATA4 contributes to the transcriptional control of hepatic and systemic lipid homeostasis.
Redistribution of lamina-associated domains reshapes binding of pioneer factor FOXA2 in development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Wei Xiaolong , Murphy Megan A. , Reddy Nihal A. , Hao Yi , Eggertsen Taylor G. , Saucerman Jeffrey J. , Bochkis Irina M.
Published: December 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in type 2 diabetes mellitus and the elderly, impacting 40% of individuals over 70. Regulation of heterochromatin at the nuclear lamina has been associated with aging and age-dependent metabolic changes. We previously showed that changes at the lamina in aged hepatocytes and laminopathy models lead to redistribution of lamina-associated domains (LADs), opening of repressed chromatin, and up-regulation of genes regulating lipid synthesis and storage, culminating in fatty liver. Here, we test the hypothesis that change in the expression of lamina-associated proteins and nuclear shape leads to redistribution of LADs, followed by altered binding of pioneer factor FOXA2 and by up-regulation of lipid synthesis and storage, culminating in steatosis in younger NAFLD patients (aged 21–51). Changes in nuclear morphology alter LAD partitioning and reduced lamin B1 signal correlate with increased FOXA2 binding before severe steatosis in young mice placed on a western diet. Nuclear shape is also changed in younger NAFLD patients. LADs are redistrubted and lamin B1 signal decreases similarly in mild and severe steatosis. In contrast, FOXA2 binding is similar in normal and NAFLD patients with moderate steatosis and is repositioned only in NAFLD patients with more severe lipid accumulation. Hence, changes at the nuclear lamina reshape FOXA2 binding with progression of the disease. Our results suggest a role for nuclear lamina in etiology of NAFLD, irrespective of aging, with potential for improved stratification of patients and novel treatments aimed at restoring nuclear lamina function.
Product extension or channel extension – a case of Cronos Industries Pvt Ltd.
Authors: Meghrajani Indra , Shah Sweety
Published: December 2022

Learning outcomes

The primary learning objectives of the case are described below:1) Understanding the start-up market segment for an innovative product.2) Analyse the market expansion and diversification strategies of a start-up.3) Evaluate the business expansion through introduction of new product variants or through envisaging new distribution channels.

Case overview/synopsis

Cronos Ltd. was Iyer's first business endeavour after completing his Master of Business Administration (MBA). Iyer had aspired to be an entrepreneur since he was a youngster. In 2015, a first-generation entrepreneur with full conviction, he entered a market that was tough for a novice to access. Despite several challenges and uncertainties, he persisted and ventured into the company on the edge of extinction with a concept for affordable sanitiser sachets. Strong willpower, but no background, guidance or finances have made him struggle at each stage of his journey. He made this possible as he had understood the need for a specific lower-income segment of customers who could afford to buy the sanitiser sachets for as low as INR1 ($0.013). Until 2021 he was selling through the GT channel in central and western regions of India. He had planned for product extension by introducing three new products in the FMCG sector with manageable finance needs. Meanwhile, he had gotten an offer to enter into the MT channel to compete with big brands in the Gujarat region. Iyer needed substantial funds to expand his business in the MT channel and had to offer equity partnership to the investor, who would invest in the business.

Complexity academic level

Graduate and post-graduate in the topics of segmentations and market expansion in the marketing management subject.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Motivational differences in need for smell
Authors: Pappu Usha L. , Popkowski Leszczyc Peter T.L. , Pappu Ravi , Ashkanasy Neal M.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This research aims to examine the conditions under which individuals’ olfaction is actively engaged in purchase decisions. Consequently, it introduces the concept of need for smell (NFS) to measure differential motivation for the extraction and use of odor information in buying contexts. A ten-item NFS scale was developed that consists of hedonic and utilitarian dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

The scale’s dimensionality and construct validity were examined in five studies. The moderating role of NFS and the mediating role of emotions in the relationship between odor perception and consumer responses were examined. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses and customized PROCESS models.

Findings

The results show that NFS is a two-dimensional construct. The results further support the scale’s internal structure as well as its reliability, convergent, discriminant and nomological validity. NFS moderates the relationship between odor perception and consumer responses, and emotions mediate this relationship. While hedonic NFS strengthens the impact of odor perception on consumer responses, utilitarian NFS weakens this effect.

Research limitations/implications

The present research extends Krishna’s sensory marketing framework, De Luca and Botelho’s scent research framework and Herz et al.’s scent benefits framework, by introducing the concept of NFS into these frameworks. The study demonstrates the relevance and functionality of NFS construct and NFS scale. The study extends the consumer scent research by introducing NFS and illustrating the interplay of odor perception and NFS on consumer responses to scent stimuli.

Practical implications

The NFS scale used in this study adds to the genre of individual difference scales such as need for cognition and need for touch. Given its smell-specific focus, it has applications in a range of consumption contexts. Using NFS, marketers could effectively identify low and high hedonic and utilitarian NFS consumers and position product or ambient scents to serve these segments better. The NFS scale also has implications for the areas of product and service design and development, consumer information search, brand judgments and choice preferences in both scented and non-scented environments.

Originality/value

This work is one of the first attempts, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to explain motivational differences in active engagement of olfaction, especially in purchase decisions. As a critical step in exploring olfactory information processing, the study demonstrates the relevance and functionality of NFS construct and NFS scale. The study extends the consumer scent research by introducing NFS and illustrating the interplay of odor perception and NFS on consumer responses to scent stimuli.
Investigating economic replacement policy under uncertainty for managerial application based on grey-reliability approach using QCC
Authors: Li Nan , Prabhu M. , Sahu Atul Kumar
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of present study is to model the replacement policy under uncertainty for managerial application based on grey-reliability approach by considering the subjective views of quality control circle (QCC). The study objectively links the optimality between individual replacement and group replacement policies for determining the minimum operational costs. The integrated framework between QCC, replacement theory, grey set theory and supply chain management is presented to plan replacement actions under uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes the concept of grey-reliability index and built a decision support model, which can deal with the imprecise information for determining the minimum operational costs to plan subsequent maintenance efforts.

Findings

The findings of the study establish the synergy between individual replacement and group replacement policies. The computations related to the numbers of failures, operational costs, reliability index and failure probabilities are presented under developed framework. An integrated framework to facilitate the managers in deciding the replacement policy based on operational time towards concerning replacement of assets that do not deteriorate, but fails suddenly over time is presented. The conceptual model is explained with a numerical procedure to illustrate the significance of the proposed approach.

Originality/value

A conceptual model under the framework of such items, whose failures cannot be corrected by repair actions, but can only be set by replacement is presented. The study provides an important knowledge based decision support framework for crafting a replacement model using grey set theory. The study captured subjective information to build decision model in the ambit of replacement.
The interplay of integration, flexibility and coordination: a dynamic capability view to responding environmental uncertainty
Authors: Rehman Attique ur , Jajja Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Supply chain literature highlights that environmental uncertainty (EU) encourages firms to integrate their business strategies and develop strategic flexibility (SF). The authors’ use the dynamic capability view (DCV) to explain why the EU motivates firms to develop SF and integrate business strategies for better supply chain coordination (SCC) and enhanced performance. This study tests the role of SCC as a mediator between (1) business strategy integration (BSI) and operational performance, and (2) SF and operational performance. The study also measures the contingent effect of structural constructs on the relationship between EU, BSI and SF.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of 356 firms drawn from the continuous innovation network (CINet) are used in this paper. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the direct, indirect and moderation hypotheses.

Findings

The paper finds that EU enhances SF and BSI. Further, BSI has a significant positive impact on SCC that drives operational performance. The paper also finds that SF has no direct impact on SCC rather it affects SCC through BSI. SCC mediates the relationship between (1) SF and operational performance, and (2) BSI and operational performance. The organization's structural factors including connectedness and formalization moderate the effect of EU on BSI and SF.

Originality/value

The paper extends debate at the interface of supply chain risk and strategy literature and provides a specific understanding of the “external-internal-external” mechanism in the context of the turbulent business environment. This mechanism helps to understand why and under what structural conditions EU (external) leads to BSI and SF (internal). Further, BSI and SF (internal) help firms to manage SCC (external) effectively that in turn improve operational performance.
The effects of digital platform expectations, information schema congruity and behavioural factors on mobility as a service (MaaS) adoption
Authors: Molla Alemayehu , Duan Sophia Xiaoxia , Deng Hepu , Tay Richard
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Mobility as a service (MaaS) is a new model of bundling personal transport options from multiple providers to provide frictionless service. The model integrates information and service to enable users to search, book and pay through a single digital platform. The aim of MaaS is to minimize individual car ownership and revolutionize personal mobility habits in favour of sustainable modes. Thus, it is important to understand consumers' readiness for MaaS. This study explains the factors that influence MaaS adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of the related literature has been conducted, leading to the development of a conceptual model for investigating the key factors that influence MaaS adoption. The model draws upon the digital platform, schema congruity and planned behaviour theories. The model is then tested using structural equation modelling and survey data collected from 331 respondents.

Findings

The findings indicate that MaaS information schema congruity, the digital platform's personalizability, customizability, functional integration, network integration and governance of data together with attitude towards MaaS and subjective norm concerning MaaS influence MaaS adoption. Furthermore, MaaS digital platform expectation and MaaS information schema congruity contribute to users' attitude towards MaaS use.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the design and informational attributes of MaaS platforms that influence their adoption and contributes an integrated research model that links digital platform characteristics, behavioural factors and information schema congruity. Future research can use the constructs and measures we developed in this study to build deeper understanding of what contributes to the success of digital platforms.
Determination of the significance of project delivery attributes (PDAs) on sustainable projects in Turkey
Authors: Aydın Dinçer , Mıhlayanlar Esma
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Many parameters influence the success of sustainable projects (SPs) in the architecture–engineering–construction. One of these important parameters is the project delivery attributes (PDA), which are influenced by the project delivery system (PDS) while affecting the selection of it. This study aims to evaluate the significance of PDAs in influencing both the performance and success of SPs in Turkey, where the interest in SPs is high.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of PDAs was determined by applying the two-round Delphi method with a semistructured interview involving the main stakeholders of a construction project, like owners, designers, contractors and consultants who played active roles in SPs, as well as academics to theoretically evaluate the issue. The significance of PDAs was assessed using the relative importance index, and the results were validated using the interrater agreement analysis.

Findings

The study identified key PDAs impacting SPs as owner character, commitment and motivation; simulation and energy modelling; and timing of stakeholders/early involvement.

Originality/value

The investigation of the significance of the PDAs is a lesser-studied context. Therefore, a research framework that enables an effective set of methods for solving the sectoral problems of PDAs that have impacts on SPs has been proposed. The framework is expected to open new opportunities for the generation and regulation of the PDSs for SPs. The findings will provide valuable insights to project stakeholders, particularly owners, local authorities and policymakers to assess which PDAs have a greater impact on sustainability performance when setting PDSs in SPs in other developing countries.
Harnessing a clinician-led governance model to overcome healthcare tribalism and drive innovation: a case study of Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Authors: Bolous Nancy S. , Graetz Dylan E. , Ashrafian Hutan , Barlow James , Bhakta Nickhill , Sounderajah Viknesh , Dowdeswell Barrie
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Healthcare tribalism refers to the phenomenon through which different groups in a healthcare setting strictly adhere to their profession-based silo, within which they exhibit stereotypical behaviours. In turn, this can lead to deleterious downstream effects upon productivity and care delivered to patients. This study highlights a clinician-led governance model, implemented at a National Health Service (NHS) trust, to investigate whether it successfully overcame tribalism and helped drive innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a convergent mixed-methods study including qualitative and quantitative data collected in parallel. Qualitative data included 27 semi-structured interviews with representatives from four professional groups. Quantitative data were collected through a verbally administered survey and scored on a 10-point scale.

Findings

The trust arranged its services under five autonomous business units, with a clinician and a manager sharing the leadership role at each unit. According to interviewees replies, this equivalent authority was cascaded down and enabled breaking down professional siloes, which in turn aided in the adoption of an innovative clinical model restructure.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the literature by characterizing a real-world example in which healthcare tribalism was mitigated while reflecting on the advantages yielded as a result.

Originality/value

Previous studies from all over the world identified major differences in the perspectives of different healthcare professional groups. In the United Kingdom, clinicians largely felt cut off from decision-making and dissatisfied with their managerial role. The study findings explain a governance model that allowed harmony and inclusion of different professions. Given the long-standing strains on healthcare systems worldwide, stakeholders can leverage the study findings for guidance in developing and implementing innovative managerial approaches.
Homes and home working: a property law perspective
Authors: Poulsom Michael W.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to examine whether disciplines outside law demonstrate consensus on the attributes of home, whether, to the extent that there is consensus, property law supports those attributes, whether those attributes can be reconciled with working from home, and how far property law is able to address uncertainty regarding the regulation of working from home.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies conceptions of “home” from non-law disciplines. It examines the extent to which property law in England and Wales supports or challenges those conceptions. It examines the extent to which working in homes disrupts or distorts those conceptions. It assesses the extent to which property law engages with that disruption.

Findings

A lack of clarity in how “home” is defined and perceived in non-law disciplines, and a tendency in those disciplines to produce static and decontextualized notions of home is reflected in inconsistent property law approaches to protection of important “home” attributes. Recognition by property law of the prevalence of home working is relatively undeveloped. An under-appreciation of “context” dominates both cross-disciplinary perceptions of home, and the support which property law provides to those perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on conceptions of “home” drawn from disparate disciplines and seeks to find consensus in a diverse field. It concentrates on the regulation by covenants of the use of homes for non-domestic purposes in England and Wales.

Practical implications

Suggested alterations to property law and practice, and to the imposition and construction of covenants against business use, might better reflect the prevalence of working from home and clarify the circumstances in which homes can properly be used for work purposes.

Social implications

This paper identifies that in its inconsistent recognition of “home” attributes in general, and in the lack of established principles for regulating the use of homes for business purposes in particular, property law offers insufficient certainty to occupiers wishing either to work at home, or to resist doing so. It identifies that a broader cross-disciplinary investigation into the inter-relationship between living spaces and working spaces would be beneficial.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in its examination from a property law perspective of established cross-disciplinary conceptions of home in the context of the recent growth of working in homes.
CEO confidence and firm performance: exploring the moderating role of board independence
Authors: Saini Diksha , Singh Balwinder
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Based on Upper Echelon Theory, the present study is an endeavor to assess the relationship between Chief Executive Officer (CEO) confidence and the performance of a firm. This study also investigates the moderating role of board independence in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

This work is based on a sample of 500 S&P-indexed Indian firms listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange over a time span of 12 years, i.e. from 2010 to 2021. Panel regression models are employed on a final sample of 3,780 firm-year observations to examine the aforesaid relationship.

Findings

The empirical findings of the study support the positive association between CEO confidence and firm performance as highly confident (overconfident) CEOs tend to make quick and intuitive decisions, alleviate the firm's underinvestment problem, and have a higher propensity to boost the overall firm performance. Moreover, the results reveal that the presence of independent directors (IDs) negatively moderates this relationship and reduces the positive impacts of CEO overconfidence as IDs lack the required knowledge of the business. IDs themselves tend to assume the imperative position and reject the CEO's proposals, thereby negatively impacting the firm performance in the long run.

Originality/value

The current study provides significant novel insights into the finance and strategic management literature that overconfidence bias among CEOs can be a desirable managerial trait for shareholders to boost the long-term performance of the firm. The study also extends to the corporate governance literature by providing empirical evidence of IDs reducing the potential beneficial effects of CEO overconfidence and that subsequently decreases the firm performance.
A review of the evolving conceptualization of internationalization from a global value chain perspective
Authors: Üner Mehmet Mithat , Cigdemoglu Ceyhan , Wang Yihuai , Yalcin Aybuke , Cavusgil S. Tamer
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the assumptive concept of internationalization because it is discussed and understood in the international business (IB) literature. This paper develops a framework to reconceptualize internationalization in the context of global value chain (GVC) and sustainability. Based on this conceptual framework, this paper aims to formulate interrelated propositions to define internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the assumptive conceptualization process based on empirical evidence obtained through qualitative, illustrative and descriptive content analysis methods. Through the collection and qualitative content analysis of milestone papers, this paper demonstrates the fragmentation of the concept of internationalization. This paper reviews the evolving nature of the concept of internationalization, analyzing the accumulative issues associated with defining internationalization, as well as its potential future development.

Findings

This paper introduces a dynamic perspective on the evolving nature of the concept of internationalization and argue there is a need to reconceptualize internationalization in the context of the GVC and sustainability.

Originality/value

After reviewing the context in which the term “internationalization” has been applied and taking into consideration the current trends in the IB, this paper formulates an updated definition of the term internationalization. This paper offers a viewpoint on the future direction of the concept of internationalization in light of the growing importance of sustainability within IB.