bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 introductions to the island of Ireland
Authors: Rice Alan M. , Troendle Evan P. , Bridgett Stephen , Nejad Behnam Firoozi , McKinley Jennifer M. ,   The COVID-19 Genomics UK consortium,   National SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance & Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Programme, Bradley Declan T. , Fairley Derek , Bamford Connor G. G. , Skvortsov Timofey , Simpson David A.
Published: May 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had an unprecedented impact on the people of Ireland as waves of infection spread across the island during the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Viral whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has provided insights into SARS-CoV-2 molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity and evolution and contributed to the development of anti-virals and vaccines. High levels of WGS have enabled effective SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance on the island of Ireland, leading to the generation of a sizeable data set with potential to provide additional insights into viral epidemiology. Because Ireland is an island, accurate documentation of travel rates to and from other regions, both by air and by sea, are available. Furthermore, the two distinct political jurisdictions on the island allow comparison of the impact of varying public health responses on viral dynamics, including SARS-CoV-2 introduction events.

Using phylogenomic analysis incorporating sample collection date and location metadata, we describe multiple introduction and spreading events for all major viral lineages to the island of Ireland during the period studied (March 2020–June 2022). The majority of SARS-CoV-2 introductions originated from England, with frequent introductions from USA and northwestern Europe. The clusters of sequences predicted to derive from discrete introduction events (“introduction clusters”) vary greatly in size, with some involving only one or two cases and others comprising thousands of samples. When introduction cluster samples are mapped sequentially by collection date, they appear predominantly in previously affected or adjacent areas. This mirroring of the phylogenetic relationships by the geospatiotemporal propagation of SARS-CoV-2 validates our analytic approach. By downsampling, we estimate the power to detect introductions to Ireland as a function of sequencing levels. Per capita normalisation of both sequencing levels and detected introductions accounts for biases due to differing sequencing efforts and total populations. This approach showed similar rates of introductions for all major lineages into Northern Ireland (NI) and Republic of Ireland (RoI) with the exception of Delta, which was higher in NI which is likely attributable to higher travel per capita. However, there were similar rates of Delta infection within NI and RoI, suggesting that although travel restrictions will reduce risk of introducing novel variants to the region, they may not substantially decrease total incidence.

Our generalisable methodology to study introduction dynamics and optimal sequencing levels will assist public health authorities to select the most appropriate control measures and viral sequencing strategy.
AT7867 promotes pancreatic progenitor differentiation of human iPSCs and accelerates diabetes reversal
Authors: Cuesta-Gomez Nerea , Verhoeff Kevin , Dadheech Nidheesh , Pawlick Rena , Marfil-Garza Braulio , Razavy Haide , Shapiro A.M. James
Published: May 2023

Generation of pure pancreatic progenitor cells (PPs) is critical for clinical translation of stem cell derived islets. Herein, we performed PP differentiation with and without AKT/P70 inhibitor AT7867 and characterized the resulting cells at protein and transcript levelin vitroandin vivoupon transplantation into diabetic mice. AT7867 treatment increased the percentage of PDX1+NKX6.1+(-AT7867: 50.9% [IQR 48.9%-53.8%]; +AT7867: 90.8% [IQR 88.9%-93.7%];p=0.0021) and PDX1+GP2+PP cells (-AT7867: 39.22% [IQR 36.7%-44.1%; +AT7867: 90.0% [IQR 88.2%-93.6%];p=0.0021). Transcriptionally, AT7867 treatment significantly upregulatedPDX1(p=0.0001),NKX6.1(p=0.0005) andGP2(p=0.002) expression compared to controls, while off-target markersPODXL(p<0.0001) andTBX2(p <0.0001) were significantly downregulated. Transplantation of AT7867 treated PPs resulted in faster hyperglycemia reversal in diabetic mice compared to controls (time and group:p<0.0001). Overall, our data shows that AT7867 enhances PP cell differentiation leading to accelerated diabetes reversal.
When Do Visual Category Representations Emerge in Infants’ Brains?
Authors: Yan Xiaoqian , Tung Sarah , Fascendini Bella , Chen Yulan Diana , Norcia Anthony M. , Grill-Spector Kalanit
Published: May 2023

Organizing the continuous stream of visual input into categories like places or faces is important for everyday function and social interactions. However, it is unknown when neural representations of these and other visual categories emerge. Here we used steady state evoked potential electroencephalography to measure cortical responses in infants at 3-4 months, 4-6 months, 6-8 months, and 12-15 months, when they viewed controlled, gray-level images of faces, limbs, corridors, characters, and cars. We found that distinct responses to these categories emerge at different ages. Reliable brain responses to faces emerge first, at 4-6 months, followed by limbs and places around 6-8 months. Between 6-15 months response patterns become more distinct, such that a classifier can decode what an infant is looking at from their brain responses. These findings have important implications for assessing typical and atypical cortical development as they not only suggest that category representations are learned, but also that representations of categories that may have innate substrates emerge at different times during infancy.
High-speed TIRF and 2D super-resolution structured illumination microscopy with large field of view based on fiber optic components
Authors: Ortkrass Henning , Schürstedt Jasmin , Wiebusch Gerd , Szafranska Karolina , Mccourt Peter , Huser Thomas
Published: May 2023

Super-resolved structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) is among the most flexible, fast, and least perturbing fluorescence microscopy techniques capable of surpassing the optical diffraction limit. Current custom-built instruments are easily able to deliver two-fold resolution enhancement at video-rate frame rates, but the cost of the instruments is still relatively high, and the physical size of the instruments based on the implementation of their optics is still rather large. Here, we present our latest results towards realizing a new generation of compact, cost-efficient, and high-speed SR-SIM instruments. Tight integration of the fiber-based structured illumination microscope capable of multi-color 2D- and TIRF-SIM imaging, allows us to demonstrate SR-SIM with a field of view of up to 150 × 150 μm2and imaging rates of up to 44 Hz while maintaining highest spatiotemporal resolution of less than 100 nm. We discuss the overall integration of optics, electronics, and software that allowed us to achieve this, and then present the fiberSIM imaging capabilities by visualizing the intracellular structure of rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, in particular by resolving the structure of their trans-cellular nanopores called fenestrations.
Neural Correlates and Reinstatement of Recent and Remote Memory: A Comparison Between Children and Young Adults
Authors: Schommartz Iryna , Lembcke Philip F. , Ortiz-Tudela Jarvier , Bauer Martin , Kaindl Angela M , Buss Claudia , Shing Yee Lee
Published: May 2023

Memory consolidation tends to be less robust in childhood than adulthood. However, little is known about the corresponding functional differences in the developing brain that may underlie age-related differences in retention of memories over time. This study examined system-level memory consolidation of object-scene associations after learning (immediate delay), one night of sleep (short delay), as well as two weeks (long delay) in 5-to-7-year-old children (n = 49) and in young adults (n = 39), as a reference group with mature consolidation systems. Particularly, we characterized how functional neural activation and reinstatement of neural patterns change over time, assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging combined with representational similarity analysis (RSA). Our results showed that memory consolidation in children was less robust and strong (i.e., more forgetting) compared to young adults. Contrasting correctly retained remote versus recent memories across time delay, children showed less upregulation in posterior parahippocampal gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, and cerebellum than adults. In addition, both children and adults showed decrease in scene-specific neural reinstatement over time, indicating time-related decay of detailed differentiated memories. At the same time, we observed more generic gist-like neural reinstatement in medial-temporal and prefrontal brain regions uniquely in children, indicating qualitative difference in memory trace in children. Taken together, 5-to-7-year-old children, compared to young adults, show less robust memory consolidation, possibly due to difficulties in engaging in differentiated neural reinstatement in neocortical mnemonic regions during retrieval of remote memories, coupled with relying more on gist-like generic neural reinstatement.
DeCOIL: Optimization of Degenerate Codon Libraries for Machine Learning-Assisted Protein Engineering
Authors: Yang Jason , Ducharme Julie , Johnston Kadina E. , Li Francesca-Zhoufan , Yue Yisong , Arnold Frances H.
Published: May 2023

With advances in machine learning (ML)-assisted protein engineering, models based on data, biophysics, and natural evolution are being used to propose informed libraries of protein variants to explore. Synthesizing these libraries for experimental screens is a major bottleneck, as the cost of obtaining large numbers of exact gene sequences is often prohibitive. Degenerate codon (DC) libraries are a cost-effective alternative for generating combinatorial mutagenesis libraries where mutations are targeted to a handful of amino acid sites. However, existing computational methods to optimize DC libraries to include desired protein variants are not well suited to design libraries for ML-assisted protein engineering. To address these drawbacks, we present DEgenerate Codon Optimization for Informed Libraries (DeCOIL), a generalized method which directly optimizes DC libraries to be useful for protein engineering: to sample protein variants that are likely to have both high fitness and high diversity in the sequence search space. Using computational simulations and wet-lab experiments, we demonstrate that DeCOIL is effective across two specific case studies, with potential to be applied to many other use cases. DeCOIL offers several advantages over existing methods, as it is direct, easy-to-use, generalizable, and scalable. With accompanying software (https://github.com/jsunn-y/DeCOIL), DeCOIL can be readily implemented to generate desired informed libraries.

Abstract Figure
CLEM-Reg: An automated point cloud based registration algorithm for correlative light and volume electron microscopy
Authors: Krentzel Daniel , Elphick Matouš , Domart Marie-Charlotte , Peddie Christopher J. , Laine Romain F. , Shand Cameron , Henriques Ricardo , Collinson Lucy M. , Jones Martin L.
Published: May 2023

Correlative light and volume electron microscopy (vCLEM) is a powerful imaging technique that enables the visualisation of fluorescently labelled proteins within their ultrastructural context on a subcellular level. Currently, expert microscopists align vCLEM acquisitions using time-consuming and subjective manual methods. This paper presents CLEM-Reg, an algorithm that automates the 3D alignment of vCLEM datasets by leveraging probabilistic point cloud registration techniques. These point clouds are derived from segmentations of common structures in each modality, created by state-of-the-art open-source methods, with the option to leverage alternative tools from other plugins or platforms. CLEM-Reg drastically reduces the time required to register vCLEM datasets to a few minutes and achieves correlation of fluorescent signal to sub-micron target structures in EM on three newly acquired vCLEM benchmark datasets (fluorescence microscopy combined with FIB-SEM or SBF-SEM). CLEM-Reg was then used to automatically obtain vCLEM overlays to unambiguously identify TGN46-positive transport carriers involved in the trafficking of proteins between the trans-Golgi network and plasma membrane. The datasets are available in the EMPIAR and BioStudies public image archives for reuse in testing and developing multimodal registration algorithms by the wider community. A napari plugin integrating the algorithm is also provided to aid end-user adoption.
Structural snapshots of hyaluronan formation reveal principles of length control and secretion
Authors: Górniak Ireneusz , Stephens Zachery , Erramilli Satchal K. , Gawda Tomasz , Kossiakoff Anthony A. , Zimmer Jochen
Published: May 2023

Hyaluronan (HA) is an essential component of the vertebrate extracellular matrix. It is a heteropolysaccharide of alternatingN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and glucuronic acid (GlcA) units reaching several megadaltons in healthy tissues. HA is synthesized and secreted in a coupled reaction by HA-synthase (HAS). Here, structural snapshots of HAS provide important insights into HA biosynthesis, from substrate recognition to HA elongation and translocation. We reveal a loop insertion mechanism for substrate binding, monitor the extension of a GlcNAc primer with GlcA, and capture the opening of a secretion channel that coordinates a nascent HA polymer. Further, we identify HA-interacting residues that control HA product lengths. Integrating structural and biochemical analyses, we propose a mechanism for HA length control based on finely tuned enzymatic processivity and catalytic rates.
Dislocation arrangements in 4H-SiC and their influence on the local crystal lattice properties
Authors: Roder Melissa , Steiner Johannes , Wellmann Peter , Kabukcuoglu Merve , Hamann Elias , Haaga Simon , Hänschke Daniel , Danilewsky Andreas
Published: May 2023

Two wafers of one 4H-silicon carbide (4H-SiC) bulk crystal, one cut from a longitudinal position close to the crystal's seed and the other close to the cap, were characterized with synchrotron white-beam X-ray topography (SWXRT) in back-reflection and transmission geometry to investigate the dislocation formation and propagation during growth. For the first time, full wafer mappings were recorded in 00012 back-reflection geometry with a CCD camera system, providing an overview of the dislocation arrangement in terms of dislocation type, density and homogeneous distribution. Furthermore, by having similar resolution to conventional SWXRT photographic film, the method enables identification of individual dislocations, even single threading screw dislocations, which appear as white spots with a diameter in the range of 10 to 30 µm. Both investigated wafers showed a similar dislocation arrangement, suggesting a constant propagation of dislocations during crystal growth. A systematic investigation of crystal lattice strain and tilt at selected wafer areas with different dislocation arrangements was achieved with high-resolution X-ray diffractometry reciprocal-space map (RSM) measurements in the symmetric 0004 reflection. It was shown that the diffracted intensity distribution of the RSM for different dislocation arrangements depends on the locally predominant dislocation type and density. Moreover, the orientation of specific dislocation types along the RSM scanning direction has a strong influence on the local crystal lattice properties.
Process decomposition of expanded rural housing at the rural–urban fringe: evidence from 27,034 buildings in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
Authors: Cai Yin Ying , Xie Jin , Huntsinger Lynn
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Faced with the challenges of rural population decline, combined with the widespread expansion of homesteads in rural areas, local Chinese governments hope to strictly control and minimize rural housing land. Accurately decomposing the process of rural housing expansion and revealing its driving factors will be helpful for land-use regulation by the government.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, an unusually rich dataset of rural housing registration from Pudong New Area in Shanghai is employed. The study aimed to decompose the fragmented accumulation process and its expansion determinants on rural housing assets. The dataset covers all samples of rural households and housing plots at 72 surveyed villages in six towns.

Findings

Housing offers profitable capital and earning assets to villagers at the urban fringe, so they have a powerful incentive to build and expand more. The results of this analysis showed that the expansion of rural housing is largely due to the haphazard construction of auxiliary rooms by villagers, especially on plots of arable land that are adjacent to their houses that have been stealthily converted into auxiliary rooms and sheds. Low costs and weak penalties have led to an increase in rent-seeking expansions to rural houses. Houses with the smaller initial areas, families with more laborers and household heads, and the proximity of villages to downtown with convenient living services were the main driving factors for expanding houses. A concerted effort is needed to control the disorganized and unlicensed expansion of housing. This effort should include formulating areas for free use by villagers, high taxes on overused areas, serious penalties for unlicensed housing expansion and effective land-use planning.

Research limitations/implications

An understanding of the expansion status and control measures related to rural houses in Shanghai provides an important reference that can help to guide the formulation of rural housing policies, and the sustainable development of cities worldwide. Of course, this study cannot generalize about housing distribution and expansion status worldwide based on the study area in China, because China's land tenure policies are unique. But land registry data exists that makes research like this feasible. There is a need to carefully examine the detailed housing distribution in each country before it can be decided on how best to address the disorderly increase in rural housing stock, and promote the reduction of rural residential expansion.

Originality/value

First, the process of rural housing expansion by using an unique dataset which covers ten thousands of samples is revealed. Second, the results have policy implications for reducing the amount of idle and inefficiently rural homestead. The focus is on rural housing growth and its driving factors in Shanghai, and the villagers' motivations for housing expansion are explored.
Fabrizex: creating a technology platform for global supply chains
Authors: Aserkar Rajiv
Published: May 2023

Subject area

Supply Chain Management, Technology, Procurement, Supply Chain Finance

Learning outcomes

The key learning objectives are as follows: to gain critical insights into e-commerce supply chains of fashion garments; understand the importance of digitization to manage the risks due to supply chain disruptions; evaluate the role of digitization to improve supply chain performance; understand the importance of supply chain finance in maintaining a healthy buyer–supplier relationship; and appreciate the role of supply chain digitization to transform a regional supply chain into a global supply chain.

Case overview/synopsis

This case highlights the challenges faced by fashion garments industry due to fragmented nature of their supply chains, where the manufacturing base was in the east and most of the consumers in the west. Digitization can create a bridge to integrate these supply chains to drive out their inefficiency, fragility and vulnerability to disruptions.

Complexity academic level

The case could be discussed in 90 min of an Operations Management, Supply Chain Management and Technology Management class at MBA or Executive MBA level.

Supplementary Material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and Logistics.
Fostering green innovation: the roles of big data analytics capabilities and green supply chain integration
Authors: Alkhatib Ayman Wael
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of big data (BD) analytics capabilities (BDACs) on green supply chain integration (GSCI) and green innovation (GI) in the context of a developing country, Jordan. In addition, the mediating effect of GSCI on the relationship between BDAC and GI is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was carried out through a survey with 300 respondents from food and beverages manufacturing firms located in Jordan. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was applied to analyze the collected data. Natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory was the adopted theoretical lens for this study.

Findings

The results revealed that BDAC positively and significantly affects both GSCI and GI. In addition, the results demonstrated that GSCI positively and significantly affects GI. Further, it is also found that GSCI positively and significantly mediates the relationship between BDAC and GI.

Originality/value

This study developed a theoretical and empirical model to investigate the relationship between BDAC, GSCI and GI. This study offers new theoretical and managerial contributions that add value to the supply chain (SC) management literature by testing the mediation model in food and beverages manufacturing firms located in Jordan.
A weather-adaptive perspective to building cost estimation in Nigeria: exploring climate-induced cost variance
Authors: Amadi Alolote I.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Using Nigeria, as a point of reference, this study aims to explore the applicability of climatic variables as analytically valid factors for conceptual cost estimation. This is in view of the vastness and topographical alignment of Nigeria's landmass, which makes it a country of extreme climatic variability from north to south. As construction costs in Nigeria, similarly, tend to show a north-south alignment, the study's objective is to establish cost-estimating relationships (CERs) between the variability of climatic elements and the variance in construction cost, to arouse interest in the concept.

Design/methodology/approach

Deploying correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis, significant associations/relationships between meteorological variables and building cost for selected locations, following a North-South transect of the major climatic zones, are sought, to explain climate-induced construction cost variance. Validation of the regression model was carried out using variance analysis and the Mean Absolute Percentage Error of a different dataset.

Findings

Climatic indices of atmospheric moisture exhibited strong direct and partial correlations with construction costs, while sunshine hours and temperature were inversely correlated. The study further establishes statistically significant CERs between climatic variables and building cost in Nigeria, which accounted for 47.9% of the variance in construction cost across the climatic zones.

Practical implications

The study outcome provides a statistically valid platform for the development of more elaborate analytical costing models, for prototype buildings to be cited in disparate climatic settings.

Originality/value

This study establishes the statistical validity of climatic variables in constituting CERs for predicting construction costs in disparate climatic settings.
Establishment and implementation of behavioral observation scale for avoiding food waste for hospitality students
Authors: Ko Wen-Hwa , Hong Yi-Ling
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was constructed a behavioral observation scale for avoiding food waste from the point of view of Chinese cuisine, used as an evaluation tool to examine food waste in the process of food preparation for hospitality students in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

The status of food handling in the preparation process was understood through a literature review and interviews. In addition, the indicators that may cause food waste behaviors were established, and the observation and self-evaluation scales of food waste behaviors in the preparation process were developed.

Findings

Avoiding water waste, removing excessive edible parts, avoiding waste on seasonings, avoiding cooking for too long and avoiding water stains in the cleaning process were considered by both the observers and the students as items for improvement in the cooking process. The results of this study will help in understanding the intervention in the teaching practice of avoiding students’ food waste behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

This study can only be based on the test results of the current observation behaviors. Meanwhile, many factors need to be taken into consideration, such as the differences in the amount of knowledge students have about food waste, the differences in preparation techniques, and other different factors, which may lead to differences in the research results.

Originality/value

The behavioral observation and self-evaluation behavior scales of “exploring food waste behaviors in the preparation process” were developed and implemented for the current status. The differences between the results of the observation scale and the self-evaluation scale were compared. In addition, the behaviors that may cause students’ food waste were pointed out. Then, the direction of the teaching content was formulated, and the curriculum plan integrating the content of avoiding food waste into teaching was evaluated. Furthermore, the scales can be applied to kitchen staff handling food materials to understand the current situation of their food handling, which can be used as a driving tool for restaurants to reduce food waste.
Is the grass always greener? Access to campus green spaces can boost students’ sense of belonging
Authors: Thompson Chloe A. , Pownall Madeleine , Harris Richard , Blundell-Birtill Pam
Published: May 2023

Purpose

An important facet of student’s sense of belonging is students’ relationships with, and time spent in, the university campus. The purpose of this paper is to explore the notion that access to campus “green space”, including parks, fields and gardens, may bolster students’ sense of belonging, improve well-being feelings and promote place attachment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed students in different locations (including three green and one non-green campus spaces) across a large UK campus-based Northern institution. 146 students participated in the study in one of the four campus locations. The authors investigated how being in green spaces on campus may impact students’ sense of belonging, well-being and place attachment. The authors also qualitatively explored students’ perceptions of campus spaces through Ahn’s (2017) 10 Words Question measure.

Findings

Analyses demonstrate that students surveyed in green spaces reported significantly more positive sense of belonging, compared to students surveyed in non-green campus spaces. Campus location did not impact well-being, however. Students associated green spaces on campus with “calm”, “positive emotion” and “nature” words and non-green spaces with “busy”, “social” and “students”.

Practical implications

Taken together, the results of this paper suggest that access to green spaces can be important for campus sense of belonging. Thus, efforts should be made to ensure the sustainability of these important spaces across university campuses.

Originality/value

This study crucially examines how occupying green spaces on university campuses may impact students’ feelings of belongingness. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that uses field-based methods to understand students’ feelings whilst occupying green spaces.
Takaful funeral; an innovation for Islamic insurance product
Authors: Saharuddin Desmadi , Mufraini M. Arief , Ghoni Abdul , Chusna Inayatul , Mulazid Ade Sofyan , Supriyono Supriyono
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to determine the prospect of takaful funerals as an Islamic insurance product and its marketing strategy. The multicase study analyzed is the Takaful Funeral Amsterdam of Indonesia, launched in 2015, Millî Görüs of Turkey in 1970 and Arrahma of Morocco in 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

This study delivers an analytic hierarchy process to qualitatively and quantitatively describe Muslim customers’ priority choice and interest criteria for takaful funerals as a forerunner of Islamic insurance products.

Findings

Based on the priority choice and interest criteria, the highest priority element of takaful funeral products is market need (49.21%). The group subcriteria were dominant compared to the individual subcriteria. Product design is the second choice (20.9%), with function as the priority in subcriteria.

Practical implications

This indicates that the Muslim community urgently needs funeral service products that are consistent with Islamic law, which emphasizes its function. The market needs as the highest priority element implies that bundling products, affordable prices and simple design are the most suitable methods for developing takaful funeral products in Indonesia.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to discuss Islamic funerals in Indonesia, with the potential to be further developed with the increasing need of the Islamic insurance industry for new products. Previous research did not examine the PPME Al-Ikhlas Takaful Amsterdam, Millî Görüs of Turkey and Arrahma of Morocco as case studies for developing Islamic funeral insurance in Indonesia. Therefore, this gives the present study high originality.
Multifractal cross-correlation analysis between crude oil and agricultural futures markets: evidence from Russia–Ukraine conflict
Authors: Gaio Luiz Eduardo , Capitani Daniel Henrique Dario
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the impacts of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on the cross-correlation between agricultural commodity prices and crude oil prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used MultiFractal Detrended Fluctuation Cross-Correlation Analysis (MF-X-DFA) to explore the correlation behavior before and during conflict. The authors analyzed the price connections between future prices for crude oil and agricultural commodities. Data consists of daily futures price returns for agricultural commodities (Corn, Soybean and Wheat) and Crude Oil (Brent) traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange from Aug 3, 2020, to July 29, 2022.

Findings

The results suggest that cross-correlation behavior changed after the conflict. The multifractal behavior was observed in the cross correlations. The Russia–Ukraine conflict caused an increase in the series' fractal strength. The study findings showed that the correlations involving the wheat market were higher and anti-persistent behavior was observed.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited by the number of observations after the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature that investigates the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on the financial market. As this is a recent event, as far as we know, we did not find another study that investigated cross-correlation in agricultural commodities using multifractal analysis.
Antecedents and consequences of sustainable intellectual capital reporting: evidence from Iran
Authors: Kordi Ehsan , Abdoli Mohammadreza , Valiyan Hassan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

With the emergence of the basis of intellectual capital, competitive advantage was considered as the focus of competitive strategies, and the knowledge resulting from this approach became the basis for the development and strategic directions of companies in various fields of the company such as finance and accounting. The purpose of this study is sustainable intellectual capital reporting framework and evaluation of key examples in the context of capital market companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this study was exploratory from the point of view of the developmental result and based on the type of objective and qualitative and quantitative basis was used to collect the data. The statistical population in the qualitative part was university experts and in the quantitative part financial managers of capital market companies. Data collection tools were interviews in the qualitative part and fuzzy scales and language comparison checklists in the quantitative part. Therefore, first through three stages of coding, the dimensions of the model were identified, and based on the fuzzy Delphi analysis, the reliability level was determined through the average between the first round and the second round of Delphi. Finally, through the default tests, the appropriate fuzzy model was first determined, and then hierarchical fuzzy analysis based on TODIM's approach was used to determine the most favorable axis of sustainable intellectual capital reporting.

Findings

The results in the qualitative part indicate the existence of 3 categories and 6 components and 39 conceptual themes in the form of a six-dimensional model. In the quantitative part, the results showed that by confirming the dimensions identified through fuzzy Delphi analysis, the most desirable axis of intellectual capital reporting is the component of technological capital reporting, which can play a more effective role in sustainable reporting.

Originality/value

This study, relying on the importance of the consequences of sustainable intellectual capital reporting, tries to evaluate the consequences of this field of financial reporting due to the lack of a coherent theoretical framework about capital market companies. In addition, the framework presented in this study promotes integrated thinking for firms to it would provide some level of incentive to those charged with governance concerning the voluntary compliance with the sustainable intellectual capital reporting framework.
Revisiting the tax evasion and corruption–economic development nexus in Ghana: fresh evidence from a SEM approach
Authors: Amoh John Kwaku , Ofori-Boateng Kenneth , Nsor-Ambala Randolph , Anarfo Ebenezer Bugri
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study explored the tax evasion and corruption–economic development nexus in Ghana and the moderating role of institutional quality in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this objective, this study employed the structural equation modelling (SEM) strategy and maximum likelihood (ML) estimation method on selected quarterised data from 1996 to 2020.

Findings

The study found that tax evasion has a positive impact on GDP per capita and urbanisation but a negative impact on the Economic Freedom of the World Index (EFWI). The study revealed that corruption has a positive relationship with GDP per capita but relates with EFWI inversely. Finally, the study found that institutional quality moderates the nexus between tax evasion and corruption and economic development.

Social implications

The findings imply that the quality of state institutions has a significant impact on the government's ability to control tax evasion and corruption in order to drive economic development.

Originality/value

One novelty of the study is the examination of the combined effects of tax evasion and corruption as exogenous variables in a single econometric model. Again, to moderate the multivariate relationships of the study, the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to create an institutional quality index. The study recommends that policymakers implement comprehensive tax evasion and corruption reduction strategies simultaneously in order to increase tax revenues for economic development and SDGs achievement.
“Welcome to pure food city”: tracing discourses of health in the promotional publications of the Postum Cereal Company, 1920-1925
Authors: O′Hagan Lauren Alex
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate three promotional publications produced by the Postum Cereal Company – A Trip Through Postumville (1920), How I Make Postum (1924) and The Wonderful Lunch Boxes (1925) – with the aim of understanding how language and other semiotic resources are used to promote its products as good and healthy choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The three publications were collected from the HathiTrust Digital Library and University of South Florida Tampa Special Collections. They were subjected to multimodal critical discourse analysis to tease out their subtle characteristics and how a combination of language, image, colour, typography and composition are used to represent certain ideas and values related to health and well-being.

Findings

The publications subscribe to three distinct genres – “inside the factory”, “friendly spokesperson” and “fictional world” – each of which are aimed at different target audiences. The first seeks to promote Postum as an open and transparent company; the second to promote Postum as a company that cares about its consumers; and the third to promote the health benefits of Postum in a fun and accessible manner. Nonetheless, they are united in their overall objective to link the regular consumption of Postum as essential for good health.

Originality/value

To date, few studies have been conducted on the Postum Cereal Company, while the limited research conducted on promotional publications has tended to overlook discourses of health and well-being. The three genres outlined in this study, thus, have the potential to foster a reappraisal of promotional publications and showcase their ability to offer new understandings on historical approaches to marketing, particularly the link with health and science.
Customer-to-customer interactions in the sport fan context: typology, framework (C2CIF) and directions for future research
Authors: Uhrich Sebastian , Grohs Reinhard , Koenigstorfer Joerg
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Social factors, such as fellow spectators in a stadium or other fans sharing their experiences on online platforms, play a dominant role in spectator sport consumption. This conceptual article sets out to achieve three objectives: classify customer-to-customer (C2C) interactions in the sport fan context, develop a framework that links the classification of interactions to relevant outcomes and identify areas for related future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors integrate conceptual and empirical contributions on C2C interactions in the service, marketing and sport management literature.

Findings

The article proposes classifying C2C interactions into synchronous multi- and uni-directional interactions as well as asynchronous multi- and uni-directional interactions. The C2C interaction framework (C2CIF) proposes that such C2C interactions have hedonic, social, symbolic and utilitarian value outcomes. It further suggests that physiological, psychological and social processes underlie the co-creation or co-destruction of value and identifies contingencies at both the fan and the brand level.

Originality/value

Based on the C2CIF, we identify relevant topics for future research, in particular relating to technology-supported and virtual interactions among fans, fan-to-fan interactions across different countries and cultural backgrounds and fan-to-fan interactions as a way to reduce societal concerns.
Methodology and framework of comparative urban planning law
Authors: Jeon Jinwon
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to systematise the methodology used in comparative urban planning law and propose primary contexts for comparison in planning law.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook a review of comparative law methodology discourse and sought to establish connections between the discourse and the field of planning law.

Findings

This study argues for establishment of a realistic goal for comparative planning law by focusing on the planning law's modifiability. The goal of comparison in planning law should not be to find universally desirable principles or better solutions. Rather, the goal should be to identify a motive for devising a solution. This is because it is not only difficult to establish legal values that are universally applicable to planning law but also inappropriate to determine superiority of planning laws that have been developed over time by each jurisdiction’s sovereignty and policies on land use. When determining comparable systems for analysis among legal systems that are functionally equivalent, it is important to consider the context of land use relations alongside the comparative analysis to be done. To set realistic goals, the context should not be extended indefinitely but be systematised. Based on the foundational relationship underlying planning law, including the tension between planning authorities and property owners, this study presents five specific contexts for comparative analysis: “Strength of Property Rights,” “Level of Judicial Intervention,” “Plan- or Development-led System,” “Allocation of Planning Power” and “Level of Participation.” Examination of these contexts will allow better understanding of the similarities and differences among different systems and practical application of the results of comparative studies.

Originality/value

This study presents a novel approach to systematising the methodology and framework of comparative planning law.
All the good care: Valuation and task differentiation in older person care
Authors: Schuurmans Jitse , Stalenhoef Hanna , Bal Roland , Wallenburg Iris
Published: May 2023

Task reallocation is increasingly foregrounded as a promising solution for capacity problems. Numerous studies show, however, that task reallocation between medical professionals is a highly contested issue and difficult to institutionalise. Conflicts are omnipresent and often arise from ‘intraprofessional competition’: Zero‐sum games between professionals from different disciplinary backgrounds where one party’s gains require another party’s losses. In this article, we build on calls to enrich the sociology of professions with new concepts and theories. We analyse a case of task reallocation between medical professionals in a nursing home using concepts from empirical ethics and valuation studies. We argue that modes of good care offer a valuable framework for analysing the reorganisation of professional work because they provide an empirically grounded and fine‐grained conceptual toolkit for understanding the dynamics among professionals and between professionals and managers. Enactment of different modes of good care inspires innovation in service provision but at the same time creates new tensions between those involved. We show how, in times of scarcity, a dynamic emerges between professionals attempting to stave off and reallocate work, thereby restricting their professional domains.
The effects of the American Rescue Plan Act on racial equity in health insurance coverage
Authors: Katsikas Aina , Mukhopadhyay Sankar
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effects on racial disparities in health insurance coverage from the changes in the Premium Tax Credit (PTC) implemented in March 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Data Sources and Study Setting

We use nationally representative individual‐level data from the Household Pulse Survey (HPS), which provides demographic, economic, and health insurance information for United States residents during the period April 2020–August 2022.

Study Design

While the PTC changes applied to all states, the 14 states that did not expand Medicaid received substantially more benefits than the expansion states since they had more uninsured individuals eligible for the PTC than the expansion states. In our analysis, the treatment (control) group includes all Medicaid nonexpansion (expansion) states. We use a difference‐in‐difference regression analysis to estimate the increase in the probability of insurance coverage after the expansion of the PTC. Furthermore, we conduct sensitivity and heterogeneity analyses.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We focus on survey respondents ages 18–64.

Principal Findings

The expanded PTC increased the probability of an individual having coverage through the Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) in a nonexpansion state by 0.95 (95% CI: 0.6136, 1.2900), 1.75 (95% CI: 1.1795, 2.3291), and 1.75 (95% CI: 1.1815, 2.3269) percentage points among White, Black, and Hispanic respondents, respectively. It also increased overall health insurance coverage among all groups.

Conclusions

The expanded PTC boosted HIX and overall health insurance coverage and reduced racial disparities.
Implementation of an integrated emergency department acute atrial fibrillation pathway safely reduces cardioversions and hospitalisations: A comparative pre–post study
Authors: Addy Kaleb , Joyce Laura R , Al‐Busaidi Ibrahim S , Pickering John W , Troughton Richard , Than Martin
Published: May 2023

Objective

Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) accounts for high rates of ED presentations and hospital admissions. There is increasing evidence to suggest that delaying cardioversion for acute uncomplicated AF is safe, and that many patients will spontaneously revert to sinus rhythm (SR). We conducted a before‐and‐after evaluation of AF/AFL management after a change in ED pathway using a conservative ‘rate‐and‐wait’ approach, incorporating next working day outpatient clinic follow‐up and delayed cardioversion if required.

Methods

We performed a before‐and‐after retrospective cohort study examining outcomes for patients who presented to the ED in Christchurch, New Zealand, with acute uncomplicated AF/AFL in the 1‐year period before and after the implementation of a new conservative management pathway.

Results

A total of 360 patients were included in the study (182 ‘Pre‐pathway’ vs 178 ‘Post‐Pathway’). Compared to the pre‐pathway cohort, those managed under the new pathway had an 81.2% reduction in ED cardioversions (n = 32 vs n = 6), and 50.7% reduction in all cardioversions (n = 65 vs n = 32). There was a 31.6% reduction in admissions from ED (n = 54 vs n = 79). ED length of stay (3.9 h vs 3.8 h, net difference −0.1 h, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.6 to 0.3), 1‐year ED AF representation (32.4% vs 26.4%, net difference −6.0% [95% CI −16.0% to 3.9%]), 1‐year ED ischaemic stroke presentation (2.2% in both groups) and 7‐day all‐cause mortality rates (hazard ratio 1.05 [95% CI 0.6 to 1.9]) were all similar.

Conclusions

Using a conservative ‘rate‐and‐wait’ strategy with early follow‐up for patients presenting to ED with AF/AFL can safely reduce unnecessary cardioversions and avoidable hospitalisations.