bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human V-ATPase a-subunit isoforms bind specifically to distinct phosphoinositide phospholipids
Authors: Mitra Connie , Kane Patricia M.
Published: April 2023

V-ATPases are highly conserved multi-subunit enzymes that maintain the distinct pH of eukaryotic organelles. The integral membrane a-subunit is encoded by tissue and organelle specific isoforms, and its cytosolic N-terminal domain (aNT) modulates organelle specific regulation and targeting of V-ATPases. Organelle membranes have specific phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) lipid enrichment linked to maintenance of organelle pH. In yeast, the aNT domains of the two a-subunit isoforms bind PIP lipids enriched in the organelle membranes where they reside; these interactions affect activity and regulatory properties of the V-ATPases containing each isoform. Humans have four a-subunit isoforms. We hypothesize that the aNT domains of the human isoforms will also bind to specific PIP lipids. The a1 and a2 isoforms of human V-ATPase a-subunits are localized to endolysosomes and Golgi, respectively. Bacterially expressed Hua1NT and Hua2NT bind specifically to endolysosomal PIP lipids PI(3)P and PI(3,5)P2 and Golgi enriched PI(4)P, respectively. Despite the lack of canonical PIP binding sites, potential binding sites in the HuaNT domains were identified by sequence comparisons and existing subunit structures and models. Mutations at a similar location in the distal loops of both HuaNT isoforms compromise binding to their cognate PIP lipids, suggesting that these loops encode PIP specificity of the a-subunit isoforms. These data also suggest a mechanism through which PIP lipid binding could stabilize and activate V-ATPases in distinct organelles.
Cell Type Specific CAG Repeat Expansions and Toxicity of Mutant Huntingtin in Human Striatum and Cerebellum
Authors: Mätlik Kert , Baffuto Matthew , Kus Laura , Deshmukh Amit Laxmikant , Davis David A. , Paul Matthew R. , Carroll Thomas S. , Caron Marie-Christine , Masson Jean-Yves , Pearson Christopher E. , Heintz Nathaniel
Published: April 2023

Brain region-specific degeneration and somatic expansions of the mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) CAG tract are key features of Huntington’s disease (HD). However, the relationships between CAG expansions, death of specific cell types, and molecular events associated with these processes are not established. Here we employed fluorescence-activated nuclear sorting (FANS) and deep molecular profiling to gain insight into the properties of cell types of the human striatum and cerebellum in HD and control donors. CAG expansions arise in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and cholinergic interneurons, in cerebellar Purkinje neurons, and atmATXN3in MSNs from SCA3 donors. CAG expansions in MSNs are associated with higher levels of MSH2 and MSH3 (forming MutSβ), which can inhibit nucleolytic excision of CAG slip-outs by FAN1 in a concentration-dependent manner. Our data indicate that ongoing CAG expansions are not sufficient for cell death, and identify transcriptional changes associated with somatic CAG expansions and striatal toxicity.
Unveiling the Domain-Specific and RAS Isoform-Specific Details of BRAF Regulation
Authors: Trebino Tarah , Markusic Borna , Nan Haihan , Banerjee Shrhea , Wang Zhihong
Published: April 2023

BRAF is a key member in the MAPK signaling pathway essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation or mutation of BRAF is often the underlying cause of various types of cancer. RAS, a small GTPase protein that acts upstream of BRAF, has been identified as a driver of up to one-third of all cancers. When BRAF interacts with RAS via the RAS binding domain (RBD) and membrane recruitment, BRAF undergoes a conformational change from an inactive, autoinhibited monomer to an active dimer and subsequently phosphorylates MEK to propagate the signal. Despite the central role of BRAF in cellular signaling, the exact order and magnitude of its activation steps has yet to be confirmed experimentally. By studying the inter- and intramolecular interactions of BRAF, we unveil the domain-specific and isoform-specific details of BRAF regulation. We employed pulldown assays, open surface plasmon resonance (OpenSPR), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to investigate the roles of the regulatory regions in BRAF activation and autoinhibition. Our results demonstrate that the BRAF specific region (BSR) and cysteine rich domain (CRD) play a crucial role in regulating the activity of BRAF. Moreover, we quantified the autoinhibitory binding affinities between the N-terminal domains and the kinase domain (KD) of BRAF and revealed the individual roles of the BRAF regulatory domains. Additionally, our findings provide evidence that the BSR negatively regulates BRAF activation in a RAS isoform-specific manner. Our findings also indicate that oncogenic BRAF-KDD594Gmutant has a lower affinity for the regulatory domains, implicating that pathogenic BRAF acts through decreased propensity for autoinhibition. Collectively, our study provides valuable insights into the activation mechanism of BRAF kinase and may help to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Highly multiplexed spatial analysis identifies tissue-resident memory T cells as drivers of ulcerative and immune checkpoint inhibitor induced colitis
Authors: van Eijs Mick J.M. , ter Linde José J.M. , Baars Matthijs J.D. , Amini Mojtaba , Laclé Miangela M. , Brand Eelco C. , Delemarre Eveline M. , Drylewicz Julia , Nierkens Stefan , Verheijden Rik J. , Oldenburg Bas , Vercoulen Yvonne , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P.M. , van Wijk Femke
Published: April 2023

Colitis is a prevalent adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy with similarities to inflammatory bowel disease. Incomplete mechanistic understanding of ICI-colitis curtails evidence-based treatment. Given the often-overlooked connection between tissue architecture and mucosal immune cell function, we here applied imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to gain spatial proteomic insight in ICI-colitis in comparison to ulcerative colitis (UC). Using a cell segmentation pipeline that simultaneously utilizes high-resolution nuclear imaging and high-multiplexity IMC, we show that CD8+T cells are significantly more abundant (and dominant) in anti-PD-1 +/-anti-CTLA-4-induced colitis compared to anti-CTLA-4-induced colitis and UC. We identified activated, cycling CD8+tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells at the lamina propria-epithelial interface as drivers of cytotoxicity in ICI-colitis and UC. Moreover, we found that combined ICI-induced colitis featured highest granzyme B levels both in tissue and serum. Together, these data reinforce CD8+TRMcells as potentially targetable drivers of ICI-colitis.
Turicibacterales protect mice from severeCitrobacter rodentiuminfection
Authors: Hoek Kristen L. , McClanahan Kathleen G. , Latour Yvonne L. , Shealy Nicolas , Piazuelo M. Blanca , Vallance Bruce A. , Byndloss Mariana X. , Wilson Keith T. , Olivares-Villagómez Danyvid
Published: April 2023

One of the major contributors to child mortality in the world is diarrheal diseases, with an estimated 800,000 deaths per year. Many pathogens are causative agents of these illnesses, including the enteropathogenic (EPEC) or enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) forms ofEscherichia coli. These bacteria are characterized by their ability to cause attaching and effacing lesions in the gut mucosa. Although much has been learned about the pathogenicity of these organisms and the immune response against them, the role of the intestinal microbiota during these infections is not well characterized. Infection of mice withE. colirequires pre-treatment with antibiotics in most mouse models, which hinders the study of the microbiota in an undisturbed environment. UsingCitrobacter rodentiumas a murine model for attaching and effacing bacteria, we show that C57BL/6 mice deficient in granzyme B expression are highly susceptible to severe disease caused byC. rodentiuminfection. Although a previous publication from our group shows that granzyme B-deficient CD4+T cells are partially responsible for this phenotype, in this report we present data demonstrating that the microbiota, in particular members of the order Turicibacterales, have an important role in conferring resistance. Mice deficient inTuricibacter sanguinishave increased susceptibility to severe disease. However, when these mice are co-housed with resistant mice, or colonized withT. sanguinis, susceptibility to severe infection is reduced. These results clearly suggest a critical role for this commensal in the protection against entero-pathogens.
Construction in the digital age: exploring the benefits of digital technologies
Authors: Aliu John , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to identify and evaluate the benefits of adopting digital technologies (DTs) in the Nigerian construction industry, to ensure that construction projects are efficiently and effectively executed.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping literature review was conducted through which benefits of implementing DTs were identified, which helped in the formulation of a questionnaire survey. Data were obtained from construction professionals including architects, builders, engineers and quantity surveyors. Retrieved data were analyzed using several statistical tools such as percentages, frequencies, mean item scores and exploratory factor analyses.

Findings

Based on the mean item score ranking results, the top five significant benefits of adopting DTs were increased operational efficiency, increased productivity, increased speed of executing tasks, seamless working methodology and accurate documentation of data. Findings from the factor analysis revealed six clusters of benefits namely an improved framework for operations, improved innovativeness, improved safety practices, increased competitive edge, greater accuracy and increased productivity.

Practical implications

This study expands on the existing discussions surrounding the digital transformation of the construction sector in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria, a region where the awareness and implementation of smart and innovative technologies are still at an infant stage.

Originality/value

Although several studies on the benefits of adopting DTs in the construction industry of developing countries exist, very few have been conducted in the Nigerian context. Thus, this is a significant knowledge gap that must be filled. Thus, the findings of this study can serve as a basis for construction organizations in Nigeria and similar countries seeking the digital transformation of their activities.
Challenges in smart nation building: a solution-oriented framework based on a systematic literature review
Authors: Penmetsa Murali Krishna , Bruque-Camara Sebastián
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Nations are opening their “digital borders” to allow the free movement of business, employment and skills. However, this process of digitalization is fraught with challenges. This study aims to identify these challenges to build a solution-oriented framework for smart nations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a systematic literature review, analyzing 69 peer-reviewed academic papers out of 5,958 identified papers.

Findings

The identified challenges for smart nation building were categorized as follows: people and society, technology and innovation, digital infrastructure, politics, governance, economics and business and sustainability. To overcome these challenges, this study highlights the need for a holistic national approach, which includes solutions such as improving education, technology-driven innovations, investments for building smart nation infrastructure, top political leadership involvement, national vision and action plan, national regulatory frameworks, business environment and job creation, stakeholder engagement, renewable energy use and technological integration – all of which are key for sustainable development.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides directions for building a smart nation framework, but the literature review results are confined to articles, conference papers and book chapters. This study could be further enriched if the findings are cross-checked with experts. This limitation will be addressed in future research.

Originality/value

Given the dearth of literature on this nascent concept, the insights from this study can guide policymakers and industry leaders involved in smart nation building and benefit researchers engaged in theoretical development.
Isotropic yield surfaces for porous ductile materials: complete geometric representation by a computational homogenisation procedure
Authors: Santos Wanderson Ferreira dos , Ferreira Ayrton Ribeiro , Proença Sergio Persival Baroncini
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The present paper aims to explore a computational homogenisation procedure to investigate the full geometric representation of yield surfaces for isotropic porous ductile media. The effects of cell morphology and imposed boundary conditions are assessed. The sensitivity of the yield surfaces to the Lode angle is also investigated in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

The microscale of the material is modelled by the concept of Representative Volume Element (RVE) or unit cell, which is numerically simulated through three-dimensional finite element analyses. Numerous loading conditions are considered to create complete yield surfaces encompassing high, intermediate and low triaxialities. The influence of cell morphology on the yield surfaces is assessed considering a spherical cell with spherical void and a cubic RVE with spherical void, both under uniform strain boundary condition. The use of spherical cell is interesting as preferential directions in the effective behaviour are avoided. The periodic boundary condition, which favours strain localization, is imposed on the cubic RVE to compare the results. Small strains are assumed and the cell matrix is considered as a perfect elasto-plastic material following the von Mises yield criterion.

Findings

Different morphologies for the cell imply in different yield conditions for the same load situations. The yield surfaces in correspondence to periodic boundary condition show significant differences compared to those obtained by imposing uniform strain boundary condition. The stress Lode angle has a strong influence on the geometry of the yield surfaces considering low and intermediate triaxialities.

Originality/value

The exhaustive computational study of the effects of cell morphologies and imposed boundary conditions fills a gap in the full representation of the flow surfaces. The homogenisation-based strategy allows us to further investigate the influence of the Lode angle on the yield surfaces.
Knowledge and capabilities: what are their roles in international business of SMEs?
Authors: Nave Edgar , Ferreira João
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Engaging in international business (IB) is a particular challenge to small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), representing a condition to ensure growth and longevity. Due to their limitations of tangible resources, these companies make use of their levels of knowledge and capabilities to reach new markets. This study seeks to ascertain the role, the typologies of the knowledge and capabilities required for access to IB, and how benefits may arise for SMEs from their international experience.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve these objectives, the authors ground the insights on a qualitative study that gathered data from ten semi-structured interviews with leading entrepreneurs engaged in IB. The data were analysed resorting to the QSR Nvivo software.

Findings

The results demonstrate how (1) knowledge and the development of dynamic capabilities all represent determinant facets to engaging in IB and that (2) the knowledge and learning capabilities acquired and developed in IB context also result in positive returns in domestic markets.

Originality/value

Despite the rising of IB studies, the interaction between knowledge and capabilities from the perspective of accessing international markets has not received attention enough from scholars. The authors argue that both constructs must act together to reach and maximize the IB of SMEs and provide evidence that engagement abroad brings several other advantages beyond economic returns.
Computational analysis of a new biomimetic active ventilation paradigm for indoor spaces
Authors: Marom Gil , Grossbard Shahar , Bodek Moti , Neuman Eran , Elad David
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Ventilation of indoor spaces is required for the delivery of fresh air rich in oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide, pollutants and other hazardous substances. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the topic of ventilating crowded indoors to the front line of health concerns. This study developed a new biologically inspired concept of biomimetic active ventilation (BAV) for interior environments that mimics the mechanism of human lung ventilation, where internal air is continuously refreshed with the external environment. The purpose of this study is to provide a detailed proof-of-concept of the new BAV paradigm using computational models.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed computational fluid dynamic models of unoccupied rooms with two window openings on one wall and two BAV modules that periodically translate perpendicular to or rotate about the window openings. This study also developed a time-evolving spatial ventilation efficiency metric for exploring the accumulated refreshment of the interior space. The authors conducted two-dimensional (2D) simulations of various BAV configurations to determine the trends in how the working parameters affect the ventilation and to generate initial estimates for the more comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) model.

Findings

Simulations of 2D and 3D models of BAV for modules of different shapes and working parameters demonstrated air movements in most of the room with good air exchange between the indoor and outdoor air. This new BAV concept seems to be very efficient and should be further developed.

Originality/value

The concept of ventilating interior spaces with periodically moving rigid modules with respect to the window openings is a new BAV paradigm that mimics human respiration. The computational results demonstrated that this new paradigm for interior ventilation is efficient while air velocities are within comfortable limits.
The online flow and its influence on awe experience: an AI-enabled e-tail service exploration
Authors: Khare Arpita , Kautish Pradeep , Khare Anshuman
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The study applied the stimulus–organism–response (S–O–R) framework to investigate the influence of flow elements (e.g. perceived control, concentration and cognitive enjoyment) on artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled e-tail services in evoking awe experience in online fashion apparel context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of 739 active users of online fashion retail shoppers were collected using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Partial least square-structural equation modeling was used for analysis.

Findings

This study suggested the relevance of AI-enabled services in evoking flow and stimulating the customers' awe experience in online fashion shopping.

Practical implications

The use of AI could help online fashion retailers to improve the experiential elements by using stimuli that evoke feelings of vastness, novelty and mysticism.

Originality/value

The study offers insights about the relevance and applicability of AI in enhancing the flow elements and awe experience on online fashion apparel shopping in an emerging economy.
Financial innovation in the uranium mining sector: analysis of an exchange-traded fund and its impact on trading characteristics of uranium stocks
Authors: Bentley James , Liu Zhangxin (Frank)
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a recent innovation in the uranium market, the Global X Uranium Exchange-Traded Fund (URA), on the trading characteristics of constituent and non-constituent stocks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse bid-ask spread measures, relative effective spreads and adverse selection costs to assess changes in information asymmetry among uranium stocks. The authors also study abnormal returns to assess the impact of URA on the market.

Findings

Over a three-month period, following the introduction of URA, the authors find uranium stocks display decreased bid-ask spread measures, driven by reductions in information asymmetry. Relative effective spreads decrease by 36% after the introduction of URA, and adverse selection costs decline by 24% over the same period. Uranium stocks experience a significant positive abnormal return of 5.0% the day after the introduction of URA with subsequent price reversals. These suggest that the introduction of URA prompted uninformed traders to rebalance portfolios and migrate to the less information-sensitive Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), causing temporary deviations in trading characteristics.

Originality/value

The authors demonstrate that the introduction of new financial securities to the market can have a significant impact on the trading characteristics of related equities. As URA is the only ETF in the uranium sector, the authors thereby avoid the influence of multiple ETFs that may have impacted previous studies.
Integration of RFID strategic value attributes mechanism decision in apparel supply chain: fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS approach
Authors: Kumar Mukesh
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the radio frequency identification (RFID) strategic value attributes (RFIDSVAs) mechanism selections preferences and also integration of RFID tags with technology coordination tools (IRTWTCTs) alternatives ranking performance decisions in supply chain management (SCM). RFID-enabled techno-economic feasibility decisions are enhancing the SC visibility in apparel supply chains (ASCs). The RFIDSVAs mechanism selections have performed significant agility to strategic competitive advantages, namely, inventory visibility, multi-tags ownership transfer within trusted third party, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) and FAHP-fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS) approaches have been used to evaluate the quantitative assessment of RFIDSVA mechanisms selection decision based on weight priority orders and IRTWTCTs alternatives selection in ASC networks. The comparison of FAHP and FAHP-FTOPSIS approaches to evaluate the integrated framework develop in RFIDSVAs mechanisms and IRTWTCTs alternatives selection decisions in Indian multi-tier ASC networks.

Findings

The result found that the FAHP-FTOPSIS approaches have used to prioritizing the RFIDSVA mechanism selection weights and also identify the IRTWTCTs alternatives ranking preferences order in apparel SCM. The comparison between the FAHP and FAHP-FTOPSIS approach to quantitative assessments from RFIDSVA mechanisms and IRTWTCTs alternatives selection decisions, which enable them SC agility potential across multi-tier visibility in ASC networks. ASC stakeholders can be benefited by techno-economic feasibility decisions, RFID-enabled shop floor activities, multi-tags ownerships transfer in SCs and knowledge-based cryptography tags/items separation in SCs.

Research limitations/implications

The research work has considered only five RFIDSVA mechanisms and also three integration of RFIDTWTCTs alternatives in multi-tier ASC. The strategic competitive advantages are achieved by RFID-enabled break-even tags price decisions and also techno-economic feasibility decision by contractual design multi-tier SC stakeholder’s involvements.

Practical implications

The pilot project study explores that the quantitative assessment decision has based on RFID-enable techno-economic feasibility in ASCs. Stakeholders can be benefited by inventory control of the financial losses, reducing the inventory inaccuracies and multi-tags ownership transfer within trusted third-party traceability in ASC networks.

Originality/value

This study explores the RFID-enabled apparel SC process and activities visibility (natural fibre’s fibre producer, fibre dyeing producer, yarn spinning producer, knitting and finishing producer).
Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic among small island developing states and Guam
Authors: Kabigting Leila C. , Ruane Maria Claret M. , Sayama Kristina C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns were implemented to achieve two goals: (1) to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and (2) to reduce the number of COVID-19 deaths. In this paper, the authors aim to look at empirical evidence on how effectively lockdowns achieved these goals among small island developing states (SIDS) and for one specific SIDS economy, Guam.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed existing studies to form two hypotheses: that lockdowns reduced cases, and that lockdowns reduced deaths. Defining a lockdown as a positive value for Oxford COVID-19 government response tracker, OxCGRT's stringency index, the authors tested the above hypotheses on 185 countries, 27 SIDS economies and Guam using correlation and regression analyses, and using different measures of the strictness, duration and timing of the lockdown.

Findings

The authors found no evidence to support the hypothesis that lockdowns reduced the number of cases based on data for all 185 countries and 27 SIDS economies. While the authors found evidence to support the hypothesis in the case of Guam, the result required an unrealistically and implausibly long time lag of 365 days. As to the second hypothesis that lockdowns reduced the number of deaths, the authors found no evidence to support it for 185 countries, 27 SIDS economies as well as Guam.

Originality/value

From the review of the existing literature, the authors are the first to conduct this type of study among SIDS economies as a group and on Guam.
A solution for creating dynamic networks of symptoms in cognitive-behavioral functional analysis and therapy – participatory design protocol
Authors: Kornacka Monika , Jaskulska Anna , Skorupska Kinga , Szastok Marta , Nadziejko Małgorzata , Kopeć Wiesław
Published: April 2023

Purpose

One of the recommendations in process-based cognitive therapies suggests that functional analysis created by the clinician should be supported by empirical data collected through daily sampling. It enables the computing of a dynamic network of psychological processes and symptoms supporting clinical decisions but also therapeutic progress monitoring. However, the experience sampling solutions available in the market do not enable the automatic creation of this kind of network; thus, the use of this approach in clinical practice is practically impossible without advanced statistical skills and significant time investment. The purpose of the present paper is to describes a protocol of a research project based on a participatory approach aiming to create a solution enabling therapists not only to set up a personalized daily sampling for their patients and collect the data but also providing a fully automated visualization of the network adapted for therapeutic purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The project will require creating a platform for therapists where they can set up monitoring and receive dynamic networks visualization, creating an experience sampling application for patients connected to the platform and creating an optimal data visualization system that will enable therapists to accurately and quickly interpret the network. A series of participatory workshops, qualitative and quantitative studies are described.

Findings

The presented studies will enable us to evaluate the ergonomy of use of both platform and app in laboratory and ecological settings along with the evaluation of network interpretation accuracy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first participatory design protocol for creating a solution that might enable clinicians to use a dynamic network approach in their everyday clinical practice. The challenges and opportunities of creating this kind of mHealth solution are discussed.
Research on thermal protection of piezoelectric pressure sensor for shock wave pressure measurement in explosion field
Authors: Shi Yucheng , Kong Deren , Ma Xuejiao
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to clarify the mechanism of ambient and transient temperature effects on piezoelectric pressure sensors, and to propose corresponding compensation measures. The temperature of the explosion field has a significant influence on the piezoelectric sensor used to measure the shock wave pressure. For accurate shock wave pressure measurement, based on the actual piezoelectric pressure sensors used in the explosion field, the effects of ambient and transient temperatures on the sensor should be studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The compensation method of the ambient temperature is discussed according to the sensor size and material. The theoretical analysis method of the transient temperature is proposed. For the transient temperature conduction problem of the sensor, the finite element simulation method of structure-temperature coupling is used to solve the temperature distribution of the sensor and the change in the contact force on the quartz crystal surface under the step and triangle temperatures. The simulation results are highly consistent with the theory.

Findings

Based on the analysis results, a transient temperature control method is proposed, in which 0.5 mm thick lubricating silicone grease is applied to the sensor diaphragm, and 0.2 mm thick fiberglass cloth is wrapped around the sensor side. Simulation experiments are carried out to verify the feasibility of the control method, and the results show that the control method effectively suppresses the output of the thermal parasitic.

Originality/value

The above thermal protection methods can effectively improve the measurement accuracy of shock wave pressure and provide technical support for the evaluation of the power of explosion damage.
Club Mahindra: culture as an enabler of future business strategy
Authors: Chatterjee Debmallya , Shah Snehal , Swaroop Neeraj
Published: April 2023

Research methodology

The case was developed from both primary and secondary sources. The secondary data was sourced from annual reports, industry reports, company websites and news articles. Primary sources included visiting the Club Mahindra Resorts located at different places, interacting with staff and local people, visiting their corporate office to interact with the CEO. The case has also been tested in a classroom.

Case overview/synopsis

This case deals with challenges faced by a vacation ownership (VO) company, Mahindra Holidays Resorts India Ltd in articulating the organizational culture of its flagship brand “Club Mahindra.” Club Mahindra had emerged as the major VO company in India in the past two decades on the back of its core product – a 25-year membership plan. The company was growing its offerings to its customers in an environment of changing customer preferences.

This case provides the students an opportunity to learn the organizational culture model. The students are expected to use the information provided in the case and exhibits to support their analysis with the primary objective to extract lessons about organization culture to leverage it as a tool to enhance customer satisfaction. Other objectives include understanding the changing business environment and modeling employee behavior during a crisis. Furthermore, the students are expected to validate the model using the artifacts from the crisis management at the Club Mahindra Resorts at Madikeri and Ashtamudi to understand the dynamics of change and the role of culture in organizational success.

Complexity academic level

At the MBA level, the case can be used to teach the topic of Organization Culture in the core course, Organization Behavior in the first-year curriculum, which is at the macro-level, with “organization” as the unit of analysis. It can also be used to teach the same topic with a stronger application orientation in the One Year Executive Education Program for middle-to-senior managers or short-term Executive Education Modules designed for a similar cohort.
A scoping review of luxury yachting and wellness: study trends and research prospects
Authors: K Thirumaran , Eijdenberg Emiel L. , Wong Caroline
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to advance the scholarship of yachting in the context of wellness by exploring the following research question: in what ways is wellness created and experienced by luxury yachting?

Design/methodology/approach

Since the extant journal literature from 2012–2023 in peer-reviewed journals is limited on the topic that links luxury yachting and wellness, the authors drew on other sources such as books and chapters in edited volumes. A third layer of material was drawn from the grey literature such as mass media and business websites. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) method, the authors examined 18 publications relating to the intersectionality of yachting and wellness.

Findings

Manufacturing and charter companies in the yachting industry are focused on creating and emphasizing features onboard that create a self-caring and wellness experience. The yacht design, spatial influences and the leisure time spent at destinations on anchor can also add value to wellness. This study enables us to understand the kinds of signals received by manufacturers and the media from yachting clients. These signals relate to the types of wellness needs and activities, as well as how crews and chefs create the best hospitality experiences for their clients.

Originality/value

Given the scarce and niche nature of research on yachting and wellness, this paper explores future research areas in wellness through luxury yachting which include hospitality aspects of creating and co-creating wellness experience on board the yacht and viewing yachting as a lifestyle necessity product for all levels of wealth and well-being.
The Politics of Population Health
Authors: DAWES DANIEL , GONZALEZ JUAN
Published: April 2023

Policy Points

Despite increased spending and consuming more health care services than any other country in the world, the United States global health rankings experience continued decline, including worsening performance in life expectancy and mortality owing to lack of investment in and strategies on the upstream determinants of health.

These determinants of health are found in our access to adequate, affordable, and nutritious food options; safe housing, blue and green spaces; reliable and safe transportation; education and literacy; opportunities for economic stability; and sanitation, among other important factors and all share a common root driver in the political determinants of health.

Health systems are increasingly investing in programs and exerting influence over policies to address these upstream determinants of health, including population health management, however these programs will continue to be hindered without addressing the political determinants through government, voting, and policy.

Although these investments are laudable, it is important to understand what gives rise to the social determinants of health and—more importantly—why have they disproportionately and detrimentally affected historically marginalized communities and vulnerable populations for so long? Deeply entrenched and pervasive throughout society, the political determinants of health are the fundamental instigators of these unjust and inequitable outcomes.
Human Health and Well‐being in a Warming World
Authors: NORI‐SARMA AMRUTA , WELLENIUS GREGORY A.
Published: April 2023

Policy Points

After decades of scientific progress and growth in academic literature, there is a recognition that climate change poses a substantial threat to the health and well‐being of individuals and communities both in the United States and globally.

Solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change can have important health cobenefits.

A vital component of these policy solutions is that they must also take into consideration historic issues of environmental justice and racism, and implementation of these policies must have a strong equity lens.
Cities as Platforms for Population Health: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: GONDI SUHAS , CHOKSHI DAVE A.
Published: April 2023

Policy Points

Cities have long driven innovation in public health in response to shifting trends in the burden of disease for populations. Today, the challenges facing municipal health departments include the persistent prevalence of chronic disease and deeply entrenched health inequities, as well as the evolving threats posed by climate change, political gridlock, and surging behavioral health needs.

Surmounting these challenges will require generational investment in local public health infrastructure, drawn both from new governmental allocation and from innovative financing mechanisms that allow public health agencies to capture more of the value they create for society.

Additional funding must be paired with the local development of public health data systems and the implementation of evidence‐based strategies, including community health workers and the co‐localization of clinical services and social resources as part of broader efforts to bridge the gap between public health and health care.

Above all, advancing urban health demands transformational public policy to tackle inequality and reduce poverty, to address racism as a public health crisis, and to decarbonize infrastructure. One strategy to help achieve these ambitious goals is for cities to organize into coalitions that harness their collective power as a force to improve population health globally.
Alcohol and Public Health: Failure and Opportunity
Authors: JERNIGAN DAVID H.
Published: April 2023

Policy Points

Public health science regarding alcohol consumption and problems, alcohol's role in equity and social justice, and identification of effective policy interventions has grown steadily stronger in the past 30 years.

Progress on effective alcohol policies has stalled or gone backward in the United States and much of the world.

Because alcohol influences at least 14 of the 17 sustainable development goals, as well as more than 200 disease and injury conditions, reducing alcohol problems should offer a platform for collaboration across public health silos but will require that public health itself respect and follow its own science.
Using a 10‐day mindfulness‐based app intervention to reduce burnout in special educators
Authors: Russell Amy , Smyth Sinéad
Published: April 2023

The field of special education is thought to be a stressful profession due to the complex needs of the students. The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mindfulness‐based smartphone application intervention for reducing burnout in special educators. We used the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory scale (with three subscales; personal, work‐related and student‐related) to measure burnout and the Five Facets of Mindfulness (shortened version) to assess mindfulness. Special educators (n = 29) were assigned to either the experimental group (n = 14) which used the ‘Smiling Mind’ app for guided meditations or the active control group (n = 15) which used ‘Day One’, a note‐taking app, for a list‐making activity. Both groups used their assigned apps for 10 days. The experimental group showed significant reductions from baseline to post‐intervention on the personal burnout subscale while the control group did not, indicating that the intervention affected this domain of burnout. This was maintained at a 2‐week follow‐up. Mindfulness scores did not significantly increase in the experimental condition, meaning that the mechanism of this decrease in personal burnout is unknown. Further research is needed in order to add to the knowledge on preventing and treating burnout in special educators.
Another outlook into energy‐growth nexus in Mexico for sustainable development: Accounting for the combined impact of urbanization and trade openness
Authors: Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday , Bekun Festus Victor , Ozturk Ilhan , Haseki Murat Ismet
Published: April 2023

This study corroborates the importance of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG‐7), intended to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy for all, and SDG‐8, designed to promote decent work and sustainable economic growth. This article is motivated by the highlighted SDGs and empirically explores the long‐run and causality relationship between energy consumption, urbanization, trade openness, and economic growth for annual frequency data from 1965 to 2021 for the case of Mexico. To this end, we leverage the use of fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares, and canonical regression estimation methods, while for the direction of causality, the gradual shift and wavelet coherence methods are used. According to the Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), the bounds test traces a long‐run relationship between the outlined variables over the sampled period. Empirical evidence validates the energy‐induced growth hypothesis. This result resonates with the causality analysis, where energy consumption drives economic growth one way in Mexico. This suggests that Mexico cannot embark on energy‐conservative policies, as such actions will hurt economic progress. In addition, unidirectional causality is seen between urbanization, trade openness, and economic growth. These findings have far‐reaching implications for economic growth and macroeconomic indicators in Mexico. More insights are highlighted in the concluding section.
Implementing the EU eco‐scheme in the Netherlands: A results‐based points system approach
Authors: Jongeneel Roel , Gonzalez‐Martinez Ana
Published: April 2023

The latest reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aimed at making it more results‐oriented in order to ensure the sustainability of the sector. From 1 January 2023, in the new policy framework, the European Commission introduced a new tool – eco‐schemes. This tool presents several advantages compared to the former ‘greening’ since it includes more ambitious targets than the previous policy framework. Another difference with the previous system is that the eco‐schemes focus on results rather than efforts, while creating some room for the EU Member States to design measures which take into account existing local circumstances and needs. For the implementation of the eco‐schemes, the Netherlands has developed a menu‐points‐system. The Dutch system is a good policy improvement compared to the previous ‘greening’ measures. Nevertheless, due to its hybrid form, it does not yet lead to the best possible cost‐efficiency measures. To achieve that, a ‘pure’ point‐reward (instead of an effort‐reward) should have been implemented. Another novelty of the Dutch eco‐scheme policy is the development of a simulation tool, which can assist farmers to test different choices before they make their final decisions.
The effects of supervision on the outcomes of exercise training in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A single‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hosseini Maryam , Rahimibarghani Sarvenaz , Ghorbanpour Sahar , Movassaghi Shafieh , Emami‐Razavi Seyede Zahra , Azadvari Mohaddeseh , Abdi Mina
Published: April 2023

Aim

Exercise training is crucial for managing ankylosing spondylitis. We evaluated the effects of exercise with different levels of supervision on clinical outcomes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods

We performed a single‐blind randomized controlled trial in a university outpatient clinic. Overall, 45 (31 men) patients with ankylosing spondylitis were randomly allocated to 3 groups. The mean (SD) for age and disease duration were 39.3 (9.3) and 8.4 (7.8) years. The primary outcome was chest expansion in cm, and the secondary outcomes were the index scores of 5 standard questionnaires. For each participant, adalimumab 40 mg/0.8 mL/2 wk was injected and a 3‐session exercise program per week for 1 month was prescribed. Controls received a pamphlet on the exercise program. Another group received the pamphlet and underwent a 2‐hour training session. The supervised group received the pamphlet, and the 2‐hour training, and completed the program by attending each exercise session in the clinic.

Results

Within‐group analysis showed significant improvement in chest expansion (P = 0.016) and all subjective or objective questionnaire scores (all P < 0.001) for the full‐supervised group. Between‐group analysis implied best outcomes for chest expansion (P = 0.046), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (P < 0.001), Bath Disease Activity (P = 0.010), and Metrology (P = 0.002) Indices for ankylosing spondylitis. The group with 2‐hour training experienced an improvement in some indices, and the control group did not show significant changes in the outcomes.

Conclusion

We recommend the prescription of a supervised training program instead of in‐home exercises for patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
The data double standard
Authors: Binley Allison D. , Bennett Joseph R.
Published: April 2023

Conservation planning requires extensive amounts of data, yet data collection is expensive, and there is often a trade‐off between the quantity and quality of data that can be collected. Researchers are increasingly turning to community science programs to meet their biodiversity data needs, yet the reliability of such data sources is still a common source of debate.

Here, we argue that professionally collected data are subject to many of the limitations and biases present in community science datasets. We explore four common criticisms of community science data, and comparable issues that exist in data collected by experts: spatial biases, observer variability, taxonomic biases and the misapplication of data. We then outline solutions to these problems that have been developed to make better use of community science data, but can (and should) be equally applied to both kinds of data.

We highlight four main solutions based on research using community science data that can be applied across all biodiversity data collection and research. Statistical techniques that have been developed for processing community science data can equally help account for spatial biases and observer variation in professional datasets. Benchmarking or vetting one dataset against another can strengthen evidence and uncover unknown sources of biases. Professional and community science datasets can be used together to fill knowledge gaps that are unique to each. Careful study design that accounts for the collection of relevant and important covariate data can help statistically account for sources of bias.

Currently, a double standard exists in how researchers view data collected by professionals versus those collected by community scientists. Our aim is to ensure that valuable community science data are given the prominent place they deserve, and that data collected by experts are appropriately vetted and biases accounted for using all the tools at our disposal.