bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity, low-grade inflammation, and psychological responses to the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults in England
Authors: Danka Martin N. , Steptoe Andrew , Iob Eleonora 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACTMental health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have been widely studied, but less is known about the potentially protective role of physical activity (PA) and the impact of low-grade inflammation. Using a sample of older adults from England, this study tested (1) if pre-pandemic PA and its changes during the pandemic were associated with mental health responses; (2) if older adults with low-grade inflammation experienced greater increases in depression and anxiety, compared to pre-pandemic levels; (3) if PA attenuated the association between inflammation and depression/anxiety. The study used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a cohort study following a national sample aged 50+. Information on mental health and PA were collected before the pandemic (2016/17 and 2018/19) and during November and December 2020. Inflammation was ascertained using pre-pandemic C-reactive protein (CRP). Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related factors and pre-pandemic mental health. Increasing PA from before to during the pandemic was linked to reduced odds of depression (OR= 0.955, 95%CI[0.937, 0.974]) and anxiety (OR= 0.954, 95%CI[0.927;0.982]). Higher pre-pandemic PA was associated with reduced odds of depression (OR= 0.964, 95%CI[0.948, 0.981]) and anxiety (OR= 0.976, 95%CI[0.953, 1.000]), whereas elevated CRP was associated with 1.343 times higher odds of depression (95%CI[1.100, 1.641]). PA did not attenuate the inflammation-depression association. The findings suggest that PA may contribute to psychological resilience among older adults, independently of inflammation. Further research is needed to explore the psychobiological pathways underlying this protective mechanism.
Evaluation of a Bayesian hierarchical pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model for predicting parasitological outcomes in Phase 2 studies of new antimalarial drugs
Authors: Tully Meg K , Dini Saber , Flegg Jennifer A , McCarthy James S , Price David J , Simpson Julie A 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe rise of multidrug resistant malaria requires accelerated development of novel antimalarial drugs. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) models relate blood antimalarial drug concentrations with the parasite-time profile to inform dosing regiments. We performed a simulation study to assess the utility of a Bayesian hierarchical mechanistic PK-PD model for predicting parasite-time profiles for a Phase 2 study of a new antimalarial drug, cipargamin.We simulated cipargamin concentration- and malaria parasite-profiles based on a Phase 2 study of 8 volunteers who received cipargamin 7 days after inoculation with malaria parasites. The cipargamin profiles were generated from a 2-compartment PK model and parasite profiles from a previously published biologically informed PD model. One-thousand PK-PD datasets of 8 patients were simulated, following the sampling intervals of the Phase 2 study. The mechanistic PK-PD model was incorporated in a Bayesian hierarchical framework and the parameters estimated.Population PK model parameters describing absorption, distribution and clearance were estimated with minimal bias (mean relative bias ranged from 1.7 to 8.4%). The PD model was fitted to the parasitaemia profiles in each simulated dataset using the estimated PK parameters. Posterior predictive checks demonstrate that our PK-PD model successfully captures both the pre- and post-treatment simulated PD profiles. The bias of the estimated population average PD parameters was low-moderate in magnitude.This simulation study demonstrates the viability of our PK-PD model to predict parasitological outcomes in Phase 2 volunteer infection studies. This work will inform the dose-effect relationship of cipargamin, guiding decisions on dosing regimens to evaluate in Phase 3 trials.
Newly synthesized mRNA selectively escapes translational repression following acute stress
Authors: Zedan Mostafa , Schürch Alexandra P. , Heinrich Stephanie , Gómez García Pablo Aurelio , Khawaja Sarah , Weis Karsten 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWhen cells encounter environmental stress, they rapidly mount an adaptive response by switching from pro-growth to stress-responsive gene expression programs. It is poorly understood how cells selectively silence pre-existing, pro-growth transcripts, yet efficiently translate transcriptionally-induced stress mRNA, and whether these transcriptional and post-transcriptional responses are coordinated. Here, we show that following acute glucose withdrawal in S. cerevisiae, pre-existing mRNAs are not first degraded to halt protein synthesis, nor are they sequestered away in P-bodies. Rather, their translation is rapidly repressed through a sequence-independent mechanism that differentiates between mRNAs produced before and after stress followed by their decay. Transcriptional induction of endogenous transcripts and reporter mRNAs during stress is sufficient to escape translational repression, while induction prior to stress leads to repression. Our results reveal a timing-controlled coordination of the transcriptional and translational responses in the nucleus and cytoplasm ensuring a rapid and widescale reprogramming of gene expression following environmental stress.
The asymptomatic proportion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-variant infections in households: A systematic review
Authors: Shi Nancy DJ , Marcato Adrian J , Spirkoska Violeta , Meagher Niamh , Villanueva-Cabezas Juan-Pablo , Price David J 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the asymptomatic fraction, is important as asymptomatic individuals are still able to infect other individuals and contribute to ongoing transmission. The WHO Unity Household transmission investigation (HHTI) protocol provides a platform for the prospective and systematic collection of high-quality clinical, epidemiological, serological, and virological data from SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases and their household contacts. These data can be used to understand key severity and transmissibility parameters — including the asymptomatic proportion — in relation to local epidemic context and help inform public health response.MethodsWe aimed to estimate the asymptomatic proportion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-variant infections in Unity-aligned HHTIs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in alignment with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered our systematic review on PROSPERO (CRD42022378648). We searched EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and bioRxiv and medRxiv from 1 November 2021 to 22 August 2023.ResultsWe identified 8,368 records, of which 98 underwent full text review. We identified only three studies for data extraction, with substantial variation in study design and corresponding estimates of the asymptomatic proportion. As a result, we did not generate a pooled estimate orI2metric.ConclusionsThe limited number of quality studies that we identified highlights the need for improved preparedness and response capabilities to facilitate robust HHTI implementation, analysis and reporting, to better inform national, regional and global risk assessments and policy making.Key messagesEstimates for the asymptomatic proportion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-variant infections are highly heterogeneousWe assessed the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-variant infections among household contacts, who were followed prospectively and systematically, per the WHO Unity household transmission investigation protocol.Given the small number of studies with sufficient data and the observed heterogeneity in the asymptomatic proportion point estimates, we did not provide a pooled estimate of the asymptomatic proportion.Fit-for-purpose study designs, and improved reporting, are necessary for robust estimation of epidemiological characteristics from household studies and their interpretation.Ongoing assessment of the asymptomatic proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection is critical to inform ongoing public health response options such as testing strategies to detect infections and isolation guidance for close contacts.
Experimental evaluation of bamboo natural fiber composite reinforced with SiO2 nanoparticles for aircraft applications
Authors: Gunasekar P. , A. Anderson , T.R. Praveenkumar 
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Composite materials have revolutionized the aerospace industry by offering superior structural qualities over traditional elements. This study aims to focus on the development and testing of bamboo natural fiber-based composites enhanced with SiO2 nanoparticles.

Design/methodology/approach
The investigation involved fabricating specimens with varying nanoparticle compositions (0, 10 and 20%) and conducting tensile, flexural, impact and fracture toughness tests. Results indicated significant improvements in mechanical properties with the addition of nanoparticles, particularly at a 10% composition level.

Findings
This study underscores the potential of natural fiber composites, highlighting their environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness and improved structural properties when reinforced with nanoparticles. The findings suggest an optimal ratio for nanoparticle integration, emphasizing the critical role of precise mixing proportions in achieving superior composite performance.

Originality/value
The tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance and fracture toughness exhibited notable enhancements compared with the 0 and 20% nanoparticle compositions. The 10% composition showed the most promising outcomes, showcasing increased strength across all parameters.
Computer vision-based real-time monitoring for swivel construction of bridges: from laboratory study to a pilot application
Authors: Zhang Shilong , Liu Changyong , Feng Kailun , Xia Chunlai , Wang Yuyin , Wang Qinghe 
Published: April 2024

PurposeThe swivel construction method is a specially designed process used to build bridges that cross rivers, valleys, railroads and other obstacles. To carry out this construction method safely, real-time monitoring of the bridge rotation process is required to ensure a smooth swivel operation without collisions. However, the traditional means of monitoring using Electronic Total Station tools cannot realize real-time monitoring, and monitoring using motion sensors or GPS is cumbersome to use.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes a monitoring method based on a series of computer vision (CV) technologies, which can monitor the rotation angle, velocity and inclination angle of the swivel construction in real-time. First, three proposed CV algorithms was developed in a laboratory environment. The experimental tests were carried out on a bridge scale model to select the outperformed algorithms for rotation, velocity and inclination monitor, respectively, as the final monitoring method in proposed method. Then, the selected method was implemented to monitor an actual bridge during its swivel construction to verify the applicability.FindingsIn the laboratory study, the monitoring data measured with the selected monitoring algorithms was compared with those measured by an Electronic Total Station and the errors in terms of rotation angle, velocity and inclination angle, were 0.040%, 0.040%, and −0.454%, respectively, thus validating the accuracy of the proposed method. In the pilot actual application, the method was shown to be feasible in a real construction application.Originality/valueIn a well-controlled laboratory the optimal algorithms for bridge swivel construction are identified and in an actual project the proposed method is verified. The proposed CV method is complementary to the use of Electronic Total Station tools, motion sensors, and GPS for safety monitoring of swivel construction of bridges. It also contributes to being a possible approach without data-driven model training. Its principal advantages are that it both provides real-time monitoring and is easy to deploy in real construction applications.
Fostering social sustainability: unveiling HR’s power in enhancing employee resilience via social exchange and broaden-and-build theories
Authors: Malik Garima , Singh Pratibha 
Published: April 2024

PurposeThis study focusses on the intersection of social sustainability and human resource management (HRM) as a strategy for crisis management. It aims to provide detailed insight by exploring the associations between socially sustainable HRM (SSHRM), employee well-being, trust in social capital and employee resilience.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a cross-sectional research design to test relationships amongst variables. Data was gathered from employees in India’s private-sector information technology (IT) industry, making the framework relevant to this specific context. The study employed the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse complex relationships between the variables.FindingsThe results indicate that organisations can boost employee resilience through SSHRM implementation, promote personal well-being (PWB) and family well-being (FWB) and foster trust in social capital. Additionally, the study highlights the moderating impact of employee empowerment, improving the translation of positive employee behaviour in organisational settings.Practical implicationsOur research emphasises the importance of sustainability efforts and strategies focused on social capital to build long-lasting employee connections. This highlights the necessity of incorporating social sustainability objectives into the organisation’s strategic blueprint, ensuring integration into decision-making procedures.Originality/valueThis study uniquely explores the underlying mechanisms through which SSHRM influences employee resilience. An in-depth empirical analysis evinces the causal mechanism between SSHRM, employee well-being, social capital trust and employee resilience.
Before the “fall”: Alan Fox's “intellectual crisis” and early pluralist history and sociology
Authors: Ackers Peter 
Published: April 2024

PurposeThis paper presents an historical reconstruction of the radicalisation of Alan Fox, the industrial sociologist and a detailed analysis of his early historical and sociological writing in the classical pluralist phase.Design/methodology/approachAn intellectual history, including detailed discussion of key Fox texts, supported by interviews with Fox and other Biographical sources.FindingsFox’s radicalisation was incomplete, as he carried over from his industrial relations (IR) pluralist mentors, Allan Flanders and Hugh Clegg, a suspicion of political Marxism, a sense of historical contingency and an awareness of the fragmented nature of industrial conflict.Originality/valueRecent academic attention has centred on Fox’s later radical pluralism with its “structural” approach to the employment relationship. This paper revisits his early, neglected classical pluralist writing. It also illuminates his transition from institutional IR to a broader sociology of work, influenced by AH Halsey, John Goldthorpe and others and the complex nature of his radicalisation.
Factors influencing Satisfaction with mobile phone use for Accessing Agricultural Marketing Information by grape smallholder farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania
Authors: Nyagango Alex Iddy , Sife Alfred Said , Kazungu Isaac Eliakimu 
Published: April 2024

PurposeDespite the vast potential of mobile phone use, grape smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with mobile phone use has attracted insufficient attention among scholars in Tanzania. The study examined factors influencing satisfaction with mobile phone use for accessing agricultural marketing information.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a cross-sectional research design and a mixed research method. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to collect primary data from 400 sampled grape smallholder farmers. Data were analysed inferentially involving two-way analysis of variance, ordinal logistic regression and thematic analysis.FindingsThe findings indicate a statistically significant disparity in grape smallholder farmers’ satisfaction across different types of agricultural marketing information. Grape smallholder farmers exhibited higher satisfaction levels concerning information on selling time compared to all other types of agricultural marketing information (price, buyers, quality and quantity). Factors influencing grape smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with mobile phone use were related to perceived usefulness, ease of use, experience and cost.Originality/valueThis study contributes to scientific knowledge by providing actionable insights for formulating unique strategies for smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with agricultural marketing information.
Following the herd? An empirical investigation into the adoption of mobile payment systems
Authors: Hung Shiu-Wan , Cheng Min-Jhih , Tung Yu-Jou 
Published: April 2024

PurposeThe adoption of mobile payment remains low in certain regions, highlighting the need to identify the factors that enable and inhibit its adoption. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the role of information security, loss aversion and the moderating influence of the herd effect on Inertia and behavioral intentions in the adoption of mobile payment systems.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation model was developed and tested with 332 valid questionnaires to examine the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe empirical results reveal that information security plays a significant role as an enabler, while loss aversion acts as an inhibitor of mobile payment adoption. Furthermore, the study uncovers the moderating influence of the herd effect on the relationship between Inertia and behavioral intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted in a specific region and may not be generalizable to other regions. Future studies could expand the sample size and scope to enhance the external validity of the findings.Practical implicationsThis study offers practical implications for mobile payment service providers. Understanding the key enabling and inhibiting factors identified in this study can guide providers in designing and improving their services. Strengthening information security measures can help build trust among potential adopters, while offering incentives can mitigate the impact of loss aversion and encourage early adoption.Social implicationsThe findings of this study have social implications as they contribute to promoting the adoption of mobile payment systems. Increased adoption can enhance financial inclusion and stimulate economic development.Originality/valueThis study provides novel insights into the enabling and inhibiting factors of mobile payment adoption and highlights the moderating role of the herd effect. By shedding light on the influence of social norms on individual behavior in the context of mobile payment adoption, this study contributes to the existing literature and advances our understanding of this phenomenon.
Strategic turnaround: unraveling the impact of CEO power on firm performance during retrenchment
Authors: Ijaz Misal , Sadiq Naila , Abbas Syeda Fizza 
Published: April 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of retrenchment strategy on firm performance in the context of Pakistani firms while considering the moderating role of chief executive officer (CEO) power. By examining the influence of CEO duality and CEO share ownership on the relationship, this study contributes to strategic management and corporate governance knowledge within the Pakistani business environment.

Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative approach was used to analyze the relationship using data from annual financial statements. The sample consisted of 76 companies from the KSE-100 index from the year 2015 to 2020. Random effects regression models were used, along with hierarchical regression to explore the moderating effect of CEO power.

Findings
The findings demonstrate that the implementation of a retrenchment strategy positively impacts firm performance in Pakistani firms. The study also reveals that CEO power plays a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between retrenchment strategy and firm performance. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of considering the temporal sequence, size and age of firms when examining the impact of CEO power and retrenchment strategy on firm performance.

Research limitations/implications
The study enhances the understanding of the contingent nature of retrenchment strategies and the influence of CEO power in the Pakistani business context. Practically, the research contributes to strategic management and corporate governance dynamics, facilitating the development of strategies that enhance firm performance and sustainability in Pakistan.

Originality/value
This research provides original insights by specifically focusing on the Pakistani context and analyzing the interplay between retrenchment strategy, CEO power and firm performance. The study adds to the limited literature on the relationship between retrenchment and performance in the Pakistani business environment. Additionally, it highlights the significance of CEO power as a critical factor in determining the success of retrenchment.
Investors response to different dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Agnihotri Arpita , Bhattacharya Saurabh 
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Leveraging signalling theory and institutional environment theory, this study aims to examine how the entrepreneurial orientation of emerging market firms impacts initial public offering (IPO) performance.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors conduct regression analysis based on archival data from 312 firms’ IPOs in India.

Findings
The results in the Indian context suggest it differs from IPO performance in developed markets. In an emerging market context, the findings suggest that only competitive aggressiveness is valued by investors in IPOs. The findings further show that proactiveness and autonomy negatively influence IPO underpricing.

Research limitations/implications
The research propositions imply that, owing to institutional voids in emerging markets, investors’ risk propensity and, hence, rewarding a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation differ from those in developed markets.

Originality/value
Extant literature has given limited attention to the dynamics of entrepreneurial orientation and the effect of each dimension of entrepreneurial orientation on IPO performance in emerging markets.