Initial Studies Research Articles

Does waiting for surgery matter? How time from diagnostic MRI to resection affects outcomes in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Maximal safe resection is the standard of care for patients presenting with lesions concerning for glioblastoma (GBM) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Currently, there is no consensus on surgical urgency for patients with an excellent performance status, which complicates patient counseling and may increase patient anxiety. This study aims to assess the impact of time to surgery (TTS) on clinical and survival outcomes in patients with GBM. This is a retrospective study of 145 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed IDH-wild-type GBM who underwent initial resection at the University of California, San Francisco, between 2014 and 2016. Patients were grouped according to the time from diagnostic MRI to surgery (i.e., TTS): ≤ 7, > 7-21, and > 21 days. Contrast-enhancing tumor volumes (CETVs) were measured using software. Initial CETV (CETV1) and preoperative CETV (CETV2) were used to evaluate tumor growth represented as percent change (ΔCETV) and specific growth rate (SPGR; % growth/day). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were measured from the date of resection and were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. Of the 145 patients (median TTS 10 days), 56 (39%), 53 (37%), and 36 (25%) underwent surgery ≤ 7, > 7-21, and > 21 days from initial imaging, respectively. Median OS and PFS among the study cohort were 15.5 and 10.3 months, respectively, and did not differ among the TTS groups (p = 0.81 and 0.17, respectively). Median CETV1 was 35.9, 15.7, and 10.2 cm3 across the TTS groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Preoperative biopsy and presenting to an outside hospital emergency department were associated with an average 12.79-day increase and 9.09-day decrease in TTS, respectively. Distance from the treating facility (median 57.19 miles) did not affect TTS. In the growth cohort, TTS was associated with an average 2.21% increase in ΔCETV per day; however, there was no effect of TTS on SPGR, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), postoperative deficits, survival, discharge location, or hospital length of stay. Subgroup analyses did not identify any high-risk groups for which a shorter TTS may be beneficial. An increased TTS for patients with imaging concerning for GBM did not impact clinical outcomes, and while there was a significant association with ΔCETV, SPGR remained unaffected. However, SPGR was associated with a worse preoperative KPS, which highlights the importance of tumor growth speed over TTS. Therefore, while it is ill advised to wait an unnecessarily long time after initial imaging studies, these patients do not require urgent/emergency surgery and can seek tertiary care opinions and/or arrange for additional preoperative support/resources. Future studies are needed to explore subgroups for whom TTS may impact clinical outcomes.

Confirming resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides applied preemergence and postemergence in a Georgia Palmer amaranth population

Abstract Herbicides that inhibit protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) are used in more than 40 agronomic and specialty crops across Georgia to manage weeds through residual and postemergence (POST) control. In 2017, a population of Palmer amaranth exhibiting reduced sensitivity to POST applications of PPO-inhibiting herbicides was identified by the University of Georgia. Seed were collected from the site along with a known sensitive population; distance between the samples was 200 m, increasing the likelihood of similar environmental and genetic characteristics. To quantify sensitivity for both preemergence (PRE) and POST uses, 21 greenhouse dose-response assessments were conducted from 2017 to 2022. After conducting initial rate-response studies, 13 doses per herbicide were chosen for the POST experiment; field use rates of fomesafen (420 g ai ha−1), lactofen (219 g ai ha−1), acifluorfen (420 g ai ha−1), and trifludimoxazin (25 g ai ha−1) ranging from 0× to 4× the field use rate for the susceptible population, and 0× to 40× for the suspect population were applied. Herbicide treatments included adjuvants and were applied to plants 8 to 10 cm in height. Relative resistance factors (RRFs) were calculated for control ratings, mortality, and biomass, and ranged from 105 to 318, 36 to 1,477, 215 to 316, and 9 to 49 for fomesafen, lactofen, acifluorfen, and trifludimoxazin, respectively. In the PRE experiment, herbicide applications included five to nine doses of fomesafen (1× = 210 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin (1× = 57 g ai ha−1), oxyfluorfen (1× = 561 g ai ha−1), and trifludimoxazin (1× = 38 g ai ha−1); doses ranged from 0× to 6× for the suspect population and 0× to 2× for the susceptible population. Visual control, mortality, and biomass RRFs ranged from 3 to 5 for fomesafen, 21 to 31 for flumioxazin, 6 to 22 for oxyfluorfen, and 8 to 38 for trifludimoxazin. Results confirm that a Georgia Palmer amaranth population is resistant to PPO-inhibiting herbicides applied both PRE and POST.

Role of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises in Physical Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

The objective of this study was to systematically review and evaluate the relevant literature on dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises. A literature search was conducted from inception to February, 2023 within PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Science Direct and EBSCO to identify studies related to the role of DNS in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The databases were searched using the following key words: Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization, pain, physical function, stroke, hemiplegia. After the initial search full text studies related to the use of DNS exercises in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal or neurological conditions were selected for further review irrespective of study design. A quantitative analysis of the selected studies was done by using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool. The systematic review identified a total of 16 studies (seven low risk, six medium risk and three high risk of bias) that met the inclusion criteria. These studies examined the effects of DNS exercises on a range of conditions, including low back pain, cerebral palsy, stroke, migraines, and posterior cortical atrophy. The findings consistently demonstrated significant improvements in core muscle activation, joint stability, functional movements, and pain reduction following DNS intervention. Additionally, improvements in specific condition-related outcomes were reported in several studies, indicating the potential effectiveness of DNS in addressing deficits related to musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The findings of this systematic review suggest that DNS exercises have a beneficial impact on physical rehabilitation outcomes in individuals with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The activation of core muscles and the integrated spinal stabilization system (ISSS), facilitated through DNS, promote spinal stability, reduce pain, and enhance functional movements. This study is registered as PROSPERO No. CRD42021278224.

Optimal design of Cs&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;AgBi&lt;sub&gt;0.75&lt;/sub&gt;Sb&lt;sub&gt;0.25&lt;/sub&gt;Br&lt;sub&gt;6&lt;/sub&gt; perovskite solar cells

Double perovskite solar cells have attracted much attention due to their low cost, high performance, environmental friendliness, and strong stability. In this study, the effect of thickness of perovskite layer, band offset, metal electrode work function, the thickness and doping concentration of the transport layer on the efficiency of Cs&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;AgBi&lt;sub&gt;0.75&lt;/sub&gt;Sb&lt;sub&gt;0.25&lt;/sub&gt;Br&lt;sub&gt;6&lt;/sub&gt; solar cells are analyzed by using Silvaco TCAD to improve device performance. This preliminary study of device based on Spiro-OMeTAD as hole transport layer (HTL) and ZnO as electron transport layer (ETL) shows that the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) is 12.66%. The results show that the efficiency gradually saturates when the thickness of the perovskite layer is greater than 500 nm. The optimal conduction band offset (CBO) ranges from 0 eV to +0.5 eV and the optimal valence band offset (VBO) from –0.1 eV to +0.2 eV. After changing the device's ETL into ZnOS and HTLs into MoO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;, Cu&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O and CuSCN, respectively, and optimizing their thickness values and doping concentrations, the final theoretical photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the double perovskite solar cell with an HTL of Cu&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O can reach 22.85%, which is increased by 25.6% compared with the currently reported theoretical efficiency value. Moreover, the optimal efficiency is achieved when the metal electrode work function is less than –4.9 eV. This work will help find suitable materials for the transport layer and provide guidance for developing the high-performance and lead-free perovskite solar cells.

Prevalence and management outcomes of organophosphorus poisoning in emergency departments: systematic review

Organophosphorus poisoning (OPP) is a significant public health concern in various regions, with its prevalence and outcomes influenced by diverse sociodemographic factors. This systematic review aimed to collate and analyze data from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence, risk factors, and management outcomes of OPP in emergency departments. A systematic search was conducted in October 2023, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, primarily using PubMed. Studies were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a focus on those that investigated OPP prevalence and management outcomes in emergency departments. Out of 87 initial studies, 9 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 1,469 participants from countries like Nepal, India, Korea, China, and Turkey. The studies predominantly included the younger to middle-aged demographic, with a significant male representation indicating that young males. Key findings highlighted the role of pesticides, especially organophosphorus compounds, in intentional poisonings, which can be seen more in young and unmarried females. Additionally, the therapeutic efficacy of treatments like plasma exchange has proven to be another promising tool for management. Finally, the importance of specific prognostic indicators such as D-CRP and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, when combined with lactate levels (SOFA-Lac), are superior predictors of mortality in patients with acute organophosphate pesticide poisoning. The insights from this review emphasize the need for targeted interventions, both therapeutic and preventive, to address the challenges posed by OPP, especially in high-risk populations.

Exploring Non-aqueous Solutions for CO2 Capture at Elevated Pressure: An Initial Study for EHA/MOR in DMSO Mixtures

Exploring Non-aqueous Solutions for CO₂ Capture at Elevated Pressure: An Initial Study for EHA/MOR in DMSO Mixtures

Characterization of organochlorine pesticides in the surface waters of Marchica Lagoon, Morocco

The main objective of this initial study is to assess the extent of surface water contamination in Marchica Lagoon caused by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) historically used in agriculture through a sampling network consisting of eight stations covering all areas of the lagoon during the 2022 summer season. Located on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, the lagoon has undergone several restoration actions since 2010 to improve its environmental state. However, this ecosystem is under constant pressure from its watershed, which can convey water pollution from agricultural, industrial, mining, and domestic sources, making continuous monitoring essential. Eight organochlorine pesticides (Alpha HCH, Beta HCH, Gamma HCH, Aldrin, Dieldrin, DDD, DDE, and DDT) were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using the SIM (Selected Ion Monitoring) method. The results revealed OCPs contamination of the lagoon’s surface waters; the spatial variation of total OCPs concentrations (Σ8OCPs) ranged from 7.58 to 18.79 ng/l. The predominant element detected was β-HCH (lindane), recorded between the Bouarg channel and Selouane wadi, an area characterized by intensive agriculture.

Predicting synthesis recipes of inorganic crystal materials using elementwise template formulation.

While advances in computational techniques have accelerated virtual materials design, the actual synthesis of predicted candidate materials is still an expensive and slow process. While a few initial studies attempted to predict the synthesis routes for inorganic crystals, the existing models do not yield the priority of predictions and could produce thermodynamically unrealistic precursor chemicals. Here, we propose an element-wise graph neural network to predict inorganic synthesis recipes. The trained model outperforms the popularity-based statistical baseline model for the top-k exact match accuracy test, showing the validity of our approach for inorganic solid-state synthesis. We further validate our model by the publication-year-split test, where the model trained based on the materials data until the year 2016 is shown to successfully predict synthetic precursors for the materials synthesized after 2016. The high correlation between the probability score and prediction accuracy suggests that the probability score can be interpreted as a measure of confidence levels, which can offer the priority of the predictions.

Application of CRISPR/Cas9 in the management of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease: a review.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases system (CRISPR/Cas9) is a popular gene-editing technology with an expanding scope in the field of medicine. Recent studies have investigated the role of CRISPR/Cas9 system in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Since the risk of occurrence of both conditions is strongly associated with genetic mutations and variations, the use of gene-editing technologies to rectify these genetic errors becomes relevant. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been tested in AD, which has led to a decrease in either amyloid beta deposition or tau phosphorylation in cells. Likewise, genetic mutations in cells affected by PD have been corrected with promising results in initial studies undertaken. Therefore, the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system should be expanded among different populations to understand its efficacy and safety in depth among neurodegenerative conditions.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Elite Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Deficiency in vitamin D has been shown to increase the risk of injury. To synthesize current placebo-controlled randomized trials investigating the effect of vitamin D supplementation in elite athletes on (1) aerobic capacity; (2) anaerobic measures, such as strength, speed, and anaerobic power; (3) serum biomarkers of inflammation; and (4) bone health. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. A literature search was conducted on November 30, 2022, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included were randomized, placebo-controlled studies of longer than 2 weeks on subjects with active participation in organized sport. Excluded were nonrandomized controlled trial study designs, vitamin D administration routes other than oral, studies that did not use vitamin D supplementation as the sole intervention, and studies with nonathletic or military populations. Out of 2331 initial studies, 14 studies (482 athletes) were included. Of the 3 studies that assessed aerobic capacity, 2 demonstrated significantly greater improvements in maximal oxygen uptake and physical working capacity-170 (P < .05) in supplemented versus nonsupplemented athletes. Measurements of anaerobic power and strength were consistently increased in supplemented groups compared with nonsupplemented groups in 5 out of the 7 studies that assessed this. Of the 6 studies that assessed sprint speed, 4 found no significant difference between supplemented and nonsupplemented groups. Aside from 1 study that found significantly lower interleukin-6 levels in supplemented athletes, measures of other inflammatory cytokines were not affected consistently by supplementation. The 4 studies that assessed markers of bone health were conflicting regarding benefits of supplementation. One study found demonstrated improvements in bone mineral density in response to supplementation (P = .02) compared with control whereas another found no significant difference between supplemented and nonsupplemented groups. However, in 3 other studies, serum biomarkers of bone turnover such as bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, and N-terminal telopeptide appeared to be higher in subjects with lower serum vitamin D levels (P < .05). Results of this systematic review indicated that the greatest benefit of vitamin D supplementation in elite athletes may be improving aerobic endurance, anaerobic power, and strength. More research is needed to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and injury risk in this population.

Association of latent factors of neuroinflammation with Alzheimer's disease pathology and longitudinal cognitive decline.

We investigated the association of inflammatory mechanisms with markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and rates of cognitive decline in the AD spectrum. We studied 296 cases from the Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study (DELCODE) cohort, and an extension cohort of 276 cases of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study. Using Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis, we constructed latent factors for synaptic integrity, microglia, cerebrovascular endothelial function, cytokine/chemokine, and complement components of the inflammatory response using a set of inflammatory markers in cerebrospinal fluid. We found strong evidence for an association of synaptic integrity, microglia response, and cerebrovascular endothelial function with a latent factor of AD pathology and with rates of cognitive decline. We found evidence against an association of complement and cytokine/chemokine factors with AD pathology and rates of cognitive decline. Latent factors provided access to directly unobservable components of the neuroinflammatory response and their association with AD pathology and cognitive decline.

The Waste Sorting Education Media: An Innovation with Android-based Game

Knowledge of waste classification and segregation is very important considering that currently Indonesia is one of the largest plastic waste contributor countries in the world. Games that can be modified for educational purposes are educational games, especially in waste sorting. This study aims to develop an android-based waste sorting educational game (with the types of waste that appear in the school environment), as well as how to sort this android-based waste. Educational games are very appropriate as educational or learning media. Researchers use a research and development design or Research and Development Design (R&amp;D) with the Borg and Gall model. In this initial study, it was carried out up to the small-scale user trial stage. The collection of teacher response data as a media user is carried out using an application usability instrument, namely the System Usability Scale (SUS). The research was conducted in 4 elementary schools. The educational game Sorting Trash was developed using Construct 3, Canva and Pixlr. This game is operated with an Android-based smart phone so that it is easily accessible to the wider community. The results of the validity test by media experts and material experts show that the results of the Android-based Sort Waste educational game are very valid, so they are very suitable for use as educational media for elementary school students.

Gorham-Stout syndrome with cervical involvement treated with radiotherapy: a case report

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD), vanishing bone or phantom bone disease, is an uncommon disease whose etiology is uncertain and its pathophysiology poorly understood. This syndrome is characterized by the spontaneous destruction of the bone matrix associated with massive osteolysis and proliferation of lymphatic vascular structures in the affected areas. In the present article we present a case of GSD in a 10-year-old male patient with osteolytic lesions affecting the skull base, including the occipital bone, the petrous portion of the temporalis and clivus, as well as the vertebral bodies from C1 to C5. This syndrome should be suspected when there is bone pain that does not subside with analgesic treatment. An initial study with an x-ray will help us infer the disease in search of a bone deformity. The treatment depends on the characteristics of the lesion, the best being surgery with radiotherapy.

Analysis of Consumption Behaviour of Millennial Housewives: A Case Study in Pacitan Based on Al-Ghazali's Consumption Theory

Consumption behaviour is part of human life's needs, which are also regulated in Islam. However, the phenomenon of the emergence of Islamic economics has not completely changed people's consumption behaviour to be more in line with Islamic teachings. This research aims to determine the consumption behaviour of millennial homemakers in Pacitan and its suitability in terms of Al-Ghazali's consumption theory. This study used a case study in Pacitan by interviewing 20 informants in depth from various literature related to consumption behaviour in Islam. The research results show that their consumption behaviour always prioritizes fulfilling primary needs in the form of food, shelter, clothing, education and health. When faced with a choice between needs and desires, desires will be fulfilled after primary needs are met. Apart from that, they also always use halal assets and goods and make plans to save for their children's education costs or if there is a sudden need. However, a group of millennial housewives are still wasteful and stingy and have not paid zakat and alms as a form of concern for the surrounding environment. This research is an initial study revealing the study of people's consumption behaviour based on Islamic economic thinkers. The study can be a reference for studying Islamic consumption behaviour for academics and improving people's consumption behaviour.

A Study of Government Initiatives to Promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Sector in India

According to Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, “Skill Development of the new generation is a national need and is the foundation of Aatmnirbhar Bharat.”&#x0D; MSMEs are known as the backbone of the Indian economy; which employs nearly 11 Cr. of people and contributes over 30% of the nation's GDP and industrial output. To guarantee that MSMEs receive all of the benefits of these MSME schemes on proper time, the Indian government has taken the initiative. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are essential to India's economic development and expansion. This sector makes a specific contribution to exports, industrial output, employment creation, driving innovation, and inclusive socioeconomic development. To encourage the expansion and sustainability of MSMEs throughout the nation, the Indian government has put in place several policies and initiatives. Nonetheless, MSMEs have numerous obstacles concerning official credit, creating jobs, selling directly to the government, high-quality manufacturing, obtaining microcredit, ignorance, and other issues. To help new firms get off the ground, the government has already established several programs to address these difficulties. But, due to a lack of knowledge regarding various appropriate schemes, many units are not getting proper advantages. MSMEs have still several challenges and barriers when attempting to obtain financing from banks and other financial establishments. Even though the government has already taken great steps to facilitate credit flow to this industry, much more work needs to be done to fulfil the MSME sector's actual financing needs. The MSME sector in India has a bright future since it creates more job possibilities, and aids in the government's efforts to reduce other macroeconomic issues including inflation, massive budget deficits, poverty, and imbalance of payments.&#x0D; The present study confers the government initiatives for the MSME sector &amp; the implementation &amp; progress of important schemes in the present scenario.

Факторы и механизмы повышения эффективности региона на основе задействования особых экономических режимов (на примере Республики Татарстан)

A study of modern global economic initiatives allows us to state that specially organized economic territories can become a powerful driving factor for accelerated economic progress on a national and sectoral scale. These territories, known as special economic zones or regimes (SEZ), are intended to stimulate investment activity by both local and foreign investors, and are aimed at creating high-tech production capacities to meet the economic needs of the state and strengthen its export potential. This emphasizes the relevance of developing effective economic strategies at the regional level through the application of special economic policies. The object of the study is a complex of economic and legal relationships that arise in the area of SEZ organization. The purpose of the study is to assess and analyze the mechanisms of functioning and management of the SEZ using the example of the Republic of Tatarstan from the perspective of their influence on increasing the efficiency of the region. Research methods include analysis and synthesis, research of economic and legal documents, abstract-logical, statistical, logical-legal methods. The scientific novelty of the research is the systematization and generalization of the current factors and mechanisms for increasing the efficiency of the Republic of Tatarstan based on the use of special economic regimes.

Growth kinetics of venous tumor thrombus in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Some patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) present with venous tumor thrombus (VTT). The extent of the VTT is related to survival, so prompt surgical care is recommended. However, studies evaluating the natural history of VTT in patients with RCC are rare. We sought to evaluate the growth kinetics of VTT in patients with RCC using preoperative cross-sectional images. We identified patients who underwent radical nephrectomy and venous tumor thrombectomy at our institution from 01/2009 to 02/2022. We included those with a minimum of 2 adequate preoperative imaging studies (contrast-enhanced Computerized Tomography (CT), noncontrast Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or contrast-enhanced MRI), at least 14 days apart. We measured VTT in each study to calculate growth rate, and evaluated predictors of faster growth (demographics, histology, laterality, tumor diameter, and staging). To assess the relation between clinical variables and VTT growth, we used the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests. A total of 30 patients were included in the analysis. The median time interval between studies was 33 days. Patients were mostly Caucasian and Males (90% and 70%, respectively). Most patients underwent a CT scan as their initial imaging study (66%), followed with an MRI as second study (73%). The mean venous tumor thrombus growth rate was 0.3 mm/d (standard deviation of 0.5mm), and only rhabdoid/sarcomatoid differentiation showed an association with tumor thrombus growth rate (0.3 vs. 0.63 mm/d, P = 0.038). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the natural growth rate of venous tumor thrombus in patients with renal cell carcinoma. We found that tumor thrombi grew an average of 0.3 mm/d (1.0 cm/month) and that those with sarcomatoid and/or rhabdoid differentiation grew faster (0.63 mm/d). Further studies are needed to validate these results and provide a better understanding of tumor thrombus kinetics.

Attitudes and Opinions of Teachers on Student Descriptive Assessment: A Case Study on the Teachers of Geology-Geography at Secondary School (Greece)

This paper presents an initial study of teachers’ perspectives and practices on students’ assessment methods regarding the subject of Geology-Geography taught in junior secondary education in Greece. While the application of descriptive assessment is recorded in other European countries, the main focus of the research is the current situation in Greece, as well as the willingness of science teachers to adopt an alternative form of evaluation and the definition of the respective circumstances. The methodology that was followed in this research included questionnaires that were sent to science teachers. Their answers were processed with the IBM SPSS 23 statistical software. The results reveal that most teaching staff surveyed positively acknowledge the need for an effective appraisal system. Their views and opinions on how student assessment contributes to the overall educational procedure were also recorded during the survey. Statistical analysis of the raw data shows that the views and opinions of teaching staff were not differentiated due to their level of experience or their level of education but only due to their field of specialization. The analysis also points to a range of additional factors that impact teaching staff’s preferences and perceptions of the effectiveness of different student appraisal and evaluation approaches. Such factors create skepticism among teachers towards alternative assessment methods, such as descriptive assessment. While this is preliminary research, it raises important issues regarding effective evaluation methods that would promote students’ development.

Exploring the role of self-conscious emotions between consumer minimalism and rental behavior

PurposeThis research aims to examine how consumer minimalism (CM), self-conscious feelings (such as consumer guilt (CG) and consumer pride (CP)) and the inclination to use rental services interact. It also looks at how attitudes toward pro-environmental advertisements affect these relationships as a moderator, recognizing the importance of pro-environmental advertising in influencing consumer behavior.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a quantitative methodology to investigate the aforementioned associations. Survey questionnaires are used to collect data, which is then analyzed using AMOS 25 and Process Macro to generate meaningful insights.FindingsThe findings indicate that the willingness to use rental services is directly associated with CM, while self-conscious emotions (SCEs) play the role of a mediator in this relationship.Research limitations/implicationsIt is essential to recognize the limitations of this study. There may be other variables at play, but the research focuses on SCEs (CG and CP) and their role as mediators. The findings must be interpreted based on the selected research methodology and sample size. Future research could investigate additional variables and enlarge the sample size to increase generalizability.Practical implicationsTargeted marketing can leverage CM, SCEs and willingness to use rental services. Recognizing the moderating effect of attitude toward pro-environmental advertisements can help create more effective campaigns promoting environmental behavior.Originality/valueUnderpinned by SCEs, the current study is one of the initial studies to explain how CM encourages responsible environmental behavior through access-based consumption models.

Dealing with location uncertainty for modeling network-constrained lattice data

The spatial analysis of traffic accidents has long been a useful tool for authorities to implement effective preventive measures. Initial studies were conducted at the areal level considering administrative or traffic-related units, but a more precise analysis at the street level is necessary for developing targeted interventions. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in studies conducted at the road network level, which require using new statistical techniques that are suitable for linear networks. However, modeling accident counts at the street level presents several challenges, primarily due to the need for accurate georeferenced data to correctly assign events to specific streets or road segments. Despite advancements in geocoding methods, discrepancies can still arise between the true event locations and the locations mapped by a geocoding method. In this paper, we propose a model to deal with the presence of location uncertainty and enable an analysis of accident intensity constrained to the road network. The model does not assume any specific mechanism for location uncertainty, as this reflects the most common practical scenario. By tackling this inherent problem, the proposed model aims to enhance the accuracy of accident analysis and contribute to the development of effective preventive measures for traffic safety. The model is evaluated with both a simulation study and a case study on the city of Valencia, Spain. For the latter, the proposed model reveals a greater association of road intersections with accident rates than that estimated by the standard model.