Jana, R. K., Ghosh, I., Jawadi, F., Uddin, G. S., & Sousa, R. M. (2025). COVID-19 news and the US equity market interactions: An inspection through econometric and machine learning lens. Annals of Operations Research, 345(2), 575–596. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-022-04744-x

This article investigates the interactions between COVID-19-related news and the U.S. equity market during the first pandemic wave (January–March 2020), using econometric and machine learning techniques. It examines how global and local COVID-19 fears, measured through daily infection data, influenced 20 U.S. sectoral stock indices. The study divides the sample into two periods: TH-I (January), when infections were mostly global, and TH-II (February–March), when local infections surged. Using Johansen co-integration, DCCA, and nonlinear Granger causality, alongside Gradient Boosting and Random Forest models, the authors find that COVID-19 fears affected sectors differently across time. In TH-I, global fears had limited and mixed effects, while in TH-II, both global and local fears negatively influenced all sectors—particularly automotive, retail, and technology. Predictive accuracy improved in TH-II, reflecting stronger market sensitivity. Overall, the study concludes that local fears became dominant drivers of market volatility as the pandemic escalated.

Guezgouz, N., Ghrieb, L., Ghanem, M., Pinho, J., de Marco, A., & Moustafa, A. A. (2025). Assessment of groundwater vulnerability to point and non-point sources of pollution and mitigation measures for boreholes in the Guelma Plain, Northeastern Algeria. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-025-00406-3

This article assesses groundwater vulnerability to both point and non-point pollution sources in the Guelma Plain, northeastern Algeria, and proposes protection perimeters for five water extraction boreholes. Groundwater in this region faces severe degradation due to industrial discharges, intensive agriculture, and urban expansion. Despite Algeria’s Water Law No. 05-12 mandating protective zones, enforcement remains inconsistent. Using a GIS-based methodology, the study delineates two types of zones: Close Protection Zones (CPP) and Remote Protection Zones (RPP). Hydrodynamic methods—Sichardt, Kusakin, and Cylinder—were applied for CPPs, with Kusakin yielding the most conservative and realistic estimates (radii from 33.0 m to 428.1 m). For RPPs, Infiltration and 3A2E methods produced consistent results (radii from 818.1 m to 1293.5 m). The findings align with GOD vulnerability mapping, confirming the robustness of the approach. Recommended mitigation measures include strict bans on hazardous activities, controlled agricultural practices, and protection of recharge areas, ensuring long-term groundwater sustainability.

Rodrigues, M., Meza, O., & Navarro, C. (2025). Gerrymandering to survive: an explanation of the political conditions that shaped mayors’ decisions over an amalgamation process in Portugal. Local Government Studies, 51(5), 993–1015. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930.2024.2404104

This article examines how Portuguese mayors strategically used gerrymandering during the 2013 territorial reform to secure their political positions. The reform, imposed by the central government under the troika’s austerity measures, required the merger of sub-municipal units (SMUs) but allowed mayors discretion in determining specific boundaries. Acting as rational political agents, mayors manipulated the process to reduce political vulnerability, employing tactics such as packing (concentrating opposition SMUs) and diluting (merging opposition areas with supportive ones). A decision matrix identified four political scenarios, with the “Appealing” one—mayoral majority in the municipal assembly but minority among SMUs—showing the strongest incentive for gerrymandering. Empirical evidence from multinomial logistic regression confirmed that politically vulnerable mayors were up to nine times more likely to favor SMUs aligned with them. The study concludes that the amalgamation process was politically instrumentalized, illustrating how local reforms can serve electoral survival rather than broader public goals.

Campos-Martins, S., & Amado, C. (2025). Modelling dynamic interdependence in nonstationary variances with an application to carbon markets. Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, 173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jedc.2025.105062This paper introduces a new multivariate conditional correlation GARCH model, the Multiplicative Time-Varying Extended Conditional Correlation GARCH (MTV-ECC-GARCH), designed to capture dynamic interdependence among assets or markets under nonstationary variance. The model extends traditional CC-GARCH frameworks by incorporating two key features: a nonstationary long-term component that captures structural shifts in unconditional volatility, and a short-term dynamic component allowing cross-market volatility interactions. Ignoring nonstationarity, the study notes, can lead to spurious volatility transmission. Parameter estimation is conducted using a maximization by parts algorithm, which simplifies the computation by estimating each variance equation separately. A Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test is proposed to detect volatility interactions under nonstationary conditions. Applying the model to carbon futures (CEF) and a media-based climate concern index (CCM), results show significant dynamic interdependence—particularly from climate-related media concerns to carbon market volatility—when nonstationarity is properly modeled, highlighting the model’s robustness and practical relevance for financial volatility analysis.

Omran, W., Casais, B., & Ramos, R. F. (2025). Attributes of Virtual and Augmented Reality Tourism Mobile Applications Predicting Tourist Behavioral Engagement. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025.2470293

This article investigates how attributes of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) tourism mobile applications influence Tourist Behavioral Engagement (TBE), mediated by app satisfaction. Using a multimethod quantitative design, the study analyzed 6,998 online reviews from Google Play through text mining and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The conceptual model integrated the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) to explain tourists’ motivations and acceptance. Results confirmed all hypotheses, identifying four key app attributes that enhance satisfaction: utilitarian gratification (adventure and exploration), perceived usefulness (learning and educational value), ease of use (simplicity and usability), and immersive features (context awareness and telepresence). Satisfaction—both emotional and cognitive—was found to be a crucial mediator between app attributes and TBE, explaining 45% of its variance. The study contributes theoretically by extending TAM and UGT and practically by guiding developers to enhance usability, immersion, and functionality to strengthen tourist engagement.

Tsaturyan, M., & Duarte, P. A. B. (2025). Armenia’s Foreign Policy Options Within China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Small State Perspective. Journal of Eurasian Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/18793665251362864

This article analyzes Armenia’s complex engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through the lens of small state theory. Armenia, constrained by limited territory, population, and economy, traditionally pursued a multi-vector foreign policy balancing relations with Russia, the EU, and the US. However, after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and declining trust in Russia, Armenia began reassessing this approach. Despite joining the BRI in 2015, it remains excluded from main corridors and has attracted minimal Chinese investment compared to neighbors like Georgia and Azerbaijan. Economic ties with China are growing but imbalanced, constrained by geography, regional instability, and tense relations with Türkiye. Armenia now seeks strategic relevance through initiatives such as the Crossroads of Peace, the North-South Road Corridor, and the Persian Gulf–Black Sea route. The article highlights Armenia’s dilemma between security and economic goals, showing how small states cautiously navigate great-power initiatives while defending sovereignty.

ElBelehy, C., & Crispim, J. (2025). Social sustainability in Egypt hospitality and tourism supply chains. Business and Society Review, 130(S1), 222–262. https://doi.org/10.1111/basr.12337

This article examines social sustainability (SS) practices in Egypt’s Hospitality and Tourism (H&T) supply chains (SCs), an area still underdeveloped in many developing countries. Drawing on Institutional Theory (IT) and Stakeholder Theory (ST), the study identifies existing SS practices, key influencing factors, and differences among SC members. Using a mixed-method approach—interviews with managers from major hotels (Hilton Heliopolis and Radisson Blu) and a survey of 187 industry practitioners—the research found that SS implementation is mostly limited to compliance and brand policies, lacking a strategic approach. Among eight categories, only “Health and Safety” was widely applied, while “Fair Labor,” “Equal Opportunity,” and “Human Rights” showed weak adoption. Institutional pressures (mimetic, normative, and coercive) were key enablers, whereas barriers included low awareness, limited cooperation, and insufficient government support. The study recommends stronger regulatory enforcement and education programs to enhance fair labor practices and employee participation across the Egyptian H&T sector.

Casais, B., Sarmento, M., & Fernandes, J. (2025). Relationship Marketing in Airbnb: A Qualitative Study on the Perspectives of Professional and nonprofessional Hosts. Journal of Relationship Marketing, 24(2), 120–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332667.2024.2405305

This article explores how professional (B2C) and nonprofessional (C2C) hosts develop relationship marketing strategies on Airbnb. Based on 30 semi-structured interviews with hosts from northern Portugal, the study identifies trust-building, personalization, and digital communication as central to enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty. Initial online contact and guest reviews are essential for establishing credibility, while in-person interactions and customized services strengthen emotional bonds. Nonprofessional hosts tend to create more informal and personal relationships driven by genuine hospitality, whereas professional hosts adopt a more structured, business-oriented approach focused on efficiency and systematic feedback collection. Personalized gestures—such as small gifts, tailored services, and local recommendations—enhance value co-creation and guest experience. The article concludes that Airbnb should provide digital marketing training to nonprofessional hosts, enabling them to improve relationship management skills while preserving the authenticity and warmth that define peer-to-peer accommodation experiences.

Silva, L. F., Carballo-Cruz, F., & Ribeiro, J. C. (2025). Moral Norms in Action: Understanding the Interplay of Visitors’ Motivations, Pro-Environmental Personal Norms, and Satisfaction in a Protected Area Context. International Journal of Tourism Research, 27(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.70066

This paper, titled “Moral Norms in Action: Understanding the Interplay of Visitors’ Motivations, Pro-Environmental Personal Norms, and Satisfaction in a Protected Area Context”, explores how nature-related motivations, pro-environmental personal norms (PEPN), and overall satisfaction interact within Protected Areas (PAs). Conducted in Portugal’s Alvão Natural Park with 316 visitors, the study employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results revealed that motivations to connect with nature, relax, and escape daily stress positively influence PEPN, which in turn significantly enhances visitor satisfaction. Furthermore, PEPN mediates the relationship between motivations and satisfaction, indicating that moral alignment strengthens the experiential outcome. Among sociodemographic variables, only education positively affected PEPN. The study contributes theoretically by establishing PEPN as a key psychological bridge between motivation and satisfaction. Practically, it suggests that PA managers should promote educational and communicative strategies that frame pro-environmental actions as morally meaningful, fostering responsible behavior and higher satisfaction.

Eslami, M., & Fernandes, S. (2025). A bibliometric analysis of the research on ‘Depleted Uranium Munitions’: from health and environment to international security. In Frontiers in Political Science (Vol. 7). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1573738

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of research on Depleted Uranium (DU) munitions from 1983 to 2024, aiming to map the evolution of this multidisciplinary field. Based on 129 publications indexed in Scopus and analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer, the study identifies major trends, research networks, and disciplinary focuses. Most publications are peer-reviewed scientific articles, with Environmental Science (67 papers) and Medical Science (53) leading the field. Research themes center on health and exposure risks—particularly cancer, radiation, and environmental contamination—often in the context of war (e.g., Gulf and Balkan conflicts). Findings reveal significant debate: while some studies link DU exposure to severe health effects, others argue risks are overstated. The United States and the United Kingdom dominate research output. Importantly, there is a striking lack of studies in International Relations and Security Studies. The paper calls for broader interdisciplinary research to assess DU’s humanitarian and geopolitical implications.

Martins, J., Augusto, C., Silva, M. J., Duarte, A., Martins, S. P., Antunes, H., Novais, P., Pereira, B., Veiga, P., & Rosário, R. (2025). Effectiveness of a health promotion program on overweight in vulnerable children from primary schools (BeE-school): A cluster-randomized controlled trial: Pediatrics. International Journal of Obesity, 49(2), 332–339. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-024-01672-7

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a school-based health promotion program (BeE-school) aimed at reducing overweight in socially vulnerable children in Northern Portugal. Conducted as a cluster-randomized controlled trial, it included 735 primary school children (mean age 7.7 years) from 10 schools located in disadvantaged areas. The 16-week intervention focused on teacher training, classroom implementation, and family engagement through biweekly challenges inspired by the Fogg behavior model. Results showed significant short-term reductions in BMI z-scores, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-weight ratio among children in the intervention group compared to controls, with stronger effects in those initially overweight. One year later, the reduction in BMIz remained significant, though other measures lost statistical significance. The study concludes that schools and teachers play a crucial role in promoting healthy habits and preventing obesity in vulnerable populations. It is the first Portuguese trial to demonstrate BMIz reduction through a school-based intervention.

Muneer, S., Leal, C. C., & Oliveira, B. (2025). Analyzing Volatility Patterns of Bitcoin Using the GARCH Family Models. Operations Research Forum, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43069-025-00482-5

This paper analyzes and forecasts Bitcoin volatility using the GARCH family of models. Bitcoin, known for its speculative nature and high volatility compared to gold, exhibits volatility persistence and long memory, justifying the use of GARCH models. The study employs daily closing prices from July 18, 2015, to September 4, 2023, totaling 2,970 observations. Six AR(1)-GARCH-type models were tested under a Gaussian distribution, with data divided into in-sample and out-of-sample periods. The AR(1)-ACGARCH(1,1) model provided the best fit according to log-likelihood, AIC, SIC, and HQ criteria, highlighting significant volatility persistence and a negative leverage effect. For volatility forecasting, the AR(1)-PGARCH(1,1) model achieved the best predictive performance, minimizing MAE, Theil, and MAPE errors. Results suggest that asymmetric models capture Bitcoin’s volatility dynamics more accurately. The findings emphasize Bitcoin’s relevance for portfolio and risk management and recommend future research using non-Gaussian distributions, such as the t-distribution, to enhance predictive accuracy.

Paschoalotto, M. A. C., Lazzari, E. A., Castro, M. C., Rocha, R., & Massuda, A. (2025). Advances, challenges, and prospects for the Unified Health System (SUS) resilience. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 30(6). https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232025306.22072024en

This qualitative and exploratory study analyzes the resilience of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), defined as the ability to prepare for, respond to, manage, and learn from shocks, including political, economic, climatic, and public health crises. Based on 30 interviews with academics and practitioners, the study evaluates five key dimensions: governance, financing, resources, service delivery, and context. It identifies 32 advances, 40 challenges, and 32 perspectives. Governance advances include constitutional protection, strong local leadership, and independent regulatory agencies, though instability and weak regulation remain obstacles. Financing is undermined by chronic underfunding and spending freezes, despite some progress through earmarked resources and emergency COVID-19 funds. Resource strengths include workforce expansion, robust infrastructure, and vaccine production capacity, but inequalities and import dependency persist. Service delivery highlights a globally recognized primary care system, though coverage stagnated after 2016. Social determinants worsened after 2015, reversing poverty reduction gains. The study concludes that SUS resilience, while tested, remains vital but requires daily reinforcement through stronger governance, funding, and equity.

Brekke, K. R., Dalen, D. M., & Straume, O. R. (2025). Taking the competitor’s pill: When combination therapies enter pharmaceutical markets. Journal of Health Economics, 101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.102976

This paper analyzes the competitive effects of introducing combination therapies in pharmaceutical markets. Combination therapies, which use multiple drugs—often from different firms—can improve treatment efficacy, reduce side effects, or prevent resistance. Using a duopoly model, the study examines how these therapies influence drug pricing, healthcare spending, and efficiency. The impact depends on the therapy’s additional therapeutic value (Δ) and its substitutability with monotherapy. Two opposing forces emerge: market expansion, which raises prices by attracting new patients, and margin competition, which lowers prices by increasing price sensitivity. Under uniform pricing, higher Δ and substitutability can push prices upward, sometimes reducing overall healthcare surplus despite health gains, while access remains suboptimal. Indication-based pricing can improve efficiency by lowering combination therapy costs relative to monotherapies, but it also raises healthcare spending. Price coordination has contrasting effects: under uniform pricing it increases costs, while with indication-based pricing it lowers prices and improves efficiency.

Morsi, N., Sá, E., & Silva, J. (2025). Walking away: Investigating the adverse impact of FOMO appeals on FOMO-prone consumers. Business Horizons, 68(2), 197–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.11.001

This study examines the negative effects of FOMO-based marketing strategies on consumers highly prone to the “fear of missing out.” Drawing on interviews with 57 Egyptian consumers and using the Critical Incident Technique, the research highlights how promotional triggers such as discounts and “buy one, get one free” offers (52.9%) are the most common causes of FOMO-driven purchases, followed by trends (26.4%) and scarcity appeals (20.7%). These stimuli often lead to irrational purchase decisions (95.4%), including impulsive, compulsive, and conformity-based buying. Post-purchase, consumers reported predominantly negative outcomes: cognitive dissatisfaction (75.9%), doubts about judgment, financial stress, and emotional distress, especially guilt, shame, and regret (66.4%). Despite this, half of respondents still intended to repurchase or recommend, showing high vulnerability. The study develops a typology of dissatisfied FOMO consumers—Butterflies, Devotees, Endorsers, and Shopaholics—based on their repurchase and recommendation behavior. Findings stress that while FOMO marketing boosts short-term sales, it risks harming long-term consumer well-being and brand reputation, supporting calls for ethical “well-being marketing.”

Ribeiro, B. F. G., Rodrigues, M. Â., & Tejedo-Romero, F. (2025). A step forward to gender equality: Breaking the political glass ceiling at local level. Governance, 38(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/gove.12902

This paper examines the factors that enable women to overcome the “glass ceiling” in local politics in Portugal. Despite the introduction of gender quotas in 2006 (33%) and their update in 2019 (40%), female representation at the municipal level often stabilizes around the legal threshold, especially in executive bodies. The study analyzes data from the 2009–2021 local elections across 308 municipalities, using panel data regressions to measure the probability of electing women beyond quota requirements. Findings highlight three main drivers. First, left-wing parties with voluntary quotas before the legal reform (such as PS and BE) are more likely to elect women, demonstrating historical institutionalism effects. Second, municipalities with prior experience electing female mayors show higher chances of surpassing thresholds, reducing voter bias. Third, competitive electoral environments push parties to diversify candidate lists, increasing female representation. Notably, the interaction of competitiveness and prior female leadership further amplifies women’s election prospects.

Pereira, F., & Aguiar-Conraria, L. (2025). Eurozone Inflation Convergence: Deceptive Appearances. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 74, 343–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2025.03.018

This paper investigates inflation convergence across the twelve founding Eurozone countries between 2001 and 2023, focusing on whether inflation cycles align sufficiently for the European Central Bank (ECB) to implement a unified monetary policy. Using wavelet-based methods, including the Wavelet Power Spectrum, cross-wavelet coherency, and distance matrices, the study examines Consumer Price Index inflation rates and Eurozone energy costs. Initial results indicate growing synchronization of inflation cycles after 2012, with country pairs such as Austria-Germany and France-Italy showing notable alignment. However, further analysis reveals that this convergence is largely driven by external energy shocks, particularly those following the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, which sharply increased oil, gas, and electricity prices across all countries. Once energy effects are controlled for, most of the observed convergence disappears, suggesting that synchronization is temporary and exogenous rather than structural. The study concludes that inflation cycles remain heterogeneous, and genuine convergence within the Eurozone remains unproven.

Gonçalves, R., Lourenço, A., & Marreiros, H. (2025). Measuring drug policy evolution: A cross-country analysis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104750

This paper develops a quantitative framework to systematically measure and compare the evolution of drug policies across countries and over time. Recognizing that existing research often lacks standardized tools, the study introduces the Illicit Drugs Policy Indexes (IDPI), built using leximetrics to translate legal texts into comparable numerical indicators. The methodology involved constructing legislative timelines, coding procedures, and validating data through expert input. Indicators were designed to classify policies as either health-oriented, emphasizing assistance to drug users, or criminal-oriented, emphasizing punishment. The IDPI covers laws on consumption, possession, and trafficking—further subdivided into cultivation, production, and distribution—while distinguishing between cannabis and other drugs. Analyzing seven countries (Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK) from 1996 to 2016, the study identified key turning points, such as Portugal’s 2001 decriminalization and Italy’s fluctuating cannabis policies. Results highlight significant cross-country variation, with some moving toward leniency and others retaining stricter approaches. The IDPI offers a standardized tool for comparative analysis, though it measures only “law in books” rather than real-world enforcement.

Soares, A. M., Rebouças, R., & Heath, T. P. (2025). Adopting Voluntary Simplicity: A Netnographic Study. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 49(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.70025

This study investigates the early adoption of Voluntary Simplicity (VS), a lifestyle defined by frugality, reduced consumption, and the pursuit of non-material fulfillment. Using a netnographic approach, it analyzed over 21,000 comments from the Reddit community r/simpleliving to explore motivations, practices, and consumer decision-making processes. The findings highlight that VS is interpreted flexibly by individuals, who prioritize removing what does not add value rather than pursuing extreme minimalism. Motivations include reclaiming time for meaningful activities, achieving balance and well-being through moderation and financial security, and redefining identity beyond consumerism. Practices linked to VS include material and digital decluttering, adjusting work arrangements, developing mindful routines, embracing hobbies, adopting healthier eating habits, simplifying wardrobes, rethinking gift-giving, and incorporating physical activity. Consumer decisions reflect deliberate, rational purchasing focused on durability and sustainability, alongside efforts to extend product lifecycles and reduce waste. Overall, VS enables diverse, personal pathways to purposeful living while fostering sustainable consumption patterns.

McBride, K., Bigoni, M., & Gomes, D. (2025). How does accounting history shape the past, present and future of society? Accounting History, 30(2), 139–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/10323732251334815

This paper argues that accounting history, often marginalized in today’s utilitarian society, remains crucial for understanding and challenging contemporary issues. While academic performance metrics privilege research with immediate business utility, accounting history provides tools to critically engage with crises such as financial instability, social inequality, and environmental degradation. Drawing on Foucault’s genealogical method, it rejects linear progress narratives, instead highlighting ruptures, power struggles, and overlooked forms of knowledge. This approach reframes accounting as not only a technical practice but also a social and moral one, prompting reflection on its impacts and responsibilities. Case studies illustrate accounting’s historical role in shaping societies, from colonial control mechanisms to industrial management and global trade. Future research is urged to expand sources, embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, and use innovative methodologies like biographies and micro-histories. By adopting diverse perspectives and digital tools, accounting history can challenge dominant discourses and inform alternative, progressive futures.