bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A parallel glycolysis supports rapid adaptation in dynamic environments
Authors: Law Richard C. , Nurwono Glenn , Park Junyoung O.
Published: August 2022

Glycolysis is a universal metabolic process that breaks down glucose to produce cellular energy currency ATP and biomass precursors1. The Entner-Doudoroff pathway is a glycolytic pathway that parallels the textbook glycolysis but yields half as many ATP2. In organisms that possess both glycolytic pathways, such asEscherichia coli, inactivating the less energy-efficient Entner-Doudoroff pathway does not alter growth rates3. The benefit of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway has instead been hypothesized to be metabolic flexibility as an auxiliary enzyme-efficient catabolic route4. However, itsraison d’êtreremains incompletely understood. Here we identify the advantage of employing parallel glycolytic pathways under dynamic nutrient environments. Upon carbon and nitrogen upshifts, wild-type cells accelerate growth faster than those with the Entner-Doudoroff pathway knocked out. Using stable isotope tracers and mass spectrometry, we find that the Entner-Doudoroff pathway flux increases disproportionately faster than that of the textbook glycolysis during nutrient upshifts. We attribute the fast response time of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway to its strong thermodynamic driving force and concerted regulation facilitating glucose uptake. Intermittent supply of nutrients manifests this evolutionary advantage of the parallel glycolysis. Thus, the dynamic nature of an ostensibly redundant pathway’s role in promoting rapid adaptation constitutes a metabolic design principle.
ROS are evolutionary conserved cell-to-cell signals
Authors: Fichman Yosef , Rowland Linda , Oliver Melvin J. , Mittler Ron
Published: August 2022

Cell-to-cell communication is fundamental to multicellular organisms and unicellular organisms living in a microbiome. A unique cell-to-cell communication mechanism that uses reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a signal (termed the ‘ROS wave’) was recently identified in flowering plants. Here we report that a ROS-mediated cell-to-cell signaling process, like the ROS wave, can be found in ferns, mosses, unicellular algae, amoeba, mammalian cells, and isolated hearts. We further show that this process can be triggered by a localized stress treatment or H2O2application and blocked by inhibition of NADPH oxidases, and that in unicellular algae, it communicates important stress-response signals between cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that cell-to-cell ROS signaling evolved before unicellular and multicellular organisms diverged. The finding of a ROS wave-like signaling process in mammalian cells further contributes to our understanding of different diseases and could impact the development of new drugs that target cancer or heart disease.
Corporate branding and firm performance: a study among Oman hotel industry
Authors: Thottoli Mohammed Muneerali , Al Harthi Fatma Nasser
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study aims to assess how corporate branding affects firm performance in the context of the Oman hotel industry, listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX).

Design/methodology/approach

This study approach was made by way of a mixed method. First, it examines qualitative and exploratory information collected from companies’ internet sites, audited annual reports (the financial year 2019) published in MSX, web searches and websites of companies and travel agencies from all the eight listed hotel companies in the MSX to examine the impact of corporate branding on firm performance proxied by return of assets (ROA) and return of equity (ROE) and secondly, it assesses the measurement and structural models by applying partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings recommend that well-thought-out web marketing on corporate branding by hotel companies leads to firm performance. The findings indicate that corporate branding on travel agency websites and a company’s own website can help businesses become more profitable. In addition, there is a synergistic connection on corporate branding of the hotel industry, including the presentation of a novel hotel narrative, the conception of a cornerstone loyalty program, the demonstration of excellence in hospitality and service, information on timely amenities like Covid-19 safety measures and the use of technology and experiential elements through platforms like the company website or the website of the travel agent all essential to achieve firm financial performance. As per the importance–performance matrix map, websites of travel agents (agoda.com, booking.com and hotels.com) had the importance (agoda.com 0.616, booking.com 0.959 and hotels.com 1.036) to impact companies’ corporate branding and firm performance, whereas Google search shows a value of −1.954, which has no impact on companies’ corporate branding.

Research limitations/implications

The study considered only one hotel/tourism industry to know the effect of corporate branding on firm performance. Further studies may be chosen on other industries needed to allow for generalization.

Practical implications

This study aims to provide insights into how the hotel industry can make use of corporate branding through the company website, Google sites and websites of companies’ travel agency by providing timely updated promotion, facilities, quality services and hygiene matters to enhance firm performance.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence to find various factors of corporate branding of the hotel industry’s firm performance. In addition, the study offers valuable insight into the nonmonetary measures of achievements.
Integrated entitymetrics analysis for health information on bipolar disorder using social media data and scientific literature
Authors: Timakum Tatsawan , Song Min , Kim Giyeong
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the mental health information entities and associations between the biomedical, psychological and social domains of bipolar disorder (BD) by analyzing social media data and scientific literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Reddit posts and full-text papers from PubMed Central (PMC) were collected. The text analysis was used to create a psychological dictionary. The text mining tools were applied to extract BD entities and their relationships in the datasets using a dictionary- and rule-based approach. Lastly, social network analysis and visualization were employed to view the associations.

Findings

Mental health information on the drug side effects entity was detected frequently in both datasets. In the affective category, the most frequent entities were “depressed” and “severe” in the social media and PMC data, respectively. The social and personal concerns entities that related to friends, family, self-attitude and economy were found repeatedly in the Reddit data. The relationships between the biomedical and psychological processes, “afraid” and “Lithium” and “schizophrenia” and “suicidal,” were identified often in the social media and PMC data, respectively.

Originality/value

Mental health information has been increasingly sought-after, and BD is a mental illness with complicated factors in the clinical picture. This paper has made an original contribution to comprehending the biological, psychological and social factors of BD. Importantly, these results have highlighted the benefit of mental health informatics that can be analyzed in the laboratory and social media domains.
How innovation types affect users' continuous knowledge sharing intention: a self-determination perspective
Authors: Chen Chunfeng , Zhang Depeng
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the effects of innovation types (exploratory innovation vs. exploitative innovation) on users' psychological perceptions (perceived self-improvement and prosocial impact) and continuous knowledge sharing intention and the moderating effects of monetary incentives.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was developed based on the self-determination theory. A two-study approach involving an online survey (n = 338) and an online experiment (n = 160) was employed to collect quantitative data. Structural equation modeling and variance analysis were adapted to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that exploratory innovation leads to higher perceived self-improvement among users than exploitative innovation, whereas exploitative innovation leads to higher perceived prosocial impact than exploratory innovation. The perceived self-improvement and perceived prosocial impact positively affects users' continuous knowledge sharing intention. Monetary incentives moderate the relationships among perceived self-improvement, perceived prosocial impact and continuous knowledge sharing intention.

Originality/value

This research highlights the role of users' experience of initial participation in forming continuous knowledge sharing intentions and also reveals the effectiveness of monetary incentives in different types of innovation activities. The findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of the antecedents of users' continuous knowledge sharing behavior, offering new insights and recommendations for managerial practitioners.
When do price discounts become attractive? A study comparing discount strategies on consumer perceptions
Authors: Tan Wee Kheng
Published: August 2022

Purpose

While regular price discount (RPD) promotions remain popular, marketers have also introduced gambled price discounts (GPDs) in recent years. There is a need to understand the performance and limitation of the relatively novel GPD, because the importance of pricing and the surprise element inherent in GPD could cause the promotions to backfire when inappropriately applied. This study compared the performance of GPD and RPD via consumers' perception of their attractiveness through quality cues of product types (experience and search goods) and word-of-mouth (WOM) content (affective and cognitive).

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied on a 2 (product type: experience goods [hotel rooms] vs. search goods [printers]) × 2 (word-of-mouth type: affective vs. cognitive) × 2 (price promotion type: GPD vs. RPD) between-subjects scenario experimental design (resulting in eight conditions).

Findings

Analysis of the 600 returns revealed that RPD does well for both search and experience goods, but GPD is more attractive for the marketing of experience goods. GPD works better with cognitive than with affective WOM.

Originality/value

GPD is a relatively new domain in marketing research. This study contributes to GPD literature and behavioral pricing literature. The study also adds to a better understanding of the dynamics, usefulness and limitations of GPD by considering the roles played by surprise element inherent in GPD and comparing it with RPD.
A conceptual framework for identifying sustainable business practices of small and medium enterprises
Authors: Rao Purnima , Verma Shubhangi , Rao Akshat Aditya , Joshi Rajni
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the current paper is to identify the factors responsible for achieving business sustainability. This paper further attempts to develop a conceptual framework that can help SMEs to achieve viable business growth through improved sustainable performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a methodical examination of literature published on SMEs during COVID-19. Specifically, the combination of keywords has primarily centred on SMEs, Business Practices, COVID-19 and Pandemic. The 155 research papers identified for the analysis have been classified as per geographical spread, type of papers, central theme, and theoretical foundations, which finally is followed by rigourous thematic analysis.

Findings

This research contributes to the SME literature by providing methodological, conceptual and practical rigour. The framework proposed by the research covers all the relevant areas which can be useful in preparing sustainable business trajectory for SMEs. It outlines the required directives for designing sustainable business practices for SMEs and includes macro and micro determinants. It also opens up future research avenues in different areas identified in the research. Future research can be performed on comparing business practices of SMEs across the emerging and developed economies.

Practical implications

In this study, we propose a framework that enables the design of sustainable business practices and thereby supports SMEs to combat any uncertain events or shocks. SMEs that can work on adopting sustainable business practices may sculpt novel avenues for growth and competitive advantage for their business.

Originality/value

The study is distinctive in nature as it is based on the examination of literature published during a phenomenological event (COVID-19) which depicts the sudden and unaccounted disruptions faced by SMEs and thereby strategies formulated around the significant glitches.
Analysis of urban parameters via geoprocessing as a basis for city's master plans: the case of Ribeirão da Neves city/ MG – Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Jordan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The intention of this work is to generate a tool to facilitate the visualization of urban parameters, critically discussing the current form of urban planning in Brazil and thus facilitate popular participation in decisions, considering that since 2001, it is foreseen by law that the elaboration processes of municipal urban plans in Brazil must have popular participation in order to be legitimized.

Design/methodology/approach

The method consists of three-dimensionally modeling the constructive potential within the lots, using the parameters of the Ribeirão das Neves city master plan (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil), using computer software, to predict the impact on landscape that the parameters generate and comparing different software programs.

Findings

With the proposed tool, it became clear that many of the city's parameters alone cannot reach the guidelines of the master plan, and the comparison of two software programs generated options for different local realities. It is a methodology that is able to provide excellent support for urban planning laws in Brazil to be more effective and less delayed.

Originality/value

The software was configured with a script developed by the Geoprocessing Laboratory of a university in Brazil and was used for the first time to completely analyze a municipal master plan for the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, generating a tool able to be used in master plans' review.
Sustainable innovation for shared mobility: contextual and consumer factors of an Indian car subscription business model
Authors: Chaudhuri Ranjan , Chatterjee Sheshadri , Ghosh Arka , Vrontis Demetris , Thrassou Alkis
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the nature and scale of the sustainability value of car sharing and to identify, through consumer analysis, the contextual and consumer factors of success of car subscription as a business model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study evaluates the car sharing model against the sustainable development goals defined by the United Nations in 2019. Individual interviews were performed for preliminary understanding of the factors affecting consumers' choices. Subsequently, through two phases of data collection, factor analysis and path model analysis were performed to identify and confirm latent factors. Consumer market segmentation was performed using cluster analysis.

Findings

Car sharing was found to have an overall positive net impact, with certain potential negative dimensions. Willingness, financial affordability, location and experience were identified as the key factors of consumers opting for car subscriptions. The findings further highlight the significant business potentialities of car subscription in India, consequent also to consumers' attitudes toward car ownership.

Practical implications

The research has substantial implications for both society and business, with the former being presented with an innovative sustainable means of transportation, and the latter with the elements of success of an entrepreneurial business model to support the former.

Originality/value

The study is a pioneer in objectively evaluating and prescribing positive social and business value creation for and through car subscription in India, based on consumer analysis.
Forced transition to technology: role of self-efficacy and big five personality variables in the adoption of technology
Authors: Tripathi Nachiketa , Upadhyay Satwik , Das Himasmita
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The present study is mainly concerned with investigating the migration to online learning under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and analysing the adoption of technology in the context of Indian educational organisations. The purpose of the paper is to identify aspects that explain and predict the adoption propensity of new technology by users as a dependent variable, with perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PE) as independent variables and personality and self-efficacy as the moderator variables.

Design/methodology/approach

An online as well as offline survey is collected from N = 202 employees (teachers/faculty) from private (N = 97) and public (N = 105) educational organisations located in India. A conceptual model of technology adoption is developed and validated, measuring the impact of Big Five personality factors and self-efficacy on technology adoption.

Findings

Results of moderation analysis suggest that personality traits moderate the relationship between PU, PE and acceptance of technology (TAP).

Originality/value

The present research uniquely contributes to the limited literature on the role of personality and self-efficacy in adopting technology and the outcomes. Furthermore, the research captures the theoretical and practical understanding of the PU, PE and TAP link in educational organisation and COVID-19 context.
The theory of multinational enterprises in the digital era: state-of-the-art and research priorities
Authors: Li Fei , Chen Yan , Ortiz Jaime , Wei Mengyang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Deglobalization and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have severely hindered multinational enterprise (MNE) investment. At the same time, digital technology is seriously challenging it with traditional production factor flows. Few studies have realized that the impact of digitalization is not limited to either transaction costs or the location-boundness of firm-specific advantages (FSAs), but extends to profound changes in the fundamental essence of MNEs. There is still limited understanding of this body of knowledge as a whole, including how its subtopics are interrelated. This study took the production factor change perspective to review MNE theory in the digital era. Therefore, this study aims to identify any upcoming and undeveloped themes in order to provide a platform suited to direct future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a summary and a review of 151 articles published between 2007 and 2020. Such review was conducted to systematically explain the connotations and influential mechanisms of digital empowerment on MNE theory. This was achieved by using the CiteSpace citation visualization tool to build a keyword co-occurrence network.

Findings

The research findings pertain to how digitalization expands, breaks through, and even reshapes traditional MNE theory from four distinctive angles: the influential factors of internationalization, the process of internationalization, competitive advantage, and location choice. The findings are followed by the presentation of future research directions.

Originality/value

This paper presents an examination of MNE theory in the digital era from the perspective of production factor change. In doing so, it identifies significant theoretical innovation opportunities for future scholarly research priorities.
Managerial coaching and sales performance: the influence of salesforce approaches and organisational demands
Authors: Coimbra Joana , Proença Teresa
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study intends to understand if managerial coaching, a sustainable competitive strategy, has an impact on sales performance, through customer and results orientation of the salesforce. It also aims to investigate whether pressure for results, one of the predominant demands in organizations today, and the centralisation of decisions, a traditional management demand still present in several organizations, undermine the effect of coaching on performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The 167 responses collected, through the distribution of questionnaires among workers in the commercial area, were analysed through a structural equation model using the partial least square (PLS) technique.

Findings

The results of this study confirm that managerial coaching has a positive impact on sales force performance through customer and results orientation, with customer orientation having a greater impact on performance. It was also found that centralised decision-making and pressure for results do not undermine the relationship between managerial coaching and performance, and they even reinforce the positive impact of results orientation on performance.

Practical implications

Managerial coaching practices can impact sales, especially when associated with customer orientation, freeing employees from the pressure for results and the centralisation demands. This scenario favours a more sustainable and emancipatory sales force management.

Originality/value

This study is the first to integrate organizational demands, namely pressure for results and centralisation, to better understand the effect of managerial coaching on sales performance, through customer and results orientation, thereby extending previous research on this topic.
Governance and effectiveness of public–private partnership in Ghana's rural-water sector
Authors: Nyanyofio Joseph Gerald Tetteh , Domfeh Kwame Ameyaw , Buabeng Thomas , Maloreh-Nyamekye Theophilus , Appiah-Agyekum Nana Nimo
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study examined the governance and implementation of public–private partnership (PPP) based on the management contract model in the water sector in rural Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

It employed in-depth interviews with key management officials and focus-group discussions among residents in selected water-stressed communities in the beneficiary District Assemblies. Thematic analysis was employed for the analyses.

Findings

The governance of the PPP project was characterized by a well-structured institutional arrangement and effective governance mechanisms. The PPP project has increased residents' access to potable and affordable water and facilitated local economic and social development in its catchment areas. However, insufficient funding, political interference, limited infrastructural capacity and pollution are threatening its success.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on effective governance and performance of rural-based PPP water supply projects for the achievement of the sustainable development goals goal six on access to affordable and quality water.
Assessing the relationship of perceived risks with destination image and destination loyalty: a tourist's perspective visiting volatile destinations
Authors: Najar Ashaq Hussain , Rather Ab Hamid
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This research analyses the simultaneous relationship between perceived risks, destination image and destination loyalty as well as the mediating role of two components of destination image (cognitive and affective) in the relationship between perceived risks and destination loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study used a convenience sampling method for collecting data from 413 respondents using a self-administered questionnaire. Furthermore, the two-step approach for structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the model's psychometric properties and test the proposed structural model.

Findings

The results revealed that only socio-psychological and political risks negatively affected destination loyalty. In contrast, performance risk, physical risk and financial risk did not show a significant direct effect on tourists' destination loyalty. Each type of perceived risk significantly contributed to cognitive and affective image formation. However, the financial risk did not significantly affect the affective image. Moreover, the affective component of the image was found to have a higher impact on establishing destination loyalty than the cognitive component of the image. Finally, cognitive and affective facets of the image were found to act as significant mediators between perceived risks and destination loyalty.

Practical implications

The study provides a better understanding of how perceived risks and destination image, if properly managed, exert a better influence on destination loyalty. Moreover, the affective dimension of destination image must be actively used to position Kashmir in the domestic tourism market and connect with individuals, especially those who have negative feelings regarding risky destinations.

Originality/value

This is likely to be the first study to investigate the relationships between various dimensions of perceived risk, destination image and destination loyalty in the context of a volatile destination, i.e. Kashmir Valley (India). Furthermore, the role of two facets of destination image (cognitive and affective) in mediating the relationship between perceived risks and destination loyalty extends and contributes to the theoretical foundation for the destination perception concept.
Self-determined motivation, cross-cultural adjustment and organizational commitment: a study of foreign low-skilled workers in a developed economy
Authors: Pham Thuy Linh , Huang Yung-Fu , Dang-Van Thac
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-determined motivation and organizational commitment, with the mediating role of cross-cultural adjustment of low-skilled workers who come from an emerging economy working in a developed economy. This study also aims to determine the interaction effect between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects a sample data of 236 Vietnamese laborers in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze data and test hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are positively related to organizational commitment. Cross-cultural adjustment positively mediates the relationship between intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment and that between extrinsic motivation and organizational commitment. Furthermore, extrinsic motivation positively moderates the relationship between intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment.

Originality/value

This study helps to untangle the relationship between self-determined motivation and organizational commitment of low-skilled workers in an unfamiliar environment. Furthermore, this study also clarifies the mediating and moderating mechanisms of cross-cultural adjustment and extrinsic motivation in this relationship. The findings provide implications for researchers and managers to plan and implement policy and management systems that combine tangible and intangible incentives to motivate foreign workers and induce positive outcomes for companies in a new cultural context.
Risk of squamous cell carcinoma in immunosuppressed patients with voriconazole‐related actinic keratosis
Authors: Nobeyama Yoshimasa , Umezawa Yoshinori , Asahina Akihiko
Published: August 2022

Voriconazole is commonly administered for a long period to patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Although voriconazole potentially induces skin cancers in association with sun exposure, this has not yet been examined in detail in a single ethnic patient group. Therefore, the present study investigated the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Japanese patients with voriconazole‐related actinic keratosis (AK) and the prognosis of Japanese patients with voriconazole‐related SCC. We retrospectively examined 37 Japanese patients with AK, including five voriconazole‐treated patients (mean age, 57.9  ±  16.3  years) and 32 non‐treated patients (74.9  ±  9.2  years), and 18 Japanese patients with SCC, including four voriconazole‐treated patients (55.4  ±  16.7  years) and 14 non‐treated patients (74.1  ±  10.7  years). Among the 37 patients with AK, SCC developed in five, including four with a history of treatment with both voriconazole and immunosuppressive agents, independent of AK progression. In these four patients, the mean period from the diagnosis of AK to that of SCC was 13.8  ±  11.6  months. Kaplan––Meier analyses showed that the risk of developing SCC was significantly higher in patients with both voriconazole and immunosuppressants/corticosteroid‐treated patients with AK than in non‐voriconazole‐treated patients with AK (the Log‐rank test, p < 0.001). The analyses also showed that the mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with both voriconazole and immunosuppressants/corticosteroid‐treated patients with SCC than in non‐voriconazole‐treated patients with SCC (p =  0.018). The present results suggest that voriconazole‐related AK precedes the development of cutaneous SCC and voriconazole‐related SCC leads to a poor prognosis under the immunosuppressive condition.
Divergent nitrogen and phosphorus allocation strategies in terrestrial plant leaves and fine roots: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Gong Haiyang , Sardans Jordi , Zhou Qingping , Deng Jianming , Niklas Karl J. , Hu Huifeng , Li Yulin , Ma Zeqing , Mipam Tserang Donko , Peñuelas Josep
Published: August 2022

The quantification of the allocation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) among plant organs is essential to improve our understanding of plant growth, life‐history strategies and ecosystem nutrient and energy cycles. However, allocation strategies of N and P between terrestrial plant leaves and fine roots are unclear.

Here, we compiled a global dataset comprising 807 terrestrial plant species to analyse the stoichiometric scaling of N and P between leaves and fine roots across species, families, plant groups, biomes and locations.

We found that N and P, and N:P ratios manifest different scaling exponents (α‐values) between leaves and fine roots. Specifically, overall αN and αP were >1 and <1, respectively, and αN:P = 1, indicating a higher proportional increase of N to fine roots and P to leaves. However, there were differences in αN, αP and αN:P among major species, families, plant groups, biomes and locations. In addition, αN and αN:P increased with latitude; there was no clear trend for αP. Mean annual temperature accounted for the greatest proportion of variation in αN, whereas soil total P accounted for the greatest proportion of variation in αP and αN:P.

Synthesis. Our results demonstrate a divergent N and P allocation strategy between leaves and fine roots in terrestrial plants. This study improves our understanding of the effects of the environment (including changes in global climate and life‐history strategies) on nutrient allocation patterns between these two important plant organs.
β‐Carotene regulates glucose transport and insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus by increasing the expression of SHBG
Authors: Liu Xinli , Wang Nan , Gao Zhou
Published: August 2022

The aim of this work was to study the effect and mechanism of β‐carotene on insulin resistance and glucose transport in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Placental tissue and venous blood of 26 GDM patients and 18 normal women were collected. Mice fed a high‐fat diet were established as GDM models and treated with β‐carotene, from which peripheral blood and placenta tissue were collected. HTR‐8/SVneo cells were treated with 10−7 mol/L insulin for 48 h and established as insulin resistance cell models. The expression of SHBG, GLUT1, GLUT3, GLUT4, IRS‐1, IRS‐2, PI3Kp85α, and p‐CREB/CREB in placental tissues and HTR‐8/SVneo cells was detected. Insulin resistance index was calculated from the values of fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin. The glucose consumption of insulin‐resistant cells was calculated by detecting the glucose content of the supernatant. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) kit was applied to measure the concentration of cAMP in cells. SHBG was lowly expressed in GDM. β‐Carotene treatment upregulated SHBG in the placenta of GDM mice and in insulin‐resistant HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Overexpression of SHBG upregulated GLUT3, GLUT4, and IRS‐1 and enhanced glucose consumption in insulin‐resistant cells. β‐Carotene treatment promoted the expression of SHBG, GLUT4 and IRS‐1 and increased glucose consumption in insulin‐resistant cells underexpressing SHBG. Silencing of SHBG decreased the levels of cAMP and pCREB/CREB but β‐carotene treatment increased their expression despite SHBG silencing in insulin‐resistant cells. β‐Carotene promotes glucose transport and inhibits insulin resistance in GDM by increasing the expression of SHBG.
Determinants of nonperforming loans after recapitalization in the Nigerian banking industry: Does competition matter?
Authors: Bolarinwa Segun Thompson , Akinlo Anthony Enisan
Published: August 2022

This paper examines the effect of competition on nonperforming loans in the Nigerian banking industry between 2011 and 2018 using the system generalized method of moments. The findings establish the competition‐stability hypothesis in the Nigerian context. The interaction between competition and bank size/capitalization has a positive and significant effect on nonperforming loans. These results showed that low competition increased nonperforming loans in the Nigerian banking industry while bank size and capitalization enhanced competition to increase nonperforming loans. Also, bank size/capitalization are complementary for addressing nonperforming loans. The paper recommends that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulates the market power of the five largest banks in the industry to address the adverse effects of competition on mounting nonperforming loans in the Nigerian banking industry.
Geriatric fracture program centering age‐friendly care associated with lower length of stay and lower direct costs
Authors: Breda Kathleen , Keller Michelle S. , Gotanda Hiroshi , Beland Alexander , McKelvey Karma , Lin Carol , Rosen Sonja
Published: August 2022

Objective

To evaluate outcomes associated with an integrated inpatient and outpatient program aimed at optimizing the care of geriatric fracture patients in a mixed community and academic health system setting.

Data Sources and Study Setting

This study took place at a tertiary‐care, 886‐bed hospital system. The Geriatric Fracture Program (GFP) was designed in 2018 using the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility). Patients ≥65 years old with non‐spine fractures managed by orthopedic faculty surgeons and participating hospitalist groups were included. A fracture liaison team educated patients regarding bone health and ensured ambulatory geriatrics follow‐up. Outpatient geriatric visits focused on mobility, fall risk, bone health imaging, and medications.

Study Design

We compared GFP‐enrolled patients (n = 746) to patients seen by non‐GFP‐participating physicians (n = 852) and used a generalized estimating equations approach and Poisson models to analyze associations between participation in the GFP program and four inpatient outcomes (time to surgery, length of stay, Vizient length of stay index, and total direct costs). We examined outcomes across all fractures and also stratified them by fracture type (hip vs. non‐hip). We descriptively examined post‐discharge care outcomes: fall, gait, and balance assessments; bone health imaging; and medications.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We collected data through chart reviews/electronic health record extracts from July 2018 to June 2021.

Principal Findings

GFP‐enrolled patients with all fracture types had a significantly lower length of stay (marginal effect [ME]: −2.12, 95%CI: −2.61, −1.63), length of stay index (ME: −0.33, 95%CI: −0.42, −0.25), and total direct costs (ME: −$5316, 95%CI: −$6806, −$3826); the magnitude of the effects was greater for non‐hip fractures. There was no significant difference in time to surgery. Of 746 GFP patients, 170 (23%) had a post‐discharge visit with a participating geriatrician ≥6 months.

Conclusions

A systematic approach to improving care for older adults with fractures improved length of stay and total direct costs.
Understanding the volatile organic compounds of 1‐methylcyclopropylene fumigation and packaging on yellow‐fleshed peach via headspace‐gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry and chemometric analyses
Authors: Huang Yunian , Zhang Pei , Liu Wei , Zhang Qun , Li Gaoyang , Shan Yang , Zhu Xiangrong
Published: August 2022

Headspace‐gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry (HS‐GC‐IMS) and chemometric methods were utilized to analyze changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of yellow‐fleshed peach by 1‐methylcyclopropylene (1‐MCP) treatment and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Meanwhile, the storage quality of yellow‐fleshed peach at room temperature (25°C) was also studied. Yellow‐fleshed peach was treated by four methods, namely, nanomaterial packaging (NA), 1‐MCP fumigation and nanomaterial packaging (1‐MCP‐NA), polyethylene (PE) packaging, and 1‐MCP fumigation with polyethylene packaging (1‐MCP‐PE). Changes in the decay rate, firmness, browning index, soluble solid content, and titratable acid of the fruit were then measured at room temperature at 1, 4 and 10 days of storage. Thirty‐two VOCs, including terpenoids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones, were identified. Seventeen VOCs were found to be significant with predictive variable important in the projection (VIP) > 1 and p < 0.05 by analysis of variance and orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA). After 10 days of storage, the browning index of 1‐MCP‐NA group was 51.7%, which was lower than the control fruit (PE, 76.7%). Compared with other three treatments, 1‐MCP‐NA showed the better ability to delay and inhibit decreases in ester and aldehyde contents, and the ethanol content was lowest in the samples treated by 1‐MCP‐NA during storage. Differences among treatment groups were distinguished by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering heat map. The results showed that 1‐MCP‐NA could well maintain the quality and flavor stability of yellow‐fleshed peach, and it had a good application prospect in the postharvest preservation of yellow‐fleshed peach.

Practical Application

In this study, 1‐methylcyclopropylene (1‐MCP) combined with nanomaterial (NA) packaging (1‐MCP‐NA) proved to have a better fresh preservation effect. 1‐MCP‐NA showed better ability to delay and inhibit decreases in ester and aldehyde contents by HS‐GC‐IMS technique. It provided a new strategy for postharvest storage of yellow‐fleshed peaches.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia manshurica from Amazonian biome affect the parameters of quality and aromatic profile of fermented and dried cocoa beans
Authors: Ferreira Osienne de Sousa , Chagas‐Junior Gilson C. A. , Chisté Renan Campos , Martins Luiza Helena da Silva , Andrade Eloisa Helena de Aguiar , Nascimento Lidiane Diniz do , Lopes Alessandra Santos
Published: August 2022

The use of yeasts as starter cultures is a promising alternative to produce fermented cacao with particular characteristics regarding the quality of aromas and physical and chemical characteristics that are accepted by the chocolate market. This study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical transformations of cocoa beans during fermentation after inoculation with starter cultures of yeast species Pichia manshurica (PF) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SF), both previously isolated in cocoa bean fermentations in the Brazilian Amazon, in comparison with a fermentation without the inoculum addition (CF). During the fermentation time, which was carried out on a cocoa farm in Igarapé‐Miri (Amazon biome, Pará, Brazil), the contents of phenolic compounds (catechin and epicatechin), sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), acetic acid, and ethanol were monitored by HPLC, and the volatile compounds profiles were assessed by GC‐MS. The starter culture of P. manshurica was able to produce fermented cocoa beans with highly desirable characteristics for the production of good quality chocolate: low acidity, a broad variety of aromatic compounds with floral, fruity, and sweet characteristics, in addition to showing high contents of catechin and epicatechin, which are known by their antioxidant properties. Therefore, the use of starter cultures with species of yeasts isolated in the Amazon region, during cocoa fermentation, is an alternative to obtain fermented seeds with high quality favoring the commercial agreements in the chocolate market by cocoa producers.

Practical Application

The addition of starter cultures was able to produce cocoa beans with good quality. Yeasts species isolated and identified in Amazonian cocoa fermentation can improve the profiles of aromatic compounds. Catechin and epicatechin contents are higher in inoculated cocoa beans fermentations.
Differential expression involved in starch synthesis pathway genes reveal various starch characteristics of seed and rhizome in lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera)
Authors: Zhu Fenglin , Sun Han , Wang Jia , Zheng Xingwen , Wang Tao , Diao Ying , Hu Zhongli
Published: August 2022

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is one of the main aquatic vegetables in China. Its seed and rhizome are main edible parts which are rich in starch. Preliminary experiments of starch contents revealed that seed and rhizome expressed great differences in amylose and amylopectin contents. The rhizomes have higher amylopectin content, while the seeds have higher amylose content. In this study, we have estimated 16 varieties of lotus seeds and found that the amylose content of lotus seeds ranged from 30% to 50%, with an average amylose content of 43%, which showed high‐amylose content characteristics. Morphological analysis of lotus seed shown that starch rapid accumulated in 20 DAF (day after fertilization) ∼ 26 DAF. Transcriptome of lotus seeds indicated that starch genes played an important role in seed development. Especially in 22 DAF, the genes which controlled amylose synthesis significantly increased, in contrast, the expression of amylopectin‐related genes was stable and might limit the synthesis of amylopectin. We further analyzed the expression patterns of 11 key related genes between lotus seeds and rhizomes, and found that the expression of amylose‐related genes to were higher in lotus seed, while the expression of genes related to amylopectin synthesis were higher in rhizome. This study provided a comprehensive research of molecular basis for starch in lotus seed and rhizome. Different expression among key genes during starch accumulation might be the principal cause of the differences in starch properties between seed and rhizome.

Practical Application

Differential expression involved in starch synthesis pathway genes is the main reason for various starch characteristics of seed and rhizome in lotus. High amylose content in lotus seed is a valuable trait for developing functional food.
Effects of LED exposure on the sensory properties of soybean oil
Authors: Zhou Peiyuan , Lawrence Peter , Abbaspourad Alireza , Dando Robin
Published: August 2022

Soybean oil is an important commodity in the US and abroad. As lipids are vulnerable to oxidation, damage to soybean oil has been previously reported to arise from prolonged light exposure. Here, we assessed the extent of damage to samples of soybean oil from light, tested with sensory evaluation, assaying the effects of both LED and fluorescent lighting (both at 2000 lux) exposure to oil in PET bottles, using a variety of sensory approaches. Threshold testing (n = 66) suggested that differences in the sensory properties of soybean oil could be detected by a human panelist after only 32 h of LED exposure. Sensory flash profiling (n = 21) again confirmed that light‐exposed samples were perceived differently to shielded samples, with LED‐exposed samples clustering together, but separately from those instead exposed to fluorescent light. These differences did not necessarily result in a drop in liking of the samples, assessed with consumer testing (n = 94), despite a trend for lower liking in exposed versus shielded samples. With similar levels of light exposure, elevated dissolved oxygen levels could be mitigated with O2 scavenging. Our results suggest that soybean oil may be reaching the consumer at a differing quality than intended, which may be mitigated with superior packaging technologies.

Practical Application

Soybean oil is used widely in the US and global food systems; however, it can be damaged via light oxidation. Here, we show that human panelists can readily detect the sensory signals from light damage in oil exposed for only short periods of time, via either fluorescent or LED light sources. The results suggest that superior soybean oil could be delivered to the market if improvements in packaging technologies were considered.
CRISPR Cas12a‐based “sweet” biosensor coupled with personal glucose meter readout for the point‐of‐care testing of Salmonella
Authors: Zhou Chi , Huang Di , Wang Ziyi , Shen Peijie , Wang Pu , Xu Zhinan
Published: August 2022

Salmonella is a pathogen that comes from different animal‐originated foods and poses a significant threat to human health. The present detection methods for Salmonella are time‐consuming and labor‐intensive and requires skilled workers and specialized instruments. In this study, the conservative invA was selected as the target gene, and a quantitative detection method for Salmonella with wide availability and user‐friendliness was established based on CRISPR Cas12a and a personal glucose meter (PGM). The indirect signal transformation from the original target DNA to the final glucose signal was achieved through RAA, CRISPR Cas12a reaction, enzymic reaction, and glucose signal reading by a PGM (accu‐chek type from Roche). This PGMs‐CRISPR assay showed a detection sensitivity of Salmonella as low as 5 colony‐forming units (CFU)/reaction in either pure culture or artificially contaminated food samples and exhibited specificity between Salmonella isolates and non‐Salmonella isolates. Furthermore, quantitative detection of Salmonella in spiked milk samples was also achieved within the range from 1 to 1 × 103 CFU/reaction. Subsequently, the correlation and consistency between the PGMs‐CRISPR assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in detection of Salmonella in spiked milk samples were achieved. Therefore, a highly sensitive, portable, quantitative, and user‐friendly detection method based on CRISPR Cas12a and PGMs was developed in this study for Salmonella detection and identification.

Practical Application

A sensitive, rapid, user‐friendly, and quantitative detection method based on CRISPR Cas12a for Salmonella in food has been developed in this study, which is of great significance to food safety supervision and management.