bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonconscious processing of fearful and neutral faces modulates the N170
Authors: Bruchmann Maximilian , Schindler Sebastian , Breitwieser Pia , Tilly Lynn , Bölte Jens , Dellert Torge , Straube Thomas
Published: February 2025

Prioritized processing of fearful compared to neutral faces is reflected in differential event-related potentials (ERPs). There is an ongoing debate about the extent to which faces in general and fearful faces in particular enhance specific ERPs if they are not consciously perceived. Specifically, the N170 has been suggested as the most likely candidate for enhanced processing of nonconscious fearful faces. In this pre-registered study, we tested in a large sample based on sequential Bayesian sampling (N= 64) whether early components of the ERP (P1, N170, and early posterior negativity; EPN) discriminate between fearful faces, neutral faces, and non-facial control stimuli. Consciousness was manipulated by presenting stimuli for 17 ms in a backward masking design, with the mask following immediately or after a delay of 200 ms. Participants rated their subjective perception on a perceptual awareness scale in each trial. Importantly, only trials in which nothing but the mask was perceived were considered for the analysis of nonconscious effects. The results showed strong evidence for an increased N170 in response to nonconscious fearful compared to neutral faces; however, this difference was significantly smaller than in the conscious condition. Furthermore, we obtained strong evidence for N170 differences between nonconscious faces and no-faces. For P1 and EPN amplitudes, no significant effects were observed in the nonconscious conditions, although exploratory analyses of the P1 peak interval suggest nonconscious face-no-face differentiation. These results support the notion that nonconscious emotion and face processing are detectable in early neural responses and show that these nonconscious effects are considerably weaker than the corresponding conscious effects.
Dicer loss in Müller glia leads to a defined sequence of pathological events beginning with cone dysfunction
Authors: Larbi Daniel , Rief Alexander M. , Kang Seoyoung , Chen Shaoheng , Batsuuri Khulan , Fuhrmann Sabine , Viswanathan Suresh , Wohl Stefanie G.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The loss of Dicer in Müller glia (MG) results in severe photoreceptor degeneration as it occurs in retinitis pigmentosa or AMD. However, the sequence of events leading to this severe degenerative state is unknown. The aim of this study was to conduct a chronological functional and structural characterization of the pathological events in MG-specific Dicer-cKO micein vivoand histologically.

Methods

To delete Dicer and mature microRNAs (miRNAs) in MG, two conditional Dicer1 knock-out mouse strains namely RlbpCre:Dicer-cKOMGand GlastCre:Dicer-cKOMG,were created. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), electroretinograms (ERGs) as well as histological analyses were conducted to investigate structural and functional changes up to six months after Dicer deletion.

Results

Dicer/miRNA loss in MG leads to 1) impairments of the external limiting membrane (ELM) – retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), 2) cone photoreceptor dysfunction and 3) retinal remodeling and functional loss of the inner retina, 1, 3 and 6 months after Dicer loss, respectively, in both strains. Furthermore, in the Rlbp:Dicer-cKOMGstrain, rod photoreceptor impairment was found 4 months after Dicer depletion (4) accompanied by alteration of RPE integrity (5).

Conclusions

MG Dicer loss in the adult mouse retina impacts cone function prior to any measurable changes in rod function, suggesting a pivotal role for MG Dicer and miRNAs in supporting cone health. A partially impaired RPE however seems to accelerate rod degeneration and overall degenerative events.
Gut-Brain Hydraulics: Brain motion and CSF circulation is driven by mechanical coupling with the abdomen
Authors: Garborg C. Spencer , Ghitti Beatrice , Zhang Qingguang , Ricotta Joseph M. , Frank Noah , Mueller Sara J. , Greenawalt Denver I. , Turner Kevin L. , Kedarasetti Ravi T. , Mostafa Marceline , Lee Hyunseok , Costanzo Francesco , Drew Patrick J.
Published: February 2025

The brain moves within the skull, but the drivers and function of this motion are not understood. We visualized brain motion relative to the skull in awake head-fixed mice using high-speed, multi-plane two-photon microscopy. Brain motion was primarily rostrally and laterally directed, and was tightly correlated with locomotion, but not with respiration or the cardiac cycle. Electromyography recordings in abdominal muscles and microCT reconstructions of the trunk and spinal vasculature showed that brain motion was driven by abdominal muscle contractions that activate a hydraulic-like vascular connection between the nervous system and the abdominal cavity. Externally-applied abdominal pressure generated brain motion similar to those seen during abdominal muscle contractions. Simulations showed that brain motion drives substantial volumes of interstitial fluid through and out of the brain (at volumetric rates several times higher than production) into the subarachnoid space, in the opposite direction of fluid flow seen during sleep. The brain is hydraulically linked to the abdominal compartment, and fluid flow in the brain is coupled to body movements, providing a mechanism by which the mechanics of the viscera directly impact brain health.
The relationship between neural differentiation and exploratory eye movements in healthy young and older adults
Authors: Srokova Sabina , Shahanawaz Nehal , Rugg Michael
Published: February 2025

Age-related neural dedifferentiation, characterized by lower selectivity of neural responses in the high-level sensory cortex, is thought to be a major contributor to age-related cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms that underlie dedifferentiation are poorly understood. Building on prior evidence that exploratory eye movements differ with age, we investigated the role that eye movement might play in age-related declines in neural selectivity. Healthy young and older adults of both sexes underwent fMRI with simultaneous eye-tracking as they viewed words paired with images of scenes and objects prior to a memory test. Consistent with numerous prior reports, multivoxel pattern similarity analysis (PSA) of the fMRI data revealed age-related neural dedifferentiation in scene-selective, but not object-selective cortex. Eye movements, operationalized as the number of gaze fixations made during stimulus viewing, were elevated in older adults. Analyses examining the relationship between trial-wise estimates of neural selectivity and fixation count revealed an age-invariant positive relationship in the object-selective lateral occipital complex. However, this association was found to be age-dependent in scene-selective cortex, such that there was a robust positive relationship between scene selectivity and fixation count in young, but not older adults. Lastly, scene-related selectivity in the parahippocampal place area predicted subsequent memory performance independently of age group and fixation counts at encoding. These findings suggest that age-related neural dedifferentiation in scene-selective cortex may relate to declines in the functional specialization of exploratory eye movements during scene viewing.
FETCH enables fluorescent labeling of membrane proteinsin vivowith spatiotemporal control inDrosophila
Authors: Rostam Kevin D. , Morano Nicholas C. , Menon Kaushiki P. , Lopez Davys H. , Shapiro Lawrence , Zinn Kai , Feng Siqian , Mann Richard S.
Published: February 2025

Fluorescent labeling approaches are crucial for elucidating protein function and dynamics. While enhancer trapping inDrosophilahas been useful for the characterization of gene transcription, protein-specific visualizationin vivohas been more elusive. To overcome these limitations, we developed Fluorescent Endogenous Tagging with a Covalent Hook (FETCH) to label cell surface proteins (CSPs)in vivothrough a stable covalent bond mediated by the DogTag-DogCatcher peptide partner system1. FETCH leverages a spontaneous covalent isopeptide bond that forms between the 23-amino acid DogTag and the 15-kDa DogCatcher. Unlike most tags that work best at protein termini, DogTag is optimized for function in protein loops, expanding the range of sites that can be targeted in proteins. In FETCH, DogTag is introduced into extracellular loops of CSPs through genome engineering, enabling covalent bond formation with a genetically encoded DogCatcher-GFP fusion protein that can be secreted from a variety of cell types. We describe a flow cytometry-based platform for the identification of efficient DogTag insertion sitesin vitroand demonstrate the ability to visualize both tagged DIP-α and Dpr10in vivo, two immunoglobulin superfamily proteins that facilitate neuronal target recognition atDrosophilaneuromuscular junctions and brain synapses. The versatility of FETCH enables fluorescent labeling with precise temporal and spatial controlin vivo, enabling applications previously unfeasible.
In vivo targeted gene delivery using Adenovirus-antibody molecular glue conjugates
Authors: Rice-Boucher Paul J. , Kashentseva Elena A. , Dmitriev Igor P. , Guo Hongjie , Tremblay Jacqueline M. , Shoemaker Charles B. , Curiel David T. , Lu Zhi Hong
Published: February 2025

Safe and efficient nucleic acid delivery to targeted cell populations remains a significant unmet need in the fields of cell and gene therapy. Towards this end, we pursued Adenoviral vectors genetically modified with the “DogTag” molecular glue peptide, which forms a spontaneous covalent bond with its partner protein, “DogCatcher”. Genetic fusion of DogCatcher to single-domain or single-chain antibodies allowed covalent tethering of the antibody at defined locales on the vector capsid. This modification allowed simple, effective and exclusive targeting of the vector to cells bound by the linked antibody. This dramatically enhanced gene transfer into primary B and T cellsin vitroandin vivoin mice. These studies form the basis of a novel method for targeting Adenovirus that is functional in stringentin vivocontexts and can be combined with additional well characterized Adenovirus modifications towards applications in cell engineering, gene therapy, vaccines, oncolytics, and others.
Gene module-trait network analysis uncovers cell type specific systems and genes relevant to Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: de Paiva Lopes Katia , Vialle Ricardo A. , Green Gilad , Fujita Masashi , Gaiteri Chris , Menon Vilas , Schneider Julie A. , Wang Yanling , De Jager Philip L. , Habib Naomi , Tasaki Shinya , Bennett David A.
Published: February 2025

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is marked by the accumulation of pathology, neuronal loss, and gliosis and frequently accompanied by cognitive decline. Understanding brain cell interactions is key to identifying new therapeutic targets to slow its progression. Here, we used systems biology methods to analyze single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNASeq) data generated from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tissues of 424 participants in the Religious Orders Study or the Rush Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP). We identified modules of co-regulated genes in seven major cell types, assigned them to coherent cellular processes, and assessed which modules were associated with AD traits such as cognitive decline, tangle density, and amyloid-β deposition. Coexpression network structure was conserved in the majority of modules across cell types, but we also found distinct communities with altered connectivity, especially when compared to bulk RNASeq, suggesting cell-specific gene co-regulation. These coexpression modules can also capture signatures of cell subpopulations and be influenced by cell proportions. Using a Bayesian network framework, we modeled the direction of relationships between the modules and AD progression. We highlight two key modules, a microglia module (mic_M46), associated with tangles; and an astrocyte module (ast_M19), associated with cognitive decline. Our work provides cell-specific molecular networks modeling the molecular events leading to AD.
Post-transcriptional monoadenylation by TENT2 terminates human RNA polymerase III transcript 3’ end processing and promotes 7SL RNA biogenesis
Authors: Ocheltree Cody , Skrable Blake , Pimentel Anastasia , Nicholson-Shaw Timothy , Lee Suzanne R. , Lykke-Andersen Jens
Published: February 2025

Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are subject to a variety of 3’ end trimming and tailing activities during biogenesis, which dictate whether they undergo maturation or are instead subjected to degradation. To investigate the dynamics of human sncRNA 3’ end processing at a global level we performed genome-wide 3’ end sequencing of nascently-transcribed and steady state sncRNAs. This revealed widespread post-transcriptional adenylation of nascent sncRNAs, which came in two distinct varieties. One is characterized by oligoadenylation, which is transient, promoted by TENT4A/4B polymerases, and observed primarily on unstable snoRNAs and scaRNAs that are not fully processed at their 3’ ends. The other is characterized by monoadenylation, which is broadly catalyzed by TENT2 and stably accumulates at the 3’- end of many RNA Polymerase-III-transcribed (Pol-III) RNAs as well as a subset of small nuclear RNAs. This monoadenylation event terminates 3’ end uridylation/deuridylation dynamics characteristic of nascent Pol-III RNAs and, in the case of 7SL RNAs, prevents their accumulation with nuclear La protein and promotes their biogenesis towards assembly into cytoplasmic signal recognition particles.
Two morphologically distinct formae speciales inNeonectria magnoliaediffer in their virulence on Magnolia family hostsLiriodendron tulipiferaandMagnolia fraseri
Authors: Petronek Hannah M. , Lynch Shannon C. , Lovett Brian , Martin Angie M. , Martin Danielle K.H. , Kasson Matt T.
Published: February 2025

The family Nectriaceae includes numerous phytopathogenic fungal genera that cause canker diseases on both angiosperm and conifer hosts worldwide. Among these,Neonectriaspecies are globally important canker pathogens of numerous hosts, but their roles in contributing to forest decline and mortality outside their role in beech bark disease and apple canker are largely understudied. In the U.S.,Neonectria magnoliaecauses perennial cankers on two native hosts in central Appalachia: Fraser magnolia (Magnolia fraseri) and tulip-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and has been recently confirmed from non-native star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) in West Virginia. Both native hosts occur in the central Appalachian Mountains, but Fraser magnolia occurs mostly at higher elevations.Neonectria magnoliaewas first described in 1943, yet its impact across the forested landscape remains unclear. To clarify host-specific differences across the contemporary range ofNeonectria magnoliae, we used multi-locus phylogenetics, comparative pathogenicity / virulence assays, and morphological analyses to determine ifN. magnoliaerepresents two cryptic species that specialize on tulip-poplar and magnolia, or ifN. magnoliaehas host-specific pathotypes. Our studies revealed two morphologically distinct formae speciales withinN. magnoliae: 1)Neonectria magnoliaef. sp.liriodendri;strains originating from tulip-poplar with increased virulence on this host and lacking macroconidia production and 2)Neonectria magnoliaef. sp.magnoliae;strains originating from Fraser magnolia with increased virulence on this host and producing macroconidia readily in culture. Overall, the incidence of these two pathotypes indicates that neither pathogen alone poses serious risks to either host but adds to cumulative stresses that both tree species are experiencing in the face of global climate change.
Dnmt3b deficiency in adipocyte progenitor cells ameliorates obesity in female mice
Authors: Huang Yifei , Yu Sean , Cao Qiang , Jing Jia , Tang Weiqing , Xue Bingzhong , Shi Hang
Published: February 2025

Obesity arises from chronic energy imbalance where energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Emerging evidence supports a key role of DNA methylation in the regulation of adipose tissue development and metabolism. We recently discovered a key role of DNA methylation, catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase 1 or 3a (Dnmt1 or 3a), in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation and metabolism. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of adipocyte progenitor cell Dnmt3b, an enzyme mediatingde novoDNA methylation, in energy metabolism and obesity. We generated a genetic model withDnmt3bknockout in adipocyte progenitor cells (PD3bKO) by crossingDnmt3b-floxed mice with platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (Pdgfrα)-Cre mice.Dnmt3bgene deletion in adipocyte progenitors enhanced thermogenic gene expression in brown adipose tissue, increased overall energy expenditure, and mitigated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in female mice. PD3bKO mice also displayed a lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER), indicative of a metabolic shift favoring fat utilization as an energy source. Furthermore, female PD3bKO mice exhibited improved insulin sensitivity alongside their lean phenotype. In contrast, male PD3bKO mice showed no changes in body weight but demonstrated decreased insulin sensitivity, revealing a sexually dimorphic metabolic response toDnmt3bdeletion in adipocyte progenitor cells. These findings underscore the critical role of Dnmt3b in regulating energy homeostasis, body weight, and metabolic health, with significant implications for understanding sex-specific mechanisms of obesity and metabolism.
Population structure reverses selection of variants with proportionally scaled birth and death rates
Authors: Wodarz Dominik , Komarova Natalia L.
Published: February 2025

A frequently observed phenomenon across the kingdom of life is that a higher reproduction rate can be accompanied by higher mortality. During tumor progression, variants emerge that both reproduce and die faster; faster replicating viruses can be characterized by a faster decay rate; and more frequent pregnancy can be accompanied by a higher chance to die due to predation in ecological systems. Variants with proportionally scaled birth and death rates have been called quasi-neutral mutants. Although life-time reproductive success is not changed, such variants are characterized by fixation probabilities that are somewhat lower (higher) than expected for neutral mutants if birth and death rates are proportionally larger (smaller). Studies were performed in the context of well-mixed populations, and despite the deviation from neutrality, quasi-neutral mutants do not have characteristics of disadvantageous or advantageous mutants, as their fixation probabilities still scale with their initial fractions. Here, we report that in deme- or spatially structured populations, variants with proportionally increased (decreased) birth and death rates become truly disadvantageous (advantageous), and calculate their effective fitness. Furthermore, if mutants have a higher life-time reproductive output than the wild-types and are thus advantageous, a proportional increase of birth and death rates can render them strongly disadvantageous, and vice versa. This changes our understanding of how life-time reproductive success correlates with selection, and has implications for evolutionary dynamics across a range of biological systems.
Grin2aDysfunction Impairs Cognitive Flexibility by Disrupting LC Modulation of mPFC Circuits
Authors: Hosseini Hassan , Evans-Martin Sky , Bogomilsky Emma , Jones Kevin S.
Published: February 2025

Cognitive flexibility, a key executive function, is impaired in psychiatric disorders involving prefrontal cortical dysfunction. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regulates cognitive flexibility and receives noradrenergic input from the locus coeruleus (LC). Mutations in GRIN2A, encoding GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors, impair cognitive flexibility and psychiatric resilience, yet the circuit mechanisms remain unclear. Optogenetic LC→mPFC activation improved reversal learning in wild-type andGrin2aheterozygous (HET) mice but not in knockouts (KO), indicating a loss of noradrenergic modulation.Grin2amutants displayed disrupted gamma and high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in the mPFC. Exogenous norepinephrine failed to restore oscillatory activity, implicating α2-adrenoceptors in NE-driven cortical dynamics. Increased LC innervation and norepinephrine transporter (NET) expression inGrin2amutants suggest excessive noradrenergic input and impaired NE clearance. These findings identify GluN2A as essential for LC-driven prefrontal network synchronization and cognitive flexibility, offering insights into NE dysfunction in psychiatric disorders.
Evaluation of sequencing reads at scale using rdeval
Authors: Formenti Giulio , Koo Bonhwang , Sollitto Marco , Balacco Jennifer , Brajuka Nadolina , Burhans Richard , Duarte Erick , Giani Alice Maria , McCaffrey Kirsty , Medico Jack A , Myers Eugene W , Smeds Patrik , Nekrutenko Anton , Jarvis Erich D
Published: February 2025

Motivation: Large sequencing data sets are produced and deposited into public archives at unprecedented rates. The availability of tools that can reliably and efficiently generate and store sequencing read summary statistics has become critical. Results: As part of the effort by the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) to generate high-quality reference genomes at scale, we sought to address the community need for efficient sequencing data evaluation by developing rdeval, a standalone tool to quickly compute and dynamically display sequencing read metrics. Rdeval can either run on the fly or store key sequence data metrics in read 'sketches', with dramatic compression gains. Statistics can then be efficiently recalled from sketches for additional processing. Rdeval can convert fa*[.gz] files to and from other popular formats including BAM and CRAM for better compression. Overall, while CRAM achieves the best compression, the gain is marginal, and BAM achieves the best compromise between data compression and accessing speed. Rdeval also generates a detailed visual report with multiple data analytics that can be exported in various formats. We showcase rdeval's functionalities using human and VGP read data from different sequencing platforms and species. For PacBio long-read sequencing, our analysis shows dramatic improvements both in read length and quality over time, and a benefit of additional coverage for genome assembly. Availability and implementation: Rdeval is implemented in C++ for data processivity and in R for data visualization. Precompiled releases (Linux, MacOS, Windows) and commented source code for rdeval are available under MIT license at https://github.com/vgl-hub/rdeval. Documentation is available using ReadTheDocs (https://rdeval-documentation.readthedocs.io). Rdeval is also available in Bioconda and in Galaxy (https://usegalaxy.org). An automated test workflow ensures the consistency of software updates.
The autophagy receptor Ncoa4 controls PPARγ activity and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue
Authors: Rowland Leslie A. , Santos Kaltinaitis B. , Guilherme Adilson , Munroe Sean , Lifshitz Lawrence M. , Nicoloro Sarah , Wang Hui , Yee Matthew F. , Czech Michael P.
Published: February 2025

Adipose tissue dysfunction leads to a variety of deleterious systemic consequences including ectopic lipid deposition and impaired insulin sensitivity. PPARγ is a major regulator of adipocyte differentiation and functionality and is thus a determinant of systemic metabolic health. We recently reported that deletion of adipocyte fatty acid synthase (AdFasnKO) impairs autophagy in association with a striking upregulation of genes controlled by PPARγ, including thermogenic uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1). In this present study, screening for PPARγ coactivators regulated by autophagy revealed a protein denoted as Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (Ncoa4), known to mediate ferritinophagy and interact with PPARγ and other nuclear receptors. Indeed, we found Ncoa4 is upregulated in the early phase of adipocyte differentiation and is required for adipogenesis. Ncoa4 is also elevated in FasnKO adipocytes and necessary for full upregulation of Ucp1 expressionin vitro, even in response to norepinephrine. Consistent with these findings, adipose-selective knockout of Ncoa4 (AdNcoa4KO mice) impairs Ucp1 expression in brown adipose tissue and cold-induced thermogenesis. Adipose-selective double KO of Fasn plus Ncoa4 (AdFasnNcoa4DKO mice) prevents the upregulation of classic PPARγ target genes normally observed in the white adipose tissue of AdFasnKO mice, but not thermogenic Ucp1 expression. These findings reveal Ncoa4 is a novel determinant of adipocyte PPARγ activity and regulator of white and brown adipocyte biology and suggest that manipulation of autophagy flux modulates PPARγ activity and key adipocyte functions via Ncoa4 actions.
Microcalcifications in breast cancer tissue studied by X-ray absorption, emission, scattering and diffraction
Authors: Huthwelker Thomas , Borca Camelia N. , Altamura Davide , De Caro Liberato , Vanna Renzo , Corsi Fabio , Morasso Carlo , Banfi Greta , Arpa Giovanni , Bunk Oliver , Giannini Cinzia
Published: February 2025

Microcalcifications (MC) are observed in various tissues and in relation to several diseases. For breast cancer, recent studies have reported differences in the nature of the MC and correlations to the degree of malignancy of the neoplasm. Here, investigations of benign, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) breast MC using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering are reported. While Mg has been observed in all MC, only for the benign MC has a rim of crystalline whitlockite been identified as a minor crystalline phase in addition to the major hydroxyapatite (HAP) one. MC in DCIS and IDC tissue exhibit a higher abundance of a high-crystallinity HAP phase in comparison with the less well ordered MC in the benign tissue. Moreover, the distribution of other trace elements in the MC, such as Na, S, Cl, Sr and Y, is observed. For the quantitative analysis of the elemental maps, the experimentally determined sample thickness in each pixel has been incorporated as an additional parameter in the fitting process to account for sample roughness.
iPowder: advanced software for automated high-throughput X-ray diffraction analysis
Authors: Chang Shihui , Lv Binfeng , Yang Wanting , Dong Cheng , Katcho Nebil A. , Cao Shixun , Zhang Jincang , Rodriguez-Carvajal Juan , Feng Zhenjie
Published: February 2025

In the burgeoning era of materials genomics, the need for fast and accurate X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis has never been greater. To accommodate the rapid data generation of high-throughput XRD experiments, a new and powerful computer program, iPowder, has been developed. Not only does it have an efficient and straightforward graphical user interface but it also excels in high-throughput data analysis. The main function of the program is the rapid processing of datasets. This paper presents the convenient functionalities provided by iPowder for high-throughput XRD data analysis.
Improving handwashing practices among school food handlers in Malaysia: a behavioural antecedents’ approach to intervention design
Authors: Wong Stephenie Yoke Wei , Ungku Zainal Abidin Ungku Fatimah , Mahyudin Nor Ainy , Ho Jo Ann
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The adoption of proper handwashing behaviour among food handlers could significantly reduce food safety risks and contribute to better public health outcomes, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Training alone may not be adequate to improve food safety behaviour. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a needs assessment to identify the important variables that could enhance handwashing behaviour among school food handlers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an extended Health Action Model (HAM) as a framework, a survey and direct observation were conducted on a total of 211 food handlers from schools in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The food handlers were assessed on their handwashing knowledge, belief, norm, motivation, habit strength, behavioural intention and behaviour. Data analysis was carried out using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) software (v3.0), followed by the importance performance matrix analysis (IPMA).

Findings

Findings revealed that norm and knowledge significantly influenced belief, which ultimately affects the food handlers’ intention to perform handwashing practices (p = 0.001). The IPMA revealed self-efficacy as a priority variable for improving handwashing behaviour.

Practical implications

The study identifies key factors to prioritise for improving handwashing behaviour among school food handlers. This will aid in creating targeted food safety programmes with tailored messages for the intended audience.

Originality/value

Although the use of theoretical framework to predict safe food handling behaviours has received considerable attention in literature, most researchers utilise self-report approach. This paper is the first to use actual observed handwashing behavioural data to model an extended HAM.

Highlights

(1)

Needs assessment using an extended HAM.

(2)

Prioritising self-efficacy can improve handwashing practices.

(3)

Norm, knowledge and belief influence food handlers’ intention to perform handwashing.

(4)

Having the right intention may not necessarily transform into behaviour.
Commitment to quality service in hospitality: role of human resources practices, turnover intention, organizational engagement, and adaptability
Authors: Rabiul Md Karim , Sigala Marianna , Karim Rashed Al
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study examines the mediating role of organizational engagement in the link between human resources management (HRM) practices and commitment to quality services (CQS). It also investigates the moderating effect of turnover intention on the link between HRM practices and organizational engagement, and the moderating effect of employee adaptability on the link between organizational engagement and CQS.

Design/methodology/approach

Customer contact employees (N = 593) in Bangladeshi hotels were recruited using a convenient sampling method. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Organizational engagement significantly mediates the relationship between HRM practices and CQS. Turnover intention negatively and employee adaptability positively moderates the proposed relationships.

Practical implications

Hospitality managers may use the findings to enhance quality customer services by implementing appropriate HRM practices, reducing turnover, and increasing adaptability and organizational engagement.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to social exchange theory, theory of planned behavior, and job demand-resources theories by explaining the mediating role of organizational engagement and moderating role of turnover intention and employee adaptability which are yet to be discovered.
Developing the occupational well-being of health care educators in Estonia and Finland – community-based participatory action research
Authors: Vauhkonen Anneli , Kommusaar Janne , Honkalampi Kirsi , Solankallio-Vahteri Tytti , Kööp Kadri , Varik Merle , Talts Siiri , Saaranen Terhi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The study aims to evaluate the occupational well-being outcomes of the Community-based Participatory Occupational Well-being Intervention for Educators among health care educators.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a community-based participatory action research with pre-test–post-test design, including a year-lasting occupational well-being intervention in the work communities of two higher education institutions for health care in Estonia and one in Finland. Data were collected from Estonian (N = 196) and Finnish health care educators (N = 42) at the pre- and post-intervention by an electronical survey. The intervention included an online occupational well-being course and community-specific development plan, and actions carried out by the Occupational Well-being Development Teams formed in each work community. Data were analysed statistically.

Findings

Personal occupational well-being increased in each work community (post-test median 4, scale 0–5) although statistically significant differences were not found. Satisfaction with the occupational well-being development activities increased, especially in the Finnish work community (pre-test mean 2.5, SD 0.8; post-test mean 3.2, SD 1.2, p = 0.005). The study found some increase in certain aspects of occupational well-being in relation to the development actions.

Practical implications

This intervention can act as a facilitator in community-level occupational well-being development but requires a longer period to make the changes visible. Although the results of this study cannot be directly generalized, the intervention and good practices conducted can be utilised in the development of occupational well-being in education at national and international levels.

Originality/value

This study adds information to this understudied area of intervention research on promoting health care educators’ occupational well-being.
Applying the stimulus-organism-behavior-consequence framework to examine the relationship between intention, usage and recommendation of ChatGPT in higher education
Authors: Biswas Mohammad Islam , Talukder Md. Shamim , Chen Yasheng
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The adoption and usage of generative artificial intelligence tools like Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in academia is the subject of increasing research interest. This study investigates the factors influencing the intention, usage and recommendation of ChatGPT among university students by employing the stimulus-organism-behavior-consequence (SOBC) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed research model was validated by employing the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach using 249 university students.

Findings

The study revealed that intention to use and usage behavior of ChatGPT among university students are highly influenced by perceived usefulness, initial trust, personal innovativeness and availability of information and support. Similarly, the study found a sequence of significant positive relationships among intention to use, actual use and likelihood of recommending the technology to others. However, the results showed that the impact of perceived ease of use and social influence on behavioral intention was not found to be significant predictors of intention to use ChatGPT in academic settings.

Practical implications

The research findings offer a number of benefits for educational institutions and technology developers regarding students’ perceptions of ChatGPT and its academic applications. Eventually, the findings will encourage AI technology developers to enhance the quality and design of their solutions. Additionally, it helps educators in designing the AI governance framework to promote the ethical and transparent use of AI in academic environments.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the expanding body of technology adoption research and offers an integrated theoretical framework for comprehending the adoption and usage of ChatGPT in academic settings.
Nonlinear vibrations of graphene nanoplates with arbitrarily orientated crack located in magnetic field using nonlocal elasticity theory
Authors: Pourreza Tayyeb , Alijani Ali , A. Maleki Vahid , Kazemi Admin
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The study explores frequency curves and natural frequencies as functions of crack length, crack angle, magnetic field strength and small size effects under the three boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the nonlinear dynamics of a single-layered graphene nanoplate with an arbitrarily oriented crack under the influence of a magnetic field. The research focuses on three boundary conditions: simply supported, clamped and clamped-simply supported. The crack effect is modeled by incorporating membrane forces and additional flexural moments created by the crack into the equation of motion.

Findings

Results reveal that increasing the crack length, small size effects and magnetic field intensity reduces the flexural stiffness of the nanoplate, increases the compressive load and lowers its natural frequency. Additionally, excessive magnetic field intensity may lead to static buckling. The critical dimensionless magnetic fields are found to be 33.6, 95.1 and 72.3 for All edges of the nanoplate are simply supported (SSSS), fully clamped edges (CCCC) and two opposite edges are clamped and the other are simply supported (CSCS) nanoplates, respectively. Furthermore, for SSSS and CCCC boundary conditions, an increase in the crack angle results in a softening behavior of the hard spring. In contrast, the SCSC boundary condition exhibits the opposite behavior. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the effects of angled cracks and electromagnetic loads in the analysis and design of graphene-based nanostructures.

Originality/value

Novel equations are derived to account for the applied loads induced by the magnetic field. The nonlinear equation of motion is discretized using the Galerkin technique, and its analytical response is obtained via the multiple time-scales perturbation technique.
The effect of linguistic style on solvers’ success? An empirical analysis in a crowdsourcing community
Authors: Piazza Mariangela , Mazzola Erica , Chiarello Filippo
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Prior crowdsourcing literature has highlighted that communication among peers within the crowdsourcing community matters since it affects the solvers’ success. Particularly, previous scholars have focused on how the volume and the content of communications among solvers improve their creativity and likelihood of winning crowdsourcing contests. This study aims to understand whether, alongside these two communication dimensions, the linguistic style of solvers’ communications (i.e. how solvers write things) permits them to promote their qualities in seekers’ eyes and emerge from the crowd.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirically, we collected data from a sample of 1866 solvers within the community of the 99designs crowdsourcing platform to build an ad-hoc dataset and test our hypotheses by running an econometric analysis.

Findings

Our results show that by posting comments of moderate length and prudent complexity, characterized by positive language and an other-oriented perspective, solvers can signal their capabilities and skills to increase their likelihood of succeeding in crowdsourcing contests.

Originality/value

This research’s findings contribute to prior crowdsourcing literature, which has so far exclusively focused on the linguistic style used by seekers when drafting the requests for proposals of their competitions. Moreover, the paper offers practical guidance for both solvers and seekers, suggesting how to leverage peer communications in crowdsourcing contests.
Convergent or not? The effect of linguistic convergence on the effectiveness of online physician-patient communication
Authors: Wang Siqi , Zhang Xiaofei , Meng Fanbo
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the convergence of linguistic features between physicians and patients with chronic diseases facilitates the effectiveness of physician–patient communication in online health communities (OHCs). Drawing on communication accommodation theory (CAT), the authors develop a research model that illustrates how the convergence of semantic features (language concreteness and emotional intensity) and stylistic features (language style) influence patient satisfaction and compliance. The model also incorporates the moderating effects of the physician's social status and the patients' complications.

Design/methodology/approach

The data, collected from a prominent online health platform in China, include 15,448 consultation records over five years. The logistic regression is leveraged to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that convergent semantic features, such as language concreteness and emotional intensity, along with stylistic features like language style, enhance patient satisfaction, which in turn leads to increased compliance. Additionally, the physician’s social status strengthens the effect of convergent emotional intensity but weakens the effect of convergent language concreteness. The physician’s social status has no significant impact on the link between convergent language style and satisfaction. Patients' complications weaken the effect of satisfaction on their compliance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the CAT and OHC literature by enhancing the understanding of the role of linguistic convergence in the effectiveness of online physician–patient communication and provides managerial implications for physicians on how to accommodate their communicative styles toward chronic patients to improve patient satisfaction and compliance.
Exploring mentorship in apprenticeship success: the relationship between construction degree apprentices and their work-based mentors
Authors: McAdam Kelly , Perrin David
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Degree apprenticeships are becoming more established within the higher education sector, however within England there are growing concerns around the completion rates of apprentices. Whilst there are a number of factors which could be impacting this, the support structure surrounding apprentices throughout their programme is a key consideration. This study aims to investigate the support relationship between construction degree apprentices and their work-based mentors through the lived experiences of both the apprentice and the mentor.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative cross-sectional approach, collecting data from three focus groups involving Level 6 apprentices from a higher education institution and their work-based mentors based in England. The data was analysed inductively using NVivo 12 software to identify codes and key themes.

Findings

The relationship between the apprentice and their work-based mentor is key to the success of degree apprenticeships. The data analysis recognised three key themes: knowledge of the apprenticeship process, support structure and employer provider relationship.

Originality/value

This study is an original contribution addressing a gap in the literature around higher-level apprentices and their work-based mentors, generating and analysing new primary data, identifying ongoing issues and formulating subsequent recommendations for practice. There are also implications for the current English apprenticeship model and those seeking to adopt or adapt it more widely.
Absorption of naloxone in patients prescribed buprenorphine‐naloxone
Authors: Michel Ian , Ochal Domenic , Paharia Aniket , Jannetto Paul , Breitinger Scott , Oesterle Tyler
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives

When administered as prescribed, the naloxone component of buprenorphine‐naloxone combination medications is putatively considered inert due to reduced naloxone bioavailability via transmucosal. However, there is a growing body of evidence to the contrary. The aim of our study is to determine the extent of naloxone absorption in a large cohort of patients receiving sublingual buprenorphine‐naloxone.

Methods

Using the Mayo Clinic Unified Data Platform, 425 patients prescribed sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone who received a controlled substance monitoring panel (CSMP) between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023 were identified and included. The CSMP is an immunoassay panel that confirms positive results quantitatively with gas chromatography mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. This panel provides urinary detection for buprenorphine (cutoff: 5 ng/mL), naloxone (25 ng/mL), as well as their respective metabolites norbuprenorphine (5 ng/mL), norbuprenorphine‐glucuronide (20 ng/mL), and naloxone‐glucuronide (100 ng/mL).

Results

Of our 425 patients, 76% had norbuprenorphine (n = 323), and 77% had norbuprenorphine‐glucuronide (n = 327) in their toxicology tests, respectively. Naloxone‐glucuronide was detected in 91% (n = 294) of the specimens with norbuprenorphine and 88.7% (n = 290) of the specimens with norbuprenorphine‐glucuronide.

Conclusion and Scientific Significance

To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date demonstrating the presence of naloxone metabolites in patients taking combined buprenorphine‐naloxone medications. The results of this study refute the notion that naloxone absorption is negligible when administered in sublingual preparations. Further research on how this absorption impacts medication usage, dosing, adherence, and side effects is necessary.
Alienation, equality, and multifaith establishment
Authors: Shorten Andrew
Published: February 2025

Religious establishment today often takes a multifaith form, whereby multiple religions are supported in different ways and to different degrees. In order to contribute to the development of a normative framework for assessing practices and regimes of multifaith establishment, this article recommends the concept of “social alienation.” Initially, social alienation is defended as a negative normative criterion to determine when specific establishment practices are unacceptable. This criterion is compared favorably with approaches that evaluate establishment practices by reference to an ideal of public reason or according to whether they convey an expressive harm, as well as with similar approaches based on a purely subjective understanding of alienation. Subsequently, it is also argued that addressing social alienation can support a case for multifaith religious establishment regimes that support or recognize minority religions, since it is often unequal establishment practices that socially alienate, not establishment as such.
Appropriating corporate personhood: Constructions of the person‐corporation and native nation sovereignty
Authors: Lewis Courtney
Published: February 2025

Over the past century, debates have raged about the validity of United States corporate personhood and the scope of a person‐corporation's rights. While important, these discussions have also erased marginalized peoples’ use of corporate personhood as a strategy for securing the rights denied them by governments. This is the case with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), who incorporated in 1847 to ensure their own rights and protections at a time when their political sovereignty and human rights were being systematically violated. Although legal recognition of corporate personhood began in 1818, the granting of previously human‐only rights to person‐corporations has accelerated via recent court cases. In this article, I briefly examine how, over time, the US has conferred personhood on corporations. I then deconstruct what this personhood can tell us about the beliefs and practices regarding the meaning of being a person in the United States. Through this, I demonstrate that the act of conferring personhood—the accountability of who is counted as a person and by whom—manifests the underlying ontologies and purposes of what it is to be a person, whether it is through US incorporation laws or in the EBCI's sovereignty protections.
Necessity and Identity in Hegel's Theory of Modality
Authors: Froese Ryan
Published: February 2025

Readings of Hegel's account of modality tend to emphasize the “necessity of contingency” thesis. In this paper, I argue that this is not the primary aim of Hegel's “Actuality” chapter in the Science of Logic. Instead of arguing simply for the necessity of contingency, Hegel argues for the identity between contingency and necessity. I offer a reading of formal, real, and absolute modality in Hegel's Logic that shows how this identity claim is established, demonstrating that necessity is not simply that which cannot be otherwise, but a process whereby something becomes what it is in becoming its other.