bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of histone deacetylase inhibition and arimoclomol on heat shock protein expression and disease biomarkers in primary culture models of familial ALS
Authors: Comaduran Mario Fernández , Minotti Sandra , Jacob-Tomas Suleima , Rizwan Javeria , Larochelle Nancy , Robitaille Richard , Sephton Chantelle F. , Vera M. , Nalbantoglu Josephine N. , Durham Heather D.
Published: December 2023

Protein misfolding and mislocalization are common themes in neurodegenerative disorders, including the motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Maintaining proteostasis is a crosscutting therapeutic target, including upregulation of heat shock proteins (HSP) to increase chaperoning capacity. Motor neurons have a high threshold for upregulating stress inducible HSPA1A, but constitutively express high levels of HSPA8. This study compared expression of these HSPs in cultured motor neurons expressing three variants linked to familial ALS: TDP-43G348C, FUSR521Gor SOD1G93A. All variants were poor inducers ofHspa1a,and reduced levels ofHspa8mRNA and protein, indicating multiple compromises in chaperoning capacity. To promote HSP expression, cultures were treated with the putative HSP co-inducer, arimoclomol, class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to promote active chromatin for transcription, and the combination. Treatments had variable, often different effects on expression ofHspa1aandHspa8, depending on the ALS variant expressed, mRNA distribution (somata and dendrites), and biomarker of toxicity measured (histone acetylation, maintaining nuclear TDP-43 and the nBAF chromatin remodeling complex component Brg1, mitochondrial transport, FUS aggregation). Overall, HDAC inhibition alone was effective on more measures than arimoclomol. In the TDP-43 model, arimoclomol failed to induce HSPA1A or preserveHspa8mRNA, despite preserving nuclear TDP-43 and Brg1, indicating neuroprotective properties other than HSP induction. The data speak to the complexity of drug mechanisms against multiple biomarkers of ALS pathogenesis, as well as to the importance of HSPA8 for neuronal proteostasis in both somata and dendrites.
Determinants of cerebral blood flow and arterial transit time in healthy older adults
Authors: Feron Jack , Segaert Katrien , Rahman Foyzul , Fosstveit Sindre H , Joyce Kelsey E , Gilani Ahmed , Lohne-Seiler Hilde , Berntsen Sveinung , Mullinger Karen J , Lucas Samuel J E
Published: December 2023

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT), markers of brain vascular health, worsen with age. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify modifiable determinants of CBF and ATT in healthy older adults (n=78, aged 60–81 yrs). Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and CBF or ATT were of particular interest as the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness is not clear in existing literature. Secondly, this study assessed whether CBF or ATT relate to cognitive function in older adults. Results from multiple linear regressions found higher BMI was associated with lower global CBF (β=-0.35,P=0.008) and a longer global ATT (β=0.30, P=0.017), global ATT lengthened with increasing age (β=0.43,P=0.004), and higher cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with longer ATT in parietal (β=0.44,P=0.004) and occipital (β=0.45,P=0.003) regions. Global or regional CBF or ATT were not associated with processing speed, working memory, or attention. In conclusion, preventing excessive weight gain may help attenuate age-related declines in brain vascular health. ATT may be more sensitive to age-related decline than CBF, and therefore useful for early detection and management of cerebrovascular impairment. Finally, cardiorespiratory fitness appears to have little effect on CBF but may induce longer ATT in specific regions.
SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY IN THE INJURED BRAIN DEPENDS ON THE TEMPORAL PATTERN OF STIMULATION
Authors: Fischer Quentin S. , Kalikulov Djanenkhodja , Di Prisco Gonzalo Viana , Williams Carrie A. , Baldwin Philip R. , Friedlander Michael J.
Published: December 2023

Neurostimulation protocols are increasingly used as therapeutic interventions, including for brain injury. In addition to the direct activation of neurons, these stimulation protocols are also likely to have downstream effects on those neurons’ synaptic outputs. It is well known that alterations in the strength of synaptic connections (long-term potentiation, LTP; long-term depression, LTD) are sensitive to the frequency of stimulation used for induction, however little is known about the contribution of the temporal pattern of stimulation to the downstream synaptic plasticity that may be induced by neurostimulation in the injured brain. We explored interactions of the temporal pattern and frequency of neurostimulation in the normal cerebral cortex and after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), to inform therapies to strengthen or weaken neural circuits in injured brains, as well as to better understand the role of these factors in normal brain plasticity. Whole-cell (WC) patch-clamp recordings of evoked postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in individual neurons, as well as field potential (FP) recordings, were made from layer 2/3 of visual cortex in response to stimulation of layer 4, in acute slices from control (naïve), sham operated, and mTBI rats. We compared synaptic plasticity induced by different stimulation protocols, each consisting of a specific frequency (1 Hz, 10 Hz, or 100 Hz), continuity (continuous or discontinuous), and temporal pattern (perfectly regular, slightly irregular, or highly irregular). At the individual neuron level, dramatic differences in plasticity outcome occurred when the highly irregular stimulation protocol was used at 1 Hz or 10 Hz, producing an overall LTD in controls and shams, but a robust overall LTP after mTBI. Consistent with the individual neuron results, the plasticity outcomes for simultaneous FP recordings were similar, indicative of our results generalizing to a larger scale synaptic network than can be sampled by individual WC recordings alone. In addition to the differences in plasticity outcome between control (naïve or sham) and injured brains, the dynamics of the changes in synaptic responses that developed during stimulation were predictive of the final plasticity outcome. Our results demonstrate that the temporal pattern of stimulation plays a role in the polarity and magnitude of synaptic plasticity induced in the cerebral cortex while highlighting differences between normal and injured brain responses. Moreover, these results may be useful for optimization of neurostimulation therapies to treat mTBI and other brain disorders, in addition to providing new insights into downstream plasticity signaling mechanisms in the normal brain.
TopoDiff: Improving Protein Backbone Generation with Topology-aware Latent Encoding
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Ma Zinnia , Gong Haipeng
Published: December 2023

Thede novodesign of protein structures is an intriguing research topic in the field of protein engineering. Recent breakthroughs in diffusion-based generative models have demonstrated substantial promise in tackling this task, notably in the generation of diverse and realistic protein structures. While existing models predominantly focus on unconditional generation or fine-grained conditioning at the residue level, the holistic, top-down approaches to control the overall topological arrangements are still insufficiently explored. In response, we introduce TopoDiff, a diffusion-based framework augmented by a global-structure encoding module, which is capable of unsupervisedly learning a compact latent representation of natural protein topologies with interpretable characteristics and simultaneously harnessing this learned information for controllable protein structure generation. We also propose a novel metric specifically designed to assess the coverage of sampled proteins with respect to the natural protein space. In comparative analyses with existing models, our generative model not only demonstrates comparable performance on established metrics but also exhibits better coverage across the recognized topology landscape. In summary, TopoDiff emerges as a novel solution towards enhancing the controllability and comprehensiveness ofde novoprotein structure generation, presenting new possibilities for innovative applications in protein engineering and beyond.
Liver Protects Cytoarchitecture, Neuron Viability and Electrocortical Activity in Post-Cardiac Arrest Brain Injury
Authors: Guo Zhiyong , Yin Meixian , Sun Chengjun , Xu Guixing , Wang Tielong , Jia Zehua , Zhang Zhiheng , Zhu Caihui , Zheng Donghua , Wang Linhe , Huang Shanzhou , Liu Di , Zhang Yixi , Xie Rongxing , Gao Ningxin , Yu Ping , Zhan Liqiang , He Shujiao , Zhu Yifan , Li Yuexin , Nashan Björn , Andrea Schlegel , Xu Jin , Zhao Qiang , He Xiaoshun
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Brain injury is the major reason for patient deaths in victims who survive after cardiac arrest. Clinical studies have shown that the presence of hypoxic hepatitis and pre-cardiac arrest liver disease is associated with increased mortality and inferior neurological recovery. However, how the liver might impact the pathogenesis of post-cardiac arrest is still unknown.

METHODS

Anin vivoglobal cerebral ischemia model was established to assess how simultaneous liver ischemia affected the recovery of brain ischemic injury. In addition, anex vivobrain normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) model was established to evaluate how addition of a functioning liver might impact the circulation, cytoarchitecture, neuron viability and electrocortical activity of the reperfused brain post-cardiac arrest.

RESULTS

In thein vivomodel, we observed a larger infarct area in the frontal lobe, elevated tissue injury scores in the CA1 region, as well as increased intravascular immune cell adhesion in the reperfused brains with hepatic ischemia, compared to those without simultaneous hepatic ischemia. The results of theex vivomodel demonstrated that the addition of a functioning liver to the brain NMP circuit significantly reduced post-cardiac arrest brain injury, increased neuronal viability and improved electrocortical activity. Furthermore, we observed significant alterations in gene expressions and metabolites in the presence or absence of hepatic ischemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research highlights the crucial role of the liver in the pathogenesis of post-cardiac arrest brain injury. These findings shed lights on a cardio-pulmonary-hepatic brain resuscitation strategy for patients with cardiac arrest.
Pu.1/Spi1 dosage controls the turnover and maintenance of microglia in zebrafish and mammals
Authors: Wu Yi , Guo Weilin , Kuang Haoyue , Wu Xiaohai , Wang Yuexin , Zhao Shizheng , Wen Zilong , Yu Tao
Published: December 2023

Microglia are brain-resident macrophages playing pivotal roles in CNS development and homeostasis. Yet, the cellular and molecular basis governing microglia maintenance remain largely unknown. Here, via utilizing a visible conditional knockout allele ofpu.1gene (the master regulator for microglia/macrophage lineage development) to generate mosaic microglia populations in adult zebrafish, we show that whilepu.1-deficient microglia are immediate viable, they are less competitive and chronically eliminated through Tp53-mediated cell competition. Interestingly, when conditionally inactivating Pu.1 in adultspi-b(the paralogue of zebrafish Pu.1) null mutants, microglia are rapidly depleted via apoptosis, suggesting that Pu.1 and Spi-b regulate microglia maintenance in a dosage-dependent manner. The dosage-dependent regulation of microglia maintenance by PU.1 is evolutionarily conserved in mice, as shown by conditionally inactivating single and bothPu.1alleles in microglia respectively. Collectively, our study reveals the conserved cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling microglia turnover and maintenance in teleost and mammals.
Machine learning approaches to predicting whether muscles can be elicited via TMS
Authors: Jin Fang , Bruijn Sjoerd M. , Daffertshofer Andreas
Published: December 2023

Background

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a valuable technique for assessing the function of the motor cortex and cortico-muscular pathways. TMS activates the motoneurons in the cortex, and this activation is transmitted through the cortico-muscular pathway, after which it can be measured as a motor evoked potential (MEP) in the muscles. The position and orientation of the TMS coil and the intensity used to deliver a TMS pulse are considered central TMS setup parameters influencing the presence/absence of MEPs.

New Method

We sought to predict the presence of MEPs from TMS setup parameters using machine learning. We trained different machine learners using either within-subject or between-subject designs.

Results

We obtained prediction accuracies of on average 77% and 65% with maxima up to up to 90% and 72% within and between subjects, respectively. Across the board, a bagging ensemble appeared to be the most suitable approach to predict the presence of MEPs, although a comparably simple logistic regression model also performed well.

Conclusions

While the prediction between subjects clearly leaves room for improvement, the within-subject performance encourages to supplement TMS by machine learning to improve its diagnostic capacity with respect to motor impairment.
Enhanced capillary delivery with nanobubble-mediated blood-brain barrier opening and advanced high resolution vascular segmentation
Authors: Gattegno Roni , Arbel Lilach , Riess Noa , Katz Sharon , Ilovitsh Tali
Published: December 2023

Overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is essential to enhance brain therapy. Here, we utilized nanoscale nanobubbles with focused ultrasound for targeted and improved BBB opening in mice. A microscopy method assessed BBB opening at a single blood vessel resolution employing a dual-dye labeling technique using green fluorescent molecules to label blood vessels and Evans blue brain-permeable dye for quantifying BBB extravasation. A UNET-based deep learning architecture enabled blood vessels segmentation, delivering comparable accuracy to manual segmentation with a significant time reduction. Segmentation outcomes were applied to the Evans blue channel to quantify extravasation of each blood vessel. Results were compared to microbubble-mediated BBB opening, where reduced extravasation was observed in capillaries with 2-6μm diameter. In comparison, nanobubbles yield an improved opening in these capillaries, and equivalent efficacy to that of microbubbles in larger vessels. These results indicate the potential of nanobubbles to serve as enhanced agents for BBB opening, amplifying bioeffects in capillaries while preserving comparable opening in larger vessels.
Do trade barriers have the same effect on SMEs in a country under sanctions? The case study of Iran
Authors: Hassanzadeh Khadijeh , Shahbazi Kiumars , Movahedi Mohammad , Gaussens Olivier
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the difference between the impacts of indicators of trade barriers (TBs) on bankrupt enterprises (BEs), new enterprises (NEs) and other enterprises (OEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has used a multiple-step approach. At the first stage, the initial data has been collected from interviews with 164 top managers of SMEs in West Azerbaijan in Iran during two periods of 2013–2015 and 2017–2019. At the second step, multiple correspondence analysis has been used to summarize the relationships between variables and construct indices for different groups of TBs. Finally, the generalized structural equation model method was used to examine the impact of export barriers.

Findings

The results showed that the political legal index is the main TBs for BEs and NEs, but it had a more significant impact on BEs; the financial index was the second major TBs factor for BEs, while OEs did not have a problem in performance index, and the financial index was classified as a minor obstacle for them. All indicators of marketing barriers (except production index) had a negative and significant effect on all enterprises; the most important TBs for NEs was the information index.

Originality/value

The results indicated that if enterprises have a strong financial system and function, they can lessen the impact of sanctions and keep themselves in the market.
Leveraging business model innovation through the dynamics of open innovation: a multi-country investigation in the restaurant industry
Authors: Yun JinHyo Joseph , Zhao Xiaofei , Del Gaudio Giovanna , Della Corte Valentina , Sadoi Yuri
Published: December 2023

Purpose

As the restaurant industry is a representative service industry, long-living restaurants could carry the secrets of key factors that are needed to establish “sustainable business models” in service industry. The authors aim to answer the following question: How can restaurants innovate business model sustainably to last for more than 50 years through the era of digital transformation with open innovation dynamics?

Design/methodology/approach

Five long-lived restaurants from Daegu, Kyoto and Naples were selected separately by using the snowballing approach, and were analyzed through in-depth interviews and participatory observations.

Findings

Restaurants in Daegu have lived long mainly because of adding value to their recipes. Restaurants in Kyoto have lived very long, primarily by decoupling their original services, ingredients and recipes. Restaurants in Naples have enjoyed long lives by coupling or recoupling their ingredients, services and recipes.

Originality/value

The implication is that long-living restaurants or service firms could maintain their own sustainability by dynamically circling the following services: (1) adding and boning recipes (focusing on special menus or products), (2) coupling of ingredients (creative recoupling of original ingredients) and (3) decoupling of services (disconnecting the value chain and rebalancing it).
Consideration of senior citizens in private residential design in Sub-Saharan Africa: reflections from Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Ige Victor Olutope , Akinbogun Solomon Pelumi
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The design of buildings is crucial to functionality and safety for senior citizens. People often refrain from talking about old age and its related support; however, it is inevitable. The paper aims to highlight the essentials of a home design that considers the aged citizens in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research technique is used in the study. A closed-ended questionnaire and an interview were used to gather information on the requirements for aging-in-place basics in home design from middle-aged and elderly households.

Findings

Findings from the study revealed that a majority of the respondents considered old age as a phase of life to prioritize in home design. Lighting, furniture and fixtures and electrical installations are variously perceived by the respondents as aging-in-place essentials.

Practical implications

The study has far-reaching consequences for the built environment, particularly for homeowners. It is related to the third sustainable development goal (SDG), which seeks to secure the health and well-being of people of all ages.

Originality/value

The study's uniqueness and usefulness are highlighted in the gaps between present house design culture and the reality of senior citizen occupants' dwellings, as well as the appropriateness to satisfy changing demands associated with old age. It would encourage homes to develop the culture and duty of providing a sustainable home that is accessible to everybody and provides emotional and physical safety for the elderly.
Promoting students’ informal inferential reasoning through arts-integrated data literacy education
Authors: Matuk Camillia , Vacca Ralph , Amato Anna , Silander Megan , DesPortes Kayla , Woods Peter J. , Tes Marian
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Arts-integration is a promising approach to building students’ abilities to create and critique arguments with data, also known as informal inferential reasoning (IIR). However, differences in disciplinary practices and routines, as well as school organization and culture, can pose barriers to subject integration. The purpose of this study is to describe synergies and tensions between data science and the arts, and how these can create or constrain opportunities for learners to engage in IIR.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors co-designed and implemented four arts-integrated data literacy units with 10 teachers of arts and mathematics in middle school classrooms from four different schools in the USA. The data include student-generated artwork and their written rationales, and interviews with teachers and students. Through maximum variation sampling, the authors identified examples from the data to illustrate disciplinary synergies and tensions that appeared to support different IIR processes among students.

Findings

Aspects of artistic representation, including embodiment, narrative and visual image; and aspects of the culture of arts, including an emphasis on personal experience, the acknowledgement of subjectivity and considerations for the audience’s perspective, created synergies and tensions that both offered and hindered opportunities for IIR (i.e. going beyond data, using data as evidence and expressing uncertainty).

Originality/value

This study answers calls for humanistic approaches to data literacy education. It contributes an interdisciplinary perspective on data literacy that complements other context-oriented perspectives on data science. This study also offers recommendations for how designers and educators can capitalize on synergies and mitigate tensions between domains to promote successful IIR in arts-integrated data literacy education.
Banking research in the GCC region and agenda for future research – A bibliometric examination
Authors: Shome Rajib , Elbardan Hany , Yazdifar Hassan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the influential and intellectual aspects of the literature on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region's banking activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertakes a bibliometric meta-analysis review of the GCC region banking literature, covering 199 articles published between 2004 and 2022, extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database, followed by a content analysis of highly cited papers.

Findings

This paper identifies the influential aspects of the GCC region banking literature in terms of journals, articles, authors, universities and countries. The paper also identifies and discusses five major research clusters: (1) bank efficiency; (2) corporate governance (CG) and disclosure; (3) performance and risk-taking; (4) systemic risk, bank stability and risk spillovers and (5) intellectual capital (IC). Finally, it identifies gaps in the literature and highlights some important research issues that provide directions for future research.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to the articles indexed in the WoS database and written in English. Though the WoS database encompasses a wide range of multidisciplinary journals, there is a chance that some relevant articles are not included in the WoS database or written in another language.

Practical implications

This study provides regulators, practitioners and academics with valuable insight and an in-depth understanding of the banking system of the GCC region.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first review paper on GCC region banking literature. This study provides regulators, practitioners and academics with valuable insight and an in-depth understanding of the banking system of the GCC region.
Mind the professional void! Career capital development and transfer in international assignments
Authors: Yakob Ramsin
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to address this unexplored influence of international assignment types on the development, transfer and utilization of career capital by assigned repatriates from host to home country. In response to existing literature gap, it aligns with the need for qualitative case studies that delve into threats to the self-reinforcement of repatriates' career capital.

Design/methodology/approach

By mean of a qualitative case study, this paper deepens understanding of linkages and processes in career capital development and clarify the interplay between individual interpretations of career actions and the organizational context in which they unfold. Nineteen qualitative interviews with assigned repatriates explored the impact of exposure to new career contexts.

Findings

This study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of career capital development and transfer during international assignments. It elucidates the impact of career context on assigned repatriates' career capital, emphasizing challenges in career capital generation, dispersion and absorption within multinational enterprises. It contributes to understanding the complexities of (new) managerial capacity development by revealing varied effects that international assignments can exert on individuals' immediate competencies and career capital.

Practical implications

If the assigned expatriate/repatriate’s understanding of the firm’s assignment motive, and their own motive (understanding/reason) for the assignment corresponds then expectations of outcomes can be better managed. Organizations otherwise run the risk of perpetuating inequities in the career development opportunities of employees.

Originality/value

Studies on career capital emphasize its qualities or examine different globally mobile employee types. Yet there's a gap in understanding how the type of assignment impacts career capital development, transfer and utilization. This research fills this void by investigating the international transfer of career capital from host to home country specifically for assigned repatriates.
Digital procurement towards new performance frontiers: a systematic literature review and future research fronts
Authors: Jain Preeti , Gupta Amit Kumar
Published: December 2023

Purpose

As digital procurement continues to transform heavily as a value center and create new business models by linking businesses with a web of external partners, the full path to achieving such an all-encompassing thing is unknown. Thus, the study aims to explore the research gap through an exhaustive bibliometric and systematic literature review on the Digital procurement theme in the supply chain domain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a qualitative and quantitative analysis of this field, using performance analysis and science mapping to examine 583 articles published from 2002 to 2021.

Findings

A systematic literature review indicated core topics on “sustainable or green procurement” and “emerging landscape of technology” in the field of study.

Research limitations/implications

Though the Scopus database used for the analysis is the largest, it may not have complete coverage of all published articles in the field of study; thus, this study is a representation of only a sample rather than its entire population.

Originality/value

Outcome is based on the review of the past 20 years’ contribution on the topic starting from 2002 to 2021.
Resolving the double-edged sword of mentoring: the role of generativity
Authors: Musselman Ryan , Becker William J.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper utilizes generativity to explore the relationship between mentoring support and organizational identification, turnover intention and reciprocated mentoring in protégés.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used a cross-sectional design with surveys administered to 351 working adults in the USA to test the hypotheses on the relationship between mentoring and turnover intention through organizational identification with first-stage moderation of generativity.

Findings

Employees who were high in generativity, mentoring support was positively associated with organizational identification and negatively associated with turnover intentions. Generativity was also positively related to reciprocated mentoring through the choice to mentor others, the number of mentees and the mentoring support provided.

Practical implications

The authors' results suggest organizations receive the greatest benefits when providing mentoring support to generative employees.

Originality/value

This study applies generativity to the context of mentoring by exploring the impact of mentoring support on identification with the organization, turnover intentions and willingness to mentor others by comparing the conditional effects of high generativity versus low generativity.
Public-private partnership in municipal solid waste management in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana
Authors: Afful Bernadette Ekua Bedua , Addaney Michael , Anaafo David , Akudugu Jonas Ayaribilla , Borkor Felix Kwaku , Yeboah Elvis Oppong , Sampana Joshua
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Poor municipal solid waste management is a major characteristic of urban development in Africa. In Ghana, local governments are mandated to ensure the collection, treatment and disposal of solid waste. However, this has been a herculean task for local governments in Ghana, owing to inadequate resources and weak technical capacities. This has prompted calls for, and actual involvement of the private sector through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in municipal solid waste management, particularly in the urban areas. This study aims to assess the roles, effectiveness and challenges of PPPs in urban waste management in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a case study design, the study used a qualitative research approach to provide in-depth insights into PPPs in municipal solid waste management in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana. Therefore, key informant interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted.

Findings

The study revealed that some policies and actions of the local government (Assembly) do not positively facilitate the effective functioning of PPPs in municipal solid waste management. There is also lack of effective stakeholder consultation, collaboration and grassroot inclusion in the PPPs which affect the effective management of the increasing volumes of solid waste being generated within the municipality.

Practical implications

To achieve the objectives of the PPP arrangements, local authorities should initiate steps to effectively coordinate all the involved private companies. There must also be ways of involving the beneficiaries in the design and implementation of PPPs on waste management to allow for effective grassroots and participatory monitoring and evaluation.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of the case study being a mid-sized and secondary city in a developing country enhances the value of the findings and the application of recommendations in cities with similar characteristics and initiatives in improving PPPs in municipal waste management.
Merchant adoption intention of mobile payment platforms in Malaysia
Authors: Ojo Adedapo Oluwaseyi , Fawehinmi Olawole , Tan Christine Nya-Ling , Ojo Oluwayomi Toyin
Published: December 2023

Purpose

In recent years, Malaysia has seen a dramatic change in the landscape of financial transactions due to the fast growth of mobile payment systems. This study aims to examine the technological, organisational and environmental (TOE) factors of merchants’ adoption intention to use mobile payment platforms essential for the continuing development and profitability of these cutting-edge payment options.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was developed from the TOE framework and tested with the data collected from 120 merchants in Malaysia. The partial least squares structural equation modelling technique was used in analysing the collected data.

Findings

Technology readiness and competitor pressure were directly related to merchants' mobile payment adoption intention and indirectly through perceived strategic value. Also, perceived ease of use and perceived strategic value were significant predictors of the adoption intention of mobile payment.

Originality/value

This model demonstrates the relevance of TOE in explaining merchants' mobile payment adoption intention, with implications for policy and strategy to support the broader adoption of mobile payment platforms in Malaysia.
Exploring prospects of blockchain and fintech: using SLR approach
Authors: Kayani Umar Nawaz
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to give a glimpse of the existing blockchain applications across industries and add to a complete knowledge of the blockchain’s properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic literature review is used as the research strategy for this investigation and other aspects of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses framework have been incorporated to create a scholarly publications evaluation of the blockchain-based application in the financial arena and its future. The research looks at 86 studies published between 2018 and 2022.

Findings

There has been a steady but noticeable increase in the study of blockchain’s potential in many application domains over the past few of years. This rising tendency illustrates the newness and potential of blockchain technology, as well as the increasing attention from academics. According to the findings, blockchain is an appropriate solution for processing transactions using cryptocurrencies; nevertheless, it still has significant technical issues and limits that require to be exploring and solving before it can be considered a viable option. It is therefore, necessary to have a high level of reliability for payments and confidentiality, in addition to maintaining the anonymity of nodes, to stop assaults and efforts to disrupt transactions in the blockchain.

Practical implications

This study has several important theoretical and practical implications. First, it adds to the body of knowledge on blockchain and Fintech, focusing on the transaction side. While much blockchain research has focused on how the technology may affect strategic choices, this study has shed light on its potential from the perspective of financial reporting. Second, by highlighting the importance of the demand for the prompt identification of losses, this work adds to the body of knowledge on the factors that influence transaction frauds involving paper money. Additionally, by establishing the link between transparency and virtual transactions, the author backs up the asymmetric responses of investors to different investment possibilities. It looks at the evolution of financial technology (Fintech) and shows how it can be used to take the advantage of unique opportunities.

Originality/value

The study is different and novel from the previously published literature on this topic mainly because of its comprehensiveness, as it revolves around all industrial and commercial areas. The three main lines of research have been outlined, namely, classifying the many blockchain-based innovations that will alter the financial landscape in many industries; identifying whether these industries are a good fit for blockchain’s wealth creation potential; and directing researchers by outlining prospective study pathways.
Effective communication in times of crisis: The case of face mask mandates in the United States
Authors: Downey Davia Cox , Myers William
Published: December 2023

We evaluate communication policies related to COVID‐19 adopted by governors in the United States and explore how communication and policy directives are impacted by hyper‐polarised situations, namely the presence of a divided government. This work sheds light on the challenges of crisis communication and executive leadership. Using a combination of robust regression and text and sentiment analyses, we compare the timing of and the language used by governors who imposed state‐wide facemask mandates in 2020. We find that racially diverse states with Democratic governors acted more quickly than states with comparably older populations, had more people living in one household, and without health insurance. Further, we find that Democratic governors were slower to act when their decision could be checked by a Republican legislature highlighting the restrictive nature that executives face in crises.
Effect of lactic acid bacteria fermentation on cow milk allergenicity and antigenicity: A review
Authors: Xu Yunpeng , Zhang Feifei , Mu Guangqing , Zhu Xuemei
Published: December 2023

Cow milk is a major allergenic food. The potential prevention and treatment effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB)‐fermented dairy products on allergic symptoms have garnered considerable attention. Cow milk allergy (CMA) is mainly attributed to extracellular and/or cell envelope proteolytic enzymes with hydrolysis specificity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that LAB prevents the risk of allergies by modulating the development and regulation of the host immune system. Specifically, LAB and its effectors can enhance intestinal barrier function and affect immune cells by interfering with humoral and cellular immunity. Fermentation hydrolysis of allergenic epitopes is considered the main mechanism of reducing CMA. This article reviews the linear epitopes of allergens in cow milk and the effect of LAB on these allergens and provides insight into the means of predicting allergenic epitopes by conventional laboratory analysis methods combined with molecular simulation. Although LAB can reduce CMA in several ways, the mechanism of action remains partially clarified. Therefore, this review additionally attempts to summarize the main mechanism of LAB fermentation to provide guidance for establishing an effective preventive and treatment method for CMA and serve as a reference for the screening, research, and application of LAB‐based intervention.
Adding pulse flours to cereal‐based snacks and bakery products: An overview of free asparagine quantification methods and mitigation strategies of acrylamide formation in foods
Authors: Sá Amanda G. A. , House James D.
Published: December 2023

Thermal processing techniques can lead to the formation of heat‐induced toxic substances. Acrylamide is one contaminant that has received much scientific attention in recent years, and it is formed essentially during the Maillard reaction when foods rich in carbohydrates, particularly reducing sugars (glucose, fructose), and certain free amino acids, especially asparagine (ASN), are processed at high temperatures (>120°C). The highly variable free ASN concentration in raw materials makes it challenging for food businesses to keep acrylamide content below the European Commission benchmark levels, while avoiding flavor, color, and texture impacts on their products. Free ASN concentrations in crops are affected by environment, genotype, and soil fertilization, which can also influence protein content and amino acid composition. This review aims to provide an overview of free ASN and acrylamide quantification methods and mitigation strategies for acrylamide formation in foods, focusing on adding pulse flours to cereal‐based snacks and bakery products. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of these mitigation strategies in minimizing acrylamide formation in plant‐based products and ensuring safer and healthier food options.
Role of encapsulation on the bioavailability of omega‐3 fatty acids
Authors: Homroy Snigdha , Chopra Rajni , Singh Priyanka Kumari , Dhiman Aishwarya , Chand Monika , Talwar Binanshu
Published: December 2023

Omega‐3 fatty acids (omega‐3 FAs) have been widely recognized for their therapeutic advantages, including anti‐inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. They have shown promise in enhancing regulatory function, promotingdevelopment and mitigating the progression of diabetes and cancer. The scientific communities, along with industries, are actively endorsing initiatives aimed at increasing the daily intake of lipids rich in omega‐3 FAs. Nevertheless, incorporating polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) into food products poses several challenges due to their susceptibility to oxidation when exposed to oxygen, high temperatures, and moisture. This oxidative deterioration results in undesirable flavours and a loss of nutritional value. Various methods, including physical blending, interesterification, and encapsulation, have been utilized as ways to enhance the stability of edible oils rich in PUFA against oxidation. Encapsulation has emerged as a proven strategy for enhancing the oxidative stability and functional properties of omega‐3 FA‐rich oils. Multiple encapsulation methods have been developed to stabilize and improve the delivery of omega‐3 FAs in food products. The selection of an appropriate encapsulation method depends on the desired application of the encapsulated oil. In addition, encapsulation enhances the bioavailability of omega‐3 FAs by promoting increased absorption of the encapsulated form in the intestinal epithelium. This review discusses the techniques and principles of omega‐3 FA‐rich oil encapsulation and its role in improving stability and bioavailability. Furthermore, it also investigates the potential health benefits of these encapsulated oils. This review explores the variations in bioavailability based on encapsulation techniques and processing, offering vital insights for nutrition and product development.
Advanced biopolymer‐based edible coating technologies for food preservation and packaging
Authors: Wibowo Condro , Salsabila Syahla , Muna Aulal , Rusliman David , Wasisto Hutomo Suryo
Published: December 2023

Along with the growth of the world's population that reduces the accessibility of arable land and water, demand for food, as the fundamental element of human beings, has been continuously increasing each day. This situation not only becomes a challenge for the modern food chain systems but also affects food availability throughout the world. Edible coating is expected to play a significant role in food preservation and packaging, where this technique can reduce the number of food loss and subsequently ensure more sustainable food and agriculture production through various mechanisms. This review provides comprehensive information related to the currently available advanced technologies of coating applications, which include advanced methods (i.e., nanoscale and multilayer coating methods) and advanced properties (i.e., active, self‐healing, and super hydrophobic coating properties). Furthermore, the benefits and drawbacks of those technologies during their applications on foods are also discussed. For further research, opportunities are foreseen to develop robust edible coating methods by combining multiple advanced technologies for large‐scale and more sustainable industrial production.
Occupational anaphylaxis—Data from the anaphylaxis registry
Authors: Worm Margitta , Höfer Veronika , Dölle‐Bierke Sabine , Bilo Maria Beatrice , Hartmann Karin , Sabouraud‐Leclerc Dominique , Treudler Regina
Published: December 2023

Background

Epidemiologic data on occupational anaphylaxis is scarce, and there is a need of more knowledge about work‐related anaphylactic episodes.

Methods

Based on the data of the Anaphylaxis Registry, we identified cases related to occupational exposure and analyzed the elicitors, demographics, severity of clinical reaction and management.

Results

Since 2017, 5851 cases with an information about the occupational relation of the anaphylactic episode were registered whereby 225 (3.8%) were assigned to be caused by an occupational allergen. The vast majority of these occupational anaphylaxis cases were caused by insects (n = 186, 82.7%) followed by food (n = 27, 12.0%) and drugs (n = 8, 3.6%). Latex elicited occupational anaphylaxis in only two cases. Beekeepers, gardeners, farmers, and individuals working in professions associated with food handling, for example, employees in restaurants, bakery, pastry, and cooks were most frequently affected. The comparison of the occupational insect venom‐induced anaphylaxis to a group of non‐occupational insect anaphylaxis in adults (n = 1842) revealed a significant younger age in occupational anaphylaxis (46 vs. 53 years), a predominance of bee‐induced cases (38% vs. 17%), and a higher rate of venom immunotherapy in a primary care setting (3.3% vs. 1.3%, p = .044). In the occupational‐ versus non‐occupational adults with food‐induced anaphylaxis atopic dermatitis as concomitant atopic disease was observed more frequently (n = 486; 20% vs. 10%), although this was not significant.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate the impact of venom allergy in work‐related anaphylaxis. Foods and drugs are less frequently elicitors, and latex‐induced occupational anaphylaxis was rare. More data are needed to determine risk factors associated with occupational anaphylaxis.
‘Adoption is Kinda Hard and Kinda Cool’: Residential care children's views on adoption and preparation for adoption
Authors: Fidalgo Isabel , Henriques Margarida R.
Published: December 2023

Preparing children for adoption is one of the major goals of the child welfare system. Research on adoption preparation has mainly focused on the perspective of adults, and studies addressing the views of children eligible for adoption are meagre. This study aimed to contribute to filling this gap by exploring the child's perspective on adoption and preparation for adoption. Twenty children aged 9–13 years old (seven girls) and living in residential care institutions, participated in three semi‐structured focus group interviews. Thematic analysis of the data revealed three major themes: understanding of adoption, challenges associated with adoption and preparation and other factors that facilitate adoption. The results suggest that children perceive adoption as an opportunity for a better life that involves challenges such as navigating ambivalence, distancing from biological parents and anticipated risks. Preparation for adoption is key to overcome the expected difficulties. We discussed these results considering the importance of prioritizing children's best interests and exploring practical applications of incorporating their perspectives in adoption preparation. Addressing the views of children eligible for adoption may contribute to promoting the quality of child‐centred care in adoption preparation practices.