bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of an inducible destabilized-domain Cre mouse line to target disease associated microglia
Authors: Henningfield Caden M. , Kwang Nellie , Tsourmas Kate Inman , Neumann Jonathan , Kawauchi Shimako , Swarup Vivek , MacGregor Grant R. , Green Kim N.
Published: September 2024

The function of microglia during progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be investigated using mouse models that enable genetic manipulation of microglial subpopulations in a temporal manner. We developed a mouse strain that expresses destabilized-domain Cre recombinase (DD-Cre) from theCst7locus (Cst7DD-Cre) and tested this in 5xFAD amyloidogenic, Ai14 tdTomato cre-reporter line mice. Dietary administration of trimethoprim to induce DD-Cre activity produces long-term labeling in disease associated microglia (DAM) without evidence of leakiness, with tdTomato-expression restricted to cells surrounding plaques. Using this model, we found that DAMs are a subset of plaque-associated microglia (PAMs) and their transition to DAM increases with age and disease stage. Spatial transcriptomic analysis revealed that tdTomato+ cells show higher expression of disease and inflammatory genes compared to other microglial populations, including non-labeled PAMs. This model should allow inducible cre-loxP targeting of DAMs, without leakiness.

Highlights

We developed a new mouse strain which specifically enables recombination of loxP sites in disease associated microglia (DAMs) and can be used to manipulate DAM-gene expression.

DAMs represent a subset of plaque associated microglia (PAMs), and DAM expression increases with disease progression.

Spatial transcriptomic analyses reveal that DAMs have higher expression of disease and inflammatory genes compared to other PAMs.
A functional screen for ubiquitin regulation identifies an E3 ligase secreted byPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Roberts Cameron G. , Kaur Supender , Ogden Aaron J. , Divine Michael E. , Warren Gus D. , Kang Donghoon , Kirienko Natalia V. , Geurink Paul P. , Mulder Monique P.C. , Nakayasu Ernesto S. , McDermott Jason E. , Adkins Joshua N. , Aballay Alejandro , Pruneda Jonathan N.
Published: September 2024

Ubiquitin signaling controls many aspects of eukaryotic biology, including targeted protein degradation and immune defense. Remarkably, invading bacterial pathogens have adapted secreted effector proteins that hijack host ubiquitination to gain control over host responses. These ubiquitin-targeted effectors can exhibit, for example, E3 ligase or deubiquitinase activities, often without any sequence or structural homology to eukaryotic ubiquitin regulators. Such convergence in function poses a challenge to the discovery of additional bacterial virulence factors that target ubiquitin. To overcome this, we have developed a workflow to harvest natively secreted bacterial effectors and functionally screen them for ubiquitin regulatory activities. After benchmarking this approach on diverse ligase and deubiquitinase activities fromSalmonellaTyphimurium, EnteropathogenicEscherichia coli, andShigella flexneri, we applied it to the identification of a cryptic E3 ligase activity secreted byPseudomonas aeruginosa. We identified an unreportedP. aeruginosaE3 ligase, which we have termedPseudomonasUb ligase 1 (PUL-1), that resembles none of the other E3 ligases previously established in or outside of the eukaryotic system. Importantly, in an animal model ofP. aeruginosainfection, PUL-1 ligase activity plays an important role in regulating virulence. Thus, our workflow for the functional identification of ubiquitin-targeted effector proteins carries promise for expanding our appreciation of how host ubiquitin regulation contributes to bacterial pathogenesis.
Flexible Adjustment of Oxytocin Neuron Activity in Mother Mice Revealed by Microendoscopy
Authors: Yaguchi Kasane , Miyamichi Kazunari , Tasaka Gen-ichi
Published: September 2024

Oxytocin (OT) neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH) play an important role in a range of physiological and behavioral processes, including the initiation of milk ejection and the regulation of parental behaviors in mothers. However, their activity patterns at the single-cell level remain poorly understood. Using microendoscopic Ca2+imaging in freely moving mother mice, we demonstrate highly correlated pulsatile activity among individual OT neurons during lactation. The number of OT neurons engaged in the pulsatile activity, along with the characteristics of individual waveforms, was dynamically modulated by lactation and weaning experiences. Notably, only ∼10% of the imaged OT neurons exhibited a significantly elevated response during pup retrieval, a hallmark of maternal behaviors, with a magnitude 18 times smaller than that observed during lactation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the utility of microendoscopic imaging for PVH OT neurons and highlight the flexible adjustments of their individual activity patterns in freely behaving mother mice.
Global remodeling of ADP-ribosylation by PARP1 suppresses influenza A virus infection
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Uribe Isabel , Davis Kaitlin A. , McPherson Robert Lyle , Larson Gloria P , Badiee Mohsen , Tran Vy , Ledwith Mitchell P. , Feltman Elizabeth , Yú Shuǐqìng , Caì Yíngyún , Chang Che-Yuan , Yang Xingyi , Ma Zhuo , Chang Paul , Kuhn Jens H , Leung Anthony K. L. , Mehle Andrew
Published: September 2024

ADP-ribosylation is a highly dynamic and fully reversible post-translational modification performed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) that modulates protein function, abundance, localization and turnover. Here we show that influenza A virus infection causes a rapid and dramatic upregulation of global ADP-ribosylation that inhibits viral replication. Mass spectrometry defined for the first time the global ADP-ribosylome during infection, creating an infection-specific profile with almost 4,300 modification sites on ∼1,080 host proteins, as well as over 100 modification sites on viral proteins. Our data indicate that the global increase likely reflects a change in the form of ADP-ribosylation rather than modification of new targets. Functional assays demonstrated that modification of the viral replication machinery antagonizes its activity and further revealed that the anti-viral activity of PARPs and ADP-ribosylation is counteracted by the influenza A virus protein NS1, assigning a new activity to the primary viral antagonist of innate immunity. We identified PARP1 as the enzyme producing the majority of poly(ADP-ribose) present during infection. Influenza A virus replicated faster in cells lacking PARP1, linking PARP1 and ADP-ribosylation to the anti-viral phenotype. Together, these data establish ADP-ribosylation as an anti-viral innate immune-like response to viral infection antagonized by a previously unknown activity of NS1.
A T6SS DNase effector induces nuclear DNA Damage to trigger apoptosis via activation of the cGAS-STING-TNF axis
Authors: Song Li , Xu Lei , Zhang Pengfei , Li Shuying , Zhao Yixin , Shi Zhenkun , Ma Ruiqi , Li Yongdong , Wang Yao , Wei Gehong , Shen Xihui
Published: September 2024

In the relentless battle for survival, bacteria have evolved sophisticated weaponry like the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) to not only outcompete rivals but also manipulate host cell processes to their advantage. Apoptosis, a controlled form of programmed cell death without triggering inflammatory responses, is often exploited by pathogens. While many bacterial pathogens are known to induce apoptosis, the role of T6SS effectors in this process remains unexplored. In this study, we discovered thatYersinia pseudotuberculosis(Yptb) utilizes its T6SS to secrete a DNase effector, TkeA, which induces apoptosis in host cells. Mechanistically, the translocation of TkeA into host cells causes nuclear DNA damage, leading to the release of fragmented DNA into the cytoplasm. This, in turn, activates the DNA-sensing cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. The activation of the cGAS-STING pathway by TkeA subsequently triggers apoptosis in host cells via extrinsic pathways, with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling playing a critical role. Additionally, TkeA also mediates interbacterial competition, promoting the colonization ofYptbin mice’s gut. Our findings reveal that the T6SS-secreted DNase effector TkeA acts as a trans-kingdom effector, enhancing interbacterial competition and inducing apoptosis in host cells by activating the cGAS-STING-TNF axis. This discovery adds a new dimension to the mechanisms employed by bacterial pathogens to manipulate host cell death pathways by using their secretion systems.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

HIGHLIGHTS

•

YptbT6SS secretes a trans-kingdom DNase effector TkeA

•

TkeA degrades bacterial DNA to mediate interbacterial competition

•

TkeA causes nuclear DNA damage in host cells to induce apoptosis

•

TkeA induces apoptosis via the cGAS-STING-TNF axis
Comparative study of pre- and post-mortem perfusion of fixative for the quality of neuronal tissue preparation
Authors: Meyer-Dilhet Géraldine , Ellouze Salma , Raineteau Olivier , Courchet Julien
Published: September 2024

Transcardiac perfusion of fixative agent is generally recommended for quality preparations for cerebral histology, ensuring rapid and deep penetration in the tissue to preserve the most fragile brain structures. Despite being performed under anesthesia and with proper analgesia, this procedure is cumbersome for the experimenter and raises ethical questions. Recently, alternative protocols have been proposed, based on prior sacrifice of the animal followed by an injection of a fixative agent into the circulation. These so-called post-mortem perfusion protocols should in theory ensure an equivalent quality of tissue fixation, without exposing live animals to a procedure. Before adopting this new method, it is necessary to validate that sample quality is equivalent, ensuring the validity of scientific results. We performed a parallel comparison of several protocols of tissue fixation, by transcardiac or post-mortem perfusion, and measured the impact on the maintenance of axonal structures, dendritic spines, and mitochondrial morphology. Our results showed that histological parameters show variable sensitivity to perfusion condition and fixative used. For instance, axon fragmentation and altered mitochondrial morphology were observed in post-mortem perfusion groups. We furthermore determined that fixation condition had a variable effect on immunostaining, impacting detected expression level or pattern. Our results serve as a guide to orient the experimenter in selecting the best condition for optimal tissue fixation, which minimizes animal suffering while guaranteeing the integrity of the biological results obtained.
Evolution of cooperation in multichannel games on multiplex networks
Authors: Basak Amit , Sengupta Supratim
Published: September 2024

Humans navigate diverse social relationships and concurrently interact across multiple social contexts. An individual’s behavior in one context can influence behavior in other contexts. Different payoffs associated with interactions in the different domains have motivated recent studies of the evolution of cooperation through the analysis of multichannel games where each individual is simultaneously engaged in multiple repeated games. However, previous investigations have ignored the potential role of network structure in each domain and the effect of playing against distinct interacting partners in different domains. Multiplex networks provide a useful framework to represent social interactions between the same set of agents across different social contexts. We investigate the role of multiplex network structure and strategy linking in multichannel games on the spread of cooperative behavior in all layers of the multiplex. We find that multiplex structure along with strategy linking enhances the cooperation rate in all layers of the multiplex compared to a well-mixed population, provided the network structure is identical across layers. The effectiveness of strategy linking in enhancing cooperation depends on the degree of similarity of the network structure across the layers and perception errors due to imperfect memory. Higher cooperation rates are achieved when the degree of structural overlap of the different layers is sufficiently large, and the probability of perception error is relatively low. Our work reveals how the social network structure in different layers of a multiplex can affect the spread of cooperation by limiting the ability of individuals to link strategies across different social domains.
Sequestration of oxidative is necessary but not sufficient enough to conclude dopaminergic neuroprotective efficacy of curcumin: Insights from ALSSDrosophilaParkinson’s disease model
Authors: Phom Limamanen , Modi Priyanka , Das Abhik , Yenisetti Sarat C.
Published: September 2024

Turmeric is a centuries-old ethnomedicine in Asia. Previously our laboratory demonstrated in the adult life stage-specific (ALSS)Drosophilamodel of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that Curcumin (K)-mediated dopaminergic (DAergic) neuroprotection is absent in the transition stage of adult life during which late-onset neurodegenerative disorders like PD sets-in, suggesting its limitation as a therapeutic agent. The present study demonstrates that K can sequester the enhanced levels of brain oxidative stress (OS) during both adult life phases i.e. health and transition stages but confers neuroprotection only during the health phase. However, literature reviews illustrate that efficacy of supposed therapeutic agents was asserted by their ability to sequester OS in only young PD animal models. In this context, it is important to point out that despite encouraging results in animal models, therapeutic efforts to target the general state of OS failed to retard PD progression. To understand this paradigm, we further investigated ALSS regulation of molecular players in the brain of the ALSS fly PD model and discovered that K-mediated differential modulation of adaptive stress response throughdFOXOcontributes to health phase-specific neuroprotection. These observations suggest that apart from the study of OS markers; it is essential to understand the ALSS regulation of molecular players. The synergistic influence of OS and the ALSS dysfunctional molecular networks could be responsible for the DAergic neurodegeneration in PD. The insights suggest that sequestration of OS by a therapeutic agent is necessary, but inadequate to conclude its neuroprotective efficacy and push it to the next phase of preclinical/clinical evaluation.
Zero-echo time imaging achieves whole brain activity mapping without ventral signal loss in mice
Authors: Imamura Ayako , Araki Rikita , Takahashi Yukari , Miyatake Koichi , Kato Fusao , Honjoh Sakiko , Tsurugizawa Tomokazu
Published: September 2024

Functional MRI (fMRI) is an important tool for investigating functional networks. However, the widely used fMRI with T2*-weighted imaging in rodents has the problem of signal lack in the lateral ventral area of forebrain including the amygdala, which is essential for not only emotion but also noxious pain. Here, we scouted the zero-echo time (ZTE) sequence, which is robust to magnetic susceptibility and motion-derived artifacts, to image activation in the whole brain including the amygdala following the noxious stimulation to the hind paw. ZTE exhibited higher spatial and temporal signal-to-noise ratios than conventional fMRI sequences. Electrical sensory stimulation of the hind paw evoked ZTE signal increase in the primary somatosensory cortex. Formalin injection into the hind paw evoked early and latent change of ZTE signals throughout the whole brain including the subregions of amygdala.

Furthermore, resting-state fMRI using ZTE demonstrated the functional connectivity, including that of the amygdala. These results indicate the feasibility of ZTE for whole brain fMRI, including the amygdala and we first show acute and latent activity in different subnuclei of the amygdala complex after nociceptive stimulation.

Significance statement

Functional MRI (fMRI) is an important tool for investigating functional networks. However, the widely used fMRI in rodents has the problem of signal lack in the lateral ventral area of forebrain including the amygdala, which is essential for not only emotion but also noxious pain. Here, we used zero-echo time (ZTE) sequence, which was robust to susceptibility artifacts, for functional imaging in the whole brain including amygdala. We demonstrated the feasibility and advantages of using ZTE to investigate neuronal activity in mice. Furthermore, we first showed acute and latent activation in different subnuclei of the amygdala complex as well as other regions related to pain after nociceptive stimulation in mice.
From Genes to Patterns: A Framework for Modeling the Emergence of Embryonic Development from Transcriptional Regulation
Authors: Garcia-Guillen Jimena , El-Sherif Ezzat
Published: September 2024

Understanding embryonic patterning, the process by which groups of cells are partitioned into distinct identities defined by gene expression, is a central challenge in developmental biology. This complex phenomenon is driven by precise spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression across many cells, resulting in the emergence of highly organized tissue structures. While similar emergent behavior is well understood in other fields, such as statistical mechanics, the regulation of gene expression in development remains less clear, particularly regarding how molecular-level gene interactions lead to the large-scale patterns observed in embryos. In this study, we present a modeling framework that bridges the gap between molecular gene regulation and tissue-level embryonic patterning. Beginning with basic chemical reaction models of transcription at the single-gene level, we progress to model gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that mediate specific cellular functions. We then introduce phenomenological models of pattern formation, including the French Flag and Temporal Patterning/Speed Regulation models, and integrate them with molecular/GRN realizations. To facilitate understanding and application of our models, we accompany our mathematical framework with computer simulations, providing intuitive and simple code for each model. A key feature of our framework is the explicit articulation of underlying assumptions at each level of the model, from transcriptional regulation to tissue patterning. By making these assumptions clear, we provide a foundation for future experimental and theoretical work to critically examine and challenge them, thereby improving the accuracy and relevance of gene regulatory models in developmental biology. As a case study, we explore how different strategies for integrating enhancer activity affect the robustness and evolvability of gene expression patterns in embryonic development. Our simulations suggest that a two-step regulation strategy, enhancer activation followed by competitive integration at the promoter, ensures more standardized integration of new enhancers into developmental GRNs, highlighting the adaptability of eukaryotic transcription. These findings provide new insights into the transcriptional mechanisms underlying embryonic patterning, offering a framework for future experimental and theoretical investigations.
Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation of Tropical Maize Using Seedling Leaf Whorl Explants
Authors: Azanu Mercy K. , Kang Minjeong , Lee Keunsub , Wang Kan
Published: September 2024

Conventional maize transformation has largely relied on immature embryos as explants, and is thus often hampered by the limited access to high-quality immature embryos year-round. Here, we present a detailed protocol using seedling leaf whorls as alternative explants for tropical maize inbred transformation. This approach involves the use of a cassette that drives the expression of the morphogenic transcription factors (MTFs)Baby boom(Bbm) andWuschel2(Wus2), which have been shown to greatly enhance transformation efficiency. We outline here the steps required for the preparation of seedling leaf whorl explants and subsequentAgrobacteriuminfection, and describe the tissue culture regimen that results in transgenic plant regeneration. Because constitutive expression ofBbmandWus2prevents normal plant regeneration and the production of fertile plants, the cassette containing these genes must be excised. As such, we include the steps for theCre/loxP-mediated excision of the MTF gene cassette. The protocol outlines a year-round, more affordable, and efficient approach for carrying out maize transformation for crop improvement.
S-band high-gradient low
β
single-periodic magnetically coupled standing-wave accelerating structure for a proton therapy linac
Authors: Qin Wei , Huang Yulu , He Yuan , Dou Weiping , Wang Zhijun , Jin Xiaofeng , Zhang Zhouli , Li Chenxing , Wang Ruoxu , Xin Yuqi , Shi Longbo
Published: September 2024

S-band high-gradient accelerating structures were proposed to accelerate protons from 30 to 230 MeV for a compact proton therapy linac in Institute of Modern Physics. A backward traveling wave structure and a single-periodic magnetically coupled standing wave structure were designed, and differences between these two structures were analyzed to select a more suitable one for the proton therapy linac. In this paper, a novel single-periodic magnetically coupled standing-wave accelerating structure was studied, with an optimized nose cone that related to a smaller peak surface electric field and higher shunt impedance, with the reduced number of coupling holes and mechanical von Mises stress thus making it possible for higher duty factor and longer rf pulse operation, also with larger coupling holes and improved cell-to-cell coupling thus making this structure suitable for operating in π mode. An 11-cell high-power prototype for β=0.26 particles was developed with an active length of 143 mm. This prototype cavity is supposed to operate at an accelerating gradient of 30  MV/m with 0.1% duty factor, corresponding to a maximum surface electric field of 105  MV/m and a peak rf power of 3.43 MW. Cavity design, optimization, manufacture, rf measurement, and high-power test will be discussed in this paper.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Empirical perspective of working capital management practices among large building construction firms in Ghana
Authors: Asare Emmanuel , Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Ayarkwa Joshua , Martek I. , Edwards David John
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper is a response to the failure of construction firms to use sufficient attention to their working capital management (WCM) practices, resulting in operational challenges, and leading to the collapse of firms in most developing countries. Hence, this study aims to explore the empirical perspective of WCM practices among large building construction firms (LBCFs) in Ghana, to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 9.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected primary data through structured survey questionnaires from LBCFs in Ghana. The CEOs/Directors, General Managers and Accountant/Finance of LBCFs in Ghana formed the unit of analysis based on a simple random sampling technique. Mean score, standard deviation and one-samplet-test were used to perform the empirical analysis of the study.

Findings

According to this study's empirical results, LBCFs appear to have effective WCM practices in place. This was evidenced in the surveyed responses which indicate that the sector’s WCM practices sound good based on the mean scores and statistically significant as thet-values > 1.664. Notably, LBCFs in Ghana pay their suppliers early to reduce the fear of adverse effect of late payments on their credit history, making them conservative in their approach toward financial management.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering paper in a developing country like Ghana, highlighting the significance of gaining an in-depth understanding of WCM practices among LBCFs. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable information to industry players toward ensuring WCM efficiencies and can serve as a solid foundation for further empirical studies.
Trajectory planning and automatic docking of LNG five-axis loading arm
Authors: Jiang FaGuang , Chen Kebing , Chen Yang , Tian Cheng
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In response to the challenges posed by the conventional manual flange docking method in the LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) loading process, such as low positioning accuracy, constraints on production efficiency and safety hazards, this study analyzed the LNG five-axis loading arm’s main functions and structural characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

An automated solution for the joints of the LNG loading arm was designed. The forward kinematic model of the LNG loading arm was established using the Denavit–Hartenberg (D-H) parameter method, and its workspace was analyzed. The Newton–Raphson iteration method was employed to solve the inverse kinematics of the LNG loading arm, facilitating trajectory planning. The relationship between the target position and the joint variables was established to verify the stability of the arm’s motion. Flange center identification was achieved using the Hough transform function. Based on the ROS platform, combined with Gazebo and Rviz, an experimental simulation of automatic docking of the LNG loading arm was conducted.

Findings

The docking errors in the XYZ directions were all less than 0.8 mm, meeting the required docking accuracy. Moreover, the motion performance of the loading arm during docking was smooth and free of abrupt changes, validating its capability to accomplish the automatic docking task.

Originality/value

The proposed trajectory planning and automatic docking scheme can be used for the rapid filling of LNG filling arms and LNG tankers to improve the efficiency of LNG transportation. In guiding the docking, the proposed automatic docking scheme is an accurate and efficient way to improve safety.
Asan Cups: navigating blue oceans in menstrual hygiene sustainability
Authors: Tiwari Mitali
Published: September 2024

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, students will be able to understand the format of for-profit social enterprise working for menstrual hygiene sustainability and its contribution toward U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, to appreciate the company’s alignment with the triple bottom line framework, to analyze the blue ocean mechanism that the company has developed to create an impact and to critique the strategies the Asan Cups company could adopt to increase its market share and growth.

Case overview/synopsis

Asan Cups was a for-profit social enterprise founded by Ira Guha in 2021. The company crafted reusable menstrual cups from liquid silicone, sporting a patented design in India, the UK, Europe and the USA. Successfully retailing its products in India, the UK and Europe, Asan Cups operated on a bootstrap model with a compact team of four, led by its visionary founder. From the get-go, the company embraced a compelling 1-for-1 donation initiative. For every cup sold, Asan Cups generously donated another to women who could not afford it. Collaborating with nongovernmental organizations, schools, educational institutions and social workers, the company spearheaded campaigns to heighten menstrual hygiene awareness. This proactive approach aimed to boost the acceptance of menstrual cups among rural women and championed the cause of environmental sustainability. The company did not just stop at providing an eco-friendly alternative. Asan Cups fervently educated the masses on the detrimental environmental impact of traditional disposable period products like sanitary pads and tampons. Fast-forwarding to 2023, Asan Cups had garnered approximately 30,000 users, with the adoption rate steadily climbing. The company strategically used an education-intensive model to foster awareness about period products in collaboration with partners nationwide. However, being a for-profit entity, the founder, Guha, was at a crossroads. Balancing the need for profitability, there was mounting pressure to explore additional revenue streams and expand operations and market reach. The dilemma loomed large: opt for a quicker marketing strategy or stay true to the company’s foundational education-centered approach. This case study delves into the dynamic strategies, impactful operations and growth scenarios Asan Cups navigated since its inception. It examines the pivotal choices faced by the founder and explores potential strategies for sustained growth.

Complexity academic level

This case study can be used at both undergraduate and master’s levels. The case study will be handy for strategic management and business strategy courses and can also be used for social entrepreneurship, marketing and entrepreneurship courses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Adopting a languaging approach for teaching about the climate crisis in English language arts
Authors: Beach Richard
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper posits the need for English language arts (ELA) teachers to foster students’ use of languaging about their relations with ecosystems and peers, leading to their engaging in collective action to critique and transform status-quo systems impacting the climate crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the current theory of languaging theory and research that focuses on the use of languaging to enact relations with ecosystems and others and voice emotions for transforming communities and reducing emissions contributing to climate change.

Findings

This review of languaging theory/research leads to identifying examples of teachers having students critique the use of languaging constituting status quo energy and community/transportation systems, respond to examples of characters using languaging in literary texts, using languaging in discussing or writing about the need to address climate change, critiquing languaging in media promoting consumption, using media to interact with audiences and using languaging through engaging in role-play activities.

Originality/value

This focus on languaging in ELA classrooms is a unique perspective application of languaging theory, leading students to engage in collective, communal action to address the climate crisis.
Do consumers prefer to buy dietary supplements online? Modeling sales prediction leveraging word of mouth
Authors: Bai Ye , Li Xinlong , Sun Hongye
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In online purchase for dietary supplements, due to the lack of professional advice from pharmacists, electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) has become an important source of information for consumers to make purchase decisions. How can firms use eWOM resources to increase sales? The purpose of this paper is to provide practical methods for firms by exploring the effects of eWOM on sales and developing a sales prediction model based on eWOM.

Design/methodology/approach

The data came from 120 dietary supplements on Tmall.com. The authors extracted the product sales as dependent variable and 11 eWOM factors as independent variables. The multicollinearity was tested by using variance inflation factor and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The multiple linear regression was used to investigate the effects of eWOM on sales. Drawing on white- and black-box approaches, six models were developed. Comparing the root mean square error, the authors selected the optimal one as their target sales prediction model.

Findings

Product ratings, total reviews and favorites are positively and strongly associated with sales. Questions and additional reviews have negative effects on sales. The random forest model has the best prediction performance.

Originality/value

The research focuses on eWOM of dietary supplement. First, the authors show that easily accessible eWOM from online platforms can be used to evaluate effects and predict sales. Second, the authors introduce white- and black-box models through machine learning to assess eWOM. Firms could use the described models to foster their marketing initiatives.
Investigating patient revisit intention in community health centres: a mediational study
Authors: Islam Sheikh Basharul , Bhat Suhail Ahmad , Darzi Mushtaq Ahmad , Khursheed Syed Owais
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Community health centres (CHCs) play a vital role in healthcare service delivery in rural India and act as a crucial link between the primary and tertiary healthcare systems. The rural population in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir primarily depends on CHCs for healthcare services due to the scarcity of private healthcare infrastructure and the lack of access to tertiary hospitals. The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of management capability, staff competence, waiting time and patient satisfaction on revisit intention among patients visiting CHCs for care needs. It further examines the mediational role of patient satisfaction between antecedents of patient satisfaction and revisit intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey by questionnaire was used to collect data from 318 inpatients and outpatients visiting CHCs. Partial least square-structural equation modelling was performed with the help of SmartPLS 3 software to evaluate the causal relationships between variables.

Findings

The findings of the study ascertain that staff competence and waiting time are strong predictors of patient satisfaction while management capability was reported as an insignificant factor. Patient satisfaction significantly affects revisit intention and successfully mediates the impact of management capability, staff competence and waiting time on revisit intention.

Originality/value

CHCs play a significant role in bridging the gap between primary healthcare and tertiary healthcare and in delivering healthcare services to the vast rural population in India. This study necessitates the active participation of management to ensure the smooth functioning of CHCs. There is a need to provide adequate staff and necessary infrastructural facilities to reduce the treatment waiting time.
An analysis of Islamic financing access in Nigeria: perspectives of MSME owners
Authors: Mahmoud Mahmoud Ahmad , Umar Umar Habibu , Danlami Muhammad Rabiu , Ado Muhammad Bilyaminu
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Funding difficulties are particularly compounded for Muslim entrepreneurs in Nigeria, owing to the dominance of interest-based financial institutions prohibited in Islam. Thus, this study aims to explore the role of awareness of Islamic finance principles in ameliorating financial deprivation and financial anxiety to increase access to Islamic financing among Muslim entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey method of data collection was used to collect data from a total of 208 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) owners based on hand-delivered questionnaires. The data was analyzed using a partial least square structural equation model.

Findings

The result supports the direct negative impact of relative financial deprivation and the positive impact of awareness of Islamic finance principles on access to Islamic finance. However, awareness of Islamic finance principles could not moderate any of the direct relationship.

Practical implications

This study implies that financial deprivation is detrimental to access to Islamic finance, but financial anxiety has no significant impact. In addition, policymakers and MSME owners could directly foster access to Islamic finance through awareness of Islamic finance principles, though it could not redirect the negative impact of relative financial deprivation on access to Islamic finance.

Originality/value

The valuable finding here is that the substantial positive impact of awareness of Islamic finance principles on access to Islamic finance is not enough to redirect the negative effect of relative financial deprivation on access to Islamic finance.
The demand for reporting environmental sustainability and social responsibility: insight from Saudi Arabia corporate reports
Authors: Al-Adeem Khalid Rasheed
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In countries where disclosing and reporting matters on sustainability are optional, what are the drivers promoting voluntarily disclosing information related to social responsibility and environmental sustainability corporate environmental and social responsibility? Exploring drivers promoting the demand for voluntarily disclosing information related to social responsibility and environmental sustainability in Saudi Arabia, where regulatory and professional bodies have not mandated information on corporate environmental and social responsibility, motivates this study.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 48 individuals voluntarily participated in the survey.

Findings

Findings reveal that creating a better social, ethical and mental image, building a public relations image for the company, improving stakeholder trust in the company, signaling to investors the company’s care for the earth to meet the ethical motivation of stakeholders, enhancing corporate social responsibility awareness and exhibiting surpasses the mere generation of profits, all derive such disclosure. Such disclosure also signifies the firm’s value as well as improves the overall firm’s economic performance.

Practical implications

Regulatory and professional bodies must issue and adopt reporting models for entities, principally private companies, whether publicly traded or not, of the content. Their reports should aim to inform users and stakeholders about fulfilling the social and environmental responsibilities of entities toward society and its members.

Social implications

Out of the drivers for the demand, perceptions of elders toward meeting ethical motivation of senior management significantly differ from that of younger.

Originality/value

Few studies have been attempted on drivers of the demand for reporting environmental sustainability and social responsibility in an environment where such reporting is not mandated. This study offers insight from Saudi Arabian corporate reports.
Consumer perspective on the recycling process. Social media analysis of RetuRO
Authors: Bejan Brindusa Mariana , Pop Ciprian Marcel
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the attitude of consumers toward the recycling process, especially toward the manner of its promotion through social media platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using social media analysis, the authors analyzed the posts on the RetuRO page on Facebook. The results showed us that the first posts started in January, the recycling program and the guarantee return systems implementation have been active in the stores since November 30. Thus, the posts from each month were analyzed, observing that at the beginning of the program, the posting frequency was higher (8–10 posts/month), whereas in 2024, the frequency registered a slight decrease.

Findings

This paper reflects two facets of consumer attitudes: if at the beginning of the recycling program, the feeling expressed was one of delight and satisfaction because customers had the opportunity to get rid of plastic or glass packaging, respectively aluminum cans, thus contributing to protecting the environment, with the development of the program, their opinions changed. The problems generated by the difficulty of recycling, and the technically deficient aspects of the devices led to a paradigm shift and the manifestation of a negative component of consumer attitudes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first carried out in Romania that analyses the influence of the RetuRO platform in the recycling process carried out in our country using social media analysis.
Does financial statement comparability reduce cost of equity? Evidence in emerging market
Authors: Thu Phung Anh , Quang Huy Pham
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The research aims to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between financial statement comparability (FSC) and cost of equity (COE) in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, this study examines the relationship between FSC and COE of Vietnamese listed firms. The research uses the System Generalized Method of Moments regression techniques for a panel data set of 454 companies for the period 2015–2022.

Findings

The authors find that firms with high comparability of financial statements have lower COE. To confirm the research findings, the authors conduct the robustness test by using different proxies for the cost of equity. Consistent results are found.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the overall understanding of the relationship between FSC and COE, and suggests policy implications for relevant stakeholders such as managers, regulatory bodies and investors. Especially, regarding policymakers, this study could provide more insight into how the accounting convergence process impacts the effectiveness of a firm’s capital allocation.
Religious practices, fasting, and individuals’ trading behavior: a natural experiment
Authors: Al-Awadhi Abdullah M. , Bash Ahmad , AlGharabali Barrak , Al-Hashel Mohammad , Jamaani Fouad
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of seasonality caused by fasting as a religious practice on trading activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an unbiased sample of daily trading by individuals and institutions on the Boursa Kuwait. The authors use panel data on trading activities and Tobit regression models to examine the effect of Muslims’ religious practice of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan on trading behavior.

Findings

The authors find that during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims’ religious practice of fasting leads to a decline in the frequency of both overall stock market trading and the ratio of individual trading volume to total trading volume. The authors find a significant decrease in individual buy-side trading as a proportion of total trading volume and simultaneously a significant increase in institutional buy-side trading.

Practical implications

This study’s findings have important implications for the main players in stock markets of countries with a Muslim majority. Market-makers should be aware of the significant increase in the proportion of institutional buy-side trading volume to total trading volume to minimize the cost of trading with better-informed traders (adverse selection).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates individuals’ trading activity during Ramadan.
Corporate social responsibility on social media: a scoping review of the literature
Authors: Inversini Alessandro , Derchi Giovanni Battista
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to generate a better understanding of the nature of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communication on social media. In fact social media are one of the most effective communication channels in contemporary business settings. Due to their inner characteristics, they should be the ideal channel for communicating CSR topics. Over the last 15 years, a variety of researches discussed the interplay between CSR and social media, resulting in a rather tangled body of knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a scoping review of published academic literature at the intersection of these two research bodies (i.e. CSR and social media communication) to shed light on the nature of the communication, strategic challenges and practices, as well as their key factors and impact.

Findings

To date, academic research related to the nature of CSR on social media is fragmented and blurry. This research sheds light on the challenges of interactive social media communication in CSR and presents an account of key strategies, tactics and possible impacts for these challenging communication practices.

Originality/value

This research generates a better understanding of the nature of CSR communication on social media, strategic challenges and practices, as well as their key factors and impact. It is the tentative of generating a synthetic account of relevant literature in the field.
Impact of e-government on citizen engagement: the role of government reputation and digital divide
Authors: Tran Pham Toan Khanh , Le Hoang Thuy To Nguyen Quyen
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Citizen engagement (CE) in public policy is increasingly considered to be an important feature of governance worldwide. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of e-government usage (EGU) on citizens’ engagement. In addition, the study investigates the mediating effect of government reputation (GR) and the moderating role of digital divide (DD) in EGU and citizens' engagement relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 938 respondents in Vietnam with a random method. This study used the partial least squares – structural equation modeling method to examine hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that e-government and GR are critical determinants of CE. Furthermore, GR plays a mediating role in the relationship between e-government and CE. The results also show how DD moderates this nexus.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide valuable evidence and implications. Public officials must improve the GR and administrative capacity as the determination for the CE. Moreover, the government should continually carry out policies to reduce the DD.

Originality/value

By investigating the mediating and moderating effects of GR and DD, this study has significantly contributed to advancing the body knowledge of e-government.
Moving toward Bank 4.0 in India: a qualitative thematic analysis and future research agenda
Authors: Sahoo Poonam , Saraf Pavan Kumar , Uchil Rashmi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The banking sector is more revolutionized than ever, with advanced technologies driving a seismic change in the financial industry. This study aims to understand how digital technologies influence banking sector employees and their perception of working in an era of Banking 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

This study incorporated qualitative analysis to gain different insights from diverse respondents from banking industries. A purposive sampling method was adopted, and semistructured interviews were conducted, taking a sample of 72 respondents. All the transcripts were then analyzed using NVivo.

Findings

The findings focus on challenges related to understanding technology phenomena, managing changes, infrastructure, skills, competitiveness and regulatory mechanisms. This is further followed by the favorable impact of Banking 4.0 on employees and future avenues, such as innovation in financial services, work productivity, career opportunities and change management, banking 4.0 and banking 5.0, and banking 4.0 management strategies identified as the significant findings.

Practical implications

This study provides guidelines for Banking 4.0 provision strategy and conceptual reference toward the development of Banking 4.0. It also supports the Enhanced Access and Service Excellence 4.0 program, driven by the Indian Bank’s Association, to focus more on digitization, automation and data analytics.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research provides a qualitative hierarchy of significant challenges, favorable impacts and future research avenues of Banking 4.0 in the Indian banking sector.