bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of culture- and ddPCR-based wastewater surveillance for carbapenem-resistant bacteria
Authors: Zhou Siyi , Lou Esther G. , Schedler Julia , Ensor Katherine B. , Hopkins Loren , Stadler Lauren B.
Published: June 2024

With the widespread use of last-resort antibiotics, carbapenems, clinical reports of infections associated with carbapenem-resistantEnterobacterales(CRE) have increased. Clinical surveillance for CRE involves susceptibility testing and/or whole genome sequencing of resistant isolates, which is laborious, resource intensive, and requires expertise. Wastewater surveillance can potentially complement clinical surveillance of CRE, and population-level antibiotic resistance (AR) surveillance more broadly. In this study, we quantitatively and qualitatively compared two widely used methods for AR wastewater surveillance: (1) a culture-based approach for quantifying carbapenem-resistant bacteria and (2) a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay targeting five major carbapenemase genes. We developed a multiplexed ddPCR assay to detect five carbapenemase genes and applied it to wastewater samples from three sites over 12 weeks. In parallel, we quantified carbapenem resistant bacteria and carbapenemase-producing bacteria using culture-based methods. We assessed associations between the concentrations of carbapenemase genes and resistant bacteria. Although both approaches showed similar trends in the overall abundance of dominant carbapenem-resistant bacteria and genes, there were weak correlations between the quantitative levels of resistance. Nanopore sequencing of the resistome of the carbapenem-resistant bacteria revealed that discrepancies arose from differences in the sensitivity and specificity of the methods. This study enhances our understanding of the application of wastewater surveillance in tracking carbapenem resistance and highlights how method choice impacts the results from AR wastewater surveillance.
Deep generative models generate mRNA sequences with enhanced translation capacity and stability
Authors: Zhang He , Liu Hailong , Xu Yushan , Liu Yiming , Wang Jia , Qin Yan , Wang Haiyan , Ma Lili , Xun Zhiyuan , Lu Timothy K. , Cao Jicong
Published: June 2024

Despite the tremendous success of messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines, the extension of this modality to a broader spectrum of diseases necessitates substantial enhancements, particularly in the design of mRNAs with elevated expression levels and extended durability. Here we present GEMORNA, a deep generative model designed to generate novel mRNA coding sequences (CDSs) and untranslated regions (UTRs) with superior translation capacity, comparable to the sophisticated task of language translation and free-form poetry composition with accurate grammar and semantics. Our AI model was trained on an extensive collection of RNA sequences from diverse families, further enhanced with labeled data to refine its performance. Remarkably, we demonstrate that our AI-generated mRNAs exhibited 8.2-fold and 15.9-fold increases in firefly luciferase expression compared to benchmark mRNAs in two different cell types. Additionally, Our AI- designed COVID-19 mRNA vaccine elicited a 4-fold increase in anti-COVID antibody titer in mice relative to BNT162b2. Furthermore, GEMORNA’s versatility extends to circular mRNA design, which we facilitated a 27-fold increase in human erythropoietin protein expressionin vivothan a systematically optimized benchmark sequence. We also created circular mRNAs with substantial improvements in expression levels, durability and anti-tumor cell cytotoxicity in mRNA-transduced CAR-T cells compared with an experimentally validated benchmark. In summary, GEMORNA generates novel mRNA sequences with significant performance improvements and has the potential to enable a wide range of therapeutic and vaccine applications.
PPTC7 acts as an essential co-factor of the SCFFBXL4ubiquitin ligase complex to restrict BNIP3/BNIP3L-dependent mitophagy
Authors: Xu Xiayun , Chen Yingji , Li Yao , Zhao Shi-Min , Wang Chenji
Published: June 2024

Mitophagy is a selective process that targets damaged, dysfunctional, or superfluous mitochondria for degradation through autophagy. The SCFFBXL4ubiquitin ligase complex suppresses basal mitophagy by targeting BNIP3 and BNIP3L, two key mitophagy cargo receptors, for ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation.FBXL4loss-of-function mutations lead to excessive BNIP3/3L-dependent mitophagy, thereby causing a devasting multi-system disorder called mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, type 13 (MTDPS13). PPTC7, a mitochondrial matrix phosphatase, is essential for proper mitochondrial function and biogenesis. Here, we show that a proportion of PPTC7 is located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it interacts with FBXL4 and BNIP3/3L. PPTC7 decreases BNIP3/3L protein stability in a protein phosphatase activity-independent manner. Usingin vitrocell culture andPptc7knockout mice models, we demonstrate that PPTC7 deficiency activates high levels of basal mitophagy in a BNIP3/3L-dependent manner. Mechanistically, PPTC7 facilitates SCFFBXL4-mediated ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of BNIP3/3L. Overall, these findings establish PPTC7 as an essential co-factor of the SCFFBXL4complex and a suppressor of BNIP3/3L-dependent mitophagy.
Broad diversity of human gut bacteria accessible via a traceable strain deposition system
Authors: Hitch Thomas C. A. , Masson Johannes M. , Pauvert Charlie , Bosch Johanna , Nüchtern Selina , Treichel Nicole , Baloh Marko , Razavi Soheila , Afrizal Afrizal , Kousetzi Ntana , Aguirre Andrea M. , Wylensek David , Coates Amy , Jennings Susan A. V. , Panyot Atscharah , Viehof Alina , Schmitz Matthias A. , Stuhrmann Maximilian , Deis Evelyn C. , Bisdorf Kevin , Chiotelli Mari D , Lissin Artur , Schober Isabel , Witte Julius , Cramer Thorsten , Riedel Thomas , Wende Marie , Winter Katrin A. , Amend Lena , Riva Alessandra , Trinh Stefanie , Mitchell Laura , Hartman Jonathan , Berry David , Seitz Jochen , Bossert Lukas C. , Grognot Marianne , Allers Thorsten , Strowig Till , Pester Michael , Abt Birte , Reimer Lorenz C. , Overmann Jörg , Clavel Thomas
Published: June 2024

Numerous bacteria in the human gut microbiome remain unknown and/or have yet to be cultured. While collections of human gut bacteria have been published, few strains have been made publicly available. A major hurdle in making strains publicly available is their deposition to public culture collections. We propose a framework for the bulk-deposition of strains to culture collections, which removes many of the barriers previously identified (www.dsmz.de/bulk-deposit). Using this bulk-deposition system we have created a publicly available collection of human gut isolates. The Human intestinal Bacteria Collection (HiBC) (www.hibc.rwth-aachen.de) contains 340 strains representing 198 species within 29 families and 7 phyla, of which 29 previously unknown species are taxonomically described and named. These included two butyrate-producing species of Faecalibacterium and new dominant species associated with health and inflammatory bowel disease, Ruminococcoides intestinale and Blautia intestinihominis, respectively. Plasmids were prolific within the HiBC isolates, with almost half (46%) of strains containing plasmids, with a maximum of six within a strain. This included a broadly occurring plasmid (pBAC) that exists in three diverse forms across Bacteroidales species. Megaplasmids were identified within two strains, the pMMCAT megaplasmid is globally present within multiple Bacteroidales species. This collection of easily searchable and publicly available gut bacterial isolates will facilitate functional studies of the gut microbiome.
Cell wall melanin impedes growth of theCryptococcus neoformanspolysaccharide capsule by sequestering calcium
Authors: Baker Rosanna P. , Liu Amy Z. , Casadevall Arturo
Published: June 2024

Cryptococcus neoformanshas emerged as a frontrunner among deadly fungal pathogens and is particularly life-threatening for many HIV-infected individuals with compromised immunity. Multiple virulence factors contribute to the growth and survival ofC. neoformanswithin the human host, the two most prominent of which are the polysaccharide capsule and melanin. As both of these features are associated with the cell wall, we were interested to explore possible cooperative or competitive interactions between these two virulence factors. Whereas capsule thickness had no effect on the rate at which cells became melanized, build-up of the melanin pigment layer resulted in a concomitant loss of polysaccharide material, leaving melanized cells with significantly thinner capsules than their non-melanized counterparts. When melanin was provided exogenously to cells in a transwell culture system we observed a similar inhibition of capsule growth and maintenance. Our results show that melanin sequesters calcium thereby limiting its availability to form divalent bridges between polysaccharide subunits required for outer capsule assembly. The decreased ability of melanized cells to incorporate exported polysaccharide into the growing capsule correlated with the amount of shed polysaccharide, which could have profound negative impacts on the host immune response.

Significance Statement

Cryptococcus neoformansis an opportunistic fungal pathogen that presents a significant health risk for immunocompromised individuals. We report an interaction between the two major cryptococcal virulence factors, the polysaccharide capsule and melanin. Melanin impacted the growth and maintenance of the polysaccharide capsule, resulting in loss of capsular material during melanization. Our results suggest that melanin can act as a sink for calcium, thereby limiting its availability to form ionic bridges between polysaccharide chains on the growing surface of the outer capsule. As polysaccharide is continuously exported to support capsule growth, failure of melanized cells to incorporate this material results in a higher concentration of shed polysaccharide in the extracellular milieu, which is expected to interfere with host immunity.
Conjectures about the Chiral Phase Transition in QCD from Anomalous Multi-Instanton Interactions
Authors: Pisarski Robert D. , Rennecke Fabian
Published: June 2024

To date numerical simulations of lattice QCD have not found a chiral phase transition of first order that is expected to occur for sufficiently light pions. We show how the restoration of an exact global chiral symmetry can strongly decrease the breaking of the approximate, anomalous UA(1) symmetry. This is testable on the lattice through simulations for one through four flavors. In QCD a small breaking of the UA(1) symmetry in the chirally symmetric phase generates novel experimental signals.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Do students think that objects have a true definite position?
Authors: Stump Emily M. , Hughes Mark , Holmes N. G. , Passante Gina
Published: June 2024

Previous research on student thinking about experimental measurement and uncertainty has primarily focused on students’ procedural reasoning: Given some data, what should students calculate or do next? This approach, however, cannot tell us what beliefs or conceptual understanding leads to students’ procedural decisions. To explore this relationship, we first need to understand the range of students’ beliefs and conceptual understanding of measurement. In this work, we explored students’ philosophical beliefs about the existence of a true value in experimental measurement. We distributed a survey to students from 12 universities in which we presented two viewpoints on the existence of a true definite position resulting from an experiment, asking participants to indicate which view they agreed with more and asking them to explain their choice. We found that participants, both students and experts, varied in their beliefs about the existence of a true definite position and discussed a range of concepts related to quantum mechanics and the experimental process to explain their answers, regardless of whether or not they agreed with the existence of a true value. From these results, we postulate that students who exhibit similar procedural reasoning may hold widely varying philosophical views about measurement. We recommend that future work investigates this potential relationship and whether and how instruction should attend to these philosophical views in addition to students’ procedural decisions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Deciphering the dynamical chromosome structural reorganizations in human neural development
Authors: Chu Xiakun , Feng Cibo , Wang Jin
Published: June 2024

Understanding the mechanisms of cell-fate determination in neural development is pivotal for advancing regenerative medicine and addressing neurodegenerative diseases. Cell-fate determination is controlled by the underlying gene expression networks, which are further regulated by the three-dimensional chromosome structures. During neural development, chromosomes progressively adapt their structures to accommodate the requisite gene expressions. However, elucidating the pathways of chromosome structural dynamics during these transitions remains a grand challenge. In this study, we employed the data-driven coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, coupled with the nonequilibrium landscape-switching model, to quantify the chromosome structural dynamics during human neural development. We focused on a simplified human neural developmental system, comprising of cell differentiation, reprogramming, and transdifferentiation among the neural progenitor cell (NPC), the glia cell, and the neuron cell. We identified significant large-scale chromosome structural reorganizations during cell-state transitions. From the chromosome structural perspective, the transdifferentiation processes between the glia and neuron cells exhibited nonmonotonic behaviors characterized by an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease in cell stemness. The transdifferentiation appeared to share the same routes of differentiation after passing through the NPC. Additionally, our findings revealed that the chromosome structural dynamical pathways at the scale of topologically associating domains exhibited little overlap, in contrast to the ones at the long-range regions. This suggests that the active, ATP-driven molecular processes play dominant roles in modulating topologically associating domain (TAD) structures, while the compartmental segregation in chromosomes is primarily governed by the passive phase separation. Our study offers a theoretical exploration of neural cell-fate determination from the chromosome structural perspective, paving a way for potential applications in neuroregeneration.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Estimate of entropy production rate can spatiotemporally resolve the active nature of cell flickering
Authors: Manikandan Sreekanth K. , Ghosh Tanmoy , Mandal Tithi , Biswas Arikta , Sinha Bidisha , Mitra Dhrubaditya
Published: June 2024

We use the short-time inference scheme [Manikandan , ], obtained within the framework of stochastic thermodynamics, to infer a lower bound to entropy production rate from flickering data generated by interference reflection microscopy of HeLa cells. We can clearly distinguish active cell membranes from their adenosine-triphosphate-depleted selves and even spatiotemporally resolve activity down to the scale of about 1 µm. Our estimate of activity is .

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Superconductivity from On-Chip Metallization on 2D Topological Chalcogenides
Authors: Jia Yanyu , Yu Guo , Song Tiancheng , Yuan Fang , Uzan Ayelet J. , Tang Yue , Wang Pengjie , Singha Ratnadwip , Onyszczak Michael , Zheng Zhaoyi Joy , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Schoop Leslie M. , Wu Sanfeng
Published: June 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is a versatile class of quantum materials of interest to various fields including, e.g., nanoelectronics, optical devices, and topological and correlated quantum matter. Tailoring the electronic properties of TMDs is essential to their applications in many directions. Here, we report that a highly controllable and uniform on-chip 2D metallization process converts a class of atomically thin TMDs into robust superconductors, a property belonging to none of the starting materials. As examples, we demonstrate the introduction of superconductivity into a class of 2D air-sensitive topological TMDs, including monolayers of Td−WTe2, 1T′−MoTe2, and 2H−MoTe2, as well as their natural and twisted bilayers, metallized with an ultrathin layer of palladium. This class of TMDs is known to exhibit intriguing topological phases ranging from topological insulator, Weyl semimetal to fractional Chern insulator. The unique, high-quality two-dimensional metallization process is based on our recent findings of the long-distance, non-Fickian in-plane mass transport and chemistry in 2D that occur at relatively low temperatures and in devices fully encapsulated with inert insulating layers. Highly compatible with existing nanofabrication techniques for van der Waals stacks, our results offer a route to designing and engineering superconductivity and topological phases in a class of correlated 2D materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Diode Equation for Sandwich-Type Thin-Film Photovoltaic Devices Limited by Bimolecular Recombination
Authors: Sandberg Oskar J. , Armin Ardalan
Published: June 2024

Analytical diode models that relate the current to key material parameters are invaluable for understanding the device physics in photovoltaic (PV) devices. However, a diode model that accurately describes the current in thin-film PVs based on low-mobility semiconductors (including organic solar cells) limited by bimolecular recombination has been lacking. Previous models neglect effects of injected charge carriers, which are the predominant source for bimolecular recombination in thin-film PV systems with Ohmic contacts. In this work, we derive a unified diode equation for thin-film PVs based on undoped semiconductors limited by bimolecular recombination. Based on a regional approximation approach, we derive an analytical model for the current accounting for the interplay between charge-carrier extraction, injection, and bimolecular recombination. The analytical model is validated by numerical simulations and tested experimentally on organic solar cells. Our findings provide key insights into the mechanisms driving and limiting charge collection, and ultimately the power-conversion efficiency, in low-mobility PV devices. The presented framework is material agnostic and generally applicable to sandwich-type thin-film PV devices, including photodiodes and indoor light-harvesting cells.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Practical Trainable Temporal Postprocessor for Multistate Quantum Measurement
Authors: Khan Saeed A. , Kaufman Ryan , Mesits Boris , Hatridge Michael , Türeci Hakan E.
Published: June 2024

We develop and demonstrate a trainable temporal postprocessor (TPP) harnessing a simple but versatile machine learning algorithm to provide optimal processing of quantum measurement data subject to arbitrary noise processes for the readout of an arbitrary number of quantum states. We demonstrate the TPP on the essential task of qubit state readout, which has historically relied on temporal processing via matched filters in spite of their applicability for only specific noise conditions. Our results show that the TPP can reliably outperform standard filtering approaches under complex readout conditions, such as high-power readout. Using simulations of quantum measurement noise sources, we show that this advantage relies on the TPP’s ability to learn optimal linear filters that account for general quantum noise correlations in data, such as those due to quantum jumps, or correlated noise added by a phase-preserving quantum amplifier. Furthermore, we derive an exact analytic form for the optimal TPP weights: this positions the TPP as a linearly scaling generalization of matched filtering, valid for an arbitrary number of states under the most general readout noise conditions, all while preserving a training complexity that is essentially negligible in comparison with that of training neural networks for processing temporal quantum measurement data. The TPP can be autonomously and reliably trained on measurement data and requires only linear operations, making it ideal for field-programmable gate array implementations in circuit QED for real-time processing of measurement data from general quantum systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
X-ray optics for the cavity-based X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Liu Peifan , Pradhan Paresh , Shi Xianbo , Shu Deming , Kauchha Keshab , Qiao Zhi , Tamasaku Kenji , Osaka Taito , Zhu Diling , Sato Takahiro , MacArthur James , Huang XianRong , Assoufid Lahsen , White Marion , Kim Kwang-Je , Shvyd'ko Yuri
Published: June 2024

A cavity-based X-ray free-electron laser (CBXFEL) is a possible future direction in the development of fully coherent X-ray sources. CBXFELs consist of a low-emittance electron source, a magnet system with several undulators and chicanes, and an X-ray cavity. The X-ray cavity stores and circulates X-ray pulses for repeated FEL interactions with electron pulses until the FEL reaches saturation. CBXFEL cavities require low-loss wavefront-preserving optical components: near-100%-reflectivity X-ray diamond Bragg-reflecting crystals, outcoupling devices such as thin diamond membranes or X-ray gratings, and aberration-free focusing elements. In the framework of the collaborative CBXFEL research and development project of Argonne National Laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and SPring-8, we report here the design, manufacturing and characterization of X-ray optical components for the CBXFEL cavity, which include high-reflectivity diamond crystal mirrors, a diamond drumhead crystal with thin membranes, beryllium refractive lenses and channel-cut Si monochromators. All the designed optical components have been fully characterized at the Advanced Photon Source to demonstrate their suitability for the CBXFEL cavity application.
Sub-nanometre quality X-ray mirrors created using ion beam figuring
Authors: Majhi Arindam , Shurvinton Riley , Pradhan Paresh Chandra , Hand Matthew , Gu Weichen , Da Silva Murilo Bazan , Moriconi Simone , Nistea Ioana , Alcock Simon G. , Wang Hongchang , Sawhney Kawal
Published: June 2024

Ion beam figuring (IBF) is a powerful technique for figure correction of X-ray mirrors to a high accuracy. Here, recent technical advancements in the IBF instrument developed at Diamond Light Source are presented and experimental results for figuring of X-ray mirrors are given. The IBF system is equipped with a stable DC gridded ion source (120 mm diameter), a four-axis motion stage to manipulate the optic, a Faraday cup to monitor the ion-beam current, and a camera for alignment. A novel laser speckle angular measurement instrument also provides on-board metrology. To demonstrate the IBF system's capabilities, two silicon X-ray mirrors were processed. For 1D correction, a height error of 0.08 nm r.m.s. and a slope error of 44 nrad r.m.s. were achieved. For 2D correction over a 67 mm × 17 mm clear aperture, a height error of 0.8 nm r.m.s. and a slope error of 230 nrad r.m.s. were obtained. For the 1D case, this optical quality is comparable with the highest-grade, commercially available, X-ray optics.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a halogen bond between 2-(allylthio)pyridine and 1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3,6-diiodobenzene
Authors: Risken Robin , Schrimpf Tobias , Klotz Franziska Dorothea , Strohmann Carsten
Published: June 2024

The crystal structure of the title 2:1 molecular complex between 2-(allylthio)pyridine and 1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3,6-diiodobenzene, C6F4I2·2C8H9NS, at 100 K has been determined in the monoclinic space group P21/c. The most noteworthy characteristic of the complex is the halogen bond between iodine and the pyridine ring with a short N...I contact [2.8628 (12) Å]. The Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that the hydrogen...hydrogen contacts dominate the crystal packing with a contribution of 32.1%.
Crystal structure of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-ium (2S,3S)-3-carboxy-2,3-dihydroxypropanoate monohydrate
Authors: Seidel Rüdiger W. , Kolev Tsonko M.
Published: June 2024

The crystal structure of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-ium (2S,3S)-3-carboxy-2,3-dihydroxypropanoate monohydrate, C9H12N+·C4H5O6
−·H2O, at 115 K shows orthorhombic symmetry (space group P212121). The hydrogen tartrate anions and solvent water molecules form an intricate diperiodic O—H...O hydrogen-bond network parallel to (001). The tetrahydroisoquinolinium cations are tethered to the anionic hydrogen-bonded layers through N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing in the third direction is achieved through van der Waals contacts between the hydrocarbon tails of the tetrahydroisoquinolinium cations, resulting in hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions in the crystal structure.
Distinguishing between autism and the consequences of early traumatisation during diagnostic assessment: a clinical case study
Authors: Kildahl Arvid Nikolai , Storvik Kristin , Wächter Elisabeth Christina , Jensen Tom , Ro Arvid , Haugen Inger Breistein
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Distinguishing between autism characteristics and trauma-related symptoms may be clinically challenging, particularly in individuals who have experienced early traumatisation. Previous studies have described a risk that trauma-related symptoms are misinterpreted and/or misattributed to autism. This study aims to describe and explore assessment strategies to distinguish autism and early traumatisation in the case of a young woman with mild intellectual disability.

Design/methodology/approach

A clinical case study outlining assessment strategies, diagnostic decision-making and initial intervention.

Findings

A multi-informant interdisciplinary assessment using multiple assessment tools, together with a comprehensive review of records from previous assessments and contacts with various services, was helpful in distinguishing between autism and trauma. This included specific assessment tools for autism and trauma. Autism characteristics and trauma-related symptoms appeared to interact, not merely co-occur.

Originality/value

The current case demonstrates that diagnostic overshadowing may occur for autism in the context of early trauma. The case further highlights the importance of not ascribing trauma-related symptoms to autism, as service provision and treatment need to take account of both. Overlooking autism in individuals who have experienced early traumatisation may result in a risk that intervention and care are not appropriately adapted, which may involve a risk of exacerbating trauma symptoms.
Gender gap in the level of perceived achievement of complex thinking in business education in a Mexican university population
Authors: Medina-Vidal Adriana , Vázquez-Parra José Carlos , Cruz-Sandoval Marco , Echaniz-Barrondo Arantza
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This article endeavors to detail the outcomes of an exploratory investigation into the perceived attainment levels of complex thinking competencies among business students at a technological university in western Mexico. It seeks to examine and contrast the students' self-assessed development of this critical competency, along with its associated sub-competencies, throughout their academic tenure.

Design/methodology/approach

Our analysis focused on two distinct groups of students, one at the beginning of their academic journey and the other nearing its completion, to explore whether perceptions of competency development were equitable across genders. Utilizing multivariate descriptive statistical analysis, we were able to substantiate the existence of a gender gap in the perceived development of competencies.

Findings

While both male and female students showed improvement in their self-perceived competencies, the results indicate that women outperformed their male counterparts in the area of complex thinking and its associated sub-competencies by the conclusion of their degree programs.

Practical implications

The evidence suggests that there is a gender gap in the educational process for this group of students, highlighting the urgent need to minimise disparities in the perception between male and female business students about their competencies.

Originality/value

This article presents findings that pave the way for future research aimed at exploring strategies to narrow the gap in perceived competency achievement throughout the educational journey in business studies, considering how the environment and cultural elements can be determining factors in how students perceive their abilities and skills.
Investigating the customer-to-customer interaction during the customer journey in banking industry
Authors: Yadollahi Shahrbanoo , Kazemi Ali , Ranjbarian Bahram
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Customer-to-customer (C2C) interactions substantially affect the overall service experience. This study attempts to provide a better and deeper understanding of C2C interactions during the customer journey in the banking industry. The study aims to investigate the complexities of these interactions and to detect their outcomes and further implications in banking services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a sequential mixed-method approach. Firstly, semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify the components of C2C interactions during the customer journey. Subsequently, thematic analysis was performed to categorize the data and extract relevant components. Secondly, structural equation modeling was used to investigate the role of C2C interactions in behavioral outcomes.

Findings

The findings reveal that during the customer journey, C2C interactions plays a key role by providing information, managing queuing behavior, providing resources, and addressing issues related to other customers’ misbehavior. Additionally, C2C interactions have a positive direct effect on the customer experience, satisfaction, and loyalty. Customer experience, in turn, affects customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Originality/value

This study highlights the need for academic scholars to prioritize customers’ interaction during the customer journey in financial services, addressing a gap between industry directions and academic research in customer experience. Also, the findings help service providers develop effective strategies to enhance the customer experience by focusing on C2C interactions during the customer journey.
Systematic literature review of lean management in local government organizations
Authors: Alrezq Mohammed , Van Aken Eileen M.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the literature on lean management and lean six sigma (LM/LSS) in local government organizations (LGOs).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to extract the most relevant academic publications on LM/LSS in LGOs. ProQuest, Web of Science and Engineering Village were used to obtain the publication set. Studies were then analyzed based on author characteristics, research design characteristics and content characteristics.

Findings

The SLR yielded 53 academic publications. The primary finding is that this research area has recently received an increase in attention within these types of organizations. Although this research area attracts new scholars every year, there remains insufficient collaboration across different research groups. Research methods, outcomes and future research areas were also investigated to comprehensively evaluate the literature and specify new research opportunities.

Research limitations/implications

Although the SLR is a rigorous research methodology used to gather relevant publications, it is limited to the chosen information sources (i.e. platforms) to obtain the publications. Therefore, the researchers used multiple sources to maximize the likelihood of capturing publications related to this topic.

Practical implications

The insights presented here provide a foundational reference for researchers interested in investigating and exploring future research opportunities associated with LM/LSS in LGOs.

Originality/value

This study adds value to the research community through its detailed characterization and analysis of the existing research literature on LM/LSS within LGOs, an area that remains largely unexplored in the academic literature. By providing a rigorous understanding of the current status of this research area, this work responds to a notable gap. The review of the existing literature suggests that this effort represents the first comprehensive examination of the research literature on the evolution of LM/LSS, specifically focusing on LGOs as the primary application unit of interest.
Right to education for children of Indonesian migrant workers living in plantations in Sabah – understanding the gaps
Authors: Duraisingam Tamara Joan , Veerakumaran Bhuvanes , Arumugam Marini , Muniandy Saratha , Rafique Rushmila Bintay
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The study aims to address the educations needs of Indonesian children living in plantations in Sabah and provide recommendations to the relevant stakeholders. Data was collected between January and March 2023 to identify and address the issues in relation to providing education for children living on plantations in Sabah. Specifically, children of Indonesian migrant workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was both a doctrinal and qualitative study that encompassed in-depth interviews with migrant workers of Indonesian nationality who have children living with them in palm oil plantations in Sabah and local managers of the plantations. Data was collected from the commissioning plantation, where the children have yet to go to school and two other plantations with school-going children. The doctrinal component involved the analysis on international and domestic laws.

Findings

Through the research, ways of enrolling migrant children in schools were determined including within neighbouring plantations, impacting the lives of children residing in the commissioning estate.

Research limitations/implications

The research was fraught with difficulties. Gaining the trust of palm oil plantation owners was key and this took some time. Time in essence was a limitation as time taken for interviews is time taken away from the migrant workers employment.

Practical implications

The commissioning estate has already secured the provision of education for the children of the estate. The research is impactful as it has facilitated this development.

Social implications

The hope is that more estates will allow for academic researchers to come in and provide systematic and constructive feedback on how things could be improved for children living in plantations.

Originality/value

Gaining trust and garnering data not only from migrant workers but also the managers provide novelty in the research. The views of the management side of things have not always been successfully acquired in the past.
Neurotechnologies applied to tourism: from the epistemic contribution to the ethical risk
Authors: López González José Luis
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper critiques the scope of neurotechnologies in significantly expanding the epistemological field of tourism and warns of their potential to undermine the cognitive capacity of tourists to act responsibly and responsively.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores the intersections of neurotechnologies and tourism through an analysis that entails a two-step process: firstly, identifying key themes and debates within neurotourism literature; secondly, critically evaluating these discussions through the lenses of social tourism theory and neuroethics.

Findings

Firstly, the work questions the potential of neurotechnologies to significantly expand epistemological boundaries concerning a perennial question in tourism studies: namely, the goal pursued by tourists. Secondly, the paper introduces the framework of an ethics of neurotourism, which can aid in developing the ethical research agenda on neurotechnologies applied to tourism. This framework is used to argue that one of the key risks associated with the use of neurotechnologies in tourism is their capacity to encourage non-responsive and non-responsible tourist behaviour.

Originality/value

Both due to the traditional lack of interest in philosophy in tourism and the pro-business orientation of the tourism academy, critical studies on the relationship between neurotechnologies and tourism are limited. The primary contribution of this work is to underscore that the implementation of neurotechnologies in tourism not only has the potential to foster non-responsible behaviour by undermining tourists’ cognitive capacities to act responsibly, but also can diminish their responsiveness. In a neural context where tourists may already exhibit a reduced inclination towards moral engagement, this reduction in responsiveness can be particularly significant.
Impact pathways: the hidden challenges of Scope 3 emissions measurement and management
Authors: Vieira Leticia Canal , Longo Mariolina , Mura Matteo
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This pathway discusses the need for further research into how focal companies measure and manage indirect Scope 3 emissions in their value chains.

Design/methodology/approach

This pathway relies on the authors' qualitative research on European companies' decarbonisation strategies. We analysed self-reported and tertiary data from 33 manufacturing European companies considered leaders in climate action. Additionally, interviews were conducted with four experts who work to elaborate decarbonisation strategies in large companies that are part of global value chains.

Findings

The limited visibility of focal firms over their value chains and data collection capacity raises questions on the reliability of indirect emissions inventories and companies’ ability to manage indirect emissions.

Research limitations/implications

Investigation of the emerging empirical phenomena of indirect emissions may lead to valuable insights for the measurement and management of sustainability issues.

Practical implications

Our piece explores the process of constructing indirect emissions inventories, assists in ensuring accurate interpretation of the data and provokes discussion on focal companies’ role in managing Scope 3 emissions.

Social implications

Many stakeholders refer to companies' Scope 3 inventories. This piece exposes inconsistencies in these inventories and what companies' responsibilities are in managing emissions.

Originality/value

Research on managing sustainability issues in supply and value chains is increasing, and indirect emissions are central in this space. This impact pathway seeks to stimulate research in underdeveloped areas by discussing the limitations of this data and highlighting practical limitations present in its management.
Purchasing contribution to innovation exploration: awareness, motivations and capabilities
Authors: Constant François , Johnsen Thomas
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the precedents for purchasing to contribute effectively to innovation exploration. We investigate how purchasing can become aware of innovation opportunities, their incentives or motivations to explore and capture innovation and the required capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Aiming for theory elaboration, we analyse an exemplar case study of a company developing leading-edge practices for involving purchasing in innovation exploration applying an Awareness-Motivation-Capability (AMC) framework.

Findings

This study elaborates on purchasing theory with a comprehensive set of AMC-based precedents for purchasing’s innovation exploration contribution that we categorise into three dimensions: motivations, capabilities and awareness. Our findings indicate interrelations between these and purchasing motivation as a precedent of capabilities and awareness.

Research limitations/implications

We demonstrate the useful of applying AMC theory to researching purchasing’s contribution to innovation and how AMC needs to be adapted in this research context. We explore interrelations between awareness, motivation and capabilities but propose future research on the nature of these interrelations.

Practical implications

We suggest ways for managers to shape, adapt or redesign their purchasing organisations to better support innovation exploration.

Originality/value

This study proposes a framework for purchasing contribution to innovation based on AMC theory.
From screen to plate: an investigation of how information by social media influencers influence food tasting intentions through the integration of IAM and TAM models
Authors: Khan Safdar , Sujood Sujood , Rehman Asad , Al Rousan Ramzi
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how information shared by SMIs affects consumers' food tasting intentions. To achieve this, it integrates the IAM and TAM, in conjunction with trust and EWOM.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilized a convenience sampling technique, employing a survey instrument to gather data online. The questionnaire was distributed across the social media pages of food bloggers from September 11 to November 30, 2023. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS.

Findings

We developed a research framework that integrates IAM, TAM, Trust, and EWOM variables to assess how information shared by SMIs influence consumers' intentions to explore new food tastes. The model demonstrated enhanced predictive and explanatory capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

This study enriches the existing literature on information adoption and technology acceptance by advancing our understanding of how SMIs influence consumers’ food tasting intentions. Additionally, it aids SMIs in comprehending their role in endorsing new food products and restaurants, fostering trust and reliability among their followers. This study enables consumers to make more informed decisions about trying new food products or dining establishments, empowering them to evaluate influencer recommendations critically.

Originality/value

This study uniquely focuses on the influence of information shared by SMIs on consumers' intentions to taste new foods. While SMIs have been extensively studied in various contexts, such as fashion, beauty, and travel, this research offers a fresh perspective on understanding their impact on consumer behavior within the food industry.
Definition, detection, and tracking of nanowaste in foods: Challenges and perspectives
Authors: Çiçek Semra , Yilmaz Mustafa Tahsin , Hadnađev Tamara Dapčević , Tadesse Eskindir Endalew , Kulawik Piotr , Ozogul Fatih
Published: June 2024

Commercial applications of nanotechnology in the food industry are rapidly increasing. Accordingly, there is a simultaneous increase in the amount and diversity of nanowaste, which arise as byproducts in the production, use, disposal, or recycling processes of nanomaterials utilized in the food industry. The potential risks of this nanowaste to human health and the environment are alarming. It is of crucial significance to establish analytical methods and monitoring systems for nanowaste to ensure food safety. This review provides comprehensive information on nanowaste in foods as well as comparative material on existing and new analytical methods for the detection of nanowaste. The article is specifically focused on nanowaste in food systems. Moreover, the current techniques, challenges as well as potential use of new and progressive methods are underlined, further highlighting advances in technology, collaborative efforts, as well as future perspectives for effective nanowaste detection and tracking. Such detection and tracking of nanowaste are required in order to effectively manage this type ofwasted in foods. Although there are devices that utilize spectroscopy, spectrometry, microscopy/imaging, chromatography, separation/fractionation, light scattering, diffraction, optical, adsorption, diffusion, and centrifugation methods for this purpose, there are challenges to be overcome in relation to nanowaste as well as food matrix and method characteristics. New technologies such as radio‐frequency identification, Internet of things, blockchain, data analytics, and machine learning are promising. However, the cooperation of international organizations, food sector, research, and political organizations is needed for effectively managing nanowaste. Future research efforts should be focused on addressing knowledge gaps and potential strategies for optimizing nanowaste detection and tracking processes.
Osteological features of some clupeid fishes (Teleostei: Clupeiformes) of Iran
Authors: Jawad Laith A. , Dizaj Leyli Purrafee , Esmaeili Hamid Reza
Published: June 2024

This paper presents the conclusions of a comparative analysis of six osteological features: the Structure of the vertebral column, the morphology of the predorsal bones, the vertebral column regionalization, the pterygiophore interdigitation with neural spines of dorsal fin, the pterygiophores interdigitation of with the haemal spines of the anal fin, and the intermuscular bones (IMB) and hypomerals (HM) of 12 clupeid species of the families Alosidae, Dorosomatidae, Dussumieridae and Ehiravidae. Conceivable taxonomically beneficial osteological features are nominated and utilized to discrete the clupeid species explored. Formulae for the structure of the vertebral column, the dorsal‐ and anal‐fin pterygiophores' interdigitation with the neural and haemal spines of the vertebrae are established. These morphological descriptive traits disclose a morphotype that may be related to the mode of swimming of the species searched. The morphological study of the vertebral column of the species in question permits the division of this bony structure into six morphologically different regions. This regionalization is more intricate than the classical division in abdominal and caudal parts only.
Oxalate Nephropathy After Kidney Transplantation: Risk Factors and Outcomes of Two Phenotypes
Authors: Garg Neetika , Nguyen Thanh Thanh , Astor Brad C. , Zhong Weixiong , Parajuli Sandesh , Aziz Fahad , Mohamed Maha , Djamali Arjang , Norby Suzanne M. , Mandelbrot Didier A.
Published: June 2024

Describing risk factors and outcomes in kidney transplant recipients with oxalate nephropathy (ON) may help elucidate the pathogenesis and guide treatment strategies. We used a large single‐center database to identify patients with ON and categorized them into delayed graft function with ON (DGF‐ON) and late ON. Incidence density sampling was used to select controls. A total of 37 ON cases were diagnosed between 1/2011 and 1/2021. DGF‐ON (n = 13) was diagnosed in 1.05% of the DGF population. Pancreatic atrophy on imaging (36.4% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.002) and gastric bypass history (7.7% vs. 0%; p = 0.06) were more common in DGF‐ON than with controls with DGF requiring biopsy but without evidence of ON. DGF‐ON was not associated with worse graft survival (p = 0.98) or death‐censored graft survival (p = 0.48). Late ON (n = 24) was diagnosed after a mean of 78.2 months. Late ON patients were older (mean age 55.1 vs. 48.4 years; p = 0.02), more likely to be women (61.7% vs. 37.5%; p = 0.03), have gastric bypass history (8.3% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.02) and pancreatic atrophy on imaging (38.9% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.02). Late ON was associated with an increased risk of graft failure (HR 2.0; p = 0.07) and death‐censored graft loss (HR 2.5; p = 0.10). We describe two phenotypes of ON after kidney transplantation: DGF‐ON and late ON. Our study is the first to our knowledge to evaluate DGF‐ON with DGF controls without ON. Although limited by small sample size, DGF‐ON was not associated with adverse outcomes when compared with controls. Late ON predicted worse allograft outcomes.