bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing tissue cyst yield in a murine model of chronic toxoplasmosis
Authors: Troublefield Cortni A. , Murphy Robert D. , Miracle Joy S. , Donkin Ryan W. , Sinai Anthony P.
Published: December 2022

Recent advances into the unique biology of Toxoplasma tissue cysts and the bradyzoites they house necessitates optimization of tissue cyst recovery from infected mouse brains. Here, we present data from 68 tissue cyst purifications of Type II ME49 tissue cysts in CBA/J mice performed over a period of two years. The effects if infecting with both tissue culture tachyzoites as well asex vivotissue cysts were assessed. Significant mortality was restricted to tachyzoite infections with female mice being more susceptible. Infection with tissue cysts was associated with both lower overall symptomology and mortality exhibiting no sex bias. Cumulatively, host sex did not impact overall tissue cyst yields, although, tachyzoite initiated infections generated significantly higher yields compared to tissue cyst-initiated infections. Notably, serial passage of tissue cysts was accompanied with a decreasing trend for subsequent cyst recovery. The time of tissue cyst harvest, a potential reflection of bradyzoite physiological state, had no significant impact on subsequent cyst yield at the selected time points. In aggregate, the data reveal the considerable heterogeneity associated with tissue cyst yield making the design of adequately powered experiments critical. This is particularly the case for drug studies where overall tissue cyst burden currently serves as the primary and often sole metric of efficacy, as the data presented here demonstrate that cyst recovery between preparations of untreated animals can mirror the reported effects of drug treatment.
Unexpectedly higher levels of naturally occurring anti-Orthopoxvirus neutralizing antibodies are observed among gay men than general adult population
Authors: Feng Yanmeng , Zhang Yifan , Liu Shengya , Guo Cuiyuan , Wang Wanhai , Zhang Wenhong , Tang Heng , Wan Yanmin
Published: December 2022

The confirmed cases in the current outbreak of Monkeypox are predominantly identified in the networks of men who have sex with men (MSM). It is suggested that special behavioral characteristics might make the virus spread more easily in this population, but the biological factors affecting the spread of this outbreak have not been fully clarified. In this study, we measured the anti-Monkeypox and anti-Vaccinia antibodies in an MSM cohort (comprising 326 individuals) and a general population cohort (comprising 295 individuals) and compared the antibody responses between the two cohorts. Meanwhile, we also compared the antibody responses between individuals born before and in/after 1981, when the smallpox vaccination was ceased in China. Our data showed that binding antibodies against Monkeypox H3L, A29L, A35R proteins and Vaccinia whole-virus lysate could be detected in individuals born both before and in/after 1981, of which the anti-Vaccinia binding antibody levels were found to be significantly higher among the individuals born before 1981 in the general population cohort. Moreover, we unexpectedly found that the levels of binding antibody responses against Monkeypox proteins were significantly lower among individuals of the MSM cohort born in/after 1981, but the anti-Vaccinia neutralizing antibody levels were significantly higher among these individuals compared to those age-matched participants of the general population cohort. Additionally, we demonstrated that the positive and negative rates of anti-Monkeypox antibody responses were associated with the anti-Vaccinia antibody responses among individuals born before 1981 in the general population cohort, but no significant association was observed among individuals born in/after 1981 in both cohorts. Further studies are warranted to clarify the impact of the naturally occurring anti-Orthopoxvirus antibodies on the transmission of Monkeypox, especially among gay men who have not been vaccinated against smallpox.
Prevalence and determinants of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) antibody positivity among adults living with HIV in East Africa
Authors: Gowdara Chandana K. , Byakwaga Helen , Dollard Sheila C. , Muzoora Conrad K. , Glidden David V. , Hunt Peter W. , Bwana Bosco M. , Haberer Jessica E. , Bangsberg David R. , Martin Jeffrey N.
Published: December 2022

Background

Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) who are also infected with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) constitute a group among the highest risk for Kaposi sarcoma (KS). As such, understanding KSHV prevalence amongst PLHIV is important for the control of KS. To date, data on KSHV prevalence amongst PLHIV in East Africa — one of the world’s hotbeds for KS — is both sparse and variable.

Methods

In a cross-sectional design, we studied consecutive adult PLHIV identified just prior to starting antiretroviral therapy at an ambulatory HIV clinic in Mbarara, Uganda. Results from two enzyme immunoassays (with synthetic K8.1 and ORF 65 antigens as targets) and one immunofluorescence assay (using induced BCBL cells) to detect antibodies to KSHV were combined to classify KSHV antibody positivity.

Results

We evaluated 727 PLHIV between 2005 to 2013; median age was 34 years (interquartile range (IQR): 28-40), 69% were women, and median CD4 count was 167 cells/µl (IQR: 95-260). Prevalence of KSHV antibody positivity was 42% (95% CI: 38%-46%), with little substantive change after several correction approaches, including Rogan-Gladen. Adjusted prevalence of KSHV antibody positivity was 1.6 times (95% CI: 1.3-1.9) higher in men than women; adjusted absolute prevalence difference was +0.20 (95% CI: +0.11 to +0.30). Lack of formal education (prevalence ratio=1.6 comparing no school to ≥ 4 years of secondary school; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) was also associated with KSHV infection. We found no strong evidence for a role for age, alcohol use, or other measurements of sexual behavior, SES, or well-being in the occurrence of KSHV antibody positivity.

Conclusion

Among adult PLHIV in western Uganda, KSHV prevalence is estimated at 42%, with little change after several approaches to correction for antibody detection inaccuracy. This estimate differs from several others in the region (up to 83%), highlighting need for inter-assay comparison studies using identical local specimens. To the extent HIV does not influence KSHV acquisition, the findings may also represent KSHV prevalence in the general population. The large-magnitude effect of sex and education on KSHV acquisition motivates an accelerated search for mechanisms. The sex effect, in part, may explain the higher incidence of KS among men.
Number of COVID-19 hospitalisations averted by vaccination: Estimates for the Netherlands, January 6, 2021 through August 30, 2022
Authors: van Iersel Senna C.J.L. , McDonald Scott A. , Gier Brechje de , Knol Mirjam J. , Melker Hester E. de , van Werkhoven C.H. (Henri) ,   the RIVM COVID-19 epidemiology and surveillance team, Hahné Susan J.M.
Published: December 2022

Background

Vaccines against COVID-19 have proven effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalisation. In this study, we aimed to quantify one aspect of the public health impact of COVID-19 vaccination by estimating the number of averted hospitalisations. We present results from the beginning of the vaccination campaign (period 1, January 6, 2021) and a period starting at August 2, 2021 (period 2) when all adults had the opportunity to complete their primary series, until August 30, 2022.

Methods

Using calendar-time specific vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates and vaccine coverage (VC) by round (primary series, first booster and second booster) and the observed number of COVID-19 associated hospitalisations, we estimated the number of averted hospitalisations per age group for the two study periods. From January 25, 2022, when the indication of hospitalisation was registered, hospitalisations not causally related to COVID-19 were excluded.

Results

In period 1, there were an estimated 98,170 (95% confidence interval (CI) 96,123-99,928) averted hospitalisations, of which 90,753 (95% CI 88,790-92,531) in period 2, representing 57.0% and 67.9% of all hospital admissions. Estimated averted hospitalisations were lowest for 12-49-year-olds and highest for 70-79-year-olds. More admissions were averted in the Delta period (72.3%) than in the Omicron period (63.4%).

Conclusion

COVID-19 vaccination prevented a large number of hospitalisations. Although the estimated number of hospitalisations during the study period could not have realistically occurred due to capacity limits on health care, these findings underline the public health importance of the vaccination campaign to policy makers and the public.
Systematic review: Longitudinal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health
Authors: Wolf Kristin , Schmitz Julian
Published: December 2022

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic and the protection measures to contain its spread have massively changed daily lives of billions of children and adolescents worldwide.

Objective:

We conducted a systematic review to investigate the global longitudinal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on various mental health outcomes in children and adolescents over a period of one and a half years.

Methods:

This review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The databases “PubMed”, “Web of Science”, and “APA PsycInfo” were searched (last access: 01/2022). Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed and published between December 2019 and December 2021, if they followed a longitudinal or repeated cross-sectional design, and if they assessed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic or a related stressor on mental health indicators.

Findings:

Of 7,451 identified studies, 69 studies (n∼ 130,000) meeting eligibility criteria were included in a qualitative analysis. The results indicate a general trend of decreased psychological well-being, increased psychopathological distress, and heightened symptom levels (particularly of depressive and anxiety symptoms) from before to during the pandemic. Data suggests that both the intensity of protection measures and infection dynamic were positively associated with severity of psychopathology. The most reported influencing factors on the effect of the pandemic on child and adolescent mental health were age, gender, socio-economic status, previous state of mental and physical health, self- regulation abilities, parental mental health, parenting quality, family functioning, social support, isolation and loneliness, health-related worries, and consistent routines and structure.

Conclusion:

Our systematic review shows that children and adolescents worldwide have experienced increased psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These results call for improvement in access to child and adolescent mental health care and the prioritisation of child and adolescent well-being in political decision making.
Clinicians’ perspectives and experiences of providing cervical ripening at home or in-hospital in the United Kingdom
Authors: Yuill Cassandra , Harkness Mairi , Wallace Chlorice , Cheyne Helen , Black Mairead , Modi Neena , Pasupathy Dharmintra , Sanders Julia , Stock Sarah J , McCourt Christine
Published: December 2022

Induction of labour, or starting labour artificially, is offered when the risks of continuing pregnancy are believed to outweigh the risks of the baby being born. In the United Kingdom, cervical ripening is recommended as the first stage of induction. Increasingly, maternity services are offering this outpatient or ‘at home’, despite limited evidence on its acceptability and how different approaches to cervical ripening work in practice. There is also a paucity of literature on clinicians’ experiences of providing induction care in general, despite their central role in developing local guidelines and delivering this care. This paper explores induction, specifically cervical ripening and the option to return home during that process, from the perspective of midwives, obstetricians and other maternity staff. As part of process evaluation involving five case studies undertaken in British maternity services, interviews and focus groups were conducted with clinicians who provide induction of labour care. The thematic findings were generated through in-depth analysis and are grouped to reflect key points within the process of cervical ripening care: ‘Implementing home cervical ripening’, ‘Putting local policy into practice’, ‘Giving information about induction’ and ‘Providing cervical ripening’. A range of practices and views regarding induction were recorded, showing how the integration of home cervical ripening is not always straightforward. Findings demonstrate that providing induction of labour care is complex and represents a significant workload. Home cervical ripening was seen as a solution to managing this workload; however, findings highlighted ways in which this expectation might not be borne out in practice. More comprehensive research is needed on workload impacts and possible lateral effects within other areas of maternity services.
Anin silicoapproach to determine inter-subunit affinities in human septin complexes
Authors: Grupp Benjamin , Lemkul Justin A. , Gronemeyer Thomas
Published: December 2022

The septins are a conserved family of filament-forming guanine nucleotide binding proteins, often named the fourth component of the cytoskeleton. Correctly assembled septin structures are required for essential intracellular processes such as cytokinesis, vesicular transport, polarity establishment, and cellular adhesion. Structurally, septins belong to the P-Loop NTPases but they do not mediate signals to effectors through GTP binding and hydrolysis. GTP binding and hydrolysis are believed to contribute to septin complex integrity, but biochemical approaches addressing this topic are hampered by the stability of septin complexes after recombinant expression and the lack of nucleotide-depleted complexes. To overcome this limitation, we used a molecular dynamics-based approach to determine inter-subunit binding free energies in available human septin dimer structures and in their apo forms, which we generatedin silico. The nucleotide in the GTPase active subunits SEPT2 and SEPT7, but not in SEPT6, was identified as a stabilizing element in the G interface as it is coordinated at its ribose ring to conserved amino acids. Removal of GDP from SEPT2 and SEPT7 results in flipping of a conserved Arg residue and disruption of an extensive hydrogen bond network in the septin unique element, concomitant with a decreased inter-subunit affinity.
Theoretical analysis of confinement mechanisms for epigenetic modifications of nucleosomes
Authors: Nickels Jan Fabio , Sneppen Kim
Published: December 2022

Nucleosomes and their modifications often facilitate gene regulation in eukaryotes. Certain genomic regions may obtain alternate epigenetic states through enzymatic reactions forming positive feedback between nucleosome states. How a system of nucleosome states maintains confinement is an open question. Here we explore a family of stochastic dynamic models with combinations of readwrite enzymes. We find that a larger number of intermediate nucleosome states increases both the robustness of linear spreading in models with only local recruitment processes and the degree of bi-stability under conditions with at least one non-local recruitment. Further, supplementing the positive feedback with one negative feedback acting over long distances along the genome enables effective confinement of epigenetic, bistable regions. Our study emphasizes the importance of determining whether each particular read-write enzyme acts only locally or between distant nucleosomes.
CircPrime: a web-based platform for design of specific circular RNA primers
Authors: Sharko Fedor , Rbbani Golam , Siriyappagouder Prabhugouda , Raeymaekers Joost A.M. , Galindo-Villegas Jorge , Nedoluzhko Artem , Fernandes Jorge M.O.
Published: December 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed-loop RNAs with critical regulatory roles in cells. The tenth of thousands of circRNAs have been unveiled due to the recent advances in high throughput RNA sequencing technologies and bioinformatic tools development. At the same time, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cross-validation for circRNAs predicted by bioinformatic tools remains an essential part of any circRNA study before publication.

Results

Here, we present the CircPrime web-based platform, providing a user-friendly solution for DNA primer design and thermocycling conditions for circRNA identification with routine PCR methods.

Conclusions

User-friendly CircPrime web platform (http://circprime.elgene.net/) works with outputs of the most popular bioinformatic predictors of circRNAs to design specific circular RNA primers. CircPrime works with circRNA coordinates and any reference genome from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database (NCBI).
pGG-PIP: A GreenGate (GG) entry vector collection with Plant Immune system Promoters (PIP)
Authors: Calabria Jacob , Rast-Somssich Madlen I. , Wang Liu , Chen Hsiang-Wen , Watt Michelle , Idnurm Alexander , Persson Staffan , Somssich Marc
Published: December 2022

The regulatory sequences controlling the expression of a gene (i.e., the promoter) are essential to properly understand a gene’s function. From their use in mutant complementation assays, to studying their responsiveness to different stimuli via transcriptional reporter lines or using them as proxy for the activation of certain pathways, assays using promoter sequences are valuable tools for insight into the genetic architecture underlying plant life. The GreenGate (GG) system is a plant-specific variant of the Golden Gate assembly method, a modular cloning system that allows the hierarchical assembly of individual donor DNA fragments into one expression clone via a single reaction step. Here, we present a collection of 75 GG entry vectors carrying putative regulatory sequences forArabidopsis thalianagenes involved in many different pathways of the plant immune system, designated Plant Immune system Promoters (PIP). This pGG-PIP entry vector set enables the rapid assembly of expression vectors to be used for transcriptional reporters of plant immune system components, mutant complementation assays when coupled with coding sequences, mis-expression experiments for genes of interest, or the targeted use of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We used pGG-PIP vectors to create fluorescent transcriptional reporters inA.thalianaand demonstrated the potential of these reporters to image the responsiveness of specific plant immunity genes to infection and colonization by the fungal pathogenFusarium oxysporum. Using the PLANT ELICITOR PEPTIDE (PEP) pathway as an example, we show that several components of this pathway are locally activated in response to colonization by the fungus.
X-ray stress analysis with a 2D detector. Part 1. Data acquisition and treatment strategies
Authors: François Manuel
Published: December 2022

In the field of stress analysis via X-ray diffraction from polycrystalline specimens, the use of a 2D detector allows the operator to break free from the equatorial plane and devise new acquisition and treatment strategies for both synchrotron facilities and in-house laboratory equipment. Most of the time, however, the data acquired with these detectors are treated through radial–azimuthal binning in order to go back to classical pattern fitting strategies. The aim of the present paper is to propose a new approach to these issues, called RingFit-2D. First, it is shown that the set of angles used classically is no longer adapted to 2D detectors and a new set is proposed. A geometric description of the setup is then used to perform a global fitting of the images and to show that some issues linked to the spatial calibration of the detector can be easily detected through this approach. It is also shown that some specific formulations proposed in the literature can be derived from the general formulation described in the present paper. The second part of this work [François (2023). J. Appl. Cryst.
56, 61–70] will deal with the modelling and quantification of alignment errors in the diffractometer.
X-ray stress analysis with a 2D detector. Part 2. Goniometer alignment
Authors: François Manuel
Published: December 2022

The use of 2D detectors for stress/strain analysis enables new strategies for data acquisition and treatment to be devised, thus enabling faster measurements to be performed, including stress mapping without goniometer rotations. These advantages were developed in Part 1 of this work [François (2023). J. Appl. Cryst.
56, 48–60], but they imply the occurrence of additional alignment issues that need to be addressed carefully. The aim of this second part is to describe the misalignment errors geometrically using the general formalism introduced in Part 1. Under the assumption that the defects of the equipment are small, closed-form analytical expressions are provided for each type of error. It is found that the trigonometric functions describing each defect are independent. Thus, it becomes possible to identify and quantify the type of error from measurements performed on a stress-free sample such as a powder specimen. This is achieved by a linear least-squares regression analysis on the measured peak positions for various values of the goniometric angles. The proposed method is then applied to an example.
Development of serial X-ray fluorescence holography for radiation-sensitive protein crystals
Authors: Ang Artoni Kevin R. , Umena Yasufumi , Sato-Tomita Ayana , Shibayama Naoya , Happo Naohisa , Marumi Riho , Yamamoto Yuta , Kimura Koji , Kawamura Naomi , Takano Yu , Matsushita Tomohiro , Sasaki Yuji C. , Shen Jian-Ren , Hayashi Kouichi
Published: December 2022

X-ray fluorescence holography (XFH) is a powerful atomic resolution technique capable of directly imaging the local atomic structure around atoms of a target element within a material. Although it is theoretically possible to use XFH to study the local structures of metal clusters in large protein crystals, the experiment has proven difficult to perform, especially on radiation-sensitive proteins. Here, the development of serial X-ray fluorescence holography to allow the direct recording of hologram patterns before the onset of radiation damage is reported. By combining a 2D hybrid detector and the serial data collection used in serial protein crystallography, the X-ray fluorescence hologram can be directly recorded in a fraction of the measurement time needed for conventional XFH measurements. This approach was demonstrated by obtaining the Mn Kα hologram pattern from the protein crystal Photosystem II without any X-ray-induced reduction of the Mn clusters. Furthermore, a method to interpret the fluorescence patterns as real-space projections of the atoms surrounding the Mn emitters has been developed, where the surrounding atoms produce large dark dips along the emitter–scatterer bond directions. This new technique paves the way for future experiments on protein crystals that aim to clarify the local atomic structures of their functional metal clusters, and for other related XFH experiments such as valence-selective XFH or time-resolved XFH.
Prospects for weather-indexed insurance for blueberry growers
Authors: Liu Xuan , van Kooten G. Cornelis , Gerbrandt Eric Martin , Duan Jun
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The authors investigate whether an index-based weather insurance (WII) product can complement or replace existing traditional crop yield insurance for mitigating farmers' financial risks, with an application to blueberry growers in British Columbia (BC).

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid model combining expected utility (EU) and prospect values is developed to analyse farmers' demand for WII.

Findings

While weather data are used to investigate supply elements, a hybrid model combining EU theory and prospect theory (PT) is developed to analyse farmers' demand for WII. On the supply side, a quality index is constructed and the relationship between the quality index and key weather parameters is quantified using a partial least squares structural model. The authors then model weather parameters via time-series analysis and statistical distributions to provide reasonable estimates for calculating actuarially sound insurance premiums for a rainfall indexed, insurance product. This model indicates that decreases in the proportion of a blueberry grower's total revenue and revenue volatility will decrease the possibility that they participate in WII. At the same time, an increase in the value loss aversion coefficient and WII's basis risk further leads to less demand for WII. In short, a grower may decide not to participate in WII at an actuarially fair premium due to the combined effects of the above factors. Overall, while the supply analysis enables us to demonstrate that WII can potentially help in mitigating farmers' financial risks, it turns out that, on the demand side, blueberry growers are unwilling to pay for such a product without large government subsidies.

Originality/value

The authors argue that the demand for insurance may be affected by the level and the volatility of a berry grower's total revenue. Hence, the authors propose a hybrid expression that assumes a farmer seeks to maximize the total utility function to capture the rational and intuitive parts of a farmer's decision-making process. The EU represents rationality and the prospect value represents the intuitive component. Meanwhile, the authors investigate the possibility of using key weather parameters to construct a berry quality index – one that could be applied to other agricultural areas for studying the relationship between weather conditions and product quality.
Thermodynamic properties of ketone with 2-methyl-1-butanol/2-ethyl-1-butanol at various temperatures
Authors: Vijaya Lakshmi Chaduvula , Ravi Kiran Ch. , Gowrisankar M. , Babu Shaik , Ramachandran D.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to throw light on the interactions taking place between the different chemical compositions at various temperatures. P-methylacetophenone is a polar dissolvable, which is positively related by dipole–dipole co-operations and is exceptionally compelling a direct result of the shortfall of any critical primary impacts because of the absence of hydrogen bonds; hence, it might work an enormous dipole moment (μ = 3.62 D). Alcohols additionally assume a significant part in industries and research facilities as reagents and pull in incredible consideration as helpful solvents in the green innovation. They are utilized as pressure-driven liquids in drugs, beauty care products, aromas, paints removers, flavors, dye stuffs and as a germ-free specialist.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixtures were prepared by mass in airtight ground stopper bottles. The mass measurements were performed on a digital electronic balance (Mettler Toledo AB135, Switzerland) with an uncertainty of ±0.0001 g. The uncertainty in mole fraction was thus estimated to be less than ±0.0001. The densities of pure liquids and their mixtures were determined using a density meter (DDH-2911, Rudolph Research Analytical). The instrument was calibrated frequently using deionized doubly distilled water and dry air. The estimated uncertainty associated with density measurements is ±0.0003 g.cm−3. Viscosities of the pure liquids and their mixtures were determined by using Ostwald’s viscometer. The viscometer was calibrated at each required temperature using doubly distilled water. The viscometer was cleaned, dried and is filled with the sample liquid in a bulb having capacity of 10 ml. The viscometer was then kept in a transparent walled water bath with a thermal stability of ±0.01K for about 20 min to obtain thermal equilibrium. An electronic digital stop watch with an uncertainty of ±0.01 s was used for the flow time measurements for each sample at least four readings were taken and then the average of these was taken.

Findings

Negative values of excess molar volume, excess isentropic compressibility and positive values of deviation in viscosity including excess Gibbs energy of activation of viscous flow at different temperatures (303.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K) may be attribution to the specific intermolecular interactions through the hetero-association interaction between the components of the mixtures, resulting in the formation of associated complexes through hydrogen bond interactions.

Originality/value

The excess molar volume (VE) values were analyzed with the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory, which demonstrated that the free volume contribution is the one of the factors influencing negative values of excess molar quantities. The Jouyban–Acree model was used to correlate the experimental values of density, speed of sound and viscosity.
Consumer perception of functional foods and determinants of functional foods consumption in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Horská Elena , Predanócyová Kristína , Šedík Peter , Grunert Klaus G. , Hupková Daniela
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study the consumer perception of functional foods and to identify determinants of functional foods consumption in Slovakia.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on primary data obtained by conducting an online questionnaire survey in 2021 using the snowball sampling method (n = 1,138 Slovak respondents). By applying inferential and multivariate statistics, several segments of functional food consumers were identified.

Findings

Research identified three segments of functional food consumers in Slovakia differing in the agreement scores of the four dimensions of beliefs about functional foods. The “Skeptic” is the largest segment, comprising 52% of the sample. Consumers have higher agreement on the risk beliefs and lower agreement on the benefit, trend and interest beliefs. These consumers do not consume functional food regularly. The segment “Less interested”, comprising 35% of the sample, has average agreement scores, and consumers consume functional food occasionally or regularly. The “Enthusiastic” is the smallest segment, comprising only 12% of the sample. Consumers have high agreement on the benefits and interest beliefs and low agreement on the risk beliefs. Most consumers consume functional food regularly and are focusing on functional product features.

Originality/value

The results provide essential information for both the academic and commercial field. Obtained information can be used by producers of functional foods to better understand their customers as well as to improve their marketing strategies on the Slovak market.
Success factors of digital technologies (DT) tools adoption for sustainable construction in a developing economy
Authors: Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Aliu John , Onajite Solomon , Simeon Michael
Published: December 2022

Purpose

As the construction sector constantly seeks ways to address ever-growing societal demands, the need to embrace innovation and digital technologies (DTs) cannot be overstated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the success factors influencing the adoption of DTs to achieve sustainable construction in a developing economy such as Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was conducted with close-ended questionnaires developed and administered to construction professionals based in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data obtained was analyzed using percentages, frequency, mean item score and exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

The findings from the mean scores revealed the leading influential success factors which were education and training, methodology of model constructions, organization development, customer satisfaction and profitability and new revenue. Factor analysis revealed three clusters of success factors which were management needs, construction methodology and effective communication.

Practical implications

To adequately integrate DTs into construction industry activities and processes, awareness about the technologies must be created and enhanced if already in play. This study posits that the construction sector must accept and implement this new paradigm of innovation to benefit from this disruptive era.

Originality/value

This study serves as a foundation for other related studies that are aimed at advocating the efficacy of DTs in the effective and efficient execution of construction activities. The assessment of the success factors influencing the adoption of DTs would help construction organizations and stakeholders to understand the need to embrace and implement smart technologies into the activities, operations and processes of the construction industry.
Effect of motivating language on employee performance: mediating role of organisational citizenship behaviour and employee engagement in the healthcare sector
Authors: R.J. Singh Sovia , Sharma Kulwant Kumar , Mittal Amit , Chand Pawan Kumar
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of motivating language on employee performance and assesses the mediating roles of organisational citizenship behaviour and employee engagement between motivating language and employee performance in the Indian health-care sector, which is a highly demanding work environment, wherein employee burnout is high.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was in the context of COVID-19 pandemic set for health-care workers in India. To collect data and test the proposed research model, 328 questionnaires were respondent by multi-level health-care professionals from private and government hospitals in North India.

Findings

The findings suggest that leader’s motivating language is crucial for health-care leaders, inducing employee’s performance in context to patientcare, safety and satisfaction. Underpinning theory of leader member exchange substantiates that the role of leader is pivotal in daily interaction with the stakeholders. Self-determination theory of motivation is determined by psychological needs satisfaction inducing employee engagement and organisational citizenship behaviour, amplified through the leader’s motivating language, resulting into improved patientcare and patient safety. The findings state that leader’s motivating language impacts the high culture context like health-care professionals, as observed in the Indian health-care sector during COVID-19. The findings are indicative of developing non-cognitive personality traits for managerial skills.

Practical implications

The study substantiates the pivotal role of the leader’s communication with stakeholders such as patients/attendants and health-care staff. The findings, which are an indicator of patientcare, as an outcome of patient compliance, will be indicative of developing the non-cognitive skills in the personality traits of managerial skills, inducing patients’ trust in their health-care providers, using motivating language. Therefore, the health-care professionals must be trained in the application of motivating language with stakeholders, namely, patients/attendants and staff.

Originality/value

The findings state that leader’s motivating language impacts on employees of high culture context like health-care professionals, as observed in the Indian health-care sector during the recent global medical emergency of COVID-19, whereas the earlier studies posited leader’s motivating language to be effective on employees with low-cultural context. The role of leader is pivotal in daily interaction with the stakeholders, namely, patients/attendants and health-care staff.
Modelling barriers to wearable technologies in Indian context: validating the moderating role of technology literacy
Authors: Verma Balraj , Tandon Urvashi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine diverse risks and barriers that influence customers' attitude leading to their actual use of wearable devices in India. This study used technological literacy as a moderating variable to understand the relationship between barriers and attitudes toward adoption of wearable device.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was developed through focused group discussions with field experts. Data were collected through online as well as offline modes. A Google form was created and its weblink was shared with the respondents using wearable devices. Both online as well as offline modes were used for data collection. Several reminders through telephone and revisits were undertaken to approach the respondents.

Findings

The results of this study indicated that psychological risk and financial risk emerged strongest barriers of wearable technologies. This was followed by infrastructure barriers and performance risk. The strength of the relationship between technological anxiety and attitudes was lower but still significant. Surprisingly, privacy risk and social risk were not statistically significant. This study also validated the impact of technological literacy as a moderator between risks and attitudes.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the research by validating numerous risks and barriers in the adoption of wearable devices. This study not only offers a novel perspective on researching diverse barriers but also elucidates the moderating role of technological literacy which has not been covered in extant literature.
New strategy for the numerical solution of multi-dimensional diffusion equations
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an innovative strategy for the approximate solution of the heat flow problems in two- and three-dimensional spaces. This new strategy is very easy to implement and handles the restrictive variable that may ruin the physical nature of the problem.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines Sawi transform (ST) and the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) to formulate the idea of Sawi homotopy perturbation transform method (SHPTM). First, this study implements ST to handle the recurrence relation and then incorporates HPM to derive the series solutions of this recurrence relation. ST has the advantage in that it does not require any assumptions or hypothesis for the evaluation of series solutions.

Findings

This strategy finds the results very accurate and close to the precise solution. The graphical observations and the surface solution demonstrate that SHPTM is a reliable and powerful scheme for finding the approximate solution of heat flow problems.

Originality/value

The study presents an original work. This study develops SHPTM for the approximate solution of two- and three-dimensional heat flow problems. The obtained results and graphical representation demonstrate that SHPTM is a very authentic and reliable approach.
Corporate social entrepreneurial orientation in the hospitality and tourism industry: a religiosity perspective
Authors: Sharifi-Tehrani Mohammad
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The major purpose of this research article is to empirically analyze a moderated-mediated model to comprehend the interrelationships between religiosity, life hardship, attitude toward social entrepreneurship (SE) and corporate social entrepreneurial orientation (SEO).

Design/methodology/approach

The constructivist grounded theory method was used to analyze interviews, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was selected to analyze the developed nine hypotheses.

Findings

Based on the structural model outcomes, the practicing religious believers reported a significantly higher level of corporate SEO and propensity for social proactiveness, innovativeness, risk-taking, socialness and persistence (dimensions of SEO) than the nonpracticing believers.

Practical implications

This study provides the practical implication that social entrepreneurs with a higher degree of congruence with the prevailing religious institutionalized logic in a society have a higher inclination to create social value through corporate practices and operations.

Originality/value

This study presents an SEO scale that incorporates the dimensions of two SEO scales developed by Kraus et al. (2017) and Syrjä et al. (2019). To the best of the author’s knowledge, the applicability and generalizability of this scale were supported for the first time in the SE discipline, particularly tourism SE. This scale effectively captures more characteristics of SE, particularly in the face of inefficient political and institutional forms.
How much does interpersonal guanxi matter to business performance? The mediating role of relationship learning in an emerging market context
Authors: Wang Lilei , Dang Yumei , Xiao Shufeng (Simon) , Xu Xing'an
Published: December 2022

Purpose

By adopting learning theory and a guanxi perspective, this study aims to investigate the effects of interpersonal guanxi (interpersonal networks or connections) and relationship learning on companies’ business performance when operating in a large emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 294 sales managers and salespeople in the Chinese hotel sector, the authors empirically test the authors' arguments through a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach.

Findings

The authors' findings indicate that strong interpersonal guanxi tends to generate more positive business performance. Furthermore, the authors find that relationship learning plays a mediating role in the association between interpersonal guanxi and hotel companies’ business performance in a Chinese context. Finally, the authors empirically explore the moderating effect of inter-firm dependence on the contribution of interpersonal guanxi to relationship learning. Findings demonstrate that this effect varies significantly based on inter-firm dependence, with interpersonal guanxi exhibiting a greater positive impact if such dependence is high.

Originality/value

This study enriches our understanding of interpersonal guanxi and of how companies can enhance the companies' business performance in an emerging market context.
Authoritarian leadership and firm-level voluntary turnover among SMEs in Thailand: Does benevolent leadership matter?
Authors: Potipiroon Wisanupong , Chumphong Orisa
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This research aims to examine the impact of authoritarian leadership on firm-level voluntary turnover among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand and asks whether benevolent leadership can mitigate the adverse impact of authoritarian leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 110 owner-managers of SMEs and 951 employees in Thailand were invited to participate in the study. Tobit regression was used for analyzing aggregated data (i.e. employees' assessment of owner-managers' leadership styles) and firm-level voluntary turnover data provided by SME owner-managers.

Findings

The results showed that authoritarian leadership was positively related to voluntary turnover, whereas benevolent leadership was negatively related to voluntary turnover. Furthermore, the relationship between authoritarian leadership and voluntary turnover was moderated by benevolent leadership, such that the highest levels of voluntary turnover rates were observed among firms with high-authoritarian and low-benevolent leaders. In contrast, firms with high-authoritarian and high-benevolent leaders were not necessarily associated with high turnover rates. These results were observed for both the voluntary turnover rates of full-time and part-time employees and the weighted voluntary turnover rate.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that owner-managers of SMEs should take a balanced leadership approach to managing their employees, acting as paternalistic leaders who tread a fine line between being “strict and cold” and being “strict and warm.” They can achieve this by showing care and genuine concern for employees when enacting authority.

Originality/value

While past research has shed important light on the additive and joint effects of authoritarian and benevolent leadership styles on individual-level outcomes, this study contributes to this body of work by being among the first to show that these effects are also isomorphic at the organizational level of analysis.
Time, place and theme in heritage conservation: configurations and applications
Authors: Elwazani Salim
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study examines the time, place and theme constructs from the viewpoints of their theoretical configurations and potential applications in heritage conservation. The examination taps on the relationship of time to chronology, place to geography and theme to the human agency. Time, place and theme pose challenges in delineating workable definitions and in corroborating the resolvability of the terms into real-world applications. The challenges stem from the metaphysical nature of the constructs and the conjectural interpretability of the associated connotations.

Design/methodology/approach

The humanistic setting of the study supports qualitative research and information assessment methods. Information to support the theoretical objective (configurations) comes from the seminal literature on the very nature of time, place and theme and on their relationship with chronology, geography and human agency, respectively. The information to support the applied objective (applications) comes mainly from the works of the US National Park Service heritage programs, particularly the historic context strategy where the members of the triad are applied.

Findings

The theoretical knowledge about time, place and theme geared towards framing the constructs' configurations and applications in heritage conservation is lacking. Mediating time into chronology, place into geography and theme into argument provides a useful framework for understanding the constructs' configurations and applications.

Originality/value

The study adds knowledge on time, place and theme that helps delineate the configurations and applications of these constructs to the benefit of heritage conservation planning.
Valuation of step-down knock-in in one stock linked security using numerical and Monte Carlo integration
Authors: Kim GyeHong
Published: December 2022

This paper shows a new methodology for evaluating the value and sensitivity of autocall knock-in type equity-linked securities. While the existing evaluation methods, Monte Carlo simulation and finite difference method, have limitations in underestimating the knock-in effect, which is one of the important characteristics of this type, this paper presents a precise joint probability formula for multiple autocall chances and knock-in events. Based on this, the calculation results obtained by utilizing numerical and Monte Carlo integration are presented and compared with those of existing models. The results of the proposed model show notable improvements in terms of accuracy and calculation time.