bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysing the dynamics of the bacterial community in pozol, a Mexican fermented corn dough
Authors: López-Sánchez Rafael , Hernández-Oaxaca Diana , Escobar-Zepeda Alejandra , Ramos Cerrillo Blanca , López-Munguía Agustin , Segovia Lorenzo
Published: July 2023

Pozol is a traditional prehispanic Mexican beverage made from fermented nixtamal dough; it is still part of everyday life in many communities due to its nutritional properties. It is the product of spontaneous fermentation and has a complex microbiota composed primarily of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Although this is a beverage that has been used for centuries, the microbial processes that participate in this fermented beverage are not well understood. We fermented corn dough to produce pozol and sampled it at four key times to follow the community and metabolic changes (0, 9 24 and 48 h) by shotgun metagenomic sequencing to determine structural changes in the bacterial community, as well as metabolic genes used for substrate fermentation, nutritional properties and product safety. We found a core of 25 abundant genera throughout the 4 key fermentation times, with the genus

Streptococcus

being the most prevalent throughout fermentation. We also performed an analysis focused on metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) to identify species from the most abundant genera. Genes involving starch, plant cell wall (PCW), fructan and sucrose degradation were found throughout fermentation and in MAGs, indicating the metabolic potential of the pozol microbiota to degrade these carbohydrates. Complete metabolic modules responsible for amino acid and vitamin biosynthesis increased considerably during fermentation, and were also found to be abundant in MAG, highlighting the bacterial contribution to the well-known nutritional properties attributed to pozol. Further, clusters of genes containing CAZymes (CGCs) and essential amino acids and vitamins were found in the reconstructed MAGs for abundant species in pozol. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the metabolic role of micro-organisms in the transformation of corn to produce this traditional beverage and their contribution to the nutritional impact that pozol has had for centuries in the traditional cuisine of southeast Mexico.
Dynamic Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA to Predict the Prognosis and Monitor the Treatment Response of Patients with Metastatic Triple-negative Breast Cancer: a prospective study
Authors: Chi Yajing , Su Mu , Zhou Dongdong , Zheng Fangchao , Zhang Baoxuan , Qiang Ling , Ren Guohua , Song Lihua , Bu Bing , Fang Shu , Yu Bo , Zhou Jinxing , Yu Jinming , Li Huihui
Published: July 2023

Background

Limited data are available on the application of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) patients. Here, we investigated the value of ctDNA for predicting the prognosis and monitoring the treatment response in mTNBC patients.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 70 Chinese patients with mTNBC who had progressed after ≤ 2 lines of chemotherapy and collected blood samples to extract ctDNA for 457-gene targeted panel sequencing.

Results

Patients with ctDNA+, defined by 12 prognosis-relevant mutated genes, had a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than ctDNA− patients (5.16 monthsvs.9.05 months,P= 0.001) and ctDNA+ was independently associated with a shorter PFS (HR, 95%CI: 2.67, 1.2–5.96;P= 0.016) by multivariable analyses. Patients with a higher mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) score (≥ 6.316) or a higher ctDNA fraction (ctDNA% ≥ 0.05) had a significantly shorter PFS than patients with a lower MATH score (5.67 monthsvs.11.27 months,P= 0.007) and patients with a lower ctDNA% (5.45 monthsvs.12.17 months,P< 0.001), respectively. Positive correlations with treatment response were observed for MATH score (R = 0.24,P= 0.014) and ctDNA% (R = 0.3,P= 0.002), but not the CEA, CA125, or CA153. Moreover, patients who remained ctDNA+ during dynamic monitoring tended to have a shorter PFS than those who did not (3.90 monthsvs.6.10 months,P= 0.135).

Conclusions

ctDNA profiling provides insight into the mutational landscape of mTNBC and may reliably predict the prognosis and treatment response of mTNBC patients.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81902713), Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No. ZR2019LZL018), Breast Disease Research Fund of Shandong Provincial Medical Association (Grant No. YXH2020ZX066), the Start-up Fund of Shandong Cancer Hospital (Grant No. 2020-PYB10), Beijing Science and Technology Innovation Fund (Grant No. KC2021-ZZ-0010-1).
Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the biobehavioral survey among incarcerated individuals and correctional personnel in Mozambique, 2021
Authors: Botão Carlos , Mutola Ana , Nuvunga Samuel , Banze Auria , Muleia Rachid , Boothe Makini , Baltazar Cynthia Semá
Published: July 2023

Mozambique implemented in 2021 a formative assessment in 22 prisons to identify the operational and logistical needs for the second round of the Biobehavioral Survey (BBS). We discussed barriers and facilitators that could be anticipated in conducting BBS in prisons, in preparation for implementation, structured interviews with key informants with directors and other staff were administered. The data were cleaned and analyzed in Microsoft Excel, and the categorical variables were summarized by means of simple frequencies and percentages. In most prisons the actual prison capacity far exceeds the theoretical capacity, 40.9% have a theoretical capacity of ≥ 50 inmates, 81.8% have inmates who exceed their theoretical capacity. In the country half of the prisons receive only male inmates, and only one female, 54.5% of the prisons visited have inmates under 18 years of age, 72.7% of the prisons had a private space available for the survey, the penitentiary establishments have the physical space for study; ensuring the safety of staff within the facilities; involvement of correctional officers and a clinical focal point. However, barriers such as time management due to prison opening hours, prison laws, restrictions, or permits for research may change without notice due to security, lockdowns, riots, or other situations that may hinder the implementation of research. Currently, little is known about the implementation of a BBS in a correctional environment and only a few barriers can be anticipated, for Mozambique’s context, these challenges and obstacles can be overcome through clear communication and collaboration with officials at all levels.
Neuromelanin-sensitive MRI correlates of cognitive and motor function in Parkinson’s disease with freezing of gait
Authors: Huddleston Daniel E. , Chen Xiangchuan , Hwang Kristy , Langley Jason , Tripathi Richa , Tucker Kelsey , McKay J. Lucas , Hu Xiaoping , Factor Stewart A.
Published: July 2023

Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and locus coeruleus (LC) are neuromelanin-rich nuclei implicated in diverse cognitive and motor processes in normal brain function and disease. However, their roles in aging and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms have remained unclear due to a lack of tools to study themin vivo. Preclinical and post-mortem human investigations indicate that the relationship between tissue neuromelanin content and neurodegeneration is complex. Neuromelanin exhibits both neuroprotective and cytotoxic characteristics, and tissue neuromelanin content varies across the lifespan, exhibiting an inverted U-shaped relationship with age. Neuromelanin-sensitive MRI (NM-MRI) is an emerging modality that allows measurement of neuromelanin-associated contrast in SNc and LC in humans. NM-MRI robustly detects disease effects in these structures in neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous NM-MRI studies of PD have largely focused on detecting disease group effects, but few studies have reported NM-MRI correlations with phenotype. Because neuromelanin dynamics are complex, we hypothesize that they are best interpreted in the context of both disease stage and aging, with neuromelanin loss correlating with symptoms most clearly in advanced stages where neuromelanin loss and neurodegeneration are coupled. We tested this hypothesis using NM-MRI to measure SNc and LC volumes in healthy older adult control individuals and in PD patients with and without freezing of gait (FOG), a severe and disabling PD symptom. We assessed for group differences and correlations between NM-MRI measures and aging, cognition and motor deficits. SNc volume was significantly decreased in PD with FOG compared to controls. SNc volume correlated significantly with motor symptoms and cognitive measures in PD with FOG, but not in PD without FOG. SNc volume correlated significantly with aging in PD. When PD patients were stratified by disease duration, SNc volume correlated with aging, cognition, and motor deficits only in PD with disease duration >5 years. We conclude that in severe or advanced PD, identified by either FOG or disease duration >5 years, the observed correlations between SNc volume and aging, cognition, and motor function may reflect the coupling of neuromelanin loss with neurodegeneration and the associated emergence of a linear relationship between NM-MRI measures and phenotype.
MOLECULAR AND QUANTUM MECHANICAL STUDIES OF INTERACTION BETWEEN TETRAHYDROCURCUMIN DERIVATIVE AND PCSK9 Protein TO PROVIDE A BASIS FOR AN ORAL PILL TO REMOVE BAD CHOLESTEROL
Authors: Vaithyanathan Prakash
Published: July 2023

The interaction between Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and low-density lipoprotein receptors responsible for causing atherosclerosis. According to estimates, it causes 60% of fatalities worldwide and is the covert precursor to clinical myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and CVD. Designing tiny compounds that inhibit PCSK9 from interacting with LDL receptors is the need of the hour. Through bioinformatics-based studies, this study seeks to assess the interactions between a derivative of tetrahydrocurcumin and PCSK9 Protein and compare them to interactions with the literature based studies of standard Atorvastatin. Additionally, comparison research was carried out to examine how the new compound interacts in the active and allosteric regions of PCSK9. The above-mentioned compound, a derivative of Tetrahydrocurcumin, was adjusted and optimized to the level of local minimum energy using the RCSB’s downloaded PDB file 7S5H. By Desmond MD simulation studies, the stability of the non-bonded interactions of the complexes was examined. An affinity of -9.493 kcal/mol for the active site and -8.148 kcal/mol for the allosteric site was observed by docking studies in comparison with the standard molecule, atorvastatin. Also, the MMGBSA value of -50.7142 kcal/mol indicates the Tetrahydrocurcumin derivative binds well compare to the standard, atorvastatin. The Tetrahydro curcumin derivative molecule was able to orient into the active region with the help of Asp238, Thr377, and Ser381 amino acids. In comparison to atorvastatin, the binding affinity was raised by seven H-bonds with six amino acids and one π interaction of Arg295 amino acids of the allosteric site. The Tetrahydro curcumin molecule’s nonbonded interaction was found to be stable for 100 ns by MD simulation tests. This demonstrates that the Tetrahydrocurcumin derivative molecule will prove to be an effective substrate to modify PCSK9 protein behavior.
Single-cell quantitative bioimaging ofP. bergheiliver stage translation
Authors: McLellan James L. , Sausman William , Reers Ashley B. , Bunnik Evelien M. , Hanson Kirsten K.
Published: July 2023

Plasmodiumparasite resistance to existing antimalarial drugs poses a devastating threat to the lives of many who depend on their efficacy. New antimalarial drugs and novel drug targets are in critical need, along with novel assays to accelerate their identification. Given the essentiality of protein synthesis throughout the complex parasite lifecycle, translation inhibitors are a promising drug class, capable of targeting the disease-causing blood stage of infection, as well as the asymptomatic liver stage, a crucial target for prophylaxis. To identify compounds capable of inhibiting liver stage parasite translation, we developed an assay to visualize and quantify translation in theP. berghei-HepG2 infection model. After labeling infected monolayers with o- propargyl puromycin (OPP), a functionalized analog of puromycin permitting subsequent bioorthogonal addition of a fluorophore to each OPP-terminated nascent polypetide, we use automated confocal feedback microscopy followed by batch image segmentation and feature extraction to visualize and quantify the nascent proteome in individualP. bergheiliver stage parasites and host cells simultaneously. After validation, we demonstrate specific, concentration-dependent liver stage translation inhibition by both parasite-selective and pan-eukaryotic active compounds, and further show that acute pre-treatment and competition modes of the OPP assay can distinguish between direct and indirect translation inhibitors. We identify a Malaria Box compound, MMV019266, as a direct translation inhibitor inP. bergheiliver stages and confirm this potential mode of action inP. falciparumasexual blood stages.
H-type Ce2[Si2O7]
Authors: Locke Ralf Jules Christian , Weis Maria , Schleid Thomas
Published: July 2023

The title compound, dicerium(III) oxidodisilicate, Ce2[Si2O7], was obtained as a by-product in its H-type structure after attempts to synthesize CeSb2O4Cl from fused silica ampoules. It crystallizes isotypically with H-La2[Si2O7]. The four crystallographically distinct CeIII cations form distorted square antiprisms, capped square antiprisms, and bicapped square antiprisms as coordination polyhedra consisting of oxygen atoms. Four crystallographically different silicon atoms recruit the centers of two different isolated [Si2O7]6– units.
Capturing consumers' visual attention toward sugar-reduction information – Focusing on sugar-reduced beverages using eye-tracking experiments
Authors: Ahn Se Eun , Oh Jieun , Cho Mi Sook
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study analyzed the factors affecting visual attention toward sugar-reduction information (SRI) on sugar-reduced beverages (SRBs) and identified the most optimal SRI type and location using eye-tracking. The eye-tracking results were compared with those of a self-reported questionnaire.

Design/methodology/approach

An eye-tracking experiment was conducted on 50 Korean people in their 20s and 30s to analyze implicit responses. Subsequently, a self-reported questionnaire was administered to analyze explicit responses, facilitating the investigation of perceptions, attitudes, preferences, intentions to purchase SRBs, and preferred SRI types and positions.

Findings

The results were as follows. First, personal trait-, state-, and product-related factors were found to affect eye movement in relation to SRI. Second, eye-tracking revealed that SRI types and locations that drew long-lasting fixation and attracted considerable attention were similar to those preferred in the self-reported questionnaire. Therefore, to efficiently convey information on SRBs, SRI should be combined with a graphic, and not merely a word, and placed in the upper-right corner, exhibiting consistency with the results of two previous experiments.

Originality/value

This study specifically focused on considering personal and product-related traits while conducting an eye-tracking experiment to investigate the factors that attract consumers' attention. Furthermore, this study is the first to investigate the use of SRI labels to promote SRB selection. What is significant is that both explicit and implicit responses were assessed and compared via a self-reported survey and eye-tracking experiments for various SRB categories.
Burning the candle at both ends: how to balance potential profitability and brand protection when licensing brands
Authors: Meschnig Annika , Decker-Lange Carolin , Dubiel Anna
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Drawing on transaction cost economics, the authors conceptualise brand licensing as a form of alliance. Its performance may be affected by a licensee’s potential opportunism resulting from an imbalance of specific investments in brand-building prior to signing the licensing agreement. From the licensor’s perspective, brand licensing represents a trade-off between brand protection and additional revenues. This study aims to examine how this trade-off shapes licensors’ evaluations of the attractiveness of brand licensing opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

In a vignette study, 121 brand licensing professionals evaluated the attractiveness of up to eight hypothetical brand licensing opportunities with different levels of risk and profitability.

Findings

From a licensor’s perspective, high brand quality and distribution risks decrease the attractiveness of a licensing opportunity, although the latter risks are more pronounced. High potential profitability has a positive and significant effect on attractiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The risks outlined in this study refer to licensee behaviour. The licensor may also behave opportunistically. The authors encourage research designs that enable a dyadic evaluation of licensing opportunities because a comparison of a licensor’s and a licensee’s assessments of the same scenario would be illuminating.

Practical implications

The findings enable the development of an evaluation template that directs brand owners’ attention to the risks and gains of brand licensing opportunities. It supports licensors in choosing the “best” opportunity.

Originality/value

This study identifies risks emanating from a licensee’s potential opportunism from a licensor’s perspective. It juxtaposes these risks with the potential profitability of brand licensing opportunities. It is thus one of the first studies to address a licensor’s decision-making trade-offs in a large-scale empirical setting.
Do not run out of toilet paper! The risk communication on perceived risk on consumer behavior during the crisis COVID-19
Authors: Dones Virgin , Flecha-Ortiz Jose , Santos-Corrada Maria , Lopez Evelyn
Published: July 2023

Purpose

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures and diffuse communication by media led to consumers’ uncontrolled product purchases worldwide. This phenomenon was described as a psychological effect experienced by fictitious scarcity, anxiety and herd mentality exacerbated by the media. This exploratory study aims to analyze the impact of risk communication on the perceived risk from the psychological dimension of consumer behavior amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory study was conducted through an electronic survey one week after implementing social distancing measures in Puerto Rico. With a sample of 353 participants, the data analysis was carried out by PLS-SEM, partial least squares structural equations (PLS-MGA), multi group test (MGA) and hierarchical component models to answer the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that risk communication activates the perceived psychological risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the way in which the consumer faces the psychological risk is explained by the perceptions of scarcity and the bandwagon effect.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is a pioneer in presenting relationships between risk communication and perceived risk in consumer behavior, a topic that needs to be addressed in the academic literature. The research makes significant contributions to the study of consumer behavior by empirically validating the three phases of the Conchar model – risk framing, risk assessment and risk evaluation – where risk communication offers an excellent delineation to understand the consumer’s behavior during a pandemic.
Supply chain risk assessment in disruptive times: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Duong An Thi Binh , Hoang Thu-Hang , Nguyen Tram Thi Bich , Akbari Mohammadreza , Hoang Thinh Gia , Truong Huy Quang
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Proactive risk assessment suggests that risk assessment should emphasize the consequences that it might cause and the opportunities it might create for firms. Hence, this study aims to validate risk impact on supply chain performance in the context of the Vietnamese construction sector. Also, a complex network, in which multiple risk factors mutually affect, impede or promote each other, is developed to assist managers in tackling unpredictable risks proactively. In particular, the authors investigate whether certain risks could be considered either challenges or opportunities for businesses in turbulent times to improve SC performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The construction industry is the focal study context as it is one of the most essential industries in charge of providing accommodations, infrastructures and employment for society. 289 valid responses used in this research are from a large-scale survey result, supported by a Japanese government project promoting sustainable socio-economic development in Vietnam.

Findings

From the study findings, the authors find that external risk brings opportunities for supply chain performance. Meanwhile, demand risk, when it occurs, can reduce the danger level of operational risk, which is an interesting finding of this research. It is evident that when multiple risk factors mutually affect, impede or promote each other, it provides a more meaningful examination of mutually interconnected supply chain risks.

Originality/value

Practitioners should perceive risks as an opportunity than a threat. This study contributes to preventing risks and guaranteeing an effective and efficient supply chain by tackling unpredictable risks in a disruptive period. Moreover, data on validating research models collected during the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine and Russia conflicts reflect the topicality of this study.
Organizational resilience and enterprise profitability in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic: an approach using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis
Authors: Romo Glory Dee Antero , Sarmiento Jon Marx Paredes , Durano Francis Levi Abdala , Acopiado Imee Marie Añabesa , Acuña Thaddeus Retuerto , Traje Adonis Maquinto , Wahing Geraliza Degamo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to determine pathways leading to enterprise profitability during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

Design/methodology/approach

The study (N = 272) was participated by 228 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 44 large enterprises. Configurational analysis using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used in modelling combinations of firm characteristics and organizational resilience attributes that could lead to enterprise profitability.

Findings

Using the Benchmark Resilience Tool of Resilient Organisations, the study showed that three main attributes of organizational resilience (leadership and culture, networks and relationships, and readiness to change) played significant roles in enterprise profitability. Other conditions of varying influence on profitability included costs, sales, number of employees and the number of years in operations of an enterprise. For MSMEs, profitability can be achieved if all resilience attributes are present, while for large enterprises, the absence of some resilience attributes can be compensated by other attributes such as low decline in sales, low employee reduction, and more years in operation.

Research limitations/implications

While the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts have been far-reaching, the MSMEs and large enterprises are more likely to be profitable if they have used the three organizational resilience attributes. Moreover, these attributes do not only improve firm profitability and the overall enterprise performance during the present pandemic but also prepare them for future shocks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, modelling antecedents of enterprise profitability using configurational analysis is the first in the Philippines.
Examining the antecedents of medical tourists' use of social media from the standpoint of self-efficacy
Authors: Balouchi Mina , Aziz Yuhanis Abdul
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine, from the self-efficacy standpoint, the factors that influence medical tourists' use of social media for travel planning. To that end, this study presents a conceptual framework for evaluating medical tourists' online behaviour and empirically tests the model's validity by examining various dimensions of self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 224 people who searched for medical tourism information online was used in this study. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed model with data from an online questionnaire survey.

Findings

The findings suggest that sources of self-efficacy reinforce one's belief in the ability to use social media for medical travel planning purposes. According to the structural model analysis results, with the exception of social persuasion (SP), all of the proposed factors were significant sources of self-efficacy.

Practical implications

The findings can assist medical tourism providers in optimising online searches for medical travel information, as well as medical tourism destination marketers in directing the tourism providers' marketing efforts towards the use of social media to target potential medical tourists more efficiently and on a larger scale.

Originality/value

This study is being conducted in response to a significant knowledge gap in identifying the factors that influence medical tourists' online behaviour. This information can help medical tourism destination marketers gain a competitive advantage by using social media to target potential medical tourists more effectively and on a larger scale.
Forbidden and necessary: making sense of smartphones in vocational teaching
Authors: Carlsson Sandra , Willermark Sara
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The digitalization of schools has intensified in recent years. It is reflected in policy documents as well as in extensive investments in digital technology and professional development initiatives to promote digitalization. At the same time, attempts are being made to “tame” the same digitization sometimes by regulations banning smartphones in class. This study aims to examine how smartphones are interpreted by vocational teachers in Sweden using the theoretical lens of technological frames.

Design/methodology/approach

The data consist of ten semi-structured interviews with vocational teachers, representing eight vocational programs in Sweden.

Findings

The results show breadth in how teachers understand, interpret and relate to the smartphone in vocational education. The authors show how the smartphone often forms an integral part of professional work and is thus difficult to separate from vocational teaching and nurturing vocational competencies.

Originality/value

The authors’ contributions include using technological frames to explore how smartphones are interpreted and understood by vocational teachers by demonstrating how they relate to the nature of the smartphone, the strategy for the smartphone and the smartphone in use. The theoretical framework is used to interpret restrictions on technology use, in this case a smartphone, in education. The results could be of interest to researchers as well as to teachers, school leaders and policymakers.
Schoolteachers' experiences of knowledge sharing when teaching new education programs
Authors: Hove Langdal Trine
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore schoolteachers’ experiences of knowledge sharing as a source of informal learning in the workplace when teaching new education programs on financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on interviews with American schoolteachers teaching education programs provided by Junior Achievement USA that aim to equip pupils with practical skills in financial literacy and entrepreneurship to improve their work-readiness in adult life.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that knowledge sharing is a source of informal learning among the teachers when dealing with the JA programs. This takes place through collaboration in communities of practice. Experienced teachers (who have previously taught the programs) are especially valuable in sharing their insights and helping the teachers prepare their teaching. Such knowledge-sharing practices help the schoolteachers to improve their practices. Having a supportive social culture encourages knowledge sharing between schoolteachers, but more time is needed to prioritize this kind of collaboration between co-workers.

Originality/value

Teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship through pupil-driven activities can be experienced as different from teaching regular subjects, and teachers in the study seem to benefit from sharing experiences when it comes to preparing or adding to their teaching. The findings suggest that to facilitate knowledge-sharing practices can be helpful to schoolteachers when introducing new topics and pedagogical methods in schools.
The emerging of business resilience plans (BRPs) in dealing with business turbulence
Authors: Apasrawirote Darlin , Yawised Kritcha
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to provide a strategic framework for business resilience plans (BRPs) to guide micro, small, and medium-sized firms (MSMEs) in determining their adaptability level and providing information on agility and resilience tactics while coping with turbulence.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) is used in this work to collect and acquire a complete and high-quality sample of academic journal articles. As the primary focus, 63 high-quality journals were chosen from 154 academic papers in the Scopus and Web of Science databases by using qualitative data analysis. The method of thematic analysis incorporating grounded approach analysis was utilized for creating themes and key findings in this study.

Findings

This study proposes the dimensions of the BRPs framework along with key findings to identify future research directions for MSMEs. The three dimensions of BRP include responsiveness, reactiveness, and proactiveness based on the principles of agility, absorption, and resilience.

Originality/value

This study proposes a sustainable and resilient framework for post-disaster MSMEs as a catalyst towards sustainably resilient MSMEs. This study highlights viable avenues for future research for academics and provides a resilient plan at various levels for business owner-managers.
Consumers’ acceptance intentions regarding e-payments: a focus on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2)
Authors: Negm Eiman Medhat
Published: July 2023

Purpose

In view of the promising growth of FinTech in the Arab region, specifically in Egypt, this study identifies the significant factors likely to influence consumers’ acceptance intention toward e-payment products and services (mobile wallets, virtual-cards, mobile/online banking etc.).

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative deductive research was used to investigate the extension of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) on consumers' e-payment acceptance intentions. Questionnaires were electronically administered through convenience sampling. Three hundred and ninety-nine questionnaires were analyzed through multiple regression to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Performance expectance, facilitating condition, effort expectancy and social influence impact consumers' e-payment acceptance intentions. These factors contribute to the growing number of individuals using e-payments to the extent that e-payment eventually becomes a preferred medium for economic transactions. Hedonic motivation, price value and habit are insignificant in encouraging consumers' e-payment acceptance.

Practical implications

The study benefits to governments, policymakers, banking institutions, businesses involved in online transactions and software developers. They can utilize the findings to develop strategies aimed at increasing e-payment usage and overcoming cultural-resistance to changing traditional financial transaction methods. These methods align with the government’s goal of achieving a digital society.

Originality/value

This study presents information on the current state of e-payment acceptance. Its potential contribution lies in identifying the factors that influence the intention to e-payment among Arab consumers, thereby highlighting important considerations for the adoption of e-payment. Furthermore, this study supports UTAUT over UTAUT2 in the FinTech context. It suggests that individuals exhibit similar behavior and inspiration when using e-payment technology as they do when using technology in an organizational context.
Towards a New Generalisation of the Tri‐Axial Orientation System in Situ Rgyalrong
Authors: Zhang Shuya
Published: July 2023

This paper revisits the orientation systems in Situ Rgyalrong (Burmo‐Qiangic, Sino‐Tibetan). These systems reflect heliocentric (e.g., east/west) or topographic (e.g., upriver/downriver) orientation, typically within a frame of absolute reference. While scholars agree that the orientation systems of different Situ dialects are generalisable to a tri‐axial model, the precise semantic values reflected by the three axes have always been controversial. In explaining synchronic semantic divergences among Situ orientation systems from a diachronic perspective, the present work first reveals historical layers within the three axes. Through internal reconstruction, it then identifies the original meanings of the two sets constituting the innovative Axis II. Finally, using typological parallelisms and local topographic features, this paper analyses the Proto‐Situ orientation system as a tri‐axial system of orthogonality, and infers the original meanings of the system’s three axes. Importantly, this study shows how the comparative method can be applied to solving semantic problems in languages rich in morphology.
An economic and financial geography of the Australian superannuation industry
Authors: Clark Gordon L , O’Neill Phillip
Published: July 2023

The Australian superannuation industry has grown enormously over the past 30 years. Whereas working people are automatically enrolled at their workplaces, the head offices of many industry funds are in Melbourne rather than Sydney. Melbourne’s dominance of the superannuation industry is explained, in part, by happenstance—the location of major unions and employer groups and their initiatives in response to the enabling legislation. Other factors identified include opportunism, cooperation, and the advantages of growth. Government‐prompted mergers and acquisitions have also reinforced the dominance of Melbourne, notwithstanding attempts by Sydney‐based superannuation funds to out‐compete their Melbourne rivals. Whereas the geographical bifurcation of the Australian superannuation industry has been mediated by the formation of a Queensland‐based superfund “champion,” it is suggested that it faces numerous challenges. In conclusion, avenues for future research are sketched, focusing upon the future of Melbourne as the centre of the superannuation industry, the role of digital platforms in service delivery, pension adequacy, and the increasing importance of Australian funds in global financial markets.
Information acquisition and the adoption of improved crop varieties
Authors: Abdulai Awudu
Published: July 2023

Inadequate information on the benefits of and knowledge about innovative agricultural technologies continue to be a major constraint to technology adoption among smallholder farmers in developing countries. The low adoption of new technologies is one of the causes of low productivity and high poverty incidence among smallholder farmers, particularly in Africa. In this paper, I briefly review the literature on social networks and technology diffusion, and argue that the diffusion potential of social networks is underexplored. I then present results from two empirical studies on the impact of social networks on the adoption of improved crop varieties in Ghana and Ethiopia. The results reveal that farmers' peer adoption decisions and experiences, as well as information from trained development agents positively and statistically influence their adoption decisions. I also find that network structural characteristics such as lower segmentation within networks, high credibility of the information, and high effectiveness and efficiency of the amount of information flow tend to improve information acquisition and speed up diffusion of improved crop varieties.
Ethical disconcertment and the politics of troublemaking
Authors: Pardo Pedraza Diana
Published: July 2023

In Colombia, I once heard a farmer reject a humanitarian demining project operating in her community. “Land mines are our smallest problem,” she said. Creating a moment of ethical disconcertment, she sought to slow down humanitarian imperatives. I place her in conversation with local pleas for “demining with development,” illustrating how they challenge the logic and temporality of humanitarian mine action, drawing attention to the complexity of the violence that silently stalks rural life despite peace gestures and accords. By making such ecologies of trouble apparent, farmers enact what I call a politics of troublemaking. Offering a feminist take on the pacifying label of “troublemaker,” I understand this politics as a demand to recognize the troubles of the living and dying in abandoned and occupied landscapes. These places are currently objects of a peace process that seeks to recuperate them, but they are also haunted by the dangers of dispossession, development, and postconflict.
Spontaneous ectopic pregnancy occurring in the distal fallopian tube cut off from the uterus after an incomplete prior operation to remove only the middle of the fallopian tube: A case report
Authors: Higashi Yuriko , Togami Shinichi , Nagai Sayori , Kobayashi Hiroaki
Published: July 2023

After salpingectomy, recurrent ectopic pregnancies occur in the contralateral fallopian tube. Here, we present a case of ipsilateral remnant fallopian tube pregnancy in a 30‐year‐old woman with a history of incomplete prior operation to remove the middle region of the left fallopian tube following fallopian tube isthmus pregnancy 6 years earlier. During the previous salpingectomy, the left fallopian tube was not completely observed because of adhesions to the pelvic peritoneum and sigmoid colon; a partial remnant may have been present. The patient presented with lower abdominal pain 6 weeks after the most recent menstrual cycle, and transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a remnant left fallopian tube ectopic pregnancy. A 4 cm‐sized mass identified at the distal end of the remnant left fallopian tube and the proximal remnant tube were laparoscopically removed. The possibility of an ipsilateral remnant tubal pregnancy should be carefully considered in spontaneous pregnancy after partial fallopian tube resection.
SnoRNAs may accelerate protein synthesis for the rapid growth of the regenerating tail blastema in the lizard Podarcis muralis
Authors: Degan Massimo , Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: July 2023

Tail regeneration in lizards derives from the formation of a regenerative blastema. Numerous snoRNAs exclusively up‐regulated in the regenerating tail but absent in the scarring limb of the lizard Podarcis muralis have been detected suggesting they are key genes for regeneration. While most snord‐, snora‐ and scarna‐RNAs are activators of protein synthesis and cell proliferation (oncogenes) some may also be tumour suppressors. A tail blastema of 2–3 mm in length consists of proliferating mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts and keratinocytes with active nucleoli, rosette‐patterned ribosomes and few rough endoplasmic cisternae. In few days, the blastema grows into a new tail indicating intense protein synthesis within this short period. A quantitative RT‐PCR analysis of snord87, snord26, snord74, snora63, scarna11, U2 and U4 shows that, aside snord87, the other ncRNAs are up‐regulated, particularly, U2, U4 and scarna11. These ncRNAs might regulate the rate of production of ribosomes from the nucleolus (snora‐ and snord‐RNAs), the splicing process (snord‐ and scarna‐RNAs, U2 and U4), the speed of protein synthesis (snora‐ and snord‐RNAs) and cell proliferation in the blastema. These non‐coding‐RNAs are hypothesized to intensify the production of more functional ribosomes that accelerate the rate of protein synthesis and rapid growth of the blastema into a new tail.
Parenchymal volume analysis to assess longitudinal functional decline following partial nephrectomy
Authors: Munoz‐Lopez Carlos , Lewis Kieran , Attawettayanon Worapat , Yasuda Yosuke , Accioly João Pedro Emrich , Rathi Nityam , Lone Zaeem , Boumitri Melissa , Campbell Rebecca A. , Wood Andrew , Kaouk Jihad , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Eltemamy Mohamad , Krishnamurthi Venkatesh , Abouassaly Robert , Haywood Samuel , Weight Christopher , Campbell Steven C.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To identify factors associated with longitudinal ipsilateral functional decline after partial nephrectomy (PN).

Patients and Methods

Of 1140 patients managed with PN (2012–2014), 349 (31%) had imaging/serum creatinine levels pre‐PN, 1–12 months post‐PN (new baseline), and >3 years later necessary for inclusion. Parenchymal‐volume analysis was used to determine split renal function. Patients were grouped as having significant renal comorbidity (CohortSRC: diabetes mellitus with insulin‐dependence or end‐organ damage, refractory hypertension, or severe pre‐existing chronic kidney disease) vs not having significant renal comorbidity (CohortNoSRC) preoperatively. Multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of annual ipsilateral parenchymal atrophy and functional decline relative to new baseline values post‐PN, after the kidney had healed.

Results

The median follow‐up was 6.3 years with 87/226/36 patients having cold/warm/zero ischaemia. The median cold/warm ischaemia times were 32/22 min. Overall, the median tumour size was 3.0 cm. The preoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and new baseline GFR (NBGFR) were 81 and 71 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. After establishment of the NBGFR, the median loss of global and ipsilateral function was 0.7 and 0.4 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, respectively, consistent with the natural ageing process. Overall, the median ipsilateral parenchymal atrophy was 1.2 cm3/year and accounted for a median of 53% of the annual functional decline. Significant renal comorbidity, age, and warm ischaemia were independently associated with ipsilateral parenchymal atrophy (all P < 0.01). Significant renal comorbidity and ipsilateral parenchymal atrophy were independently associated with annual ipsilateral functional decline (both P < 0.01). Annual median ipsilateral parenchymal atrophy and functional decline were both significantly increased for CohortSRC compared to CohortNoSRC (2.8 vs 0.9 cm3, P < 0.01 and 0.90 vs 0.30 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

Longitudinal renal function following PN generally follows the normal ageing process. Significant renal comorbidities, age, warm ischaemia, and ipsilateral parenchymal atrophy were the most important predictors of ipsilateral functional decline following establishment of NBGFR.
Adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS) for stress urinary incontinence: the evidence is mounting
Authors: Bajaj Mohit , Frampton Chris , Losco Giovanni , Westenberg Andre
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the New Zealand clinical experience with the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS), a novel continence device in the management of all degrees of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), focusing on efficacy and safety outcomes.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review of all ATOMS devices placed between May 2015 and November 2020 was conducted. Severity of SUI was assessed (pad usage) before and after surgery. SUI was defined as mild (1–<3 pads/day), moderate (≥3–5 pads/day) or severe (>5 pads/day). The primary outcome measures considered were the overall success rate (improvement in pad use) and the dry rate (with dry defined as either no or 1 safety pad/day). The number of outpatient adjustments and total filling volumes were also documented in each case. Additionally, we documented incidence and severity of device complications and an analysis of treatment failures.

Results

A total of 140 patients were reviewed, with the most common indication for ATOMS placement being SUI after radical prostatectomy (82.8%). Of the patients included, 53 (37.9%) had previous radiotherapy, with 26 (18.6%) patients having had a previous continence procedure performed. No intraoperative complications were noted. The median preoperative pad usage was 4 pads/day. After a median follow‐up of 11 months, median postoperative pad usage reduced to 1 pad/day. In our cohort, 116 patients (82.9%) reported an improvement in their pad usage and were considered successful with 107 (76.4%) patients reporting themselves to be dry. Complications within the first 90‐days after surgery occurred in 20 (14.3%) of patients.

Conclusion

Treatment of SUI with the ATOMS is safe and effective. The option of long‐term, minimally invasive adjustment to respond to patient needs is a significant advantage.
Model‐based Crowd Behaviours in Human‐solution Space
Authors: Xiang Wei , Wang He , Zhang Yuqing , Yip Milo K. , Jin Xiaogang
Published: July 2023

Realistic crowd simulation has been pursued for decades, but it still necessitates tedious human labour and a lot of trial and error. The majority of currently used crowd modelling is either empirical (model‐based) or data‐driven (model‐free). Model‐based methods cannot fit observed data precisely, whereas model‐free methods are limited by the availability/quality of data and are uninterpretable. In this paper, we aim at taking advantage of both model‐based and data‐driven approaches. In order to accomplish this, we propose a new simulation framework built on a physics‐based model that is designed to be data‐friendly. Both the general prior knowledge about crowds encoded by the physics‐based model and the specific real‐world crowd data at hand jointly influence the system dynamics. With a multi‐granularity physics‐based model, the framework combines microscopic and macroscopic motion control. Each simulation step is formulated as an energy optimization problem, where the minimizer is the desired crowd behaviour. In contrast to traditional optimization‐based methods which seek the theoretical minimizer, we designed an acceleration‐aware data‐driven scheme to compute the minimizer from real‐world data in order to achieve higher realism by parameterizing both velocity and acceleration. Experiments demonstrate that our method can produce crowd animations that are more realistically behaved in a variety of scales and scenarios when compared to the earlier methods.