bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliable estimates of Japanese encephalitis virus evolutionary rate supported by a formal test of temporal signal
Authors: Ukraintceva Polina I. , Bondaryuk Artem N. , Sakhabeev Rodion G.
Published: March 2024

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a positive-strand RNA virus, that causing encephalitis in humans, which is highly spread in East and Southeast Asia, Western Pacific countries and Australia. The main vector of JEV isCulexspp. (mainlyC. tritaeniorhynchus). The intraspecies structure of JEV comprises five genotypes (GI-GV). In the previous studies, the substitution rate and the age of the JEV most recent common ancestor (MRCA) based on complete open reading frame (ORF) / whole genome sequences were reported, however, the estimates are significantly different between some of the studies. Most importantly, the temporal signal in nucleotide data as the key aspect of the molecular clock application was evaluated by neither formal nor informal tests. In February 2023, we found 325 non-recombinant nucleotide sequences of ORF with known collection dates. The purpose of our study is the evaluation of temporal signal in the JEV ORF nucleotide data set using the Bayesian approach with the subsequent re-estimation of substitution rate and the age of the JEV common clade (GI-GV) and two JEV genotypes (GI and GIII) characterized by the number of sequences enough for reliable estimates. Results showed the presence of temporal signal in all analyzed data set. The substitution rate of the JEV GI-GV was 2.41×10−4(95% highest posterior density (HPD) interval, 1.67×10−4–3.14×10−4) or approximately 2.5 nucleotide substitutions per ORF (10,296 nucleotides) per year that is one the lowest substitution rate among the species closely related to JEV and other well-studied members of mosquito-borne flaviviruses. The substitution rate of GI and GIII evaluated as 4.13×10−4(95% HPD interval, 3.45×10−4– 4.82×10−4) and 6.17×10−5(95% HPD interval 3.84×10−5–8.62×10−5), accordingly, with the ages of clades of 153 (95% HPD, 87–237) and 216 (95% HPD, 139–317), respectively. The root height of JEV is 1234 years (95% HPD, 407–2333). To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first reliable substitution rate assessment of the global clade of JEV embracing all five genotypes.
In situstructure and rotary states of mitochondrial ATP synthase in whole cells
Authors: Dietrich Lea , Agip Ahmed-Noor Adam , Schwarz Andre , Kunz Christina , Kühlbrandt Werner
Published: March 2024

Cells depend on a continuous supply of ATP, the universal energy currency. In mitochondria, ATP is produced by a series of redox reactions, whereby an electrochemical gradient is established across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The ATP synthase harnesses the energy of the gradient to generate ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. We determined the structure of ATP synthase within mitochondria of the unicellular algaPolytomellaby electron cryo-tomography. Sub-tomogram averaging revealed six rotary positions of the central stalk, subclassified into 21 substates of the F1head. ThePolytomellaATP synthase forms helical arrays with multiple adjacent rows defining the cristae ridges. The structure of ATP synthase under native operating conditions in the presence of a membrane potential represents a pivotal step toward the analysis of membrane protein complexesin situ.
Quantitative differences in anaerobic growth and metabolism of three differentE. colistrains using13C-Metabolic Flux Analysis
Authors: Pachauri Piyush , Desai Trunil , Ahmad Ahmad , Srivastava Shireesh
Published: March 2024

Escherichia coliare model organisms for biotechnological research owing to their abilities to grow on defined media and consume a variety of carbon sources, as well as a vast knowledge base and tools available for their manipulation. SeveralE. colistrains and their derivatives are available. However, the quantitative metabolic differences between the strains could be better characterized. In this study, we investigated the differences in the intracellular flux distribution between three commonly used strains ofE. coli(K-12 MG1655, C, and W) using13C-Metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA), the gold standard in fluxomics. The labeling data was analyzed using FluxPyt, our previously developed Python-based tool. Threefold differences in the growth rates of these strains were observed when growing anaerobically on glucose in M9 medium, withE. coliW being the fastest (μ = 0.62 ± 0.01 h-1) andE. coliC the slowest (μ = 0.22 ± 0.01 h-1). The strain’s growth rates correlate with glucose uptake and flux through the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Interestingly, succinate was a major product inE. coliC only.13C-MFA revealed that under these conditions, Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathway was active inE. coliC andE. coliW but not inE. coliK-12 MG1655. InE. coliK-12 MG1655 andE. coliC, the Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) cycle ran incompletely. Also, the glyoxylate shunt was inactive in all three strains. Growth, xylose intake rates, and product profiles on xylose mirrored those of glucose. Thus, this study has highlighted significant differences in the growth and metabolism of theE. colistrains on glucose and xylose. This will form a basis for identifying the best strain for a particular application.
Increased TRPV4 channel expression enhances and impairs blood vessel function in hypertension
Authors: Zhang Xun , Buckley Charlotte , Lee Matthew D , MacDonald Margaret , Wilson Calum , McCarron John G
Published: March 2024

Background

Endothelial cell TRPV4 channels provide a control point that is pivotal in regulating blood vessel diameter by mediating the Ca2+-dependent release of endothelial-derived vasoactive factors. In hypertension, TRPV4-mediated control of vascular function is disrupted but the underlying mechanisms, and precise physiological consequences remain controversial.

Methods

Here, using a comprehensive array of methodologies, endothelial TRPV4 channel function was examined in intact arteries from normotensive WKY and hypertensive SHR rats.

Results

Our results show there is a notable shift in vascular reactivity in hypertension, characterized by enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilation at low levels of TRPV4 channel activation. However, at higher levels of TRPV4 activity, this vasodilatory response is reversed, contributing to the aberrant vascular tone observed in hypertension. The change in response, from dilation to constriction, was accompanied by a shift in intracellular Ca2+signaling modalities arising from TRPV4 activity. Oscillatory TRPV4-evoked IP3-mediated Ca2+release, which underlies dilation, decreased, while the contraction inducing sustained Ca2+rise, arising from TRPV4-mediated Ca2+influx, increased. Our findings also reveal that while the sensitivity of endothelial cell TRPV4 to activation was unchanged, expression of the channel is upregulated and IP3receptors are downregulated in hypertension.

Conclusions

These data highlight the intricate interplay between endothelial TRPV4 channel expression, intracellular Ca2+signaling dynamics, and vascular reactivity. Moreover, the data support a new unifying hypothesis for the vascular impairment that accompanies hypertension. Specifically, that endothelial cell TRPV4 channels play a dual role in modulating blood vessel function in hypertension.
Clinical factors associated with racial differences in the prevalence of occult hypoxemia: a retrospective case-control study
Authors: Mettler Sofia K. , Charoenngam Nipith , Jaroenlapnopparat Aunchalee , Tern Courtney , Xanthavanij Nutchapon , Economidou Sofia , Strand Matthew J. , Hobbs Brian D. , Moll Matthew , Cho Michael H.
Published: March 2024

Background

Recent studies showed that Black patients more often have falsely normal oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry compared to White patients. However, whether the racial differences in occult hypoxemia are mediated by other clinical differences is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case-control study utilizing two large ICU databases (eICU and MIMIC-IV). We defined occult hypoxemia as oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry within 92-98% despite oxygen saturation on arterial blood gas below 90%. We assessed associations of commonly measured clinical factors with occult hypoxemia using multivariable logistic regression and conducted mediation analysis of the racial effect.

Results

Among 24,641 patients, there were 1,855 occult hypoxemia cases and 23,786 controls. In both datasets, Black patients were more likely to have occult hypoxemia (unadjusted odds ratio 1.66 [95%-CI: 1.41-1.95] in eICU and 2.00 [95%-CI: 1.22-3.14] in MIMIC-IV). In multivariable models, higher respiratory rate, PaCO2 and creatinine as well as lower hemoglobin were associated with increased odds of occult hypoxemia. Differences in the commonly measured clinical markers accounted for 9.2% and 44.4% of the racial effect on occult hypoxemia in eICU and MIMIC-IV, respectively.

Conclusion

Clinical differences, in addition to skin tone, might mediate some of the racial differences in occult hypoxemia.
Unraveling interindividual differences and functional consequences of gut microbial metabolism of immunosuppressants
Authors: Baghai Arassi Maral , Karcher Nicolai , Mastrorilli Eleonora , Gross Matthias , Brauer-Nikonow Amber , Hackett Raymund , Czock David , Tönshoff Burkhard , Zeller Georg , Zimmermann Michael
Published: March 2024

A major challenge in kidney transplantation (KT) is the large interpatient variability in the pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressive drugs. Here, we explored the role of the gut microbiome in interindividual variation in immunosuppressive drug metabolism. Analysis of 38 fecal communities, including 10 from KT recipients, and 45 bacterial species against 25 drugs, revealed significant interindividual and drug-specific differences in metabolism. Notably, 15 of 16 immunosuppressants tested were metabolized by at least one microbial community, and we found specific bacterial species, such asBacteroides uniformis, to be potent metabolizers. We identified 18 different metabolites for 16 drugs, including two previously undescribed metabolites for sirolimus and everolimus. Our study reveals the functional impact of microbial metabolism on key immunosuppressants, including inactivation of tacrolimus, activation and potential increase in toxicity of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and shows that the microbial metabolite of methylprednisolone exhibits a 2.6-fold increase in epithelial permeability compared to the parent drug. Through a gain-of-function genetic screen we identified theB. uniformisenzyme BACUNI_RS05305 to be responsible for MMF activation. Using machine learning to model microbial community drug metabolism, abundance features of prevalent species predicted the biotransformation of some drugs well, while for others, a priori experimental information on bacterial genes and enzyme protein structures led to improved predictions. Our research highlights the potential of gut microbiome features to explain interindividual variability in immunosuppressive therapies and sets the stage for clinical trials to identify microbiome-encoded signatures predictive of drug metabolism in KT patients.
Genetic interaction library screening with a next-generation dual guide CRISPR system
Authors: Burgold Thomas , Karakoc Emre , Gonçalves Emanuel , Dwane Lisa , Barrio-Hernandez Inigo , Silva Romina Oliveira , Souster Emily , Sharma Mamta , Beck Alexandra , Koh Gene , Zalmas Lykourgos-Panagiotis , Garnett Mathew , Bassett Andrew
Published: March 2024

Pairwise perturbation of gene function using the CRISPR/Cas9 system has huge potential in screening for genetic interactions and synthetic lethal gene pairs to identify novel combination therapies for cancer. However, existing dual guide expression systems are cumbersome to clone, often result in a large proportion of undesired guide pairs and have imbalance of guide expression from the two positions. Here, we demonstrate a next-generation system for dual guide delivery based around a tRNA spacer that allows a single step cloning strategy, as little as 2% of undesired guide pairs, and highly balanced expression of the two guides. This system allows efficient library-scale screening for hundreds of thousands of genetic interactions using the well understoodStreptococcus pyogenesCas9 (SpCas9) system. We use this to screen a 100,136 guide pair library in colorectal cancer cells and successfully identify synthetic lethal genetic interactions between paralogs, establishing our method for performing efficient large scale genetic interaction screens. This system is versatile and can be used with most guide RNA vector systems, and for other uses of paired guide delivery such as improving single gene knockout efficiency or improving guide detection in single cell or optical CRISPR screens.
CRISPR-MIP replaces PCR and reveals GC and oversampling bias in pooled CRISPR screens
Authors: Selinger Martin , Yakovenko Iryna , Nazir Iqra , Henriksson Johan
Published: March 2024

Pooled CRISPR screening is a powerful tool for finding the most important genes related to a biological process of interest. The quality of the generated gene list is however influenced by a range of technical parameters, such as CRISPR (single guide) sgRNA target efficiency, and further innovations are still called for. One open problem is the precise estimation of sgRNA abundances, as required for the statistical analysis. We do so using molecular inversion probes (MIPs) combined with the use of unique molecular identifiers (UMIs), thus enabling deduplication and absolute counting of cells. We show that this is a viable approach that eliminates sequencing depth bias. Furthermore, we find that GC% bias affects PCR, calling for a reanalysis of published CRISPR screen data and sgRNA efficiency estimates. We propose our method as a new gold standard for sgRNA quantification, especially for genes that are not top ranked but still of broad interest.
Arp2/3-dependent actin assembly shapes endosomes and promotes intracellular trafficking in fission yeast
Authors: Melero Alejandro , Muriel-Lopez Olivia , Basante-Bedoya Miguel , Martin Sophie G
Published: March 2024

Endosomes serve as crucial sorting centres that streamline the distribution of cell surface proteins. The early endosome receives traffic from both the plasma membrane (PM) and the Golgi, and orchestrates the redistribution of cargoes for recycling to the PM or through retrograde movement to the Golgi, and for degradation to late endosomes and lysosomes1. In animal cells and amoebae, Arp2/3-mediated F-actin assembly plays critical roles in many aspects of endosome function, from capturing cargo to generating the forces required for membrane deformation and creating cargo-enriched transport carriers, thus promoting both recycling and degradative trafficking routes2. Yeast models, which allowed dissection of the major membrane trafficking routes3, exhibit highly simplified endosomes, as shown inSaccharomyces cerevisiae, where the trans-Golgi network (TGN) functions as recycling endosome4. Furthermore, there is no reported role for Arp2/3 or F-actin in endomembrane remodelling; in fact, the Arp2/3 activators on animal endosomes – the WASH complex promoting recycling of transmembrane receptors towards the PM or TGN5,6, and Annexin A2 necessary for endosome maturation and the movement of cargoes towards the degradative pathway7– do not exist in yeast cells8,9. Here, we report that Arp2/3 and F-actin are present on fission yeast endosomes. Through live-imaging and correlative light-electron tomography, we demonstrate that Arp2/3 activity controls endosomal morphology and that this activity is essential for trafficking from the endosome to the degradative vacuole. Thus, Arp2/3-dependent actin assembly has a deeply conserved role in shaping and promoting the function of the endomembrane trafficking system.
Multi-compartment impact of micropollutants and particularly antibiotics on bacterial communities using environmental DNA at river basin-level
Authors: Inostroza Pedro A. , Jessen Gerdhard L. , Li Feilong , Zhang Xiaowei , Brack Werner , Backhaus Thomas
Published: March 2024

Microbial communities, in particular bacterial assemblies, play pivotal roles in sustaining biogeochemical processes within ecosystems. They are also responsible for the degradation of toxic chemicals, while the development of resistance against antimicrobial drugs jeopardises human health. Bacterial communities respond to environmental conditions with diverse structural and functional changes depending on their compartment (water, biofilm or sediment), type of environmental stress, and type of pollution to which they are exposed. In this study, we combined amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes from water, biofilm, and sediment samples collected in the anthropogenically impacted River Aconcagua basin (Central Chile, South America), in order to evaluate whether micropollutants alter bacterial community structure and functioning based on the type and degree of chemical pollution. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of bacterial communities from differently polluted sites to degrade contaminants. Our results show a lower diversity at sites impacted by agriculture and urban areas, featuring high loads of micropollution with pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products as well as industrial chemicals. Nutrients, antibiotic stress, and micropollutant loads explain most of the variability in the sediment and biofilm bacterial community, showing a significant increase of bacterial groups known for their capabilities to degrade various organic pollutants, such asNistrospiraand also selecting for taxa known for antibiotic resistance such asExiguobacteriumandPlanomicrobium. Moreover, potential ecological functions linked to the biodegradation of toxic chemicals at the basing level revealed significant reductions in ecosystem-related services in sites affected by agriculture and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges across all investigated environmental compartments. Finally, we suggest transitioning from simple concentration-based assessments of environmental pollution to more meaningful toxic pressure values in order to comprehensively evaluate the role of micropollutants at the ecological (biodiversity) level.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

Micropollutant mixtures altered bacterial community structure and functioning

Antibiotic stress correlated significantly with changes in community structure

Reduction of ecological functions related to the degradation of contaminants

Water, biofilm, and sediments relevant for microbial ecotoxicology
Biologically Interpretable VAE with Supervision for Transcriptomics Data Under Ordinal Perturbations
Authors: Niyakan Seyednami , Yoon Byung-Jun , Qian Xiaoning , Luo Xihaier
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Latent variable models such as the Variational Auto-Encoders (VAEs) have shown impressive performance for inferring expression patterns for cell subtyping and biomarker identification from transcriptomics data. However, the limited interpretability of their latent variables obscures deriving meaningful biological understanding of cellular responses to different external and internal perturbations. We here propose a novel deep learning framework, EXPORT (EXPlainable VAE forORdinally perturbedTranscriptomics data), for analyzing ordinally perturbed transcriptomics data that can incorporate any biological pathway knowledge in the VAE latent space. With the corresponding pathway-informed decoder, the learned latent expression patterns can be explained as pathway-level responses to perturbations, offering direct interpretability with biological understanding. More importantly, we explicitly model the ordinal nature of many real-world perturbations into the EXPORT framework by training an auxiliary ordinal regressor neural network to capture corresponding expression changes in the VAE latent representations, for example under different dosage levels of radiation exposure. By incorporating ordinal constraints during the training of our proposed framework, we further enhance the model interpretability by guiding the VAE latent space to organize perturbation responses in a hierarchical manner. We demonstrate the utility of the inferred guided latent space for downstream tasks, such as identifying key regulatory pathways associated with specific perturbation changes by analyzing transcriptomics datasets on both bulk and single-cell data. Overall, we envision that our proposed approach can unravel unprecedented biological intricacies in cellular responses to various perturbations while bringing an additional layer of interpretability to biology-inspired deep learning models.
Modulation ofVibrio choleraegene expression through conjugative delivery of engineered regulatory small RNAs
Authors: Menendez-Gil Pilar , Veleva Diana , Ramalhete Rita , Ho Brian T
Published: March 2024

The increase in antibiotic resistance in bacteria has prompted the efforts in developing new alternative strategies for pathogenic bacteria. We explored the feasibility of targeting Vibrio cholerae by neutralizing bacterial cellular processes rather than outright killing the pathogen. We investigated the efficacy of delivering engineered regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) to modulate gene expression through DNA conjugation. As a proof of concept, we engineered several sRNAs targeting the type VI secretion system (T6SS), several of which were able to successfully knockdown the T6SS activity at different degrees. Using the same strategy, we modulated exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and motility. Lastly, we delivered an sRNA targeting T6SS into V. cholerae via conjugation and observed a rapid knockdown of the T6SS activity. Coupling conjugation with engineered sRNAs represents a novel way of modulating gene expression in V. cholerae opening the door for the development of novel prophylactic and therapeutic applications.
SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 participate in DNA damage repair
Authors: Yu Lily , Wu Duo
Published: March 2024

SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 (SMARCA2/4) are paralogs and act as the key enzymatic subunits in the SWI/SNF complex for chromatin remodeling. However, the role of SMARCA2/4 in DNA damage response remains unclear. Here, we show that SMARCA2/4 relocate to DNA lesions in response to DNA damage, which requires their ATPase activities. Moreover, these ATPase activities are also required for the relocation of other subunits in the SWI/SNF complex to DNA lesions. Interestingly, the relocation of SMARCA2/4 is independent of γH2AX, ATM, ATR, p300/CBP, or PARP1/2, indicating that it may directly recognize DNA lesions as a DNA damage sensor. Lacking SMARCA2/4 prolongs the retention of γH2AX, RNF8 and BRCA1 at DNA lesions and impairs RAD51-dependent homologous recombination repair. Moreover, the treatment of SMARCA2/4 inhibitor sensitizes tumor cells to PARP inhibitor treatment. Collectively, this study reveals SMARCA2/4 as a DNA damage repair factor for double-strand break repair.
Comparative network pharmacology of artificial sweeteners to understand Its health consequences
Authors: Tankala Gohit , Kumar Arun HS
Published: March 2024

Background

Artificial sweeteners (ASwt) are widely consumed sugar substitutes, but their long-term health effects remain a subject of debate. While regulatory bodies generally consider them safe at recommended doses, concerns persist regarding potential adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate the interactions between ASwt and biological targets using in silico analysis, focusing on target affinity, selectivity, and tissue expression.

Methods

Five common ASwt – acesulfame K (Ac), aspartame (As), sucralose (Su), steviol (St), and saccharin (Sa) were evaluated. Their target interactions were predicted using a cheminformatics approach, analysing affinity towards functional groups and protein targets. Concentration/affinity (C/A) ratios were calculated to assess the likelihood of target activation at achievable doses. Expression of high-affinity targets with significant C/A ratios in various organs was assessed using the Human Protein Atlas database.Results: The ASwt displayed potential to modulate most of the functional groups at physiologically feasible affinities. Ac exhibited a broad range of targets, while St showed a preference for kinases and proteases. Notably, As and Su demonstrated interactions with membrane receptors and kinases. C/A ratio analysis revealed potential concerns for As and Su. Several of its targets, including ROCK2, ACE, ITGA2/5, PIM2, KDM5C, PIM1, SLC1A2, SETD2, CAPN1, LTA4H, MKNK2, HDAC1 and CDK, showed high C/A ratios, suggesting possible functional modulation at achievable intake levels. Organ specific expression analysis identified the endocrine, respiratory, renal, reproductive, central nervous, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems as a region particularly susceptible due to the high expression of high affinity targets linked to cell growth, extracellular matrix, epigenetic regulations, and inflammation. Interestingly, 30 tissues expressed high-affinity targets for both As and Su, while 14 tissues exclusively expressed targets for As.Conclusion: This study highlights the potential for ASwt to interact with various biological targets, particularly As and Su. The high C/A ratios of some As targets and the tissue-specific expression patterns suggest potential safety concerns that require in vivo validation.
Exploiting polarization dependence in two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy: Examples of
Ce2Zr2O7
and
Nd2Zr2O7
Authors: Potts Mark , Moessner Roderich , Benton Owen
Published: March 2024

Two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy (2DCS) probes the nonlinear optical response of correlated systems. An interesting application is the study of fractionalized excitations, which are challenging to distinguish unambiguously in linear response. Here we demonstrate how the sensitivity of optical matrix elements to variations in the photon polarization allows one to probe different aspects of low-lying excitations in models of the candidate fractionalized materials Ce2Zr2O7 and Nd2Zr2O7, which host effective one-dimensional spin chains when subjected to a [110] magnetic field. We show how both fractionalized spinon excitations or conventional magnons can be picked out in the 2DCS response and how the response from polarized spin chains can be used to probe the dipolar-octupolar mixing angle θ through the relative intensity of one- and two-magnon signals. Further, we find that a [001] polarization of the probe field is particularly sensitive to lower band edge of the spinon continuum and can be used as a measure of the proximity of a quantum critical point in Ce2Zr2O7. 2DCS can thus be employed to provide invaluable and detailed information both on the constituent degrees of freedom of a quantum material and on their collective behavior.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How names and shapes correspond to the nature of products: an evaluation of auspicious foods
Authors: Kim Jong-Hyeong , Song Hanqun
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Restaurant operators often use auspicious connotations embedded in the names and shapes of dishes to increase consumers’ purchase intentions. However, the interaction effect of multiple auspicious cues (i.e. food name and shape) on purchase intentions has rarely been examined in the restaurant context. Thus, grounded in processing fluency theory, this study investigates the direct influence of the two-way interaction effect of food name (auspicious vs nonauspicious) and shape (auspicious vs. nonauspicious) on purchase intentions and its indirect influence via perceived auspiciousness and positive emotions.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a 2 (food name: auspicious name vs. nonauspicious name) × 2 (food shape: auspicious shape vs. nonauspicious shape) between-subjects design, the authors conducted two experimental studies with 356 Chinese customers. In Study 1, which focused on a main dish, we investigated the two-way interaction effect food name × food shape on purchase intentions. In Study 2, we replicated this experimental study by focusing on a different food type (i.e. dessert) to test the direct and indirect influences of the two-way interaction of food name × food shape on purchase intentions through perceived auspiciousness and positive emotions.

Findings

The results reveal that the congruity condition of auspicious names and shapes significantly influences consumers’ purchase intentions. Congruity with auspicious food cues also indirectly affects purchase intentions through consumers’ perceived auspiciousness and positive emotions. These effects were consistently observed in two experimental studies analyzing different dish types (main dish and dessert).

Practical implications

Restaurateurs should consider utilizing auspicious food cues to attract customers. Specifically, they should combine both food name and shape to increase their perceived auspiciousness and sales.

Originality/value

This study tested processing fluency theory using auspicious food cues. This study contributes to the hospitality literature by improving our understanding of the congruence effect by exemplifying the conceptual alignment between food name and food shape.
Beyond the bottom line: exploring the role of governance mechanisms in promoting corporate tax responsibility
Authors: Anwar Waqas , Hasan Arshad , Nakpodia Franklin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Because of growing corporate tax scandals, there is an enhanced focus on corporate taxation by governments, institutions and the general public. Transparency in tax matters has been identified as critical for effectively managing and promoting socially responsible tax behaviour. This study aims to explore the impact of ownership structure, board and audit committee characteristics on corporate tax responsibility (CTR) disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collected data from the annual reports of Pakistani-listed firms over 12 years, from 2009 to 2020. Consequently, the data set encompasses a total of 1,800 firm-year observations. This study uses regression analysis to test the relationship between corporate governance and CTR disclosure.

Findings

The results show that board gender diversity, managerial ownership and audit committee independence promote tax responsibility disclosure. In contrast, family board membership, CEO duality, foreign ownership and family ownership negatively impact tax responsibility disclosure. Additional analyses reveal the specific information categories that produce the overall effects on tax responsibility disclosure and assess the moderating impact of family firms on the governance and CTR disclosure nexus.

Practical implications

Corporations can use the results to encourage practices that enhance transparency and improve the quality of disclosures. Regulatory authorities can use the findings to stipulate better protocols. Doing so will be vital for developing countries such as Pakistan to improve tax revenue and cultivate economic growth.

Originality/value

While this research represents, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, one of the first empirical investigations of the association between corporate governance and CTR, the results contribute to the corporate governance literature and offer fresh insights into CTR, an emerging dimension of corporate social responsibility.
“We’re changing the system with this one”: Black students using critical race algorithmic literacies to subvert and survive AI-mediated racism in school
Authors: Tanksley Tiera Chante
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to center the experiences of three cohorts (n = 40) of Black high school students who participated in a critical race technology course that exposed anti-blackness as the organizing logic and default setting of digital and artificially intelligent technology. This paper centers the voices, experiences and technological innovations of the students, and in doing so, introduces a new type of digital literacy: critical race algorithmic literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study include student interviews (called “talk backs”), journal reflections and final technology presentations.

Findings

Broadly, the data suggests that critical race algorithmic literacies prepare Black students to critically read the algorithmic word (e.g. data, code, machine learning models, etc.) so that they can not only resist and survive, but also rebuild and reimagine the algorithmic world.

Originality/value

While critical race media literacy draws upon critical race theory in education – a theorization of race, and a critique of white supremacy and multiculturalism in schools – critical race algorithmic literacy is rooted in critical race technology theory, which is a theorization of blackness as a technology and a critique of algorithmic anti-blackness as the organizing logic of schools and AI systems.
Barriers to the implementation of energy-efficiency practices in the U.S. retail sector: facilities managers’ perceptions compared by facility size and business revenue
Authors: Saadatian Armin , Olbina Svetlana
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The retail sector has the largest energy consumption among commercial buildings in the U.S. Although previous studies explored benefits, barriers and solutions for implementing sustainability in various building sectors, research focused on retail facilities has been very scarce. This study aims to explore U.S. facilities managers’ perceptions of barriers that prevented the implementation of energy-efficiency practices in the retail sector. Their perceptions were compared by facility size and facilities management company’s business revenue.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was distributed to the members of the International Facility Management Association and the author's LinkedIn network. The survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and ANOVA.

Findings

Managers from large facilities, as opposed to those from small ones, significantly more agreed that the unavailability of building automation systems, a lack of professional writing skills and a lack of awareness of life cycle cost (LCC) were the barriers. Business revenue did not cause significantly different perceptions of the barriers except for a lack of awareness of LCC and a lack of support from upper management.

Originality/value

This study fills the research gap on energy efficiency in the retail sector by revealing U.S. facilities managers’ perceptions of the barriers to the implementation of energy-efficiency practices in retail stores. This novel study compares perceptions of the facilities managers by facility size and business revenue; this comparison has not been performed before. The study also identified several new barriers to the implementation of energy efficiency in the retail sector.
A mile in their shoes: understanding health-care journeys of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK
Authors: Talks Isobel , Al Mobarak Buthena , Katona Cornelius , Hunt Jane , Winters Niall , Geniets Anne
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Refugees and asylum seekers worldwide face numerous barriers in accessing health systems. The evidence base regarding who and what helps refugees and asylum seekers facilitate access to and the navigation of the health system in the UK is small. This study aims to address this gap by analysing 14 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with refugees and asylum seekers of different countries of origin in the UK to identify where, when and how they came into contact with the health-care system and what the outcome of these interactions was.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were chosen as the key method for this study. In total, 14 individual interviews were conducted. A trauma-informed research approach was applied to reduce the risk of re-traumatising participants.

Findings

The paper identifies key obstacles as well as “facilitators” of refugees’ and asylum seekers’ health-care experience in the UK and suggests that host families, friends and third-party organisations all play an important role in ensuring refugees and asylum seekers receive the healthcare they need.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative study in the UK that looks at comprehensive health journeys of refugees from their first encounter with health services through to secondary care, highlighting the important role along the way of facilitators such as host families, friends and third-party organisations.
Data analytics for project delivery: unlocking the potential of an emerging field
Authors: Shen Yixue , Brookes Naomi , Lattuf Flores Luis , Brettschneider Julia
Published: March 2024

Purpose

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the potential of data analytics to enhance project delivery. Yet many argue that its application in projects is still lagging behind other disciplines. This paper aims to provide a review of the current use of data analytics in project delivery encompassing both academic research and practice to accelerate current understanding and use this to formulate questions and goals for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

We propose to achieve the research aim through the creation of a systematic review of the status of data analytics in project delivery. Fusing the methodology of integrative literature review with a recently established practice to include both white and grey literature amounts to an approach tailored to the state of the domain. It serves to delineate a research agenda informed by current developments in both academic research and industrial practice.

Findings

The literature review reveals a dearth of work in both academic research and practice relating to data analytics in project delivery and characterises this situation as having “more gap than knowledge.” Some work does exist in the application of machine learning to predicting project delivery though this is restricted to disparate, single context studies that do not reach extendible findings on algorithm selection or key predictive characteristics. Grey literature addresses the potential benefits of data analytics in project delivery but in a manner reliant on “thought-experiments” and devoid of empirical examples.

Originality/value

Based on the review we articulate a research agenda to create knowledge fundamental to the effective use of data analytics in project delivery. This is structured around the functional framework devised by this investigation and highlights both organisational and data analytic challenges. Specifically, we express this structure in the form of an “onion-skin” model for conceptual structuring of data analytics in projects. We conclude with a discussion about if and how today’s project studies research community can respond to the totality of these challenges. This paper provides a blueprint for a bridge connecting data analytics and project management.
Does stock market liberalization promote enterprise green technology innovation?
Authors: Wang Lan , Cheng Zhonghua
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This article aims to clarify the impact of stock market liberalization on corporate green technology innovation, analyze its mechanism from the perspectives of financing constraints and environmental management level and explore heterogeneity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the panel data of Chinese enterprises from 2010 to 2020, this article adopts the multi-point difference-in-difference (DID) method to test the impact of stock market liberalization on enterprise green technology innovation and its conduction pathway.

Findings

The outcomes demonstrate that stock market liberalization contributes to the furthering of green technology innovation. The heterogeneity test reveals that this promotion is more pronounced for private companies, small-scale companies and companies with high information transparency. The mediating effect test shows that stock market liberalization boosts green technology innovation by alleviating corporate financing constraints and improving corporate environmental management.

Originality/value

This article elucidates the impact path of stock market liberalization on corporate green innovation based on alleviating corporate financing constraints and improving corporate environmental management levels. From the perspective of corporate green technology innovation, this article provides evidence from emerging market countries for the economic effects of capital market opening, which helps to further improve the level of green innovation.
Food waste behavioral intention in Islamic universities: the role of religiosity and pro-social behavior
Authors: Asyari Asyari , Susanto Perengki , Hoque Mohammad Enamul , Widianita Rika , Alam Md. Kausar , Mamun Abdullah Al
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in fostering economic development by cultivating skilled workforce and generating knowledge and innovation. However, HEIs may pose a potential risk to sustainable economic development due to the generation of food waste inside their campus canteens. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of attitude, subjective norm (SN), perceived behavior control (PBC), religiosity and pro-social behavior among State Islamic Religious College (SIRC) students on their intention to avoid food waste behavior. This study also focused on the mediating role of the three original theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables and pro-social behavior in the relationship between religiosity and the intention to reduce food waste.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were used to collect data from 443 students at SIRC. The collected data were processed and analyzed using structural equation modelling to test direct, indirect and mediating effects.

Findings

The empirical results indicated that the eagerness of students at SIRC to reduce their behavior of leaving food behind can be driven by their negative attitudes or views toward food waste, the practice of religious teachings in their lives, the belief that they can avoid food waste and their concern for the environment. The empirical results reveal that even though religiosity influences SN, it is unable to strengthen the relationship between religiosity and the desire to be anti-food waste.

Practical implications

In addition to contributing to the food waste literature in the context of eating behavior, the results of this study have theoretical and practical implications.

Originality/value

To assess SIRC students’ behavioral intentions to avoid food waste behavior, this study used a contemporary setting to measure attitude, SN, PBC, religiosity and pro-social behavior, so strengthening the TPB’s empirical underpinning.
Safeguarding adults within institutional settings: a narrative overview of the literature focused on the care of people with mental ill-health and learning difficulties
Authors: Montgomery Lorna , Cooper Adi
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Institutional abuse is a worldwide phenomenon with the UK also subject to several high-profile abuse scandals perpetuated on people with learning disabilities and/or mental health conditions living within institutional settings. This study aims to provide a broad perspective of safeguarding practices within institutional care to inform practice and service development in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative overview was undertaken of a range of empirical evidence, discussion papers, enquiry reports, reports from regulatory bodies and professional guidance to explore safeguarding practices within institutional care for individuals with learning disabilities and/or mental health conditions.

Findings

A range of literature was identified that exposed and explored abuse in this context. Three key themes were identified: failings within institutional care; safeguarding issues and concerns; and good practice within institutional care. Whilst guidance is available, standards are explicit and protocols facilitate improvement potential in this area, a consistent message was that statutory recommendations for reform have not been effective.

Originality/value

This paper provides an important resource for practitioners and service providers involved in institutional care. An accessible overview of both the empirical evidence and grey literature on adult safeguarding within institutional settings is provided, along with a range of standards and resources that specify practice in these settings.
Resonance or resistance? The dual impact of green brand ritual on customer engagement behavior
Authors: Guo Rui , Wang Jingxian , Zhou Min , Cao Zixia , Tao Lan , Luo Yang , Zhang Wei , Chen Jiajia
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The study aims to examine how different types of green brand ritual (GBR) influence customer engagement behavior and the mediation mechanisms and boundary conditions of the positive and negative pathways.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducts two online experiments to collect data from a total of 940 consumers in China. Hypotheses are tested by independent samples t-test, two-way ANOVA and Hayes' PROCESS model.

Findings

Different kinds of GBR have different effects on customer engagement behavior. Internal GBR is more likely to play a positive role by inciting connectedness to nature. External GBR is more likely to play a negative role by inciting psychological resistance. This dual effect is especially pronounced for warm brands rather than competent brands.

Originality/value

The study pioneers the brand ritual into the field of interactive marketing and enriches its dual effect research. Additionally, the study figures out whether the category of brand ritual can trigger negative effect.

Practical implications

Inappropriate brand rituals are worse than no rituals at all. The results provide guidance for green companies to design effective brand rituals to strengthen the connection with consumers. Green brands should describe brand rituals in vivid detail and consciously lead consumers to immerse themselves in them.
The impact of procedural justice on employee turnover intentions and the role of two mediators
Authors: O'Callaghan Miriam
Published: March 2024

Purpose

While there is ample discussion in management studies and organizational behavior textbooks about the factors that impact organizational outcomes, such as employee retention, this research is focused on exploring the previously unexplored question of how procedural justice, job characteristics and meaningful work influence employees' intentions to leave their organizations. As such, this study aims to investigate the impact of procedural justice on employees' intentions to leave, both independently and in conjunction with job characteristics and meaningful work as mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to develop the research model and for hypothesis testing. The path model is assessed using critical model fit indices and measures of goodness of fit.

Findings

The results reveal a negative relationship between procedural justice and employees’ intentions to leave. This negative relationship persists and is strengthened when both job characteristics and meaningful work act as mediators. Although job characteristics only exerted a significant effect through indirect effects, meaningful work demonstrated a significant negative impact on the intentions to leave through both direct and indirect effects.

Originality/value

This study presents a new perspective on employee retention by proposing an original mediation-based path model. Through the testing of eleven hypotheses, the study reveals the intricate relationships between the four constructs examined. The findings provide valuable insights that can serve as a basis for future research in management studies and organizational behavior.