bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dopamine D2R and opioid MOR availability in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Noppari Tuomo , Tuisku Jouni , Lukkarinen Lasse , Tani Pekka , Lindberg Nina , Saure Emma , Lauerma Hannu , Tiihonen Jari , Hirvonen Jussi , Helin Semi , Rajander Johan , Salmi Juha , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: April 2024

Opioid and dopamine receptor systems are implicated in the pathoetiology of autism, butin vivohuman brain imaging evidence for their role remains elusive. Here, we investigated regional type 2 dopamine and mu-opioid receptor (D2R and MOR, respectively) availabilities and regional interactions between the two neuromodulatory systems associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In vivo positron emission tomography (PET) with radioligands [11C]raclopride (D2R) and [11C]carfentanil (MOR) was carried out in 16 adult males with high functioning ASD and 19 age and sex matched controls. Regional group differences in D2R and MOR receptor availabilities were tested with linear mixed models and associations between regional receptor availabilities were examined with correlations. There were no group differences in whole-brain voxel-wise analysis of DR2 but ROI analysis presented a lower overall mean D2R availability in striatum of the ASD versus control group. Post hoc regional analysis revealed reduced D2R availability in nucleus accumbens of the ASD group. The whole-brain voxel-wise analysis of MOR revealed precuneal up-regulation in the ASD group, but there was no overall group difference in the ROI analysis for MOR. MOR down-regulation was observed in the hippocampi of the ASD group in a post hoc analysis. Regional correlations between D2R and MOR availabilities were weaker in the ASD group versus control group in the amygdala and nucleus accumbens. These alterations may translate to disrupted modulation of social motivation and reward in ASD.
Evolution of Large Eyes in Stromboidea (Gastropoda): Impact of Photic Environment and Life History Traits
Authors: Irwin Alison R , Roberts Nicholas William , Strong Ellen E , Kano Yasunori , Speiser Daniel I , Harper Elizabeth M , Williams Suzanne T
Published: April 2024

Eyes within the marine gastropod superfamily Stromboidea range widely in size, from 0.2 to 2.3 mm, the latter being the largest known eyes of any gastropod. However, the evolutionary pressures underlying this variation remain unknown. Here, we use the wealth of material available in museum collections to explore the impact of ecological factors that affect light availability (ocean depth, turbidity and diel activity) on the evolution of eye size and structure within Stromboidea. We construct the most taxonomically extensive phylogeny of Stromboidea to date as a framework to investigate these relationships. Our results suggest that depth is a key light-limiting factor in stromboid eye evolution; here, increasing water depth is correlated with increasing aperture width relative to lens diameter (p = 0.043), and therefore an increasing investment in sensitivity in dim light environments. In the clade containing all large-eyed families (Strombidae, Rostellariidae and Seraphsidae), cathemeral species had wider eye apertures relative to lens sizes than diurnal species (p = 0.002), thereby prioritising sensitivity over resolution. These cathemeral species also had smaller body sizes than diurnal species (p = 0.002); this may suggest that animals with smaller shells are more vulnerable to shell-crushing predators, and therefore avoid the higher predation pressure experienced by animals active during the day. Within the large-eyed stromboid clade, ancestral state reconstruction estimates that absolute eye size increased above 1 mm twice independently. Due to the high energetic investment associated with large eye sizes, this repeated increase in eye size suggests that higher performance vision is important in behavioural tasks within these families. In addition, we note that species with more robust escape responses tend to have larger eyes than those that do not: for example, strombids have 1.79 times the eye size that would be expected from their body size (based on Stromboidea as a whole) and are known to display either a rapid escape response from an approaching predator or withdrawal into the shell. By contrast, the small-eyed xenophorids have 0.59 times the expected eye size, and are only known to withdraw when threatened.
A novel barcoded nanopore sequencing workflow of high-quality, full-length bacterial 16S amplicons for taxonomic annotation of bacterial isolates and complex microbial communities
Authors: Dommann Julian , Kerbl-Knapp Jakob , Torres Diana Albertos , Egli Adrian , Keiser Jennifer , Schneeberger Pierre H. H.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Due to recent improvements, Nanopore sequencing has become a promising method for experiments relying on amplicon sequencing. We describe a flexible workflow to generate and annotate high-quality, full-length 16S rDNA amplicons. We evaluated it for two applications, namely, i) identification of bacterial isolates and ii) species-level profiling of microbial communities.

Methods

Bacterial isolate identification by sequencing was tested on 47 isolates and compared to MALDI-TOF MS. 97 isolates were additionally sequenced to assess the resolution of phylogenetic classification. Species-level community profiling was tested with two full-length 16S primer pairs (A and B) with custom barcodes and compared to results obtained with Illumina sequencing using 27 stool samples. Finally, a Nextflow pipeline was developed to produce high-quality reads and taxonomically annotate them.

Results

We found high agreement between our workflow and MALDI-TOF data for isolate identification (PPV = 0.90, Cramér’s V = 0.857 and, Theil’s U = 0.316). For species-level community profiling, we found strong correlations (rs> 0.6) of alpha diversity indices between the two primer sets and Illumina sequencing. At the community level, we found significant but small differences when comparing sequencing techniques. Finally, we found moderate to strong correlation when comparing relative abundances of individual species (average rs= 0.6 and 0.533, for primers A and B).

Discussion

The proposed workflow enabled accurate identification of single bacterial isolates, making it a worthwhile alternative to MALDI-TOF. While shortcomings have been identified, it enabled reliable identification of prominent features in microbial communities at a fraction of the cost of Illumina sequencing.

Importance

A quick, robust, simple, and cost-effective method to identify bacterial isolates and communities in each sample is indispensable in the fields of microbiology and infection biology. Recent technological advances in Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing make this technique an attractive option considering the adaptability, portability, and cost-effectiveness of the platform. Here, we validated a flexible workflow to identify bacterial isolates and characterize bacterial communities using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing platform combined with the most recent v14 chemistry kits. For bacterial isolates, we compared our nanopore-based approach to MALDI-TOF MS-based identification. For species-level profiling of complex bacterial communities we compared our nanopore-based approach to Illumina shotgun sequencing. For reproducibility purposes, we wrapped the code used to process the sequencing data into a ready-to-use and self-contained Nextflow pipeline.
Evolution of the substrate specificity of an RNA ligase ribozyme from phosphorimidazole- to triphosphate-activation
Authors: DasGupta Saurja , Weiss Zoe , Nisler Collin , Szostak Jack W.
Published: April 2024

The acquisition of new RNA functions through evolutionary processes would have been essential for the diversification of RNA-based primordial biology and its subsequent transition to modern biology. However, the mechanisms by which RNAs access new functions remain unclear. Do ribozymes need completely new folds to support new but related functions, or is re-optimization of the active site sufficient? What are the roles of neutral and adaptive mutations in evolutionary innovation? Here we address these questions experimentally by focusing on the evolution of substrate specificity in RNA-catalyzed RNA assembly reactions. We use directedin vitroevolution to show that a ligase ribozyme that uses prebiotically relevant 5′-phosphorimidazole-activated substrates can be evolved to catalyze ligation with substrates that are 5′-activated with the biologically relevant triphosphate group. Interestingly, despite catalyzing a related reaction, the new ribozyme folds into a completely new structure and exhibits promiscuity by catalyzing RNA ligation with both triphosphate and phosphorimidazole-activated substrates. Although distinct in sequence and structure, the parent phosphorimidazolide ligase and the evolved triphosphate ligase ribozymes can be connected by a series of point mutations where the intermediate sequences retain at least some ligase activity. The existence of a quasi-neutral pathway between these distinct ligase ribozymes suggests that neutral drift is sufficient to enable the acquisition of new substrate specificity, thereby providing opportunities for subsequent adaptive optimization. The transition from RNA-catalyzed RNA assembly using phosphorimidazole-activated substrates to triphosphate-activated substrates may have set the stage for the later evolution of the protein enzymes that use monomeric triphosphates (NTPs) for RNA synthesis.
RNA tertiary structure and conformational dynamics revealed by BASH MaP
Authors: Oleynikov Maxim , Jaffrey Samie R.
Published: April 2024

The functional effects of an RNA can arise from complex three-dimensional folds known as tertiary structures. However, predicting the tertiary structure of an RNA and whether an RNA adopts distinct tertiary conformations remains challenging. To address this, we developed BASH MaP, a single-molecule dimethyl sulfate (DMS) footprinting method and DAGGER, a computational pipeline, to identify alternative tertiary structures adopted by different molecules of RNA. BASH MaP utilizes potassium borohydride to reveal the chemical accessibility of the N7 position of guanosine, a key mediator of tertiary structures. We used BASH MaP to identify diverse conformational states and dynamics of RNA G-quadruplexes, an important RNA tertiary motif, in vitro and in cells. BASH MaP and DAGGER analysis of the fluorogenic aptamer Spinach reveals that it adopts alternative tertiary conformations which determine its fluorescence states. BASH MaP thus provides an approach for structural analysis of RNA by revealing previously undetectable tertiary structures.
WITHDRAWN: Crosstalk of pathogens with human immune system in airway mucus profiled via machine learning-enhanced data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry
Authors: Pieper Rembert , Krishna Vinod , Thys Kim , Aerssens Jeroen
Published: April 2024

Withdrawal Statement

The authors have withdrawn their manuscript owing to Johnson & Johnson publication policies on online archives of unpublished manuscripts in the biological sciences. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Two species of theEntoloma quadratum–murrayicomplex from Japan,E. kermesinumsp. nov. andE. flavescenssp. nov.
Authors: Sato Hirotoshi , Satomi Otomi , Sugiyama Yoriko
Published: April 2024

We describe two new species,Entoloma. kermesinumsp. nov. andE. flavescenssp. nov., which are confused withE. quadratumandE. murrayi, respectively. We sequenced the large subunit of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region and 22 single-copy genes for 51 specimens ofE. kermesinum,E. flavescens,E. album, and related species. Species boundaries were assessed using the molecular phylogenetics and population genetics approaches. Specimens ofE. kermesinum,E. flavescens, andE. albumformed independent clades, which were phylogenetically distinct from the specimens ofE. quadratumandE. murrayicollected around the type locality (i.e., New England). Although the phylogenetic distance betweenE. flavescensandE. albumwas small, gene flow between them was restricted in areas where they coexisted, suggesting reproductive isolation. Therefore, these five species can be treated as independent species. We found characteristics useful for identifyingE. kermesinumandE. flavescens. In particular,E. kermesinumis characterized by a crimson to brown-red and fibrillose pileus, finely covered by whitish fibrous scales;E. flavescensis characterized by a lemon-yellow to tan and shiny-to-silky pileus. In addition, relatively large basidiospores and clamp connections are diagnostic features of these two species.
Systematic identification and characterization of exon–intron circRNAs
Authors: Zhong Yinchun , Yang Yan , Wang Xiaolin , Ren Bingbing , Wang Xueren , Shan Ge , Chen Liang
Published: April 2024

Exon–intron circRNAs (EIciRNAs) are a circRNA subclass with retained introns. Global features of EIciRNAs remain largely unexplored, mainly owing to the lack of bioinformatic tools. The regulation of intron retention (IR) in EIciRNAs and the associated functionality also require further investigation. We developed a framework, FEICP, which efficiently detected EIciRNAs from high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data. EIciRNAs are distinct from exonic circRNAs (EcircRNAs) in aspects such as with larger length, localization in the nucleus, high tissue specificity, and enrichment mostly in the brain. Deep learning analyses revealed that compared with regular introns, the retained introns of circRNAs (CIRs) are shorter in length, have weaker splice site strength, and have higher GC content. Compared with retained introns in linear RNAs (LIRs), CIRs are more likely to form secondary structures and show greater sequence conservation. CIRs are closer to the 5′-end, whereas LIRs are closer to the 3′-end of transcripts. EIciRNA-generating genes are more actively transcribed and associated with epigenetic marks of gene activation. Computational analyses and genome-wide CRISPR screening revealed that SRSF1 binds to CIRs and inhibits the biogenesis of most EIciRNAs. SRSF1 regulates the biogenesis ofEIciLIMK1, which enhances the expression ofLIMK1incisto boost neuronal differentiation, exemplifying EIciRNA physiological function. Overall, our study has developed the FEICP pipeline to identify EIciRNAs from HTS data, and reveals multiple features of CIRs and EIciRNAs. SRSF1 has been identified to regulate EIciRNA biogenesis. EIciRNAs and the regulation of EIciRNA biogenesis play critical roles in neuronal differentiation.
Layering and subpool exploration for adaptive variational quantum eigensolvers: Reducing circuit depth, runtime, and susceptibility to noise
Authors: Long Christopher K. , Dalton Kieran , Barnes Crispin H. W. , Arvidsson-Shukur David R. M. , Mertig Normann
Published: April 2024

Adaptive variational quantum eigensolvers (ADAPT-VQEs) are promising candidates for simulations of strongly correlated systems on near-term quantum hardware. To further improve the noise resilience of these algorithms, recent efforts have been directed towards compactifying, or , their circuits. Here, we broaden the understanding of the algorithmic layering process in three ways. First, we investigate the noncommutation relations between the different elements that are used to build ADAPT-VQE . In doing so, we develop a framework for studying and developing layering algorithms, which produce shallower circuits. Second, based on this framework, we develop a new subroutine that can reduce the number of quantum-processor calls by optimizing the selection procedure with which a variational quantum algorithm appends elements. Third, we provide a thorough numerical investigation of the noise-resilience improvement available via layering the circuits of ADAPT-VQE algorithms. We find that layering leads to an improved noise resilience with respect to amplitude-damping and dephasing noise, which, in general, affect idling and nonidling qubits alike. With respect to depolarizing noise, which tends to affect only actively manipulated qubits, we observe no advantage of layering.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Three-dimensional
PT
-symmetric topological phases with a Pontryagin index
Authors: Davoyan Zory , Jankowski Wojciech J. , Bouhon Adrien , Slager Robert-Jan
Published: April 2024

We report on a certain class of three-dimensional topological insulators and semimetals protected by spinless PT symmetry, hosting an integer-valued bulk invariant. We show using homotopy arguments that these phases host multigap topology, providing a realization of a single Z invariant in three spatial dimensions that is distinct from the Hopf index. We identify this invariant with the Pontryagin index, which describes Belavin-Polyakov-Schwartz-Tyupkin (BPST) instantons in particle physics contexts and corresponds to a three-sphere winding number. We study naturally arising multigap linked nodal rings, topologically characterized by split-biquaternion charges, which can be removed by non-Abelian braiding of nodal rings, even without closing a gap. We additionally recast the describing winding number in terms of gauge-invariant combinations of non-Abelian Berry connection elements, indicating relations to Pontryagin characteristic class in four dimensions. These topological configurations are furthermore related to fully nondegenerate multigap phases that are characterized by a pair of winding numbers relating to two isoclinic rotations in the case of four bands and can be generalized to an arbitrary number of bands. From a physical perspective, we also analyze the edge states corresponding to this Pontryagin index as well as their dissolution subject to the gap-closing disorder. Finally, we elaborate on the realization of these novel non-Abelian phases, their edge states, and linked nodal structures in acoustic metamaterials and trapped-ion experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Threshold photoproduction of
ηc
and
ηb
using holographic QCD
Authors: Hechenberger Florian , Mamo Kiminad A. , Zahed Ismail
Published: April 2024

We discuss the possibility that threshold photoproduction of ηc,b may be sensitive to the pseudovector 1+− glueball exchange. We use the holographic construction to identify the pseudovector glueball with the Kalb-Ramond field, minimally coupled to bulk Dirac fermions. We derive the holographic C-odd form factor and its respective charge radius. Using the pertinent Witten diagrams, we derive and analyze the differential photoproduction cross section for ηc,b in the threshold regime, including the interference from the dual bulk photon exchange with manifest vector dominance. The possibility of measuring this process at current and future electron facilities is discussed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Spin-1 glueballs in the Witten-Sakai-Sugimoto model
Authors: Hechenberger Florian , Leutgeb Josef , Rebhan Anton
Published: April 2024

We consider the vector and the pseudovector glueball in the top-down holographic model of large-Nc QCD of Witten and their decays into ordinary mesons described by the D8 brane construction due to Sakai and Sugimoto. At leading order, the relevant interactions are determined exclusively by the Chern-Simons action of the D8 branes and are thus rigidly connected to the chiral anomaly and the Wess-Zumino-Witten terms. As found in a previous study of the pseudovector glueball, which we revisit and complete, the resulting decay widths are surprisingly large, implying that both the pseudovector and the vector glueball are very broad resonances, with a conspicuous dominance of decays into a1ρ and K1(1400)K* in the case of the vector glueball. We also obtain a certain weak mixing of vector glueballs with ordinary vector mesons, but we conclude that it does not provide an explanation for the so-called ρπ puzzle in charmonium decays.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Gauge and scalar boson mediated proton decay in a predictive SU(5) GUT model
Authors: Doršner Ilja , Džaferović-Mašić Emina , Fajfer Svjetlana , Saad Shaikh
Published: April 2024

We assess proton decay signatures in the simplest viable SU(5) model with regard to constraints on parameters governing the Standard Model fermion mass spectrum. Experimental signals for all eight two-body proton decay processes result from exchange of two gauge bosons, a single scalar leptoquark, or their combination. Consequently, it enables us to delve into an in-depth anatomy of proton decay modes and anticipate future signatures. Our findings dictate that observing a proton decay into p→π0e+ indicates gauge boson mediation, with the potential for observation of p→η0e+ mode. Alternatively, if decay is through the p→K+ν¯ process, it is mediated by a scalar leptoquark, possibly allowing the observation of

p

→

π

0

μ

+

. Detection of both p→π0e+ and p→K+ν¯ could enhance p→π0μ+ through constructive interference. The model predicts inaccessibility of p→π+ν¯, p→η0μ+, p→K0e+, and p→K0μ+, regardless of the dominant mediation type, in the coming decades. In summary, through a comprehensive analysis of proton decay signals, gauge coupling unification, and fermion masses and mixing, we both accurately and precisely constrain the parameter space of the SU(5) model in question.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Rotation-equivariant graph neural network for learning hadronic SMEFT effects
Authors: Chatterjee Suman , Sánchez Cruz Sergio , Schöfbeck Robert , Schwarz Dennis
Published: April 2024

We introduce a graph neural network architecture designed to extract novel phenomena in the standard model effective field theory (SMEFT) context from LHC collision data. The proposed infrared- and collinear-safe architecture is sensitive to the angular orientation of radiation patterns in jets from hadronic decays of highly energetic massive particles. Equivariance with respect to rotations around the jet axis allows for extracting the information on the angular orientation decoupled from the jet substructure. We demonstrate the robustness of the approach and its potential for future probes of the SMEFT at the LHC through toy studies and with realistic event simulations of the associated production of a W and a Z boson in the semileptonic decay channel.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Minimal massive supergravity and new theories of massive gravity
Authors: Deger Nihat Sadik , Geiller Marc , Rosseel Jan , Samtleben Henning
Published: April 2024

We present an action for minimal massive gravity (MMG) in three dimensions in terms of a dreibein and an independent spin connection. Furthermore, the construction provides an action principle for an infinite family of so-called third-way consistent generalizations of the three-dimensional Einstein field equations, including exotic massive gravity and new higher-order generalizations. It allows us to systematically construct the matter couplings for these models, including the couplings to fermions, depending on the spin connection. In particular, we construct different supersymmetric extensions of MMG, and derive their second order fermionic field equations. This establishes a new class of three-dimensional supergravity theories and we discuss their limit to topological massive supergravity. Finally, we identify the landscape of (anti–)de Sitter vacua of the supersymmetric models. We analyze the spectrum and the unitarity properties of these vacua. We recover the known AdS vacua of MMG which are bulk and boundary unitary.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Autonomous Quantum Error Correction of Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill States
Authors: Lachance-Quirion Dany , Lemonde Marc-Antoine , Simoneau Jean Olivier , St-Jean Lucas , Lemieux Pascal , Turcotte Sara , Wright Wyatt , Lacroix Amélie , Fréchette-Viens Joëlle , Shillito Ross , Hopfmueller Florian , Tremblay Maxime , Frattini Nicholas E. , Camirand Lemyre Julien , St-Jean Philippe
Published: April 2024

The Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code encodes a logical qubit into a bosonic system with resilience against single-photon loss, the predominant error in most bosonic systems. Here we present experimental results demonstrating quantum error correction of GKP states based on reservoir engineering of a superconducting device. Error correction is made fully autonomous through an unconditional reset of an auxiliary transmon qubit. We show that the lifetime of the logical qubit is increased from quantum error correction, therefore reaching the point at which more errors are corrected than generated.

© 2024 American Physical Society
2024
American Physical Society
Scaling and merging macromolecular diffuse scattering with mdx2
Authors: Meisburger Steve P. , Ando Nozomi
Published: April 2024

Diffuse scattering is a promising method to gain additional insight into protein dynamics from macromolecular crystallography experiments. Bragg intensities yield the average electron density, while the diffuse scattering can be processed to obtain a three-dimensional reciprocal-space map that is further analyzed to determine correlated motion. To make diffuse scattering techniques more accessible, software for data processing called mdx2 has been created that is both convenient to use and simple to extend and modify. mdx2 is written in Python, and it interfaces with DIALS to implement self-contained data-reduction workflows. Data are stored in NeXus format for software interchange and convenient visualization. mdx2 can be run on the command line or imported as a package, for instance to encapsulate a complete workflow in a Jupyter notebook for reproducible computing and education. Here, mdx2 version 1.0 is described, a new release incorporating state-of-the-art techniques for data reduction. The implementation of a complete multi-crystal scaling and merging workflow is described, and the methods are tested using a high-redundancy data set from cubic insulin. It is shown that redundancy can be leveraged during scaling to correct systematic errors and obtain accurate and reproducible measurements of weak diffuse signals.
Global perspectives and methodological innovations in STEM education: a systematic mapping analysis of engineering design-based teacher training
Authors: Shahat Mohamed A. , Al-Balushi Sulaiman M. , Abdullah Shubair , Al-Amri Mohammed
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study investigates a novel educational strategy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching that integrates the engineering design process (EDP) as a framework. The strategy aims to help teachers explain STEM concepts in a simplified way. We employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology to enable a systematic review that evaluated the effectiveness of this approach in improving both teaching and learning in STEM subjects.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to fulfill the objectives of the review, key data were extracted from each of the 400 articles that were reviewed from three databases: Scopus, ProQuest Central and EBSCO. Two types of analysis were conducted, namely descriptive analysis and literature classification.

Findings

This systematic review analyzed 44 articles on the EDP, focusing on 18 detailed studies mainly from ProQuest, SCOPUS and EBSCO. It revealed a limited focus on gender’s impact on EDP and a trend toward interdisciplinary use and integrated research approaches. The study underscores the need for further exploration of demographic influences and preparation programs in EDP across various disciplines, aiming to inform future research and educational policies.

Originality/value

The study’s value lies in its comprehensive assessment of engineering design (ED) research over the past decade, serving as a key reference point. It highlights progress in the field, consolidates findings and provides insights into the field’s evolution, guiding future research directions in ED.
More than a mere cup of bubble tea: how does perceived luxuriousness affect the intentions to revisit?
Authors: Koay Kian Yeik , Leong Mei Kei
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of perceived luxuriousness on consumers’ revisit intentions via the mediating effects of positive and negative emotions based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model. In this context, “luxuriousness” specifically refers to the richness of furnishings, including the visual allure of aesthetic design and the surrounding cues.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach using a survey method is employed to analyse the collected 289 data from consumers of bubble tea. Partial least squares structural equation modelling is chosen as the main analytical approach to examine the research model.

Findings

The results showed that perceived luxuriousness has a significant positive influence on positive emotion and a significant negative influence on negative emotion. Furthermore, positive emotion positively affects revisit intentions, whereas negative emotion negatively affects revisit intentions. Positive emotion mediates the relationship between perceived luxuriousness and revisit intentions, but negative emotion does not.

Originality/value

In terms of theoretical contributions, this study contributes to the SOR model by exploring the influence of perceived luxuriousness on revisit intentions via the mediating effects of emotions in the bubble tea context, which has not been previously examined by past studies. In terms of managerial implications, this study provides insights into how to leverage the element of luxury to encourage consumers to revisit bubble tea stores.
Creating AI business value through BPM capabilities
Authors: Zebec Aleš , Indihar Štemberger Mojca
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Although businesses continue to take up artificial intelligence (AI), concerns remain that companies are not realising the full value of their investments. The study aims to provide insights into how AI creates business value by investigating the mediating role of Business Process Management (BPM) capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The integrative model of IT Business Value was contextualised, and structural equation modelling was applied to validate the proposed serial multiple mediation model using a sample of 448 organisations based in the EU.

Findings

The results validate the proposed serial multiple mediation model according to which AI adoption increases organisational performance through decision-making and business process performance. Process automation, organisational learning and process innovation are significant complementary partial mediators, thereby shedding light on how AI creates business value.

Research limitations/implications

In pursuing a complex nomological framework, multiple perspectives on realising business value from AI investments were incorporated. Several moderators presenting complementary organisational resources (e.g. culture, digital maturity, BPM maturity) could be included to identify behaviour in more complex relationships. The ethical and moral issues surrounding AI and its use could also be examined.

Practical implications

The provided insights can help guide organisations towards the most promising AI activities of process automation with AI-enabled decision-making, organisational learning and process innovation to yield business value.

Originality/value

While previous research assumed a moderated relationship, this study extends the growing literature on AI business value by empirically investigating a comprehensive nomological network that links AI adoption to organisational performance in a BPM setting.
Diversity in remuneration committees: a view from the inside
Authors: Shortland Susan , Perkins Stephen J.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how those involved in executive pay determination in large publicly quoted UK businesses see the role of diversity within remuneration committees (Remcos) as enabling the input of different perspectives, which can enhance their decision-making and potentially improve pay outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 18 high-profile major-enterprise decision-makers and their advisers, i.e. non-executive directors (NEDs) serving Remcos, institutional investors, executive pay consultants and internal human resources (HR) reward specialists, together with data from three focus groups with 10 further reward management practitioners.

Findings

Remco members recognise the benefits of social category/demographic diversity but say the likelihood of increasing this is low, given talent pipeline issues. The widening of value diversity is considered problematic for Remcos’ functioning. Informational diversity is used as a proxy for social category/demographic diversity to improve Remcos’ decision-making on executive pay. While the inclusion of members from wider social networks is recognised as potentially bringing a different informational perspective, the social character of Remcos, reflecting their elite nature and experience of wealth, appears ingrained.

Originality/value

Our original contribution is to extend the application of upper echelons theory in the context of Remco decision-making to explain why members do not welcome widening informational diversity by appointing people from different social networks who lack value similarity. Instead, by drawing views from employees, HR acts as a proxy for social network informational diversity. The elite, upper-echelons nature of Remco appointments remains unchanged and team functioning is not disrupted.
Bridging knowledge gap: the contribution of employees’ awareness of AI cyber risks comprehensive program to reducing emerging AI digital threats
Authors: Schreiber Amir , Schreiber Ilan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In the modern digital realm, while artificial intelligence (AI) technologies pave the way for unprecedented opportunities, they also give rise to intricate cybersecurity issues, including threats like deepfakes and unanticipated AI-induced risks. This study aims to address the insufficient exploration of AI cybersecurity awareness in the current literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using in-depth surveys across varied sectors (N = 150), the authors analyzed the correlation between the absence of AI risk content in organizational cybersecurity awareness programs and its impact on employee awareness.

Findings

A significant AI-risk knowledge void was observed among users: despite frequent interaction with AI tools, a majority remain unaware of specialized AI threats. A pronounced knowledge difference existed between those that are trained in AI risks and those who are not, more apparent among non-technical personnel and sectors managing sensitive information.

Research limitations/implications

This study paves the way for thorough research, allowing for refinement of awareness initiatives tailored to distinct industries.

Practical implications

It is imperative for organizations to emphasize AI risk training, especially among non-technical staff. Industries handling sensitive data should be at the forefront.

Social implications

Ensuring employees are aware of AI-related threats can lead to a safer digital environment for both organizations and society at large, given the pervasive nature of AI in everyday life.

Originality/value

Unlike most of the papers about AI risks, the authors do not trust subjective data from second hand papers, but use objective authentic data from the authors’ own up-to-date anonymous survey.
A study of entrepreneurial marketing activities and firm performance in an immediate post-COVID-19 era: the moderating role of coopetition
Authors: Mahdi Ali , Crick Dave , Crick James M. , Lamine Wadid , Spence Martine
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Although earlier research suggests a positive relationship exists between engaging in entrepreneurial marketing activities and firm performance, there may be contingent issues that impact the association. This investigation unpacks the relationship between entrepreneurial marketing behaviour and firm performance under the moderating role of coopetition, in an immediate post-COVID-19 period.

Design/methodology/approach

A resource-based theoretical lens, alongside an outside-in perspective, underpins this study. Following 20 field interviews, survey responses via an online survey were obtained from 306 small, passive exporting wine producers with a domestic market focus in the United States. The data passed all major robustness checks.

Findings

The statistical findings indicated that entrepreneurial marketing activities positively and significantly influenced firm performance, while coopetition provided a non-significant moderation effect. Field interviews suggested that entrepreneurs’ attemps to scale up from passive to more active export activities in an immediate post-pandemic period helped explain the findings. Owner-managers rejoined trustworthy and complementary pre-pandemic coopetition partners in the immediate aftermath of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for domestic market activities. In contrast, they had to minimise risks from dark-side/opportunistic behaviour when joining coopetition networks with partners while attempting to scale up export market activities.

Originality/value

Unique insights emerge to unpack the entrepreneurial marketing–performance relationship via the moderation effect of coopetition, namely, with the temporal setting of an immediate post-COVID-19 period. Firstly, new support arises regarding the likely performance-enhancing impact of owner-managers’ engagement in entrepreneurial marketing practices. Secondly, novel findings emerge in respect of the contrasting role of coopetition in both domestic and export market activities. Thirdly, new evidence arises in relation to a resource-based theoretical lens alongside an outside-in perspective, whereby, strategic flexibility in pivoting facets of a firm’s business model needs effective management following a crisis.
Factors affecting the housing prices in the metropolis of Tehran
Authors: Rajaei Seyed Abbas , Mottaghi Afshin , Elhaei Sahar Hussein , Bahadori Behnaz
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution of housing prices and identify the affecting factors (independent variable) on the cost of residential units (dependent variable).

Design/methodology/approach

The method of the present study is descriptive-analytical and has an applied purpose. The used statistical population in this study is the residential units’ price in Tehran in 2021. For this purpose, the average per square meter of residential units in the city neighborhoods was entered in the geographical information system. Two techniques of ordinary least squares regression and geographically weighted regression have been used to analyze housing prices and modeling. Then, the results of the ordinary least squares regression and geographically weighted regression models were compared by using the housing price interpolation map predicted in each model and the accurate housing price interpolation map.

Findings

Based on the results, the ordinary least squares regression model has poorly modeled housing prices in the study area. The results of the geographically weighted regression model show that the variables (access rate to sports fields, distance from gas station and water station) have a direct and significant effect. Still, the variable (distance from fault) has a non-significant impact on increasing housing prices at a city level. In addition, to identify the affecting variables of housing prices, the results confirm the desirability of the geographically weighted regression technique in terms of accuracy compared to the ordinary least squares regression technique in explaining housing prices. The results of this study indicate that the housing prices in Tehran are affected by the access level to urban services and facilities.

Originality/value

Identifying factors affecting housing prices helps create sustainable housing in Tehran. Building sustainable housing represents spending less energy during the construction process together with the utilization phase, which ultimately provides housing at an acceptable price for all income deciles. In housing construction, the more you consider the sustainable housing principles, the more sustainable housing you provide and you take a step toward sustainable development. Therefore, sustainable housing is an important planning factor for local authorities and developers. As a result, it is necessary to institutionalize an integrated vision based on the concepts of sustainable development in the field of housing in the Tehran metropolis.
Networks and securing an internship during an environmental anomaly: the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Smith Matthew , Batas Spiros , Sarabi Yasaman
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a slowdown of economic activity across the globe, which has resulted in high levels of disruption to labour markets. This study seeks to examine how the outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted the search strategies of students seeking for an internship, and whether these have changed since the start of the pandemic. The study utilises the strength of weak ties hypothesis, social capital theory and status attainment theory to explore the changes in securing a position since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on data from two cohorts of MBA students seeking to secure internships: one before the outbreak and one during. A multinomial regression is employed to examine how students have used network ties to secure internships and how this has changed since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Findings

The multinomial regression results indicate that there was little difference in the strategies employed by students before the crisis compared to those that secured them during, potentially indicating that students are unwilling to deviate from typical job search strategies, especially in times of uncertainty.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into how network ties are used by job seekers during a period of economic and environmental uncertainty.
Investigating the sustainability of the tourism industry through consumer intention to purchase electric three-wheelers: the case of Sri Lanka
Authors: Mombeuil Claudel , Diunugala Hemantha P.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In the realm of tourism and sustainability, transportation and mobility hold a crucial position. Among the green product categories, three-wheeled electric vehicles have gained significant attention due to their environmental benefits. However, research on consumers’ intentions to purchase these vehicles is limited, particularly in Asian destinations like Sri Lanka. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the direct and indirect impacts of green brand awareness, green brand associations and green perceived quality of local Sri Lankans’ intention to choose branded electric three-wheelers in future purchase decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey garnered 400 usable responses, and structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that green brand awareness, green brand associations and green perceived quality have a direct positive and significant effect on consumers’ intention to choose branded electric three-wheelers in future purchase decisions and green trust. Also, green trust has a positive and significant direct effect on consumers’ intention to choose branded electric three-wheelers in future purchase decisions. Furthermore, the results indicate that only green brand associations and green perceived quality have an indirect positive and significant effect on consumers’ intention to choose branded electric three-wheelers in future purchase decisions through green trust.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the tourism industry and other sectors involved in sustainability efforts in several ways. First, it emphasizes the importance of fostering positive associations with eco-friendly attributes and perceived product quality to build consumer trust and influence their purchase intentions for green products. Second, the study underscores the relevance of highlighting eco-friendly product attributes to stimulate consumer interest and adoption of green products. Finally, it theoretically underscores the significance of building trust through transparent and credible sustainability initiatives.
The impact of inflation on bank stability: evidence from the MENA banks
Authors: Awdeh Ali , El Moussawi Chawki , Hamadi Hassan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Serious concerns about the stability of the international financial systems have arisen recently, resulting from the mounting inflation rates and the accompanying procedures to control them. Consequently, this study aims at examining empirically the impact of inflationary pressures/shocks on the stability of banking sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a dynamic GMM models and exploits a sample of 188 banks operating in 14 MENA economies, over the period 1999–2021.

Findings

This research finds that high inflation does indeed harm bank financial stability and deteriorates banks credit risk. Furthermore, the examination of the impact of interaction terms between inflation and bank-specific and institutional quality variables shows that better capitalisation levels, higher liquidity buffers, larger asset size, greater market power, foreign ownership and overall political stability, all can counterbalance the impact of inflationary pressures on MENA banks financial stability.

Originality/value

In addition to empirically revealing how inflationary shocks can deteriorate financial stability, the main novelty of this research is examining how the interactions between inflation on one hand, and bank-specific and institutional quality on the other, affect bank stability.
The impact of entrepreneurial leadership on the project success: the mediating role of knowledge-oriented dynamic capabilities
Authors: Tariq Rabail , Wang Yifan , Latif Khawaja Fawad
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Through the lens of resource-based view (RBV), knowledge-based view (KBV) and DCV, this paper aims to investigate the relationship of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) on the project success (PS) and further examines the mediating effect of knowledge infrastructure capability (KIC), knowledge-based dynamic capability (KBDC) and Big data analytic capability (BDAC).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 467 employees working on project in software companies. The data were evaluated using SMART-PLS, a structural equation modeling (SEM) tool.

Findings

The study revealed a significant impact of EL on the PS, the study also found the significant mediation role of KIC, KBDC and BDAC on the EL and PS relationship.

Originality/value

The research gives valuable insight into the effective role of EL as a contemporary leadership style in project-based firms. Also, this research is one of the first to examine knowledge-oriented dynamic capabilities (DC) as a knowledge fulcrum in project execution. These DC have been empirically proven to facilitate EL in achieving PS and support the firm in competing in an uncertain environment.