bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of bovine extraembryonic endoderm cells
Authors: Ming Hao , Scatolin Giovanna N. , Ojeda Alejandro , Jiang Zongliang
Published: December 2024

Understanding the mechanisms of hypoblast development and its role in the implantation is critical for improving farm animal reproduction, but it is hampered by the lack of research models. Here we report that a chemical cocktail (FGF4, BMP4, IL-6, XAV939, and A83-01) enables de novo derivation and long-term culture of bovine extraembryonic endoderm cells (bXENs). Transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses confirmed the identity of bXENs and revealed that they are resemble hypoblast lineages of early bovine peri-implantation embryos. We showed that bXENs help maintain the stemness of bovine ESCs and prevent them from differentiation. In the presence of a signaling cocktail sustaining bXENs, the growth and progression of epiblasts are also facilitated in the developing pre-implantation embryo. Furthermore, through 3D assembly of bXENs with bovine ESCs and TSCs, we developed an improved bovine blastocyst like structure (bovine blastoid) that resembles blastocyst. The bovine XENs and blastoids established in this study represent accessiblein vitromodels for understanding hypoblast development and improving reproductive efficiency in livestock species.
Physiological activity within peripheral nerves influences neural output in response to electrical stimulation: anin vivostudy
Authors: Madden Lauren R. , Liu Richard , Ivanescu Sergiu , Bruns Tim M.
Published: December 2024

Neuromodulation therapies are often applied to peripheral nerves. These nerves can have physiological activity that interacts with the activity evoked by electrical stimulation, potentially influencing targeted neural output and clinical outcomes. Our goal was to quantify changes in sensory neural unit activity in response to variations in electrical stimulation frequency and amplitude. In a feline model, we applied cutaneous brushing to evoke pudendal nerve afferent activity with and without electrical stimulation via a pudendal nerve cuff electrode. We recorded neural output with microelectrode arrays implanted in ipsilateral sacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Combined inter-spike interval distributions for all DRG units showed ranges of flattening, increases, and shifts in response to electrical stimulation. These distributions and changes within them due to electrical stimulation were largely driven by a select few units. Mixed-effects models revealed that quicker firing units generally decreased in firing rate in response to electrical stimulation and, conversely, slower firing units increased in firing rate. A unit’s underlying firing rate also drove the magnitude of change in mean output firing rate in response to stimulation. Further, the models reported a small, negative correlation between the output mean unit firing rate and the applied electrical stimulation frequency. These results demonstrate the potential impact of electrical stimulation on underlying neural firing activity and output. Peripheral neuromodulation may normalize abnormal firing patterns in nerves contributing to pathological disorders or alter unrelated physiological activity in off-target neurons. These factors should be considered when selecting neuromodulation settings in animal subjects and human patients.
The Universal Receptive System acts as a novel regulator in the production of antimicrobial and anticancer bioactive compounds by white blood cells
Authors: Tetz Victor , Kardava Kristina , Vecherkovskaya Maria , Khodadadi-Jamayran Alireza , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Tetz George
Published: December 2024

Despite recent advances, the regulation of anticancer and antimicrobial bioactive compound (AABC) production by leukocytes remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that inactivation of the DNA- and RNA-based Teazeled receptors of the Universal Receptive System in human leukocytes generated so called “Leukocyte-Tells,” which showed enhanced AABC production. Comprehensive analysis of the AABCs produced by Leukocyte-Tells based on LC/MS identified 707 unique or differentially produced peptide or non-peptide metabolites. Functional testing demonstrated that many of these metabolites exhibited increased antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities.

The AABCs produced by the Leukocyte-Tells were effective against different multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of fungi and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (including their biofilms), as well as various cancer cell lines, with >100,000-fold activity than AABCs derived from control leukocytes. Notably, the AABCs produced by the Leukocyte-Tells exhibited greater stability under adverse environmental conditions. Our findings highlight the important role of the Universal Receptive System in regulating AABC production through a process named here as cell genome memory management, offering new insights into immune functions and suggesting potential therapeutic applications.

The Universal Receptive System acts as a novel regulator of biosynthetic activity in leukocytes. Modulating the leukocyte Universal Receptive System by inactivating Teazeled receptors triggers the production of new compounds not observed in naïve cells. We refer to these TezR-modified cells as “Leukocyte-Tells.” Leukocytes produce unique metabolites with strong anticancer and antimicrobial activities. Reproducibility in generating leukocytes from the blood of different donors suggests that the observed alterations in cell activity were preprogrammed.
Age-Related Changes in Functional Balance Ability Predict Alpha Activity During Multisensory Integration
Authors: Pepper Jessica L. , Yao Bo , Braithwaite Jason J. , Bampouras Theodoros M. , Nuttall Helen E.
Published: December 2024

The increased multisensory integration and weaker attentional control experienced by older adults during audiovisual processing can result in inaccurate perceptions of their dynamic, everyday environment. These inaccurate representations of our environment can contribute to increased fall risk in older adults. A neural correlate of the attentional difference between younger and older adults could be oscillatory alpha activity (8-12Hz), indexing inhibitory processes during multisensory integration. The current study investigated whether age-related changes in alpha activity underlie weaker attentional control in older adults during a multisensory task, and if alpha associates with fall risk.

Thirty-six younger (18-35 years old) and thirty-six older (60-80 years old) adults completed a cued-spatial-attention stream-bounce task, assessing audiovisual integration when attending to validly-cued or invalidly-cued locations, at 0ms or 300ms stimulus-onset asynchronies. Oscillatory alpha activity was recorded throughout using EEG to index participants’ inhibitory abilities. Functional ability and balance were measured to index fall risk.

Multiple linear regression models revealed that even when attending to the validly-cued location, less accurate multisensory integration was exhibited by older adults compared to younger adults, suggesting that older adults demonstrate weaker top-down modulation of multisensory integration through failing to inhibit task-irrelevant information. However, alpha power across the trials did not predict the extent of multisensory integration within the task. A significant interaction between age and functional ability scores predicted alpha power, suggesting that older adults may rely on attentional mechanisms for functional ability more than younger adults do. Potential implications in the design of clinical treatments to reduce falls are discussed.
C1q and immunoglobulins mediate activity-dependent synapse loss in the adult brain
Authors: Crowley Gerard , Turkes Emir , Kim Minjung , De Schepper Sebastiaan , Tan Benjy J. Y. , Rueda-Carrasco Javier , Toneva Margarita , Fajardo John Christian , Ge Judy Z. , Yang Zhengyue Grace , Paoletti Camille , Sow Tammie , Posner David , Sierksma Annerieke , Ferreira Laís S. S. , Sokolova Dimitra , Konstantellos Viktoras , MacAskill Andrew F. , Clatworthy Menna R. , Hong Soyon
Published: December 2024

C1q, the initiating protein of the classical complement cascade, mediates synapse loss in development and disease. In various mouse models of neurologic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, C1q, which is secreted by microglia, the brain’s resident macrophages, is found deposited on synapses in vulnerable brain regions. However, what underlies C1q deposition on synapses in the adult brain is unclear. Usingin vivochemogenetics, we demonstrate that neuronal hyperactivity acts as a trigger for region-specific deposition of C1q, which is required for activity-dependent synapse loss. Further, using spatial transcriptomics, live cell tracking, super-resolution microscopy and other molecular and cellular tools, we report a role for B lymphocyte lineage cells and immunoglobulins in the activity-dependent C1q deposition and synapse loss. Overall, our work suggests a link between neuronal hyperactivity and C1q-mediated synapse loss in the adult brain and introduces immunoglobulins as players in this process.
The Aging Synapse: An Integrated Proteomic And Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: Caterino Cinzia , Ugolini Martino , Durso William , Jevdokimenko Kristina , Groth Marco , Riege Konstantin , Görlach Matthias , Fornasiero Eugenio , Ori Alessandro , Hoffmann Steve , Cellerino Alessandro
Published: December 2024

An important hallmark of aging is the loss of proteostasis, which can lead to the formation of protein aggregates and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons. Although it is well known that protein synthesis is finely regulated in the brain, especially at synapses, where mRNAs are locally translated in activity-dependent manner, little is known as to the changes in the synaptic proteome and transcriptome during aging. Therefore, this work aims to elucidate the relationship between transcriptome and proteome at soma and synaptic level during aging.

Proteomic and transcriptomic data analysis reveal that, in young animals, proteins and transcripts are correlated and synaptic regulation is driven by changes in the soma. During aging, there is a decoupling between transcripts and proteins and between somatic and synaptic compartments. Furthermore, soma-synapse gradient of ribosomal genes changes upon aging, i.e. ribosomal transcripts are less abundant and ribosomal proteins are more abundant in synaptic compartment of old mice with respect to younglings. Additionally, transcriptomics data highlight a difference in the splicing of certain synaptic mRNA with aging. Taken together, our data provide a valuable resource for the study of the aging synapse.
Metabolic rerouting by gain-of-function mutations overcomesplsXessentiality inStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wongdontree Paprapach , Palmier Milya , Leguillier Vincent , Gloux Karine , Halpern David , Anba-Mondoloni Jamila , Gruss Alexandra
Published: December 2024

Phospholipids are essential components of most bacterial membranes. The PlsX acyltransferase initiates phospholipid synthesis by reversibly converting acyl-ACP (ACP, acyl carrier protein) to acyl-PO4, the first phospholipid precursor. PlsX is dispensable in some bacteria, as alternative functions assure acyl-PO4production. In contrast, PlsX is considered indispensable inStaphylococcus aureus, unless exogenous fatty acids (FA) are provided. Here we report that gain-of-function suppressors of ΔplsX enableS. aureusgrowth without FA addition. The suppressors map to either the FA synthesis (FASII) enzyme FabF, or to a putative acyl-CoA thioesterase/ACP binding protein, designated FadM. The ΔplsXsuppressors alleviate accumulation of long chain acyl-ACP, and produce shorter chain membrane FAs than the parental strain. Unlike wild typeS. aureus, which can adapt to FASII inhibitors, ΔplsXsuppressors remain fully sensitive, indicating that PlsX reverse activity is not compensated. Importantly, an interdependency between FabF and FadM functions shown here suggests a more general role for FadM in facilitating FA release from FabF-FA-ACP intermediates. In summary,S. aureus fabFandfadMmutations promote enzymatic flexibility that overcomes ΔplsX growth arrest by restoring phospholipid synthesis.

Importance

Phospholipids are common and vital cell membrane components. Many bacteria initiate phospholipid synthesis using an enzyme called PlsX; some of them also have a backup system to ensure phospholipid synthesis and survival even if PlsX is disabled. HoweverStaphylococcus aureus, a major pathogen, reportedly lacked a PlsX backup system. Here we used a genetic selection approach to show thatS. aureusgenerates “gain-of-function” mutations, allowing bacteria to initiate phospholipid synthesis when PlsX is inactive. Bacteria survive thanks to a mutation in FabF, a fatty acid biosynthesis enzyme, or in FadM, a little-studied protein; our data indicate that FabF and FadM cooperate to compensate a PlsX defect. The outcome with either mutation is that bacteria produce and release fatty acids to patch into phospholipid synthesis. This study illustrates how new enzymatic circuitry is created by mutation to rescue bacteria from a potentially lethal membrane phospholipid synthesis defect.
Image Processing in the Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS) Project
Authors: Sadil Patrick , Arfanakis Konstantinos , Bhuiyan Enamul Hoque , Caffo Brian , Calhoun Vince D , Clauw Daniel J , DeLano Mark C , Ford James C , Gattu Ramtalik , Guo Xiaodong , Harris Richard E , Ichesco Eric , Johnson Micah A , Jung Heejung , Kahn Ari B , Kaplan Chelsea M , Leloudas Nondas , Lindquist Martin A , Luo Qingfei , Mulderink Todd A , Peltier Scott J , Prasad Pottumarthi V , Sica Christopher , Urrutia Joshua , Vance Carol GT , Wager Tor D , Xuan Yang , Zhou Xiaohong J , Zhou Yong , Shu David C ,   The Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures Consortium
Published: December 2024

The Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS) project is a large-scale, multi-site initiative aimed at identifying biomarkers and biosignatures that predict the transition from acute to chronic pain. The project is collecting multimodal, longitudinal data from over 2,500 individuals at risk for developing chronic pain after surgery. Here we describe the neuroimaging component of A2CPS, including the acquisition protocols, processing pipelines, and contents of the initial data release. The imaging protocol includes structural, diffusion, resting-state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Data are collected across multiple clinical sites using different scanner manufacturers, with attention to protocol harmonization and quality control. The processing pipeline integrates several established neuroimaging tools to extract potential biomarkers, including measures of brain structure, connectivity, and pain-related neural signatures. The first data release includes pre-surgical imaging data for 595 participants, with high quality ratings across modalities (98.7% of sMRI, 99.8% of dMRI, and 94.6% of fMRI images were rated as acceptable or better). Initial analyses demonstrate expected relationships between brain-derived measures and clinical variables, such as associations between brain age and psychological factors. This dataset represents a valuable resource for both pain research and neuroimaging methods development, with future releases planned to include additional participants and expanded analysis pipelines and processed data derivatives.
Real-Time Nanoscale Investigation of Spore Coat Assembly inBacillus subtilis
Authors: Lablaine Armand , Juillot Dimitri , Condon Ciarán , Carballido-López Rut
Published: December 2024

Spores ofBacillaceae, ubiquitous in soil, can withstand extreme conditions virtually indefinitely. The spore coat, one of the most sophisticated multiprotein complexes built by bacteria, protects the spore from environmental stresses and predators. InBacillus subtilis, assembly of the multilayered coat initiates at the forespore pole and is perceived as a stable process that progresses continuously until covering the entire forespore surface. In contrast, inBacillus cereus, coat formation initiates in the midspore region and extends outward to the spore poles. Using Structured Illumination Microscopy, we monitoredB. subtiliscoat development in real-time at the single-sporangium level with lateral resolution of 70-nm. We found that late-synthesized proteins from the innermost coat layers first assemble in the midspore region and are subsequently displaced towards the poles. This process is coupled with a unique redistribution of pre-assembled coat material across the forespore surface and influenced by outer coat development, highlighting a dynamic interplay in coat layers co-construction.
Longitudinal prevalence and co-carriage of pathogens associated with nursing home acquired pneumonia in three long-term care facilities
Authors: Whealy Ryann N. , Roberts Alexander , Furstenau Tara N. , Timm Skylar , Maltinsky Sara , Wells Sydney , Drake Kylie , Ramirez Kayla , Bolduc Candice , Ross Ann , Pearson Talima , Fofanov Viacheslav Y.
Published: December 2024

Nursing home acquired pneumonia (NHAP), and its subset – aspiration-associated pneumonia, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Understanding colonization dynamics of respiratory pathogens in LTCF residents is essential for effective infection control. This study examines the longitudinal trends in prevalence, persistence, bacterial load, and co-colonization patterns of five respiratory pathogens in three LTCFs in Phoenix, Arizona. Anterior nares and oral swabs were collected every other week and tested using qPCR forHaemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, andChlamydia pneumoniae. Weekly average positivity rates were 17.75% forH. influenzae(0% - 39.39%), 9.95% forP. aeruginosa(0% - 37.74%), 31.89% forS. pneumoniae(1.79% - 41.67%), and for 28.00% forS. aureus(0% - 55.36%).C. pneumoniaewas not detected.H. influenzaeandS. pneumoniaepredominantly colonized the oral cavity, whileP. aeruginosaandS. aureuspredominantly colonized the nasal cavity.S. pneumoniaeandS. aureuscolonizations were significantly more persistent thanH. influenzaeandP. aeruginosa, with persistence correlating with significantly higher bacterial loads. Co-colonization did occur in ∼20% of positive samples, but appeared to be due to random chance. This study reveals distinct colonization patterns among respiratory pathogens in LTCF residents, highlighting differences in site-specific prevalence, persistence, and bacterial load. These findings underscore the importance of longitudinal monitoring to inform targeted infection control strategies in LTCFs.
Infectious potential and circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in wild rats
Authors: Beissat Kevyn , Lattard Virginie , Picard-Meyer Evelyne , Fafournoux Ambre , Soro Sionfoungo Daouda , Servat Alexandre , Vincent-Hubert Françoise , Boué Franck , Chatron Nolan , Monchâtre-Leroy Elodie , Wasniewski Marine
Published: December 2024

Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, a wide range of animal species (pets, mink…) have been naturally infected with this betacoronavirus. The emergence of new variants has increased the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect species that were not susceptible to the “original” SARS-CoV-2, such as mice and rats.

This work attempted to evaluate the role of urban rats in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission by combining surveillance studies of rat populations in urban environments,in vivoexperimental inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 and comparative viral-receptor interaction insilicoanalyses.

We studied the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in wildRattus norvegicus(n=401) captured in urban areas and sewage systems of several French cities. Except for 3 inconclusive samples (2/75 from Bordeaux and 1/261 from Lyon) none of the 353 sera tested showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by microsphere immunoassay. However, the 3 inconclusive sera samples were negative by virus neutralisation assay. No SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in all lungs collected from the 401 captured urban brown rats. In complement, four rat groups (two wild-type colonies,Rattus norvegicusandRattus rattus, and two laboratory strains, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar) were inoculated with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5. At 4 days post-inoculation, no infectious viral particles were detected in the lungs and upper respiratory tract (URT) while viral RNA was detected at a low level only in the URT of all groups. In addition, seroconversion was observed 14 days after inoculation in the four groups. By molecular modelling, the Omicron BA.5 receptor binding domain (RBD) had lower affinities forRattus norvegicusandRattus rattusACE2 thanHomo sapiensACE2.

Based on these results the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 was unable to infect laboratory and wild type rats. In addition,Rattus norvegicuscollected for this study in different areas of France were not infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Genetically Encoded Red Fluorescent Indicators for Imaging Intracellular and Extracellular Potassium Ions
Authors: Yang Lina , Pathiranage Vishaka , Zhou Shihao , Sun Xiaoting , Zhang Hanbin , Lai Cuixin , Gu Chenglei , Subach Fedor V. , Walker Alice R. , Piatkevich Kiryl D.
Published: December 2024

Potassium ion (K+) dynamics are vital for various biological processes. However, the limited availability of detection tools for tracking intracellular and extracellular K+has impeded a comprehensive understanding of the physiological roles of K+in intact biological systems. In this study, we developed two novel red genetically encoded potassium indicators (RGEPOs), RGEPO1 and RGEPO2, through a combination of directed evolution inE. coliand subsequent optimization in mammalian cells. RGEPO1, targeted to the extracellular membrane, and RGEPO2, localized in the cytoplasm, exhibited positive K+-specific fluorescence response with affinities of 3.55 mM and 14.81 mM in HEK293FT cells, respectively. We employed RGEPOs for real-time monitoring of subsecond K+dynamics in cultured neurons, astrocytes, acute brain slices, and the awake mouse in both intracellular and extracellular environments. Using RGEPOs, we were able, for the first time, to visualize intracellular and extracellular potassium transients during seizures in the brains of awake mice. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations provided new insights into the potassium-binding mechanisms of RGEPO1 and RGEPO2, revealing distinct K+-binding pockets and structural features. Thus, RGEPOs represent a significant advancement in potassium imaging, providing enhanced tools for real-time visualization of K+dynamics in various cell types and cellular environments.
Nebulized 2-deoxylated glucose analogues inhibit respiratory viral infection in advancedin vitroairway models
Authors: Wideman Sarah K. , Wali Laxmikant , Kovtunyk Vitalii , Chou Scharon , Gusel Vanessa , Telimaa Heta , Najmi Chama , Stoeva Delyana , Stöckl Johannes , Gualdoni Guido A. , Gorki Anna-Dorothea , Radivojev Snezana
Published: December 2024

Respiratory viral infections caused by rhinoviruses (RVs), influenza A virus (IAV) and endemic corona viruses (HCoV) result in a serious strain on healthcare systems and public health, underscoring an urgent need for inhaled broad-spectrum antiviral therapies. However, their development is challenging, as no standardizedin vitromethodologies that can fully replicate thein vivoenvironment have been established. In this work, we aimed to investigate the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect of three 2-deoxylated glucose analogues (2-DGA): 2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-fluoro-2-dexoy-D-glucose and 2-fluoro-2-dexoy-D-mannose (2-FDM), by utilizing advancedin vitroair-liquid interface (ALI) airway models. We demonstrated that commonly used ALI models have variable susceptibility to RV, IAV and HCoV infection. Further, we showed that 2-DGA have an anti-inflammatory effect and suppress respiratory viral replication in models mimicking the upper and lower respiratory airways. Moreover, we confirmed that 2-DGA can be delivered via nebulizationin vitro, highlighting their potential to be used as broad-spectrum inhaled antivirals. Finally, our results demonstrate the importance of incorporating complexin vitromethodologies, such as primary cell ALI cultures and aerosol exposure, at an early stage of drug development.
The crucial role of intercellular calcium wave propagation triggered by influenza A virus in promoting infection
Authors: Kozawa Fumiya , Tamura Tomokazu , Takahashi Naoki , Kakizuka Taishi , Ichimura Taro , Shimada Rumi , Hashimoto Yasuyuki , Onituska Hironoshin , Kashiwagi Sayaka , Kamasaki Tomoko , Amano Maho , Nagai Takeharu , Fukuhara Takasuke , Fujioka Yoichiro , Ohba Yusuke
Published: December 2024

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) initially infect a few host cells, and the infection subsequently spreads to neighboring cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this expansion remain unclear. Here, we show that IAV infection upregulates the frequency of intercellular calcium wave propagations (iCWPs) that mediate the spread of IAVs. ADP released from initially infected cells mediated iCWPs via the P2Y1receptor. The generation of iCWPs and spread of viral infection were inhibited by a P2Y1antagonist. Enhanced endocytosis in the surrounding cells that received ADP signaling upregulated viral entry. Expression of IAV matrix protein 2 (M2) in initially infected cells triggered iCWPs through ADP diffusion, thereby increasing infection, whereas an ion permeability-deficient mutation of M2 or inhibition of its ion channel activity suppressed iCWPs. Therefore, intercellular calcium signaling is essential for early expansion and potential establishment of IAV infection, which offers a promising target for IAV prophylaxis.
Study on phase change energy storage process in hot-water oil displacement system with composite fin structure
Authors: Cui Qiang , Liu Xiao , Zhang Zhen , Li Xiaoqin , Yang Shasha
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to propose a new composite metal fin structure to enhance heat transfer efficiency during the phase change energy storage (PCES) process in a hot water oil displacement system.

Design/methodology/approach

PCES numerical unit is developed by varying the radii of annular fins and the number of corrugated fins. The impact of the finned structure on melting characteristics, energy storage performance and rate of heat storage is analyzed.

Findings

This study indicate the presence of non-uniform melting behavior in PCES unit during the heat charging process, which can be mitigated by increasing the number of corrugated fins and the radius of annular fins.

Originality/value

The impact of the finned structure on melting characteristics, energy storage performance and rate of heat storage is analyzed. This study indicates the presence of non-uniform melting behavior in PCES unit during the heat charging process, which can be mitigated by increasing the number of corrugated fins and the radius of annular fins.
Fold embedding and attention-based collaborative filtering with masking strategy for consumer products rating prediction
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Jiang Jialong , Lin Mingwei , Chen Hong , Xu Zeshui
Published: December 2024

Purpose

When recommending products to consumers, it is important to be able to accurately predict how consumers will rate them. However, existing collaborative filtering models are difficult to achieve a balance between rating prediction accuracy and complexity. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to propose an accurate and effective model to predict users’ ratings of products for the accurate recommendation of products to users.

Design/methodology/approach

First, we introduce an attention mechanism that dynamically assigns weights to user preferences, highlighting key interaction information and enhancing the model’s understanding of user behavior. Second, a fold embedding strategy is employed to segment user interaction data, increasing the information density of each subset while reducing the complexity of the attention mechanism. Finally, a masking strategy is integrated to mitigate overfitting by concealing portions of user-item interactions, thereby improving the model’s generalization ability.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model significantly minimizes prediction error across five real-world datasets. On average, the evaluation metrics root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) are reduced by 9.11 and 13.3%, respectively. Additionally, the Friedman test results confirm that these improvements are statistically significant. Consequently, the proposed model more accurately captures the intrinsic correlation between users and products, leading to a substantial reduction in prediction error.

Originality/value

We propose a novel collaborative filtering model to learn the user-item interaction matrix effectively. Additionally, we introduce a fold embedding strategy to reduce the computational resource consumption of the attention mechanism. Finally, we implement a masking strategy to encourage the model to focus on key features and patterns, thereby mitigating overfitting.
Sustainable development education’s pathways and influencing factors for enhancing sustainability behaviors: a survey of Chinese university students
Authors: Zhong Fanglei , Ma Xiaochun , Jiang Xuyan , Mao Yijun , Lyu Xiaowei
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of education for sustainable development (ESD) on students’ sustainability behaviors in Chinese higher education institutions (HEIs), aiming to identify the educational enhancement pathways and influencing factors based on students’ perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from students in Chinese HEIs using an online survey. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data and verify the pathways for enhancing students’ sustainability behaviors through ESD in HEIs. The effects of students’ demographic characteristics, majors, and other factors are also examined.

Findings

ESD in Chinese HEIs promotes students’ sustainability cognition and behaviors. Students’ sustainability cognition plays a mediating role and has a positive effect on enhancing sustainability behaviors through education. In the influence pathway, the behavioral attitudes of students majoring in humanities and social sciences with high monthly expenditures are more significant for promoting sustainable social participation. Meanwhile, gender and educational level are not significant moderating factors.

Research limitations/implications

Factors such as cognition are subjective and difficult to measure. The sample’s representativeness warrants further consideration, and there is a lack of time-series change data. Nevertheless, this attempt to examine the mechanism of ESD from students’ perspectives can help assess ESD in HEIs more rationally and make the improvement paths more efficient.

Practical implications

This study offers evidence to support ESD-related decision-making in Chinese HEIs. It is suggested that HEIs continue to strengthen ESD, focusing on influencing behavior by enhancing students’ sustainability cognition. Pedagogical approaches should be adjusted based on students’ spending habits and majors to maximize educational outcomes and support China’s sustainability ambitions.

Originality/value

Based on the perspective of Chinese HEI students, this study makes observations about ESD in Chinese HEIs, focuses on the interaction between the sustainability cognition and behaviors of students, and expands the discussion of pathways for HEIs to promote students’ sustainability cognition and behaviors.
How do the barriers that prevent or hinder the applicability of artificial intelligence impact its use in an insurance company
Authors: Tavares Edval da Silva , Leardini Michel , Pessoa Marcelo Schneck de Paula
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on how the barriers that prevent or hinder the applicability of artificial intelligence (AI) impact its use in an insurance company.

Design/methodology/approach

Through bibliographic research, this paper maps the literature to identify the barriers to the use of AI by companies. After this, a qualitative single-case study, with descriptive characteristics, is conducted in an insurance company to verify if it is ready to adopt AI. Secondary data based on surveys of information technology consultancies were also used to provide greater consistency to the research.

Findings

This analysis showed that investments in these kinds of projects encounter organizational, financial and social barriers, such as a culture not focused on innovation, a lack of strategic IT alignment, a lack of knowledge of the potential or even the ability to carry out an adequate feasibility analysis. Based on the barriers presented by the case and AI initiatives, the researched company is using AI for automation and execution rather than using its transformative potential to be an agent of change across the organization. Most of the barriers to the adoption of AI are organizational rather than technical.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is it presents a single-case study, but this involves local cultural problems because companies are not open to supplying internal information to external researchers.

Originality/value

The value of this article lies in examining a real case in Latin America, raising the barriers to the adoption of AI, which has a different environment from Europe and the USA, presenting a company that has the freedom to choose local or international technologies.
Predicting picking and workforce planning for internal shopfloor material logistics – a simulative, data-driven forecasting model
Authors: Eichenseer Patrick , Winkler Herwig
Published: December 2024

Purpose

With increasing demands for competitiveness, demand fulfilment and cost efficiency, the need to optimise workforce planning in logistics has become crucial. This applies not only to external customer demands, but also to internal customers, i.e. production. For this reason, the purpose of this paper is to develop a simulative, data-driven model that predicts the internal shopfloor material logistics demands.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a hybrid approach that includes both deterministic and probabilistic components and is an alternative to advanced but data and knowledge-dependent machine learning algorithms. Inductive, self-developed procedures, heuristic calculation rules and consideration of real-world factors form the basis of the prediction of the number of picks. The number of picks predicted in the first step forms the basis for deriving the number of employees required in the second step, and thus the basis for optimised workforce planning. The developed approach was then validated in a case study in a real company.

Findings

The results show that the model significantly optimises not only the planning efficiency, but also the forecasting effectiveness through better decision making in demand prediction and workforce planning in internal shopfloor material logistics compared to the status quo on a weekly basis (95.5% accuracy in the case study). This improved decision making leads to increased efficiency throughout the intralogistics/production system.

Originality/value

A structured approach is described for systematically predicting the number of internal picks, which is highly relevant in practice and cannot be found in the existing literature (from the data model to the calculation rules, including statistical influencing factors, to the prediction). In terms of future research, the model has the potential to be used and validated in additional companies.
Green initiatives, sustainable luxury brand purchasing and brand experience in an emerging market: a moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Kokatnur Shilpa , Latan Hengky , Lavuri Rambabu , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel Jose
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This research investigates the effect of green initiatives on sustainable luxury brand purchasing intentions, employing sustainable involvement and attitude as mediators and brand experience as a moderator; the stimulus-organism-behavior-consequence model is utilized to understand this phenomenon comprehensively.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected 503 survey responses from individuals who had bought sustainable luxury products via purposive sampling. Subsequently, we employed structural equation modeling and the PROCESS macro to analyze the data collected.

Findings

The results revealed that (1) green initiatives had a positive influence on sustainable involvement, attitude and sustainable purchasing intention; additionally, (2) sustainable involvement and attitude had a positive mediation relationship between the green initiatives and attitude, sustainable purchasing intention; likewise, attitude had a positive mediation relationship among them; (3) sustainable purchasing intention substantially affects customer word of mouth and satisfaction and (4) brand experience significantly moderates the association between sustainable purchasing intention, word-of-mouth and satisfaction.

Originality/value

The current study investigates consumer sustainable behavior, with the rising importance of sustainable luxury products and increasing consumer awareness of sustainability. Notably, this study introduces a fresh application of the stimulus-organism-behavior-consequences (SOBC) framework, marking a groundbreaking approach in sustainable luxury brand research.
Numerical assessment of thin layer coating of non-Newtonian fluid during blade coating process with MHD effects
Authors: Khaliq Sabeeh , Abbas Zaheer , Junjua Moin-ud-Din , Ram Rajesh , Shahzad Hasan , Rafiq Muhammad Yousuf
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The coating process increases the durability, quality and effectiveness of the web, is used in manufacturing of wallpapers, adhesive tapes, wrapping, protection of fabrics and metals, X-ray and photographic films, beautification, books and magazines, film foils, magnetic records, coated paper, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper gives a detailed study of the Oldroyd-4 constant fluid rheology during blade coating technique to check the sensitivity of velocity slippage on blade surface and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) on final coating thickness and other mechanical properties. Heat transfer effects are also considered with viscous dissipation. The governing expressions under Lubrication Approximation Theory (LAT) are shortened and non-dimensionalized. A numerical technique with root finding algorithm is employed to determine the velocity profile, pressure and pressure gradient, shear stress, coating thickness, blade load and temperature profile. Figures and tables are exploited to show and discuss the effects of Hartmann number, slip parameter, geometrical parameter and viscoelastic fluid parameters on the flow and mechanical quantities. Comparison is also presented with previous literature under specific conditions.

Findings

From a technical vantage point, blade load and pressure are significant results of research as they lead to varying coating thickness, which gives an efficient coating process and extends substrate life. Shear stress is directly proportional to the magnetic parameter and inversely proportional to velocity slippage on blade surface. Temperature curve increases with increment in magnetic parameter and Brinkman number, while decrease in temperature is detected from slip parameter.

Originality/value

In literature, this investigation fills a gap in the numerical prediction of slip and MHD effects on the thin layer coating of rheological viscoelastic fluid during blade coating phenomena.
A springback minimization study using the experimental design methods for 15-5 PH stainless steel material in the hydroforming process
Authors: Çelik Yusuf , Ülke İbrahim , Yurdakul Mustafa , Ic Yusuf Tansel
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the springback behavior of 15-5 PH stainless steel, which is widely used in the aviation industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The shaping sheet metal with a diaphragm is a widely used shaping method in aviation. In this process, the sheet metal is attached to the mold, placed in the form machine and pressure is applied. The diaphragm, which swells under the influence of gas, transmits pressure to the sheet metal surface and allows the mold to take its shape. One of the behaviors that occurs in the part after processing is springback. The mold design is shaped according to this springing amount. Some prominent parameters in the amount of springback are bending radius, bending angle, material thickness and material type. Material thickness is taken as 0.813, 1.27, 1.6 and 2 mm for experimental studies. This study compares the general full factorial design with the 2k factorial design. Then, the authors get analysis of variance (ANOVA) tables for the experiments and finite element analysis results, respectively.

Findings

At the end of the study, a mathematical expression was obtained that gives the springback rate with an accuracy of over 90%, depending on the process parameters, in 15-5 PH material. In addition, the main effects of the working parameters on the springback behavior were revealed by ANOVA method.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a new application that provides robust results to the springback minimization for the sheet metal bending process.
A CoA‐Transferase and Acyl‐CoA Dehydrogenase Convert 2‐(Carboxymethyl)cyclohexane‐1‐Carboxyl‐CoA During Anaerobic Naphthalene Degradation
Authors: Kong Yachao , Riebe Jan , Feßner Malte , Schaller Torsten , Wölper Christoph , Stappert Florian , Meckelmann Sven W. , Krajnc Matthias , Weyrauch Philip , Schmitz Oliver J. , Merten Christian , Niemeyer Jochen , Hu Xiaoke , Meckenstock Rainer U.
Published: December 2024

The CoA thioester of 2‐(carboxymethyl)cyclohexane‐1‐carboxylic acid has been identified as a metabolite in anaerobic naphthalene degradation by the sulfate‐reducing culture N47. This study identified and characterised two acyl‐CoA dehydrogenases (ThnO/ThnT) and an intramolecular CoA‐transferase (ThnP) encoded within the substrate‐induced thn operon, which contains genes for anaerobic degradation of naphthalene. ThnP is a CoA transferase belonging to the family I (Cat 1 subgroup) that catalyses the intramolecular CoA transfer from the carboxyl group of 2‐(carboxymethyl)cyclohexane‐1‐carboxyl‐CoA to its carboxymethyl moiety, forming 2‐carboxycyclohexylacetyl‐CoA. Neither acetyl‐CoA nor succinyl‐CoA functions as an exogenous CoA donor for this reaction. The flavin‐dependent homotetrameric dehydrogenase ThnO is specific for (1R,2R)‐2‐carboxycyclohexylacetyl‐CoA with an apparent Km value of 61.5 μM, whereas ThnT is a promiscuous enzyme catalysing the same reaction at lower rates. Identifying these three enzymes confirmed the involvement of the thn gene cluster in the anaerobic naphthalene degradation pathway. This study establishes a modified metabolic pathway for anaerobic naphthalene degradation upstream of 2‐(carboxymethyl)cyclohexane‐1‐carboxyl‐CoA and provides further insight into the subsequent second‐ring cleavage reaction.
Optimal Cell Length for Exploration and Exploitation in Chemotactic Planktonic Bacteria
Authors: Guadayol Òscar , Schuech Rudi , Humphries Stuart
Published: December 2024

Elongated morphologies are prevalent among motile bacterioplankton in aquatic systems. This is often attributed to enhanced chemotactic ability, but how long is best? We hypothesized the existence of an optimal cell length for efficient chemotaxis resulting from shape‐imposed physical constraints acting on the trade‐off between rapid exploration versus efficient exploitation of nutrient sources. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the chemotactic performance of elongated cephalexin‐treated Escherichia coli towards α‐methyl‐aspartate in a microfluidic device creating linear, stable and quiescent chemical gradients. Our experiments showed cells of intermediate length aggregating most tightly to the chemoattractant source. A sensitivity analysis of an Individual‐Based‐Model replicating these results showed that 1) cells of intermediate length are optimal at transient states, whereas at steady state longest cells are best, 2) poor chemotactic performance of very short cells is caused by directionality loss, and 3) long cells are penalized by brief, slow runs. Finally, we evaluated chemotactic performance of cells of different length with simulations of a phycosphere, and found that long cells swimming in a run‐and‐reverse pattern with extended runs and moderate speeds are most efficient in this microenvironment. Overall, our results suggest that the stability of the chemical landscape plays a role in cell‐size selection.
Can Australia be a Renewable Energy Superpower?
Authors: Burfurd Ingrid
Published: December 2024

Current trade patterns reflect the low cost of transporting carbon‐intensive fossil fuels. But renewable energy is expensive to transport. In a world moving to net‐zero emissions, Australia can capitalise on its abundant renewable energy resource to process and export green minerals and fuels. With the right policy settings, Australia could not only meet its own international commitments to reach net‐zero carbon emissions by 2050, but it could make a significant contribution to the global reduction in emissions, and prosper in the process.
Mythogeographies of anthropological knowledge: writing over the lines and footsteps of history in Southwest China
Authors: Karlach Jan
Published: December 2024

In this article, I delve into the field diary of Ma Changshou – a major Chinese ethnohistorian and social anthropologist active between the 1930s and 1960s – to show how his journeys through Liangshan, a mountainous land in Southwest China inhabited by the Nuosu‐Yi, led to a new kind of anthropological knowledge. Ma worked under the theoretical, methodological, and ideological assumptions of his era, where he strove to assemble his findings on Nuosu‐Yi kinship relations and textual sources into a linear historical narrative, even though the Liangshan of his day was not fully controlled by a centralized state bureaucracy. Retracing Ma's journey in mythogeographical fashion, I propose that the travel‐fieldwork trajectories of China's Republican‐era social scientists and their interpretation of data obtained from native chieftains, bimo ritualists, and other members of prominent Nuosu‐Yi clans have shaped today's knowledge of Nuosu‐Yi history, society, and culture. Notably, Ma's mythogeography fleshed out two different essentialized but intertwined ways of seeing the past: that of state‐bureaucratic societies and that of genealogy‐based societies like the Nuosu‐Yi. Mythogeographies like this can give rise to more than new ways of performing genealogies; they can throw light on the anthropo‐history of China and the world at large.