bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
rRNA Operon Improves Species-Level Classification of Bacteria and Microbial Community Analysis Compared to 16S rRNA
Authors: Won Sohyoung , Cho Seoae , Kim Heebal
Published: April 2024

Precise identification of species is fundamental in microbial genomics, crucial for understanding the microbial communities. While the 16S rRNA gene, particularly its V3-V4 regions, has been extensively employed for microbial identification, however has limitations in achieving species-level resolution. Advancements in long-read sequencing technologies have highlighted the rRNA operon as a more accurate marker for microbial classification and analysis than the 16S rRNA gene. This study aims to compare the accuracy of species classification and microbial community analysis using the rRNA operon versus the 16S rRNA gene. We evaluated the species classification accuracy of the rRNA operon,16S rRNA gene, and 16S rRNA V3-V4 region using a BLAST based method and ak-mer matching based method with public data available from NCBI. We further preformed simulations to model microbial community analysis. We accessed the performance using each marker in community composition estimation and differential abundance analysis. Our findings demonstrate that the rRNA operon offers an advantage over the 16S rRNA gene and its V3-V4 region for species-level classification within genus. When applied to microbial community analysis, the rRNA operon enables a more accurate determination of composition. Using the rRNA operon yielded more reliable results in differential abundance analysis as well.

IMPORTANCE

We quantitatively demonstrated that the rRNA operon outperformed the 16S rRNA and its V3-V4 regions in accuracy, for both individual species identification and species-level microbial community analysis. Our findings can provide guidelines for selecting appropriate markers in the field of microbial research.
MutLα suppresses error-prone DNA mismatch repair and preferentially protects noncoding DNA from mutations
Authors: Kadyrova Lyudmila Y. , Mieczkowski Piotr A. , Kadyrov Farid A.
Published: April 2024

The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system promotes genome stability and protects humans from certain types of cancer. Its primary function is the correction of DNA polymerase errors. MutLα is an important eukaryotic MMR factor. We have examined the contributions of MutLα to maintaining genome stability. We show here that loss of MutLα in yeast increases the genome-wide mutation rate by ∼130-fold and generates a genome-wide mutation spectrum that consists of small indels and base substitutions. We also show that loss of yeast MutLα leads to error-prone MMR that produces T>C base substitutions in 5’-ATA-3’ sequences. In agreement with this finding, our examination of human whole genome DNA sequencing data has revealed that loss of MutLα in induced pluripotent stem cells triggers error-prone MMR that leads to the formation of T>C mutations in 5’-NTN-3’ sequences. Our further analysis has shown that MutLα-independent MMR plays a role in suppressing base substitutions in N3homopolymeric runs. In addition, we describe that MutLα preferentially defends noncoding DNA from mutations. Our study defines the contributions of MutLα-dependent and independent mechanisms to genome-wide MMR.
Anti-EGFR aptamer exhibits direct anti-cancer effects in NSCLC cells harboring EGFR L858R mutations
Authors: Thomas Brian J. , Awan Sania Z. , Joshi Trupti , Daniels Mark A. , Porciani David , Burke Donald H.
Published: April 2024

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the oncogene epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are responsible for ∼10-50% of all LUAD cases. Although EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been effective in prolonging NSCLC patient survival and quality of life, acquired resistance mechanisms and disease progression are inevitable. Contemporary second- and third-line treatments, such as immunotherapy, remain ineffective for these patients, presenting a clear and unmet need for alternative or adjuvant therapeutics for the treatment of mutant EGFR positive NSCLC. Here we show that an anti-EGFR aptamer (EGFRapt) decreases viability of NSCLC cell lines harboring the L858R ± T790M mutation in EGFR but not cell lines harboring wild-type or exon 19 deletions. In a humanized xenograft mouse model of NSCLC,EGFRaptdecreased tumor burden compared to controls when delivered intratumorally over multiple doses. To elucidate the mechanism by whichEGFRaptexerts these effects, we monitored cellular processes associated with kinase-dependent and kinase-independent mechanisms and found that the anti-cancer effects ofEGFRaptare cell line dependent, inhibiting cellular proliferation in one cell line and inducing cell death in another. Post hoc transcriptomics analysis supported these findings and provided additional mechanistic insights. Overall, these data establish thatEGFRapthas direct anti-cancer activity in mutant EGFR positive NSCLC via targetable mechanisms that are independent of existing approaches, and they provide a foundation for further development of nucleic acid-based therapies that target EGFR.
Pseudocobalamin production and use in marineSynechococcuscultures and communities
Authors: Bannon Catherine C. , Soto Maria A. , Rowland Elden , Chen Nan , Gleason Anna , Devred Emmanuel , LaRoche Julie , Bertrand Erin M.
Published: April 2024

Cobalamin influences marine microbial communities because an exogenous source is required by most eukaryotic phytoplankton, and demand can exceed supply. Pseudocobalamin is a cobalamin analog that is produced and used by most cyanobacteria but is not directly available to eukaryotic phytoplankton. Some microbes can remodel pseudocobalamin into cobalamin, but a scarcity of pseudocobalamin measurements impedes our ability to evaluate its importance for marine cobalamin production. Here, we perform simultaneous measurements of pseudocobalamin and methionine synthase (MetH), the key protein that uses it as a co-factor, inSynechococcuscultures and communities. InSynechococcussp. WH8102, pseudocobalamin quota decreases in low temperature (17 °C) and low N:P, while MetH did not. Pseudocobalamin and MetH quotas were influenced by culture methods and growth phase. Despite the variability present in cultures, we found a comparably consistent quota of 300 ± 100 pseudocobalamin molecules per cyanobacterial cell in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, suggesting that cyanobacterial cell counts may be sufficient to estimate pseudocobalamin inventories in this region. This work offers insights into cellular pseudocobalamin metabolism, and the environmental and physiological conditions that may influence it, and provides environmental measurements to further our understanding of when and how pseudocobalamin can influence marine microbial communities.
Large-scale statistical mapping of T-cell receptorβsequences to Human Leukocyte Antigens
Authors: Zahid H. Jabran , Taniguchi Ruth , Ebert Peter , Chow I-Ting , Gooley Chris , Lv Jinpeng , Pisani Lorenzo , Rusnak Mikaela , Elyanow Rebecca , Takamatsu Hiroyuki , Zhou Wenyu , Greissl Julia , Robins Harlan , Carlson Jonathan M.
Published: April 2024

T-cell receptors (TCRs) interacting with peptides presented by human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are the foundation of the adaptive immune system but population-level analysis of TCR-HLA interactions is lacking. Here we statistically associate∼106public TCRs to specific HLAs using the TCRβrepertoires sampled from 4,144 HLA-genotyped subjects. The TCRs we associate are specific to unique HLA allotypes, not allelic groups, and to the pairedα-βheterodimer of class II HLAs though exceptions are observed. This specificity permits highly accurate imputation of 248 class I and II HLAs from the TCRβrepertoire. Notably, 45 HLA-DP and -DQ heterodimers lack associated TCRs because they likely arise from non-functional trans-complementation. The public class I and II HLA-associated TCRs we identify are primarily expressed on CD8+and CD4+memory T cells, respectively, which are responding to various common antigens. Our results recapitulate fundamental biology, provide insights into the functionality of HLAs and demonstrate the power and potential of population-level TCR repertoire sequencing.
A pathogenic role for IL-10 signalling in capillary stalling and cognitive impairment in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Sharma Sorabh , Cheema Manjinder , Tennant Kelly A. , Boghozian Roobina , Cota Ana Paula , Brosschot Tara P. , Fitzpatrick Rachael D. , Körbelin Jakob , Reynolds Lisa A. , Brown Craig E.
Published: April 2024

Vascular pathology is associated with cognitive impairment in diseases such as type 1 diabetes, but precisely how capillary flow is affected and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we show that capillaries in the diabetic mouse brain are prone to stalling, with blocks composed primarily of erythrocyte plugs in branches off penetrating venules. Increased capillary obstructions were evident in both sexes and only partially reversed by insulin. Screening for circulating inflammatory cytokines revealed persistently high levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in diabetic mice. Contrary to expectation, stimulating IL-10 signalling increased capillary obstructions, whereas inhibiting IL-10 receptors with neutralizing antibodies or endothelial specific knockdown in diabetic mice, reversed these impairments. Chronic IL-10R blocking antibody treatment in diabetic mice also improved stimulus evoked cerebral blood flow, increased capillary widths in lower-order branches and reversed cognitive deficits. These data suggest IL-10 signalling plays an unexpected pathogenic role in cerebral microcirculatory defects and cognitive impairment.
IL-7 mediated upregulation of VLA-4 increases accumulation of adoptively transferred T lymphocytes in murine glioma.
Authors: Singh Kirit , Hotchkiss Kelly M , Cook Sarah L , Noldner Pamy , Zhou Ying , Moelker Eliese M , Railton Chelsea O , Blandford Emily E , Puviindran Bhairavy J , Wallace Shannon E , Norberg Pamela K , Archer Gary E , Shaz Beth , Sampson John H , Khasraw Mustafa , Fecci Peter E
Published: April 2024

The efficacy of T cell-dependent immunotherapies against glioma is limited by few intra-tumoral lymphocytes and tumor-induced T cell sequestration. We considered whether peripheral autologous lymphocyte transfer (ALT) could boost Central Nervous System (CNS) T cell counts in established glioma. We found that ALT lymphocytes specifically entered tumor tissue while endogenous T cell counts fell. T cells expanded with IL-7 demonstrated an enhanced ability to accumulate in established murine glioma compared to IL-2. Increased entry was not phenotype dependent. Instead, IL-7 upregulates the migratory integrin VLA-4 on mouse and human T cells. VLA-4 expression was also high on endogenous T cells in established tumors. Intracranial (IC) VLA-4 blockade retained T cells in the brain but did not yield any survival benefit. IC VLA-4 blockade also reduced the cytotoxicity of immunotherapies in vitro. However, combination IL-7 ALT (VLA-4Hi) & α4-1BB antibody therapy extended median survival for animals with orthotopic glioma compared to monotherapy. Similarly, IL-7 expanded hPBMCs & brain bi-specific T cell engagers targeting EGFRvIII (BRiTE) extended survival. We conclude that IL-7 upregulates VLA-4 on T cells, facilitating their accumulation in IC glioma. Seeding gliomas with infiltrative T cells is a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance the efficacy of T-cell dependent therapies.
Soft photon approximation in a laser field
Authors: Krachkov P. A.
Published: April 2024

In the present paper, we consider processes involving the emission of soft photons in the presence of a strong laser field. We demonstrate that the matrix element S for a process i→f+γ, with a soft photon γ, can be expressed in terms of the matrix element S0 for the process i→f through a simple multiplicative factor in the integrand over ϕ. This approximation enables a result that is exact in the phase and approximate in the prefactor to order O(ω/ϵchar), where ω is the frequency of the soft photon and ϵchar is the characteristic energy of the i→f process. We demonstrate several important applications of this soft photon approximation. First, under soft photon approximation we compute the probabilities of nonlinear Compton scattering and photon emission in the superposition of a laser and atomic fields and compare obtained result with the exact one. Second, we demonstrate that the amplitude of n soft photons emission has factorization, which corresponds to the independence of the emission of n soft photons. Third, we use the discussed approximation to prove cancellation of real and virtual infrared divergences for nonlinear Compton scattering and derive the finite radiative corrections. The soft photon approximation is a useful tool for investigation of different QED processes in the presence of a strong laser field. Also, it can be widely used for computation of infrared part of radiative correction for some processes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nonreciprocal Dissipation Engineering via Strong Coupling with a Continuum of Modes
Authors: Zhou Yishu , Ruesink Freek , Gertler Shai , Cheng Haotian , Pavlovich Margaret , Kittlaus Eric , Starbuck Andrew L. , Leenheer Andrew J. , Pomerene Andrew T. , Trotter Douglas C. , Dallo Christina , Musick Katherine M. , Garcia Eduardo , Reyna Robert , Holterhoff Andrew L. , Gehl Michael , Kodigala Ashok , Bowers John , Eichenfield Matt , Otterstrom Nils T. , Lentine Anthony L. , Rakich Peter
Published: April 2024

Optical nonreciprocity plays a key role in almost every optical system, directing light flow and protecting optical components from backscattered light. Controllable forms of on-chip nonreciprocity are needed for the robust operation of increasingly sophisticated photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in the context of classical and quantum computation, networking, communications, and sensing. However, it has been challenging to achieve wideband, low-loss optical nonreciprocity on-chip. In this paper, we demonstrate strong coupling and Rabi-like energy exchange between photonic bands, possessing a continuum of modes, to unlock nonreciprocity and frequency translation over wide optical bandwidths in silicon. Using a traveling-wave phonon field to drive indirect interband photonic transitions, we demonstrate band hybridization that enables an intriguing form of nonreciprocal dissipation engineering. Using the converted mode to create a nonreciprocal dissipation channel, we demonstrate a frequency-neutral, low-loss (less than 1 dB) isolator with high nonreciprocal contrast (more than 14 dB) and broad operating bandwidth (more than 59 GHz). Additionally, through the implementation of complete interband conversion, we demonstrate a high extinction (more than 55 dB) optical frequency translation operation with near-unity efficiency.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
An architectural insight into the role of personalisation of homes and its effects on residents’ psychological well-being
Authors: Al-Tarazi Dalia , Sara Rachel , Redford Paul , Rice Louis , Booth Colin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance of personalisation in the relationship between the architectural design of homes and inhabitants’ psychological well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

This interdisciplinary mixed-method study first investigates the existence of a link between personalisation and users’ association with home through a quantitative study (n = 101) and then explores the nature of this relationship through qualitative interviews (n = 13) in a sequential explanatory approach.

Findings

The main findings of the study highlight the significance of personalisation in relation to the way people perceive home. A direct link was established between participants’ involvement in the transformation of the home and their satisfaction with the residence, as well as satisfaction with life in general. Further thematic analysis of the qualitative study revealed further conceptualisations of personalisation, which together form an umbrella concept called transformability.

Research limitations/implications

The findings underscore the need for embedding flexibility as an architectural concept in the design of residential buildings for improving the well-being of occupants.

Originality/value

The design of homes has a great impact on inhabitants’ psychological well-being. This is becoming of greater importance in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic that has led to an increase in the amount of time spent in homes. This research contributes to this debate by proposing concepts for a deeper understanding of architectural influences on the psychology of the home.
Using fuzzy cognitive maps to explore the dynamic impact on management team resilience in international construction projects
Authors: Gao Lili , Zhang Xicheng , Deng Xiaopeng , Zhang Na , Lu Ying
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between individual-level psychological resources and team resilience in the context of expatriate project management teams. It seeks to understand how personal psychological resources contribute to team resilience and explore the dynamic evolution mechanism of team resilience. The goal is to enhance team resilience among expatriates in a BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) world, where organizations face volatile and uncertain conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was applied for data collection, and 315 valid samples from Chinese expatriates in international construction projects were utilized for data analysis. A structural equation model (SEM) examines the relationships between personal psychological resources and team resilience. The study identifies five psychological factors influencing team resilience: Employee Resilience, Cross-cultural Adjustment, Self-efficacy, Social Support, and Team Climate. The hypothesized relationships are validated through the SEM analysis. Additionally, a fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) is constructed to explore the dynamic mechanism of team resilience formation based on the results of the SEM.

Findings

The SEM analysis confirms that employee resilience, cross-cultural adjustment, and team climate positively impact team resilience. Social support and self-efficacy also have positive effects on team climate. Moreover, team climate is found to fully mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and team resilience, as well as between social support and team resilience. The FCM model provides further insights into the dynamic evolution of team resilience, highlighting the varying impact effects of antecedents during the team resilience development process and the effectiveness of different combinations of intervention strategies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understanding team resilience by identifying the psychological factors influencing team resilience in expatriate project management teams. The findings emphasize the importance of social support and team climate in promoting team resilience. Interventions targeting team climate are found to facilitate the rapid development of team resilience. In contrast, interventions for social support are necessary for sustainable, long-term high levels of team resilience. Based on the dynamic simulation results, strategies for cultivating team resilience through external intervention and internal adjustment are proposed, focusing on social support and team climate. Implementing these strategies can enhance project management team resilience and improve the core competitiveness of contractors in the BANI era.
Model for integration of information and communication technologies in resource sharing practices for enhanced service delivery in academic libraries in southeast Nigeria
Authors: Anene Ifeanyi Adindu , Nancy Achebe
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to develop a model for integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in resource sharing practices for enhanced service delivery in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria. Seven objectives guided the study; ICT-based resource sharing practices in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria; ICT infrastructure for resource sharing; ICT needs of librarians for resource sharing practices; stages of ICT integration in resource sharing; perception of librarians towards ICT-based resource sharing; challenges to integration of ICT in resource sharing practices; design a model for the integration of ICT into resource sharing; all in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design adopted for this study is the mixed research design containing the “descriptive survey” research design and the “research and development, R&D.” The population of the study is 164, comprising all of the librarians in federal universities in Southeast Nigeria. All of the librarians of the five federal universities will be involved in the study. Hence, there was no sampling. The instrument for data collection is a structured questionnaire.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that 88.8% of the librarians use ICT to boost the volume of resources; while 74% of the librarians were positive in all responses pertaining to ICT-based resource sharing practices in the libraries. The study also revealed that ICT infrastructures in the library for resource sharing are highly available and applicable; while computers and internet networks are the most needed gadgets for the operations. Libraries in Southeast Nigeria are in the applying and transforming stages of ICT adoption at a 69.7% response rate; while the librarians have a strong belief and understanding that a lot can be achieved in resource sharing through ICT; and would recommend such. Poor electrification, inadequate funding and unavailability of some ICT technologies were equally identified as challenges. The study conclusively developed a resource sharing model, the Southeast Federal University Library Connect; accessible at https://southeastfeduniconnect.njh.com.ng

Originality/value

The research study is one of the few types of research that has developed a functional model for resource sharing in academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria.
Health susceptibility perceptions among Iranian, Afghan and Tajik minorities in three Nordic countries
Authors: Ahmadinia Hamed , Heinström Jannica , Eriksson-Backa Kristina , Nikou Shahrokh
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This research paper aims to delve into the perceptions of health susceptibility among Iranian, Afghan and Tajik individuals hailing from asylum-seeking or refused asylum-seeking backgrounds currently residing in Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and October 2022 involving a sample size of 27 participants. An adapted framework based on the health belief model along with previous studies served as a guide for formulating interview questions.

Findings

Notably influenced by cultural background, religious beliefs, psychological states and past traumatic experiences during migration journeys – before arrival in these countries till settling down – subjects’ perception of health concerns emerged significantly shaped. Additionally impacting perspectives were social standing, occupational status, personal/family medical history, lifestyle choices and dietary preferences nurtured over time, leading to varying degrees of influence upon individuals’ interpretation about their own wellness or illness.

Practical implications

Insights garnered throughout the authors’ analysis hold paramount significance when it comes to developing targeted strategies catering culturally sensitive health-care provisions, alongside framing policies better aligned with primary care services tailored explicitly around singular demands posed by these specific communities dwelling within respective territories.

Originality/value

This investigation represents one among few pioneering initiatives assessing perceptions regarding both physical and mental well-being within minority groups under examination across Nordic nations, unveiling complexities arising through intersecting factors like individual attributes mingling intricately with socio-cultural environments, thereby forming unique viewpoints towards health-care belief systems prevalent among such population segments.
Gender-based division of household labor: a study of selected districts of Bangladesh
Authors: Afrin Sabiha , Saifullah Md. Khaled
Published: April 2024

Purpose

As women perform most household chores and other nonproductive work, gender-based division of labor in the home has now been identified as a barrier to gender equality. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of gender distribution of housework especially for women and investigate the factors influencing the total hours spent on house chores in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative approach based on survey data obtained from 200 households in the Madaripur and Gopalganj districts of Bangladesh. To analyze the obtained data, the partial least squares (PLS) regression was used.

Findings

According to this study, demographic and socioeconomic factors of women, and gender are influencing the total hours spent in housework. Women were observed to have a positive relationship with empowerment but a negative relationship with social perception. Social perception was further observed to have a significant impact on the total number of hours expended by women on house chores.

Practical implications

The study suggests that the importance of sharing the burden of household work be taught in schools and community-based awareness programs so that it becomes ingrained as a social and cultural practice. Furthermore, the government should conduct a proper assessment that recognizes unpaid housework by women as an important factor in inclusive sustainable development.

Originality/value

Issues of inequality in the division of labor in household activities are barely recognized in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study collected primary data to assess the effects of gender on the distribution of housework. The findings of the study will help policymakers and academicians to better understand the gender-based division of household labor.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0195.
Pay more attention to consumers: exploring customer acquisition strategies of large third-party sellers on e-B2C market
Authors: Li Xiaoling , Wu Zongshu , Huang Qing , Liu Juanyi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study develops an empirical framework to address how large third-party sellers (TPSs) can apply customer acquisition strategies to improve their performance in consumers’ person-goods matching process and how the platform firm’s similar strategies moderate the effects of TPSs’ strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from the top ten TPSs from a Chinese e-commerce platform, the fixed effect model is used to validate the conceptual model and hypotheses.

Findings

The study results show that both market detection strategy and matching optimization strategy can help large TPSs improve their sales performance. Moreover, the similar market detection strategy applied by the platform firm weakens the effect of large TPSs’ customer acquisition strategies, while the similar matching optimization strategy applied by the platform firm strengthens the effect of large TPSs’ customer acquisition strategies.

Originality/value

This study provides firsthand evidence on the performance of large TPSs’ and the platform firm’s strategies. It demonstrates the effectiveness of large TPSs’ market detection strategy and matching optimization strategy, which can be adopted to meet consumers’ search and evaluation motivations in their person-goods matching process respectively. Moreover, it identifies the role of platform firms by showing the moderating effect of similar strategies adopted by the platform firm on the effect of large TPSs’ customer acquisition strategies.
Factors affecting the adoption of mobile-based electronic payment apps in China: an application of the extended technology acceptance model
Authors: Hosain Md Sajjad , Kamal Mohammad Afsar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

With the increasing use of Internet and mobile handsets, mobile-based electronic payment apps (MEPAs) are becoming very popular around the world due to having various advantages. The intention of this exploratory study is to investigate the role/impact of selected factors in adopting three MEPAs of China: Wechat, Alipay and UnionPay based on the extended technology acceptance model (ETAM). After conducting a thorough and careful literature review, this study identified and divided seven such factors into three broad categories: (1) technological factors: perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU); (2) personal factors: perceived trust (PT), perceived privacy (PP) and perceived risk (PR); and (3) social factors: social influence (SI) and peer influence (PI) that were assumed to affect the intention to adopt MEPAs (IAMEPAs).

Design/methodology/approach

1,597 Chinese individuals were selected through purposive sampling technique who regularly used MEPAs at the time of collecting data. For collecting primary data from the selected respondents, a cross-sectional survey instrument was used. The study utilized IBM SPSS 25 for descriptive statistics and a second generation covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) technique through AMOS 25 for testing the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

From statistical analysis, it was identified that five factors: PEU, PU, PT, SI and PI have significant positive impact on the dependent variable, IAMEPAs while PR and PP have insignificant influence on IAMEPAs.

Originality/value

This is one of the studies ever conducted to discover the factors that can have impact on the adoption of MEPAs using ETAM. It is strongly expected that this exploratory study can motivate the scholars to commence additional investigations regarding this increasingly popular financial technology (Fin-Tech). In addition, it can be anticipated that the MEPA service providers can widen their service effectiveness according to the users’ opinion reflected in this study. Furthermore, policymakers involved with Fin-Tech can also formulate and implement effective policies and guidelines based on the empirical outcomes.
Electric vehicles purchase intention: the role of mediators using an extended TPB model
Authors: Boo Sze Yee , Tan Consilz
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This research intends to investigate the determinants that affect consumers’ purchase intention of electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia using an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected with a sample size of 306. The research used SmartPLS 4.0 structural equation modelling tool to analyse the data. Reliability and validity tests (discriminant and convergent validity) were used and subsequently assessed the measurement and structural models. Mediation analysis was conducted to identify the role of the latent constructs.

Findings

The findings indicated that a green purchase attitude plays a complete mediation role in the effect of environmental knowledge on the purchase intention of EVs. In the same notion, the effect of price perception and availability of charging facilities on the purchase intention of EVs passes completely through perceived behavioural control. However, the subjective norm was an insignificant mediator of the impact between government support and EV purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

This paper helps to examine the latent constructs that impact purchase intention using environmental knowledge, government support, price perception and the availability of charging facilities. Successful green marketing and a sustainable consumerism framework are seen as a booster to promote the usage of EVs in Malaysia.

Originality/value

An extended TPB model has been employed in this research to study the effects of the above-mentioned constructs. The results show that most of the extended constructs are significant in explaining the purchase intention. The empirical results address the gap in the consumer green attitude and provide insight into this area of study.
Exploring the relationship between productive structure and the informal economy: evidence from Latin American countries
Authors: Salinas Aldo , Ortiz Cristian
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the productive structure and the size of the informal economy in Latin American countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs econometric techniques for panel data covering the period from 2002 to 2017 and considering 17 Latin American countries. The evidence presented is based on the informal economy data generated by Medina and Schneider (2018) who estimate the size of the informal economy using a structural equation model and the share of manufacturing in total employment as a measure of the size of the manufacturing sector. Also, the study addresses the possible endogeneity bias in the relationship studied and makes the conclusions more robust, thus avoiding spurious correlations that weaken the findings.

Findings

The results indicate that most industrialized Latin American countries are associated with a smaller size of the informal economy.

Practical implications

The findings have important policy implications, as they suggest that Latin American economies need to switch the structure of the economy toward more sophisticated productive structures if they want to reduce the size of the informal economy. Thus, more efforts should be deployed to policies to diversify and upgrade economies.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on the informal economy by connecting the country’s productive structure and informality. Specifically, the results show that the productive structure of countries is a plausible explanation for the size of the informal economy.
The application of Bayesian network analysis in demystifying construction project subcontracting complexities for developing countries
Authors: Kadan Richard , Omotayo Temitope Seun , Boateng Prince , Nani Gabriel , Wilson Mark
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to address a gap in subcontractor management by focusing on previously unexplored complexities surrounding subcontractor management in developing countries. While past studies concentrated on selection and relationships, this study delved into how effective subcontractor management impacts project success.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the Bayesian Network analysis approach, through a meticulously developed questionnaire survey refined through a piloting stage involving experienced industry professionals. The survey was ultimately distributed among participants based in Accra, Ghana, resulting in a response rate of approximately 63%.

Findings

The research identified diverse components contributing to subcontractor disruptions, highlighted the necessity of a clear regulatory framework, emphasized the impact of financial and leadership assessments on performance, and underscored the crucial role of main contractors in Integrated Project and Labour Cost Management with Subcontractor Oversight and Coordination.

Originality/value

Previous studies have not considered the challenges subcontractors face in projects. This investigation bridges this gap from multiple perspectives, using Bayesian network analysis to enhance subcontractor management, thereby contributing to the successful completion of construction projects.
How do joint ventures and non-equity strategic alliances impact the complexity of the supply chain and thus supply chain performance?
Authors: Bodendorf Frank , Feilner Sebastian , Franke Joerg
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the significance of resource sharing in business to capture new market opportunities and securing competitive advantages. Firms enter strategic alliances (SAs), especially for designing new products and to overcome challenges in today’s fast changing environment. Research projects have dealt with the creation of SAs, however without concrete referencing the impact on selected supply chain resources. Furthermore, academia rather focused on elaborating the advantages and disadvantages of SAs and how this affects structural changes in the organization than examining the effects on supply chain complexity and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected and triangulated a multi-industry data set containing primary data coming from more than 200 experts in the field of supply chain management along and secondary data coming from Refinitiv’s joint ventures (JVs) and SA database and IR solutions’ database for annual reports. The data is evaluated in three empirical settings using binomial testing and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that nonequity SAs and JVs have varying degrees of impact on supply chain resources due to differences in the scope of the partnership. This has a negative impact on the complexity of the supply chain, with the creation of a JV leading to greater complexity than the creation of a nonequity SA. Furthermore, the findings prove that complexity negatively impacts overall supply chain performance. In addition, this study elaborates that increased management capabilities are needed to exploit the potentials of SAs and sheds light on hurdles that must be overcome within the supply network when forming a partnership. Finally, the authors give practical implications on how organizations can cope with increasing complexity to lower the risk of poor supply chain performance.

Originality/value

This study investigates occurring challenges when establishing nonequity SAs or JVs and how this affects their supply chain by examining supply networks in terms of complexity and performance.
Neuromyths about dyscalculia and dyslexia among educators in the UK
Authors: Van Herwegen J. , Outhwaite L. A. , Herbert E.
Published: April 2024

Dyslexia and dyscalculia are two examples of high‐incidence specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) that have similar prevalence and can often co‐occur. It is currently unclear how familiar educators in the UK are with dyscalculia and how this compares to dyslexia and what, if any, neuromyths educators might endorse. The current study examined the awareness and endorsement of neuromyths related to dyscalculia and dyspraxia with 229 educators in the UK. Educators were asked to complete a short online survey that included questions about their awareness of SpLDs and some neuromyths, as well as some background questions. Despite educators being more familiar with dyslexia, they endorsed more neuromyths related to dyslexia than dyscalculia. However, being more familiar with dyslexia and being a maths lead did result in the endorsement of fewer neuromyths. These findings suggest that greater awareness of SpLDs in general might not reduce the endorsements of neuromyths, but that to counter the limited awareness of dyscalculia, educators need information about the cognitive mechanisms of learning in these students.
Tolerance of enterobacteria isolated from raw goat milk to sanitisers applied in the food industry
Authors: Holanda Thamiris S , Rocha Guilherme S , Nascimento Janaína S , Ramos Gustavo L P A
Published: April 2024

The tolerance of 17 isolates of enterobacteria isolated from raw goat milk was evaluated against three sanitisers. All isolates were tolerant to sodium hypochlorite (1250 to >5000 ppm) and eight isolates were tolerant to peracetic acid (up to 1000 ppm). Two isolates were tolerant to all tested concentrations of quaternary ammonium with biguanide (>150/100 ppm). Although not all isolates are considered pathogens, they exert an important influence on the milk production chain. Sanitisers based on quaternary ammonium and biguanide seem to be more suitable for sanitisation in goat milk chain than sodium hypochlorite.
Revisiting the impact of Health at Every Size® interventions on health and cardiometabolic related outcomes: An updated systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Clarke Erin D. , Stanford Jordan , Gomez‐Martin Maria , Collins Clare E.
Published: April 2024

Aims

To (1) synthesise evidence from Health at Every Size® interventions on physical and psychological health in people with overweight and obesity and (2) report between‐group differences within interventions evaluating the impact of Health at Every Size® interventions on health and health‐related outcomes.

Methods

Six databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and Scopus) were searched from inception until November 2022. Included studies were conducted in adults with overweight or obesity, used Health at Every Size®‐based interventions compared with control interventions and reported dietary, physical and/or psychological outcomes, including diet quality, anthropometry, or quality of life. Data on between‐group differences were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using ROB2. Random‐effects meta‐analyses were undertaken for outcomes with at least three studies reporting the same or comparable data.

Results

From 128 studies identified, 19 full‐text articles (10 unique studies, 6 published since 2017), were included. Meta‐analysis found a significant reduction for susceptibility to hunger in Health at Every Size® intervention groups relative to controls (p = 0.005), with no significant difference (p > 0.05) between Health at Every Size® interventions and control groups for anthropometric, psychological or cardiometabolic outcomes (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic or diastolic blood pressure).

Conclusion

Health at Every Size® interventions had similar results compared with weight‐based interventions on anthropometric outcomes and cardiometabolic outcomes. Health at Every Size® interventions had a significant benefit for reducing susceptibility to hunger. The decision to use a Health at Every Size®‐based intervention should be personalised to individual needs. Further research in more diverse populations is required using standardised outcome measures to facilitate future meta‐analyses.
Simple detection of gluten in commercial gluten‐containing samples with a novel nanoflower electrosensor made of molybdenum disulfide with comparison of the ELISA method
Authors: Salman Fırat , Zengin Adem , Çelik Kazici Hilal
Published: April 2024

In this study, a new electrochemical sensor based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflowers/glassy carbon electrode (GCE was created for the sensitive detection of gluten. The prepared nanocatalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effects of the prepared nanocatalysts, pH value, and dropping amounts on the results were examined in detail. The electrochemical performance of the developed sensor (MoS2 nanoflowers/GCE) was then evaluated using differential pulse voltammetry, and the sensor was found to have significant electrochemical activity against gluten. A substantial linear connection was observed in the range of 0.5–100 ppm of gluten concentration under optimum experimental circumstances, and the detection limit between peak current and gluten concentration was determined as 1.16 ppm. The findings showed that the MoS2 nanoflowers/GCE gluten sensor has exceptional selectivity and stability. Finally, the generated electrochemical sensor was effectively utilized for gluten detection in commercial gluten‐containing materials with a detection limit of 0.1652 ppm. Thus, the developed MoS2 nanoflowers/GCE sensor offers a potential method for the detection of other molecules and is a promising candidate for gluten detection in commercial samples.
Exploitation of Aureobasidium pullulans NRRL Y‐2311‐1 xylanase in mulberry and rice flours–based gluten‐free cookie formulation: Effects on dough properties and cookie characteristics
Authors: Yegin Sirma , Altinel Burak , Tuluk Kubra
Published: April 2024

Xylanases are mainly utilized in bakery industry for the hydrolysis of dietary fiber–based fractions. Their applications in gluten‐free products have not been considered before. In the present study, the xylanase produced by Aureobasidium pullulans NRRL Y‐2311‐1 was utilized in a mulberry and rice flours–based gluten‐free cookie formulation for the first time. Effects of various xylanase concentrations on gluten‐free dough rheology and cookie characteristics were elucidated. Only rice flour–based cookie and only wheat flour–based cookie formulations were also prepared as comparison. Incorporation of xylanase into all cookie recipes resulted in softer cookie doughs with lower absolute stickiness. The hardness and absolute stickiness of the cookie doughs prepared by the mixture of mulberry and rice flours decreased by the addition of the enzyme into the formulation in a concentration‐dependent manner. Enzyme concentrations above 100 U/100 g flour did not provide statistically significant further changes on gluten‐free cookie doughs. Incorporation of xylanase into the cookie recipes resulted in increased baking loss and spread ratio in an enzyme concentration–dependent manner for all cookie types. Hardness values of both types of gluten‐free cookies decreased by xylanase incorporation. Different effects on fracturability were observed depending on the cookie type and enzyme concentration. Enzyme concentration of 100 U/100 g flour provided mulberry and rice flours–based cookies with a more flexible and softer structure. No significant effects on color parameters of cookies were observed by xylanase incorporation.
Expression and functional characterization of chimeric recombinant bovine follicle‐stimulating hormone produced in Leishmania tarentolae
Authors: Abreu Cecilia , Grunberg Karin , Bonilla Mariana , Crispo Martina , Pantano Sergio , Jaeschke Julian , Comini Marcelo A. , Bollati‐Fogolín Mariela
Published: April 2024

Assisted reproductive techniques are routinely used in livestock species to increase and enhance productivity. Ovarian hyperstimulation is a process that currently relies on administering pituitary‐derived follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) or equine chorionic gonadotropin in combination with other hormones to promote the maturation of multiple follicles and thereby achieve superovulation. The use of partially purified preparations of FSH extracted from natural sources is associated with suboptimal and variable results. Recombinant FSH (rFSH) has been produced in a variety of heterologous organisms. However, attaining a bioactive rFSH of high quality and at low cost for use in livestock remains challenging. Here we report the production and characterization of a single chain bovine rFSH consisting of the β‐ and α‐subunit fused by a polypeptide linker (scbFSH) using Leishmania tarentolae as heterologous expression system. This unicellular eukaryote is non‐pathogenic to mammals, can be grown in bioreactors using simple and inexpensive semisynthetic media at 26°C and does not require CO2 or bovine serum supplementation. Stable cell lines expressing scbFSH in an inducible fashion were generated and characterized for their productivity. Different culture conditions and purification procedures were evaluated, and the recombinant product was biochemically and biologically characterized, including bioassays in an animal model. The results demonstrate that L. tarentolae is a suitable host for producing a homogeneous, glycosylated and biologically active form of scbFSH with a reasonable yield.