bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Early Bifurcation of Hepatic Artery With Arterial Injury in Right-Sided Living-Donor Hepatectomy
Authors: Kusakabe Jiro , Taura Kojiro , Sasaki Kazunari , Yagi Shintaro , Doi Junshi , Ogiso Satoshi , Hatano Etsuro
Published: December 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore the incidence of early bifurcation of the right hepatic artery (RHA) and the right posterior hepatic artery (RPHA), which is crucial in right lobe graft (RLG) and right posterior sector graft (RPSG) procurement for living-donor liver transplantation.

Summary Background Data:

Early bifurcation of the hepatic artery tends to induce oversight of one of the bifurcated arteries and its injury in RLG/RPSG procurement. Unrecognizable on conventional 3-dimensional (3-D) images, its significance is underestimated.

Methods:

We enrolled 500 patients who underwent preoperative imaging for scheduled surgeries at two major transplant centers. All-in-one 3-D images consisting of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct were constructed. Early bifurcation of the RHA and the RPHA was defined as the arteries bifurcating proximal to the cutting line of the right hepatic duct and the right posterior duct, respectively.

Results:

Early bifurcation of the RHA was seen in 11.3% of cases of an infra-portal RPHA and in 46.0% of cases of a supraportal RPHA (P < 0.001). Early bifurcation of the RPHA was encountered in 35.3% of cases of an infra-portal RPHA, in no cases of a supra-portal RPHA, and in 100% of cases in which the arteries to segment 6/7 arose individually from the RHA. The overall incidence of early bifurcation was 19.9% for RHA and 43.6% for RPHA.

Conclusions:

Early bifurcation of the RHA and the RPHA is frequently encountered and requires caution for RLG/RPSG procurement. Special attention should be paid to supraportal RPHA for RLG procurement.
Micromonospora humida sp. nov., exhibiting antimicrobial potential, isolated from riverside soil
Authors: Ra Jun Sik , Kim Min Ji , Lee Dong Hyeon , Jeong Ji Won , Kim Seung Bum
Published: December 2021

An actinobacterial strain designated MMS20-R1-14Twas isolated from a riverside soil sample. Colonies on agar plates were orange to strong orange brown in colour, which later became black. The cells grew at 10–40 °C (optimum, 37 °C), pH 5.0–11.0 (pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0–4 % NaCl (1 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MMS20-R1-14Tshowed highest similarities toMicromonospora wenchangensisCCTCC AA 2012002T(99.51 %) andMicromonospora rifamycinicaAM105T(99.37 %). The orthoANI values between strain MMS20-R1-14Tand the two type strains were 95.72 and 90.99 %, and the digital DNA–DNA hybridization values were 63.6 and 40.8 %, respectively, thus confirming the distinction of strain MMS20-R1-14Tfrom its mostly related species. The DNA G+C content of strain MMS20-R1-14Twas 72.9 mol%. The strain containedmeso-diaminopimelic acid as the major cell-wall amino acid, and the characteristic whole-cell sugars were arabinose, xylose, glucose, ribose and rhamnose. The main cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω9c, iso-C15 : 0and iso-C16 : 0, the diagnostic polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, and the predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6), all of which were consistent with those ofMicromonospora. Strain MMS20-R1-14Tshowed antimicrobial activity against a range of bacterial and yeast species. The genome of the strain was found to contain 33 potential biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites, thus showing a high potential as a producer of bioactive compounds. On the basis of these phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain MMS20-R1-14Tmerits recognition as representing a novel species of the genusMicromonospora, for which the nameMicromonospora humidasp. nov. (type strain=MMS20 R1-14T=KCTC 49541T=JCM 34494T) is proposed.
Using synthetic controls to estimate the population-level effects of Ontario’s recently implemented overdose prevention sites and consumption and treatment services
Authors: Panagiotoglou Dimitra , Lim Jihoon
Published: December 2021

Background

Between 2017 and 2020, Ontario implemented overdose prevention sites (OPS) and consumption and treatment services (CTS) in nine of its 34 public health units (PHU). We tested for the effect of booth-hours (spaces within OPS/CTSs for supervised consumption) on opioid-related health service use and mortality rates at the provincial-(aggregate) and PHU-level.

Methods

We used monthly rates of all opioid-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths between January 2015 and March 2021 as our three outcomes. For each PHU that implemented OPS/CTSs, we created a synthetic control as a weighted combination of unexposed PHUs. Our exposure was the time-varying rate of booth-hours provided. We estimated the population-level effects of the intervention on each outcome per treated/synthetic-control pair using controlled interrupted time series with segmented regression; and tested for the aggregate effect using a multiple baseline approach. We adjusted for time-varying provision of prescription opioids for pain management, opioid agonist treatment (OAT), and naloxone kits; and corrected for seasonality and autocorrelation. All rates were per 100,000 population. For sensitivity analysis, we restricted the post-implementation period to before COVID-19 public health measures were implemented (March 2020).

Results

Our aggregate analyses found no effect per booth-hour on ED visit (0.00, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.01; p-value=0.6684), hospitalization (0.00, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.00; p-value=0.9710) or deaths (0.00, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.00; p-value=0.2466). However, OAT reduced ED visits (−0.20, 95% CI: -0.35, -0.05; p-value=0.0103) and deaths (−0.04, 95% CI: -0.05, -0.03; p-value=<0.0001). Conversely, prescription opioids for pain management modestly increased deaths (0.0008, 95% CI: 0.0002, 0.0015; p-value=0.0157) per 100,000 population, respectively. Except for a few treated PHU/synthetic control pairs, disaggregate results were congruent with overall findings.

Conclusion

Booth-hours had no population-level effect on opioid-related overdose ED visit, hospitalization, or death rates.
Towards long term monitoring: Seizure detection with reduced electroencephalogram channels
Authors: Maher Christina , Yang Yikai , Truong Nhan Duy , Wang Chenyu , Nikpour Armin , Kavehei Omid
Published: December 2021

Epilepsy is a prevalent condition characterised by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. The diagnosis of epilepsy is by surface electroencephalography (EEG), a time-consuming and uncomfortable process for patients. The diagnosis of seizures using EEG over a brief monitoring period has variable success, dependent on patient tolerance and seizure frequency. Further, the availability of hospital resources, and hardware and software specifications inherently limit the capacity to perform long-term data collection whilst maintaining patient comfort. The application and maintenance of the standard number of electrodes restrict recording time to a maximum of approximately ten days. This limited monitoring period also results in limited data for machine learning models for seizure detection and classification. This work examines the literature on the impact of reduced electrodes on data accuracy and reliability in seizure detection. We present two electrode ranking models that demonstrate the decline in seizure detection performance associated with reducing electrodes. We assert the need for further research in electrode reduction to advance solutions toward portable, reliable devices that can simultaneously provide patient comfort, long-term monitoring and contribute to multimodal patient care solutions.
Social isolation is linked to declining grey matter structure and cognitive functions in the LIFE-Adult panel study
Authors: Lammer Laurenz , Beyer Frauke , Luppa Melanie , Sander Christian , Baber Ronny , Engel Christoph , Wirkner Kerstin , Loeffler Markus , Riedel-Heller Steffi G , Villringer Arno , Witte Veronica
Published: December 2021

Social isolation has been suggested to increase the risk to develop cognitive decline. However, our knowledge on causality and neurobiological underpinnings is still limited. In this preregistered analysis, we tested the impact of social isolation on central features of brain and cognitive aging using a longitudinal population-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. Assaying 1335 cognitively healthy participants (50-80 years old, 659 women) at baseline and 895 participants after ∼6 years follow-up, we found baseline social isolation and change in social isolation to be associated with smaller volumes of the hippocampus, reduced cortical thickness and poorer cognitive functions. Combining advanced neuroimaging outcomes with prevalent lifestyle characteristics from a well-characterized population of middle- to older aged adults, we provide evidence that social isolation contributes to human brain atrophy and cognitive decline. Within-subject effects of social isolation were similar to between-subject effects, indicating an opportunity to reduce dementia risk by promoting social networks.
Epigenetic remodeling during monolayer cell expansion reduces therapeutic potential
Authors: Scott Adrienne K. , Casas Eduard , Schneider Stephanie E. , Swearingen Alison R. , Van Den Elzen Courtney L. , Seelbinder Benjamin , Barthold Jeanne E. , Kugel Jennifer F. , Stern Josh Lewis , Foster Kyla J. , Emery Nancy C. , Brumbaugh Justin , Neu Corey P.
Published: December 2021

Understanding how cells remember previous mechanical environments to influence their fate, or mechanical memory, informs the design of biomaterials and therapies in medicine. Current regeneration therapies require two-dimensional (2D) cell expansion processes to achieve large cell populations critical for the repair of damaged (e.g. connective and musculoskeletal) tissues. However, the influence of mechanical memory on cell fate following expansion is unknown, and mechanisms defining how physical environments influence the therapeutic potential of cells remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the organization of histone H3 trimethylated at lysine 9 (H3K9me3) and expression of tissue-identifying genes in primary cartilage cells (chondrocytes) transferred to three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels depends on the number of previous population doublings on tissue culture plastic during 2D cell expansion. Decreased levels of H3K9me3 occupying promoters of dedifferentiation genes after the 2D culture were also retained in 3D culture. Suppression of H3K9me3 during expansion of cells isolated from a murine model similarly resulted in the loss of the chondrocyte phenotype and global remodeling of nuclear architecture. In contrast, increasing levels of H3K9me3 through inhibiting H3K9 demethylases partially rescued the chondrogenic nuclear architecture and gene expression, which has important implications for tissue repair therapies, where expansion of large numbers of phenotypically-suitable cells is required. Overall, our findings indicate mechanical memory in primary cells is encoded in the chromatin architecture, which impacts cell fate and the phenotype of expanded cells.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Tissue regeneration procedures, such as cartilage defect repair (e.g. Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation) often require cell expansion processes to achieve sufficient cells to transplant into an in vivo environment. However, the chondrocyte cell expansion on 2D stiff substrates induces epigenetic changes that persist even when the chondrocytes are transferred to a different (e.g. 3D) or in vivo environment. Treatments to alter epigenetic gene regulation may be a viable strategy to improve existing cartilage defect repair procedures and other tissue engineering procedures that involve cell expansion.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Vancomycin derivative LYSC98 in a Murine Thigh Infection Model against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: He Peng , Li Xin , Guo Xiaohan , Bian Xingchen , Feng Meiqing
Published: December 2021

LYSC98 is a vancomycin derivative used for gram-positive bacterial infections therapy. We reported the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets of LYSC98 against Staphylococcus aureus using a murine thigh infection model. Three Staphylococcus aureus strains were utilized. Single-dose plasma pharmacokinetics of LYSC98 were determined in infected mice after the tail vein injection of 2, 4, and 8mg/kg. The results showed maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) 11466.67 - 48866.67 ng/mL, area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h(AUC0-24) 14788.42 -91885.93 ng/mL·h, and elimination half-life(T1/2) 1.70-2.64 h, respectively. The Cmax (R2 0.9994) and AUC0-24 (R2 0.981) were positively correlated with the dose of LYSC98 in the range of 2-8 mg/kg.

Dose fractionation studies using total doses of 2 to 8 mg/kg administered with q6h, q8h, q12h, and q24h were performed to evaluate the correlation of different PK/PD indices with efficacy. Sigmoid model analysis showed Cmax/MIC (R2 0.8941) was the best PK/PD index to predict the efficacy of LYSC98. In the dose ranging studies, two Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical strains were used to infect the mice and 2-fold-increasing doses (1 to 16 mg/kg) of LYSC98 were administered. The magnitude of LYSC98 Cmax/MIC associated with net stasis, 1, 2, 3 and 4 - log10 kill were 5.78, 8.17, 11.14, 15.85 and 30.58, respectively. The results of this study showed LYSC98 a promising antibiotic with in vivo potency against MRSA, and will help in the dose design of phase one study for LYSC98.
Change in the trend of long-term care service usage following COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a survey using nationwide statistical summary in 2018-2021
Authors: Sato Kenichiro , Niimi Yoshiki , Iwatsubo Takeshi , Ishii Shinya
Published: December 2021

Aim

Social restriction due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced long-term care (LTC) service users to refrain from using services as before, of which degree of change we aim to evaluate in this study.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed publicly-distributed nationwide statistics summarizing the monthly number of public LTC insurance users in Japan in the period between April 2018 and March 2021. The degree of decline was quantified as odds ratio (OR), where the ratio of a certain month to the reference month was divided by the ratio in the previous year.

Results

The use of LTC services showed unimodal serial change: it started to decline in March 2020 and reached its largest decline in May 2020, which had insufficiently recovered even as of late 2020. The degree of decline was specifically large in services provided in facilities for community-dwelling elderly individuals (adjusted OR 0.719 (95%CI: 0.664 ∼ 0.777) in short-stay services and adjusted OR 0.876 (95%CI: 0.820 ∼ 0.935) in outpatient services) but was non-significant in other types of service, including those provided for elderly individuals living in nursing homes.

Conclusions

Current study showed that community-dwelling elderly individuals who had used outpatient or short-stay services were the segments which were specifically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 Japan. It underlines the need for further investigation for the medium- or long-term influence on the mental and physical health of these LTC service users as well as their family caregivers.
RB1 loss triggers dependence on ESRRG in retinoblastoma
Authors: Field Matthew G. , Kuznetsoff Jeffim N. , Zhang Michelle G. , Dollar James J. , Durante Michael A. , Sayegh Yoseph , Decatur Christina L. , Kurtenbach Stefan , Pelaez Daniel , Harbour J. William
Published: December 2021

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a deadly childhood eye cancer that is classically initiated by inactivation of the RB1 tumor suppressor. Clinical management continues to rely on nonspecific chemotherapeutic agents that are associated with treatment resistance and toxicity. Here, we analyzed 103 whole exomes, 16 whole transcriptomes, 5 single-cell transcriptomes, and 4 whole genomes from primary Rb tumors to identify novel Rb dependencies. Several recurrent genomic aberrations implicate estrogen-related receptor gamma (ESRRG) in Rb pathogenesis. RB1 directly interacts with and inhibits ESRRG, and RB1 loss uncouples ESRRG from negative regulation. ESRRG regulates genes involved in retinogenesis and oxygen metabolism in Rb cells. ESRRG is preferentially expressed in hypoxic Rb cells in vivo. Depletion or inhibition of ESRRG causes marked Rb cell death which is exacerbated in hypoxia. These findings reveal a novel dependency of Rb cells on ESRRG, and they implicate ESRRG as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in Rb.
Cryotrapping peroxide in the active site of human mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase crystals for neutron diffraction
Authors: Azadmanesh Jahaun , Lutz William E. , Coates Leighton , Weiss Kevin L. , Borgstahl Gloria E. O.
Published: December 2021

Structurally identifying the enzymatic intermediates of redox proteins has been elusive due to difficulty in resolving the H atoms involved in catalysis and the susceptibility of ligand complexes to photoreduction from X-rays. Cryotrapping ligands for neutron protein crystallography combines two powerful tools that offer the advantage of directly identifying hydrogen positions in redox-enzyme intermediates without radiolytic perturbation of metal-containing active sites. However, translating cryogenic techniques from X-ray to neutron crystallography is not straightforward due to the large crystal volumes and long data-collection times. Here, methods have been developed to visualize the evasive peroxo complex of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) so that all atoms, including H atoms, could be visualized. The subsequent cryocooling and ligand-trapping methods resulted in neutron data collection to 2.30 Å resolution. The P6122 crystal form of MnSOD is challenging because it has some of the largest unit-cell dimensions (a = b = 77.8, c = 236.8 Å) ever studied using high-resolution cryo-neutron crystallography. The resulting neutron diffraction data permitted the visualization of a dioxygen species bound to the MnSOD active-site metal that was indicative of successful cryotrapping.
Building information modelling and building sustainability assessment: a review
Authors: Nairne Schamne Annelise , Nagalli André , Soeiro Alfredo Augusto Vieira
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The construction sector is increasingly engaged to explore the potential application of building information modelling (BIM) for the sustainability of the buildings. BIM can be applied conjugated to certification methods to evaluate the sustainability of the buildings, and it is known as building sustainability assessment (BSA). This article aims to explore applications of BIM in the sustainability analysis of buildings, including five types of BSA.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review from 2009 to 2020 considering a combination of search terms related to BIM and BSA complemented the analysis. The bibliometric analysis indicates an increase in the number of publications on this topic of study in the last five years. A peak occurred in 2015 and 2020, with 51 and 66 publications, respectively.

Findings

The results showed that BIM contributes to achieving part of the sustainability requirements from BSA, especially quantitative requirements that are related to material and resources. However, a complete analysis between BIM and BSA is still a challenge since part of BSA's have a lack information in their requirements and BIM softwares present interoperability problems that difficult an integrated analysis to extract information directly from the software to attend BSA's requirements.

Originality/value

The results contribute to analysing the evolution of studies about BIM and to understand the limitation in the applicability with sustainability rating systems. Future directions of research indicate the necessity to improve the use of BIM in the sustainability analysis of the buildings, but with a good perspective regarding the application of BIM in material and resources requirements, and waste management in construction sites.
Towards identifying knowledge bases in KIBS through their service development process
Authors: Krupskaya Anastasia , Pina Katia Oliveira
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS), to understand how they implement their service development (SD) processes and how these processes are related to their knowledge bases (KB) as not enough studies have focussed on the understanding of KIBS heterogeneity, by analysing the nature and essence of these firms’ activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The work adopts the case study approach involving 12 KIBS firms with different KB according to Bjorn Asheim and colleagues’ “synthetic, analytical, symbolic model”, which identifies synthetic, analytical and symbolic primary KB.

Findings

The research results showed how the SD processes are systemised in KIBS companies depending on the KB. The proposed empirical method for defining KB confirmed the assumed existence of a new type or subtype of KB for legal companies “Compliance/Interpretive”.

Research limitations/implications

Further research, based on a larger number of companies, is needed to confirm or complement the results of this research, as well as to find more methods to define and evaluate KB on an empirical basis.

Practical implications

The correct classification of the applied KB can help a company to create effective processes for developing innovative services, while understanding of knowledge dynamic in general – to organise a working process that corresponds to employees’ needs and is more adaptable to the changes in society.

Originality/value

The study proposed a new empirical method for defining and evaluating KB in KIBS companies based on their SD processes. This study makes a significant contribution to research by identifying knowledge-integration practices needed to enhance innovation performance.
Industry 4.0 competencies: a model for the Vietnamese workforce
Authors: Nguyen Anh Tuan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to develop a competency model for the Vietnamese workforce in the era of Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of an online survey and a Delphi study was conducted to identify a set of skills, abilities, knowledge and personalities that are critical for effective performance in the future workplace.

Findings

A set of 26 competencies was identified. Similar to previous findings in the context of developed countries, the set centres around a group of competencies commonly called “21st century competencies”. It also includes characteristics unique to a developing nation.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework of competencies may not cover all human capabilities necessitated by the workplace and may include items with overlapping definitions. The study only represents the view of the business community, and its survey sample was limited in size and location. The impact of COVID-19 on the competency model was not explicitly covered during the study.

Practical implications

The competency model could serve as a basis for the educator to reform curricula, the policy maker to devise policies and the employer to develop training programmes. It can be used as a reference for other nations at similarly-developmental level.

Originality/value

The present study is among a few empirical studies regarding a model for Industry 4.0 competencies in the context of low middle-income countries and probably provides one of the first Industry 4.0 competency models for Vietnam. It also provides a novel framework for identifying and analyzing competencies.
Diversification or specialisation? Farmers' cropping strategy and economic performance under climate change in China
Authors: Wu Mingze , Zhu Yueji , Yang Qi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Farmers' adaptation strategies in agricultural production are required to minimise the negative impact of climate change on a nation's food production in developing countries. Based on the panel data of the provincial level in China from 2000 to 2017, this study aims to analyse the changing climate over recent years and farmers' adaptation strategy in terms of cropping in agricultural production.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses Simpson's diversity index (SDI) to measure the degree of crop diversity planted by farmers and evaluate the influence of climate change on farmers' cropping strategy using the fixed-effect model. Further, the authors estimate the impact of farmers' cropping strategy on their economic performances in two aspects including yields and technical efficiency of crops.

Findings

The empirical results show that the overall climate appears a warming trend. Different from farmers in some other countries, Chinese farmers tend to adopt a more specialised cropping strategy which can significantly improve the technical efficiency and yields of crops in agriculture. In addition, as a moderating role, the specialised cropping can help farmers to alleviate the negative impact of climate change on technical efficiency of their crops.

Originality/value

First, previous studies showed that the changing climate influenced farmers' adaptation strategies, while most studies focussed on multiple adaptation strategies from the farm-level perspective rather than cropping strategy from the nation-level perspective. Second, the present study investigates how the cropping strategy affects the economic performance (in terms of the technical efficiency and crop yields) of agricultural production. Third, the stochastic frontier analysis method is used to estimate the technical efficiency. Fourth, this study explores the moderating effect between farmers' cropping strategy and technical efficiency by introducing an interaction item of SDI and accumulated temperature.
Fun at workplace and intention to leave: role of work engagement and group cohesion
Authors: Jyoti Jeevan , Dimple Dimple
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of work engagement (WE) and group cohesion (GC) in the context of fun at workplace (FAW) and its outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 753 employees of fast food chain restaurants in India have been contacted, and 244 responded back. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses have been conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the data. Further, the hypothesized relationships have been tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that WE mediates the relationship between FAW and intention to leave (ITL). Further, GC moderates the relationship between FAW and WE.

Research limitations/implications

This research has been conducted in fast food chain restaurants only, and the data is cross-sectional in nature.

Practical implications

Organizations should develop a business culture based on fun and enjoyment, which will help in creating a comfortable environment for employees and reduce their ITL.

Social implications

Society benefits a lot if employees have positive work experiences. FAW will help to reduce the negative spillover of work pressure/stress to the home. Employees will come home with minimum work stress and will contribute positively to their personal and social life.

Originality/value

The present study empirically tested the mediating role of WE between FAW and ITL and moderating role of GC between FAW and WE that helped a lot to understand the relationships in the workplace setting.
An exploration of changing student entrepreneurial motivators – a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Figueiredo Belchior Ricardo , Lyons Roisin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Entrepreneurial motivations are considered key determinants of the direction, intensity and duration of entrepreneurial processes and outcomes. To measure attitudes and outcome expectations related to an entrepreneurial career, researchers often use a set of predetermined behavioral beliefs or motivators. However, motivators can be numerous, context-specific and there is a lack of evidence regarding their stability over time. This study addresses this gap, while also providing a rich description of how Portuguese college students perceive entrepreneurship and how these perceptions relate to levels of entrepreneurial intentions (EI).

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data over a 5-year period, this study seeks to confirm existing evidence on entrepreneurship motivators' diversity and heterogeneity and to explore differences in motivators' temporal stability. Using an initial sample of 851 Portuguese college students and 3 different survey waves, this study first aggregates the most frequently cited motivators for EI to compile a series of meaningful motivational factors. Subsequently, it extensively analyzes the robustness of these factors by examining their validity against EI and stability over time.

Findings

Based on their superior association with EI and greater temporal stability, the findings suggest that entrepreneurship-intrinsic motivational factors are more relevant for college students' EI models. Prominently, being motivated to create one's own new business due to a particular occupational interest is the most consistently stable individual motivation.

Practical implications

The results may interest those studying entrepreneurial motivations and EI longitudinally and who invest in promoting entrepreneurial behavior of college students.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyze entrepreneurship motivators/reasons' temporal stability, which is relevant for assessing their value for longitudinal entrepreneurship research and education. It is also the most complete assessment of Portuguese college students' perceptions of entrepreneurship.
Barriers to bank customers’ intention to fully adopt digital payment methods
Authors: Dimitrova Irina , Öhman Peter , Yazdanfar Darush
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the relationship between a set of functional and social–psychological barriers and bank customers’ intention to fully adopt digital payment methods (DPMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via an online questionnaire sent to two samples of Swedish bank customers, namely, adopters-accepters (i.e. young bank customers) and adopters-resisters (i.e. a group opposing a cashless society). Hypotheses were tested by applying an ordinal regression model.

Findings

Regarding the adopters-accepters, privacy and access barriers can be obstacles to the full adoption of DPMs. The adopters-resisters perceived all five studied barriers as significant, though only the impersonalisation barrier seemed to matter when the barriers were related to their intention to fully adopt DPMs. Moreover, the results suggest that barriers have a stronger negative effect on the intention to fully adopt among those with extensive experience of DPMs.

Practical implications

Based on the barriers affecting the intention of particular groups of bank customers to adopt DPMs, banks could implement customised measures to promote the ongoing development of digital financial services.

Originality/value

In this under-researched area, this study provides empirical knowledge of the influence of various barriers on the intention of bank customers characterised as adopters-accepters and adopters-resisters to fully adopt DPMs.
Exploring perceived innovation in building customers’ patronizing behavior in the food delivery service context
Authors: Ahn Jiseon
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In the food delivery industry, mobile applications have become an important platform for providing services and interacting with customers. Thus, this study aims to examine whether customers’ perceived innovation changes their patronizing behavior intention toward the brand’s application.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from food delivery customers in the USA, this study identifies the relative impact of multidimensional innovation (i.e. service concept innovation, service process innovation and customer experience innovation) on customers’ behavior. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that customers’ perceived service process and experience innovation increase commitment, which turns into reuse intention of the delivery application. Commitment also increases the impact of customers’ perceived innovation on loyalty. However, in this study, service concept innovation is insufficient to solely create positive behavioral intention.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that a food delivery application that continues to innovate to improve the service process and experience can be an effective marketing tool because they increase bonding with customers. This study recommends that food delivery companies manage their relationship with customers to achieve sustainable growth.

Originality/value

Despite the growing attention in the mobile service industry, limited studies have examined the effects of innovations of food delivery application on customers’ behavior. Thus, this study provides useful guidelines that advance mobile commerce research, especially in the food delivery industry.
Verifying the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure: Sydney Metro’s commissioning through the “significance matrix” methodology
Authors: Gharehbaghi Koorosh , McManus Kerry , Georgy Maged , Farnes Ken , Pagliara Francesca , Myers Matt
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Through the significance matrix, this paper aims to investigate and explore the main sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure projects. Sydney’s Metro mega transportation infrastructure is used as a case study. Sydney’s Metro was selected because of its sustainability challenges faced because of the areas’ diverse ecological zones. Sydney’s Metro is thus examined as the basis of best practice for the determination of the sustainability factors of transportation infrastructures.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research evaluates the environmental impact assessment and environmental assessment processes, to alleviate the problems of the mega transportation infrastructure.

Findings

This research found that a more comprehensive determination is needed to further analyse the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures, use of a significance matrix would further assess the environmental complexities of mega transportation infrastructures and the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures should include a nonlinear and asymmetrical scheme highlighting its components and carefully outlining its integration and consolidation.

Originality/value

Although there is concurrent research into sustainability factors of mega transportation, this paper undertakes a new methodology for such infrastructure. While the significance matrix is not a new concept, it has never been used specifically for mega transportation infrastructure. Subsequently, using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research undertakes such environmental analysis and assessment and thus produces a qualitative risk analysis matrix. The findings from this research will ultimately assist the key stakeholders of mega transportation infrastructures to better plan, monitor and support similar projects.
Digital transformation in the construction industry: a bibliometric review
Authors: Adekunle Samuel Adeniyi , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Ejohwomu Obuks , Adekunle Emmanuel Abiodun , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The construction industry has been traditionally referred to as slow when it comes to technological transformation. This study aims to investigate and present a scorecard of the construction industry in the past decade, the paper adopted Bibliometrics. The study identified the various digital transformation (DT) aspects in the construction industry and future research directions are also identified.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aim of this research, an inductive approach was adopted through a grounded theory strategy. Secondary data was retrieved from the Scopus database and analysed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The data was retrieved through specific keywords related to the study focus.

Findings

The study also proposed a balanced flow model for DT discussion in the construction industry. DT in the construction industry disrupts every aspect of the industry, albeit at different rates due to the existing barriers; hence, the study identified areas that require further research. It, thus, provides a theoretical and practical basis for researchers and practitioners alike.

Originality/value

The study reviewed the DT research discuss in the construction industry. It is worthy of note that this is the first study that analyses the DT of the construction industry in the past decade.
Entrepreneurial bricolage: crowdfunding for female entrepreneurs during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Alva Edgar , Vivas Vanina , Urcia María
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has had unprecedented effects around the world and particularly on vulnerable populations, such as female entrepreneurs in developing countries. They are facing a new normal, characterized by high uncertainty and resource constraints. This paper aims to use the experiential learning theory applied to entrepreneurship to propose the entrepreneurial bricolage approach to study how female entrepreneurs can overcome this type of crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the research designs of conceptual papers, the study is situated within the model approach because the authors propose novel relationships between constructs to answer the research questions through the development of theoretical propositions.

Findings

The analysis suggests that the entrepreneurial bricolage process represents a type of strategy that allows these women to adapt to this new normal. Based on this approach, the authors suggest that crowdfunding represents a financial resource at hand for both pre-existing female entrepreneurs and new female entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

The theoretical implications suggest an alternative conceptual framework of the entrepreneurial bricolage process to analyse the female entrepreneurial activity in developing countries and during crisis’ contexts. The managerial implications suggest that crowdfunding is a financial resource at hand for female entrepreneurs that allow them to perform well, innovate or implement growth strategies and have more chances of surviving and growing during the crisis. Finally, the policy implications are oriented to the promotion of this kind of financial alternative and the generation of trust for users, along with the strengthening of a regulatory framework to attract more investors and entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This study provides useful information on how the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting female entrepreneurs in developing countries. It also expands on the literature on crowdfunding in terms of its advantages as a non-traditional funding source for women.
Understanding the effect of recycled concrete aggregate and cementitious materials on concrete's fire resistance
Authors: Abed Mohammed Ahmed , Lubloy Eva
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Fire can severely affect concrete structures and with knowledge of the properties of materials, the damage can be assessed. Aggregate, cement matrix and their interaction are the most important components that affect concrete behaviour at high temperatures. The effect of incorporating recycled concrete aggregate or cementitious materials, namely, cement type and pulverized fly ash, are reviewed to provide a better understanding of their involvement in fire resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

More investigation research is needed to understand the fire resistance of such sustainable concrete that was already constructed. The present study illustrates the effect of using recycled concrete aggregate and cementitious materials on the fire resistance of concrete. To do so, a literature review was conducted and relevant data were collected and presented in a simple form. The author's selected research findings, which are related to the presents study, are also presented and discussed.

Findings

Recycled concrete aggregate enhances the concrete behaviour at high temperatures when it substitutes the natural aggregate by reasonable substitution (more than 25–30%). It also almost eliminates the possibility of spalling. Moreover, utilizing both supplementary cementitious materials with recycled concrete aggregate can improve the fire resistance of concrete. The incorporation of pulverized fly ash and slag in Portland cement or blended cement can generally keep the mechanical properties of concrete at a higher level after heating to a high temperature.

Originality/value

Recycled concrete aggregate enhances the concrete behaviour at high temperatures when it substitutes the natural aggregate by reasonable substitution (more than 25–30%). It also almost eliminates the possibility of spalling. Moreover, utilizing both supplementary cementitious materials with recycled concrete aggregate can improve the fire resistance of concrete. The incorporation of pulverized fly ash and slag in Portland cement or blended cement can generally keep the mechanical properties of concrete at a higher level after heating to a high temperature.
COVID-19 and tourist mobility at destinations: a literature review and emerging research agenda
Authors: Viana-Lora Alba , Domènech Antoni , Gutiérrez Aaron
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to review conceptual and empirical studies that analyse the impact of the pandemic on mobility and tourism behaviour at destinations in order to identify proposals, forecasts and recommendations to guide the future research agenda on the subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a systematic literature review to synthesise information from scientific articles published in journals indexed in the Web of Science database related to tourism mobility at destinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

This article found that, according to the existing literature, the COVID-19 pandemic is acting as a catalyst for the sustainable transition of tourism. Although the findings reveal a lack of empirical research on the impact of the pandemic on tourism mobility at destinations, the article synthesizes the short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic and sets out the future research agenda on tourist mobility at destinations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the impact of the pandemic on mobility and tourism behaviour at destinations that attempts to describe the emerging challenges and the agenda for future research.
Changing the business narrative: a guide to successful experience offerings
Authors: Rossman J. Robert , Duerden Mat
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In this article, we aim to increase understanding of the unique nature of experiences in comparison to services and explain how narrative change can enable organizations to fully participate in the experience economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon relevant experience design and experience economy literatures the paper outlines key differences between experiences and services. The narrative change process is then employed to provide managers specific guidelines for strategically reframing their value production paradigm to become more experience-centric.

Findings

rticulating key elements of an organization’s narrative such as characters and intended outcomes allows an organization to more intentionally change their narrative to align with the experience economy.

Practical/implications

The essential outcome of an experience is that participants do something for themselves ? for example, learn a new skill. Participation is integral to every experience transaction.

Originality/value

Although Pine, Gilmore, and others have detailed the differences between experiences and services, definitional disagreements and oversimplifications of these concepts still exist. This paper further differentiates these economic offerings. Additionally, this paper is the first to integrate the narrative change process into a discussion about experience strategy.
Rhizosphere impacts bacterial community structure in the tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze.) estates of Darjeeling, India
Authors: Bhattacharyya Chandrima , Imchen Madangchanok , Mukherjee Triparna , Haldar Shyamalina , Mondal Sangita , Mukherji Shayantan , Haldar Anwesha , Kumavath Ranjith , Ghosh Abhrajyoti
Published: December 2021

India contributes 28% of the world's tea production, and the Darjeeling tea of India is a world‐famous tea variety known for its unique quality, flavour and aroma. This study analyzed the spatial distribution of bacterial communities in the tea rhizosphere of six different tea estates at different altitudes. The organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphate were higher in the rhizosphere soils than the bulk soils, irrespective of the sites. Alpha and beta diversities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the bulk soil than in the rhizosphere. Among the identified phyla, the predominant ones were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria. At the genus level, only four out of 23 predominant genera (>1% relative abundance) could be classified, viz., Candidatus Solibacter (5.36 ± 0.36%), Rhodoplanes (4.87 ± 0.3%), Candidatus Koribacter (2.3 ± 0.67%), Prevotella (1.49 ± 0.26%). The rhizosphere effect was prominent from the significant depletion of more ASVs (n = 39) compared to enrichment (n = 11). The functional genes also exhibit a similar trend with the enrichment of N2 fixation genes, disease suppression and Acetoin synthesis. Our study reports that the rhizobiome of tea is highly selective by reducing the alpha and beta diversity while enriching the significant functional genes.
E2F4 regulates the cell cycle and DNA replication in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Chen Peng , Wang Ling , Long Yan‐Bi , Liang Guang‐Yan , Yang Xiu , Dong Zhan‐Qi , Jiang Xia , Zhu Yan , Pan Min‐Hui , Lu Cheng
Published: December 2021

The E2F family of transcription factors is crucial for cell cycle progression and cell fate decisions. Although E2Fs have been widely studied in mammals, there have been few studies performed in insects. Here, we determined the function of E2F4 in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We demonstrate that E2F proteins are highly conserved among species from lower animals to higher mammals. Overexpression of the BmE2F4 gene led to cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, whereas interfering with the BmE2F4 mRNA led to accumulation of cells in the S phase. These results indicate that BmE2F4 is important in cell cycle regulation. We also demonstrate that the BmE2F4 gene is involved in DNA replication of BmN‐SWU1 cells and DNA synthesis in the silk gland. Furthermore, we identified a protein called Bm14‐3‐3ζ that can interact with BmE2F4 and allow it to localize in the nucleus. Overexpression of the Bm14‐3‐3ζ gene led to cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, while knocking down the gene increased the proportion of cells in S phase. These findings provide important insights into the function of E2F transcription factors and increase our understanding of their involvement in cell cycle regulation.