bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Recurrent Neural Network for Rhythmic Timing
Authors: Zemlianova Klavdia , Bose Amitabha , Rinzel John
Published: May 2024

Despite music’s omnipresence, the specific neural mechanisms responsible to perceive and anticipate temporal patterns in music are unknown. To study potential mechanisms for keeping time in rhythmic contexts, we train a biologically constrained RNN on seven different stimulus tempos (2 – 8Hz) on a synchronization and continuation task, a standard experimental paradigm. Our trained RNN generates a network oscillator that uses an input current (context parameter) to control oscillation frequency and replicates key features of neural dynamics observed in neural recordings of monkeys performing the same task. We develop a reduced three-variable rate model of the RNN and analyze its dynamic properties. By treating our understanding of the mathematical structure for oscillations in the reduced model as predictive, we confirm that the dynamical mechanisms are found also in the RNN. Our neurally plausible reduced model reveals an E-I circuit with two distinct inhibitory sub-populations, of which one is tightly synchronized with the excitatory units.
Sex specific emergence of trisomicDyrk1a-related skeletal phenotypes in the development of a Down syndrome mouse model
Authors: LaCombe Jonathan M. , Sloan Kourtney , Thomas Jared R. , Blackwell Matthew P. , Crawford Isabella , Wallace Joseph M. , Roper Randall J.
Published: May 2024

Skeletal insufficiency affects all individuals with Down syndrome (DS) or Trisomy 21 (Ts21) and may alter bone strength throughout development due to a reduced period of bone formation and early attainment of peak bone mass compared to typically developing individuals. Appendicular skeletal deficits also appear in males before females with DS. In femurs of male Ts65Dn DS model mice, cortical deficits were pronounced throughout development, but trabecular deficits andDyrk1aoverexpression were transitory until postnatal day (P) 30 when there were persistent trabecular and cortical deficits andDyrk1awas trending overexpression. Correction of DS-related skeletal deficits by a purported DYRK1A inhibitor or through genetic means beginning at P21 was not effective at P30, but germline normalization ofDyrk1aimproved male bone structure by P36. Trabecular and cortical deficits in female Ts65Dn mice were evident at P30 but subsided by P36, typifying periodic developmental skeletal normalizations that progressed to more prominent bone deficiencies. Sex-dependent differences in skeletal deficits with a delayed impact of trisomicDyrk1aare important to find temporally specific treatment periods for bone and other phenotypes associated with Ts21.

Summary Statement

Analyzing developing bone and gene expression in Ts65Dn Down syndrome model mice revealed timepoints during development when trisomicDyrk1aoverexpression linked to appendicular skeletal abnormalities.Dyrk1awas not always overexpressed.
Improving the Z3EV promoter system to create the strongest yeast promoter
Authors: Higuchi Rina , Fujita Yuri , Moriya Hisao
Published: May 2024

Promoters for artificial control of gene expression are central tools in genetic engineering. In the budding yeastS. cerevisiae, a variety of constitutive and controllable promoters with different strengths have been constructed using endogenous gene promoters, synthetic transcription factors and their binding sequences, and artificial sequences. However, there have been few attempts to construct the highest-strength promoter in yeast cells. In this study, by incrementally increasing the binding sequences of the synthetic transcription factor Z3EV, we were able to construct a promoter (P36) with approximately 1.4 times the strength of theTDH3promoter. This is stronger than any previously reported promoter. Although the P36 promoter exhibits some leakage in the absence of induction, the expression induction by β-estradiol is maintained. When combined with a multicopy plasmid, it can express up to approximately 50% of total protein as a heterologous protein. This promoter system can be used to gain knowledge about the cell physiology resulting from the ultimate overexpression of excess proteins and is expected to be a useful tool for heterologous protein expression in yeast.
Genome-wide sweeps create fundamental ecological units in the human gut microbiome
Authors: Yu Xiaoqian Annie , Strachan Cameron R. , Herbold Craig W. , Lang Michaela , Gasche Christoph , Makristathis Athanasios , Segata Nicola , Pollak Shaul , Tett Adrian , Polz Martin F.
Published: May 2024

The human gut microbiome is shaped by diverse selective forces originating from the host and associated environmental factors, and in turn profoundly influences health and disease. While the association of microbial lineages with various conditions has been shown at different levels of phylogenetic differentiation, it remains poorly understood to what extent unifying adaptive mechanisms sort microbial lineages into ecologically differentiated populations. Here we show that a pervasive mechanism differentiating bacteria in the microbiome are genome-wide selective sweeps, leading to population structure akin to global epidemics across geographically and ethnically diverse human populations. Such sweeps arise when an adaptation allows a clone to outcompete others within its niche followed by re-diversification, and manifest as clusters of closely related genomes on long branches in phylogenetic trees. This structure is revealed by excluding recombination events that mask the clonal descent of the genomes, and we find that genome-wide sweeps originate under a wide regime of recombination rates in at least 66 taxa from 25 bacterial families. Estimated ages of divergence suggest sweep clusters can spread globally within decades, and this process has occurred repeatedly throughout human history. We show, as an example, that the ecological differentiation of sweep clusters forms populations highly associated with age and colorectal cancer. Our analysis elucidates an evolutionary mechanism for the observation of stably inherited strains with differential associations and provides a theoretical foundation for analyzing adaptation among co-occurring microbial populations.
Antifungal potency of terbinafine as a therapeutic agent against Exophiala dermatitidis in vitro
Authors: Nakamura Tomofumi , Yoshinouchi Tatsuya , Okumura Mayu , Yokoyama Toshiro , Mori Daisuke , Nakata Hirotomo , Yasunaga Jun-ichirou , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: May 2024

Background: Exophiala dermatitidis (E. dermatitidis), which causes skin infections or respiratory diseases, is occasionally fatal in immunocompromised patients. Objectives: Here, we report the unique antifungal potency of terbinafine (TRB), which targets squalene epoxidase, against E. dermatitidis (SQLEED) using various in vitro approaches. Methods: Based on the human SQLE crystal structure, we created a structure model of SQLEED using SWISS-MODEL and determined the best-fitting model of TRB to the SQLEED. The versatile antifungal activities, including fungicidal activity, biofilm inhibition, biofilm eradication activity, and the combination effect of TRB, posaconazole (PSC), and amphotericin B (AmB) with great antifungal potency against E. dermatitidis were evaluated using crystal violet and cell viability assay. Results: Clinically isolated E. dermatitidis increased most vigorously at 30°C but decreased at 40°C. E. dermatitidis hyphae elongated and attached to a cell scaffold, forming a membrane-like biofilm that was distinct from the cell-free biofilm. In the binding model, TRB formed an H-bond with Y102 and was surrounded by key amino acid residues of SQLEED corresponding to TRB-resistant mutations in Trichophyton rubrum, showing an appropriate interaction. Among TRB, PSC, and AmB with potent antifungal activities, TRB and PSC showed more potent antibiofilm activities than AmB. In addition, TRB and PSC exhibited residual potency without incubation against E. dermatitidis, decreasing the growth at lower concentrations than AmB. In contrast, AmB exhibited strong time-dependent killing and eradication activities. The combination of TRB and PSC was more effective than that of TRB and AmB or PSC and AmB in vitro. Conclusions: Although the tissue migration of TRB must be considered, these data suggest that TRB and PSC may be useful agents and a potent combination in severely immunocompromised patients with refractory and systemic E. dermatitidis infection.
A Peptide Derived from Sorting Nexin 1 Inhibits HPV16 Entry, Retrograde Trafficking, and L2 Membrane Spanning
Authors: Li Shuaizhi , Williamson Zachary L. , Christofferson Matthew A. , Jeevanandam Advait , Campos Samuel K.
Published: May 2024

High risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for 99% of cervical cancers and 5% of all human cancers worldwide. HPV infection requires the viral genome (vDNA) to gain access to nuclei of basal keratinocytes of epithelium. After virion endocytosis, the minor capsid protein L2 dictates the subcellular retrograde trafficking and nuclear localization of the vDNA during mitosis. Prior work identified a cell-permeable peptide termed SNX1.3, derived from the BAR domain of sorting nexin 1 (SNX1), that potently blocks the retrograde and nuclear trafficking of EGFR in triple negative breast cancer cells. Given the importance of EGFR and retrograde trafficking pathways in HPV16 infection, we set forth to study the effects of SNX1.3 within this context. SNX1.3 inhibited HPV16 infection by both delaying virion endocytosis, as well as potently blocking virion retrograde trafficking and Golgi localization. SNX1.3 had no effect on cell proliferation, nor did it affect post-Golgi trafficking of HPV16. Looking more directly at L2 function, SNX1.3 was found to impair membrane spanning of the minor capsid protein. Future work will focus on mechanistic studies of SNX1.3 inhibition, and the role of EGFR signaling and SNX1-mediated endosomal tubulation, cargo sorting, and retrograde trafficking in HPV infection.
Microbial species exist and are maintained by ecological cohesiveness coupled to high homologous recombination
Authors: Conrad Roth E. , Brink Catherine E. , Viver Tomeu , Rodriguez-R Luis M. , Aldeguer-Riquelme Borja , Hatt Janet K. , Venter Stephanus N. , Amann Rudolf , Rossello-Mora Ramon , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T.
Published: May 2024

Recent analyses of metagenomes and genomes have revealed that microbial communities are predominantly composed of persistent, sequence-discrete species and intraspecies units (genomovars). To advance the species concept the underlying genetic or ecological mechanisms that maintain these discrete units need to be elucidated. By analyzing closely related isolate genomes from the same or related samples we show that high ecological cohesiveness coupled to frequent-enough and unbiased (i.e., not selection driven) horizontal gene flow, mediated by homologous recombination, often underlie these diversity patterns. Ecological cohesiveness was inferred based on higher similarity in abundance patterns of genomes of the same vs. different units, while recombination frequency was shown to have two times or more impact on sequence evolution than point mutation. Therefore, our results represent a departure compared to previous models of microbial speciation that invoke either ecology or selection-driven recombination, but not their synergistic effect, as the mechanism of unit cohesion. These results were observed in bothSalinibacter ruber, an environmental halophilic organism, andEscherichia coli, the model gut-associated organism and an opportunistic pathogen, indicating that they may be more broadly applicable to the microbial world. Therefore, our results have strong implications for how to identify and regulate microbial species and genomovars of clinical or environmental importance and answer an important question for microbiology: what a species is.

SIGNIFICANCE

A highly pressing issue to resolve toward advancing the species concept for microbes (i.e., “what a species is”) is to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for creating and maintaining species- and intraspecies-level gaps in diversity, or simply “clusters”. In this study, we provide a novel methodology and the appropriate data to elucidate these mechanisms, and thus provide a mechanistic explanation of how the evolution of species- and strain-level clusters takes place. Specifically, our results show that several bacteria may be evolving and speciating much more sexually than previously thought, even under conditions of no strong positive selection for DNA exchange (i.e., neutral conditions). These results have major implications for better understanding and modeling microbial diversity on the planet.
Seesaw protein: Design of a protein that adopts interconvertible alternative functional conformations
Authors: Ikeda Toma , Nojima Tatsuya , Yamamoto Souma , Yamada Ryusei , Konno Hiroki , Taguchi Hideki
Published: May 2024

Classical Anfinsenʼs dogma states that a protein folds into a single unique conformation with minimal Gibbs energy under physiological conditions. However, recent advances have revealed that single amino acid sequences can fold into two or more conformations. Here, we propose a novel approach to design a protein that adopts interconvertible alternative functional conformations, termed “seesaw” protein (SSP). An SSP was engineered by fusing GFP lacking the C-terminal β-strand and DHFR lacking the N-terminal β-strand with an overlapping linker, which can be competitively incorporated into either the GFP or the DHFR moiety. In vivo and biochemical analysis, including AFM imaging, demonstrated that the SSP adopts two alternative conformations, which can be biased by point mutations and ligand binding. In addition, the balance of the seesaw can be reversibly changed depending on buffer conditions. In summary, our design strategy for SSP provides a new direction for creating artificial proteins with on-off behaviors.
Helical Coiled Nucleosome Chromosome Architectures during Cell Cycle Progression
Authors: McDonald Angus , Murre Cornelis , Sedat John
Published: May 2024

Recent studies showed an interphase chromosome architecture, --- a specific coiled nucleosome structure, --- derived from cryo-preserved EM tomograms, and dispersed throughout the nucleus. The images were computationally processed to fill in the missing wedges of data caused by incomplete tomographic tilts. The resulting structures increased z-resolution enabling an extension of the proposed architecture to that of mitotic chromosomes.

Here we provide additional insights and details into the coiled nucleosome chromosome architectures. We build on the defined chromosomes time-dependent structures in an effort to probe their dynamics. Variants of the coiled chromosome structures, possibly further defining specific regions, are discussed. We propose, based on generalized specific uncoiling of mitotic chromosomes in telophase, large-scale re-organization of interphase chromosomes. Chromosome territories, organized as micron-sized small patches, are constructed, satisfying complex volume considerations. Finally, we unveiled the structures of replicated coiled chromosomes, still attached to centromeres, as part of chromosome architecture.

Significance Statement

This study places all 46 sequenced human chromosomes, --- correctly filled with nucleosomes and in micron sized chromosome territories — into 10micron (average sized) nuclei. The chromosome architecture used a helical nucleosome coiled structure discerned from cryo-EM tomography, as was recently published (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2119101119). This chromosome architecture was further modeled to dynamic structures, structure variations and chromosome replication centromere complications. Finally, this chromosome architecture was modified to allow seamless transition through the cell cycle.
Structure of the II2-III2-IV2 mitochondrial supercomplex from the parasitePerkinsus marinus
Authors: Wú Fēi , Mühleip Alexander , Gruhl Thomas , Sheiner Lilach , Maréchal Amandine , Amunts Alexey
Published: May 2024

Respiratory complexes have co-evolved into supercomplexes in different clades to sustain energy production at the basis of eukaryotic life. In this study, using cryogenic electron microscopy, we determined the 2.1 Å resolution structure of a 104-subunit II2-III2-IV2 supercomplex from the parasite Perkinsus marinus, related to Apicomplexa, capable of complete electron transport from succinate to molecular oxygen. A feature of the parasite is the association of two copies of complex II via the apicomplexan subunit SDHG that interacts with both complexes III and IV and bridge the supercomplex. In thec1state, we identified two protein factors, ISPR1 and ISPR2 bound on the surface of complex III, where Cytochromecdocks, acting as negative regulators. The acquisition of 15 specific subunits to complex IV results in its lateral offset, increasing the distance between the Cytochromecelectron donor and acceptor sites. The domain homologous to canonical mitochondria-encoded transmembrane subunit COX2 is made of three separate polypeptides encoded in the nucleus, and their correct assembly is a prerequisite for electron transport in the supercomplex. Subunits Cytochromeband COX1 comprise a +2 frameshift introduced during protein synthesis by the mitoribosome. Among 114 modelled endogenous lipids, we detect a direct contribution to the formation of the divergent supercomplex and its functional sites, including assembly of CII and ubiquinone binding. Together, our findings expose the uniqueness of the principal components of bioenergetics in the mitochondria of parasites.
Length-sensitive partitioning ofCaenorhabditis elegansmeiotic chromosomes senses proximity and number of crossover sites
Authors: Rodriguez-Reza Carlos Mario , Sato-Carlton Aya , Carlton Peter Mark
Published: May 2024

Sensing and control of size is critical for cellular function and survival. A striking example of size sensing occurs during meiosis in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans.C. eleganschromosomes compare the lengths of the two chromosome “arms” demarcated by the position of their single off-center crossover, and differentially modify these arms to ensure that sister chromatid cohesion is lost specifically on the shorter arm in the first meiotic division, while the longer arm maintains cohesion until the second division. While many of the downstream steps leading to cohesion loss have been characterized, the length sensing process itself remains poorly understood. Here, we have used cytological visualization of the short arm, combined with quantitative microscopy, live imaging, and simulations, to investigate the principles underlying length-sensitive chromosome partitioning. By quantitatively analyzing short arm designation patterns on fusion chromosomes carrying multiple crossovers, we develop a model in which a short arm-determining factor originates at crossover designation sites, diffuses within the phase-separated synaptonemal complex, and accumulates within crossover-bounded chromosome segments. We demonstrate experimental support for a critical assumption of this model, that crossovers act as boundaries to diffusion within the synaptonemal complex. Further, we develop a discrete simulation based on our results that recapitulates a wide variety of observed partitioning outcomes in both wild type and previously reported mutants. Our results suggest that the concentration of a diffusible factor is used as a proxy for chromosome length, enabling the correct designation of short and long arms and proper segregation of chromosomes.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of energy utilisation behaviours: a study of residential building occupants
Authors: Tilde Aisha Ibrahim , Fernando Nirodha Gayani
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess residential energy consumption knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Abuja Municipality, providing insights for effective conservation strategies, reducing costs and mitigating environmental impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study was collected through a cross-sectional survey conducted among a representative sample of the Nigerian population between February and April 2021. A total of 462 questionnaire responses were collected and subsequently analysed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics, including frequency count, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, were calculated. Additionally, inferential statistics were performed using Chi-Square analysis, with significant level set at p = 0.05 to draw meaningful conclusions from the data.

Findings

The study results indicate that out of the total respondents, 244 individuals (67.4%) demonstrated a profound knowledge of and good practice in energy utilisation. In comparison, 118 individuals (32.6%) exhibited poor knowledge and practice in energy saving. Moreover, the findings reveal a significant association between the sociodemographic factors of the respondents, building type, and their overall practice in energy utilisation. Statistical analysis shows significant? 2 values for each case: 8.563 (p = 0.003), 66.736 (p = 0.000), 60.866 (p = 0.000), 23.487 (p = 0.000), 37.877 (p = 0.000), and 92.334 (p = 0.000), respectively, where p < 0.05. These results highlight the importance of considering sociodemographic profiles and building characteristics when assessing general energy utilisation practices.

Originality/value

The research offers valuable insights into Nigerian energy usage behaviours and attitudes towards energy saving in residential buildings, contributing significantly to the knowledge base.
Construction framework process: a qualitative investigation of behaviour change drivers and project outcomes
Authors: Lam Terence Y.M. , Gale Keith S.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Construction framework agreements are identified by the UK Government’s Construction Strategy 2025 as an integrated procurement path to improve construction industry efficiency. However, criticisms from the industry have arisen from the lack of transparency and incorrect application of such frameworks. This paper aims to examine the client and supplier relationships within a framework agreement to discover what behaviour change drivers should be applied in the framework process to achieve the desired project outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A triangulation approach was adopted. An initial literature review on organisational behaviour and job performance theories was conducted followed by a qualitative expert review survey of client construction managers to confirm the project outcomes desired by public-sector clients and the associated behaviour change drivers. This was followed by a qualitative multiple-case study investigation of eight typical framework projects to form a commonality of views to explain the impact of behaviour change drivers on project outcomes.

Findings

Results from both qualitative studies demonstrated that improvements in project outcomes of time, cost, quality, sustainability and closer relationships can be driven by two sets of behaviour drivers: client organisational behaviour change drivers (setting up incentive and risk-sharing procurement approach, effective communication through development of stronger relationships and performance monitoring using contract key performance indicators) and supplier contextual behaviour change drivers (motivating conscientious behaviour and attitude towards self-improvement and innovations, supporting shared culture of providing services aligning with the client needs, promoting learning and development amongst all suppliers and most importantly providing trust and collaboration to the client).

Research limitations/implications

The investigation was based on an expert review with eight multiple-case studies conducted within the geographical area of England. Further research should be conducted nationwide so that the findings can become more robust and benefit the entire public sector.

Practical implications

It is suggested that framework managers should apply the supplier contextual performance drivers as selection criteria in the procurement process, whilst the client organisational performance drivers should be applied in the whole procurement and construction monitoring process to drive project outcomes aligned with the government construction policy objectives.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates that the project behaviour of clients and suppliers can be shifted within the construction framework environment to yield the desired project outcomes. This can be achieved by applying the client organisational behaviour drivers and the supplier contextual behaviour change drivers in tandem to optimise the framework process.
An effect of retting process and extraction methods on physical and mechanical properties of areca nut fibers
Authors: Sunny Georgy , Palani Rajan T.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the project is to explore the biosoftening of raw areca nut fibers using two different biological retting methods and assess their impact on fiber properties for improved spinning. The study aims to contribute to the fashion industry’s shift toward sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The project involves collecting raw brown areca shells, subjecting them to two retting methods (stagnant water retting and changing water daily retting) and then extracting and drying the fibers. Various physical and chemical properties of the fibers are measured to evaluate their suitability for spinning.

Findings

The stagnant water retting method, especially the fibers obtained on the second day, showed improved properties in terms of fiber strength, elongation, fineness and cellulose content, making them suitable for spinning applications. The method also resulted in better moisture regain.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on two retting methods and a limited timeframe. Further research could explore additional techniques and durations. The labor-intensive nature of the daily changing water retting method may have implications for scalability.

Practical implications

The project demonstrates a cost-effective and sustainable method for converting agricultural waste (areca nut husks) into valuable fibers suitable for various end users.

Social implications

The research supports the fashion industry’s sustainability efforts by promoting the use of eco-friendly natural fibers, potentially benefiting rural farming communities.

Originality/value

The project highlights the innovative use of areca nut fibers and their potential to contribute to sustainable fashion. The stagnant water retting method is presented as a reliable and effective approach for improving fiber properties. Additionally, all fiber testing was exclusively conducted at the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), with sponsorship from the industry and support from the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Built environment stakeholders and climate change adaptation: the case of Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando Nishara , Jayathilake Pasindu , De Silva Malith , Gunathilake Wathsala , Devapura Nilushi , Wise Belinda
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify key built environment stakeholders in Sri Lanka and to understand their roles and responsibilities in tackling climate change. It also seeks to identify key challenges experienced by stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data was systematically reviewed to identify key-built environment stakeholders in Sri Lanka. Thereafter, primary data was collected from a purposively selected sample of 40 built environment experts using a semi-structured interview schedule. The collected data was analyzed using the thematic analysis method.

Findings

The study identified built environment stakeholders in five sectors, namely, the state sector, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academia and the general public. It was revealed that the state sector is responsible for policy formation and implementation, while the private sector acts as a financial facilitator. Academia generates and disseminates knowledge on climate change and community-based organizations provide inputs. Key skills and knowledge gaps of stakeholders include a lack of comprehension of the climate change theory and its concepts, lack of awareness on policies and legislation, lack of communication skills, language skills, digital proficiency and lack of integrated working skills. Unified action and equitable representation of all stakeholders is necessary to tackle climate change.

Originality/value

The original contribution of the paper is its emphasis on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the built environment in relation to climate change adaptations alongside its identification of key knowledge gaps among stakeholders.
Unlocking immersive education: the emergence of the meta-governance framework
Authors: Jabbouri Rachid , Issa Helmi , Dakroub Roy , Ankit Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Purpose

With the rapid diffusion of the metaverse into all aspects of businesses and the education industry, scholars have predominantly focused on examining its projected benefits and harms, yet have overlooked to empirically explore its unpredictable nature, which offers an exciting realm of unexplored challenges and opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a qualitative research design in the form of 24 interviews from a single EdTech to investigate the possibility of unexpected developments resulting from the integration of the metaverse into its solutions.

Findings

Three noteworthy observations have emerged from the analysis: technological obsolescence, resource allocation imbalance, and monoculturalism.

Originality/value

This research pioneers an empirical exploration of the latent outcomes stemming from metaverse adoption within EdTechs, while also introducing a novel theoretical framework termed “meta-governance,” which extends the Edu-Metaverse ecosystem.
A principal component analysis of sustainable building construction features for project delivery in South Africa
Authors: Emere Chijioke Emmanuel , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Akinradewo Opeoluwa Israel
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Successful project delivery for sustainable building construction (SBC) has been linked to certain features. Previous studies have emphasised the need to improve SBC practice in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to explore the SBC features for project delivery in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire elicited the primary data from 281 built environment professionals, mainly in South Africa’s Gauteng province. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. This study used the principal component analysis technique to ascertain the principal SBC features.

Findings

Three components of SBC features, namely, sustainable resource use and compliance, sustainable waste minimisation and recycling and sustainable designs and materials, were developed from the principal component analysis. The factor loadings of the constituent variables ranged from 0.570 to 0.836. The reliability of each component was evaluated, and the results were 0.966, 0.931 and 0.913.

Practical implications

The revelations from this study will aid the decision-making of the relevant stakeholders towards establishing improvement initiatives and mitigating the reluctance to shift from conventional building methods and poor knowledge sharing of SBC benefits.

Originality/value

This is one of the most recent South African studies that sheds light on the components of a successful SBC deployment. The findings of this study added to knowledge by confirming three fundamental features of SBC. This study recommends adequately considering the principal features for successful SBC project delivery in South Africa.
Rethinking organizational culture in intersectoral coordination: the perspective of boundary work
Authors: Fehsenfeld Michael , Maindal Helle Terkildsen , Burau Viola
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to rethink the concept of organizational culture as something that emerges bottom-up by using the sociological concepts of boundary object and boundary work as an analytical lens and to show how this approach can help understand and facilitate intersectoral coordination.

Design/methodology/approach

We used observations and qualitative interviews to develop “deep” knowledge about processes of intersectoral coordination. The study draws on a conceptual framework of “boundary work” and “boundary objects” to show how a bottom-up perspective on organizational culture can produce better understanding of and pave the way for intersectoral coordination. We use a case of health professionals engaged in two Danish intersectoral programs developing and providing health promotion services for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Findings

The study showed how boundary work revolves around negotiations on how to define, understand and act on the diagnosis of GDM. This diagnosis has the characteristics of a “boundary object”, being more loosely structured in general terms, but strongly structured in local settings. Boundary objects help connect different professionals and facilitate coordination. The analysis showed how the introduction of time and the concept of “lifelong health promotion” helped to transgress existing organizational and professional boundaries.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contribute to the literature on organizational culture and intersectoral coordination. We highlight the benefits of a practice-oriented, bottom-up perspective for a better understanding of how shared meaning is produced in cross professional coordination and collaboration. While the theoretical implications will be general applicable when studying organizational culture, the implications for practice are sensitive to context and the processes we have described as the outcomes of boundary work are generated from cases that were most likely to provide deep insight into our research topic.

Practical implications

For practice this can build bridges between organizational and professional boundaries.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the literature on organizational culture and intersectoral coordination. We highlight the benefits of a practice-oriented, bottom-up perspective for a better understanding of how shared meaning is produced in cross professional coordination. This may build bridges between organizational and professional boundaries in practice settings.
Promotion of a social prescribing pathway to general practitioners in a rural area (a feasibility study protocol)
Authors: Ridge Andrew , Peterson Gregory , Seidel Bastian , Nash Rosie
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Psychosocial problems, including social isolation and loneliness, are prevalent in rural communities and can impact the use of health services and health outcomes. Current approaches to managing patients with predominantly psychosocial issues may not be the most appropriate. Social prescribing (SP) is a relatively new way of linking patients with sources of non-medical support within the community. Emerging literature suggests that community-based, non-medical activities are an effective and preferred approach to managing psychosocial problems. However, there is little evidence describing the attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) towards formal SP pathways.

Design/methodology/approach

This research will occur in a general practice in a rural area of Tasmania, Australia. The project will deliver an education module to rural GPs to highlight the benefits of SP and provide a streamlined pathway for referring patients to community support hubs. Existing community organisations will act as “link workers” to connect patients with suitable community activities. GPs will complete a baseline and follow-up survey to measure their perception of SP and the acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness of such an intervention.

Findings

The acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness of the pathway will be assessed using published measures. Free-text responses to open-ended questions will be used to complement the quantitative data. A hybrid effectiveness-implementation method will be used to gather information about the rate of uptake and quality of the SP referral process and identify barriers and facilitators of the process in a real-world setting.

Research limitations/implications

While qualitative data for SP programmes is predominantly positive, quantitative data is lacking. Although the planned project is relatively short, it will provide a basis for future SP programme implementation and guide the approach to data collection and implementation assessment.

Social implications

The barriers to and facilitators of introducing a SP programme in a rural general practice setting may be used to guide the development and implementation of future large-scale SP interventions. This research is both timely and relevant as the problem of social isolation and loneliness, especially in rural areas of Australia, is becoming more well-recognised as a driver of poor health and unnecessary health service usage.

Originality/value

Using SP to address psychosocial risks may reduce healthcare burden and costs. Few SP programmes have been delivered and formally assessed in Australia, and the best way to implement SP locally remains unclear. By delivering a SP intervention in a rural setting and assessing GPs’ responses, future SP projects will be better able to design and integrate social and medical care services.
Evaluation of constraints for investment in NOx emission technologies: case study on Greek bulk carrier owners
Authors: Karahalios Hristos
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The maritime industry is the transport mode that contributes most to air pollution. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) identified the reduction of air pollution by ships as a crucial issue. Since 1 January 2020, ships have had to adopt strategies and new technologies to eliminate air pollution. However, ship compliance with nitrate oxide (NOx) emission restrictions is more challenging. This paper aims to identify shipowners' challenges in investing in new technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applied a hybrid methodology combining a survey, a balanced scorecard and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) to identify and evaluate constraints and weights in investment decision-making for NOx technologies. A survey was carried out to validate constraints.

Findings

A survey was carried out, representing 5.1% of Greek-owned ships by deadweight capacity. The findings provide a weighted list of seven crucial technical and economic constraints faced by ship operators. The constraints vary from ship retrofit expenditure to crew training and waste management. Additionally, NOx emission technologies were compared. It was found that liquefied natural gas is the preferred investment option for the survey participants compared with selective catalytic reduction, exhaust gas recirculation and batteries.

Originality/value

Several studies have dealt with the individual technical feasibility of NOx reduction technologies. However, apart from technical feasibility for a shipowner, the selection of a NOx technology has several managerial and safety risks. Therefore, the originality of this paper is to reveal those constraints that have a higher weight on shipowners. With this cost-benefit approach, investment challenges for ship operators are revealed. Policymakers can benefit from the results of the employed methodology.
ESG, innovation, and economic growth: an empirical evidence
Authors: Mohd Daud Siti Nurazira , Ghazali Nur Syazwina , Mohammad Ismail Nur Hafizah
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationships among environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, innovation and economic growth in five Asian countries from 1990 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The study innovatively constructed the ESG index at the country level by using frequency statistics on text mining and factor analysis for each country over time. In addition, this study used the autoregressive distributed lag method to establish a long-term relationship.

Findings

The authors discovered that ESG practices among corporate entities significantly impact economic growth in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Specifically, the environmental component positively affects the growth of Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, while the governance components of ESG contribute to Thailand’s economic growth. The authors also discovered that innovation improves countries’ economic growth, thus offering policy insights into promoting ESG practices and stimulating the ecosystem for innovation.

Originality/value

The paper fills the gap left in previous inconclusive findings on the association between ESG practices and country growth.
WeChat gamification: mobile payment impact on word of mouth and customer loyalty
Authors: Butt Asad Hassan , Ahmad Hassan , Muzaffar Asif , Irshad Waseem , Mumtaz Muhammad Usman , Zubair Ahmad Khan Talha
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how gamification, namely, WeChat’s cultural gifting function, improves emotional involvement among three generations (Y, X and silver) in mobile payments. It draws attention to the beneficial effects of cultural components and digital intimacy on gamified mobile payment systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from Y, X and silver generation in Dalian, China. The users were well equipped with the WeChat pay features and had experience. The PLS-SEM software was used to assess the data.

Findings

The findings show that consumer word of mouth and loyalty are positively impacted by perceived utility, fun, and enjoyment. Besides, gamification components like fun and playfulness have a favourable effect on how useful mobile payments are judged to be. It demonstrates how delighted and ecstatic users are with WeChat Hongbao. In addition, the positive moderation effect of intimacy on the hypothesised connections shows that all three generations are likely to accept gamified money features. These results provide a substantial contribution to our comprehension of gamification in the context of mobile payment services for all three generations.

Originality/value

The study is distinctive because it focuses on how China’s three generations use WeChat Pay for routine transactions. The framework confirms that the gamification elements improve user performance and encourage continued usage of mobile payment systems.
Uridine phosphorylase‐1 promotes cell viability and cell‐cycle progression in human epidermal keratinocytes via the glycolytic pathway
Authors: Xiao Xiaoqing , Qiu Tianwen , Cheng Qiong , Wang Wenyu , Fan Chunyan , Zuo Fuguo
Published: May 2024

Glycolysis is vital for the excessive proliferation of keratinocytes in psoriasis, and uridine phosphorylase‐1 (UPP1) functions as an enhancer of cancer cell proliferation. However, little is known about whether UPP1 promotes keratinocyte proliferation and accelerates psoriasis development. This study revealed that UPP1 facilitates cell viability and cell‐cycle progression in human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) by modulating the glycolytic pathway. Bioinformatics analysis of UPP1 gene expression and its correlation with the Reactome revealed that UPP1 mRNA expression, cell‐cycle progression, the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)/Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway and glycolysis were positively associated with psoriasis. Cell proliferation, the cell cycle and glycolysis were evaluated after UPP1 was silenced or overexpressed. The results showed that UPP1 overexpression increased cell proliferation, cell‐cycle progression and glycolysis, which was contrary to the effects of UPP1 silencing. However, the STAT3 inhibitor diminished UPP1 expression because STAT3 can bind to the UPP1 promoter. In conclusion, UPP1 was significantly activated by the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway and could modulate glycolysis to regulate cell proliferation and cell‐cycle progression in keratinocytes during the development of psoriasis.
The N6‐methyladenosine methylation landscape stratifies breast cancer into two subtypes with distinct immunological characteristics
Authors: Chen Yang , Hou Yijiang , Li Shuguang , Qin Wenxing , Zhang Jian
Published: May 2024

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification affects the tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer (BC). This study investigated the association between m6A regulator‐mediated methylation modification patterns and characterization of the tumour microenvironment in BC, as well as their prognostic importance. Public gene expression data and clinical annotations were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the Gene Expression Omnibus website and the METABRIC program. We analysed the genetic expression, gene–gene interactions, gene mutations and copy number variations using R software. The data were screened for risk genes using the Cox risk regression model, and we developed an algorithm for risk score and its predictive value. Compared to adjacent normal tissue, we identified 16 differentially expressed m6A regulators in BC, including six writers and 10 readers. Under unsupervised clustering, two distinguished modification patterns were identified, cluster C1 and C2. Compared to m6A cluster C2, cluster C1 was found to be more involved in immune‐related pathways, with a relatively higher immune score and stromal score (P < 0.05). Patients were divided into two groups based on their risk scores for survival analysis. The patients in the high‐risk score group had significantly worse overall survival than patients in the low‐risk score group, (P < 0.0001). The TCGA database validation revealed the same prognostic tendency. In summary, our study showed distinct m6A regulator modification patterns contribute to the immunological heterogeneity and diversity of BC. The development of m6A gene signatures and the m6A score aid in the prognostic prediction of patients with BC.
Effect of ultrasound‐assisted L‐lysine treatment on pork meat quality and myofibrillar protein properties during postmortem aging
Authors: Xu Shuangyi , Guo Xiuyun , Fu Chao , Wang Jipan , Meng Xiangren , Hui Teng , Peng Zengqi
Published: May 2024

This paper aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasound‐assisted L‐lysine treatment on meat quality and myofibrillar proteins (MPs) properties of pork longissimus dorsi during postmortem aging. The results revealed that the L‐lysine (Lys) and/or ultrasound treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) the water‐holding capacity and tenderness of the pork during postmortem aging, while the ultrasound‐assisted Lys treatment had the lowest cooking loss, pressurization loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force, and hardness. In addition, L‐lysine and/or ultrasound treatment increased (p < 0.05) pH value, T21, and myofibrillar fragmentation index, while the ultrasound‐assisted Lys treatment had the highest value. Meanwhile, the protein solubility was increased with Lys and/or ultrasound treatment during postmortem aging, and ultrasound‐assisted Lys treatment had the highest solubility, reaching 88.19%, 92.98%, and 91.73% at 0, 1, and 3 days, respectively. The result of protein conformational characteristics showed that Lys and/or ultrasound treatment caused the unfolding of the α‐helix structure, resulting in the exposure of more hydrophobic amino acids and buried sulfhydryl groups, ultimately enhancing MPs solubility. In summary, ultrasound‐assisted Lys treatment altered the structure of MPs, resulting in the enhancement of the water‐holding capacity and tenderness of the pork.

Practical Application

This study showed that ultrasound‐assisted L‐lysine (Lys) treatment could enhance the water‐holding capacity and tenderness of pork during postmortem aging. The results might provide a reference for the application of ultrasound‐assisted Lys treatment on the improvement of pork meat quality. To facilitate practical applications in production, the development of medium and large‐sized ultrasound equipment for conducting small‐scale and pilot experiments is crucial for future research.