bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TC10 differently controls the dynamics of Exo70 in growth cones of cortical and hippocampal neurons
Authors: Gosain Hiteshika , Busch Karin B. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe exocyst is an octameric protein complex that acts as a tether for GOLGI-derived vesicles at the plasma membrane during exocytosis. It is involved in membrane expansion during axonal outgrowth. Exo70 is a major subunit of the exocyst complex and is controlled by TC10, a Rho family GTPase. How TC10 affects the dynamics of Exo70 at the plasma membrane is not well understood. There is also evidence that TC10 controls Exo70 dynamics differently in nonpolar cells and axons. To address this, we used super-resolution microscopy to study the spatially resolved effects of TC10 on Exo70 dynamics in HeLa cells and the growth cone of cortical and hippocampal neurons. We generated single particle localization and trajectory maps and extracted mean square displacements, diffusion coefficients, and alpha coefficients to characterize Exo70 diffusion. We found that the diffusivity of Exo70 was different in nonpolar cells and in the growth cone of neurons. TC10 stimulated the mobility of Exo70 in HeLa cells, but decreased the diffusion of Exo70 in the growth cone of cortical neurons. In contrast to cortical neurons, TC10 overexpression did not affect the mobility of Exo70 in the axonal growth cone of hippocampal neurons. These data suggest that mainly exocyst tethering in cortical neurons was under the control of TC10.
TCA Cycle Dysfunction and Amino Acid Catabolism Drive Hepatic Steatosis in Mice with HFpEF
Authors: Mushala Bellina A.S. , Stoner Michael W. , Manning Janet R. , Bugga Paramesha , Bhattarai Nisha , Sharifi-Sanjani Maryam , McMahon Brenda , Vandevender Amber , Mullet Steven J. , Kaufman Brett A. , Shiva Sruti S. , Gelhaus Stacy L. , Jurczak Michael J. , Scott Iain 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe prevalence of cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continues to grow worldwide, and now represents over half of current heart failure cases in the United States (1). Due to a lack of specific approved therapies, current treatment guidelines focus on the management of comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome (e.g. obesity, diabetes, hypertension) that promote HFpEF progression (1). The same comorbidities also drive cardiometabolic disease in non-cardiac tissues, and links between disease presentations in different organs are increasingly being recognized in the clinic. However, mechanistic studies examining the underlying pathophysiological connections have not kept pace, particularly in the cardio-hepatic disease axis (2). To address this, we used a recently developed and validated preclinical model of HFpEF (3) to examine how this disease impacts the liver. The development of HFpEF in mice leads to the simultaneous development of widespread hepatic steatosis that is consistent with human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Mechanistically, we show that the liver steatosis observed is driven by excess glucogenic amino acid entry into the TCA cycle, which promotes hepatic glucose production and de novo lipogenesis. Our findings suggest that HFpEF development is a multi-organ event, with implications for both preclinical and translational research.
Quantifying Contributions from Topological Cycles in the Brain Network towards Cognition
Authors: Garai Sumita , Vo Sandra , Blank Lucy , Xu Frederick , Chen Jiong , Duong-Tran Duy , Zhao Yize , Shen Li 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study proposes a novel metric called Homological Vertex Importance Profile (H-VIP), utilizing topological data analysis tool persistent homology, to analyze human brain structural and functional connectomes. Persistent homology is a useful tool for identifying topological features such as cycles and cavities within a network. The salience of persistent homology lies in the fact that it offers a global view of the network as a whole. However, it falls short in precisely determining the relative relevance of the vertices of the network that contribute to these topological features. Our aim is to quantify the contribution of each individual vertex in the formation of homological cycles and provide insight into local connectivity. Our proposed H-VIP metric captures, quantifies, and compresses connectivity information from vertices even at multiple degrees of separation and projects back onto each vertex. Using this metric, we analyze two independent datasets: structural connectomes from the Human Connectome Project and functional connectomes from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Our findings indicate a positive correlation between various cognitive measures and H-VIP, in both anatomical and functional brain networks. Our study also demonstrates that the connectivity in the frontal lobe has a higher correlation with cognitive performance compared to the whole brain network. Furthermore, the H-VIP provides us with a metric to easily locate, quantify, and visualize potentially impaired connectivity for each subject and may have applications in the context of personalized medicine for neurological diseases and disorders.
Muscone-specific olfactory protein reveals the putative scent-marking pheromone in the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica)
Authors: Yu Zhongbo , Meng Tao , Yu Luyao , Zhou Yichen , Que Tengcheng , He Meihong , Wang Haijing , Li Yingjiao , Liu Liling , Liu Wenjian , Wang Yinliang , Ren Bingzhong 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is a burrowing and nocturnal animal, and they have poor vision, thus, intraspecies communication relies on olfaction, such as mating, warning, and scent-marking. However, the intraspecies pheromone in pangolins remains unknown. In this study, all the odorant-binding proteins in Sunda pangolins were functionally expressed, and they were screened against a panel of 32 volatiles that were derived from the pangolin’s urine, feces, and anal gland secretions. Reverse chemical ecology identified thatM. javanicaodorant-binding protein 3 (MjavOBP3) possesses the highest binding affinity to muscone. A subsequent behavior-tracking assay showed that only males can sense muscone; thus, we hypothesize that muscone is a male-specific scent-marking pheromone. Meanwhile, the structural study showed that Tyr117 contributes the most to muscone’s binding, which was further validated by site-directed mutagenesis. The findings clarify the scent-marking mechanism in pangolins, and muscone could potentially be used to support the monitoring and conservation of this endangered animal.Author SummaryThe Sunda pangolin is an endangered mammal that is native to Southeast Asia and is threatened due to its economic value. They are cave-living and nocturnal, poor vision; thus, their intraspecies communication is highly reliant on olfaction. Although they are generally solitary, they have been observed to have some social aspects in the wild, such as breeding and territorial behaviors, which are mediated by scents. However, no previous study has investigated the type of pheromones and how they are detected. Using the reverse chemical ecology approach, MjavOBP3 was found to bind to muscone with high affinity, and behavior-tracking assay was performed under well-controlled artificial rearing conditions, which showed only male pangolins can recognize muscone, suggesting its potential male-specific pheromone role.
Leptogenesis consequences of trimaximal mixing and
μ−τ
reflection symmetry in the most minimal seesaw model
Authors: Zhao Zhen-hua , Shi Hong-Yu , Shao Yan 
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we have studied the realizations of the popular first trimaximal neutrino mixing and neutrino μ−τ reflection symmetry (which are well motivated from the neutrino oscillation data and lead to interesting phenomenological consequences) in the most minimal seesaw model with a pseudo-Dirac pair of right-handed neutrinos and their consequences for leptogenesis. In order to realize the low-scale resonant leptogenesis scenario, we have considered two possible ways of generating the tiny mass splitting between the two right-handed neutrinos: one way is to modify their Majorana mass matrix to a form as shown in Eq. (25); the other way is to consider the renormalization-group corrections for their masses. For the μ−τ reflection symmetry, in order for leptogenesis to work, we have further considered the flavor-dependent conversion efficiencies from the lepton asymmetry to the baryon asymmetry during the sphaleron processes and its breaking via the renormalization-group corrections.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Impacts of credit constraints on adoption of risk management strategies and income of maize farmers in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Ogunleye Ayodeji , Akinloye Mercy Olajumoke , Kehinde Ayodeji , Ajayi Oluseyi Moses , Wongnaa Camillus Abawiera 
Published: June 2024

PurposeA correlation has been shown in the literature between credit constraints and the adoption of agricultural technologies, technical efficiencies and measures for adapting to climate change. The relationship between credit constraints, risk management strategy adoption and income, however, is not well understood. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to investigate how credit constraints affect the income and risk management practices adopted by Northern Nigerian maize farmers.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional data were collected from 300 maize farmers in Northern Nigeria using a multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, seemingly unrelated regression and double hurdle regression models were the analysis methods.FindingsThe results showed that friends and relatives, banks, “Adashe”, cooperatives and farmer groups were the main sources of credit in the study area. The findings also revealed that the sources of risk in the study area included production risk, economic risk, financial risk, institutional risk, technological risk and human risk. In addition, the risk management strategies used to mitigate observed risks were fertilizer application, insecticides, planting of disease-resistant varieties, use of herbicides, practising mixed cropping, modern planning, use of management tools as well as making bunds and channels. Furthermore, we found that interest rate, farm size, level of education, gender and marital status were significant determinants of statuses of credit constraints while the age of the farmer, gender, household size, primary occupation, access to extension services and income from maize production affected the choice and intensity of adoption of risk management strategies among the farmers.Research limitations/implicationsThe study concluded that credit constrained status condition of farmers negatively affected the adoption of some risk management strategies and maize farmers’ income.Practical implicationsThe study concluded that credit constrained status condition of farmers negatively affected the adoption of some risk management strategies and maize farmers’ income. It therefore recommends that financial service providers should be engaged to design financial products that are tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers in the study area.Originality/valueThis paper incorporates the role of constraints in influencing farmers’ decisions to uptake credits and subsequently their adoption behaviours on risk management strategies. The researcher approached the topic with a state-of-the-art method which allows for obtaining more reliable results and hence more specific contributions to research and practice.
How semiotic product packaging, brand image, perceived brand quality influence brand loyalty and purchase intention: a stimulus-organism-response perspective
Authors: Rehman Anis Ur , Elahi Yasir Arafat 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThe present study, underpinned by the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory, aims to examine the impact of packaging semiotics on brand image, perceived brand quality, brand loyalty and purchase intention of well-established food brands.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to participants residing in the Lucknow region of India. We conducted an experiment in which 374 participants evaluated the factors on a stimulus (chips packaging) using an online survey. Collected data were analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsThe result suggests that packaging semiotics exhibits a positive influence on brand image and perceived brand quality of consumers. The brand image significantly impacts brand loyalty and consumers’ purchase intention. In addition, the perceived brand quality has a positive significant impact on brand loyalty, but a negative and insignificant influence on purchase intention. The results show that both brand image and perceived brand quality significantly mediate the relation between packaging semiotics and brand loyalty. Brand image significantly mediates but perceived brand quality does not mediate the relation between packaging semiotics and purchase intention.Practical implicationsThe results of the study will assist food brands in determining how to utilise semiotics in packaging to positively influence brand image, perceived brand quality, brand loyalty and consumers’ intent to purchase.Originality/valueThe study is unique in the sense that it assesses the role of packaging semiotics as antecedent in mapping of brand loyalty and purchase intention through brand image and perceived product quality. This study takes a lead as these constructs have been less explored relatively from the lens of packaging semiotics in an emerging Asian market.
Maximizing solar energy generation: guidelines for optimizing photovoltaic panel placement on building facades
Authors: Reffat Rabee , Ezzat Radwa 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to address the research problem of optimizing photovoltaic (PV) panel placement on building facades to maximize solar energy generation.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines the significance of various design configurations and their implications for PV system performance. The research involves analysis of relevant literature and energy simulations. An exemplary case study is conducted in a hot climate zone to quantify the impacts of PV panel placement on energy generation. Various application scenarios are developed, resulting in 28 scenarios for PV on building facades. Energy simulations using Grasshopper Rhino software and Ladybug plugin components are performed.FindingsThe paper identifies key factors influencing PV panel placement and energy generation through qualitative analysis. It introduces an appropriateness matrix as a decision-making framework to evaluate placement options. The study identifies design configurations and external features impacting PV location selection and performs a qualitative classification to determine their impact on energy generation.Practical implicationsThe results and decision-making framework enable informed choices based on solar radiation levels, shading conditions, and building requirements. Optimizing PV panel placement enhances solar energy harvesting in buildings, benefiting architects and engineers.Originality/valueThe novel contributions of this paper include practical insights and guidance for strategically placing PV panels on building facades.
The engagement of the UK construction industry towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Watts Greg 
Published: June 2024

Purpose The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for UN member states to achieve prosperity and peace. A resilient construction industry should positively contribute to the achievement of all SDGs. Yet it is currently unclear if the industry helps or hinders SDG achievement. This research aims to explore if the industry is positively engaging with all SDGs.Design/methodology/approach This research is split into two phases. The first is an objectivist Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) of sustainability reports from the ten leading UK contractors to identify direct and indirect SDG references. The second research phase adopts a subjectivist ontological position consisting of twenty-one semi-structured interviews with a range of construction industry project-based professionals. Narrative analysis is used to structure the interview questions and analyse the data gained.Findings Many SDGs are excluded from sustainability reports, and where discussed, only some are engaged with substantially. The SDG knowledge held by construction professionals is reduced further still, and SDG progress is rarely measured. The ambiguity surrounding the SDGs enables discrepancies between reporting and professional perceptions. There is also a lack of regard for fellow contractor collaboration through fear of reduced competitive advantage.Originality/value This paper addresses a gap in the literature between contractor SDG knowledge and action. This serves as a platform for future research agendas regarding how the SDGs can be better understood and actioned in a construction management context. For industry, inconsistencies between organisational sustainability reporting and the knowledge and awareness of staff are exposed, due to the lack of collaborative practices currently adopted.
Performance of concrete containing waste demolished concrete powder as a partial substitute for cement
Authors: Haroon Muhammad , Khan Raja Bilal Nasar , Khitab Anwar 
Published: June 2024

PurposePresent work deals with the partial substitution of cement by waste demolished concrete powder (WDP) for reducing the carbon footprints of concrete.Design/methodology/approachControl specimens and the specimens with 20% WDP as fractional substitute of cement were prepared. The waste powder was thermally activated at 825 °C prior to its use in the mix. The prepared specimens were evaluated in terms of density, workability, mechanical strength, Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and rebound hammer (RH).FindingsThe results showed that with the substitution, the workability of the mix increased, while the density decreased. A decrement within a 20% limit was found in compressive strength. The UPV and RH results were closely linked to the other results as mentioned above.Research limitations/implicationsThe study deals with only M15 concrete and the substitution level of only 20% as a baseline.Practical implicationsThe concrete containing 20% WDP is lightweight and more workable. Moreover, its strength at 28 days is 14 MPa, only 1 MPa lesser than the characteristic strength.Social implicationsThe WDP can be recycled and the dumping in landfills can be reduced. This is an important effort towards the decarbonation of concrete.Originality/valuePrevious literature indicates that the WDP has been frequently used as a partial replacement of aggregates. However, some traces of secondary hydration were also reported. This work considers the effect of partial substitution of cement by the WDP.
Effective health systems facing pandemic crisis: lessons from COVID-19 in Europe for next emergencies
Authors: Coccia Mario , Benati Igor 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThe investigation goal is the analysis of the relation between healthcare expenditures and other resources, and COVID-19 fatality rates among European countries to design effective health policies for crisis management.Design/methodology/approachResearch methodology is based on descriptive statistics and various parametric methods, also including a linear model of regression to analyze basic relationships of variables under study.FindingsResults show that a lower COVID-19 fatality rate is associated with higher levels of health expenditure (% GDP), of healthcare expenditure per capita, health expenditure in preventive care (% GDP), hospitals per million inhabitants, physicians, nurses, hospital beds and curative acute care beds per 1,000 inhabitants. Regression analysis shows that a 1% increase in healthcare expenditures per capita of countries, it reduces the level of COVID-19 fatality rate by 0.74%. In fact, many countries in Eastern Europe with low healthcare expenditures per capita in 2019 (e.g., Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, etc.), they have experienced high COVID-19 fatality rates. Instead, a lot of countries in Western Europe, with high healthcare expenditures per capita, such as Germany, Denmark, Austria, and the Netherlands, they had resilient health systems to face pandemic crisis and lower COVID-19 fatality rates.Practical implicationsThese findings suggest strategies of systematic and continuous investments in healthcare, medical technologies, and ICT infrastructures to support effective health policy of crisis management in countries to face future pandemic crisis and other emergencies in society.Originality/valueThe explanation of critical role of high health expenditure (% GDP) and healthcare expenditure per capita to support robust health systems that bolster the resilience in nations to face health emergencies and worldwide crises.
The impact of entrepreneurial ecosystems on digital transformations: micro-level analysis
Authors: Guimarães Jaiandra , Fernandes Cristina , Mota Veiga Pedro 
Published: June 2024

Purpose
Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) contribute to organisational success through enabling actors to restructure businesses, stimulating exchanges of resources as well as applications and improvements to technological approaches. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to study the impact of EE micro-level variables on digital transformations.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on data spanning 5,000 Portuguese firms, the authors selected a random sample of 300, including businesses in the industrial, retail and service sectors. The authors deployed the multiple linear regression statistical method to validate the hypotheses.

Findings
As a result, the authors may conclude the organisation and the micro-level actors of EEs, owners and their members of staff produce influences on digital transformation processes.

Originality/value
This study contributes to completing the gap in the literature regarding the shortage of quantitative empirical studies approaching micro-level EE variables from the perspective of their relationships with digital transformation processes.
Nonlinear impact of financial inclusion on tax revenue: evidence from the Monte-Carlo simulation algorithm under the Bayesian approach
Authors: Nguyen The Binh , Oanh Tran Thi Kim , Le Quoc Dinh , Nguyen Thi Hong Ha 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThis article aims to study the nonlinear effect of financial inclusion on tax revenue of 21 low financial development countries (LFDCs) and 22 high financial development countries (HFDCs) from 2004 to 2020.Design/methodology/approachThe study calculates the world average financial development index (FD̅) for all countries using data from the IMF. The average FD of HFDCs is higher than (FD̅). On the other hand, the average FD of LFDCs is lower than (FD̅). Data of 21 LFDCs and 22 HFDCs cover the period 2004–2020. With the small sample problem, we applied the Bayesian method to examine the nonlinear effect of financial inclusion on the tax revenue of the two groups of countries.FindingsUsing the Bayesian method, the results show that financial inclusion negatively impacts tax revenue with an absolute probability of 100% in LFDCs and a lower probability of 92.45% in HFDCs. Additionally, the financial inclusion threshold at LFDCs is 18.90. Below this threshold, financial inclusion promotes tax revenue with a 100% probability. On the contrary, when financial inclusion exceeds the threshold, it will have a negative effect on tax revenue. Similarly, the financial inclusion threshold at HFDCs is 20.14, with a probability of 92.45%.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the nonlinear impact of financial inclusion on tax revenue in high and low financial development countries.