bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two morphologically distinct formae speciales inNeonectria magnoliaediffer in their virulence on Magnolia family hostsLiriodendron tulipiferaandMagnolia fraseri
Authors: Petronek Hannah M. , Lynch Shannon C. , Lovett Brian , Martin Angie M. , Martin Danielle K.H. , Kasson Matt T. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe family Nectriaceae includes numerous phytopathogenic fungal genera that cause canker diseases on both angiosperm and conifer hosts worldwide. Among these,Neonectriaspecies are globally important canker pathogens of numerous hosts, but their roles in contributing to forest decline and mortality outside their role in beech bark disease and apple canker are largely understudied. In the U.S.,Neonectria magnoliaecauses perennial cankers on two native hosts in central Appalachia: Fraser magnolia (Magnolia fraseri) and tulip-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and has been recently confirmed from non-native star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) in West Virginia. Both native hosts occur in the central Appalachian Mountains, but Fraser magnolia occurs mostly at higher elevations.Neonectria magnoliaewas first described in 1943, yet its impact across the forested landscape remains unclear. To clarify host-specific differences across the contemporary range ofNeonectria magnoliae, we used multi-locus phylogenetics, comparative pathogenicity / virulence assays, and morphological analyses to determine ifN. magnoliaerepresents two cryptic species that specialize on tulip-poplar and magnolia, or ifN. magnoliaehas host-specific pathotypes. Our studies revealed two morphologically distinct formae speciales withinN. magnoliae: 1)Neonectria magnoliaef. sp.liriodendri;strains originating from tulip-poplar with increased virulence on this host and lacking macroconidia production and 2)Neonectria magnoliaef. sp.magnoliae;strains originating from Fraser magnolia with increased virulence on this host and producing macroconidia readily in culture. Overall, the incidence of these two pathotypes indicates that neither pathogen alone poses serious risks to either host but adds to cumulative stresses that both tree species are experiencing in the face of global climate change.
Dnmt3b deficiency in adipocyte progenitor cells ameliorates obesity in female mice
Authors: Huang Yifei , Yu Sean , Cao Qiang , Jing Jia , Tang Weiqing , Xue Bingzhong , Shi Hang 
Published: February 2025

AbstractObesity arises from chronic energy imbalance where energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Emerging evidence supports a key role of DNA methylation in the regulation of adipose tissue development and metabolism. We recently discovered a key role of DNA methylation, catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase 1 or 3a (Dnmt1 or 3a), in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation and metabolism. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of adipocyte progenitor cell Dnmt3b, an enzyme mediatingde novoDNA methylation, in energy metabolism and obesity. We generated a genetic model withDnmt3bknockout in adipocyte progenitor cells (PD3bKO) by crossingDnmt3b-floxed mice with platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (Pdgfrα)-Cre mice.Dnmt3bgene deletion in adipocyte progenitors enhanced thermogenic gene expression in brown adipose tissue, increased overall energy expenditure, and mitigated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in female mice. PD3bKO mice also displayed a lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER), indicative of a metabolic shift favoring fat utilization as an energy source. Furthermore, female PD3bKO mice exhibited improved insulin sensitivity alongside their lean phenotype. In contrast, male PD3bKO mice showed no changes in body weight but demonstrated decreased insulin sensitivity, revealing a sexually dimorphic metabolic response toDnmt3bdeletion in adipocyte progenitor cells. These findings underscore the critical role of Dnmt3b in regulating energy homeostasis, body weight, and metabolic health, with significant implications for understanding sex-specific mechanisms of obesity and metabolism.
Grin2aDysfunction Impairs Cognitive Flexibility by Disrupting LC Modulation of mPFC Circuits
Authors: Hosseini Hassan , Evans-Martin Sky , Bogomilsky Emma , Jones Kevin S. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractCognitive flexibility, a key executive function, is impaired in psychiatric disorders involving prefrontal cortical dysfunction. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regulates cognitive flexibility and receives noradrenergic input from the locus coeruleus (LC). Mutations in GRIN2A, encoding GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors, impair cognitive flexibility and psychiatric resilience, yet the circuit mechanisms remain unclear. Optogenetic LC→mPFC activation improved reversal learning in wild-type andGrin2aheterozygous (HET) mice but not in knockouts (KO), indicating a loss of noradrenergic modulation.Grin2amutants displayed disrupted gamma and high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in the mPFC. Exogenous norepinephrine failed to restore oscillatory activity, implicating α2-adrenoceptors in NE-driven cortical dynamics. Increased LC innervation and norepinephrine transporter (NET) expression inGrin2amutants suggest excessive noradrenergic input and impaired NE clearance. These findings identify GluN2A as essential for LC-driven prefrontal network synchronization and cognitive flexibility, offering insights into NE dysfunction in psychiatric disorders.
The autophagy receptor Ncoa4 controls PPARγ activity and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue
Authors: Rowland Leslie A. , Santos Kaltinaitis B. , Guilherme Adilson , Munroe Sean , Lifshitz Lawrence M. , Nicoloro Sarah , Wang Hui , Yee Matthew F. , Czech Michael P. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAdipose tissue dysfunction leads to a variety of deleterious systemic consequences including ectopic lipid deposition and impaired insulin sensitivity. PPARγ is a major regulator of adipocyte differentiation and functionality and is thus a determinant of systemic metabolic health. We recently reported that deletion of adipocyte fatty acid synthase (AdFasnKO) impairs autophagy in association with a striking upregulation of genes controlled by PPARγ, including thermogenic uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1). In this present study, screening for PPARγ coactivators regulated by autophagy revealed a protein denoted as Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (Ncoa4), known to mediate ferritinophagy and interact with PPARγ and other nuclear receptors. Indeed, we found Ncoa4 is upregulated in the early phase of adipocyte differentiation and is required for adipogenesis. Ncoa4 is also elevated in FasnKO adipocytes and necessary for full upregulation of Ucp1 expressionin vitro, even in response to norepinephrine. Consistent with these findings, adipose-selective knockout of Ncoa4 (AdNcoa4KO mice) impairs Ucp1 expression in brown adipose tissue and cold-induced thermogenesis. Adipose-selective double KO of Fasn plus Ncoa4 (AdFasnNcoa4DKO mice) prevents the upregulation of classic PPARγ target genes normally observed in the white adipose tissue of AdFasnKO mice, but not thermogenic Ucp1 expression. These findings reveal Ncoa4 is a novel determinant of adipocyte PPARγ activity and regulator of white and brown adipocyte biology and suggest that manipulation of autophagy flux modulates PPARγ activity and key adipocyte functions via Ncoa4 actions.
Improving handwashing practices among school food handlers in Malaysia: a behavioural antecedents’ approach to intervention design
Authors: Wong Stephenie Yoke Wei , Ungku Zainal Abidin Ungku Fatimah , Mahyudin Nor Ainy , Ho Jo Ann 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe adoption of proper handwashing behaviour among food handlers could significantly reduce food safety risks and contribute to better public health outcomes, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Training alone may not be adequate to improve food safety behaviour. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a needs assessment to identify the important variables that could enhance handwashing behaviour among school food handlers.Design/methodology/approachUsing an extended Health Action Model (HAM) as a framework, a survey and direct observation were conducted on a total of 211 food handlers from schools in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The food handlers were assessed on their handwashing knowledge, belief, norm, motivation, habit strength, behavioural intention and behaviour. Data analysis was carried out using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) software (v3.0), followed by the importance performance matrix analysis (IPMA).FindingsFindings revealed that norm and knowledge significantly influenced belief, which ultimately affects the food handlers’ intention to perform handwashing practices (p = 0.001). The IPMA revealed self-efficacy as a priority variable for improving handwashing behaviour.Practical implicationsThe study identifies key factors to prioritise for improving handwashing behaviour among school food handlers. This will aid in creating targeted food safety programmes with tailored messages for the intended audience.Originality/valueAlthough the use of theoretical framework to predict safe food handling behaviours has received considerable attention in literature, most researchers utilise self-report approach. This paper is the first to use actual observed handwashing behavioural data to model an extended HAM.Highlights(1)Needs assessment using an extended HAM.(2)Prioritising self-efficacy can improve handwashing practices.(3)Norm, knowledge and belief influence food handlers’ intention to perform handwashing.(4)Having the right intention may not necessarily transform into behaviour.
Commitment to quality service in hospitality: role of human resources practices, turnover intention, organizational engagement, and adaptability
Authors: Rabiul Md Karim , Sigala Marianna , Karim Rashed Al 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThis study examines the mediating role of organizational engagement in the link between human resources management (HRM) practices and commitment to quality services (CQS). It also investigates the moderating effect of turnover intention on the link between HRM practices and organizational engagement, and the moderating effect of employee adaptability on the link between organizational engagement and CQS.Design/methodology/approachCustomer contact employees (N = 593) in Bangladeshi hotels were recruited using a convenient sampling method. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to test the hypotheses.FindingsOrganizational engagement significantly mediates the relationship between HRM practices and CQS. Turnover intention negatively and employee adaptability positively moderates the proposed relationships.Practical implicationsHospitality managers may use the findings to enhance quality customer services by implementing appropriate HRM practices, reducing turnover, and increasing adaptability and organizational engagement.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to social exchange theory, theory of planned behavior, and job demand-resources theories by explaining the mediating role of organizational engagement and moderating role of turnover intention and employee adaptability which are yet to be discovered.
Developing the occupational well-being of health care educators in Estonia and Finland – community-based participatory action research
Authors: Vauhkonen Anneli , Kommusaar Janne , Honkalampi Kirsi , Solankallio-Vahteri Tytti , Kööp Kadri , Varik Merle , Talts Siiri , Saaranen Terhi 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe study aims to evaluate the occupational well-being outcomes of the Community-based Participatory Occupational Well-being Intervention for Educators among health care educators.Design/methodology/approachThis study was a community-based participatory action research with pre-test–post-test design, including a year-lasting occupational well-being intervention in the work communities of two higher education institutions for health care in Estonia and one in Finland. Data were collected from Estonian (N = 196) and Finnish health care educators (N = 42) at the pre- and post-intervention by an electronical survey. The intervention included an online occupational well-being course and community-specific development plan, and actions carried out by the Occupational Well-being Development Teams formed in each work community. Data were analysed statistically.FindingsPersonal occupational well-being increased in each work community (post-test median 4, scale 0–5) although statistically significant differences were not found. Satisfaction with the occupational well-being development activities increased, especially in the Finnish work community (pre-test mean 2.5, SD 0.8; post-test mean 3.2, SD 1.2, p = 0.005). The study found some increase in certain aspects of occupational well-being in relation to the development actions.Practical implicationsThis intervention can act as a facilitator in community-level occupational well-being development but requires a longer period to make the changes visible. Although the results of this study cannot be directly generalized, the intervention and good practices conducted can be utilised in the development of occupational well-being in education at national and international levels.Originality/valueThis study adds information to this understudied area of intervention research on promoting health care educators’ occupational well-being.
Applying the stimulus-organism-behavior-consequence framework to examine the relationship between intention, usage and recommendation of ChatGPT in higher education
Authors: Biswas Mohammad Islam , Talukder Md. Shamim , Chen Yasheng 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe adoption and usage of generative artificial intelligence tools like Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in academia is the subject of increasing research interest. This study investigates the factors influencing the intention, usage and recommendation of ChatGPT among university students by employing the stimulus-organism-behavior-consequence (SOBC) framework.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed research model was validated by employing the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach using 249 university students.FindingsThe study revealed that intention to use and usage behavior of ChatGPT among university students are highly influenced by perceived usefulness, initial trust, personal innovativeness and availability of information and support. Similarly, the study found a sequence of significant positive relationships among intention to use, actual use and likelihood of recommending the technology to others. However, the results showed that the impact of perceived ease of use and social influence on behavioral intention was not found to be significant predictors of intention to use ChatGPT in academic settings.Practical implicationsThe research findings offer a number of benefits for educational institutions and technology developers regarding students’ perceptions of ChatGPT and its academic applications. Eventually, the findings will encourage AI technology developers to enhance the quality and design of their solutions. Additionally, it helps educators in designing the AI governance framework to promote the ethical and transparent use of AI in academic environments.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the expanding body of technology adoption research and offers an integrated theoretical framework for comprehending the adoption and usage of ChatGPT in academic settings.
Nonlinear vibrations of graphene nanoplates with arbitrarily orientated crack located in magnetic field using nonlocal elasticity theory
Authors: Pourreza Tayyeb , Alijani Ali , A. Maleki Vahid , Kazemi Admin 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe study explores frequency curves and natural frequencies as functions of crack length, crack angle, magnetic field strength and small size effects under the three boundary conditions.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates the nonlinear dynamics of a single-layered graphene nanoplate with an arbitrarily oriented crack under the influence of a magnetic field. The research focuses on three boundary conditions: simply supported, clamped and clamped-simply supported. The crack effect is modeled by incorporating membrane forces and additional flexural moments created by the crack into the equation of motion.FindingsResults reveal that increasing the crack length, small size effects and magnetic field intensity reduces the flexural stiffness of the nanoplate, increases the compressive load and lowers its natural frequency. Additionally, excessive magnetic field intensity may lead to static buckling. The critical dimensionless magnetic fields are found to be 33.6, 95.1 and 72.3 for All edges of the nanoplate are simply supported (SSSS), fully clamped edges (CCCC) and two opposite edges are clamped and the other are simply supported (CSCS) nanoplates, respectively. Furthermore, for SSSS and CCCC boundary conditions, an increase in the crack angle results in a softening behavior of the hard spring. In contrast, the SCSC boundary condition exhibits the opposite behavior. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the effects of angled cracks and electromagnetic loads in the analysis and design of graphene-based nanostructures.Originality/valueNovel equations are derived to account for the applied loads induced by the magnetic field. The nonlinear equation of motion is discretized using the Galerkin technique, and its analytical response is obtained via the multiple time-scales perturbation technique.
The effect of linguistic style on solvers’ success? An empirical analysis in a crowdsourcing community
Authors: Piazza Mariangela , Mazzola Erica , Chiarello Filippo 
Published: February 2025

PurposePrior crowdsourcing literature has highlighted that communication among peers within the crowdsourcing community matters since it affects the solvers’ success. Particularly, previous scholars have focused on how the volume and the content of communications among solvers improve their creativity and likelihood of winning crowdsourcing contests. This study aims to understand whether, alongside these two communication dimensions, the linguistic style of solvers’ communications (i.e. how solvers write things) permits them to promote their qualities in seekers’ eyes and emerge from the crowd.Design/methodology/approachEmpirically, we collected data from a sample of 1866 solvers within the community of the 99designs crowdsourcing platform to build an ad-hoc dataset and test our hypotheses by running an econometric analysis.FindingsOur results show that by posting comments of moderate length and prudent complexity, characterized by positive language and an other-oriented perspective, solvers can signal their capabilities and skills to increase their likelihood of succeeding in crowdsourcing contests.Originality/valueThis research’s findings contribute to prior crowdsourcing literature, which has so far exclusively focused on the linguistic style used by seekers when drafting the requests for proposals of their competitions. Moreover, the paper offers practical guidance for both solvers and seekers, suggesting how to leverage peer communications in crowdsourcing contests.
Convergent or not? The effect of linguistic convergence on the effectiveness of online physician-patient communication
Authors: Wang Siqi , Zhang Xiaofei , Meng Fanbo 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether the convergence of linguistic features between physicians and patients with chronic diseases facilitates the effectiveness of physician–patient communication in online health communities (OHCs). Drawing on communication accommodation theory (CAT), the authors develop a research model that illustrates how the convergence of semantic features (language concreteness and emotional intensity) and stylistic features (language style) influence patient satisfaction and compliance. The model also incorporates the moderating effects of the physician's social status and the patients' complications.Design/methodology/approachThe data, collected from a prominent online health platform in China, include 15,448 consultation records over five years. The logistic regression is leveraged to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings reveal that convergent semantic features, such as language concreteness and emotional intensity, along with stylistic features like language style, enhance patient satisfaction, which in turn leads to increased compliance. Additionally, the physician’s social status strengthens the effect of convergent emotional intensity but weakens the effect of convergent language concreteness. The physician’s social status has no significant impact on the link between convergent language style and satisfaction. Patients' complications weaken the effect of satisfaction on their compliance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the CAT and OHC literature by enhancing the understanding of the role of linguistic convergence in the effectiveness of online physician–patient communication and provides managerial implications for physicians on how to accommodate their communicative styles toward chronic patients to improve patient satisfaction and compliance.
Exploring mentorship in apprenticeship success: the relationship between construction degree apprentices and their work-based mentors
Authors: McAdam Kelly , Perrin David 
Published: February 2025

PurposeDegree apprenticeships are becoming more established within the higher education sector, however within England there are growing concerns around the completion rates of apprentices. Whilst there are a number of factors which could be impacting this, the support structure surrounding apprentices throughout their programme is a key consideration. This study aims to investigate the support relationship between construction degree apprentices and their work-based mentors through the lived experiences of both the apprentice and the mentor.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a qualitative cross-sectional approach, collecting data from three focus groups involving Level 6 apprentices from a higher education institution and their work-based mentors based in England. The data was analysed inductively using NVivo 12 software to identify codes and key themes.FindingsThe relationship between the apprentice and their work-based mentor is key to the success of degree apprenticeships. The data analysis recognised three key themes: knowledge of the apprenticeship process, support structure and employer provider relationship.Originality/valueThis study is an original contribution addressing a gap in the literature around higher-level apprentices and their work-based mentors, generating and analysing new primary data, identifying ongoing issues and formulating subsequent recommendations for practice. There are also implications for the current English apprenticeship model and those seeking to adopt or adapt it more widely.