bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Governance and effectiveness of public–private partnership in Ghana's rural-water sector
Authors: Nyanyofio Joseph Gerald Tetteh , Domfeh Kwame Ameyaw , Buabeng Thomas , Maloreh-Nyamekye Theophilus , Appiah-Agyekum Nana Nimo 
Published: August 2022

PurposeThis study examined the governance and implementation of public–private partnership (PPP) based on the management contract model in the water sector in rural Ghana.Design/methodology/approachIt employed in-depth interviews with key management officials and focus-group discussions among residents in selected water-stressed communities in the beneficiary District Assemblies. Thematic analysis was employed for the analyses.FindingsThe governance of the PPP project was characterized by a well-structured institutional arrangement and effective governance mechanisms. The PPP project has increased residents' access to potable and affordable water and facilitated local economic and social development in its catchment areas. However, insufficient funding, political interference, limited infrastructural capacity and pollution are threatening its success.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature on effective governance and performance of rural-based PPP water supply projects for the achievement of the sustainable development goals goal six on access to affordable and quality water.
Assessing the relationship of perceived risks with destination image and destination loyalty: a tourist's perspective visiting volatile destinations
Authors: Najar Ashaq Hussain , Rather Ab Hamid 
Published: August 2022

PurposeThis research analyses the simultaneous relationship between perceived risks, destination image and destination loyalty as well as the mediating role of two components of destination image (cognitive and affective) in the relationship between perceived risks and destination loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe current study used a convenience sampling method for collecting data from 413 respondents using a self-administered questionnaire. Furthermore, the two-step approach for structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the model's psychometric properties and test the proposed structural model.FindingsThe results revealed that only socio-psychological and political risks negatively affected destination loyalty. In contrast, performance risk, physical risk and financial risk did not show a significant direct effect on tourists' destination loyalty. Each type of perceived risk significantly contributed to cognitive and affective image formation. However, the financial risk did not significantly affect the affective image. Moreover, the affective component of the image was found to have a higher impact on establishing destination loyalty than the cognitive component of the image. Finally, cognitive and affective facets of the image were found to act as significant mediators between perceived risks and destination loyalty.Practical implicationsThe study provides a better understanding of how perceived risks and destination image, if properly managed, exert a better influence on destination loyalty. Moreover, the affective dimension of destination image must be actively used to position Kashmir in the domestic tourism market and connect with individuals, especially those who have negative feelings regarding risky destinations.Originality/valueThis is likely to be the first study to investigate the relationships between various dimensions of perceived risk, destination image and destination loyalty in the context of a volatile destination, i.e. Kashmir Valley (India). Furthermore, the role of two facets of destination image (cognitive and affective) in mediating the relationship between perceived risks and destination loyalty extends and contributes to the theoretical foundation for the destination perception concept.
Self-determined motivation, cross-cultural adjustment and organizational commitment: a study of foreign low-skilled workers in a developed economy
Authors: Pham Thuy Linh , Huang Yung-Fu , Dang-Van Thac 
Published: August 2022

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between self-determined motivation and organizational commitment, with the mediating role of cross-cultural adjustment of low-skilled workers who come from an emerging economy working in a developed economy. This study also aims to determine the interaction effect between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on organizational commitment.Design/methodology/approachThis study collects a sample data of 236 Vietnamese laborers in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze data and test hypotheses.FindingsResults show that intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are positively related to organizational commitment. Cross-cultural adjustment positively mediates the relationship between intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment and that between extrinsic motivation and organizational commitment. Furthermore, extrinsic motivation positively moderates the relationship between intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment.Originality/valueThis study helps to untangle the relationship between self-determined motivation and organizational commitment of low-skilled workers in an unfamiliar environment. Furthermore, this study also clarifies the mediating and moderating mechanisms of cross-cultural adjustment and extrinsic motivation in this relationship. The findings provide implications for researchers and managers to plan and implement policy and management systems that combine tangible and intangible incentives to motivate foreign workers and induce positive outcomes for companies in a new cultural context.
Risk of squamous cell carcinoma in immunosuppressed patients with voriconazole‐related actinic keratosis
Authors: Nobeyama Yoshimasa , Umezawa Yoshinori , Asahina Akihiko 
Published: August 2022

AbstractVoriconazole is commonly administered for a long period to patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Although voriconazole potentially induces skin cancers in association with sun exposure, this has not yet been examined in detail in a single ethnic patient group. Therefore, the present study investigated the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Japanese patients with voriconazole‐related actinic keratosis (AK) and the prognosis of Japanese patients with voriconazole‐related SCC. We retrospectively examined 37 Japanese patients with AK, including five voriconazole‐treated patients (mean age, 57.9  ±  16.3 years) and 32 non‐treated patients (74.9  ±  9.2 years), and 18 Japanese patients with SCC, including four voriconazole‐treated patients (55.4  ±  16.7 years) and 14 non‐treated patients (74.1  ±  10.7 years). Among the 37 patients with AK, SCC developed in five, including four with a history of treatment with both voriconazole and immunosuppressive agents, independent of AK progression. In these four patients, the mean period from the diagnosis of AK to that of SCC was 13.8  ±  11.6 months. Kaplan––Meier analyses showed that the risk of developing SCC was significantly higher in patients with both voriconazole and immunosuppressants/corticosteroid‐treated patients with AK than in non‐voriconazole‐treated patients with AK (the Log‐rank test, p < 0.001). The analyses also showed that the mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with both voriconazole and immunosuppressants/corticosteroid‐treated patients with SCC than in non‐voriconazole‐treated patients with SCC (p = 0.018). The present results suggest that voriconazole‐related AK precedes the development of cutaneous SCC and voriconazole‐related SCC leads to a poor prognosis under the immunosuppressive condition.
Divergent nitrogen and phosphorus allocation strategies in terrestrial plant leaves and fine roots: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Gong Haiyang , Sardans Jordi , Zhou Qingping , Deng Jianming , Niklas Karl J. , Hu Huifeng , Li Yulin , Ma Zeqing , Mipam Tserang Donko , Peñuelas Josep 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

The quantification of the allocation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) among plant organs is essential to improve our understanding of plant growth, life‐history strategies and ecosystem nutrient and energy cycles. However, allocation strategies of N and P between terrestrial plant leaves and fine roots are unclear.

Here, we compiled a global dataset comprising 807 terrestrial plant species to analyse the stoichiometric scaling of N and P between leaves and fine roots across species, families, plant groups, biomes and locations.

We found that N and P, and N:P ratios manifest different scaling exponents (α‐values) between leaves and fine roots. Specifically, overall αN and αP were >1 and <1, respectively, and αN:P = 1, indicating a higher proportional increase of N to fine roots and P to leaves. However, there were differences in αN, αP and αN:P among major species, families, plant groups, biomes and locations. In addition, αN and αN:P increased with latitude; there was no clear trend for αP. Mean annual temperature accounted for the greatest proportion of variation in αN, whereas soil total P accounted for the greatest proportion of variation in αP and αN:P.

Synthesis. Our results demonstrate a divergent N and P allocation strategy between leaves and fine roots in terrestrial plants. This study improves our understanding of the effects of the environment (including changes in global climate and life‐history strategies) on nutrient allocation patterns between these two important plant organs.
β‐Carotene regulates glucose transport and insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus by increasing the expression of SHBG
Authors: Liu Xinli , Wang Nan , Gao Zhou 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe aim of this work was to study the effect and mechanism of β‐carotene on insulin resistance and glucose transport in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Placental tissue and venous blood of 26 GDM patients and 18 normal women were collected. Mice fed a high‐fat diet were established as GDM models and treated with β‐carotene, from which peripheral blood and placenta tissue were collected. HTR‐8/SVneo cells were treated with 10−7 mol/L insulin for 48 h and established as insulin resistance cell models. The expression of SHBG, GLUT1, GLUT3, GLUT4, IRS‐1, IRS‐2, PI3Kp85α, and p‐CREB/CREB in placental tissues and HTR‐8/SVneo cells was detected. Insulin resistance index was calculated from the values of fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin. The glucose consumption of insulin‐resistant cells was calculated by detecting the glucose content of the supernatant. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) kit was applied to measure the concentration of cAMP in cells. SHBG was lowly expressed in GDM. β‐Carotene treatment upregulated SHBG in the placenta of GDM mice and in insulin‐resistant HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Overexpression of SHBG upregulated GLUT3, GLUT4, and IRS‐1 and enhanced glucose consumption in insulin‐resistant cells. β‐Carotene treatment promoted the expression of SHBG, GLUT4 and IRS‐1 and increased glucose consumption in insulin‐resistant cells underexpressing SHBG. Silencing of SHBG decreased the levels of cAMP and pCREB/CREB but β‐carotene treatment increased their expression despite SHBG silencing in insulin‐resistant cells. β‐Carotene promotes glucose transport and inhibits insulin resistance in GDM by increasing the expression of SHBG.
Determinants of nonperforming loans after recapitalization in the Nigerian banking industry: Does competition matter?
Authors: Bolarinwa Segun Thompson , Akinlo Anthony Enisan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of competition on nonperforming loans in the Nigerian banking industry between 2011 and 2018 using the system generalized method of moments. The findings establish the competition‐stability hypothesis in the Nigerian context. The interaction between competition and bank size/capitalization has a positive and significant effect on nonperforming loans. These results showed that low competition increased nonperforming loans in the Nigerian banking industry while bank size and capitalization enhanced competition to increase nonperforming loans. Also, bank size/capitalization are complementary for addressing nonperforming loans. The paper recommends that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulates the market power of the five largest banks in the industry to address the adverse effects of competition on mounting nonperforming loans in the Nigerian banking industry.
Geriatric fracture program centering age‐friendly care associated with lower length of stay and lower direct costs
Authors: Breda Kathleen , Keller Michelle S. , Gotanda Hiroshi , Beland Alexander , McKelvey Karma , Lin Carol , Rosen Sonja 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate outcomes associated with an integrated inpatient and outpatient program aimed at optimizing the care of geriatric fracture patients in a mixed community and academic health system setting.Data Sources and Study SettingThis study took place at a tertiary‐care, 886‐bed hospital system. The Geriatric Fracture Program (GFP) was designed in 2018 using the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility). Patients ≥65 years old with non‐spine fractures managed by orthopedic faculty surgeons and participating hospitalist groups were included. A fracture liaison team educated patients regarding bone health and ensured ambulatory geriatrics follow‐up. Outpatient geriatric visits focused on mobility, fall risk, bone health imaging, and medications.Study DesignWe compared GFP‐enrolled patients (n = 746) to patients seen by non‐GFP‐participating physicians (n = 852) and used a generalized estimating equations approach and Poisson models to analyze associations between participation in the GFP program and four inpatient outcomes (time to surgery, length of stay, Vizient length of stay index, and total direct costs). We examined outcomes across all fractures and also stratified them by fracture type (hip vs. non‐hip). We descriptively examined post‐discharge care outcomes: fall, gait, and balance assessments; bone health imaging; and medications.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe collected data through chart reviews/electronic health record extracts from July 2018 to June 2021.Principal FindingsGFP‐enrolled patients with all fracture types had a significantly lower length of stay (marginal effect [ME]: −2.12, 95%CI: −2.61, −1.63), length of stay index (ME: −0.33, 95%CI: −0.42, −0.25), and total direct costs (ME: −$5316, 95%CI: −$6806, −$3826); the magnitude of the effects was greater for non‐hip fractures. There was no significant difference in time to surgery. Of 746 GFP patients, 170 (23%) had a post‐discharge visit with a participating geriatrician ≥6 months.ConclusionsA systematic approach to improving care for older adults with fractures improved length of stay and total direct costs.
Understanding the volatile organic compounds of 1‐methylcyclopropylene fumigation and packaging on yellow‐fleshed peach via headspace‐gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry and chemometric analyses
Authors: Huang Yunian , Zhang Pei , Liu Wei , Zhang Qun , Li Gaoyang , Shan Yang , Zhu Xiangrong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHeadspace‐gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry (HS‐GC‐IMS) and chemometric methods were utilized to analyze changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of yellow‐fleshed peach by 1‐methylcyclopropylene (1‐MCP) treatment and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Meanwhile, the storage quality of yellow‐fleshed peach at room temperature (25°C) was also studied. Yellow‐fleshed peach was treated by four methods, namely, nanomaterial packaging (NA), 1‐MCP fumigation and nanomaterial packaging (1‐MCP‐NA), polyethylene (PE) packaging, and 1‐MCP fumigation with polyethylene packaging (1‐MCP‐PE). Changes in the decay rate, firmness, browning index, soluble solid content, and titratable acid of the fruit were then measured at room temperature at 1, 4 and 10 days of storage. Thirty‐two VOCs, including terpenoids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones, were identified. Seventeen VOCs were found to be significant with predictive variable important in the projection (VIP) > 1 and p < 0.05 by analysis of variance and orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA). After 10 days of storage, the browning index of 1‐MCP‐NA group was 51.7%, which was lower than the control fruit (PE, 76.7%). Compared with other three treatments, 1‐MCP‐NA showed the better ability to delay and inhibit decreases in ester and aldehyde contents, and the ethanol content was lowest in the samples treated by 1‐MCP‐NA during storage. Differences among treatment groups were distinguished by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering heat map. The results showed that 1‐MCP‐NA could well maintain the quality and flavor stability of yellow‐fleshed peach, and it had a good application prospect in the postharvest preservation of yellow‐fleshed peach.Practical ApplicationIn this study, 1‐methylcyclopropylene (1‐MCP) combined with nanomaterial (NA) packaging (1‐MCP‐NA) proved to have a better fresh preservation effect. 1‐MCP‐NA showed better ability to delay and inhibit decreases in ester and aldehyde contents by HS‐GC‐IMS technique. It provided a new strategy for postharvest storage of yellow‐fleshed peaches.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia manshurica from Amazonian biome affect the parameters of quality and aromatic profile of fermented and dried cocoa beans
Authors: Ferreira Osienne de Sousa , Chagas‐Junior Gilson C. A. , Chisté Renan Campos , Martins Luiza Helena da Silva , Andrade Eloisa Helena de Aguiar , Nascimento Lidiane Diniz do , Lopes Alessandra Santos 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe use of yeasts as starter cultures is a promising alternative to produce fermented cacao with particular characteristics regarding the quality of aromas and physical and chemical characteristics that are accepted by the chocolate market. This study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical transformations of cocoa beans during fermentation after inoculation with starter cultures of yeast species Pichia manshurica (PF) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SF), both previously isolated in cocoa bean fermentations in the Brazilian Amazon, in comparison with a fermentation without the inoculum addition (CF). During the fermentation time, which was carried out on a cocoa farm in Igarapé‐Miri (Amazon biome, Pará, Brazil), the contents of phenolic compounds (catechin and epicatechin), sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), acetic acid, and ethanol were monitored by HPLC, and the volatile compounds profiles were assessed by GC‐MS. The starter culture of P. manshurica was able to produce fermented cocoa beans with highly desirable characteristics for the production of good quality chocolate: low acidity, a broad variety of aromatic compounds with floral, fruity, and sweet characteristics, in addition to showing high contents of catechin and epicatechin, which are known by their antioxidant properties. Therefore, the use of starter cultures with species of yeasts isolated in the Amazon region, during cocoa fermentation, is an alternative to obtain fermented seeds with high quality favoring the commercial agreements in the chocolate market by cocoa producers.Practical ApplicationThe addition of starter cultures was able to produce cocoa beans with good quality. Yeasts species isolated and identified in Amazonian cocoa fermentation can improve the profiles of aromatic compounds. Catechin and epicatechin contents are higher in inoculated cocoa beans fermentations.
Differential expression involved in starch synthesis pathway genes reveal various starch characteristics of seed and rhizome in lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera)
Authors: Zhu Fenglin , Sun Han , Wang Jia , Zheng Xingwen , Wang Tao , Diao Ying , Hu Zhongli 
Published: August 2022

AbstractLotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is one of the main aquatic vegetables in China. Its seed and rhizome are main edible parts which are rich in starch. Preliminary experiments of starch contents revealed that seed and rhizome expressed great differences in amylose and amylopectin contents. The rhizomes have higher amylopectin content, while the seeds have higher amylose content. In this study, we have estimated 16 varieties of lotus seeds and found that the amylose content of lotus seeds ranged from 30% to 50%, with an average amylose content of 43%, which showed high‐amylose content characteristics. Morphological analysis of lotus seed shown that starch rapid accumulated in 20 DAF (day after fertilization) ∼ 26 DAF. Transcriptome of lotus seeds indicated that starch genes played an important role in seed development. Especially in 22 DAF, the genes which controlled amylose synthesis significantly increased, in contrast, the expression of amylopectin‐related genes was stable and might limit the synthesis of amylopectin. We further analyzed the expression patterns of 11 key related genes between lotus seeds and rhizomes, and found that the expression of amylose‐related genes to were higher in lotus seed, while the expression of genes related to amylopectin synthesis were higher in rhizome. This study provided a comprehensive research of molecular basis for starch in lotus seed and rhizome. Different expression among key genes during starch accumulation might be the principal cause of the differences in starch properties between seed and rhizome.Practical ApplicationDifferential expression involved in starch synthesis pathway genes is the main reason for various starch characteristics of seed and rhizome in lotus. High amylose content in lotus seed is a valuable trait for developing functional food.
Effects of LED exposure on the sensory properties of soybean oil
Authors: Zhou Peiyuan , Lawrence Peter , Abbaspourad Alireza , Dando Robin 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSoybean oil is an important commodity in the US and abroad. As lipids are vulnerable to oxidation, damage to soybean oil has been previously reported to arise from prolonged light exposure. Here, we assessed the extent of damage to samples of soybean oil from light, tested with sensory evaluation, assaying the effects of both LED and fluorescent lighting (both at 2000 lux) exposure to oil in PET bottles, using a variety of sensory approaches. Threshold testing (n = 66) suggested that differences in the sensory properties of soybean oil could be detected by a human panelist after only 32 h of LED exposure. Sensory flash profiling (n = 21) again confirmed that light‐exposed samples were perceived differently to shielded samples, with LED‐exposed samples clustering together, but separately from those instead exposed to fluorescent light. These differences did not necessarily result in a drop in liking of the samples, assessed with consumer testing (n = 94), despite a trend for lower liking in exposed versus shielded samples. With similar levels of light exposure, elevated dissolved oxygen levels could be mitigated with O2 scavenging. Our results suggest that soybean oil may be reaching the consumer at a differing quality than intended, which may be mitigated with superior packaging technologies.Practical ApplicationSoybean oil is used widely in the US and global food systems; however, it can be damaged via light oxidation. Here, we show that human panelists can readily detect the sensory signals from light damage in oil exposed for only short periods of time, via either fluorescent or LED light sources. The results suggest that superior soybean oil could be delivered to the market if improvements in packaging technologies were considered.