Search Results (1,557)

Backgroud: Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 females. Various treatments have been explored; however, no effective treatments have been reported to date, except for trofinetide, a synthetic analog of glycine-proline-glutamic acid, which was approved by the FDA in 2023. Serological biomarkers that correlate with the disease status of RTT are needed to promote early diagnosis and to develop novel agents. Methods: In this study, we performed a high-depth proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles containing preparations extracted from patient plasma samples to identify novel biomarkers. Results: We identified 33 upregulated and 17 downregulated candidate proteins among a total of 4273 proteins in RTT compared to the healthy controls. Among these, UBE3B was predominantly increased in patients with Rett syndrome and exhibited a strong correlation with the clinical severity score, indicating the severity of the disease. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the proteomics of high-depth extracellular vesicles containing preparations in rare diseases could be valuable in identifying new disease biomarkers and understanding their pathophysiology. Full article

Insecticide resistance in the bed bug Cimex lectularius is poorly understood due to the lack of genome sequences for resistant strains. In Japan, we identified a resistant strain of C. lectularius that exhibits a higher pyrethroid resistance ratio compared to many previously discovered strains. We sequenced the genomes of the pyrethroid-resistant and susceptible strains using long-read sequencing, resulting in the construction of highly contiguous genomes (N50 of the resistant strain: 2.1 Mb and N50 of the susceptible strain: 1.5 Mb). Gene prediction was performed by BRAKER3, and the functional annotation was performed by the Fanflow4insects workflow. Next, we compared their amino acid sequences to identify gene mutations, identifying 729 mutated transcripts that were specific to the resistant strain. Among them, those defined previously as resistance genes were included. Additionally, enrichment analysis implicated DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation, insulin metabolism, and lysosomes in the development of pyrethroid resistance. Genome editing of these genes can provide insights into the evolution and mechanisms of insecticide resistance. This study expanded the target genes to monitor allele distribution and frequency changes, which will likely contribute to the assessment of resistance levels. These findings highlight the potential of genome-wide approaches to understand insecticide resistance in bed bugs. Full article

Nickel catalysts promoted with Mo and supported on silica were studied for renewable diesel production from triglyceride biomass, through the selective deoxygenation process. The catalysts were prepared by wet co-impregnation of the SiO₂ with different Ni/(Ni + Mo) atomic ratios (0/0.84/0.91/0.95/0.98/1) and a total metal content equal to 50%. They were characterized by XRD, XPS, N₂ physisorption, H₂-TPR, and NH₃-TPD. Evaluation of the catalysts for the transformation of sunflower oil to renewable (green) diesel took place in a high-pressure semi-batch reactor, under solvent-free conditions. A very small addition of Mo, namely the synergistic Ni/(Ni + Mo) atomic ratio equal to 0.95, proved to be the optimum one for a significant enhancement of the catalytic performance of the metallic Ni/SiO₂ catalyst, achieving 98 wt.% renewable diesel production. This promoting action of Mo has been attributed to the significant increase of the metallic Ni active phase surface area, the suitable regulation of surface acidity, the acceleration of the hydro-deoxygenation pathway (HDO), the creation of surface oxygen vacancies, and the diminution of coke formation provoked by Mo addition. Full article

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are essential in modern electronics, particularly in portable devices and electric vehicles. However, the limited design flexibility of current battery shapes constrains the development of custom-sized power sources for advanced applications like wearable electronics and medical devices. Additive manufacturing (AM), specifically Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), presents a promising solution by enabling the creation of batteries with customized shapes. This study explores the use of novel poly(acrylonitrile-co-polyethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate) (poly(AN-co-PEGMEA)) copolymers as solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, optimized for 3D printing using FFF. The copolymers were synthesized with varying AN:PEGMEA ratios, and their physical, thermal, and electrochemical properties were systematically characterized. The study found that a poly(AN-co-PEGMEA) 6:1 copolymer ratio offers an optimal balance between printability and ionic conductivity. The successful extrusion of filaments and subsequent 3D printing of complex shapes demonstrate the potential of these materials for next-generation battery designs. The addition of succinonitrile (SCN) as a plasticizer significantly improved ionic conductivity and lithium cation transference numbers, making these copolymers viable for practical applications. This work highlights the potential of combining polymer chemistry with additive manufacturing to provide new opportunities in lithium-ion battery design and function. Full article

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the FinTech industry has significantly reshaped operational workflows, product innovation, and risk management, all of which are pivotal to company valuation. This study investigates the impact of AI-enhanced multilayer networks on FinTech valuation, introducing a novel, scalable multilayer network model with AI-driven Copula Nodes that serve as connectors across operational layers. By incorporating AI, the research unveils a dynamic and interconnected approach to FinTech valuation, revealing new pathways for value co-creation through real-time adjustments and predictive capabilities. The research reveals that while operational efficiency is a major driver of market value, a balanced integration of AI across risk management, product innovation, and market perception is essential for maximizing value. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of managing AI-driven risks such as algorithmic bias and regulatory challenges. This comprehensive framework offers critical insights for FinTechs, investors, and regulators seeking to understand the complex role of AI in enhancing valuation within the evolving financial services landscape. Full article

The increasing need for continuous innovation has given rise to a substantial increase in co-creation initiatives. Since the co-creation of value involves customers participating in the creation of product offerings voluntarily and actively, this investigation tries to understand what drives customers to participate in these co-creation initiatives. To do so, this study employs a probabilistic sample of 683 users enrolled in Linux forums for open-source software distributions. The path analysis and bootstrap samples revealed that customers who exhibit a high innate innovativeness and feel that they belong in the online community show a greater motivation towards platform exploration and participation in co-creation. Moreover, the effect of this synergic interaction on their co-creation participation was partially mediated by the normative dimension of their intrinsic motivation, while the hedonic dimension was not a strong predictor of co-creation contributions. This study fills the voids in the existing literature by showcasing the relevance of personal characteristics, beyond individual motivation, in co-creation behavior. Full article

The aim of this study was to analyze and measure idiosyncratic differences in CO₂ emission trends over time and between the different geographical contexts of the G20 signatory countries and to assess whether these countries are fulfilling their carbon emission reduction commitments, as stipulated in the G20 sustainable development agendas. To this end, a multilevel mixed-effects model was used, considering CO₂ emissions data from 1950 to 2021 sourced from the World Bank. The research model captured approximately 93.05% of the joint variance in the data and showed (i) a positive relationship between the increase in CO₂ emissions and the creation of the G20 [CI90: +0.0080; + 0.1317]; (ii) that every year, CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere are increased by an average of 0.0165 [CI95: +0.0009; +0.0321] billion tons by the G20 countries; (iii) that only Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have demonstrated a commitment to CO₂ emissions reduction, showing a decreasing rate of CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere; and (iv) that there seems to be a mismatch between the speed at which the G20 proposes climate policies and the speed at which these countries emit CO₂. Full article

The use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the preparation of polymer membranes for environmental separation technologies is comprehensively reviewed. DESs have been divided into five categories based on the hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and acceptor (HBA) that are involved in the production of the DESs, and a wide range of DESs’ physicochemical characteristics, such as density, surface tension, viscosity, and melting temperature, are initially gathered. Furthermore, the most popular techniques for creating membranes have been demonstrated and discussed, with a focus on the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. Additionally, a number of studies have been reported in which DESs were employed as pore formers, solvents, additives, or co-solvents, among other applications. The addition of DESs to the manufacturing process increased the presence of finger-like structures and macrovoids in the cross-section and, on numerous occasions, had a substantial impact on the overall porosity and pore size. Performance data were also gathered for membranes made for various separation technologies, such as ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF). Lastly, DESs provide various options for the functionalization of membranes, such as the creation of various liquid membrane types, with special focus on supported liquid membranes (SLMs) for decarbonization technologies, discussed in terms of permeability and selectivity of several gases, including CO₂, N₂, and CH₄. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly disrupted B2B markets, impacting companies at the product, service, and organizational levels. A key focus is on how to leverage the power of AI to augment and automate activities to create value for customers. One specific form of value creation investigated in marketing is co-creation between parties. Introducing AI into the co-creation process is exciting due to its technological characteristics and the anticipated business value it can bring. This study explores the state of the art in co-creation with AI in B2B markets. It examines how buyers, suppliers, and technology providers interact, along with their motives and characteristics. Furthermore, it investigates the processes enabling these interactions, from the form of AI used and AI tool integration to the necessary capabilities of other actors involved. Finally, this study examines the content of co-creation described in the existing literature and the value created jointly. This review contributes to delineating the interaction between human and non-human actors in a B2B co-creation ecosystem. The implications of this research provide B2B companies with a discussion about the actors, motives, characteristics, processes, and content of co-creation with AI in B2B drivers and barriers of AI for co-creation, mapping the way for success. Full article

Decision-makers in cities have difficulties in implementing an effective climate policy for their own building resources due to the heterogeneous and dispersed distribution of buildings with low energy classes and different management specifics. Special zones include old towns, pre-war buildings (before 1945), and those built by the end of the 20th century. There is a noticeable shortage of methods for the comprehensive assessment of the emissions of urban complexes, taking into account social, economic, and environmental aspects. Exemplary individual examples of good thermal modernization practices towards low-emission and zero-energy solutions do not solve the problem of the poor-quality urban environment. This article proposes a simple integrated assessment of CO₂ emissions of separate urban zones using the example of a medium-sized city in Poland. The adopted ASEET assessment methodology takes into account socio-economic criteria, but above all, the technical and energy criteria of urban development. Sensitive information was collected from users and owners of buildings and gathered in a data matrix. From the inventory data on energy consumption and technical conditions related to socio-economic status, environmental indicators were introduced, which were called critical for their improvement. By analyzing local efficiency indicators Wei of individual development zones, we can influence TW^Ci, the total indicators for the city. In the case of the studied city of Gubin, the total final energy consumption indicator EK^C is 252.68 kWh/m²/year and is 58% lower than the most energy-intensive zone I, for which EK^I = 399.6 kWh/m²/year, similar to emission indicators EEj between zones. Therefore, energy efficiency or emission indicators as resultant characteristics of urbanized areas can be treated as sensitive parameters in administrative activities, for example when planning thermal modernization or health risk assessment. The recommended solutions for continuous monitoring of ecological identifiers of urban zones, especially those with the lowest technical status, are to facilitate the creation of own environmental urban policies in the future and directly affect the city’s climate in local and global terms. The environmental data obtained using the ASEET method can be digitized using various IT techniques and then the results can be visualized on a city map in the form of environmental urban mapping with an indication of the GIS system. As a result, simple methodological tools for city managers were indicated. In the authors’ opinion, the ASEET method can serve urban policy, especially energy and climate policy, because the instrument for calculation is a database of indicators from subsequent periods of monitoring one’s own urban development. Full article

Bulk logistics is an important part of the modern logistics system. The degree of digital transformation of bulk logistics has a significant gap compared with other logistics forms. Combined with the successful experience of digital transformation, value co-creation may become one of the key strategies to solve the problem of digital transformation of bulk logistics. This study formulates a four-party evolutionary game model to analyze the strategic choices and the stability of strategy combinations in value co-creation activities among bulk logistics enterprises and related entities and conducts numerical simulation analysis to explore the factors affecting the outcomes of the proposed game. The numerical results demonstrate that the bulk logistics enterprises and government departments are the key players in the game form that drive the success of value co-creation activities, and the additional costs required by various enterprises and the policies and financial support from government departments are key factors affecting strategic choices. Our findings can serve as a reference for bulk logistics enterprises. Full article

This article discusses collaborative ethnography as a meaningful source for spatial research, in particular, for participatory methodologies in urban planning and placemaking processes. It investigates the experiences with co-creation and co-research in different research projects to gain insight into the performance of collaborative ethnography as a technique to explore and enrich local knowledge. To better understand the possible causal relationships between the experience gained in the projects and the learnt lessons, we also identify recommendations for improving research methodologies to be applied in placemaking. This article concludes that collaborative ethnography is an effective tool for adding value to spatial co-research and co-creation processes. It opens opportunities for the co-production of space, ideas and knowledge, contributing at the same time to better informed decision-making. It also helps improve ideas and gather insights into the spatial needs of focus groups. Full article

Emerging distributed intelligence paradigms for the Internet of Things (IoT) call for flexible and dynamic reconfiguration of elementary services, resources and devices. In order to achieve such capability, this paper faces complex interoperability and autonomous decision problems by proposing a thorough framework based on the integration of the Semantic Web of Things (SWoT) and Social Internet of Things (SIoT) paradigms. SWoT enables low-power knowledge representation and autonomous reasoning at the edge of the network through carefully optimized inference services and engines. This layer provides service/resource management and discovery primitives for a decentralized collaborative social protocol in the IoT, based on the Linked Data Notifications(LDN) over Linked Data Platform on Constrained Application Protocol (LDP-CoAP). The creation and evolution of friend and follower relationships between pairs of devices is regulated by means of novel dynamic models assessing trust as a usefulness reputation score. The close SWoT-SIoT integration overcomes the functional limitations of existing proposals, which focus on either social device or semantic resource management only. A smart mobility case study on Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) illustrates the benefits of the proposal in pervasive collaborative scenarios, while experiments show the computational sustainability of the dynamic relationship management approach. Full article

Coopetition, while offering significant strategic advantages, presents challenges in maintaining long-term collaboration among competitors, often due to a lack of perceived value for the participating actors. This study explores the role of technology in overcoming these challenges by applying the Service-Dominant Logic (S-D Logic) framework to investigate how technology-driven networks can enhance value co-creation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study hypothesizes that transitioning to technology-driven coopetition networks can substantially improve value co-creation. To test this hypothesis, the research critically evaluates existing theoretical approaches to coopetition, identifies gaps in understanding value creation mechanisms, and implements an experimental technology-driven coopetition network leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The research design is applied explicitly to the Portuguese ornamental stone industry, a significant economic and cultural sector. The findings confirm that technology-driven coopetition networks can enhance value co-creation and improve outputs. These results suggest that integrating technology into coopetition frameworks can provide a viable path to sustaining competitive advantages in SMEs. Full article

In the era of artificial intelligence, human resource management has undergone significant changes compared to traditional approaches regarding value creation methods and influencing factors. This research aims to utilize grounded theory to comprehensively explore the influencing factors of value co-creation in enterprise human resource management within the context of artificial intelligence. Additionally, this research seeks to capture the dynamic relationships, causal links, and evolutionary patterns among the various elements within the system by constructing a system dynamics model. The results indicated that (1) Environmental factors primarily play a regulatory role, organizational factors serve a supportive role, and participant factors act as the driving force in influencing value co-creation in human resource management. (2) In the context of artificial intelligence, both hardware infrastructure and software capabilities can significantly impact value co-creation in human resource management. This research complements current research on the influencing factors of value co-creation in enterprise human resource management. It offers new perspectives and frameworks for the theoretical development and practical application of value co-creation in this area, supporting companies in effectively managing and developing value co-creation in human resource management. Full article