Conjoint Analysis Research Articles

How strong is demand for public transport service in Nepal? A case study of Kathmandu using a choice-based conjoint experiment

AbstractA public transport system is the most efficient and equitable solution to the challenges of urban mobility and climate change. To improve public transport, technological innovations, policy interventions, and behavioral changes should all be applied appropriately; however, there is a lack of information about the demand for public transport services in developing countries. This paper aims to measure the degree of demand for public transport services by comparing various factors used as a case study in Kathmandu, one of the most congested urban areas in a developing country. We designed a choice-based conjoint experiment with five attributes: mode of transport, waiting time, one-way fare per km, commute time per km, and payment method. Our results indicate that 73% of the respondents are in favor of changing the current transport policy and wish for a shift to public transport, which means that most commuters are in favor of the proposed mode of transport, that is, MRT. On the other hand, the study reveals that respondents have a negative evaluation of motorbikes, one of the most popular modes of transport in Kathmandu. Our results, showing users’ unsatisfactory situation with motorbikes as a transport measure, provide transport planners guidance for addressing current public transport policies, indicating a massive rapid transit system with a low fare would be highly welcome in a typical congestion area like Kathmandu.

Determining patient preferences in the treatment of medication-refractory overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is often suboptimally addressed by behavioral or pharmacological treatments. Less than 15% of patients choose to pursue advanced OAB therapy (sacral nerve stimulation [SNS], percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation [PTNS], and bladder onabotulinum toxin type-A[BTX-A]). We seek to better understand which factors are most important to patients when choosing a third-line therapy. We developed a conjoint analysis survey that included five attributes of the third-line options for OAB (SNS, PTNS, andBTX-A). We administered the survey to new patients with urinary incontinence at two institutions. A hierarchical Bayes random effects regression analysis was used to determine the relative importance of the attributes. A choice simulator was used to model which third-line treatment options patients preferred. We followed patients to see if they pursued their predicted treatment. A total of 108 patients completed the study of whom 89% were women. There was representation from all age groups. The most important attributes of decision-making were the frequency of future procedures, the risk of catheterization, and the need for a device. On market simulation, SNS was the preferred treatment option (47%), followed by PTNS (29%) andBTX-A (14%). Only 10% of patients did not find any treatment option acceptable. Frequent follow-up, risk of catheterization, and the need for a device were the most important attributes when making a decision on third-line OAB therapy. On market simulation, SNS is the preferred treatment for all age groups though the ultimate choice in third-line therapy may be affected by external factors.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients’ Preferences for Subcutaneous versus Intravenous Therapies: A Mixed-Methods Study

Background: Multiple biologics are available to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can either be administered subcutaneously or intravenously. The factors that determine patients’ preferences for SC/IV administration in IBD are largely unknown. This study aims to elucidate how IBD patients trade off between medications’ route of administration and other medication characteristics and to understand what drives patients’ preferences. Methods: We employed a mixed methods design using data from a prior quantitative conjoint analysis survey and a series of 22 qualitative interviews. We quantitatively assessed individual patients’ preferences for subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV) medications based on the part-worth utilities derived from the conjoint analysis and identified predictors for these preferences. We used a qualitative analysis to identify key themes surrounding patients’ preferences in the interview data. Results: Of 1,077 survey participants, 49% preferred an SC medication every 2 weeks, whereas 51% preferred an IV medication every 8 weeks. More people preferred SC at reduced administration frequencies, whereas less people preferred SC at the expense of lower efficacy or higher side-effects rates. Prior experience with SC/IV was the strongest predictor for patients’ preferences. Qualitatively, we obtained in-depth insights in the perceived advantages and disadvantages of SC and IV medications and in patients’ preconceived ideas. Conclusion: While prior SC/IV exposure was a strong predictor for SC/IV preferences, patients’ preferences largely are determined by a variety of other personal factors. The themes we identified could help guide clinicians when discussing therapeutic options with their patients and support shared decision-making.

Comprehensive Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNAs N4-Acetylcytidine in Alzheimer's Disease Mice Model Using High-Throughput Sequencing.

N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), an important posttranscriptional modification, is involved in various disease processes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression mainly through epigenetic modification, transcription, and posttranscriptional modification. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloidosis of the brain. However, the role of lncRNA ac4C modification in AD remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the association between ac4C modification and AD, and the underlying mechanisms of ac4C modification in AD. The male 9-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, age- and sex-matched wild type (WT) mice were used in this study. Then, ac4C-RIP-seq and RNA-seq were used to comprehensively analyze lncRNA ac4C modification in AD mice. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses showed the regulatory relationships among these three lncRNAs and AD. The results showed that there were 120 significantly different ac4C peaks located on 102 lncRNAs in AD, of which 55 were hyperacetylated and 47 were hypoacetylated. Simultaneously, 231 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified, including 138 upregulated lncRNAs and 93 downregulated lncRNAs. Moreover, 3 lncRNAs, lncRNA Gm26508, lncRNA A430046D13Rik, and lncRNA 9530059O14Rik, showed significant changes in both the ac4C and RNA levels using conjoint analysis. The abundance of lncRNA ac4C modification is significantly different in AD and indicates that lncRNA ac4C is associated with the occurrence and development of AD, which could provide a basis for further exploration of the related regulatory mechanisms.

“Feel the decibels closely”: Earphones preference study using conjoint analysis

Conjoint Analysis is an analytical technique used in market research to quantify consumer preferences for a product or service. The result of the technique provides us with different combinations of attributes that consumers value the most. The technique uses different features of a product or service and their corresponding levels to model and quantifies the customers’ buying decision process. Using Conjoint Analysis, one can study the trade-offs undertaken by the consumer and use the derived insights for design implementation. The sale of Bluetooth Earphones in India witnessed a sudden spike during the COVID 19 pandemic. The consequential market, thriving with competition, saw market leaders attempt to strengthen their positions further and new players try to enter the market. The paper seeks to understand the existing consumer preferences for different features of Bluetooth Earphones using Conjoint Analysis. The outcome of the analysis provides market stakeholders with a yardstick to guide their design decisions and formulate sustainable long-term business strategies.

The importance of effectiveness versus transparency and stakeholder involvement in citizens’ perception of public sector algorithms

ABSTRACT This paper sheds light on how much citizens value different features of public sector algorithms, specifically whether they prioritize effectiveness over transparency and stakeholder involvement in algorithm design or instead see effectiveness as less important. It does so with choice-based conjoint designs that present variants of algorithms used in policing and health care to respondents from representative German samples. Two studies with overall more than 3000 participants show that people are ready to trade away transparency and stakeholder involvement for small effectiveness gains. Citizens thus seem unlikely to demand accountable algorithms even in sensitive areas like policing and health care.

Public’s preferences in consuming spicery products (jamu) post-pandemic

Consuming spicery products (jamu) can increase the body’s immune system, but the public’s preference for herbal medicine is low. This study aimed to analyze people’s preferences in consuming herbal medicine in the post-pandemic period. The research was conducted in Malang City, East Java, Indonesia. The method of determining the sample uses convenience sampling of 100 respondents. Research data using primary data obtained by sending a questionnaire to the public via a google form. The type of research data is qualitative with a likert scale measurement. Data analysis using conjoint analysis. The results of data analysis showed that the public’s preference for the dominant herbal medicine was the sweet taste of herbal medicine (0.208), then followed by the form of liquid and ready-to-drink herbal medicine (0.188), the public did not pay attention to the scent (0.096) and texture (0.106), people were willing to buy herbs with price IDR 10,000/bottle in 350 ml packaging (0.037). The results of this study confirm that people like herbal medicine because of its sweet taste and ready-to-drink liquid form. Thus, the sweet taste and ready-to-drink liquid form can be valuable information for producers and related agencies to increase public interest in consuming herbal medicine.

Effects of dehydroabietic acid on nontarget lipidomics and proteomics of HepG2.

Objective: Studies of the effects of dehydroabietic acid on the multiomics of HepG2 hepatoma carcinoma cells are currently lacking. In this study, the molecular mechanism of the influence of dehydroabietic acid on HepG2 cells was disclosed by studying lipidomics and proteomics. Correlations among multiomics conjoint analysis results were verified. Methods: First, proteomics analysis of HepG2 cells was carried out using dehydroabietic acid. Differentially expressed proteins were screened and analyzed. Pathway enrichment analyses of differential proteins were compared, and the molecular mechanism was disclosed. Second, lipidomics analysis of HepG2 cells was conducted using dehydroabietic acid. The influence of dehydroabietic acid on HepG2 cells was determined on the lipid molecular level. Finally, a conjoint analysis of data related to differentially expressed proteins of ferroptosis and differentially changing lipid molecules was implemented. Results: A total of 260 upregulated and 961 downregulated proteins were screened in the proteomics analysis. The top five significantly enriched pathways included ferroptosis, oxidative phosphorylation, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. In the lipidomics analysis, 30 significantly differential metabolites with upregulated and downregulated expression were identified, and differentially expressed lipids were mainly related to the metabolism of glyceryl phosphatide. According to the comprehensive multiomics analysis results, real-time quantitative PCR and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ACSL3 participated in cardiolipin metabolism. Conclusion: Dehydroabietic acid influences HepG2 cells through the above biological pathways.

Consumer preferences for circular outdoor sporting goods: An Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint analysis among residents of European outdoor markets

Since 2015, the concept of a Circular Economy (CE) has been gaining attention within the field of corporate sustainability including the textile sector. Further, CE related literature often mentions single actors from the Outdoor Sporting Goods Industry (OSGI) as forerunners. However, an analysis of users’ acceptance of circular outdoor products is so far missing in that literature. Thus, this study aimed to analyse if outdoor sporting goods users value circular product attributes using an Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint analysis. The conjoint data from 1012 respondents, resident in important European outdoor markets, show that functional product attributes as well as social sustainability are more important for the purchase choice than circular product attributes while product durability and the share of recycled material used in the product are the most relevant circular attributes. Further, environmental awareness (strong influence), gender and age (weak influence) moderate the preference for functionality rather than circularity: environmentally aware, young, or female users are comparatively receptive to circular product features. As the study relates these findings to previous research and discusses practical implications, it adds an OSGI-specific perspective to the literature on consumer acceptance of circular products and thereby gives action recommendations to industry managers.

The many aspects of voluntary sustainability governance: Unpacking consumers’ support for tea standards in China and the UK

Voluntary standards have become a promising mode of governance to promote sustainable production and consumption in global value chains. Despite a growing number of studies on consumers' preferences for sustainable products, insufficient attention has been paid to the heterogeneity of existing standard systems, which prioritize different issues (e.g., environment, labor, and health), have different origins and sponsors, imply different costs and stringency. How do these features affect consumer support across market contexts? By conducting a choice-based conjoint experiment with tea drinkers in China and the UK (N = 1823), we find that consumer support for sustainable tea standards in both countries is primarily driven by food safety concerns, to a lesser extent by concerns of environmental and labor issues. Moreover, Chinese consumers support highly stringent standards only, whereas British consumers also accept medium-level standards. Standard sponsor and origin matter for consumers in China only who favor government-designed, international standards. Consumers’ preferences for key standard features are associated with individual values, the warm glow of giving, and sustainability concerns but such relationships vary in the two markets. Our findings have important implications for scaling-up sustainability standards in both emerging and developed markets.

Decisions about overdraft coverage: Disclosure design and personal finances.

Policymakers often require disclosures to help consumers make informed decisions, despite considerable debate over disclosures' effectiveness. Traditional accounts argue that consumers with stable preferences use disclosures to become informed. In contrast, behavioral research suggests that consumers may be inattentive or construct preferences in the moment. We contrast these accounts in the context of overdraft, where consumers can "opt in" to coverage and fees. In Study 1, we use conjoint analysis to assess perceptions of whether consumers in varying circumstances should opt in. Both overdraft program characteristics (including fees) and consumers' personal financial characteristics (e.g., having a financial buffer) matter. In Study 2, we compare three overdraft disclosures, finding variation in the proportion of consumers who make an active choice (15%-65%) and limited effects on comprehension and opt-in rates. In Study 3, we augment overdraft disclosures with text about personal financial characteristics. These disclosures increase active choice without detrimental effects on comprehension. Together, our studies support a constructed preferences account and highlight specific benefits of reminding consumers about the match between financial products and their personal situations. We discuss implications for financial disclosures and overdraft policy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Delineating Zero-Price Markets with Network Effects: An Analysis of Free Messenger Services

AbstractBillions of users worldwide utilize digital zero-price services every day. This study proposes a market definition method for digital zero-price services, using the messenger service as an example. We employ the small but significant nontransitory increase in cost test, which is an improved version of the small but significant nontransitory increase in price test, and conduct conjoint analysis while considering the network effect, a characteristic of digital services. Our results show that the price elasticity of demand is 0.628 and the critical markup ratio is 1.492–1.542 when only the price effect is considered. When the direct network effect is considered, the price elasticity of demand is 1.728 and the critical markup ratio is 0.479–0.529. Furthermore, when considering a two-sided market with indirect network effects, the price elasticity of demand is 2.162 and the critical markup ratio is 0.363–0.413. Thus, the price elasticity of demand for free messenger services is higher when the network effects and two-sided markets are considered.

The inhibition of ecdysone signal pathway was the key of pyriproxyfen poisoning for silkworm, Bombyx mori

Pyriproxyfen is a juvenile hormone-like pesticide. Once intake occurs, it leads to a series of poisoning characters consequences in silkworm, Bombyx mori (ID: 7091, Lepidoptera), such as non- cocooning, non-pupation, production of low-active eggs, and extended stages. However, the poisoning mechanism is still unclear. Here, silkworms were fed mulberry leaves soaked with different pyriproxyfen concentrations, and the heads were dissected for transcriptome analysis, while the hemolymph was used for determinations of ecdysone and juvenile hormone titers. As a result, after conjoint analysis of 3 feeding groups and a control group, 555 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, which were mainly involved in hormone metabolism, glycometabolism and protein metabolism. Meanwhile, 119 genes were significantly correlated with the pyriproxyfen concentrations, and they were mainly involved in drug metabolism and glycometabolism. The ecdysone titers in several feeding groups were significantly lower than those of the control group, while juvenile hormone was not detected in all groups, including the control and feeding groups. Correspondingly, due to activation of the juvenile hormone signaling pathway by pyriproxyfen, key genes in the ecdysone synthesis pathway were downregulated, and a large number of downstream genes were up- or downregulated. In addition, nearly all genes in the detoxification pathway were upregulated. These results suggested that, affected by the juvenile hormone signaling pathway, ecdysone titers decreased and further affected a series of downstream processes, and this was the key reason for pyriproxyfen poisoning in silkworm, B. mori, which could lay a foundation for the study of pyriproxyfen resistance in silkworm.

Transcriptome and proteomics conjoint analysis reveal metastasis inhibitory effect of 6-shogaol as ferroptosis activator through the PI3K/AKT pathway in human endometrial carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

Endometrial cancer remains as one of the widespread female malignancies despite the existing treatment measures mainly surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In recent times, studies have focused on medicinal plants such as ginger due to its multifaceted characteristics compared to conventional medicine. 6-Shogaol is regarded as the main active compound of ginger participating in pharmacological activities and combating various health disorders, especially cancer. In our study, we compared the effects of 6-gingerol, 6-paradol, and 6-shogaol on Ishikawa cells, and found 6-shogaol as a more effective ingredient against Ishikawa cell proliferation. Moreover, its promoted ferroptosis, as a result, triggered mitochondrial morphologic alternation, as well as changed iron concentration, GSH and MDA levels. Furthermore, 6-Shogaol inhibited cell metastasis by influencing cell invasion and migration. Finally, 6-shogaol could trigger PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo confirmed by western blotting assay and immunohistochemical evaluation. These findings suggest that 6-shogaol can be used as promising functional food component in health diet and in drug target methods for endometrial cancer therapy.

Integrative physiological, transcriptome, and metabolome analysis uncovers the drought responses of two Zanthoxylum bungeanum cultivars

Zanthoxylum bungeanum (ZB) is a medicinal plant that is widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid areas. The drought tolerance mechanism of ZB has not yet been clearly elucidated. Here, the physiological indicators, transcriptome, and metabolome of two ZB cultivars with contrasting drought tolerance (FJ, Z. bungeanum cv. ‘Fengjiao’; HJ, Z. bungeanum cv. ‘Hanjiao’) were analyzed under drought stress. The results showed that HJ was more tolerant to drought stress, with stronger antioxidant enzyme activities, higher contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein and proline as well as lower content of malondialdehyde and H2O2. Transcriptome analysis revealed that there were more differentially expressed genes in FJ than in HJ throughout the drought treatment. Metabolome analysis identified 911 metabolites, which were divided into 10 classes. The up-regulated metabolites in HJ were mainly amino acids and their derivatives and flavonoids; those in FJ were mainly amino acids and their derivatives and alkaloids. Candidate structural genes related to drought tolerance and key transcription factor genes involved in drought-response pathways were sheltered by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Conjoint analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome emphasized the importance of respiration metabolism in enhancing drought tolerance. In general, HJ improves drought tolerance by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities; increasing the intensity of the pentose phosphate pathway; promoting the accumulation of osmotic substances; stimulating the synthesis of abscisic acid, brassinosteroid, and heat shock proteins; and accelerating signal transduction. The results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of drought tolerance in ZB and provide new insights for molecular breeding of ZB as well as other crops.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourism Industry Sector: Conjoint Analysis to Measure Tourist Preferences in Visiting Bandung

The tourism industry sector in West Java is the sector most affected since the COVID-19 pandemic. Local and foreign tourist visits to attractions in West Java Province fell by 80% due to this pandemic. The goal of this study is to determine the behavior of tourists in the future, such as the preferences of tourists to visit Bandung after the end of the pandemic. Knowing what tourist preferences are is hoped that tourism businesses will be able to develop appropriate strategies to serve tourists in the future to stimulate local economies and improve living conditions. With a sample size of 400, this study is quantitative and uses the conjoint analysis technique, the gold standard for gauging traveler preferences. The results of this study are that the next 6-12 months will be the right time to revive the image of tourism which has fallen considerably due to the pandemic situation since early 2020. As for the type of tourist tour that can be the primary choice in nature tourism, during a pandemic like now, outdoor activities are very much needed, one of which is to exercise and sunbathe. Travel time of 1-3 days is the preference of tourists who want to visit Bandung, so business people in the tourism sector should consider what types of short tours should be offered to these tourists. Meanwhile, the priority aspect of destinations that prioritize cleanliness are the primary choice for tourists to travel again after the pandemic. Concerning this priority aspect, the company can also promote cleanliness as its main priority.

Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of nafamostat mesylate on rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury.

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanisms of action of nafamostat mesylate (NM) in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (RIAKI). Methods: RIAKI rats were assigned into control group (CN), RIAKI group (RM), and NM intervention group (NM). Inflammatory cytokines and proenkephalin a 119-159 (PENKID) were assessed. Cell apoptosis and glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) were detected using TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by JC-1 dye. The expression of genes and metabolites after NM intervention was profiled using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using qPCR. The KEGG and conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome were used to analyze the enriched pathways and differential metabolites. The transcription factors were identified based on the animal TFDB 3.0 database. Results: Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and PENKID were remarkably higher in the RM group and lower in the NM group compared to the CN group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines increased in the RM group and notably decreased following NM treatment compared to the CN group. Tubular pathological damages were markedly attenuated and renal cell apoptosis was reduced significantly in the NM group compared to the RM group. The expression of GPX4 was lower in the RM group compared to the CN group, and it increased significantly after NM treatment. A total of 294 DEGs were identified in the RM group compared with the NM group, of which 192 signaling pathways were enriched, and glutathione metabolism, IL-17 signaling, and ferroptosis-related pathways were the top-ranking pathways. The transcriptional levels of Anpep, Gclc, Ggt1, Mgst2, Cxcl13, Rgn, and Akr1c1 were significantly different between the NM and RM group. Gclc was the key gene contributing to NM-mediated renal protection in RIAKI. Five hundred and five DEGs were annotated. Compared with the RM group, most of the upregulated DEGs in the NM group belonged to Glutathione metabolism, whereas most of the downregulated DEGs were related to the transcription factor Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Conclusion: NM protects the kidneys against RIAKI, which is mainly associated with NM mediated regulation of glutathione metabolism, inflammatory response, ferroptosis-related pathways, and the related key DEGs. Targeting these DEGs might emerge as a potential molecular therapy for RIAKI.

Analisis Strategi Pemasaran dan Preferensi Konsumen Pada Erista Griyo Dhahar Di Pakem Sleman Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta

This study aims to (1) analyze internal and external factors on Erista Griyo Dhahar (2) analyze the appropriate marketing strategy on Erista Griyo Dhahar (3) analyze consumer preferences for products, prices, locations, promotions, facilities and services at Erista Griyo Dhahar. The method used in this study is a quantitative research method with a case study approach. The method for determining respondents was purposive and accidental sampling. This study used primary data and secondary data. The method of data collection used were interviews, questionnaires, observation and documentation. Evaluating the instrument with validity and reliability tests. This study used SWOT analysis, QSPM and conjoint analysis. The results showed (1) Erista Griyo Dhahar's internal and external factors include strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The main strength is the unique flagship product that comes from the telang flower. The main Weakness is that the dining area is an open space and some are not permanent buildings. The main opportunity is to create a restaurant branch with a concept according to the target market. The main threat is there are restaurant competitors with a similar concept. (2) The marketing strategy for Erista Griyo Dhahar was an intensive strategy of intensively promoting via social media. (3) The most considered consumer preference is the price attribute and the most preferred combination of attribute levels is the combination of blue rice packages, low prices, location close to a home, promotions with discounted prices, facilities for a plants store, and responsive services.Keywords : Consumer preference, Conjoint, Marketing strategy, SWOT, QSPM.

Investors’ Preference for Creating Impact: (A study to understand impact investors’ preference while making investment in India)

Purpose: The main aim of this article is to analyse the preference of impact investors when it comes to the selection of ventures for investment. The study has been conducted with the sole objective of trying to evaluate the choices of impact investors in the Indian market. In addition to this, the present study strives to find out how a certain venture turns out to be the most preferred area of investment and what instrument is preferred to invest in for impact investments, and the criteria that guide investors to arrive at their choice of investment portfolios in Indian impact investment market. Design/Methodology/Approach: A choice-based conjoint experiment has been done in which respondents have to rank the different options which were generated by orthogonal arrays based on their preference. The preference function was computed by using OLS regression. Findings: It has been revealed through this study that while deciding to invest for impact, first preference is accorded to stage of investment in terms of highest importance value which was ensued by their behavioural penchant to do impact investment. Impact investors are inclined to invest in social ventures having the most innovative ideas in response to addressing social problems. The most preferred area of investment is the healthcare sector which is ensued by agriculture and education. Research Limitations: The real behaviour of an individual cannot be predicted through an online survey, which restricts the generalization of the study. Practical Implications: This study presents a simple yet empirical tool that will undoubtedly aid social entrepreneurs, impact investors and other investors to understand the leanings of impact investors and allows them to understand in a better way, how investors’ behaviour differs while making investment decisions in India. The findings will also help policymakers to create a more conducive environment for impact investing in India. Originality/Value: The article is unique in the sense that it endeavours to analyse the impact investors’ preferences and choices with the application of conjoint analysis in the Indian perspective.

Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals molecular responses of spider to single and combined high temperature and drought stress

High temperature and drought are abiotic stresses restricting many arthropods' survival and growth. Wolf spiders are poikilothermic arthropods that are vital in managing insects and pests. Nonetheless, investigating changes in spiders under temperature and drought stress are limited, especially at the molecular and gene expression levels. The study found that the combined effects of high temperature and drought stress significantly reduced survival rates and raised superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata. An integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis showed that differentially expressed genes and metabolites were highly enriched in pathways involved in the proteolysis and oxidation−reduction process. The gene expression profiles displayed that heat shock protein (HSP) families (i.e., small heat shock protein, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP beta protein) were up-regulated under temperature and/or drought stresses. Additionally, a conjoint analysis revealed that under the combined stress, several important enzymes, including maltase-glucoamylase, glycerol-6-phosphate transporter, alanine-glyoxylate transaminase, and prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase, were altered, affecting the metabolism of starch, sucrose, amino acids, and arachidonic acid. The protein interaction network further confirmed that under the combined stress, metabolic processes, peptide metabolic processes, and ATP generation from ADP were up-regulated, indicating that spiders could accelerate the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins to combat stress and maintain homeostasis. Overall, this work showed that exposure to a combination of pressures might cause distinct defensive reactions in spiders and offered novel perspectives to research the molecular underpinnings of spider adaptation to a changing climate.