Distinct Effects Research Articles

Optimizing cleaning strategies for biofouling in reverse osmosis membrane systems: A comparative study using a self-formed instrument

Membrane biofouling poses a serious challenge in reverse osmosis (RO) plants used for water recovery, which cannot be addressed by traditional chlorine-based cleaning agents. To accommodate this problem and enhance membrane performance while maintaining high-quality water production, various cleaning strategies have been applied. It remains however challenging to identify optimal cleaning agents, as tests require discontinuation of production to evaluate the effect. This study introduces a self-formed instrument that mimics industrial RO plants on a small scale to compare the cleaning agents in a fast, affordable and feasible approach. The setup was demonstrated using three cells operating in parallel and a thorough comparison of these. Specifically, the online cleaning efficiency of a typical biofouling cleaner, a solution of NaOH/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and the commonly used non-oxidizing biocide, 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide, were compared to validate the system performance when fed with membrane bioreactor effluent. The effectiveness of the cleaning process was evaluated using a combination of hydrodynamic operation and membrane autopsy to estimate the biofoulant amount and composition. During a 7-day operating period, it was observed that treated membranes demonstrated higher flux rates compared to untreated membranes. The normalized flux increased more than double in the membrane after it had been cleaned with NaOH/SDS solution. CLSM analysis clearly showed the distinct effects of the two cleaning solutions on the amount and spatial structure of the biofilm layer. Cleaning with DBNPA was able to reduce the load of living bacteria, but not necessarily remove the biofilm components completely. Comparative analyses of membranes revealed that NaOH/SDS exhibited the highest cleaning efficiency during the online cleaning operation mode. This benchmark highlights the versatility of the system, which can be assembled at relevant sites and assist in the identification of efficient and eco-friendly agents that promote the lifespan of membranes. With the distribution of this instrument, it will be possible to accelerate the investigation of multiple cleaning strategies and also analyze interactions among cleaning agents in an attempt to reduce water shortage.

Waste-Derived Fertilizer Acts as Biostimulant, Boosting Tomato Quality and Aroma

Tomato quality is intricately regulated by a combination of factors, including the presence of bioactive compounds referred to as secondary metabolites and various organoleptic characteristics. These attributes are notably influenced and harmonized by the specific growing conditions, with a particular emphasis on the type of fertilization employed. Traditionally, chemical fertilizers have been favored in crop cultivation due to their cost-effectiveness and ability to accelerate crop growth. However, in pursuit of sustainable and intelligent agricultural practices, there is a growing need for alternative fertilizers. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the impact of fertilizers derived from waste materials, specifically sulfur bentonite and orange residue (referred to as SB), on tomato quality. This assessment extended to examining qualitative and quantitative alterations in aroma-related volatile compounds and the antioxidant systems of tomatoes, in comparison to the conventional use of fertilizers such as horse manure (HM) and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). The results obtained revealed distinct effects of different fertilizers on tomato quality. Notably, parameters such as TPRO (total protein), TCARB (total carbohydrate), LIC (lycopene content), TCAR (total carotenoid content), total phenols (TPHE), total flavonoids (TFLA), and aroma profiling exhibited significantly superior values in the group treated with sulfur bentonite (SB) fertilizer. These findings strongly suggest that the novel fertilizer functioned as a biostimulant, enhancing the nutraceutical and sensory attributes of tomatoes, with a pronounced impact on the synthesis of secondary metabolites and the aroma profile of the fruits.

The combination of Ephedrae herba and coixol from Coicis semen attenuate adiposity via glucocorticoid receptor regulation

The enhanced therapeutic effects and mechanisms of certain herbal combination in various herbal prescriptions are mostly unclear. A combination of two herbs, namely Ephedrae herba (EH) and Coicis semen (CS), has been commonly prescribed for obesity. In our previous work, the combination of EH and CS was studied using network pharmacological approach to predict its pharmacological targets and in vitro experiments to evaluate its efficacy on obesity. Although we demonstrated enhanced anti-adiposity effects of the combination on matured adipocytes, the molecular mechanisms and contributing compounds underlying the effects of EH-CS combination on adiposity or adipogenesis were not fully elucidated. The current study adopted integrated bioinformatics analysis to precisely validate potential targets of EH-CS by screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of morbid obesity patients from NCBI gene expression omnibus (GEO). Based on the functional cluster analysis of down-regulated DEGs, the anti-adipogenesis mechanism of EH-CS combination was speculated with KEGG enrichment analysis. Furthermore, we investigated the combinational effects of EH and coixol, or stigmasterol, the two compounds in CS which were expected to have main beneficial effects in metabolic diseases. Moreover, distinct effect of the combination on transcriptional activity of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was investigated using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The EH-CS combination was predicted to modulate down-regulated genes which are involved in KEGG pathways crucial to metabolic disease in morbidly obese individuals. The combination of EH with CS compounds significantly increased the phosphorylation of acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protein kinase B (AKT) in 3T3-L1 cells and decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. The two CS compounds significantly increased the anti-adipogenesis/lipogenesis effects of EH by inhibiting the gene expression levels. Finally, the combination of EH and coixol inhibited dexamethasone-induced GR translocation to the nucleus and transcriptional binding activity in adipocytes. The combination of EH and CS could be considered a therapeutic strategy for treating metabolic diseases, including obesity.

Impact of ESG distinctiveness in alliances on shareholder value

Prior research documents that strategic alliances help firms create shareholder value by gaining access to partner’s complementary marketing and technology resources. Apart from these resources, we argue that firms can also access reputational assets of their alliance partner, based on the partner’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. However, the alliance literature overlooks the effect of partner’s ESG performance on shareholder value creation. In the present study, we build on the knowledge differentials logic to propose that deviations in a firm’s ESG-specific knowledge and expertise compared to those of its alliance partner—what we term “ESG distinctiveness”—can affect a firm’s shareholder value. Using data on alliance formation announcements by public U.S. firms between 2003 and 2020, we find that firms gain value from forming alliances with high ESG performance partners. The effect of ESG distinctiveness on shareholder value due to alliance formation is stronger for firms with greater prior partnering experience.

Modeling underwriting risk: A copula regression analysis on U.S. property-casualty insurance byline loss ratios

This article evaluates underwriting risks for U.S. property-casualty insurance company using a by-line multivariate framework. We propose a regression system with copula structure to estimate the dynamics and dependences of by-line loss ratio changes. The dynamics are characterized by autoregressive, macroeconomic, and line-specific variables. The dependences are characterized by symmetric, asymmetric, and vine copulas to manifest the contemporaneous risk. Both positive and negative dependence of loss ratio changes are found, and the lines of business contribute distinct diversification effects from the Risk-based Capital (RBC) R5 formula suggested. Based on empirical studies of industry-wide data, we confirm that the choice of copula structure and marginal estimation method affects the model's performance in the stress testing of catastrophic events. The proposed approach can be regarded as an internal model calculating the diversification benefits across business lines, based on a statistical hypothesis in contrast to a regulatory base. These findings help insurers and regulators to evaluate their capital requirements more precisely and reduce liability-side risk.

Improving Electroluminescence of Two‐Coordinate Au(I) Complexes: Insights into Steric and Electronic Control

AbstractThis research elucidates the effects of structural modulations on electroluminescent Au(I) complexes, shedding light on factors governing radiative and nonradiative processes. A series of Au(I) complexes, fortified with ortho‐substituents in carbene and amido ligands, are subjected to rigorous structural, photophysical, and quantum chemical investigations, which unveil distinct structural and electronic effects exerted by the ligands. The investigations reveal that nonradiative processes are governed primarily by the energy‐gap law. Radiative processes are observed to have a weak correlation with the mutual interactions of the molecular orbitals of carbene and amido ligands. Rather, it is discovered that an accumulation of the negative charge in the Au 5d orbital in the excited state decelerates radiative processes. The effectiveness of these findings is substantiated through the larger external quantum efficiency of electroluminescence devices employing the Au(I) complex, in comparison to those based on the archetypical Au(I) complex and the organic thermally activated delayed fluorescent molecule. These compelling revelations underscore the untapped potential of Au(I) complexes in the advancement of electroluminescence technology and advocate for continued investigations into the intriguing domain of ligand structural control.

Edge-modified phosphorene nanoribbons enhance interfacial carrier extraction in perovskite solar cells

The search for cheap, stable and efficient electron and hole transport layers (ETL and HTL) of perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) remains a significant challenge. In this study, we construct a series of edge-modified phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs) and explore their potentials as either ETL or HTL in PVSCs using PNRs/MAPbI3 heterojunction. The results reveal that the different functional groups have distinct effects on the electronic structures of individual PNRs. When combined with MAPbI3, the electronic structures of PNRs are further regulated due to the strong interaction. Considering the combined influence of both modifying groups and MAPbI3, several PNRs/MAPbI3 including COH-PNR/MAPbI3, OCN-PNR/MAPbI3 and CN-PNR/MAPbI3 show the tendency for electron transfer from MAPbI3 to PNRs. Conversely, NH2-PNR/MAPbI3 has a possibility for hole transfer. The time-domain noncollinear DFT-based nonadiabatic carrier dynamics simulations for H-PNR/MAPbI3, CN-PNR/MAPbI3 and NH2-PNR/MAPbI3 validate that the –CN group facilitates interfacial electron transfer, while the –NH2 group promotes hole transfer compared to H-PNR/MAPbI3. The addition of modifying groups increases the number of states of the PNRs in PNRs/MAPbI3 that are capable of accepting electron or hole from MAPbI3, thereby enhancing the carrier extraction capacity. This computational work proposes a design strategy to enhance the efficiency of ETL and HTL in PVSCs.

Allelic hierarchy for USH2A influences auditory and visual phenotypes in South Korean patients

When medical genetic syndromes are influenced by allelic hierarchies, mutant alleles have distinct effects on clinical phenotypes. Genotype–phenotype correlations for Usher syndrome type 2 (USH2) suggest that the USH2A gene exhibits an allelic hierarchy. Here, we analyzed the phenotypes and genotypes of 16 South Korean patients with USH2A biallelic variants to investigate an allelic hierarchy from audiological and ophthalmological perspectives. Using whole exome and genome sequencing, 18 mutant alleles, including 4 novel alleles, were identified and implicated in USH2A-related disorders. Truncated alleles were linked to earlier onset of subjective hearing loss and more severe thresholds; biallelic truncated alleles had more severe effects. Truncated alleles were also associated with retinal structure degeneration and severe functional deterioration. However, younger patients (aged < 16 years) did not exhibit overt retinitis pigmentosa even when they had biallelic truncated alleles, suggesting that USH2A-related USH2 can mimic nonsyndromic hearing loss. For truncated alleles, there was a clear correlation between mean hearing threshold and 30-Hz flicker electroretinography implicit time. This study provides the first evidence of an USH2A-related allelic hierarchy among South Korean patients; our data yield valuable insights concerning the natural courses of clinical phenotypes and how genotype-based therapies may be used.

Luteal tissue blood flow and side effects of horse-recommended luteolytic doses of dinoprost and cloprostenol in donkeys

This study assessed luteolysis and side effects in jennies receiving standard horse-recommended doses of cloprostenol and dinoprost. Sixteen cycles of eight jennies were randomly assigned in a sequential crossover design to receive dinoprost (5 mg, i.m.) and cloprostenol (0.25 mg, i.m.) at 5-d post-ovulation. B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography were employed to assess luteal tissue size and blood flow before (-15 min and 0h) and after (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 24, and 48h) administering PGF2α. Immunoreactive progesterone concentrations were assayed at similar timepoints via RIA. Side effects such as sweating, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea were scored at 15-min-intervals for 1h after PGF2α. Data normality was assessed with the Shapiro-Wilk's test. Luteal tissue size and blood flow were analyzed using PROC-MIXED and post-hoc by Tukey. Non-parametric tests analyzed side effect variables. The luteal blood flow increased overtime by 27% at 45 min and peaked by 49% at 3 h for dinoprost, and conversely, it increased by 14% at 30 min and peaked at 39% at 5h for cloprostenol (P<0.05). Luteal blood flow was reduced by 50%, 25%, and 10% on both groups at 8, 12, and 24h (P<0.05). Immunoreactive progesterone concentrations decreased in 0.5h for dinoprost and 1h for cloprostenol and gradually decreased by 48h (P<0.05). Dinoprost induced greater sudoresis scores, while cloprostenol resulted in greater abdominal discomfort and diarrhea scores (P<0.05). In conclusion, dinoprost and cloprostenol effectively induced luteolysis with distinct side effects; this could guide practitioners’ case selection to use one or another PGF2α.

Synergizing electrical, mechanical, and radiation shielding properties of dendritic copper filled epoxy polymer composites

The study examined the properties of epoxy composites with dendritic copper (Cu) particles through various tests, including FTIR, DSC, TGA, electrical conductivity, and mechanical tests. The addition of Cu particles to the composites improved their electrical conductivity and mechanical properties, particularly tensile strength and flexural modulus. The Tg temperature of the composites could be adjusted by varying the Cu particle ratio. Notably, in the study, we prepared composites with varying Cu particle concentrations, specifically at ratios of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6%, and observed distinct effects on the properties of the epoxy-Cu composites. Although there was no chemical bonding between the epoxy and Cu particles, the Cu additive acted as a pinning agent, restricting the movement of the polymer chains. This suggests that incorporating small amounts of Cu into epoxy composites can enhance their properties, making them suitable for applications in the electrical and electronics industry. Additionally, we evaluated the shielding properties of selected epoxy-based composites incorporating copper powder against gamma radiation with energies of 59.5 keV, 661.6 keV, and 1332.5 keV, and also investigated the composites' ability to attenuate gamma rays, recommending specific composites (ECU6, ECU1, and ECU2) for different energy levels of gamma rays. SEM examinations showed that the addition of Cu particles significantly altered the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites, resulting in an irregular and rough fracture surface and decreased structural integrity.

Agile work practices and team creativity: the mediating role of team efficacy

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of two dimensions of agile work practices (i.e. agile taskwork and agile teamwork) on team efficacy and creativity. Further, it examines the mediating effect of team efficacy in the relationship between two dimensions of agile work practices and team creativity.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 563 professionals working in 290 information technology (IT) companies in India using a self-reporting structured questionnaire. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized model.FindingsThe results demonstrate that agile taskwork and agile teamwork positively impact team creativity and team efficacy, and team efficacy positively impacts team creativity. Furthermore, team efficacy partially mediates the impact of agile taskwork and agile teamwork on team creativity.Practical implicationsThis study shows the importance of agile work practices and team efficacy to enhance team creativity. The research offers managers strategies to boost team creativity.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of research examining the distinct effects of agile taskwork and agile teamwork on team efficacy and team creativity. Also, this study is one of its kind that examines the mediating mechanisms that explain the effect of agile taskwork and agile teamwork on team creativity.

Modeling and Forecasting Freight Delivery for Blocked and Unblocked Streets through Machine Learning Approaches and Analysed by Microsimulation Model

Deliveries of freight on signalized city roads often lead to lane obstructions, contributing to urban traffic congestion. This issue has garnered increasing attention as traffic engineers and city planners seek sustainable solutions to meet growing demand while working within the constraints of limited road capacity. The primary objective of this study is to assess a model designed to quantify the impact of freight deliveries on both the capacity and delay experienced on signalized city roads in Ahmedabad. The model is structured similarly to the approach outlined in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM2010). The aim of this research is to provide insights into the utilization of these analytical tools in the context of urban freight delivery policies. This research explores the estimation of delay and vehicle capacity, accounting for various factors such as delivery locations, durations, and their distinct effects on different lanes. To predict vehicle capacity and estimate delays, this study employed machine learning techniques, specifically Support Vector Machines and Artificial Neural Networks. The results demonstrate a high level of agreement between our predictions and actual observations.

Progress of 2D MXene as an Electrode Architecture for Advanced Supercapacitors: A Comprehensive Review.

Supercapacitors, designed to store more energy and be proficient in accumulating more energy than conventional batteries with numerous charge-discharge cycles, have been developed in response to the growing demand for energy. Transition metal carbides/nitrides called MXenes have been the focus of researchers' cutting-edge research in energy storage. The 2D-layered MXenes are a hopeful contender for the electrode material due to their unique properties, such as high conductivity, hydrophilicity, tunable surface functional groups, better mechanical properties, and outstanding electrochemical performance. This newly developed pseudocapacitive substance benefits electrochemical energy storage because it is rich in interlayer ion diffusion pathways and ion storage sites. Making MXene involves etching the MAX phase precursor with suitable etchants, but different etching methods have distinct effects on the morphology and electrochemical properties. It is an overview of the recent progress of MXene and its structure, synthesis, and unique properties. There is a strong emphasis on the effects of shape, size, electrode design, electrolyte behavior, and other variables on the charge storage mechanism and electrochemical performance of MXene-based supercapacitors. The electrochemical application of MXene and the remarkable research achievements in MXene-based composites are an intense focus. Finally, in light of further research and potential applications, the challenges and future perspectives that MXenes face and the prospects that MXenes present have been highlighted.

Multisensory input modulates memory-guided spatial navigation in humans

Efficient navigation is supported by a cognitive map of space. The hippocampus plays a key role for this map by linking multimodal sensory information with spatial memory representations. However, in human navigation studies, the full range of sensory information is often unavailable due to the stationarity of experimental setups. We investigated the contribution of multisensory information to memory-guided spatial navigation by presenting a virtual version of the Morris water maze on a screen and in an immersive mobile virtual reality setup. Patients with hippocampal lesions and matched controls navigated to memorized object locations in relation to surrounding landmarks. Our results show that availability of multisensory input improves memory-guided spatial navigation in both groups. It has distinct effects on navigational behaviour, with greater improvement in spatial memory performance in patients. We conclude that congruent multisensory information shifts computations to extrahippocampal areas that support spatial navigation and compensates for spatial navigation deficits.

Social media and partnership jointly alleviate caregivers’ psychological distress: exploring the effects of online and offline connectedness

BackgroundThe prevalence of caregiving in the United States has increased from 16.6% to 19.2% during the period between 2015 and 2020. Caregivers play a critical public health role post-pandemic and as the population ages. However, caregiving can be detrimental to the health of caregivers. Many studies have shown that communication and connectedness are effective forms of health intervention for caregivers, but how this can be achieved requires further investigation.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the indirect effect of caregiving on problems of alcohol drinking through psychological distress. Moreover, this study aimed to provide initial evidence of the distinct effects of online and offline communication and connectedness on caregivers' well-being.MethodsThe predictions were evaluated by examining responses to the Health Information National Trends Survey 2020 (n = 3,865). A mediation analysis was conducted to test the mediating effect of psychological distress on the association between caregiving and alcohol drinking. A second-level moderation analysis was performed. The online communication and connectedness, social media use for health, and the offline type, marital or romantic partnership, were tested as moderators to lessen the psychological distress of caregiving.ResultsA competitive mediation was identified. We found a positive indirect effect from caregiving to alcohol drinking mediated by psychological distress (bp = .0017, p < .05) but a negative direct effect from caregiving to alcohol drinking (bp = -.0340, p < .05). Furthermore, the study reported a strongly positive effect of moderated moderation on the linkage from caregiving to psychological distress. The negative impact of caregiving on mental distress was greater among those who used social media less, particularly those without a romantic or marital partner.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that caregivers experience more mental distress, which leads to risky behavior. This study highlights the crucial role of both online and offline connectedness in mitigating the adverse consequences of caregiving.

Backward masking in mice requires visual cortex.

Visual masking can reveal the timescale of perception, but the underlying circuit mechanisms are not understood. Here we describe a backward masking task in mice and humans in which the location of a stimulus is potently masked. Humans report reduced subjective visibility that tracks behavioral deficits. In mice, both masking and optogenetic silencing of visual cortex (V1) reduce performance over a similar timecourse but have distinct effects on response rates and accuracy. Activity in V1 is consistent with masked behavior when quantified over long, but not short, time windows. A dual accumulator model recapitulates both mouse and human behavior. The model and subjects' performance imply that the initial spikes in V1 can trigger a correct response, but subsequent V1 activity degrades performance. Supporting this hypothesis, optogenetically suppressing mask-evoked activity in V1 fully restores accurate behavior. Together, these results demonstrate that mice, like humans, are susceptible to masking and that target and mask information is first confounded downstream of V1.

Anticancer approach of zinc oxide nanocomposite prepared by gamma radiation via induction of apoptosis and PGC‐1α pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are attracting the interest of researchers due to their potential applications in cancer treatment. It was recently shown that ZnO NPs specifically destroy cancer cells. However, the underlying molecular processes that drive ZnO NPs' anticancer activity are unclear. Radical polymerization was used for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles using gamma radiation. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was employed as a stabilizer in the production of zinc oxide nanoparticles using zinc nitrate. PVP@ZnO nanostructures were characterized using a number of techniques, including high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and UV–visible spectroscopy. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the functional groups of the produced nanostructures. Moreover, the surface morphology of prepared zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and PVP@ZnO nanostructures was shown using SEM. In addition, the crystalline structure of the aforementioned samples was identified and investigated via XRD. The current work examined the anticancer effect of ZnO nanocomposite against rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The results demonstrated that ZnO nanocomposite exert distinct effects on apoptosis and PGC‐1α pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. mRNA levels of tumor suppressor gene p53 and antiapoptotic gene BCL‐2 were downregulated, while the apoptotic gene Bax was upregulated and Caspase‐3 activity increased in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) + ZnO nanocomposite‐treated rats in comparison with DEN‐treated rats. ZnO nanocomposite were also found to have an effect on liver function (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Treatment with DEN manifested a significant decrease in the expression of mtTFA and PGC‐1α (mtTFA: 0.54 fold and PGC‐1α: 0.31 fold in respect to the normal control), while ZnO nanocomposite treatment induced a remarkable increase in their expression. In conclusion, the present data demonstrated that ZnO nanocomposite showed anticancer activity via induction of apoptosis and PGC‐1α pathways. In addition, improvements in liver function and antioxidant capacity.

Closer to The Heart: Harnessing the Power of Targeted Extracellular Vesicle Therapies.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular diseases. EVs derived from various origins exhibit distinct effects on the cardiovascular system. However, the application of native EVs is constrained due to their poor stabilities and limited targeting capabilities. Currently, targeted modification of EVs primarily involves genetic engineering, chemical modification (covalent, non-covalent), cell membrane modification, and biomaterial encapsulation. These techniques enhance the stability, biological activity, target-binding capacity, and controlled release of EVs at specific cells and tissues. The diverse origins of cardioprotective EVs are covered, and the applications of cardiac-targeting EV delivery systems in protecting against cardiovascular diseases are discussed. This review summarizes the current stage of research on the potential of EV-based targeted therapies for addressing cardiovascular disorders.

The Assembly Process of Free-Living and Particle-Attached Bacterial Communities in Shrimp-Rearing Waters: The Overwhelming Influence of Nutrient Factors Relative to Microalgal Inoculation.

The ecological functions of bacterial communities vary between particle-attached (PA) lifestyles and free-living (FL) lifestyles, and separately exploring their community assembly helps to elucidate the microecological mechanisms of shrimp rearing. Microalgal inoculation and nutrient enrichment during shrimp rearing are two important driving factors that affect rearing-water bacterial communities, but their relative contributions to the bacterial community assembly have not been evaluated. Here, we inoculated two microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata and Thalassiosira weissflogii, into shrimp-rearing waters to investigate the distinct effects of various environmental factors on PA and FL bacterial communities. Our study showed that the composition and representative bacteria of different microalgal treatments were significantly different between the PA and FL bacterial communities. Regression analyses and Mantel tests revealed that nutrients were vital factors that constrained the diversity, structure, and co-occurrence patterns of both the PA and FL bacterial communities. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) analysis indicated that microalgae could directly or indirectly affect the PA bacterial community through nutrient interactions. Moreover, a significant interaction was detected between PA and FL bacterial communities. Our study reveals the unequal effects of microalgae and nutrients on bacterial community assembly and helps explore microbial community assembly in shrimp-rearing ecosystems.

Nexus Between Consumer Ethnocentrism and Purchase Intentions

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of Consumer Ethnocentrism (CE) on the purchase intention of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Kathmandu. The study involved the administration of a structured, close-ended questionnaire to 324 FMCG consumers aged between 13 and 65 residing in Kathmandu. The results indicate that consumer ethnocentrism and country-of-origin information significantly affect consumers' intentions to purchase foreign FMCG products by influencing their attitudes. The analysis of the Consumer Ethnocentrism Tendencies Scale (CETSCALE) and the results of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PL-SEM) reveal that FMCG consumers in Kathmandu tend to exhibit ethnocentric tendencies, prioritizing domestically made products and being mindful of the economic implications of relying on imports. Notably, young adults, particularly those with lower income levels, hold stronger ethnocentric beliefs than others. Additionally, the study finds that FMCG consumers actively seek country-of-origin information, with females displaying a higher likelihood of seeking such details. Moreover, consumer ethnocentrism and country-of-origin information jointly influence purchase intentions for foreign FMCG products through their distinct effects on consumers' attitudes toward foreign FMCG brands. These findings have significant implications for FMCG businesses and researchers interested in understanding consumer behavior dynamics in the market.