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The role of technical and top management support in the continuance of intention to use business analytics
No full textThis study investigates the impact of perceived organizational support (POS) on employees' intentions to continue using business analytics (BA) tools. By integrating Organizational Support Theory (OST) and technology adoption models, the research highlights the critical roles of technical and top management support in influencing perceived compatibility and usefulness, which drive BA continuance intentions. Data were collected between August and October 2021 from employees across various industries in Ireland, Finland, and Sweden who used BA tools in their work. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data, the findings reveal significant relationships between the organizational support types and continuance intentions, with technical support being particularly crucial for long-term use. This study extends OST by emphasizing the importance of technical support and confirms the relevance of perceived compatibility and usefulness in technology continuance
Symmetric and asymmetric ligands for Fe<sup>III </sup>spin crossover – the influence of the C<sub>2</sub> axis
No full textModulation of the local strain and geometry in FeIII Schiff base complexes has been shown to allow the stabilisation of both the high spin (HS) and low spin (LS) states, along with thermal spin crossover (SCO). Complexes with hexadentate Schiff base ligands can be readily modified by changing the length of the tetraamine backbone linker. We report here 34 complexes of the symmetric [FeIII(R-sal2232)]+ and asymmetric [FeIII(R-sal2223)]+ families, where the former typically support the HS state, along with a handful of SCO examples, and the latter only supports the HS state. Magnetic measurements reveal that one symmetric example, [FeIII(5-I-sal2232)]ClO41.5, undergoes thermal SCO close to room temperature. We compare the structural distortion and spectroscopic properties in these examples, to indentify the factors that influence spin state choice. This reveals the importance of molecular symmetry, by way of a C2 axis bisecting the complex which is present in the samples which stabilise the LS state so far. The aforementioned example and three others, one reported previously, have short metal–ligand bond lengths suggesting adoption of the LS state coupled with the presence of a C2 axis. The additional strain in the [FeIII(R-sal2223)]+ complexes due to the asymmetric nature of the backbone results in significantly greater distortion around the FeIII centre which inhibits the stabilisation of the less distorted LS state. Computational analysis of the [FeIII(5-I-sal2232)]+ and [FeIII(5-I-sal2223)]+ isomers reveals that the HS state is more stable in the asymmetric [FeIII(5-I-sal2223)]+ species, whereas the energy difference between the HS and LS state for the [FeIII(5-I-sal2232)]+ cation is sufficiently small to allow for SCO to occur
Automated integration and quality assessment of chromatographic peaks in LC-MS-based metabolomics and lipidomics Using TARDIS
No full textIn recent years, liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has emerged as the main technology to measure the whole of small molecules (the metabolome) in a diversity of matrices. Within the field of computational metabolomics, significant efforts have been made in the development of tools to (pre)process untargeted LC-MS data. However, tools that circumvent the time-consuming, manual preprocessing of targeted LC-MS data with vendor-specific software remain sparse. We therefore present TARDIS, an open-source R package for the analysis of targeted LC-MS metabolomics and lipidomics data. Both established (area under the curve, maximum intensity and points over the peak) and recently developed (custom signal-to-noise ratio and bell-curve similarity) quality metrics were included to offer increased efficiency of peak quality evaluation. The robustness of TARDIS' peak integration was demonstrated through a quantitative comparison to state-of-the-art vendor software. To this end, applicability at a large scale ( = 1786) was validated across three distinct biofluids (stool, saliva and urine) and two LC-MS instruments, using data from the FAME, ENVIRONAGE, and FGFP cohort studies. In conclusion, TARDIS offers a robust and scalable open-source solution for the targeted analysis of LC-MS metabolomics and lipidomics data. TARDIS and its source code are freely available at https://github.com/UGent-LIMET/TARDIS
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 1.66%. Lavender tincture contains on average 0.213% (w/w) total polyphenols (of which 0.0259% are flavonoids). Methyleugenol (0.0008%) was detected in the additive. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the use of lavender tincture is very unlikely to induce adverse effects in long-living and reproductive animals and is of no safety concern for species for fattening at the following concentrations in complete feed: 60 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 89 mg/kg for laying hens, 81 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 129 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 108 mg/kg for piglets, 157 mg/kg for sows, 269 mg/kg for veal calves, 237 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, sheep/goats and horses, 154 mg/kg for dairy cows, 95 mg/kg for rabbits, 270 mg/kg for salmonids, 284 mg/kg for dogs, 237 mg/kg for cats and 500 mg/kg for ornamental fish. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is very unlikely to induce adverse effects at 60 mg/kg complete feed. No safety concern would arise for the consumer and the environment from the use of the additive in animal feed. Regarding user safety, the additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. When handling the additive, exposure of unprotected users to methyleugenol may occur. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. Since the flowers of L. angustifolia are recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was necessary.</p
Safety and efficacy of the feed additives l-histidine and l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80389 for all animal species (CJ Europe GmbH)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-histidine and l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate produced with a genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (KCCM 80389) as nutritional and sensory feed additives for all animal species and categories. l-Histidine and l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate manufactured by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80389 do not give rise to any safety concern regarding the genetic modifications of the production strain. No viable cells or DNA of the production strain were detected in the final products. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of l-histidine and l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80389 in feed raises no safety concerns for the target species when supplemented in appropriate amounts to the diet according to the nutritional needs of the species. The FEEDAP Panel had concerns on the use of l-histidine and l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate in water for drinking. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of l-histidine and l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80389 in animal nutrition are safe for the consumers of products from animals receiving the additive, and to the environment. Regarding the user safety, the additives are not considered irritant to skin or eyes and are not considered potential skin sensitisers. The additives were regarded as effective sources of the amino acid l-histidine for all non-ruminant species. To be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminants, it should be protected from ruminal degradation.</p
Assessment of the feed additive consisting of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (ROVABIO® ADVANCE) for chickens for fattening and reared for laying, laying hens, turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding, and minor poultry species for fattening and reared for laying for the renewal of its authorisation and for its extension of use to all poultry species (Adisseo France SAS)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the feed additive consisting of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (produced with Talaromyces versatilis DSM 26702 and T. versatilis IMI 378536) (ROVABIO® ADVANCE) as a zootechnical additive (functional group of digestibility enhancers) in feed for all poultry species. The additive is currently authorised for chickens for fattening and reared for laying, laying hens, turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding, and minor poultry species for fattening and reared for laying. This scientific opinion concerns the request for the renewal of the authorisation of the additive for these species and the extension of use to all poultry species. The applicant provided evidence that the additive complies with the conditions of the authorisation. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive remains safe for the target species, consumers and the environment, and that the extension of use to the new species would not affect these conclusions. Regarding user safety, the FEEDAP Panel reiterates its previous conclusion that the additive is not irritant to the skin or eyes and is to be considered a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive for chickens for fattening and reared for laying, laying hens, turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding, and minor poultry species for fattening and reared for laying in the context of the renewal of the authorisation. The FEEDAP Panel considers that the additive has the potential to be efficacious in all poultry species at a minimum inclusion level of 1100 VU endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and 760 VU endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase/kg complete feed.</p
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the leaves or the aerial parts of Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the leaves or aerial parts of Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 1.85%. Peppermint tincture contains on average 0.095% (w/w) total polyphenols (of which 0.0247% are flavonoids). The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the use of peppermint tincture is safe at the proposed use level of 500 mg/kg complete feed for ornamental fish. For the other species the calculated safe concentrations in complete feed are: 64 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 95 mg/kg for laying hens, 86 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 138 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 115 mg/kg for piglets, 168 mg/kg for sows, 287 mg/kg for veal calves, 253 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, sheep/goats and horses, 164 mg/kg for dairy cows, 101 mg/kg for rabbits, 289 mg/kg for salmonids, 303 mg/kg for dogs and 253 mg/kg for cats. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is safe at 64 mg/kg complete feed. The use of peppermint tincture at the proposed conditions of use is considered safe for the consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, the additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Any exposure is considered a risk. Since the leaves of Mentha × piperita L. are recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was necessary.</p
Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 493.94 (Yea-Sacc®) for dairy cows, minor dairy ruminant species, cattle for fattening and minor ruminant species for fattening for the renewal of its authorisation (ALL-TECHNOLOGY (IRELAND) LIMITED [Alltech Ireland])
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of a preparation of dried cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 493.94 (Yea-Sacc®) as a zootechnical additive for dairy cows, minor dairy ruminant species, cattle for fattening and minor ruminant species for fattening. The feed additive is marketed in two solid forms (Yea-Sacc® C and Yea-Sacc® TS) differing by the granulometry. The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the existing terms of the authorisation. The Panel concluded that the additive remains safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Regarding the safety for the user, Yea-Sacc® TS is non-irritant to the skin or eyes while Yea-Sacc® C is not irritant to the skin but irritant to the eyes. The additive in both formulations should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser and any exposure through skin and respiratory tract is considered a risk. There is no need to assess the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.</p
Tea and coffee intakes, COPD, adult asthma, and lung function in the UK Biobank
No full text: Previous studies suggest non-linear associations between tea and coffee intake and respiratory health, with lower risks at low-to-moderate intakes but higher, unexplored risks at high intakes. This study aims to investigate associations between tea and coffee intake and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and adult-onset asthma. : Among 366 869 participants of the UK Biobank, intakes of tea and coffee were derived from both a food frequency questionnaire and from repeated 24 hour diet assessments. Cross-sectional associations with measures of lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV /FVC] and inflammation-represented by the INFLA score-and prospective associations with both incident COPD and adult-onset asthma were examined using multivariable-adjusted linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. : Compared to not consuming tea or coffee, low intakes (0.5-2 cups per d) were associated with better lung function, lower inflammation, and a lower risk of incident COPD [HR (95% CI); tea: 0.87 (0.81, 0.93) and coffee: 0.86 (0.82, 0.92)] and asthma [coffee: 0.90 (0.85, 0.95)]. A higher risk of COPD was seen for high tea, but not coffee, intakes when analyses were restricted to never smokers, but not when participants with respiratory symptoms at baseline were excluded. : Both tea and coffee can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation (∼2 cups per d). The lack of a beneficial association at high intakes may be due to residual confounding from smoking for coffee and, in part, reverse causation for tea
Fate and function of exogenously administered mesenchymal stromal cells: current insights and future directions
No full textThe in vivo fate of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), including their clearance, interaction with host tissues, and persistence, remains incompletely understood following systemic or local clinical administration to patients. Although immune-mediated clearance mechanisms, such as triggering of the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction, activation of coagulation and complement pathways, apoptosis and efferocytosis have been identified, their contributions to MSC function and efficacy are still under investigation. To address these knowledge gaps, an international panel of experts in MSC biology and clinical regenerative medicine convened to assess current evidence and define key unanswered questions. Discussions were structured around three thematic domains: (i) biodistribution and mechanisms of action following systemic delivery; (ii) biological implications of local or depot-based administration and (iii) the dynamics of MSC persistence and clearance in vivo. A major focus was on the role of MSC apoptosis and its immunological consequences, particularly interactions between apoptotic MSCs, phagocytes and endothelial barriers. This perspective highlights the most urgent research questions identified during the meeting and in follow-up discussions and proposes experimental strategies to move beyond traditional cell tracking toward interrogating functional persistence, immune modulation and delivery context. Addressing these gaps will deepen our understanding of MSC behavior in vivo and guide the development of safer, more predictable and more effective MSC-based interventions.</p