Journal Articles
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Item Mutagenesis treatment of Mortierella alpina for PUFA production enhancement for future food development(Elsevier B.V., 2025-06) Alhattab M; Lebeau J; Singh S; Puri MRandom mutagenesis has been identified as a key tool for improving microbial and fungal strains enabling the development of isolates with improved traits suited for industrial scale metabolite production to enhance the nutritional value of future foods. Presented here, is a random mutagenesis strategy employed to assess the effect of 5-fluorouracil (20-200 µg/ml), alone and in combination with the secondary agents octyl gallate and nocodazole, and diethyl sulfate (0.1 to 1 %) chemical mutagenic agents, on the biomass and lipid production as well as the FAME profile. Interestingly, a correlation was demonstrated between 5-fluorouracil exposure time and the arachidonic acid content, which was also influenced by the concentration used. 5-fluororuracil of 100 µg/ml treatment for 48 h resulted in the highest arachidonic acid (% TFA) content in isolates. Mutant M5F047 isolated with 5-fluororuracil (100 µg/ml) alone, proved to be most superior in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and arachidonic acid production, as compared to the Mortierella alpina wild type strain, with enhancements that doubled that of the parent strain. These improvements are more favorable for industrial scale production of arachidonic acid, a precursor of meaty flavour to improve plant-based meats in future food development.Item Common misinterpretations of statistical significance and P-values in dairy research(Elsevier B.V., 2025-11) Laven R; Yang DACareful communication of results is integral to dairy research. However, many published studies contain misinterpretation of the results of statistical analysis, which can lead to conclusions being drawn which are not consistent with the data. Many of these interpretations have arisen because of a focus on P- values rather than on the potential range of effects that are compatible with the study data. This review focuses on 3 misinterpretations: the use of levels of statistical significance to compare results between or within studies, overinterpretation of nonsignificant results, and the use of “trend” to describe results that are “close” to a significance threshold. All of these misinterpretations can be avoided by paying more attention to the range of effects that are compatible with the data. Such a focus will have many benefits—not least, making it clearer when studies have insufficient power to accurately characterize their outcomes. Focusing on compatible effects is not a panacea but will improve statistical inference and provide more thoughtful descriptions of study outcomes.Item Oleaginous Microbial Lipids’ Potential in the Prevention and Treatment of Neurological Disorders(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-02-06) Alhattab M; Moorthy LS; Patel D; Franco CMM; Puri M; Zhang TThe products of oleaginous microbes, primarily lipids, have gained tremendous attention for their health benefits in food-based applications as supplements. However, this emerging biotechnology also offers a neuroprotective treatment/management potential for various diseases that are seldom discussed. Essential fatty acids, such as DHA, are known to make up the majority of brain phospholipid membranes and are integral to cognitive function, which forms an important defense against Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have also been shown to reduce recurrent epilepsy seizures and have been used in brain cancer therapies. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 PUFAs is essential in maintaining physiological function. Furthermore, lipids have also been employed as an effective vehicle to deliver drugs for the treatment of diseases. Lipid nanoparticle technology, used in pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals, has recently emerged as a biocompatible, biodegradable, low-toxicity, and high-stability means for drug delivery to address the drawbacks associated with traditional medicine delivery methods. This review aims to highlight the dual benefit that lipids offer in maintaining good health for disease prevention and in the treatment of neurological diseases.Item Food Security and Transition towards Sustainability(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-11-11) Rabbi MF; Hasan M; Kovács S; Djekic I; Jambrak ARIn the light of linkages in various scales and targets, the complex and nuanced design of the sustainable development goals (SDG) raises more challenges in their implementation on the ground. This paper reviewed 25 food security indicators, proposed improvements to facilitate operationalization, and illustrated practical implementation. The research focused on three essential blind spots that arise from the potential interactions between sustainable food production, consumption, and domestic material consumption (DMC). Projection of latent structure regression was applied to link food security and sustainable development goals. Findings revealed that the key target in reducing trade-offs was the integration of DMC with sustainable food production and consumption. DMC was positively correlated with the creation of coherent SDG strategies and sustainable food security. Practical implications were discussed by highlighting how to achieve food security across contrasting development contexts and the challenges of addressing the links between targets and indicators within and beyond SDGs 2 and 12. The results are useful for setting a proper strategy for sustainable production and consumption that can improve the efficient use of resources in the eight Central European countries.Item How does financial literacy impact on inclusive finance?(Springer Nature on behalf of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, 2021-12-01) Hasan M; Le T; Hoque AInclusive finance is a core concept of finance that makes various financial products and services accessible and affordable to all individuals and businesses, especially those excluded from the formal financial system. One of the leading forces affecting people's ability to access financial services in rural areas is financial literacy. This study investigated the impacts of financial knowledge on financial access through banking, microfinance, and fintech access using the Bangladesh rural population data. We employed three econometrics models: logistic regression, probit regression, and complementary log–log regression to examine whether financial literacy significantly affects removing the barriers that prevent people from participating and using financial services to improve their lives. The empirical findings showed that knowledge regarding various financial services factors had significant impacts on getting financial access. Some variables such as profession, income level, knowledge regarding depositing and withdrawing money, and knowledge regarding interest rate highly affected the overall access to finance. The study's results provide valuable recommendations for the policymaker to improve financial inclusion in the developing country context. A comprehensive and long-term education program should be delivered broadly to the rural population to make a big stride in financial inclusion, a key driver of poverty reduction and prosperity boosting.Item Factors Influencing the Quality of Life of Empty Nesters: Empirical Evidence from Southwest China(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-03-02) Wang C; Zhang B; Oláh J; Hasan M; Appolloni AQuality of life is a widely accepted concept based on the notion that people’s lives have been subject to rapid development and industrialization. This study aims to explore the impact of different factors on the quality of life of empty nesters in Southwest China. The main factors explored are resilience and social supports (SS), highlighted here from different perspectives. Moreover, the correlations between other variables and quality of life are shown here. This study experimented with a hierarchical multiple regression model from survey data with 3583 valid responses. It argued that both resilience and social supports, including family members and friends, are significantly correlated with the Chinese empty nesters’ quality of life. Family support and friend support play a significant mediating role in the association between resilience and quality of life. However, neither government nor nongovernmental support significantly influences the quality of life. Therefore, the hypothetical recommendations of this study have been partially confirmed. The findings of this study provide a more comprehensive understanding of the overall mental and physical health of Chinese empty nesters.Item Energy economic expansion with production and consumption in BRICS countries(Elsevier Ltd, 2022-11-18) Hasan MGlobal energy demand for energy consumption is increasing day by day, and it seems complicated for most countries to meet energy demand with total energy production. In this regard, this study investigates the comparative impact of energy production and consumption on economic growth in the BRICS countries. This study conducts panel data modelling, more specifically, the fixed-effects model, random-effects, and panel FMOLS model, to find the impact of energy production and consumption on economic growth in the BRICS countries. This study finds that energy production and consumption significantly impact the economic development of the BRICS countries. More specifically, dry natural gas production and consumption, electricity generation and consumption, biofuel production, petroleum production, capital formation, and trade openness positively impact on economic growth, while coal production significantly and negatively impacts on economic growth. This research is of great significance to the economic integration of the BRICS economies.Item Does auditor’s attributes impact on professional judgement in a financial audit? Empirical evidence from Myanmar SAI(Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania, 2022-06-14) Soe AK; Gavurova B; Oláh J; Hasan MThis study investigates auditor attributes that may influence an auditor’s judgment in a financial audit. The purpose of this study is specified to show the impact of auditor’s attributes on professional judgment on the financial auditing process. An empirical research methodology is carried out to show the impact of the attributes on professional judgments. With this approach, hypotheses have been formulated and tested using empirical data and existing theories. A quantitative survey method was followed to collect the data for this study. A questionnaire was sent to selected auditors in Myanmar SAI to collect the data relating to the factors that influence auditors’ judgment, such as gender, age, education, knowledge, position level, experience, training, location, and job cognition. The findings of this study show that variables such as age, professional degree, education level, and knowledge are highly significant in auditor judgment. The limitation of this research is the sample size, and sample characteristics are different in Myanmar SAI from other SAIs. Almost 85% of respondents are female in Myanmar SAI. Therefore, it is considered a limitation of this study.Item The Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: An Exploratory Study of New Zealand Home Occupants(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2025-10-23) Rasheed EO; Tamang I; Onyeizu-Rasheed E; Vishnu P; Mohsin Shahzad WThe COVID-19 pandemic imposed unprecedented restrictions on movement and daily life, testing the resilience and adaptability of existing housing stock, as families worldwide were forced to adapt their homes into multifunctional environments. In New Zealand, where lockdowns were among the most stringent globally, homes rapidly transformed into workplaces, schools, gyms, and places of refuge. Little is known about how these adaptations affected the sustainability of homes and occupants’ well-being, particularly in the context of future crises. This study examined the economic, environmental, and psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on New Zealand households. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and a quantitative analysis method was employed using survey data from 92 valid responses from New Zealand respondents who experienced lockdowns in various types of housing. To find important patterns and connections, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Findings revealed that economic factors had the strongest influence on respondents’ perceived experience during the COVID-19 lockdown, with households reporting increased electricity and water use but reduced fuel costs. Environmental factors were also significant, with respondents noting the importance of fresh air, sunlight, acoustic privacy, and more spacious rooms, alongside the critical need for a dedicated workspace. Psychosocial effects included higher distraction levels, monotony, and heightened concern for health. Group differences highlighted the influence of age and the number of bedrooms on the perceived experience of lockdown. This pilot work offers a New Zealand perspective on the intersection of the pandemic with the sustainability of homes. The practical implications of this study highlight the need for sustainable housing retrofits, hybrid work policies that support ergonomic and acoustically adequate home offices, and demographic-sensitive interventions to enhance resilience and occupant well-being in future crises.Item Mitochondrial diversity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Mountain Gorillas(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025-12-01) Knox MA; Almeida V; Kalema-Zikusoka G; Rubanga S; Ngabirano A; Hayman DTSBackground: Mitochondrial DNA is a key marker for assessing genetic diversity, critical for the conservation of endangered species. This study investigates the mitochondrial diversity of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) mountain gorilla population (Gorilla beringei beringei), one of the most endangered primate subspecies. Results: Using pooled sequencing of 200 faecal samples collected from both habituated and wild gorillas, we identify ten mtDNA variants exceeding a 20% threshold across the population mitogenome. Comparisons with previously sequenced individual BINP gorilla mitogenomes corroborates these findings and reveals additional putative haplotypes, potential heteroplasmy and nuclear mitochondrial DNA segments. Our approach overcomes challenges associated with pooled samples, distinguishing sequencing noise from biological variation. The observed diversity suggests that mitochondrial variability in mountain gorillas is comparable to the higher levels reported in the closely related Grauer’s gorilla (G. beringei graueri). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the utility of non-invasive faecal sampling and pooled sequencing for assessing genetic diversity in challenging field conditions, highlighting its potential for population-level genetic monitoring of non-human primates. Our findings provide valuable insights into the genetic makeup of this critically endangered population, contributing to future conservation efforts, and supporting the recovery of mountain gorillas.
