bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipidomics and colistin resistance in non-human isolates ofAcinetobacter seifertii
Authors: Sykes Ellen M. E. , Mateo-Estrada Valeria , Muzaleva Anna , Zhanel George , Dettman Jeremy , Chapados Julie , Gerdis Suzanne , Khan Izhar U. H. , Castillo-Ramírez Santiago , Kumar Ayush
Published: May 2024

Acinetobacter baumanniiis most well known for its role as a human pathogen and as a member of theAcinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii(ACB) complex. However, lesser characterised members of the ACB complex, have also been implicated in hospital-acquired infections. Once mainly considered opportunistic pathogens, manyA. baumanniiand non-baumanniistrains are being isolated from agricultural, water and food sources. The surveillance and tracking ofAcinetobacterspp. have been recently suggested to be part of the One Health consortium, to understand and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Here, we isolated fourAcinetobacterstrains from tank milk in Bogor, Indonesia and using ANI and dDDH techniques have identified them asAcinetobacter seifertii. MLST methods assigned theseA. seifertiistrains to a novel Sequence Types (ST), highlighting the diversity not only within the ACB complex but also in non-humanAcinetobacterspp. These fourA. seifertiistrains are colistin-resistant and while they do not harbour any known mechanism of colistin resistance, they do share amino acid substitutions in regulatory proteins, AdeS, PmrAB, H-NS, and the membrane associated proteins, LpxACD, MlaD, PldA, LpsB and EptA that may contribute to this phenotype. Furthermore, down-regulation of the RND efflux pump AdeAB, may also be a key factor in colistin resistance in these non-humanA. seifertiistrains. Lipidomics revealed an acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecule, and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (lyso-PE) in significant abundance compared to colistin-sensitiveA. baumanniiATCC17978 revealing lipidomic differences between species. Finally, these four tank milkA. seifertiistrains are avirulent in an insect model of virulence. It is possible thatA. seifertiistrains are intrinsically resistant to colistin and require further study. By investigating these less understoodAcinetobacterspp. from non-human sources, our study supports the One Health approach to combatting antibiotic resistance.
Development of Modular Expression and Genome Editing Across Phylogenetically Distinct Diazotrophs
Authors: Kulakowski Shawn , Rivier Alex , Kuo Rita , Mengel Sonya , Eng Thomas
Published: May 2024

Diazotrophic bacteria can reduce atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia enabling bioavailability of the essential element. Many diazotrophs associate closely with plant roots increasing nitrogen availability, acting as plant growth promoters. These associations have the potential to reduce the need for costly synthetic fertilizers if they could be engineered for agricultural applications. However, despite the importance of diazotrophic bacteria, genetic tools are poorly developed in a limited number of species, in turn narrowing the crops and root microbiomes that can be targeted. Here we report optimized protocols and plasmids to manipulate phylogenetically diverse diazotrophs with the goal of enabling synthetic biology and genetic engineering. Three broad-host-range plasmids can be used across multiple diazotrophs, with the identification of one specific plasmid (containing origin of replication RK2 and a kanamycin resistance marker) showing the highest degree of compatibility across bacteria tested. We then demonstrated modular expression testing seven promoters and eleven ribosomal binding sites using proxy fluorescent proteins. Finally, we tested four small molecule inducible systems to report expression in three diazotrophs and demonstrate genome editing in Klebsiella michiganensis M5al.
Using the Raspberry Pi Virtual Reality (PiVR) System to StudyDrosophilaLarval Chemotaxis with Real and Virtual Odor Gradients
Authors: Tadres David , Saxena Nitesh , Louis Matthieu
Published: May 2024

Here, we present a detailed protocol for the study of the orientation behavior of larvae of the fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterin response to both real and virtual odors (chemotaxis). An element common to the study of navigation directed by all sensory modalities is the need to correlate changes in behavioral states (e.g., crawling and turning) with temporal changes in the stimulus preceding these events. It has been shown recently that virtual odor landscapes, with any arbitrary geometry, can be created by combining a platform known as “Raspberry Pi virtual reality” (PiVR) with optogenetics. This methodology offers a technical foundation with which to characterize how the larval nervous system responds to stimulation by real and virtual odors. Furthermore, the experimental steps presented and discussed herein highlight important considerations that are needed to ensure experimental reproducibility. Finally, we believe that this framework can be easily adapted and generalized to allow investigators to study other sensory modalities in theDrosophilalarva and in other animals.
Recording fromDrosophilaLarval Body Wall Muscles: Passive Membrane Properties and Basic Features of Synaptic Transmission
Authors: Zhang Bing , Stewart Bryan
Published: May 2024

TheDrosophilalarval body wall muscle preparation was first used for electrophysiological analysis in the 1970s. This preparation has become the “gold standard” for studying neuronal excitability as well as synaptic transmission. Here, we first describe the steps for performing intracellular recording from fly larval body wall muscles and then explain how to record and analyze spontaneous and evoked synaptic potentials. Methods used include larval dissection (filleting), identification of muscle fibers and their innervating nerves, the use of the micromanipulator and microelectrode in penetrating the muscle membrane, and nerve stimulation to evoke synaptic potentials.
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) UsingDrosophilaAntennal and Brain Samples
Authors: Du Chengcheng , Volkan Pelin
Published: May 2024

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a common approach for studying the binding pattern of proteins on DNA sequences or the landscape of histones with different marks throughout the genome. ChIP is used on various organisms, includingDrosophila. This protocol provides a detailed overview of the immunoprecipitation portion of a ChIP procedure from samples ofDrosophilanervous systems, specifically antennae and brains, that have already been fixed and sheared. These methods can be applied to other tissues of interest after optimizing for sample size and other relevant parameters.
Neural Stimulation duringDrosophilaActivity Monitor (DAM)-Based Studies of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Vecsey Christopher G. , Koochagian Casey , Reyes Martin , Sitaraman Divya
Published: May 2024

Sleep is a fundamental feature of life for virtually all multicellular animals, but many questions remain about how sleep is regulated by circadian rhythms, homeostatic sleep drive that builds up with wakefulness, and modifying factors such as hunger or social interactions, as well as about the biological functions of sleep. Substantial headway has been made in the study of both circadian rhythms and sleep in the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster, much of it through studies of individual fly activity usingDrosophilaactivity monitors (DAMs). Here, we describe approaches for the activation of specific neurons of interest using optogenetics (involving genetic modifications that allow for light-based neuronal activation) and thermogenetics (involving genetic modifications that allow for temperature-based neuronal activation) so that researchers can evaluate the roles of those neurons in controlling rest and activity behavior. In this protocol, we describe how to set up a rig for simultaneous optogenetic or thermogenetic stimulation and activity monitoring for analysis of sleep and circadian rhythms inDrosophila, how to raise appropriate flies, and how to perform the experiment. This protocol will allow researchers to assess the causative role in the regulation of sleep and activity rhythms of any genetically tractable subset of cells.
Analysis of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms fromDrosophilaActivity-Monitoring Data Using SCAMP
Authors: Vecsey Christopher G. , Koochagian Casey , Porter Maria T. , Roman Gregg , Sitaraman Divya
Published: May 2024

Sleep is a fundamental feature of life for virtually all multicellular animals, but many questions remain about how sleep is regulated and what biological functions it plays. Substantial headway has been made in the study of both circadian rhythms and sleep in the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster, much of it through studies of individual fly activity using beam break counts fromDrosophilaactivity monitors (DAMs). The number of laboratories worldwide studying sleep inDrosophilahas grown from only a few 20 years ago to hundreds today. The utility of these studies is limited by the quality of the metrics that can be extracted from the data. Many software options exist to help analyze DAM data; however, these are often expensive or have significant limitations. Therefore, we describe here a method for analyzing DAM-based data using the sleep and circadian analysis MATLAB program (SCAMP). This user-friendly software has an advantage of combining several analyses of both sleep and circadian rhythms in one package and produces graphical outputs as well as spreadsheets of the outputs for further statistical analysis. The version of SCAMP described here is also the first published software package that can analyze data from multibeam DAM5Ms, enabling determination of positional preference over time.
Single-Sensillum Taste Recordings in Mosquitoes
Authors: Lomelí Adriana Medina , Dahanukar Anupama Arun
Published: May 2024

In insects, gustatory neurons sense chemicals upon contact and directly inform many behaviors critical for survival and reproduction, including biting, feeding, mating, and egg laying. However, the taste sensory system is underexplored in many anthropophilic disease vectors such as mosquitoes, which acquire and transmit human pathogens during blood feeding from human hosts. This results in a big gap in vector biology—the study of organisms that spread disease by transmitting pathogens—because insect vectors closely interact with humans while selecting suitable individuals and appropriate bite sites for blood meals. Human sweat and skin-associated chemistries are rich in nonvolatile compounds that can be sensed by the mosquito's taste system when she lands on the skin. Taste sensory units, called sensilla, are distributed in many organs across the mosquito body, including the mouthparts, legs, and ovipositors (female-specific structures used to lay eggs). Each sensillum is innervated by as many as five taste neurons, which allow detection and discrimination between various tastants such as water, sugars, salts, amino acids, and plant-derived compounds that taste bitter to humans. Single-sensillum recordings provide a robust way to survey taste responsiveness of individual sensilla to various diagnostic and ecologically relevant chemicals. Such analyses are of immense value for understanding links between mosquito taste responses and behaviors to specific chemical cues and can provide insights into why mosquitoes prefer certain hosts. The results can also aid development of strategies to disrupt close-range mosquito–human interactions to control disease transmission. Here we describe a protocol that is curated for electrophysiological recordings from taste sensilla in mosquitoes and sure to yield exciting results for the field.
Mosquito Embryo Microinjection under Halocarbon Oil or in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Harrell Robert A.
Published: May 2024

The process of genetically modifying mosquitoes requires skilled delivery of reagents for modification. Plasmids, RNA, DNA, and/or protein must be transported into the developing embryo during an appropriate time in development when these agents will have access to the genome. Embryo microinjection has been the main method by which such modifying agents have been delivered. Ideally the microinjection process will deliver these modifying agents in sufficient quantity to effect the genetic modification without severely damaging or killing the injected embryo in the process. As semiaquatic insects, mosquitoes have embryos that are susceptible to desiccation and the degree to which embryos are susceptible is based on species. Two microinjection methods are outlined here. The first method describes embryo microinjections performed under Halocarbon-27 oil. The oil is used to reduce desiccation during the injection process. A second method limits desiccation by injecting the mosquito embryos in water. In both procedures, the embryos are first aligned and then injected before the embryos cellularize, ∼1 h and 45 min after oviposition.
Automated Egg-Counting Approaches forAedes aegyptiOviposition Experiments
Authors: Tochor Nicholas Kristoff , Mohammed Yunusa Garba , Matthews Benjamin J.
Published: May 2024

Egg-laying preferences of mosquitoes can reveal key neurosensory mechanisms informing the decision-making process for this critical behavior. A single blood meal results in a gravid femaleAedes aegyptimosquito laying more than 100 eggs. Therefore, egg counting represents a potentially time-consuming and laborious component to behavioral assays, such as those that measure oviposition preference or fecundity. Automated algorithms that count eggs from images can dramatically reduce the time required for this step of data processing and analysis and increase reproducibility associated with having multiple human observers count the eggs. Here, we present two distinct approaches for counting melanizedAe. aegyptieggs laid on white filter paper.
Selection of Affibody Molecules Using Phage Display
Authors: Hjelm Linnea Charlotta , Dahlsson Leitao Charles , Ståhl Stefan , Löfblom John , Lindberg Hanna
Published: May 2024

Affibody molecules are small (6-kDa) affinity proteins generated by directed evolution for specific binding to various target molecules. The first step in this workflow involves the generation of an affibody library. This is then followed by amplification of the library, which can then be used for biopanning using multiple methods. This protocol describes amplification of affibody libraries, followed by biopanning using phage display and analysis of the selection output. The general procedure is mainly for selection of first-generation affibody molecules from large naive (unbiased) libraries, typically yielding affibody hits with affinities in the low nanomolar range. For selection from affinity maturation libraries with the aim of isolating variants of even higher affinities, the procedure is similar, but parameters such as target concentration and washing are adjusted to achieve the proper stringency.
Selection of Affibody Molecules UsingEscherichia coliDisplay
Authors: Dahlsson Leitao Charles , Hjelm Linnea Charlotta , Ståhl Stefan , Löfblom John , Lindberg Hanna
Published: May 2024

Affibody molecules are small (6-kDa) affinity proteins generated by directed evolution for specific binding to various target molecules. The first step in this workflow involves the generation of an affibody library, which can then be used for selection via multiple display methods. This protocol describes selection from affibody libraries byEscherichia colicell surface display. With this method, high-diversity libraries of 1011can be displayed on the cell surface. The method involves two steps for selection of binders from high-diversity libraries: magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). MACS is used first to enrich the library in target-binding clones and to decrease diversity to a size that can be effectively screened and sorted in the flow cytometer in a reasonable time (typically <107cells). The protocol is based on methodology using an AIDA-I autotransporter for display on the outer membrane, but the general procedures can also be adjusted and used for other types of autotransporters or alternativeE. colidisplay methods.
Whole-Brain Calcium Imaging inDrosophiladuring Sleep and Wake
Authors: Tainton-Heap Lucy , Troup Michael , Van De Poll Matthew , van Swinderen Bruno
Published: May 2024

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) allow for the noninvasive evaluation of neuronal activity in vivo, and imaging GECIs inDrosophilahas become commonplace for understanding neural functions and connectivity in this system. GECIs can also be used as read-outs for studying sleep in this model organism. Here, we describe a methodology for tracking the activity of neurons in the fly brain using a two-photon (2p) microscopy system. This method can be adapted to perform functional studies of neural activity inDrosophilaunder both spontaneous and evoked conditions, as well as during spontaneous or induced sleep. We first describe a tethering and surgical procedure that allows survival under the microscopy conditions required for long-term recordings. We then outline the steps and reagents required for optogenetic activation of sleep-promoting neurons while simultaneously recording neural activity from the fly brain. We also describe the procedure for recording from two different locations—namely, the top of the head (e.g., to record mushroom body calyx activity) or the back of the head (e.g., to record central complex activity). We also provide different strategies for recording from GECIs confined to the cell body versus the entire neuron. Finally, we describe the steps required for analyzing the multidimensional data that can be acquired. In all, this protocol shows how to perform calcium imaging experiments in tethered flies, with a focus on acquiring spontaneous and induced sleep data.
Mosquito Blood Meal Analysis
Authors: Reeves Lawrence E. , Burkett-Cadena Nathan D.
Published: May 2024

The host associations of mosquitoes vary by species, with some species being relative generalists, whereas others specialize, to varying extents, on a particular subset of the available host community. These host associations are driving factors in transmission dynamics of mosquito-vectored pathogens. For this reason, characterizing the host associations of mosquito species is critical for understanding the epidemiology of mosquito-vectored pathogens. Diverse methods have been used to associate mosquito species with their hosts. These typically include collecting mosquitoes that bite a restrained host (bait) or collecting wild blood-engorged mosquitoes and matching their blood meal to reference samples (blood meal analysis). Blood meal analysis refers to a collection of molecular techniques for determining the taxonomic identity of the source of a mosquito blood meal using cytological, serological, or DNA-based characteristics of the blood meal. Blood meal analyses that are based on DNA markers have advantages over cytological and serological methods and are effective for determining species-level identities of hosts from a broad range of potential host taxa. Here, we discuss effective techniques for analyzing blood meals.
Synaptic Electrophysiology of theDrosophilaNeuromuscular Junction
Authors: Zhang Bing , Stewart Bryan
Published: May 2024

Chemical synaptic transmission is an important means of neuronal communication in the nervous system. Upon the arrival of an action potential, the nerve terminal experiences an influx of calcium ions, which in turn trigger the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles (SVs) and the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. Transmitters elicit synaptic responses in the postsynaptic cell by binding to and activating specific receptors. This is followed by the recycling of SVs at presynaptic terminals. TheDrosophilalarval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) shares many structural and functional similarities to synapses in other animals, including humans. These include the basic features of synaptic transmission, as well as the molecular mechanisms regulating the SV cycle. Because of its large size, easy accessibility, and well-characterized genetics, the fly NMJ is an excellent model system for dissecting the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission. Here, we describe the theory and practice of electrophysiology as applied to theDrosophilalarval NMJ preparation. We introduce the basics of membrane potentials, with an emphasis on the resting potential and synaptic potential. We also describe the equipment and methods required to set up an electrophysiology rig.
Activity Monitoring for Analysis of Sleep inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Sitaraman Divya , Vecsey Christopher G. , Koochagian Casey
Published: May 2024

Sleep is important for survival, and the need for sleep is conserved across species. In the past two decades, the fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterhas emerged as a promising system in which to study the genetic, neural, and physiological bases of sleep. Through significant advances in our understanding of the regulation of sleep in flies, the field is poised to address several open questions about sleep, such as how the need for sleep is encoded, how molecular regulators of sleep are situated within brain networks, and what the functions of sleep are. Here, we describe key findings, open questions, and commonly used methods that have been used to inform existing theories and develop new ways of thinking about the function, regulation, and adaptability of sleep behavior.
Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to Study the Chromatin State inDrosophila
Authors: Du Chengcheng , Volkan Pelin
Published: May 2024

The chromatin state plays an important role in regulating gene expression, which affects organismal development and plasticity. Proteins, including transcription factors, chromatin modulatory proteins, and histone proteins, usually with modifications, interact with gene loci involved in cellular differentiation, function, and modulation. One molecular method used to characterize protein–DNA interactions is chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). ChIP uses antibodies to immunoprecipitate specific proteins cross-linked to DNA fragments. This approach, in combination with quantitative PCR (qPCR) or high-throughput DNA sequencing, can determine the enrichment of a certain protein or histone modification around specific gene loci or across the whole genome. ChIP has been used inDrosophilato characterize the binding pattern of transcription factors and to elucidate the roles of regulatory proteins in gene expression during development and in response to environment stimuli. This review outlines ChIP procedures using tissues from theDrosophilanervous system as an example and discusses all steps and the necessary optimization.
Hadronic light-by-light scattering contributions to
(g−2)μ
from axial-vector and tensor mesons in the holographic soft-wall model
Authors: Colangelo Pietro , Giannuzzi Floriana , Nicotri Stefano
Published: May 2024

We compute the light axial-vector and tensor meson two-photon transition form factors in the soft-wall holographic model of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) in the flavor-symmetric case. They are used to evaluate the axial-vector and tensor meson contributions to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon via the hadronic light-by-light scattering process. As expected, these contributions are smaller than the one from pseudoscalar mesons. The result for axial-vector mesons is higher than the value found in other approaches.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Decoupling of the structure functions in momentum space based on the Laplace transformation
Authors: Boroun G. R. , Ha Phuoc
Published: May 2024

Using Laplace transform techniques, we describe the determination of the longitudinal structure function FL(x,Q2), at the leading-order approximation in momentum space, from the structure function F2(x,Q2) and its derivative with respect to lnQ2 in a kinematical region of low values of the Bjorken variable x. Since the x dependence of F2(x,Q2) and its evolution with Q2 are determined much better by the data than FL(x,Q2), this method provides both a direct check on FL(x,Q2) where measured, and a way of extending FL(x,Q2) into regions of x and Q2 where there are currently no data. In our calculations, we ultilize the Block-Durand-Ha parametrization for the structure function F2(x,Q2) [M. M. Block , .]. We find that the Laplace transform method in momentum space provides correct behaviors of the extracted longitudinal structure function FL(x,Q2) and that our obtained results are in line with data from the H1 Collaboration and other results for FL(x,Q2) obtained using Mellin transform method.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Lattice investigations of the chimera baryon spectrum in the
Sp(4)
gauge theory
Authors: Bennett Ed , Hong Deog Ki , Hsiao Ho , Lee Jong-Wan , Lin C.-J. David , Lucini Biagio , Piai Maurizio , Vadacchino Davide
Published: May 2024

We report the results of lattice numerical studies of the Sp(4) gauge theory coupled to fermions (hyperquarks) transforming in the fundamental and two-index antisymmetric representations of the gauge group. This strongly coupled theory is the minimal candidate for the ultraviolet completion of composite Higgs models that facilitate the mechanism of partial compositeness for generating the top-quark mass. We measure the spectrum of the low-lying, half-integer spin, bound states composed of two fundamental and one antisymmetric hyperquarks, dubbed chimera baryons, in the quenched approximation. In this first systematic, nonperturbative study, we focus on the three lightest parity-even chimera-baryon states, in analogy with QCD, denoted as ΛCB, ΣCB (both with spin 1/2), and ΣCB* (with spin

3

/

2

). The spin-1/2 such states are candidates of the top partners. The extrapolation of our results to the continuum and massless-hyperquark limit is performed using formulas inspired by QCD heavy-baryon Wilson chiral perturbation theory. Within the range of hyperquark masses in our simulations, we find that ΣCB is not heavier than ΛCB.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Sound velocity peak induced by the chiral partner in dense two-color QCD
Authors: Kawaguchi Mamiya , Suenaga Daiki
Published: May 2024

Recently, the peak structure of the sound velocity was observed in the lattice simulation of two-color and two-flavor QCD at the finite quark chemical potential. The comparison with the chiral perturbation theory (ChPT) result was undertaken; however, the ChPT failed in reproducing the peak structure. In this study, to extend the ChPT framework, we incorporate contributions of the σ meson, that is identified as the chiral partner of pions, on top of the low-energy pion dynamics by using the linear sigma model (LSM). Based on the LSM, we derive analytic expressions of the thermodynamic quantities as well as the sound velocity within a mean-field approximation. As a result, we find that those quantities are provided by sums of the ChPT results and corrections, where the latter is characterized by a mass difference between the chiral partners, the σ meson and pion. The chiral partner contributions are found to yield a peak in the sound velocity successfully. We furthermore show that the sound velocity peak emerges only when mσ>3mπ and μq>mπ, with mσ(π) and μq being the σ meson (pion) mass and the quark chemical potential, respectively. The correlation between the sound velocity peak and the sign of the trace anomaly is also addressed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Design and validation of the evolved version of the tactical separation system
Authors: Di Vito Vittorio , Torrano Giulia , Cerasuolo Giovanni , Ferrucci Michele
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The small air transport (SAT) domain is gaining increasing interest over the past decade, based on its perspective relevance in enabling efficient travel over a regional range, by exploiting small airports and fixed wing aircraft with up to 19 seats (EASA CS-23 category). To support its wider adoption, it is needed to enable single pilot operations.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated mission management system (IMMS) has been designed and implemented, able to automatically optimize the aircraft path by considering trajectory optimization needs. It takes into account both traffic scenario and weather actual and forecasted condition and is also able to select best destination airport, should pilot incapacitation occur during flight. As part of the IMMS, dedicated evolved tactical separation system (Evo-TSS) has been designed to provide elaboration of both surrounding and far located traffic and subsequent traffic clustering, to support the trajectory planning/re-planning by the IMMS.

Findings

The Clean Sky 2-funded project COAST (Cost Optimized Avionics SysTem) successfully designed and validated through flight demonstrations relevant technologies enabling affordable cockpit and avionics and supporting single pilot operations for SAT vehicles. These technologies include the TSS in its baseline and evolved versions, included in the IMMS.

Originality/value

This paper describes the TSS baseline version and the basic aspects of the Evo-TSS design. It is aimed to outline the implementation of the Evo-TSS dedicated software in Matlab/Simulink environment, the planned laboratory validation campaign and the results of the validation exercises in fast-time Matlab/Simulink environment, which were successfully concluded in 2023.
Wholesale price forecasts of green grams using the neural network
Authors: Jin Bingzi , Xu Xiaojie
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Agriculture commodity price forecasts have long been important for a variety of market players. The study we conducted aims to address this difficulty by examining the weekly wholesale price index of green grams in the Chinese market. The index covers a ten-year period, from January 1, 2010, to January 3, 2020, and has significant economic implications.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to address the nonlinear patterns present in the price time series, we investigate the nonlinear auto-regressive neural network as the forecast model. This modeling technique is able to combine a variety of basic nonlinear functions to approximate more complex nonlinear characteristics. Specifically, we examine prediction performance that corresponds to several configurations across data splitting ratios, hidden neuron and delay counts, and model estimation approaches.

Findings

Our model turns out to be rather simple and yields forecasts with good stability and accuracy. Relative root mean square errors throughout training, validation and testing are specifically 4.34, 4.71 and 3.98%, respectively. The results of benchmark research show that the neural network produces statistically considerably better performance when compared to other machine learning models and classic time-series econometric methods.

Originality/value

Utilizing our findings as independent technical price forecasts would be one use. Alternatively, policy research and fresh insights into price patterns might be achieved by combining them with other (basic) prediction outputs.
High-order discretization–based self-adaptive turbulence eddy simulation for supersonic base flow with PHengLEI software
Authors: Wu Wenchang , Yan Zhenguo , Min Yaobing , Han Xingsi , Ma Yankai , Zhao Zhong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to develop a new numerical framework that can predict the supersonic base flow more accurately, including the development of axisymmetrically separated shear layer and recompression shock. To this end, two aspects are improved and combined, i.e. a newly self-adaptive turbulence eddy simulation (SATES) turbulence modeling method and a high-order discretization numerical scheme. Furthermore, the performance of the new numerical framework within a general-purpose PHengLEI software is assessed in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

Satisfactory prediction of the supersonic separated shear layer with unsteady wake flow is quite challenging. By using a unified turbulence model called SATES combining high-order accurate discretization numerical schemes, the present study first assesses the performance of newly developed SATES for supersonic axisymmetric separation flows. A high-order finite differencing-based compressible computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code called PHengLEI is developed and several different numerical schemes are used to investigate the effects on shock-turbulence interactions, which include the monotonic upstream-centered scheme for conservation laws (MUSCL), weighted compact nonlinear scheme (WCNS) and hybrid cell-edge and cell-node dissipative compact scheme (HDCS).

Findings

Compared with the available experimental data and the numerical predictions, the results of SATES by using high-order accurate WCNS or HDCS schemes agree better with the experiments than the results by using the MUSCL scheme. The WCNS and HDCS can also significantly improve the prediction of flow physics in terms of the instability of the annular shear layer and the evolution of the turbulent wake.

Research limitations/implications

The small deviations in the recirculation region can be found between the present numerical results and experimental data, which could be caused by the inaccurate incoming boundary layer condition and compressible effects. Therefore, a proper incoming boundary layer condition with turbulent fluctuations and compressibility effects need to be considered to further improve the accuracy of simulations.

Practical implications

The present study evaluates a high-order discretization-based SATES turbulence model for supersonic separation flows, which is quite valuable for improving the calculation accuracy of aeronautics applications, especially in supersonic conditions.

Originality/value

For the first time, the newly developed SATES turbulence modeling method combining the high-order accurate WCNS or HDCS numerical schemes is implemented on the PHengLEI software and successfully applied for the simulations of supersonic separation flows, and satisfactory results are obtained. The unsteady evolutions of the supersonic annular shear layer are analyzed, and the hairpin vortex structures are found in the simulation.
New angles and long walks: building regional networks through union education
Authors: Garner Alice , Leahy Mary , Forsyth Anthony , Burns Renee
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This article examines the role the Australian Trade Union Training Authority (TUTA) played in international education through the provision of trade union courses and exchanges. We consider how an investigation of trade union networks contributes to a richer understanding of international education linkages.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on research conducted for an Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded project: Trade union training: reshaping the Australian industrial landscape (ARC LP180100500). This research involved a critical analysis of 60 semi-structured oral history interviews and textual archives, including the official records held by the National Archives of Australia and papers held by the Noel Butlin Archives, the Australian Council of Trade Unions and in private collections.

Findings

TUTA was established primarily as a national union training organisation, but from its inception, it also acted as a hub for the development of regional and international labour networks. The nature of TUTA’s work placed it at the intersection of international trade union and educational domains. Although there were some points of contact with formal international programs (e.g. Japan–Australia and Kellogg Foundations, the Colombo Plan and US Department of Labour exchanges schemes), the specific contribution of TUTA is overlooked in the educational exchange literature. The role of TUTA is revealed through institutional connections and individual experiences.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of TUTA from the perspective of former participants in international TUTA course and current and former trade unionists in the Asia–Pacific.

Originality/value

This article builds new knowledge by examining the connections forged in the Asia–Pacific region at the intersection of trade union and educational networks, an area often overlooked in the literature on educational exchange.
Empowering women for creative solutions in interpersonal conflict at work
Authors: Fousiani Kyriaki , Michelakis Georgios , De Jonge Kiki Margaretha Maria
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Creativity plays a crucial role in interpersonal conflict within organizations, yet little research has explored its antecedents in this context. This study aims to investigate power and gender as the main determinants of creativity in interpersonal conflict within organizational contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were conducted. The first study involved 226 employees from various organizations (Mage = 39.39, SD = 10.39), whereas the second study used a conflict simulation with 160 participants (Mage = 36.90, SD = 10.45) forming dyads. Both studies investigated the impact of relative power (i.e. having more power than the other person) on creativity in conflict, with a focus on the moderating role of gender. Study 2 also manipulated contextual creativity, which served as an additional moderator in this relationship.

Findings

Results largely supported our hypotheses, indicating a positive relationship between relative power and creativity in conflict. Importantly, this relationship was stronger among women. Study 2 further focused on the distinct dimensions of creativity, highlighting differences between idea originality and effectiveness.

Practical implications

The findings hold practical significance for organizational leaders and conflict resolution practitioners, and they further underscore the importance of considering gender dynamics in conflict resolution processes within organizations.

Originality/value

This research contributes novel insights into the understanding of creativity within organizational conflicts, emphasizing the interplay between relative power, gender and creativity. Additionally, the exploration of different dimensions of creativity (i.e. originality and effectiveness) adds depth to existing literature in this area.
Improving community resilience through distributed solar energy as critical infrastructure – a case study of South Asia
Authors: Mohanty Parimita , Pal Indrajit , Roy Joyashree
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The analytical framework proposed in this study aims to link the capital portfolio approach to sustaining human well-being, 2015 sustainable development goals and development action ARC-D concepts. Nepal case study is a “tribrid” power generation system that combines distributed solar, hydro and wind power generation capacities for the resilience of a community of around 500 people in a remote village with a total installed capacity of 28 kW. The second case study is about the solarization of 900 health centres in Chhattisgarh, India, with off-grid solar PV with a cumulative capacity of 3 MW.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical infrastructure at the community scale needs to be resilient to maintain community-level functionality in the face of adverse impacts. The present study provides two case study sites from Nepal and India to demonstrate various elements of resilience building for critical infrastructures, especially for the energy sector.

Findings

Granular technology and distributed generation in Nepal and India can act as critical infrastructure in providing on-demand electricity service to enhance community-level resilience along with future opportunities of scale up.

Originality/value

The analytical framework for evaluating community-scale resilience through critical infrastructure design and application of the framework using evidence based on case studies are the original contributions.
Synergistic competencies of business graduates for the digital age: directions for higher education
Authors: Butcher Luke , Sung Billy , Cheah Isaac
Published: May 2024

Purpose

For business and management higher education (HE) to transition graduates to digital workplaces and careers, it’s crucial they develop competencies (digital and traditional, soft and technical, new and old) that are relevant and applicable.

Design/methodology/approach

Insights are obtained from 60 comprehensive interviews with HE business students, educators and industry practitioners.

Findings

Six synergistic competencies are described that leverage synergies of (often) divergent competencies in the digital age of business, integrating them with a recently emerged multi-disciplinary competency framework. Each synergy states its target application, purpose and is aligned with specific HE practices.

Originality/value

Scholarship of competencies is re-oriented away from clusters and towards synergies, with a new inter-disciplinary competency framework validated to business in the digital age, with directions provided for HE.
Pursuing sustained competitive advantage through the use of process management
Authors: Huldt Navarro Priscilla , Haag Linnea
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how process management (PM) can support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in pursuing sustained competitive advantage. For this purpose, a dynamic capabilities (DC) lens was used.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative literature review and a multiple case study with an action research approach at two road freight transport companies were used.

Findings

PM provides structure and system thinking to support the development of competitive advantage. Concerning PM, management of knowledge, management style and process orientation are key factors for the generation of competitive advantage for SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to PM literature by studying its support for and implementation at SMEs. Furthermore, the study contributes to the literature on DC by providing concrete examples of activities linked to such capabilities.

Practical implications

This study contributes to practitioners by providing examples of implementing PM and identifying competitive advantage, connected with PM elements.

Social implications

This study has social and environmental implications for the quality of life of the Swedish people.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to clarifying the connection between the research fields of quality management and DC to explore how PM can support SMEs in pursuing sustained competitive advantage.
From home to office: dynamics of remote work frequency, boundary crossing and employee well-being
Authors: Hayashi Shohei
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To examine the impact of using work-related information and communication technology (ICT) during off-job hours on employees' emotional exhaustion and to elucidate the role of psychological detachment (PD) and positive work reflection (PWR). Additionally, the study investigated the influence of the frequency of remote work on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was conducted using a three-wave online survey with 507 full-time employees consisting of 170 non-remote workers, 75, 77, 63, 61, and 61 remote workers for one to five days weekly, respectively.

Findings

Work-related ICT use during off-job hours inhibited PD and encouraged PWR, exacerbating emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, remote work frequency promotes boundary crossing and moderates the relationship between PWR and emotional exhaustion.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the complex interplay between boundary crossing, coping strategies, and emotional exhaustion in remote work. It highlights the importance of fostering PD and minimizing boundary crossing to promote employees’ well-being in increasingly flexible work environments.
Linking transformational leadership and digital creativity from the lens of social cognitive theory
Authors: Wang Qian , Shao Zhen
Published: May 2024

Purpose

With the wide usage of digital technologies, employees’ digital creativity serves as a stepping stone in driving the process of organizational digital innovation. However, scant attention has been devoted to understanding the relationship between leadership and employees’ digital creativity within the digital technology usage context. Drawing upon social cognitive theory, our study aims to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ digital creativity through the mediating roles of creative self-efficacy and ambidextrous learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A field survey was conducted in China, garnering survey data from 223 employees actively engaged with digital technologies in their daily work. We empirically test the structural equation model to verify the hypotheses.

Findings

The results reveal a positive association between transformational leadership and employees’ digital creativity, with a consequential cascade mediation facilitated through creative self-efficacy and exploitation and exploration.

Originality/value

The empirical research not only enriches comprehension of individual-level digital creativity but also provides valuable practical insights for managers seeking to effectively drive digital innovation within their organizations.
Agriculture innovation: the important effects of certification and technology innovation
Authors: Chi Nguyen Thi Khanh
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to find how trade development and digitalization affect smart-green production. Four factors are investigated in these effects (certification, technology innovation, natural resource management, low pesticides).

Design/methodology/approach

The mix-method approach was employed from validating the measurement scale to test the proposed hypotheses. At first, the grounded theory is the most authoritative and standard research method in qualitative research. Secondly, quantitative analysis was employed to draw conclusions about the impact of digitalization and trade development on smart-green agricultural production.

Findings

The results found that digitalization and trade development impact the development of smart-green agricultural production through certification employment, technology innovation, and a decrease in pesticide usage. Moreover, digitalization and trade development also indirectly affect the development of intelligent green agricultural production. Meanwhile, digitalization has a higher impact than trade development.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on the premise that digitalization and trade development can drive smart green agricultural production. Still, some studies have found a deviation between trade development and environmental protection. Hence, future research can explore the incentive effect of trade development and digitalization on other industries. Second, the measurement of the dependent variables in this study is based on the premise that smart-green agricultural production has not been widely promoted, so the changes in production before and after the whole public participation in smart-green output have yet to be reflected.

Originality/value

Smart green production in agriculture is essential for a transition economy and the world to meet food security and protect the environment. However, the effects of certification, technology innovation, natural resource management, and low pesticides on smart-green agriculture production have yet to be identified. Insights from this study can help governments, policy-makers, and farmers in emerging economies by adapting their strategies within their local contexts.