bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Blood-Test Parameters to Define Biological Age among Older Adults: Association with Morbidity and Mortality Independent of Chronological Age Validated in Two Separate Birth Cohorts
Authors: Drewelies Johanna , Hueluer Gizem , Duezel Sandra , Vetter Valentin Max , Pawelec Graham , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , Wagner Gert G. , Lindenberger Ulman , Lill Christina M. , Bertram Lars , Gerstorf Denis , Demuth Ilja
Published: February 2022

Biomarkers defining biological age are typically laborious or expensive to assess. Instead, in the current study, we identified parameters based on standard laboratory blood tests across metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and kidney functioning that had been assessed in the Berlin Aging Study (BASE;n= 384) and Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II,n= 1,517). We calculated biological age using those 12 parameters that individually predicted mortality hazards over 26 years in BASE.

In BASE, older biological age was associated with more physician-observed morbidity and higher mortality hazards, over and above the effects of chronological age, sex, and education. Similarly, in BASE-II, biological age was associated with physician-observed morbidity and subjective health, over and above the effects of chronological age, sex, and education as well as alternative biomarkers including telomere length, DNA methylation age, skin age, and subjective age. We discuss the importance of biological age as one indicator of aging.
Australian children’s foot, ankle, and leg problems in primary care: a secondary analysis of the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) data
Authors: Williams Cylie M. , Menz Hylton B. , Lazzarini Peter A. , Gordon Julie , Harrison Christopher
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To explore children’s foot, ankle and leg consultation patterns and management practices in Australian primary care.

Design

Cross-sectional, retrospective study

Setting

Australia Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health program dataset.

Participants

Data were extracted for GPs and patients ≤18 years from April 2000 to March 2016 inclusive.

Main outcome measures

Demographic characteristics: sex, GP age groups (i.e. <45, 45-54, 55+ years), GP country of training, patient age grouping (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-18 years), postcode, concession card status, Indigenous status, up to three patient encounter reasons, up to four encounter problems/diagnoses, and the clinical management actioned by the GP.

Results

Children’s foot, ankle or leg problems were managed at a rate of 2.05 (95% CI 1.99 to 2.11) per 100 encounters during 229,137 GP encounters with children. There was a significant increase in the rate of foot, ankle and leg problems managed per 100 children in the population, from 6.1 (95% CI: 5.3-6.8) in 2005-06 to 9.0 (95% CI: 7.9-10.1) in 2015-16. Management of children’s foot, ankle and leg problems were independently associated with male patients (30% more than female), older children (15-18 years were 7.1 times more than <1 years), male GPs (13% more) and younger GPs (<45 years of age 13% more than 55+). The top four most frequently managed problems were injuries (755.9 per 100,000 encounters), infections (458.2), dermatological conditions (299.4) and unspecified pain (176.3). The most frequently managed problems differed according to age grouping.

Conclusions

Children commonly present to GPs for foot, ankle, and leg problems. Presentation frequencies varied according to age. Unexpectedly, conditions presenting commonly in adults, but rarely in children, were also frequently recorded. This data highlights the importance of initiatives supporting contemporary primary care knowledge of diagnoses and management of paediatric lower limb problems to minimise childhood burden of disease.

Article Summary

Strengths and limitations of this study

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This study examines the full spectrum of childhood foot, ankle, or leg presentations in primary care and how these are managed

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This study also provides information about how foot, ankle and leg GP presentations and management patterns differ as children get older

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This dataset provides a robust baseline on which future guidelines and implementation studies can measure the outcomes of practice change over time.

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This study may be limited by how GPs coded the presentation and management data
The integrated stress response remodels the microtubule organizing center to clear unfolded proteins following proteotoxic stress
Authors: Hurwitz Brian , Guzzi Nicola , Gola Anita , Fiore Vincent F. , Sendoel Ataman , Nikolova Maria , Barrows Douglas , Carroll Thomas S. , Pasolli H. Amalia , Fuchs Elaine
Published: February 2022

When cells encounter stressful situations, they activate the integrated stress response (ISR), which limits total protein synthesis and redirects translation to proteins that help the cells to cope. The ISR has also been implicated in cancers, but redundancies in the stress-sensing kinases that trigger the ISR have posed hurdles to dissecting physiological relevance. To overcome this challenge, we targeted the regulatory node of these kinases, namely the S51 phosphorylation site of eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2α and genetically replaced eIF2α with eIF2α-S51A in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) stem cells. While inconsequential under normal growth conditions, the vulnerability of this ISR-null state was unveiled when SCC stem cells experienced proteotoxic stress. Seeking mechanistic insights into the protective roles of the ISR, we combined ribosome profiling and functional approaches to identify and probe the functional importance of translational differences between ISR-competent and ISR-null SCC stem cells when exposed to proteotoxic stress. In doing so, we learned that the ISR redirects translation to centrosomal proteins that orchestrate the microtubule dynamics needed to efficiently concentrate unfolded proteins at the microtubule organizing center so that they can be cleared by the perinuclear degradation machinery. Thus, rather than merely maintaining survival during stress, the ISR also functions in promoting cellular recovery once the stress has subsided. This finding exposes a vulnerability to SCC stem cells that could be exploited therapeutically.
Scalable and deep profiling of mRNA targets for individual microRNAs with chimeric eCLIP
Authors: Manakov Sergei A , Shishkin Alexander A , Yee Brian A , Shen Kylie A , Cox Diana C , Park Samuel S , Foster Heather M , Chapman Karen B , Yeo Gene W , Van Nostrand Eric L
Published: February 2022

Our expanding knowledge of the roles small regulatory RNAs play across numerous areas of biology, coupled with the promise of RNA-targeted therapies and small RNA-based medicines, create an urgent need for tools that can accurately identify and quantify small RNA:target interactions at scale. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a major class of small RNAs in plants and animals. The experimental capture of miRNA:mRNA interactions by ligation into chimeric RNA fragments in chimeric CrossLinking and ImmunoPrecipitation (CLIP) provides a direct readout of miRNA targets with high-throughput sequencing. Despite the power of this approach, widespread adoption of chimeric CLIP has been slow due to both methodological technical complexity as well as limited recovery of chimeric molecules (particularly beyond the most abundant miRNAs). Here we describe chimeric eCLIP, in which we integrate a chimeric ligation step into AGO2 eCLIP to enable chimeric read recovery. We show that removal of the cumbersome polyacrylamide gel and nitrocellulose membrane transfer step common to CLIP techniques can be omitted for chimeric AGO2 eCLIP to create a simplified high throughput version of the assay that maintains high signal- to-noise. With the increased yield of recovered miRNA:mRNA interactions in no-gel chimeric eCLIP, we show that simple enrichment steps using either PCR or on-bead probe capture can be added to chimeric eCLIP in order to target and enrich libraries for chimeric reads specific to one or more miRNAs of interest in both cell lines and tissue samples, resulting in 30- to 175-fold increases in recovery of chimeric reads for miRNAs of interest. We further demonstrate that the same probe-capture approach can be used to recover miRNA interactions for a targeted gene of interest, revealing both distinct miRNA targeting as well as co-targeting by several miRNAs from the same seed family. RNA-seq analysis of gene expression following miRNA overexpression confirmed miRNA-mediated repression of chimeric eCLIP-identified targets and indicated that probe-enriched chimeric eCLIP can provide additional sensitivity to detect regulated targets among genes that either contain or lack computationally predicted miRNA target sites. Thus, we believe that chimeric eCLIP will be a useful tool for quantitative profiling of miRNA targets in varied sample types at scale, and for revealing a deeper picture of regulatory networks for specific miRNAs of biological interest.

Highlights

No-gel chimeric eCLIP improves recovery of miRNA:mRNA interactions by 70-fold

Probe- and PCR-enrichment deeply profiles mRNA targets of miRNAs of interest

Chimeric eCLIP targets experimentally identify non-computationally predicted interactions

Increased depth recovers ∼6 million miRNA:target chimeras in HEK293T
Saccharibacteria harness light energy using Type-1 rhodopsins that may rely on retinal sourced from microbial hosts
Authors: Jaffe Alexander L. , Konno Masae , Kawasaki Yuma , Kataoka Chihiro , Béjà Oded , Kandori Hideki , Inoue Keiichi , Banfield Jillian F.
Published: February 2022

Microbial rhodopsins are a family of photoreceptive membrane proteins with a wide distribution across the Tree of Life. Within the Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR), a diverse group of putatively episymbiotic bacteria, the genetic potential to produce rhodopsins appears to be confined to a small clade of organisms from sunlit environments. Here, we characterize the metabolic context and biophysical features of Saccharibacteria Type-1 rhodopsin sequences derived from metagenomic surveys and show that these proteins function as outward proton pumps. This provides one of the only known mechanisms by which CPR can generate a proton gradient for ATP synthesis. Intriguingly, Saccharibacteria do not encode the genetic machinery to produce all-trans-retinal, the chromophore essential for rhodopsin function, but their rhodopsins are able to rapidly uptake this cofactor when provided in experimental assays. We found consistent evidence for the capacity to produce retinal from β-carotene in organisms co-occurring with Saccharibacteria, and this genetic potential was dominated by Actinobacteria, which are known hosts of Saccharibacteria in other habitats. If Actinobacteria serve as hosts for Saccharibacteria in freshwater environments, exchange of retinal for use by rhodopsin may be a feature of their associations.
Characterisation and sequence mapping of large RNA and mRNA therapeutics using mass spectrometry
Authors: Vanhinsbergh C.J. , Criscuola A. , Sutton J. , Murphy K. , Williamson A.J.K , Cook K. , Dickman M.J.
Published: February 2022

Large RNA including messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as an important new class of therapeutic. Recently this has been demonstrated by two highly efficacious vaccines based on mRNA sequences encoding for a modified version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. There is currently significant demand for the development of new and improved analytical methods for the characterization of large RNA including mRNA therapeutics. In this study we have developed an automated, high throughput workflow for the rapid characterisation and direct sequence mapping of large RNA and mRNA therapeutics. Partial RNase digestions using RNase T1 immobilised on magnetic particles was performed in conjunction with high resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Sequence mapping was performed using automated oligoribonucleotide annotation and identifications based on MS/MS spectra. Using this approach >80% sequence of coverage of a range of large RNAs and mRNA therapeutics including the SARS Co-V2 spike protein was obtained in a single analysis. The analytical workflow, including automated sample preparation can be completed within 90 minutes. The ability to rapidly identify, characterise and sequence map large mRNA therapeutics with high sequence coverage provides important information for identity testing, sequence validation and impurity analysis.
Engineered high-density lipoprotein particles that chaperone bioactive lipid mediators to combat endothelial dysfunction and thromboinflammation
Authors: Swendeman Steven , Lin Daniel , Guo Shihui , Culbertson Alan , Kuo Andrew , Levesque Michel , Cartier Andreane , Seno Takahiro , Schmaier Alec , Galvani Sylvain , Inoue Asuka , Parikh Samir , FitzGerald Garret A. , Liao Maofu , Flaumenhaft Robert , Hla Timothy
Published: February 2022

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles suppress inflammation-induced tissue injury via vascular and myeloid cell-dependent mechanisms. As such, HDL-associated bioactive lipids such as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and prostacyclin (PGI2) signal via their respective G protein-coupled receptors on target cells to promote vascular endothelial function and suppress platelet and myeloid-dependent pathophysiology. Here we have constructed a fusion protein of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein M (ApoM) (A1M) that forms HDL-like particles and chaperones S1P and Iloprost, stable PGI2 analog. The A1M/S1P complex activates S1P receptor-1 (S1PR1) as a Gαi-biased agonist and attenuates the inflammation-induced NFκB pathway while A1M/Iloprost acts via IP receptor to inhibit platelet aggregation and promote endothelial barrier function. In addition to enhancing the endothelial barrier, A1M/S1P suppresses neutrophil influx, oxidative burst and inflammatory mediator secretion in a sterile inflammation model. We propose that A1M could be useful as a therapeutic to induce S1P and PGI2-dependent anti-inflammatory functions and suppress collateral tissue injury.
Microsecond Melting and Revitrification of Cryo Samples – Protein Structure and Beam-Induced Motion
Authors: Harder Oliver F. , Voss Jonathan M. , Olshin Pavel K. , Drabbels Marcel , Lorenz Ulrich J.
Published: February 2022

We have recently introduced a novel approach to time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) that involves melting a cryo sample with a laser beam to allow protein dynamics to briefly occur in liquid, before trapping the particles in their transient configurations by rapidly revitrifying the sample. With a time-resolution of just a few microseconds, this approach is notably fast enough to study domain motions that are typically associated with the activity of proteins, but which have previously remained inaccessible. Here, we add crucial details to the characterization of our method. We show that single-particle reconstructions of apoferritin and cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) from revitrified samples are indistinguishable from those in conventional samples, demonstrating that melting and revitrification leaves the particles intact and that they do not undergo structural changes within the spatial resolution afforded by our instrument. We also characterize how rapid revitrification affects the properties of the ice, showing that revitrified samples exhibit comparable amounts of beam-induced motion. Our results pave the way for microsecond time-resolved studies of the conformational dynamics of proteins and open up new avenues to study the vitrification process and address beam-induced specimen movement.

Synopsis

Microsecond melting and revitrification of cryo samples preserves the structure of embedded particles. The beam-induced motion of revitrified samples is comparable to that of conventional cryo samples.
Arid5a mediates an IL-17-dependent pathway that drives autoimmunity but not antifungal host defense
Authors: Taylor Tiffany C. , Li Yang , Li De-Dong , Majumder Saikat , McGeachy Mandy , Biswas Partha S. , Gingras Sebastien , Gaffen Sarah L.
Published: February 2022

IL-17 contributes to the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases, but conversely is essential for host defense against fungi. Antibody-based biologic drugs that neutralize IL-17 are effective in autoimmunity but can be accompanied by adverse side effects. Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that is the primary causative agent of oropharyngeal and disseminated candidiasis. Defects in IL-17 signaling cause susceptibility to candidiasis in mice and humans. A key facet of IL-17 receptor signaling involves RNA binding proteins (RBP), which orchestrate the fate of target mRNA transcripts. In tissue culture models we showed that the RBP AT-rich interacting protein 5a (Arid5a) promotes the stability and/or translation of multiple IL-17-dependent mRNAs. Moreover, during OPC, Arid5a is elevated within the oral mucosa in an IL-17-dependent manner. However, the contribution of Arid5a to IL-17-driven events in vivo is poorly defined. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate mice lacking Arid5a. Arid5a-/- mice were fully resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an autoimmune setting in which IL-17 signaling drives pathology. Surprisingly, Arid5a-/- mice were resistant to OPC and systemic candidiasis, similar to immunocompetent WT mice and contrasting with mice defective in IL-17 signaling. Therefore, Arid5a-dependent signals mediate pathology in autoimmunity yet are not required for immunity to candidiasis, indicating that selective targeting of IL-17 signaling pathway components may be a viable strategy for development of therapeutics that spare IL-17-driven host defense.
DE-NOVO HEMATOPOIESIS FROM THE FETAL LUNG
Authors: Yeung Anthony K. , Villacorta-Martin Carlos , Lindstrom-Vautrin Jonathan , Belkina Anna C. , Vanuytsel Kim , Dowrey Todd W. , Ysasi Alexandra B. , Vrbanac Vladimir , Mostoslavsky Gustavo , Balazs Alejandro B. , Murphy George J.
Published: February 2022

Hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs) are specialized cells that undergo endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT) to give rise to hematopoietic progenitors. Though not defined as a hematopoietic organ, the lung houses many resident hematopoietic cells, aids in platelet biogenesis, and is a reservoir for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), but lung HECs have never been described. Using explant cultures of murine and human fetal lungs, we demonstrate that the fetal lung is a source of HECs that have the functional capacity to undergo EHT to produce de-novo HSPCs. Flow cytometric and functional assessment of fetal lung explants showed the production of HSPCs that expressed key EHT and pre-HSPC markers. scRNA-Seq and small molecule modulation demonstrated that fetal lung EHT is reliant on canonical EHT signaling pathways. These findings suggest that functional HECs are present in the fetal lung, thus establishing this location as a potential extramedullary site of de-novo hematopoiesis.
Characterization of TR-107, a Novel Chemical Activator of the Human Mitochondrial Protease ClpP
Authors: Fennell Emily M. J. , Aponte-Collazo Lucas J. , Wynn Joshua D. , Drizyte-Miller Kristina , Leung Elisa , Greer Yoshimi Endo , Graves Paul R. , Iwanowicz Andrew A. , Ashamalla Hani , Holmuhamedov Ekhson , Lang Henk , Karanewsky Donald S. , Der Channing J. , Houry Walid A. , Lipkowitz Stanley , Iwanowicz Edwin J. , Graves Lee M.
Published: February 2022

We recently described the identification of a new class of small molecule activators of the mitochondrial protease ClpP. These compounds synthesized by Madera Therapeutics showed increased potency of cancer growth inhibition over the related compound ONC201. In this study, we describe chemical optimization and characterization of the next generation of highly potent and selective small molecule ClpP activators (TR compounds) and demonstrate their efficacy against breast cancer models in vitro and in vivo. One of these compounds (TR-107) with excellent potency, specificity and drug-like properties was selected for further evaluation. Examination of TR-107 effects in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell models showed growth inhibition in the low nanomolar range, equipotent to paclitaxel, in a ClpP-dependent manner. TR-107 reduced specific mitochondrial proteins including OXPHOS and TCA cycle components, in a time, dose and ClpP-dependent manner. Seahorse XF analysis and glucose deprivation experiments confirmed inactivation of OXPHOS and demonstrated an increased dependence on glycolysis following TR-107 exposure. The pharmacokinetic properties of TR-107 were compared to other known ClpP activators including ONC201 and ONC212. TR-107 displayed excellent exposure and serum t1/2 after oral administration. The antitumor response to TR-107 was investigated using human TNBC MDA-MB-231 cell line-induced xenograft tumors. Oral administration of TR-107 resulted in reduction in tumor volume and extension of survival in the treated compared with vehicle control mice. In summary, we describe the identification of highly potent new ClpP agonists with improved efficacy against TNBC, through targeted inactivation of OXPHOS and disruption of mitochondrial metabolism.
Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart) modulates oxidative stress and inflammation by NF-κB inactivation and Nrf2 up-regulation in experimental diabetes
Authors: de Lima Deyse Yorgos , Marçal Rodrigues Adelson , Mouro Margaret Gori , Muniz Seif Elias Jorge , Punaro Giovana Rita , Suemitsu Higa Elisa Mieko
Published: February 2022

To evaluate the effects of açai extract (EA) on oxidative stress and inflammation induced by high glucose in cultured mouse immortalized mesangial cells (MiMC) and diabetic rats. MiMC cell viability and proliferation were determined by MTT. Extracellular and intracellular nitric oxide (NO) and intracellular ROS were also measured. The cell proteins were extracted for analysis of catalase, Nrf2, p-Nrf2, SOD-1, SOD-2, iNOS, NF-κB, p-NF-κB and TNF-α expression. Male, adult Wistar rats were distributed into 3 groups: control (CTL) and diabetic (DM) rats who received water and DMEA and received 1 mL/day EA (200 mg/kg) via gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. After treatment with EA, metabolic profile, renal function and thiobarbituric acid reactives substances (TBARS) levels were evaluated, and kidneys were collected for qualitative histological analysis. EA maintained cell viability above 90% in all groups; it decreased proliferation in the HG group, both significant. NO levels, ROS generation, iNOS, NF-κB, p-NF-κB and TNF-α expression were reduced significantly after 72 h of EA treatment, with significant increases for all antioxidants studied. DMEA vs DM showed a significant increase in body weight, improved kidney function and reduced TBARS excretion. EA treatment decreased proliferation, oxidative stress and inflammation in MiMC, and although açai did not decrease fasting glucose, it recovered the body weight and delayed the decline of renal function in the diabetic animals, suppressing the signaling of inflammatory mediators via NF-κB inactivation and increasing all antioxidants studied by upregulating the Nrf2 response pathway.
Anterior cingulate cortex projections to the dorsal hippocampus positively control the expression of contextual fear generalization
Authors: Nagayoshi Taikai , Ishikawa Rie , Kida Satoshi
Published: February 2022

Fear generalization is one of the main symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. In rodents, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the hippocampus (HPC) control the expression of contextual fear memory generalization. Consistently, ACC projections to the ventral HPC contribute to contextual fear generalization. However, the roles of ACC projections to the dorsal HPC (dHPC) in fear generalization are unclear, although the dHPC is required for the retrieval of recent contextual fear memory. To investigate these roles, we examined the effects of optogenetic silencing and stimulation of these projections in contextual fear generalization at the recent and remote time points. Mice underwent contextual fear conditioning and, at 1 or 28 d later, were tested in the conditioned chamber, a novel context, or a similar context. Optogenetic activation of these projections induced higher freezing in mice in the novel context compared with the control group at a recent (1-d), but not remote (28-d), time point following conditioning, suggesting that activation of this pathway enhances contextual fear generalization. In contrast, optogenetic inactivation of these projections induced lower freezing in the similar context compared with the control group at a recent, but not remote, time point, suggesting that inactivation of this pathway impaired contextual fear generalization. These observations suggest that the ACC to the dHPC projections positively regulate the expression of contextual fear generalization when contextual fear memory is recent.
Age-dependent attenuation of spatial memory deficits by the histone acetyltransferase p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) in 3xTG Alzheimer's disease mice
Authors: Creighton Samantha D. , Jardine Kristen H. , Desimone Alexa , Zmetana Megan , Castellano Sabrina , Milite Ciro , Sbardella Gianluca , Winters Boyer D.
Published: February 2022

Histone acetylation, catalyzed by histone acetyltransferases, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's disease (AD). By longitudinally characterizing spatial memory at 3, 6, and 9 mo of age, we show that acute activation and inhibition of the histone acetyltransferase PCAF remediated memory impairments in 3xTG-AD mice in an age-related bidirectional manner. At 3 and 6 mo of age, PCAF activation ameliorated memory deficits. At 9 mo of age, PCAF activation had no effect on spatial memory, whereas PCAF inhibition improved memory deficits in females. This work reveals a complex potential therapeutic role for PCAF in AD, initially benefitting memory but becoming detrimental as the disease progresses.
Quantifying electron cascade size in various irradiated materials for free-electron laser applications
Authors: Lipp Vladimir , Milov Igor , Medvedev Nikita
Published: February 2022

Studying electron- and X-ray-induced electron cascades in solids is essential for various research areas at free-electron laser facilities, such as X-ray imaging, crystallography, pulse diagnostics or X-ray-induced damage. To better understand the fundamental factors that define the duration and spatial size of such cascades, this work investigates the electron propagation in ten solids relevant for the applications of X-ray lasers: Au, B4C, diamond, Ni, polystyrene, Ru, Si, SiC, Si3N4 and W. Using classical Monte Carlo simulation in the atomic approximation, we study the dependence of the cascade size on the incident electron or photon energy and on the target parameters. The results show that an electron-induced cascade is systematically larger than a photon-induced cascade. Moreover, in contrast with the common assumption, the maximal cascade size does not necessarily coincide with the electron range. It was found that the cascade size can be controlled by careful selection of the photon energy for a particular material. Photon energy, just above an ionization potential, can essentially split the absorbed energy between two electrons (photo- and Auger), reducing their initial energy and thus shrinking the cascade size. This analysis suggests a way of tailoring the electron cascades for applications requiring either small cascades with a high density of excited electrons or large-spread cascades with lower electron densities.
Fast automated energy changes at synchrotron radiation beamlines equipped with transfocator or focusing mirrors
Authors: Stepanov Sergey , Kissick David , Makarov Oleg , Hilgart Mark , Becker Michael , Venugopalan Nagarajan , Xu Shenglan , Smith Janet L. , Fischetti Robert F.
Published: February 2022

Algorithms and procedures to fully automate retuning of synchrotron radiation beamlines over wide energy ranges are discussed. The discussion is based on the implementation at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Cancer Institute Structural Biology Facility at the Advanced Photon Source. When a user selects a new beamline energy, software synchronously controls the beamline monochromator and undulator to maintain the X-ray beam flux after the monochromator, preserves beam attenuation by determining a new set of attenuator foils, changes, as needed, mirror reflecting stripes and the undulator harmonic, preserves beam focal distance of compound refractive lens focusing by changing the In/Out combination of lenses in the transfocator, and, finally, restores beam position at the sample by on-the-fly scanning of either the Kirkpatrick–Baez mirror angles or the transfocator up/down and inboard/outboard positions. The sample is protected from radiation damage by automatically moving it out of the beam during the energy change and optimization.
Using axiomatic design approach in preliminary design of a blended wing body aircraft
Authors: Alipour Alireza , Shahi Ashtiani Mohammad Ali , Shahmiri Farid
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to present a method for improving the preliminary design process of an aircraft.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of this paper is using Axiomatic Design (AD) principles in the aircraft preliminary design process. The aircraft design process consists of modules and disciplines, which are loosely coupled that can disrupt designers’ ability. Consequently, designers should define suitable functional requirements (FRs) and design parameters for products to avoid or limit coupling between them. As modular architecture is commonly defined as having a one-to-one mapping from the function domain to the physical domain, the independence axiom in AD could support the modularity of the design process. Therefore, these features guide us to use AD principles at the first steps of the aircraft design process.

Findings

Reduction coupling between different FRs and consequently less repetitive activities and design iteration in the design process by using AD principles are the finding of this paper.

Practical implications

This concept could be used for the design process of every complex product.

Originality/value

Looking at the preliminary design of a Blended Wing Body unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to the AD is a new technique to achieve a modular design process.
An adaptive method for calculation of iron losses in switched reluctance motors using a minimum number of magnetostatic finite element simulations
Authors: Jamali Fard Ali , Mirsalim Mojtaba
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to present an adaptive method based on finite element analysis to calculate iron losses in switched reluctance motors (SRMs). Calculation of iron losses by analytical formulas has limited accuracy. On the other hand, its estimation in rotating electrical machines through fully dynamic simulations with a fine time-step is time-consuming. However, in the initial design process, a quick and sufficiently accurate method, i.e. a value close to that of iron losses, is always welcome. The method presented in this paper is a semi-analytical approach. The main problem is that iron losses depend on d B/d t. Therefore, the accuracy of the calculation of iron losses depends on the accuracy of the calculation of the first derivative of the flux density waveform. When adopting a magnetostatic model to estimate the iron losses, an important question arises: by how many magnetostatic simulations can the iron losses be estimated within the desired accuracy? In the proposed algorithm, the aim is not to accurately calculate the value of iron losses in SRMs. The objective is to find a numerical error criterion to calculate iron losses in SRMs with a minimum number of magnetostatic simulations.

Design/methodology/approach

A finite element solver is developed by authors in MATLAB to solve the 2 D nonlinear magnetostatic problem using the Newton–Raphson method. A parametric program is developed to create geometry and mesh. The proposed method is implemented in MATLAB using the developed solver. Counterpart simulations are done in the ANSYS Maxwell software to validate the accuracy of the results generated by the developed solver.

Findings

The performance of the proposed method is studied on a 12/8 (500 W) SRM. Three scenarios are studied. The first one is the calculation of iron losses by uniform refinement, and the second one is by adaptive refinement, and the last one is by adaptive refinement started by particular initial points (switching points). According to the results, the proposed method substantially reduces the number of magnetostatic simulations without sacrificing accuracy.

Originality/value

The main novelty of this paper is introducing an error criterion to find the minimum number of magnetostatic simulations that are needed to calculate iron losses with the desired accuracy.
Choosing to be a craftsperson: factors influencing career decision-making among apprentices
Authors: Osuizugbo Innocent Chigozie , Kukoyi Patricia Omega , Abisuga Abiodun Olatunji , Ibrahim Kabir
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Human resource contributes significantly to the outcome of construction projects. In recent years, apprenticeship programs are being implemented to train young people to address shortage of skills workers and ageing workforce problem. This study aims to understand the factors influencing career decisions among apprentices in the construction sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was used to address the objectives of the study. Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insights into the reason why young people decide to participate in construction craftsperson apprenticeship in Nigeria.

Findings

The study reveals that “interest and passion”, “role model”, “macroeconomic environment and government policies”, “spirit of entrepreneurship”, “formal, informal and non-formal education” and “family socioeconomic status” are the factors influencing career decisions among construction craftspeople.

Originality/value

The study provides fresh insights that can be used to develop strategies for attracting and increasing the number of young people that sign up for construction craftspeople apprenticeships. The apprentice training programmes are essential for addressing labour shortage, which is one of the factors affecting the performance of construction projects.
A critical review of studies on renegotiation within the public-private partnerships (PPPs) scheme
Authors: Feng Xiaowei , Cao Jiming , Wu Guangdong , Duan Kaifeng
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Frequent renegotiations within public-private partnership (PPP) have been recognised and affect project efficiency. Literature has focussed on diverse issues associated with renegotiation within PPP, especially in Latin America and Europe. However, a systematic summary what they have already provided appears lacking. Thus, the paper aims to conduct a critical review of publications concerning PPP renegotiation and explore the status quo, future interests and gaps in research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carried out a four-phase literature review research framework to identify the quality PPP-renegotiation articles published from 2003 to 2020. Assessing the full articles for eligibility by providing a structured summary including: background; objectives; data sources; study appraisal; results; limitations; conclusions and implications of key findings. After that, filtering papers associated with PPP renegotiation in terms of the structured summary, and a total of 60 research papers were selected in the database of web of science and Scopus for review.

Findings

Methods adopted by researchers, research topics and theoretical foundations of PPP renegotiation research in different disciplines were identified through content analysis. Amongst the popular research topics identified were renegotiation factors, the outcomes with renegotiations, the framework to deal with renegotiations and contract design dealing with renegotiation based on rigid or flexible contracts.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the current body of PPP knowledge by revealing the research trend in the past 20 years. It also points out the directions that the renegotiations of PPP research may go towards in the future. Moreover, this study is very valuable in understanding how governments and concessionaires effectively handle renegotiations.
Family friendly policies: a double-edged sword?
Authors: Taparia Mansi , Lenka Usha
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of usage of family friendly policies on the careers of women executives.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth and systematic review of literature on family friendly policies (FFPs) was carried out using Scopus database.

Findings

The study consolidates positive and negative consequences of usage of FFPs on women executives’ careers.

Originality/value

This study is one of the foremost attempts to consolidate the literature on different effects of usage of FFPs.
Haute cuisine three-star restaurants’ representation on websites and dining guides: a lexicometric analysis
Authors: Montargot Nathalie , Kallmuenzer Andreas , Kraus Sascha
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore how haute cuisine excellence is and can be self-represented on the websites of three-star restaurants and juxtaposed onto the websites of external authoritative food guides.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 26 French Michelin three-star restaurant websites and their reviews in the prominent Michelin and Gault and Millau dining guides were examined. This data was then processed using lexicometric software.

Findings

Five semantic universes emerged, showing that restaurants and dining guides do not emphasize the same elements of culinary excellence. While restaurant websites emphasize the charismatic leadership role of the chef through family history, professional recognition and vicarious learning, the two iconic guides are far from rating the criteria they claim to: For the Michelin Guide, criteria other than cuisine appear central. Conversely, Gault and Millau, far from its nouvelle cuisine principles advocating democratization at lower cost, insists on fine products.

Practical implications

It remains essential for restaurants to use a repertoire of cultural components and symbols, capitalize on the charismatic and architectural roles of their chef and showcase fine products that are representative of classical cuisine. Storytelling and dynamic narrative add-ons, regularly updated on large-audience social media, appear central to increasing restaurants’ perceived value, communicating innovation and attesting to their singularity and uniqueness.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study to overlap the lexical perspectives of three-star restaurants and iconic guides’ websites.
Entrepreneurial orientation far beyond opportunity: the influence of the necessity for innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking
Authors: Corrêa Victor Silva , Queiroz Maciel M. , Cruz Marina Almeida , Shigaki Helena Belintani
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate factors that induce entrepreneurial orientation (EO), i.e. what influences the manifestation of its fundamental attributes (innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking).

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on religious entrepreneurship in an emerging economy, employing a single case study approach. A total of 17 shepherd-entrepreneurs and 4 parishioners were interviewed.

Findings

The results suggest that two key driving factors influence religious entrepreneurs’ EO: the search for the discovery of opportunity (a finding that strengthens current literature); and both the search for the creation of opportunity and overcoming challenges associated with the need for survival.

Practical implications

This paper allows entrepreneurs to understand better the factors and motivations that affect their entrepreneurial behavior. It is particularly relevant to entrepreneurs embedded in emerging and developing countries, in which the interchange between opportunity and need contexts is apparent. Further, this paper sheds light on significant dimensions for entrepreneurs’ education and training programs. It also suggests elements capable of bolstering public policies.

Originality/value

The contributions of this paper are fourfold: it supports an integrative view of creation and discovery theories; it reinforces the alternating character of entrepreneurial motivations; it expands the literature by arguing that creating opportunity and the need for survival also influence entrepreneurs' innovativeness, proactivity and risk-taking; and it stresses the neo-Pentecostal shepherds' entrepreneurial propensity.
The role of traditional knowledge-based dynamic capabilities to improve the sustainable performance of weaving craft in Indonesia
Authors: Permatasari Anggraeni , Dhewanto Wawan , Dellyana Dina
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Indonesian woven craft small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have encountered several difficulties in sustaining their success in the digital era. The performance of the business is contingent upon its ability to gain competitive advantage through traditional knowledge capabilities. The purpose of this research is to study the role of traditional knowledge management processes towards competitive advantage and sustainable performance for woven craft SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a quantitative approach with a survey strategy. Confirmatory research was conducted to test five hypotheses to determine the causal relationship of four variables, namely, traditional knowledge management, dynamic capabilities, competitive advantage and sustainable performance. This study used a purposive sampling strategy and gathered data from 385 respondents. The sample was selected based on predetermined criteria, including operation for more than five years and entrepreneurial activity using traditional knowledge as a resource to manage product innovation. The analytical technique used was structural equation modelling with the support of the AMOS programme.

Findings

The findings indicated that traditional knowledge management processes directly affect dynamic capabilities and sustainable performance. This study also found traditional knowledge management processes play a significant role in enhancing competitive advantage mediated by dynamic capabilities. However, traditional knowledge management processes have no significant effect on competitive advantage. Hence, there is a significant effect contributed by the relationship between traditional knowledge management processes and sustainable performance. Therefore, in the context of craft woven SMEs, the higher the traditional knowledge-based capabilities, the higher their sustainable performance.

Originality/value

The novelty shows a direct relationship between traditional knowledge management processes and sustainable performance. This study also found traditional knowledge management processes meditated by dynamic capabilities have a relationship with competitive advantage. Traditional knowledge management processes will trigger an increase in dynamic capability which is a source of business development; those conditions will increase sustainable performance. Traditional knowledge-based capability is an antecedent of sustainable performance. The benefits of this research can be used as scientific literature regarding the link between traditional knowledge management processes, competitive advantage and sustainable performance. The results of this study can also be used as a basis for empowering traditional woven craft SMEs in Indonesia.
Potential barriers towards achieving greater diversity: the case of Pasifika underrepresentation in accounting
Authors: Fukofuka Peni , Ali Irshad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a commentary on how the accelerated utilisation of online learning in accounting education could further impede Pasifika students from completing an accounting qualification, thus perpetuating Pasifika underrepresentation in accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary is based on the authors’ experiences and informal conversations with teaching colleagues and support staff. This paper uses Bourdieu’s (1977, 1990) theory of practice with a focus on his notion of symbolic violence to evaluate the challenges faced by Pasifika students in the learning of accounting.

Findings

The social world is inherently unfair, and this can be seen in the inequality that persists in various settings, one of which is in the accounting field. Acquiring an accounting degree requires studying accounting content, which is taught and assessed in a particular way. Unfortunately for the Pasifika learner, learning and assessment in accounting education are according to the demands and rules of the accounting field. These demands and rules, with the increased utilisation of online learning, are at odds with the Pasifika student’s habitus. Thus, Pasifika accounting students are likely to be disadvantaged by the increased utilisation of online learning. This could potentially exacerbate their underachievement in accounting education and prolong Pasifika underrepresentation in the accounting profession.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to teaching practice by bringing to the fore the potential of online learning as an additional impediment for Pasifika students in accounting education. This will help inform policymakers, tertiary institutions, accounting accreditation bodies, educators and support staff and could result in the formulation of suitable strategies to better support Pasifika students in online learning.

Originality/value

This paper is original and provides a critical analysis of how some groups in society will be disadvantaged by the increased utilisation of online learning in accounting education, thus further hindering the slow progress in achieving greater diversity in the accounting profession.