bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GWAS-Informed data integration and non-coding CRISPRi screen illuminate genetic etiology of bone mineral density
Authors: Conery Mitchell , Pippin James A. , Wagley Yadav , Trang Khanh , Pahl Matthew C. , Villani David A. , Favazzo Lacey J. , Ackert-Bicknell Cheryl L. , Zuscik Michael J. , Katsevich Eugene , Wells Andrew D. , Zemel Babette S. , Voight Benjamin F. , Hankenson Kurt D. , Chesi Alessandra , Grant Struan F.A.
Published: March 2024

Over 1,100 independent signals have been identified with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for bone mineral density (BMD), a key risk factor for mortality-increasing fragility fractures; however, the effector gene(s) for most remain unknown. Informed by a variant-to-gene mapping strategy implicating 89 non-coding elements predicted to regulate osteoblast gene expression at BMD GWAS loci, we executed a single-cell CRISPRi screen in human fetal osteoblasts (hFOBs). The BMD relevance of hFOBs was supported by heritability enrichment from stratified LD-score regression involving 98 cell types grouped into 15 tissues. 23 genes showed perturbation in the screen, with four (ARID5B, CC2D1B, EIF4G2, and NCOA3) exhibiting consistent effects upon siRNA knockdown on three measures of osteoblast maturation and mineralization. Lastly, additional heritability enrichments, genetic correlations, and multi-trait fine-mapping revealed unexpectedly that many BMD GWAS signals are pleiotropic and likely mediate their effects via non-bone tissues. Extending our CRISPRi screening approach to these tissues could play a key role in fully elucidating the etiology of BMD.
Orthogonality of shell proteins across BMC subclasses in cyanobacteria
Authors: MacCready Joshua S. , Dwyer Matthew E. , Kerfeld Cheryl A. , Ducat Daniel C.
Published: March 2024

Bacterial microcompartments (BMC) are protein-based organelles broadly distributed across all bacterial phyla and subclassified into ≥60 functional variants. Despite their evolutionary and metabolic diversity, shell proteins that structurally compose the BMC surface are closely related across BMC classes. Herein, we sought to identify molecular and physiological features that could promote independent operation of more than one BMC type within the same cell by reducing inter-organelle cross-talk of shell proteins. We heterologously expressed shell proteins from the structurally well-defined BMC ofHaliangium ochraceum(HO) withinSynechococcus elongatusPCC 7942, a model cyanobacterium containing the β-carboxysome. We find considerable cross-reactivity of the HO hexameric shell protein (HO BMC-H) with components of the β-carboxysome; HO BMC-H can integrate into carboxysomes, disrupt its ultrastructural organization, and impair its associated CO2fixation reactions.S. elongatusis unable to maintain the integrity of the β-carboxysome over time when HO BMC-H is expressed in the absence of one or more of three broad strategies that act to increase the orthogonality between HO and carboxysome BMC shell proteins: i) reduced expression of promiscuous shell proteins; ii) sequestration of free HO BMC-H proteins via co-expression of other members of the same HO shell protein class, or; iii) heterologous expression of BMC positional system proteins McdAB (Maintenance ofcarboxysomedistribution AB), revealing a putative moonlighting function of the McdAB protein family. Our results have implications for bacteria that encode more than one BMC within their genome and may have translational implications for the use of engineered BMCs for biotechnological applications.
Assessment of risk perception and determinants of mpox for strengthening community engagement in local populations in Cameroon
Authors: Tambo Ernest , Noungoue Ngounou Pamela J. , Njobet Marie Paule N. , Tappa Ngo T. , Ngogang Jeanne , Hunter Mikayla , Shaw Souradet Y. , Rimoin Anne W. , Mbala-Kingebeni Placide , Kindrachuk Jason ,   the International Mpox Research Consortium
Published: March 2024

Background

This study assessed the current state of knowledge, including social determinants of health considerations, regarding mpox acquisition and severity in Southwest and Littoral regions, Cameroon.

Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out with mpox cases from Southwest and Littoral regions. Perceived knowledge and determinants of mpox were assessed via a self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 394 participants took part in the study. With respect to the socio-demographic characteristic of the study population, 356 (89.4%) were Cameroonians, 267 (67.1%) were females, and 261 (65.60%) were students. With regards to mpox knowledge, 278 (69.8%) of the respondents declared that mpox is caused by a virus, with 12 (3.0%) individuals responding that the signs and symptoms associated with mpox were back and/or muscle pain, skin rash, fever, pustules, and exhaustion. Knowledge scores were found to be dependent on socio-demographic background. Based on socio-behavioral determinants of mpox, 348 (87.4%) of the participants reported consumption of wild game (bushmeat) and 92 (23.1%) participants reported that mpox can be treated traditionally in their culture. Regarding epidemiological determinants, 42 (10.6%) participants reported that mpox can be transmitted through direct contact with lesions, 120 (30.2%) reported prior smallpox infection, and 47(11.8%) reported prior mpox infection. Based on risk factors reported, 180 (46.7%) of the participants had close contact with confirmed or probable cases of mpox and 196 (49.2%) were present in healthcare facilities where mpox cases were managed.

Conclusion

Multiple knowledge gaps regarding mpox and MPXV were documented in the population in Southwest and Littoral regions of Cameroon. Reported social and behavioral determinants included the state of instability of the southwest region and population displacement in the bushes/forests, wild game consumption without proper cooking and poor hygiene were associated with mpox infection risk perception and vulnerability. On the epidemiological aspects increased instability, travel out of town, and limited remote rural chickenpox vaccination coverage were reported to increase risk, vulnerability, and spread of mpox within these endemic communities.
Gut microbiota gate host exposure to metabolites from dietary Solanums
Authors: Liou Catherine S , Iakiviak Mikhail , Rajniak Jakub , Murugkar Pallavi P , Higginbottom Steven K , Jasper Marissa , Fischbach Michael A , Sattely Elizabeth S
Published: March 2024

Dietary plants are molecularly rich but the fates of these compounds post-ingestion and their implications for human health are largely unknown. Here, we systematically characterized the major chemical contributions of widely consumed Solanum species (nightshades) to the human metabolome and established their mechanisms of production. Using untargeted metabolomics, we found a series of steroidal alkaloids resulting from tomatine, solanine, and chaconine that are dominant diet-derived compounds in systemic circulation following ingestion of potato and tomato. By comparing serum and tissue metabolomics of colonized and microbiome-depleted mice, we found that the gut microbiota metabolizes these compounds extensively, altering their absorption and gating host exposure to the diverse resulting metabolites. By screening metabolism with human stool samples, we established that steroidal glycoalkaloid metabolism varies inter-individually in a population. Further, using a collection of human commensal type strains, we found that a specific subset of strains in a community is responsible for steroidal glycoalkaloid metabolism, and chemical output of a community is determined by its strain-level composition. Microbial metabolism alters Solanum metabolite bioavailability and bioactivity in the context of acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The combination of dietary input and specific gut colonists dictate the composition of a variable component of the human metabolome. Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of a diet-microbiome interaction and its effects on host physiology.
Improved genome sequence and annotation ofCutaneotrichosporon oleaginosusATCC 20509
Authors: Nijsse Bart , Duman-Özdamar Zeynep Efsun , Verbokkem Janine A. C. , Butler Derek , Suarez-Diez Maria , Julsing Mattijs K.
Published: March 2024

Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosusis an oleaginous yeast with a high content of fatty acids and can accumulate more than 40% of its weight in lipids. It can grow on a wide range of carbon sources and side streams such as crude glycerol. The genome sequence ofC. oleaginosusATCC 20509 is reported here to contribute to its development as a biotechnological platform for producing microbial oils.
Variations in clustering of multielectrode local field potentials in the motor cortex of macaque monkeys during a reach-and-grasp task
Authors: Chambellant Florian , Falaki Ali , Moreau-Debord Ian , French Robert , Serrano Eleonore , Quessy Stephane , Dancause Numa , Thomas Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

There is experimental evidence of varying correlation among the elements of the neuromuscular system over the course of the reach-and-grasp task. Several neuromuscular disorders are accompanied by anomalies in muscular coupling during the task. The aim of this study was to investigate if modifications in correlations and clustering can be detected in the Local Field Potential (LFP) recordings of the motor cortex during the task. To this end, we analyzed the LFP recordings from a previously published study on monkeys which performed a reach-and-grasp task for targets with a vertical or horizontal orientation. LFP signals were recorded from the motor and premotor cortex of macaque monkeys as they performed the task. We found very robust changes in the correlations of the multielectrode LFP recordings which corresponded to task epochs. Mean LFP correlation increased significantly during reaching and then decreased during grasp. This pattern was very robust for both left and right arm reaches irrespective of target orientation. A hierarchical cluster analysis supported the same conclusion – a decreased number of clusters during reach followed by an increase for grasp. A sliding window computation of the number of clusters was performed to probe the predictive capacities of these LFP clusters for upcoming task events. For a very high percentage of trials (95.3%), there was a downturn in cluster number following the Pellet Drop (GO signal) which reached a minimum shortly preceding the Start of grasp, hence indicating that cluster analyses of LFP signals could provide online indications of the Start of grasp.
Large diversity in the O-chain biosynthetic cluster within populations of Pelagibacterales
Authors: Haro-Moreno Jose M. , López-Pérez Mario , Molina-Pardines Carmen , Rodriguez-Valera Francisco
Published: March 2024

We have used single-amplified genomes (SAGs) and long-read metagenomics to examine the diversity of the O-chain polysaccharide biosynthesis cluster (OBC) in marine bacteria of the Pelagibacterales order. OBCs are notorious for their diversity and have been used to type strains in pathogens and saprophytes, but their patterns of variation in free-living bacteria are little known. We found that, for these marine heterotrophic bacteria, the diversity is comparable to that of saprophytes, such as Enterobacteriales i.e. nearly each strain carries a different OBC. However, although OBC inheritance was largely vertical, the existence of some shared clusters allowed a comparative analysis. The OBCs diverge along with the genome, which is taken as indicative of old horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events. Only 14 cases of recent HGT were detected and they happened independently of taxonomy or location. Thus, although the O-chain is a major phage receptor in Gram-negative bacteria, the exchange of the complete cluster seems to play a minor role in the phage-bacterium arms-race. By long-read metagenomics, we could detect 380 different OBCs in a single sampling site in the Mediterranean. A single population (single species and sample) of the endemic Ia.3/VII genomospecies had a set of 158 OBCs of which 130 were different. This large diversity in clonal lineages might reflect the large amount of metabolic pathways required to deal with the enormous chemical diversity of dissolved organic matter in the ocean.
Designing a Novel 3D Scaffold for Multiepitope Vaccine Development: Engineering Ag85a Protein for Enhanced Stability and Antigenicity
Authors: Mondal Torsha , Rahman Shakilur , Das Amit Kumar , Hazra Ditipriya , Roychowdhury Amlan
Published: March 2024

Designing multi epitope vaccine (MEV) by reverse vaccinology has become immensely important in the area of vaccine research due to the emergence of new pathogens as well as rise of multi drug resistant old evils like tuberculosis. Administering a vaccine may have the best possibility to save mankind from these unforeseeable events. The strategy of designing a MEV in-silico lies in a few basic steps, including procuring the amino acid sequence of the B cell and T cell epitopes from literature search, bioinformatics approach to construct a potent immunogen capable of eliciting both humoral and cell mediated response. But the challenge lies in the construction of a stable protein with a compact tertiary structure. Merely joining the epitopes one after another, may not be sufficient to achieve this. In this study, a methodology has been detailed to tackle this great challenge using a simple approach of protein engineering. A scaffold based MEV has been designed for the very first time against Mtb by converting a vaccine candidate protein, Ag85A into a scaffold by truncating its non-immunogenic regions so the gaps could be filled by the highly immunogenic epitopes. The stability of the MEV was estimated by molecular dynamics simulation.
The effect of laboratory diet and feeding on growth parameters in zebrafish
Authors: Hillman Courtney , Cooper Austin H. , Ram Pooja , Parker Matthew O.
Published: March 2024

Despite being one of the most used laboratory species in biomedical, behavioural and physiological research, the nutritional requirements of zebrafish(Danio rerio)are poorly understood, and no standardised laboratory diet exists. Diet and feeding regimen can significantly impact the welfare of the fish and in turn experimental reproducibility. Consequently, the establishment of a standardised diet and feeding protocol for laboratory zebrafish is imperative to enhance animal welfare, guarantee research reproducibility and advance the economic and environmental sustainability of laboratory dietary practices. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the optimal feed for juvenile zebrafish growth and development. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published up to August 2023 and the studies were selected based on the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of 1065 articles were identified in the databases, of which 14 were included in this review. We conducted data extraction and risk-of-bias analysis in the included studies. Statistical comparisons for specific growth rate, weight gain (%) and length gain (%) parameters were performed to determine the optimal feed for enhanced juvenile growth. We identify an insect-based diet as optimal for juvenile growth for all three growth parameters. We also identify areas of potential heterogeneity and conclude by encouraging a standardised laboratory diet to ensure reproducible data and encourage zebrafish welfare.
Monitoring the directed evolution to a tripartite genome from a bipartite torradovirus genome
Authors: Turina M. , Nerva L. , Vallino M. , Ciuffo M. , Falk B.W. , Ferriol I.
Published: March 2024

We have previously shown that tomato apex necrosis virus that cannot express the RNA2-ORF1 protein (P21) is not able to systemically infect plant hosts but is not affected in cell autonomous aspects of virus replication/accumulation. Here we attempted to provide P21in transby co-agroinfiltrating the RNA2-ORF1 null constructs (a stop codon mutant and a deletion mutant) with a P21-expressing construct under control of the 35S promoter and containing the 5’ and 3’ UTRs of wild type (WT) RNA2. Such construct when co-agroinfiltrated with the stop codon mutant originates a WT bipartite virus through homologous recombination. More surprisingly, when co-agroinfiltrated with the P21 deletion mutant it cannot immediately complement the mutant, but it serendipitously originates a tripartite virus with an actively replicating P21-expressing RNA3 only after this replicating RNA3 accumulates deletions in a small region inside the original 3’-UTR provided by the cDNA clone. Such virus can be transmitted mechanically and by whiteflies, is competent for virion formation, and its RNA3 is encapsidated. The tripartite virus can be mechanically transferred for eleven generations without losing its infectivity or show major genomic rearrangements. Furthermore, mixing equal amounts of WT and tripartite virus inocula in the same leaf originated plants systemically infected only with the WT virus, showing that the tripartite virus has lower fitness than the WT. To our knowledge this is the first example of a stable virus evolvingin vitrofrom bipartite to tripartite genomic structure from a synthetic construct in a plant virus.
MOB rules: Antibiotic Exposure Reprograms Metabolism to MobilizeBacillus subtilisin Competitive Interactions
Authors: Liu Yongjin , LaBonte Sandra , Brake Courtney , LaFayette Carol , Rosebrock Adam P. , Caudy Amy A. , Straight Paul D.
Published: March 2024

Antibiotics have dose-dependent effects on exposed bacteria. The medicinal use of antibiotics relies on their growth-inhibitory activities at sufficient concentrations. At subinhibitory concentrations, exposure effects vary widely among different antibiotics and bacteria.Bacillus subtilisresponds to bacteriostatic translation inhibitors by mobilizing a population of cells (MOB-MobilizedBacillus) to spread across a surface. HowB.subtilis regulates the antibiotic-induced mobilization is not known. In this study, we used chloramphenicol to identify regulatory functions thatB. subtilisrequires to coordinate cell mobilization following subinhibitory exposure. We measured changes in gene expression and metabolism and mapped the results to a network of regulatory proteins that direct the mobile response. Our data reveal that several transcriptional regulators coordinately control the reprogramming of metabolism to support mobilization. The network regulates changes in glycolysis, nucleotide metabolism, and amino acid metabolism that are signature features of the mobilized population. Among the hundreds of genes with changing expression, we identified two,pdhAandpucA, where the magnitudes of their changes in expression, and in the abundance of associated metabolites, reveal hallmark metabolic features of the mobilized population. Using reporters ofpdhAandpucAexpression, we visualized the separation of major branches of metabolism in different regions of the mobilized population. Our results reveal a regulated response to chloramphenicol exposure that enables a population of bacteria in different metabolic states to mount a coordinated mobile response.
Single-cell profiling reveals the intratumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive microenvironment in cervical adenocarcinoma
Authors: Peng Yang , Yang Jing , Ao Jixing , Li Yilin , Shen Jia , He Xiang , Tang Dihong , Chu Chaonan , Liu Congrong , Weng Liang
Published: March 2024

Background

Cervical adenocarcinoma (ADC) is more aggressive compared to other types of cervical cancer (CC), such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and tumor heterogeneity are recognized as pivotal factors in cancer progression and therapy. However, the disparities in TIME and heterogeneity between ADC and SCC are poorly understood.

Methods

We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on 11 samples of ADC tumor tissues, with other 4 SCC samples served as controls. The immunochemistry and multiplexed immunofluorescence were conducted to validate our findings.

Results

Compared to SCC, ADC exhibited unique enrichments in several sub-clusters of epithelial cells with elevated stemness and hyper-malignant features, including the Epi_10_CYSTM1 cluster. ADC displayed a highly immunosuppressive environment characterized by the enrichment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tumor-promoting neutrophils. The Epi_10_CYSTM1 cluster recruits Tregs via ALCAM-CD6 signaling, while Tregs reciprocally induce stemness in the Epi_10_CYSTM1 cluster through TGFβ signaling. Importantly, our study revealed that the Epi_10_CYSTM1 cluster could serve as a valuable predictor of lymph node metastasis for CC patients.

Conclusions

This study highlights the significance of ADC-specific cell clusters in establishing a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment, ultimately contributing to the heightened aggressiveness and poorer prognosis of ADC compared to SCC.
Absence of localization in weakly interacting Floquet circuits
Authors: Hahn Dominik , Colmenarez Luis
Published: March 2024

We present a family of Floquet circuits that can interpolate between noninteracting qubits, free propagation, generic interacting, and dual-unitary dynamics. We identify the operator entanglement entropy of the two-qubit gate as a good quantitative measure of the interaction strength. We test the persistence of localization in the vicinity of the noninteracting point by probing spectral statistics, decay of autocorrelators, and measuring entanglement growth. The finite-size analysis suggests that the many-body localized regime does not persist in the thermodynamic limit. Instead, our results are compatible with an integrability-breaking phenomenon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
B¯0→K¯(*)0X
,
B−→K(*)−X
,
B¯s0→η(η′, ϕ)X
from the
X(3872)
molecular perspective
Authors: Liang Wei-Hong , Ban Ting , Oset Eulogio
Published: March 2024

We study the decays B¯0→K¯0X, B−→K−X, B¯s0→η(η′)X, B¯0→K¯*0X, B−→K*−X, B¯s0→ϕX, with X≡X(3872), from the perspective of the X(3872) being a molecular state made from the interaction of the D*+D−,D*0D¯0, and c.c. components. We consider both the external and internal emission decay mechanisms and find an explanation for the K¯0X and K−X production rates, based on the mass difference of the charged and neutral D*D¯ components. We also find that the internal and external emission mechanisms add constructively in the B¯0→K¯0X, B−→K−X reactions, while they add destructively in the case of B¯0→K¯*0X, B−→K*−X reactions. This feature explains the decay widths of the present measurements and allows us to make predictions for the unmeasured modes of B¯s0→η(η′)X(3872) and B−→K*−X(3872). The future measurement of these decay modes will help us get a better perspective on the nature of the X(3872) and the mechanisms present in production reactions of that state.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dynamical refinement with multipolar electron scattering factors
Authors: Olech Barbara , Brázda Petr , Palatinus Lukas , Dominiak Paulina Maria
Published: March 2024

Dynamical refinement is a well established method for refining crystal structures against 3D electron diffraction (ED) data and its benefits have been discussed in the literature [Palatinus, Petříček & Corrêa, (2015). Acta Cryst. A71, 235–244; Palatinus, Corrêa et al. (2015). Acta Cryst. B71, 740–751]. However, until now, dynamical refinements have only been conducted using the independent atom model (IAM). Recent research has shown that a more accurate description can be achieved by applying the transferable aspherical atom model (TAAM), but this has been limited only to kinematical refinements [Gruza et al. (2020). Acta Cryst. A76, 92–109; Jha et al. (2021). J. Appl. Cryst.
54, 1234–1243]. In this study, we combine dynamical refinement with TAAM for the crystal structure of 1-methyluracil, using data from precession ED. Our results show that this approach improves the residual Fourier electrostatic potential and refinement figures of merit. Furthermore, it leads to systematic changes in the atomic displacement parameters of all atoms and the positions of hydrogen atoms. We found that the refinement results are sensitive to the parameters used in the TAAM modelling process. Though our results show that TAAM offers superior performance compared with IAM in all cases, they also show that TAAM parameters obtained by periodic DFT calculations on the refined structure are superior to the TAAM parameters from the UBDB/MATTS database. It appears that multipolar parameters transferred from the database may not be sufficiently accurate to provide a satisfactory description of all details of the electrostatic potential probed by the 3D ED experiment.
Three polymorphs of a new N,N′-dipropylated isoindigo derivative
Authors: Jozuka Wataru , Kim Sung-hoon , Matsumoto Shinya
Published: March 2024

A newly synthesized N,N′-dipropyl-substituted isoindigo derivative, namely, 1-propyl-3-(1-propyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one, C22H22N2O2, was found to have three polymorphic forms (denoted Forms I, II and III) under various crystallization conditions. Crystal structure analysis indicated that Form III had a significantly different molecular conformation from the other two polymorphs. Their different packing arrangements were correlated with differences in the intermolecular interactions. Thermal measurements revealed that Forms I and II are enantiotropically related, and Form II exhibits thermally dynamic behaviour.
The value of research activities “other than” publishing articles: reflections on an experimental workshop series
Authors: Chahed Yasmine , Charnock Robert , Du Rietz Dahlström Sabina , Lennon Niels Joseph , Palermo Tommaso , Parisi Cristiana , Pflueger Dane , Sundström Andreas , Toh Dorothy , Yu Lichen
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this essay is to explore the opportunities and challenges that early-career researchers (ECRs) face when they seek to contribute to academic knowledge production through research activities “other than” those directly focused on making progress with their own, to-be-published, research papers in a context associated with the “publish or perish” (PoP) mentality.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing broadly on the notion of technologies of humility (Jasanoff, 2003), this reflective essay develops upon the experiences of the authors in organizing and participating in a series of nine workshops undertaken between June 2013 and April 2021, as well as the arduous process of writing this paper itself. Retrospective accounts, workshop materials, email exchanges and surveys of workshop participants provide the key data sources for the analysis presented in the paper.

Findings

The paper shows how the organization of the workshops is intertwined with the building of a small community of ECRs and exploration of how to address the perceived limitations of a “gap-spotting” approach to developing research ideas and questions. The analysis foregrounds how the workshops provide a seemingly valuable research experience that is not without contradictions. Workshop participation reveals tensions between engagement in activities “other than” working on papers for publication and institutionalized pressures to produce publication outputs, between the (weak) perceived status of ECRs in the field and the aspiration to make a scholarly contribution, and between the desire to develop a personally satisfying intellectual journey and the pressure to respond to requirements that allow access to a wider community of scholars.

Originality/value

Our analysis contributes to debates about the ways in which seemingly valuable outputs are produced in academia despite a pervasive “publish or perish” mentality. The analysis also shows how reflexive writing can help to better understand the opportunities and challenges of pursuing activities that might be considered “unproductive” because they are not directly related to to-be-published papers.
The influence of board policy setting on firm performance in Malaysia: the interacting effect of capital structure
Authors: Khatib Saleh F.A. , Abdullah Dewi Fariha , Al Amosh Hamzeh
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The literature has dealt with the relationship between board characteristics (BC) and firm performance (FP) on a large scale. However, it yielded inconsistent results. Thus, this paper aims to examine the indirect relationship between BC and FP through the mediating role of the capital structure (CS).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a sample of 528 non-financial companies listed on Bursa Malaysia from 2015 to 2019. Also, a two-step system generalised method of moments estimation technique was applied.

Findings

The results show that board diversity and the frequency of board meetings positively affect financial performance, and it is negatively influenced by board turnover, size and independence. Also, the results indicate a positive relationship between the independence of the board and all CS variables. Importantly, the findings support the policy-setting role of the board of directors where CS (measured by total debt and short-term debt) suppresses some governance mechanisms’ detrimental effect on FP. Hence, the board of directors, apart from the monitoring function, introduce various policies (financial and non-financial) that enhance the overall performance of companies.

Originality/value

These results are consistent with the agency’s perspective that management practices in selecting the optimal capital reduce agency costs and improve performance. The findings contribute to developing a broader theoretical framework that accounts for the policy-setting role of the board of directors. The current study model of corporate governance offers insight for policymakers into the role of corporate governance other than monitoring functions in organisations and how CS should be taken into consideration with corporate governance and FP association.
Exploring causes of ineffective material management and impact on successful project deliverables in civil engineering construction projects in Sri Lanka
Authors: Pararajasingam Ramgy , Waidyasekara Anuradha Samarajeewa , Victar Hasith Chathuranga
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Construction material management plays a significant role in achieving successful project delivery of a construction project. However, ineffective material management is a critical issue in the construction industry, especially in developing economies, of which Sri Lanka is not an exception. Therefore, this study aims to focus on exploring the causes of ineffective material management practices in civil engineering construction projects in Sri Lanka and their impact on successful project delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Furthermore, the literature findings were validated through the preliminary survey. Subsequently, a quantitative research approach was adopted to pursue the research aim. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 215 construction professionals in civil engineering projects who were selected using the judgemental and snowball sampling techniques. Collected data were analysed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) V26 and Microsoft Excel 2016.

Findings

Moreover, the study revealed that material price fluctuation, shortage of material in the market, delay in material procurement, inadequate planning and delays in material delivery are the most frequent causes of ineffective material management in civil engineering projects. In addition, it was evidenced that most ineffective material management practices cause both time and cost overruns in civil engineering construction projects. Most respondents emphasized inadequate planning, inadequate qualified and experienced staff, lack of supervision and lack of leadership as the causes for both time and cost overruns.

Originality/value

The study was concluded by proposing strategies for effective material management. Education/training/enlightenment of staff in charge of materials management, use of software like Microsoft Project, Primavera and similar software to eliminate manual errors in material management, and providing clear specifications to suppliers were the most agreed strategies for effective material management in civil engineering construction projects.
Big data and the management of libraries in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: implications for policymakers
Authors: Ajani Yusuf Ayodeji , Adefila Emmanuel Kolawole , Olarongbe Shuaib Agboola , Enakrire Rexwhite Tega , Rabiu Nafisa
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine Big Data and the management of libraries in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its implications for policymakers in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology was used, involving the administration of open-ended questionnaires to librarians from six selected federal universities located in Southwest Nigeria.

Findings

The findings of this research highlight that a significant proportion of librarians are well-acquainted with the relevance of big data and its potential to positively revolutionize library services. Librarians generally express favorable opinions concerning the relevance of big data, acknowledging its capacity to enhance decision-making, optimize services and deliver personalized user experiences.

Research limitations/implications

This study exclusively focuses on the Nigerian context, overlooking insights from other African countries. As a result, it may not be possible to generalize the study’s findings to the broader African library community.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is unique because the paper reported that librarians generally express favorable opinions concerning the relevance of big data, acknowledging its capacity to enhance decision-making, optimize services and deliver personalized user experiences.
Establishing the characteristics of mental toughness among construction professionals
Authors: Mireku Evans Kwesi , Kissi Ernest , Badu Edward , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Kwofie Titus , Eluerkeh Kenneth
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The construction industry is an industry which has gained notoriety when it comes to both physical and mental health problems. Compared to other industries, the construction sector has a higher prevalence of many stressors and mental health concerns. This calls for mechanisms to cope with these concerns. One coping mechanism propounded to help cope and adapt in the face of pressures and challenges is “Mental Toughness (MT)”. While mental toughness has been widely studied in various fields, there is a paucity of comprehensive research examining its significance among construction professionals. Thus, the motivation of this study is to establish the mental toughness characteristics among construction professionals in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The construction industry is an industry which has gained notoriety when it comes to both physical and mental health problems. Compared to other industries, the construction sector has a higher prevalence of mental health concerns. One coping mechanism propounded to help cope and adapt in the face of pressures and challenges is “Mental Toughness (MT)”. While mental toughness has been widely studied in various fields, there is a paucity of comprehensive research examining its significance among construction professionals. Thus, the motivation of this study is to establish the mental toughness characteristics among construction professionals.

Findings

the study's findings revealed 13-factor model characteristics of mental toughness with 43 variables for mentally tough performers in the construction environment. These 13-factor models include Pressure Management (PM), Motivation (M), Emotional Intelligence (EI), Interpersonal self-belief (SB), Tough Attitude (TA), Job-related self-belief (SBB), Ethical Values (EV), Commitment (C), Focus (F), Optimism (OP), Expertise and Competence (EC), Imagery Control (IC) and Resilient (R).

Practical implications

The outcome of this study has significant practical implications for various stakeholders. For construction professionals the identified factors provide valuable insights into the psychological attributes and behaviours that contribute to mental toughness among construction professionals. Understanding these characteristics can empower professionals to develop strategies for coping with stress, maintaining focus, and fostering resilience in challenging construction environments to achieve optimum performance levels consistently.

Originality/value

The originality of this study's findings stems from the fact that it is among the first to provide greater insight into mental toughness characteristics considered by professionals (quantity surveyors, construction managers, engineers, project managers, architects, estate managers) in the construction industry.
International education supports and cross-border student mobility: factors influencing Cambodian and Laotian students’ choice of studying in a Vietnamese university
Authors: Kim Khanh Mai Thi , Ngoc Chau Huy
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Cambodian and Laotian students (CLS) are among the largest groups of international students in intra-ASEAN student mobility as well as in Vietnamese higher education institutions (HEIs). However, little has been researched on the factors influencing CLS’s decision to choose Vietnam as destination country. The purpose of this study is to investigate why CLS decide to go overseas and choose Vietnam as their host country among other opportunities as well as their perceptions of the decision.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative methods and employing purposive sampling, data were collected by semi-structured interviews from CLS studying in a HEI in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The data were analysed against the push–pull framework to understand factors influencing the participants’ decision.

Findings

The findings show that CLS in the study were “pushed” by the perceived higher value of a foreign qualification and family encouragements. In terms of pull factors, they were attracted to choose Vietnam as the host country most observably due to scholarship opportunities. However other pull factors were also significant, especially the lack of certain skills in home countries and its congruence with Vietnam’s competitive strength in offering courses for those skills. In retrospect, the participants expressed a sense of optimism, though there was also certain reservation.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample restrict the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications

As an exploratory study, the findings can lay the ground for largerscale studies investigating CLS mobility in Vietnam and be employed for inbound student mobility policymaking reference for HEIs in Vietnam as well as in other developing countries.

Originality/value

This study investigates why Cambodian and Laotian international students decide to go to Vietnam, a developing country in the lesser-known part of international student mobility landscape. This is a topic that remains under-researched in the Asia-bound student mobility literature. Insights from the study can not only contribute to the scholarly gap but also offer implications for HEIs in Vietnam and other Asian countries.
Uncertainty and cash holdings: the moderating role of political connections
Authors: Tran Ly Thi Hai , Tu Thoa Thi Kim , Cong Nguyen To Bao
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between uncertainty and corporate cash holdings with the moderating role of political connections.

Design/methodology/approach

We employ fixed effects estimation on a panel dataset of 669 Vietnamese listed firms over the 2010–2020 period, with one- and two-way standard error clustering. We conduct various robustness tests, including two-stage least squares/instrumental variable and generalized method of moments regressions, alternative cash holding measure, and additional controls for macroeconomic conditions and ownership types.

Findings

The effect of uncertainty on cash holdings is weakened for firms with political connections relative to those without the connections. Although general firms depend on cash flows to adjust their cash holding behavior when uncertainty increases, our findings suggest that politically connected firms do not rely on internal cash flows to accumulate cash when confronted high uncertainty.

Practical implications

Our findings on the role of political connections in moderating the relationship between cash holding and economic policy uncertainty have practical implications for policymaking. Since political connections serve as a buffer for a firm’s liquidity, firms may want to seek those connections, which can, in turn, lead to increasing informal costs and unfair business environment.

Originality/value

This is the first study investigating the role of political connections to the nexus of cash, cash flow and uncertainty, providing novel evidence regarding the less dependence on internal cash flows to save cash by politically connected firms. Second, the paper enriches the literature on the motives of cash holdings by proposing a modified agency view in the context of weak investor protection. Therefore, our findings strengthen the explanation for the positive effect of uncertainty on firms’ cash holdings in emerging markets.
An efficient constraint method for solving planning problems under end-effector constraints
Authors: Wang Yahao , Li Zhen , Li Yanghong , Dong Erbao
Published: March 2024

Purpose

In response to the challenge of reduced efficiency or failure of robot motion planning algorithms when faced with end-effector constraints, this study aims to propose a new constraint method to improve the performance of the sampling-based planner.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a constraint method (TC method) based on the idea of cross-sampling is proposed. This method uses the tangent space in the workspace to approximate the constrained manifold pattern and projects the entire sampling process into the workspace for constraint correction. This method avoids the need for extensive computational work involving multiple iterations of the Jacobi inverse matrix in the configuration space and retains the sampling properties of the sampling-based algorithm.

Findings

Simulation results demonstrate that the performance of the planner when using the TC method under the end-effector constraint surpasses that of other methods. Physical experiments further confirm that the TC-Planner does not cause excessive constraint errors that might lead to task failure. Moreover, field tests conducted on robots underscore the effectiveness of the TC-Planner, and its excellent performance, thereby advancing the autonomy of robots in power-line connection tasks.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new constraint method combined with the rapid-exploring random trees algorithm to generate collision-free trajectories that satisfy the constraints for a high-dimensional robotic system under end-effector constraints. In a series of simulation and experimental tests, the planner using the TC method under end-effector constraints efficiently performs. Tests on a power distribution live-line operation robot also show that the TC method can greatly aid the robot in completing operation tasks with end-effector constraints. This helps robots to perform tasks with complex end-effector constraints such as grinding and welding more efficiently and autonomously.
Driving young Muslim loyalty toward Muslim-majority tourism destinations: the sense of community theory perspective
Authors: Suhartanto Dwi , Brien Anthony , Amalia Fatya Alty , Sumarjan Norzuwana , Awang Razli Izyanti , Sutrisno Rivan
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the sense-of-community role in affecting young Muslim loyalty towards Muslim-majority tourism destinations. Specifically, this research assesses the sense of community dimension in the halal tourism context and evaluates its effects on destination satisfaction, image and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a quantitative approach by using data from 376 young Indonesian Muslim tourists with past travel experiences to destinations where Muslims are the majority. The dimension of the sense of community was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis. The association between variables was tested using partial least square-structural equation modelling.

Findings

The finding exhibits three notable sense of community dimensions: membership, influence and need fulfilment and emotional connection. Emotional connection shapes, directly and indirectly, destination loyalty, while influence and need fulfilment affect destination loyalty by satisfaction and destination image mediating role. Lastly, membership has no impact on developing destination loyalty.

Practical implications

This study offers tourism destinations in Muslim-majority countries an opportunity to draw and create loyalty among young Muslim tourists. Besides offering superior halal services and products, Muslim-majority tourism destinations need to develop young Muslim tourists' emotional connection to the destinations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical examination of the sense of community's role in influencing tourist loyalty, specifically in halal tourism.
Unleashing financial inclusion: the mediating role of digital marketing in the impact of fintech and behavioral intention
Authors: Rehman Saad Ur , Hussain Shahid , Rasheed Abdul
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of financial technology (fintech) and behavioral intention on financial inclusion, specifically focusing on the role of digital marketing as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative research design, this study collected data from 638 respondents in the province of Punjab, Pakistan to investigate the relationship between variables.

Findings

The results indicate that both behavioral intention and fintech have a positive and favorable effect on financial inclusion. Furthermore, the study reveals that digital marketing acts as a mediating factor between financial inclusion and both behavioral intention and fintech. These findings underscore the significance of using effective digital marketing strategies to facilitate financial inclusion through fintech platforms. Policymakers should prioritize the adoption of fintech innovations and supportive regulatory frameworks while implementing comprehensive digital marketing strategies to promote financial inclusion.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the existing body of literature by presenting empirical evidence that highlights the interconnectedness of fintech, behavioral intention, digital marketing and financial inclusion. By harnessing the potential of fintech and digital marketing, financial institutions can bridge the gap between underserved populations and formal financial services, thereby promoting economic growth and reducing inequality.