bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryo-EM structures of theE. coliTon and Tol motor complexes
Authors: Celia Herve , Botos Istvan , Ghirlando Rodolfo , Beach Bridgette M. , Lloubes Roland , Buchanan Susan K.
Published: October 2024

The Ton and Tol motor proteins use the proton gradient at the inner membrane of Gram-negative bacteria as an energy source. The generated force is transmitted through the periplasmic space to protein components associated with the outer membrane, either to maintain the outer membrane integrity for the Tol system, or to allow essential nutrients to enter the cell for Ton. We have solved the high-resolution structures of theE. coliTonB-ExbB- ExbD andTolA-TolQ-TolR complexes, revealing the inner membrane embedded engine parts of the Ton and Tol systems, and showing how TonB and TolA interact with the ExbBD and TolQR subcomplexes. Structural similarities between the two motor complexes suggest a common mechanism for the opening of the proton channel and the propagation of the proton motive force into movement of the TonB and TolA subunits. Because TonB and TolA bind at preferential ExbB or TolQ subunits, we propose a new mechanism of assembly of TonB and TolA with their respective ExbBD and TolQR subcomplexes and discuss its impact on the mechanism of action for the Ton and Tol systems.
DNA/polysome phase separation and cell width confinement couple nucleoid segregation to cell growth inEscherichia coli
Authors: Papagiannakis Alexandros , Yu Qiwei , Govers Sander K. , Lin Wei-Hsiang , Wingreen Ned S. , Jacobs-Wagner Christine
Published: October 2024

Chromosome segregation is essential for cellular proliferation. Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria lack cytoskeleton-based machinery to segregate their chromosomal DNA (nucleoid). The bacterial ParABS system segregates the duplicated chromosomal regions near the origin of replication. However, this function does not explain how bacterial cells partition the rest (bulk) of the chromosomal material. Furthermore, some bacteria, includingEscherichia coli, lack a ParABS system. Yet,E. colifaithfully segregates nucleoids across various growth rates. Here, we provide theoretical and experimental evidence that polysome production during chromosomal gene expression helps compact, split, segregate, and position nucleoids inE. colithrough phase separation, inherently coupling these processes to biomass growth across nutritional conditions. Halting polysome formation immediately stops sister nucleoid migration while ensuing polysome depletion gradually reverses nucleoid segregation. Redirecting gene expression away from the chromosome and toward plasmids arrests nucleoid segregation and causes ectopic polysome accumulations that drive aberrant nucleoid dynamics. Cell width perturbations show that radial confinement of polysomes and nucleoids spatially controls their phase separation to ensure that nucleoids split along the cell width and segregate along the cell length. Our findings suggest a built-in mechanism for coupling chromosome segregation to cell growth and highlight the importance of cell width regulation in nucleoid segregation.
MreC-MreD structure reveals a multifaceted interface that controls MreC conformation
Authors: Gilman Morgan S.A. , Shlosman Irina , Guerra Daniel D. Samé , Domecillo Masy , Fivenson Elayne M. , Bourett Claire , Bernhardt Thomas G. , Polizzi Nicholas F. , Loparo Joseph J. , Kruse Andrew C.
Published: October 2024

The peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall is critical for bacterial growth and survival and is a primary antibiotic target. MreD is an essential accessory factor of the Rod complex, which carries out PG synthesis during elongation, yet little is known about how MreD facilitates this process. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure ofThermus thermophilusMreD in complex with another essential Rod complex component, MreC. The structure reveals that a periplasmic-facing pocket of MreD interacts with multiple membrane-proximal regions of MreC. We use single-molecule FRET to show that MreD controls the conformation of MreC through these contacts, inducing a state primed for Rod complex activation. UsingE. colias a model, we demonstrate that disrupting these interactions abolishes Rod complex activityin vivo. Our findings reveal the role of MreD in bacterial cell shape determination and highlight its potential as an antibiotic target.
An Autonomous Microbial Sensor Enables Long-term Detection of TNT Explosive in Natural Soil
Authors: Essington Erin A. , Vezeau Grace E. , Cetnar Daniel P. , Grandinette Emily , Bell Terrence H. , Salis Howard M.
Published: October 2024

Microbes can be engineered to detect target chemicals, but when they operate in real-world environments, it remains unclear how competition with natural microbes affect their performance over long time periods. We engineered sensors and memory-storing genetic circuits insideBacillus subtilisto sense and respond to the TNT explosive, using predictive models for rational design. We characterized their ability to detect TNT in a natural soil system, measuring single-cell and population-level behavior over a 28-day period. The autonomous microbial sensor activated its response by 14-fold when exposed to low TNT concentrations and maintained stable activation for over 21 days, exhibiting exponential decay dynamics at the population-level with a half-life of about 5 days. Our results show that engineered soil bacteria can carry out long-term detection of an important chemical in natural soil with competitive growth dynamics serving as additional biocontainment.
Mechanism of the Dual Action Self-Potentiating Antitubercular Drug Morphazinamide
Authors: Ostrer Lev , Crooks Taylor A. , Howe Michael D. , Vo Sang , Jia Ziyi , Hegde Pooja , Schacht Nathan , Aldrich Courtney C. , Baughn Anthony D.
Published: October 2024

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is a cornerstone of first-line antitubercular drug therapy and is unique in its ability to kill nongrowing populations ofMycobacterium tuberculosisthrough disruption of coenzyme A synthesis. Unlike other drugs, PZA action is conditional and requires potentiation by host-relevant environmental stressors, such as low pH and nutrient limitation. Despite its pivotal role in tuberculosis therapy, the durability of this crucial drug is challenged by the emergent spread of drug-resistance. To advance drug discovery efforts, we characterized the activity of a more potent PZA analog, morphazinamide (MZA). Here, we demonstrate that like PZA, MZA acts in part through impairment of coenzyme A synthesis. Unexpectedly, we find that, in contrast to PZA, MZA does not require potentiation and maintains bactericidal activity against PZA-resistant strains due to an additional mechanism involving aldehyde release. Further, we find that the principal mechanism for resistance to the aldehyde component is through promoter mutations that increase expression of the mycothiol oxidoreductase MscR. Our findings reveal a dual action synergistic mechanism of MZA that results in a faster kill rate and a higher barrier to resistance. These observations provide new insights for discovery of improved therapeutic approaches for addressing the growing problem of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Significance Statement

Pyrazinamide is the only antitubercular drug of its kind, capable of targeting persistentMycobacterium tuberculosisthrough disruption of the coenzyme A biosynthetic pathway. With the emergent spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis, it is imperative to identify more effective next-generation drugs. In this study, we characterized the mechanism of action of a more potent analog of pyrazinamide, morphazinamide. We demonstrate that like pyrazinamide, morphazinamide impairs coenzyme A metabolism. In contrast to pyrazinamide, we find that morphazinamide has an additional aldehyde-dependent mechanism that mediates potent bactericidal activity against both pyrazinamide-susceptible and pyrazinamide-resistant strains ofM. tuberculosis. These findings open up new opportunities for the development of next-generation antitubercular drugs to tackle the increasing challenge of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Polarized exocytosis and anionic phospholipid species implicated in the initiation of clathrin-mediated endocytosis
Authors: Marchando Paul , Hu Gean , Sun Yidi , Drubin David G.
Published: October 2024

Understanding of the mechanisms that initiate clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is incomplete. Recent studies in budding yeast identified the endocytic adaptor protein Yap1801/Yap1802 (budding yeast AP180) as a key CME factor that promotes CME initiation in daughter cells during polarized growth, but how Yap1801/2 is recruited preferentially to the plasma membrane of daughter cells is not clear. The only known cargos for Yap1801/2 in yeast are the synaptobrevins Snc1 and Snc2, which act as v-SNARES for exocytic vesicles arriving at the plasma membrane and are essential for polarized cell growth. In this study, we analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of functional, fluorescently-tagged Snc1/2 expressed from their endogenous loci and provide evidence that, in concert with anionic phospholipids, Snc1/2 recruit Yap1801/2 preferentially to growing daughter cells. These findings suggest that the coincidence of anionic phospholipids and Snc1/2 facilitates CME initiation in growing daughter cells and directly links polarized CME to polarized secretion.
A highly adaptable protocol for mapping spatial features of cellular aggregates in tissues
Authors: Sawyer Andrew , Weingaertner Nick , Patrick Ellis , Feng Carl G
Published: October 2024

Multiplex imaging technologies have developed rapidly over the past decades. The advancement of multiplex imaging has been driven in part by the recognition the spatial organisation of cells can represent important prognostic biomarkers and that simply studying the composition of cells in diseased tissue is often insufficient. There remains a lack of tools that can perform spatial analysis at the level of cellular aggregates (a common histopathological presentation) such as tumors and granulomas, with most analysis packages focussing on smaller regions of interest and potentially missing patterns in the overall lesion structure and cellular distribution. Here we present a protocol to quantify the cellular structure of entire tissue lesions built around two novel metrics. The Total Cell Preference Index reports whether a lesion tends to change in density in its central vs peripheral areas and can indicate the extent of necrosis across the entire lesion. The Immune Cell Preference Index then reports whether each immune cell-type is located more centrally or peripherally across the entire lesion. The output of both indexes is a single number readout for simple interpretation and visualization, and they can be applied to lesions of any size or shape. Additionally, this protocol can be applied to any slide-scanning multiplexed imaging system, either based on protein and nucleic acid staining. Finally, the protocol uses the open-source software QuPath and can be utilized by researchers with a basic understanding of QuPath with the full protocol able to be applied on pre-generated images within one hour.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mortality in older adults with and without pre-injury dementia
Authors: Lai Helen , Soreq Eyal , Bourke Niall J , Baker Claire , Zimmerman Karl A , Parkinson Megan E , Daniels Sarah JC , Gregg Edward W , Sharp David J , Li Lucia M
Published: October 2024

Importance

Incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is rising in older adults. Dementia is a common comorbidity amongst older adults and may worsen post-TBI outcomes, but this has not been systematically studied.

Objective

To compare all-cause mortality following TBI or non-TBI trauma (NTT), and quantify the impacts of age, deprivation, and pre-injury dementia.

Design

Population-based retrospective cohort study

Setting

Electronic health records (EHRs) from primary and secondary care

Participants

Adult residents in Wales aged 18-100 with TBI or NTT from January 2000 to December 2022

Exposures

Traumatic (intracranial) brain injury (TBI) or non-TBI trauma (NTT) recorded in secondary care. Pre-injury diagnosis of dementia within primary or secondary care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

All-cause mortality within 1, 6, and 12 months of hospitalised TBI/NTT in those with and without pre-injury dementia. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate survival probability across groups. Groups were propensity-matched by age, sex, and health conditions. Models were stratified by sex, age, and deprivation.

Results

23,428 TBIs (n=18,940) and 589,169 NTTs (n=421,259) were identified. TBIs were associated with higher mortality than NTT at all timepoints and age bands. Older age was associated with high mortality after TBI, with 16.9% of patients aged 65-79 (Hazard Ratio (HR)=4.52, 95% CI=[4.05,5.05], p<0.0001, relative to patients aged 18-39) and 31% of patients aged 80-100 dead within one month (9.08 [8.17,10.1], p<0.0001).

The impact of pre-injury dementia on post-TBI mortality was specifically during the chronic phase, 6 and 12 months after injury. Using NTT without dementia as a comparator, 12-month mortality was significantly higher in TBI patients with pre-injury dementia (2.15 [2.03,2.28], p<0.0001) than those without (1.52 [1.44,1.60], p<0.0001). Conversely, 30-day mortality was significant after TBI irrespective of dementia: TBI with (2.67 [2.42, 2.95], p<0.0001) or without pre-injury dementia (2.87 [2.65, 3.12], p<0.0001) had more than twice the mortality risk relative to NTT without dementia.

Conclusions and relevance

TBI is associated with higher all-cause mortality than NTT, particularly in older age. Pre-injury dementia was associated with particularly high mortality at 6 and 12 months. There is an urgent need to understand the reasons for poor outcomes in older adult TBI populations, especially those with pre-injury dementia.
Rapid and modular workflows for same-day sequencing-based detection of bloodstream infections and antimicrobial resistance determinants
Authors: Sajib Mohammad Saiful Islam , Oravcova Katarina , Brunker Kirstyn , Everest Paul , Fuentes Manuel , Wilson Catherine , Murphy Michael E. , Forde Taya
Published: October 2024

Background

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a major global health concern, and existing diagnostic methods are too slow to guide targeted antibiotic therapy for critically ill patients, risking poor clinical outcomes. Rapid metagenomic-sequencing (mNGS) can facilitate swift pathogen and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detection, but identification is challenged by significant host versus bacterial DNA in blood. To accelerate microbiological diagnosis, we developed M-15, a rapid and modular mNGS-based host DNA depletion workflow, validated with suspected BSI blood-culture samples and rapid culture-enriched spiked blood.

Methods

To assess chemical host DNA depletion (CHDD) efficiency, M-15 was benchmarked with five commercial/published protocols. Later, M-15 was combined with rapid mNGS with/without adaptive sampling (AS) and tested on clinical blood-culture samples (n=33) from suspected BSI cases identified on BACT/ALERT VIRTUO (30 flagged positive, three remained negative). To determine whether it is possible to utilise M-15 mNGS prior to blood-culture flagging positive, a rapid enrichment method was tested starting with 1-10 colony forming units of the top 15 bacterial species causing BSI spiked into BACTEC medium enriched with 10 mL sheep blood.

Results

All six chemical depletion protocols reduced host DNA by 2.5×100to 4.1×106-fold, with the in-house M-15 protocol performing best, while adaptive sampling depleted host >5-fold. With BACT/ALERT specimens, M-15 mNGS accurately identified 3/3 negative, 28/28 mono-bacterial, and 2/4 multi-bacterial species. With rapid culture-enrichment and M-15 mNGS, <18% DNA was classified as host and all bacterial species tested (n=10) were correctly identified. M-15 mNGS accurately predicted phenotypic AMR/susceptibility for 90.3% (232/257) of drug/bacteria combinations from BACT/ALERT positive samples.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that M-15 mNGS can facilitate species and AMR gene detection within 5-7 hours of BACT/ALERT positivity. Including 8-hour culture enrichment, microbiological and AMR confirmation is possible within 13-15 hours of sample collection. Thus, the M-15 mNGS workflow has the potential to improve patient outcomes in BSI.
Short-term frailty index fluctuations in older adults: Noise or signal?
Authors: Stolz Erwin , Schultz Anna , Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Theou Olga , Rockwood Kenneth
Published: October 2024

Background

Reversible short-term fluctuations in the frailty index (FI) are often thought of as representing only noise or error. Here, we assess (1) size and source of short-term FI fluctuations, (2) variation across socio-demographics, (3) association with chronic diseases, (4) correlation with age, frailty level, frailty change, and mortality, and (5) whether fluctuations reflect discrete health transitions.

Methods

Nationwide, biweekly longitudinal data from 426 community-dwelling older adults (70+) were collected in the FRequent health Assessment In Later life (FRAIL70+) study using a measurement burst design (5,122 repeated observations, median of 13 repeated observations per person). We calculated the intraindividual standard deviation (iSD) of the FI and used location-scale mixed regression models.

Results

Mean iSD was 0.04 (SD=0.03). Fluctuations were driven foremost by cognitive problems, somatic symptoms, and limitations in instrumental and mobility-related activities of daily living. Short-term fluctuations correlated with higher FI levels (r=0.62), one-year FI change (r=0.26), and older age (+3% per year). Older adults who took to bed due to a health problem (+50%), those who had an overnight hospital stay (+50%), and those who died during follow-up (+44%) exhibited more FI fluctuations.

Conclusions

Short-term FI fluctuations were neither small nor random. Instead, as older adults become frailer, their measured health also becomes more unstable; hence short-term fluctuations in overall health status can be seen as a concomitant phenomenon of the aging process. Researchers and clinicians should be aware of existence of reversible fluctuations in the FI over weeks and months and its consequences for frailty monitoring.
Diabetes and all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older adults in China, England, Mexico, rural South Africa, and the United States: A population-based study of longitudinal aging cohorts
Authors: Green Hunter , Zhang Yuan S. , Li Chihua , Zaninotto Paola , Langa Kenneth M. , Lee Jinkook , Manne-Goehler Jennifer , Flood David
Published: October 2024

Objective

There is a need for comparable worldwide data on the impact of diabetes on mortality. This study assessed diabetes and all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older adults in five countries.

Research Design and Methods

We analyzed adults aged 51 years or older followed between 2010 and 2020 from population-based cohorts in China, England, Mexico, rural South Africa, and the United States. Diabetes was defined by self-report or an elevated diabetes blood-based biomarker meeting the clinical criteria for diabetes. All-cause mortality was assessed through linkages or informant interviews. We used Poisson regression models to estimate mortality rate ratios and mortality rate differences, comparing people with diabetes to those without diabetes. Models were adjusted for age, gender, education, smoking status, body mass index, and economic status.

Results

We included 29,397 individuals, of whom 4,916 (16.7%) died during the study period. The median follow-up time ranged from 4.6 years in South Africa to 8.3 years in China. The adjusted all-cause mortality rate ratios for people with diabetes versus those without diabetes ranged from 1.53 (95% CI: 1.39-1.68) in the United States to 2.02 (95% CI: 1.34-3.06) in Mexico. The adjusted mortality rate differences (per 1,000 person-years) for people with diabetes versus those without diabetes ranged from 11.9 (95% CI: 4.8-18.9) in England to 24.6 (95% CI: 12.2-37.0) in South Africa.

Conclusions

Diabetes was associated with increased all-cause mortality in population-based cohorts across five diverse countries. There is an urgent need to implement clinical and public health interventions to improve diabetes outcomes globally.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Why did we undertake this study?

We aimed to address the need for comparable estimates of all-cause mortality among people with diabetes in diverse global settings.

What is the specific question(s) we wanted to answer?

How does diabetes impact all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older adults (aged 51 years or greater) in China, England, Mexico, rural South Africa, and the United States?

What did we find?

Middle-aged and older adults with diabetes had higher all-cause mortality than people without diabetes in all countries. Relative mortality differences ranged from mortality rate ratios of 1.53 in the United States to 2.02 in Mexico. Absolute mortality differences ranged from mortality rate differences (per 1,000 person-years) of 11.9 in England to 24.6 in South Africa.

What are the implications of our findings?

There is an urgent need to implement clinical and public health interventions to improve diabetes outcomes globally.
LeDNA: a cut-and-build toolkit to democratize education on CRISPR gene editing technology
Authors: Kundlatsch Guilherme E. , Rodrigues Alina S. L. , Zocca Vitória F. B. , Amorim Laura A. S. , de Paiva Gabriela B. , Neto Almiro P. S. , Campos Juliana A. D. B. , Pedrolli Danielle B.
Published: October 2024

We introduce LeDNA, a versatile educational toolkit designed for teaching fundamental genetics and CRISPR-Cas gene editing principles in diverse settings, regardless of existing infrastructure. Fabricated using laser-cutting techniques, LeDNA is an open-source resource suitable for students across educational levels, from high school to graduate studies. Given the transformative potential of CRISPR technology in various fields, including medicine and agriculture, a widespread understanding of its principles is essential for informed public discourse and acceptance. By providing a readily accessible and affordable tool, LeDNA aims to democratize genetics and CRISPR education globally, fostering a more informed and engaged community.
Enrollment to exams: Perceived stress dynamics among first-year physics students
Authors: Lahme Simon Zacharias , Cirkel Jasper Ole , Hahn Larissa , Hofmann Julia , Neuhaus Josefine , Schneider Susanne , Klein Pascal
Published: October 2024

The current dropout rate in physics studies in Germany is about 60%, with the majority of dropouts occurring in the first year. Consequently, the physics study entry phase poses a significant challenge for many students. Students’ stress perceptions can provide more profound insights into the processes and challenges during that period. In a panel study featuring 67 measuring points involving up to 128 participants at each point, we investigated students’ stress perceptions with the perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ), identified underlying sources of stress, and assessed self-estimated workloads across two different cohorts. This examination occurred almost every week during the first semester, and for one cohort also in the second semester, yielding a total of 3241 PSQ data points and 5823 stressors. The PSQ data indicate a consistent stress trajectory across all three groups studied that is characterized by significant dynamics between measuring points, spanning from M=20.1,SD=15.9 to M=63.6,SD=13.4 on a scale from 0 to 100. Stress levels rise in the first weeks of the lecture, followed by stable, elevated stress levels until the exams and a relaxation phase afterward during the lecture-free time and Christmas vacation. In the first half of the lecture period, students primarily indicated the weekly exercise sheets, the physics lab course, and math courses as stressors; later on, preparation for exams and the exams themselves emerged as the most important stressors. Together with the students’ self-estimated workloads that correlate with the PSQ scores, we can create a coherent picture of stress perceptions among first-year physics students, which builds the basis for supportive measures and interventions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Economic value added and working capital efficiency linkages: an Indian context
Authors: Bhatia Prince , Kumar Rahul , Chattopadhyay Subir , Dubey Ritesh Kumar
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between the economic value added (EVA) and the working capital efficiency (WCE) of the listed firms in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses annual data of 401 listed companies for the period 2012–2019. Furthermore, the dynamic panel data regression model was used to investigate the relationship between the variables of interest.

Findings

The results reveal that the net trade cycle (NTC) is significantly and negatively associated with listed firms’ economic value in India, indicating that a shorter NTC generates higher EVA for Indian firms. The authors further explore the association between individual components of the NTC with EVA. The authors also found that an inverse, and significant relationship exists between EVA and the individual components of the NTC. The findings also reported a meaningful relationship between EVA and control variables except for leverage and age. For listed firms, the results suggest that sales growth and firm size are crucial factors driving firms’ EVA.

Practical implications

Higher WCE enhances shareholder value creation, forming positive stakeholders’ expectations toward the company.

Originality/value

Over the years, many studies have been conducted to determine the relationship between WCE and traditional measures of firms’ profitability. However, hardly any study finds out the impact of WCE on the value-based measures of firms’ performance. This study fills the gap in the existing literature by analyzing the impact of WCE on firms’ EVA.
Traveling with family! A mediated-moderation model on the intention to use accommodation sharing
Authors: Parvez M. Omar , Eluwole Kayode Kolawole , Aureliano-Silva Leonardo , Cobanoglu Cihan
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the direct impact of perceived service quality (PSQ) on satisfaction and the intention to use accommodation sharing (IAS). Additionally, it investigates the mediating role of satisfaction between PSQ and IAS. To extend the findings, the study also analyzes the moderating roles of behavioral change and family status in the relationship between satisfaction and IAS within a collective group.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes 413 accommodation sharing (AS) users in the USA using data collected through MTurk. The authors analyzed the data using the ordinary least squared regressions path analytical framework and bootstrapping methods in PROCESS Macro to estimate the hypothesized mediated moderation models.

Findings

The findings underscore the significant impact of PSQ on satisfaction and IAS. Moreover, they reveal the crucial role of satisfaction as a mediator in this relationship and the moderating influence of family status and behavior change on the observed indirect relationship. These insights are invaluable for understanding and navigating the dynamics of the accommodation-sharing industry.

Originality/value

This paper is a pioneering work that sheds new light on the roles of change in behavior and family status in the context of AS. It makes significant contributions to the sharing economy and offers valuable managerial insights for companies operating in this market. The study s originality lies in its explanation of the mediator role of satisfaction in the sharing economy and the moderator mechanism of change in behavior and family status on IAS.
The impact of corporate social advocacy on employee trust and distrust: an empirical study of #StopAsianHate
Authors: Park Keonyoung , Asthana Shivangi , Nie Songli
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between corporate social advocacy (CSA) and employee trust and distrust, focusing on perceived employer support for the #StopAsianHate movement. We aim to explore how perceived CSA relates to employee perceptions and engagement in the workplace, answering for the following research questions: How do employees perceive their companies’ engagement in CSA, specifically the #StopAsianHate movement? To what extent do these perceptions influence trust and distrust toward their employers? How do trust and distrust, in turn, affect employees’ workplace engagement?

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted an online survey of 798 full-time employees across various industries in the USA in March 2022. To ensure a diverse and representative sample, the survey targeted demographic representation based on the latest US census data.

Findings

CSA initiatives were found to be positively related to both trust and distrust by employees. Trust was significantly positively connected to employee engagement cognitively, emotionally and physically in the workplace, mediating the relationship between CSA and employee engagement.

Originality/value

This study adds to the empirical CSA research on employee–employer relations by incorporating a real-world context of the #StopAsianHate movement and illustrating the complexity of ambivalent CSA perceptions – both trust and distrust. It highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics within corporate advocacy efforts, offering an overview of CSA’s role in shaping workplace relations.
The role of snapchat in shaping workplace behavior and productivity
Authors: Bilderback Stephanie , Luck Patrick , Blackwell Isabella L. , Lobdell Michael D.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the influence of Snapchat on workplace behavior, focusing on employee productivity, mental health and organizational policies. It examines how Millennials and Generation Z use Snapchat professionally, with implications for management strategies and workplace culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a conceptual analysis grounded in existing literature and theoretical frameworks, including uses and gratifications theory, social comparison theory and attention economy theory. The analysis covers the psychological effects of social media validation, social comparisons and the impact of Snapchat on attention and task management. Management strategies such as policy development and employee training are also examined.

Findings

Snapchat positively impacts communication and team bonding but presents challenges to productivity, mental well-being and data security. The platform’s design encourages both community building and distractions. Organizations can mitigate these issues through effective policies, training and mental health support.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique contribution by focusing specifically on Snapchat and its workplace impact. It addresses the balance between the benefits of social media and its drawbacks, presenting practical strategies for organizations to manage Snapchat usage effectively while maintaining productivity and supporting employee well-being.
Unearthing the misconduct and inaccuracies in social science research: a trend analysis of retracted articles based on retraction watch database
Authors: Basumatary Bwsrang , Verma Manoj Kumar
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyze the research article retractions in social sciences over the past decade (2014–2023).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used scientometric methods to evaluate the prevalence, patterns and factors contributing to social sciences article retractions. Bibliographic data of retracted articles were collected from the Retraction Watch Database under an agreement signed with the database. Further, citations of the retracted articles were collected from Scopus and Google Scholar. The analysis encompasses performance assessment and citation-based analysis to reveal the trend of retraction and scrutinize the impact of retracted articles.

Findings

Over the past decade, article retractions have shown dynamic trends, with notable fluctuations in recent years. Further, investigating the time taken for article retraction reveals the urgency of addressing issues identified soon after publication. Scientific misconduct and publication-related concerns emerge as primary factors leading to retractions. Countries such as Russia, the USA, China and publishers such as Elsevier and Taylor and Francis led in the retractions of social science articles. A significant portion of retracted works had garnered academic attention prior to retraction and even after retraction.

Originality/value

This study can contribute to a better understanding among scholars and stakeholders of the trends and reasons for retractions of research articles in the social sciences.
Mongolian educators’ approach to student mistakes: an empirical study from a cultural perspective using lesson analysis
Authors: Bishkhorloo Boldsuren , Choijilsuren Nyamgerel , Yoshiaki Shibata , Mohammad Reza Sarkar Arani , Masanobu Sakamoto
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Teachers’ responses to students’ mistakes vary based on their countries’ social culture. We investigated the cultural script in a Mongolian lesson on teachers’ responses to students' mistakes.

Design/methodology/approach

We employed transcript-based lesson analyses and cultural transcript approaches. We gathered data from a Mongolian lesson and analysed the transcripts, emphasising the students’ mistakes.

Findings

We avoided drawing conclusions and offering recommendations on the shortcomings of Mongolian lessons because our approach was from a cultural standpoint. The teacher of our research lesson and interviewee teachers placed less emphasis on working with students' mistakes than other elements of teaching. They tended to ignore or merely acknowledge the students’ mistakes in order to continue the lesson as planned. During our discussions, we explored the potential relationship between the behaviourist approach and the way teachers handle their students' mistakes. We also considered how the subject matter might influence the types of mistakes. These findings could guide future research in this area.

Research limitations/implications

Though we tried to enhance the representativeness of our study with interviews, we were not satisfied with the qualitative analysis. Future research should focus more on conducting interviews and discussions with Mongolian and Japanese educators to incorporate cross-cultural perspectives. It will provide valuable insights for successfully adapting lesson studies in Mongolia.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no international publication on Mongolian lesson studies on students’ mistakes. The cultural perspective of Mongolian lessons may be valuable to a global audience given the uniqueness of the Euro-Asian nomadic culture that is fast adapting to urbanisation in the globalising world.
Assessing the impact of the European Union-Vietnam free trade agreement on labor market and employment in Vietnam
Authors: Ngo Quoc Dung , Nguyen Quynh Hoa , Toan Pham Ngoc
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on Vietnam’s labor market and employment outcomes, considering the potential distributional consequences across various groups of workers and regions.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive quantitative framework is employed, combining the gravity model of trade to estimate the EVFTA’s effects on trade flows, the CISAF_M1 model to simulate sectoral employment impacts and econometric models to analyze the effects on wages and decent work. The analysis draws upon a rich dataset spanning the period before and after the EVFTA’s implementation.

Findings

The EVFTA has significantly boosted Vietnam’s exports to the EU, leading to substantial job creation in labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel and footwear. The agreement has also contributed to wage growth and improved access to social insurance for workers in export-oriented industries. However, the impact on other aspects of job quality is less clear. The distributional analysis reveals that the EVFTA’s employment effects have been relatively balanced across gender but have favored younger and less skilled workers as well as those in rural areas.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive and nuanced assessment of the EVFTA’s impact on Vietnam’s labor market, addressing a gap in the literature on the employment effects of new-generation free trade agreements in developing countries. The findings highlight the importance of considering distributional aspects when evaluating the socioeconomic implications of trade liberalization and offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to promote inclusive growth in the context of deepening international economic integration.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2024-0236
You have got a nerve: examining the nexus between coworkers' cyberloafing and workplace incivility
Authors: Zhang Yajun , Wang Jingjing , Zhang Junwei , Wang Yongqi , Akhtar Muhammad Naseer
Published: October 2024

Purpose

While cyberloafing has emerged as a prevalent issue in numerous workplaces, research on its consequences is still underdeveloped, highlighting a need for further exploration and analysis. Drawing upon the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion, this study investigates the influence of coworkers' cyberloafing on employees' workplace incivility, mediated by negative emotions and moderated by task interdependence.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, the hypothesized research model was tested utilizing three-wave time-lagged survey data collected from 333 employees and their coworkers. In Study 2, an additional sample of 274 employees was surveyed. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis and the bootstrap method.

Findings

The results indicated that coworkers' cyberloafing positively influenced employees' workplace incivility, with this relationship mediated by negative emotions. Additionally, task interdependence was found to positively moderate both the direct relationship between coworkers' cyberloafing and negative emotions and the indirect path from coworkers' cyberloafing to employees' workplace incivility through negative emotions.

Practical implications

This study helps managers gain a deeper understanding of cyberloafing's effects, enabling them to manage and curb it more effectively.

Originality/value

Prior research has predominantly explored the effects of cyberloafing on its implementers. However, this study innovatively shifts focus to the observer perspective, empirically demonstrating whether and how coworkers' cyberloafing affects employees' workplace incivility, enriching and expanding the existing literature.
The future of tourism: evolution and future of scenario planning and strategic foresight in tourism with Albert Postma
Authors: Hartman Stefan , Postma Albert
Published: October 2024

Purpose

As the Journal of Tourism Futures celebrates its 10th Anniversary, Dr Stefan Hartman (head of department at the European Tourism Futures Institute, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences) interviews Prof. Albert Postma, professor of Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning) about Evolution and Future of Scenario Planning.

Design/methodology/approach

A personal interview held on September 12, 2024.

Findings

Albert Postma highlights the importance of scenario planning and strategic foresight and its evolution. Postma explains how he is taking a leading role in improving the impact of applications of scenario planning and strategic foresight in tourism practice.

Originality/value

The interview provides insights into the directions of scenario planning and strategic foresight applications in tourism practice and promising pathways for future academic contribution to the Journal of Tourism Futures.
Exploring barriers to Quality 4.0 implementation: a multivariate analysis
Authors: Calvo-Mora Arturo , Pedro Eugénia de Matos , Suárez Eva
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and practices are changing the way quality is managed in organizations, giving rise to the movement known as “Quality 4.0” (Q4.0). In this context, this study aims to analyze the barriers organizations face when trying to implement Q4.0 and to examine whether there are significant differences according to size, sector, level of excellence and degree of readiness for Q4.0 implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises 107 Spanish organizations with some form of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence recognition system. The methodology includes multivariate techniques (factor analysis and mean difference analysis).

Findings

The study has managed to summarize the ten main barriers to the implementation of Q4.0 identified in the literature in three groups: organizational (five barriers), knowledge (two barriers) and technological (three barriers). The main barriers are the high investment in technology required to implement Q4.0 and the need for more training and competence of workers. In addition, SMEs encounter more significant technological barriers when implementing Q4.0 than large companies. However, organizational and knowledge barriers are the same. Organizations in the service sector come across more organizational and knowledge barriers to implementing Q4.0 than industrial organizations; no differences were identified for technological barriers. The higher the EFQM seal of excellence achieved, the lower the knowledge barriers faced, with no differences in organizational and technological barriers. Finally, it is observed that the more prepared organizations are to implement Q4.0, the lower the barriers they face.

Research limitations/implications

The study helps managers identify the barriers they may encounter when implementing Q4.0, which helps design short- and long-term plans to mitigate or break down these barriers.

Originality/value

The study provides empirical evidence on an organization’s barriers to implementing Q4.0. On the other hand, the barriers are related to some of the relevant characteristics that define the organizations, such as their size, the sector of activity, their level of excellence and their degree of preparation for implementing Q4.0.
Assessment of recreational value of national Chambal sanctuary: application of individual travel cost model
Authors: Yadav Nidhi , Sahoo Dukhabandhu , Sahu Naresh Chandra
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess the recreational value of the National Chambal Sanctuary highlighting the potential benefits of conservation and the need for sustainable practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Individual Travel Cost Method to evaluate the expenses of individuals visiting the National Chambal Sanctuary.

Findings

The study reveals that the National Chambal Sanctuary has a significant recreational value, with an average visitor value of INR 35,335.69 or USD 434 and an annual value of INR 132,473,501.81 or approximately USD 1.62m, indicating substantial economic contribution.

Research limitations/implications

The study's limitations may stem from data collection constraints, visitor reporting biases or other factors affecting estimates' accuracy. Future research could explore socio-economic factors or factors affecting low tourist inflow in India's protected areas (PAs).

Practical implications

This study suggests raising entrance fees for the National Chambal Sanctuary to ensure financial sustainability, based on its high recreational value and average consumer surplus. This has practical implications for policymakers, conservationists and the tourism industry.

Social implications

The study underscores the significance of protecting PAs like the National Chambal Sanctuary, suggesting that public attitudes towards biodiversity conservation can be influenced by highlighting its economic and recreational value and promoting awareness of its significance.

Originality/value

The study evaluates the recreational value of a wildlife sanctuary in India, offering insights into conservation's economic benefits and sustainable practices and promoting further research.
The affinity of vascular plants and bryophytes to forest microclimate buffering
Authors: Gril Eva , Spicher Fabien , Vanderpoorten Alain , Gallet‐Moron Emilie , Brasseur Boris , Le Roux Vincent , Laslier Marianne , Decocq Guillaume , Marrec Ronan , Lenoir Jonathan
Published: October 2024

With recent advances in technology and modelling, ecologists are increasingly advised to use microclimate, not the usual coarse scale macroclimate based on weather stations, to better reflect the proximal conditions that species experience. This is especially relevant in forest ecosystems, where natural disturbances and management create substantial heterogeneity in microclimates. Under dense canopies, species may experience buffered (less extreme) microclimate temperatures relative to macroclimate, as well as increased relative humidity, reduced light and wind.

Focusing on understorey plants, we investigated species response curves to the buffering capacity of the canopy layer, measured as the log‐transformed slope parameter of the microclimate to macroclimate linear relationship. If lower or higher than zero, microclimate temperatures are buffered or amplified, respectively, relative to macroclimate.

During leaf‐on conditions (July–September 2021), we measured hourly microclimate temperatures in 157 plots across three temperate deciduous forests with contrasted macroclimates. We used paired hourly macroclimate measurements from nearby weather stations to derive the slope parameter, quantifying microclimate buffering.

We surveyed vascular plant and bryophyte communities in 400 m2 plots centred on our microclimate sensors. Species were classified into three groups of forest affinity: core specialists; edge specialists; and generalists. We fitted generalized linear mixed‐effects models, by forest affinity group and by species, to obtain logistic response curves of the probability of occurrence against microclimate buffering. The species' optimum was computed as the microclimate effect that maximizes the species' probability of presence.

We found contrasted microclimate preferences: Most bryophytes as well as the vascular plants classified as forest core specialists had an optimum in microclimate buffering, while forest edge specialists and generalists among vascular plants had an optimum in microclimate amplification. As canopies undergo increased disturbance frequency and intensity, more generalists and less forest core specialists might thus be expected in understorey communities, especially for bryophytes.

Synthesis. Understorey plants have a species‐specific affinity to the forest microclimate, which we quantify for the first time. The investigation of species response curves to microclimate processes—buffering or amplification—can improve our understanding of the ecology of understorey plants, and help us anticipate their redistribution under climate change.