bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pseudomonas aeruginosaimpairs mitochondrial function and metabolism during infection of corneal epithelial cells
Authors: Ramachandran Rajalakshmy Ayilam , Abdallah Joelle T. , Rehman Mahad , Baniasadi Hamid , Blanton Abigail M. , Vizcaino Santiago , Robertson Danielle M.
Published: June 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA) is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that can infect the cornea as a result of trauma or contact lens wear. In addition to their known energy producing role, mitochondria are important mediators of immune signaling and host defense. While certain pathogens have developed strategies to evade host defenses by modulating host mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism, the ability of PA to harness host cell mitochondria during corneal infection is unknown. Using a combination of biochemical and imaging techniques, we show that PA infection of corneal epithelial cells induced mitochondrial fission in a DRP1-dependent manner that preceded PINK1/Parkin and FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy. PA also impaired NADH-linked respiration through a reduction in complex 1. This corresponded to a decrease in metabolic pathways related to glycolysis and the TCA cycle. Metabolomics analysis further demonstrated an upregulation of the pentose phosphate pathway, arginine, purine, and pyrimidine metabolism in PA infected cells. These pathways may provide a key source of nucleotides, amino acids, and nitrogen for both the host cell and PA, in addition to antioxidant functions. Following treatment with gentamicin to kill all extracellular bacteria, metabolic flux analysis showed that corneal epithelial cells were able to restore mitochondrial function despite the continued presence of intracellular PA. Taken together, these data demonstrate that mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic rewiring in host cells is triggered by extracellular PA, but once inside, PA requires healthy mitochondria to ensure host cell survival.
Separating sensory from timing processes: a cognitive encoding and neural decoding approach
Authors: Jin Christina Yi , Razafindrahaba Anna , Bordas Raphaël , van Wassenhove Virginie
Published: June 2024

The internal clock is a psychological model for timing behavior. According to information theory, psychological time might be a manifestation of information flow during sensory processing. Herein, we tested three hypotheses: (1) whether sensory adaptation reduces (or novelty increases) the rate of the internal clock (2) whether the speed of the clock reflects the amount of cortical sensory processing? (3) whether motion tunes clock speed.

The current study used an oddball paradigm in which participants detected duration changes while being recorded with electroencephalography (EEG). For data analysis, we combined cognitive modeling with neural decoding techniques. Specifically, we designed Adaptive-Thought-of-Control (ACT-R) models to explain human data and linked them to the sensory EEG features discovered through machine learning.

Our results indicate that timing performance is influenced by both timing and non-timing factors. The internal clock may reflect the amount of sensory processing, thereby clarifying a long-standing sensory timing mystery.
Structural and mechanistic studies on human LONP1 redefine the hand-over-hand translocation mechanism
Authors: Mindrebo Jeffrey T. , Lander Gabriel C.
Published: June 2024

AAA+ enzymes use energy from ATP hydrolysis to remodel diverse cellular targets. Structures of substrate-bound AAA+ complexes suggest that these enzymes employ a conserved hand-over-hand mechanism to thread substrates through their central pore. However, the fundamental aspects of the mechanisms governing motor function and substrate processing within specific AAA+ families remain unresolved. We used cryo-electron microscopy to structurally interrogate reaction intermediates from in vitro biochemical assays to inform the underlying regulatory mechanisms of the human mitochondrial AAA+ protease, LONP1. Our results demonstrate that substrate binding allosterically regulates proteolytic activity, and that LONP1 can adopt a configuration conducive to substrate translocation even when the ATPases are bound to ADP. These results challenge the conventional understanding of the hand-over-hand translocation mechanism, giving rise to an alternative model that aligns more closely with biochemical and biophysical data on related enzymes like ClpX, ClpA, the 26S proteasome, and Lon protease.
Long term follow-up in anti-contactin-1 autoimmune nodopathy
Authors: Caballero-Ávila Marta , Martín-Aguilar Lorena , Pascual-Goñi Elba , Michael Milou R. , Koel-Simmelink Marleen J.A. , Höftberger Romana , Wanschitz Julia , Alonso-Jiménez Alicia , Armangué Thais , Baars Adája Elisabeth , Carbayo Álvaro , Castek Barbara , Collet-Vidiella Roger , Winter Jonathan De , del Real Maria Angeles , Delmont Emilien , Diamanti Luca , Doneddu Pietro Emiliano , Hiew Fu Liong , Gallardo Eduard , Gonzalez Amaia , Grinzinger Susanne , Horga Alejandro , Iglseder Stephan , Jacobs Bart C. , Jauregui Amaia , Killestein Joep , Pozza Elisabeth Lindeck , Martínez-Martínez Laura , Nobile-Orazio Eduardo , Ortiz Nicolau , Pérez-Pérez Helena , Poppert Kai-Nicolas , Ripellino Paolo , Roche Jose Carlos , Rodriguez de Rivera Franscisco Javier , Rostasy Kevin , Sparasci Davide , Tejada-Illa Clara , Teunissen Charlotte C.E. , Vegezzi Elisa , Xuclà-Ferrarons Tomàs , Zach Fabian , Wieske Luuk , Eftimov Filip , Lleixà Cinta , Querol Luis
Published: June 2024

Objective

To analyze long-term clinical and biomarker features of anti-contactin-1 (CNTN1) autoimmune nodopathy (AN).

Methods

Patients with anti-CNTN1+ AN detected in our laboratory from which clinical information was available were included. Clinical features and treatment response were retrospectively collected. Autoantibody, serum neurofilament light (sNfL) and serum CNTN1 levels (sCNTN1) were analyzed at baseline and follow-up.

Results

Thirty-one patients were included. Patients presented with progressive motor-sensory neuropathy (76.7%) with proximal (74.2%) and distal involvement (87.1%), ataxia (71.4%) and severe disability (median INCAT at nadir of 8)). Eleven patients (35%) showed kidney involvement. Most patients (97%) received IVIg but only one achieved remission with IVIg. Twenty-two patients (71%) received corticosteroids, and three of them (14%) did not need further treatments. Rituximab was effective in 21/22 patients (95.5%), with most of them (72%) receiving a single course. Four patients (12.9%) relapsed after a median follow-up of 25 months after effective treatment [12-48]. Anti-CNTN1 titers correlated with clinical scales at sampling and were negative after treatment in all patients but one (20/21). sNfL levels were significantly higher and sCNTN1 significantly lower in anti-CNTN1+ patients than in healthy controls (sNfL: 135.9 pg/mL vs 7.48 pg/mL, sCNTN1: 25.03 pg/mL vs 22186 pg/mL, p< 0.0001). Both sNfL and sCNTN1 returned to normal levels after successful treatment.

Interpretation

Patients with anti-CNTN1+ AN have a characteristic clinical profile. Clinical and immunological relapses are infrequent after successful treatment, suggesting that continuous treatment is unnecessary. Anti-CNTN1 antibodies, sNfL and aCNTN1 levels are useful to monitor disease status and treatment efficacy in these patients.
Disentangling the effects of nicotine versus non-nicotine constituents of tobacco smoke on major depressive disorder: A multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Burke Chloe , Taylor Gemma , Freeman Tom P , Sallis Hannah , Wootton Robyn E , Munafò Marcus R , Dardani Christina , Khouja Jasmine
Published: June 2024

Background and aims

There is growing evidence that tobacco smoking causes depression, but it is unclear which constituents of tobacco smoke (e.g., nicotine, carbon monoxide) may be responsible. We used Mendelian randomisation (MR) to examine the independent effect of nicotine on depression, by adjusting the effect of nicotine exposure (via nicotine metabolite ratio [NMR]) for the overall effect of smoking heaviness (via cigarettes per day [CPD]) to account for the non-nicotine constituents of tobacco smoke.

Design

Univariable MR and multivariable MR (MVMR) were used to explore the total and independent effects of genetic liability to NMR and CPD on major depressive disorder (MDD). Our primary method was inverse variance weighted (IVW) regression, with other methods as sensitivity analyses.

Setting and participants

For the exposures, we used genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics among European ancestry individuals for CPD (n=143,210) and NMR (n=5,185). For the outcome, a GWAS of MDD stratified by smoking status was conducted using individual-level data from UK Biobank (n=35,871-194,881).

Measurements

Genetic variants robustly associated with NMR and CPD.

Findings

Univariable MR indicated a causal effect of CPD on MDD (odds ratio [OR]IVW=1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04-1.23,P=0.003) but no clear evidence for an effect of NMR on MDD (ORIVW=0.98, 95% CI=0.97-1.00,P=0.134). MVMR indicated a causal effect of CPD on MDD when accounting for NMR (ORMVMR-IVW=1.19, 95% CI=1.03-1.37,P=0.017; ORMVMR-EGGER=1.13, 95% CI=0.89-1.43,P=0.300) and weak evidence of a small effect of NMR on MDD when accounting for CPD (ORMVMR-IVW=0.98, 95% CI=0.96-1.00,P=0.056; ORMVMR-EGGER=0.98, 95% CI=0.96-1.00,P=0.038).

Conclusions

The causal effect of tobacco smoking on depression appears to be largely independent of nicotine exposure, which implies the role of alternative causal pathways.
Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality for ICU Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Zhang Jiahong , Li Hexin , Ashrafi Negin , Yu Zhijiang , Placencia Greg , Pishgar Maryam
Published: June 2024

Heart failure affects millions of people worldwide. It greatly reduces quality of life and is associated with high mortality rates. Despite extensive research, the statistical connection between heart failure and mortality rates for ICU patients remains underexplored, indicating the need for improved prediction models. This study identified 1,177 patients over 18 years old from the MIMIC-III database using ICD-9 codes. Preprocessing consisted of handling missing data, deleting duplicates, treating skewness, and oversampling to alleviate data imbalances. 18 features were selected within a LightGBM model by checking Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) values, LASSO Regression, and univariate analysis. The final output of the LASSO Logistic Regression model had the highest test AUC-ROC of 0.8766 (95% CI 0.8065 - 0.9429) and accuracy of 0.7291 compared to other baseline models, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, LightGBM, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Decision Trees. All models demonstrated good calibration with relatively low Brier scores, highlighting their reliability in predicting in-hospital mortality. Our models predicted deaths of heart failure ICU patients better than the best results found in both literature and baseline models. These results were based on preprocessing missing values via improved imputation strategies and improved feature selection based on an expanded literature search and improved experiences selecting key features. With the Grid-Search, we had a near-perfect predictive model. These methods greatly increased the predictive accuracy of in-hospital mortality in ICU patients with heart failure.
Targeting myeloperoxidase to reduce neuroinflammation in X-linked dystonia parkinsonism
Authors: Petrozziello Tiziana , Motlagh Negin J. , Monsanto Ranee Z.B. , Lei Dan , Murcar Micaela G. , Penney Ellen B. , Bragg D. Cristopher , Fernandez-Cerado Cara , Legarda G. Paul , Sy Michelle , Muñoz Edwin , Ang Mark C. , Diesta Cid Czarina E. , Zhang Can , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Qureshi Irfan A. , Chen John W. , Sadri-Vakili Ghazaleh
Published: June 2024

Although the genetic locus of X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP), a neurodegenerative disease endemic in the Philippines, is well-characterized, the exact molecular mechanisms leading to neuronal loss are not yet fully understood. Recently, we demonstrated a significant increase in astrogliosis and microgliosis together with an increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in XDP post-mortem prefrontal cortex (PFC), suggesting a role for neuroinflammation in XDP pathogenesis. Here, we demonstrated a significant increase in MPO activity in XDP PFC using a novel specific MPO-activatable fluorescent agent (MAFA). Additionally, we demonstrated a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in XDP-derived fibroblasts as well as in SH-SY5Y cells treated with post-mortem XDP PFC, further supporting a role for MPO in XDP. To determine whether increases in MPO activity were linked to increases in ROS, MPO content was immuno-depleted from XDP PFC [MPO(-)], which resulted in a significant decrease in ROS in SH-SY5Y cells. Consistently, the treatment with verdiperstat, a potent and selective MPO inhibitor, significantly decreased ROS in both XDP-derived fibroblasts and XDP PFC-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Collectively, our results suggest that MPO inhibition mitigates oxidative stress and may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for XDP treatment.

Highlights

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MPO activity is increased in XDP post-mortem prefrontal cortex.

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MPO activity is increased in cellular models of XDP.

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MPO increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro.

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Inhibiting MPO mitigates ROS in XDP.

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The MPO inhibitor, verdiperstat, dampens ROS suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for XDP.
AAV delivery ofGBA1suppresses α-synuclein accumulation in Parkinson’s disease models and restores motor dysfunction in a Gaucher’s disease model
Authors: Okai Takuro , Sato Sho , Deshpande Mugdha , Matsumoto Shin-ichi , Nakayama Miyu , Yamamoto Syunsuke , Strack-Logue Bettina , Hioki Takeshi , Tanaka Maiko , Proetzel Gabriele
Published: June 2024

Biallelic mutations in theglucosylceramidase beta 1(GBA1) gene are the underlying genetic cause of Gaucher’s disease (GD), resulting in a deficient lysosomal hydrolase and subsequent accumulation of glycosphingolipids. More recently,GBA1mutations have been identified as the most prevalent genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD), associated with more pronounced symptoms characterized by earlier onset and accelerated cognitive decline. In these GBA-associated PD patients the α-synuclein pathology is more prominent, and recent data suggest a link between α-synucleinopathies andGBA1mutations. Here, we explored the effect ofGBA1gene supplementation on the GD phenotypes and α-synuclein pathology by using the adeno-associated virus (AAV) system. We have compared two AAV serotypes, AAV5 and AAV9, and two different ubiquitous promoters, and demonstrate that both promoters work efficiently albeit not the samein vitroandin vivo. GBA1overexpression reduces the accumulation of glucosylsphingosine (GlcSph) and restores motor dysfunction in a GD mouse model. We further demonstrate thatGBA1overexpression can dissolve phospho-α-synuclein aggregation induced by the addition of α-synuclein pre-formed fibril (PFF) in a mouse primary neuron model suggesting the direct effect of β-Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) on α-synuclein accumulation.In vivo, we show that GCase inhibition can induce insoluble high-molecular-weight α-synuclein aggregation and that delivery ofGBA1achieves robust reduction of the α-synuclein aggregates in the mouse brain. In summary, GCase expression not only reduces GlcSph, but also restores GD motor dysfunction and removes α-synuclein aggregates which are the hallmark for PD and α-synucleinopathies. AAV delivery ofGBA1is a powerful approach to restore glucocerebrosidase function and to resolve misfolded α-synuclein protein, with applications for GD and PD.
Repression of varicella zoster virus gene expression during quiescent infection in the absence of detectable histone deposition
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Brückner Nadine , Weißmann Simon , Günther Thomas , Zhu Shuyong , Vogt Carolin , Sun Guorong , Bruno Renzo , Ritter Birgit , Steinbrück Lars , Kaufer Benedikt B. , Depledge Daniel P. , Grundhoff Adam , Viejo-Borbolla Abel
Published: June 2024

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human-specific herpesvirus that establishes latency in peripheral neurons. The only transcripts detected in infected human trigeminal ganglia (TG) obtained shortly after death correspond to the VZV latency-associated transcript (VLT) and associated VLT-ORF63 splice variants.In vitrostudies showed that VLT-ORF63 is translated into a protein (pVLT-ORF63) that induces VZV transcription. The mechanisms that lead to this restricted gene expression and the transition to lytic replication remain unknown, partly due to the difficulty of working with human neurons. In this study, we addressed whether the neuroblastoma-derived cell line SH-SY5Y could serve as a model to investigate the mechanisms that lead to repression of VZV gene expression followed by reactivation. VZV productively infected differentiated SH-SY5Y (dSH-SY5Y) whereas incubation with acyclovir (ACV) inhibited virus replication and induced a progressive repression of the virus. Upon removal of ACV there was production of viral particles in a subset of cells, while others contained non-replicating VZV genomes and VLT-containing transcripts for at least 20 days post-infection (dpi). Exogenous expression of VLT-ORF63 induced productive infection, suggesting that the non-replicating and repressed genomes remained functional. Interestingly, histone deposition was undetectable at VZV genomes in quiescently infected dSH-SY5Y cells, pointing to a potential novel mechanism leading to VZV repression in this neuronal setting.
Optimal Zeno Dragging for Quantum Control: A Shortcut to Zeno with Action-Based Scheduling Optimization
Authors: Lewalle Philippe , Zhang Yipei , Whaley K. Birgitta
Published: June 2024

The quantum Zeno effect asserts that quantum measurements inhibit simultaneous unitary dynamics when the “collapse” events are sufficiently strong and frequent. This applies in the limit of strong continuous measurement or dissipation. It is possible to implement a dissipative control that is known as “Zeno dragging” by dynamically varying the monitored observable, and hence also the eigenstates, which are attractors under Zeno dynamics. This is similar to adiabatic processes, in that the Zeno-dragging fidelity is highest when the rate of eigenstate change is slow compared to the measurement rate. We demonstrate here two theoretical methods for using such dynamics to achieve control of quantum systems. The first, which we shall refer to as “shortcut to Zeno,” is analogous to the shortcuts to adiabaticity (counterdiabatic driving) that are frequently used to accelerate unitary adiabatic evolution. In the second approach, we apply the Chantasri-Dressel-Jordan stochastic action [PRA 88, 042110 (2013)], and demonstrate that the extremal-probability readout paths derived from this are well suited to setting up a Pontryagin-style optimization of the Zeno-dragging schedule. A fundamental contribution of the latter approach is to show that an action suitable for measurement-driven control optimization can be derived quite generally from statistical arguments. Implementing these methods on the Zeno dragging of a qubit, we find that both approaches yield the same solution, namely, that the optimal control is a unitary that matches the motion of the Zeno-monitored eigenstate. We then show that such a solution can be more robust than a unitary-only operation and we comment on solvable generalizations of our qubit example embedded in larger systems. These methods open up new pathways toward systematically developing dynamic control of Zeno subspaces to realize dissipatively stabilized quantum operations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Supervised learning to covering cost risk through post-construction evaluation of transportation projects by project delivery methods
Authors: Bae Junseo
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The main objectives of this study are to (1) develop and test a cost contingency learning model that can generalize initially estimated contingency amounts by analyzing back the multiple project changes experienced and (2) uncover the hidden link of the learning networks using a curve-fitting technique for the post-construction evaluation of cost contingency amounts to cover cost risk for future projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a total of 1,434 datapoints collected from DBB and DB transportation projects, a post-construction cost contingency learning model was developed using feedforward neural networks (FNNs). The developed model generalizes cost contingencies under two different project delivery methods (i.e. DBB and DB). The learning outputs of generalized contingency amounts were curve-fitted with the post-construction schedule and cost information, specifically aiming at uncovering the hidden link of the FNNs. Two different bridge projects completed under DBB and DB were employed as illustrative examples to demonstrate how the proposed modeling framework could be implemented.

Findings

With zero or negative values of change growth experienced, it was concluded that cost contingencies were overallocated at the contract stage. On the other hand, with positive values of change growth experienced, it was evaluated that set cost contingencies were insufficient from the post-construction standpoint. Taken together, this study proposed a tangible post-construction evaluation technique that can produce not only the plausible ranges of cost contingencies but also the exact amounts of contingency under DBB and DB contracts.

Originality/value

As the first of its kind, the proposed modeling framework provides agency engineers and decision-makers with tangible assessments of cost contingency coupled with experienced risks at the post-construction stage. Use of the proposed model will help them evaluate the allocation of appropriate contingency amounts. If an agency allocates a cost contingency benchmarked from similar projects on aspects of the base estimate and experienced risks, a set contingency can be defended more reliably. The main findings of this study contribute to post-construction cost contingency verification, enabling agency engineers and decision-makers to systematically evaluate set cost contingencies during the post-construction assessment stage and achieving further any enhanced level of confidence for future cost contingency plans.
Cooperative R&D networks embeddedness and innovation resilience: the moderating role of environmental turbulence
Authors: Li Jian , Peng Di , Zheng Li , Yuan Ling , Li Ruida
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The relationship between cooperative R&D network embeddedness and firm innovation resilience is understudied. This paper seeks to answer the questions of whether and how embedding in cooperative R&D networks improve digital firms’ innovation resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Based upon social capital theory, this paper proposes a conceptual model with several hypotheses. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 2,908 observations from 2005 to 2022. We measure firm innovation resilience by drawing on economic resilience and use LSM tests to assess the effect of cooperative R&D network position on innovation resilience.

Findings

The results indicate that cooperative R&D network centrality has a positive impact on firm innovation resilience and that the structural holes of the cooperative R&D network have an inverted U-shaped relationship with firm innovation resilience. Moreover, technological turbulence negatively moderates the relationship between centrality and firm innovation resilience while also steepening the inverted U-shaped relationship between structural holes and firm innovation resilience. Market turbulence positively moderates the relationship between centrality and firm innovation resilience. However, the moderating effect of market turbulence on the inverted U-shaped relationship between structural holes and firm innovation resilience is not significant.

Research limitations/implications

Innovators' knowledge needs, bounded rationality, interests, and even organizational environments change over time, thus prompting them to constantly seek new opportunities to exchange and integrate knowledge, meet new beneficial partners, maintain beneficial cooperation, or terminate unhelpful cooperation. The utility of the network structure has dynamic characteristics. Only by considering the dynamics of the network can research on the mechanism of network structure be more complete, accurate and convincing. Therefore, future research can pay more attention to the relationship between dynamic networks and firm innovation resilience.

Practical implications

Firms should actively embed themselves in the cooperative R&D network and occupy a beneficial network position. By joining the cooperative R&D network, firms can gain resource advantages and enhance their ability to resist external shocks and improve innovation resilience.

Originality/value

This research advances our understanding of the antecedents of firm innovation resilience through the lens of organizational cooperation and uncovers the boundary conditions under which network embeddedness influences innovation resilience, thereby further enriching the theoretical framework of innovation resilience.
Demystifying oral history with natural language processing and data analytics: a case study of the Densho digital collection
Authors: Chen Haihua , Kim Jeonghyun (Annie) , Chen Jiangping , Sakata Aisa
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the applications of natural language processing (NLP) and data analytics in understanding large-scale digital collections in oral history archives.

Design/methodology/approach

NLP and data analytics were used to analyse the oral interview transcripts of 904 survivors of the Japanese American incarceration camps collected from Densho Digital Repository, relying specifically on descriptive analysis, keyword extraction, topic modelling and sentiment analysis (SA).

Findings

The researchers found multiple geographic areas of large residential communities of ethnic Japanese people and the place names of the concentration camps. The keywords and topics extracted reflect the deplorable conditions and militaristic nature of the camps and the forced labour of the internees. When remembering history, the main focus for the narrators remains the redress and reparation movement to obtain the restitution of their civil rights. SA further found that the forcible removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during Second World War negatively impacted and brought deep trauma to the narrators.

Originality/value

This case study demonstrated how NLP and data analytics could be applied to analyse oral history archives and open avenues for discovery. Archival researchers and the general public may benefit from this type of analysis in making connections between temporal, spatial and emotional elements, which will contribute to a holistic understanding of individuals and communities in terms of their collective memory.
Does psychological safety matter for innovative behaviour in hybrid workforce? The role of proactive personality, inclusive leadership and affective climate
Authors: Vallabh Priyanka , Dhir Swati , Budhwar Pawan
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The study aims to understand the impact of psychological safety on employee creativity leading to innovative behaviour in a hybrid workforce. It further examines the drivers of psychological safety: inclusive leadership and affective climate as well as the interaction of employee creativity and proactive personality on innovative behaviour at remote work.

Design/methodology/approach

Using multi-source survey-based data, the study has been conducted in two phases for independent variables (IV) and dependent variables (DV). The first phase has gathered data for IVs from 515 team members and DVs from 105 teams’ leaders from various software development teams in the information technology and information technology enabled services sectors. The study has used component-based partial least square structural equation modelling to test various arguments developed in the paper.

Findings

The results of the study confirm the positive association of affective climate and inclusive leadership to psychological safety, which facilitates employee creativity leading to innovative behaviour. However, the results show there is no interaction of a proactive personality with employee creativity on innovative behaviour. Also, the results have supported the social network theory, which says that the strong ties among employees promote innovative behaviour.

Practical implications

According to the study, psychological safety might help strengthen and increase the social ties that bridge structural holes and improve collaboration across business units. This may encourage employee creativity, especially in remote work. Further, it highlights how employee creativity and proactive personality are important independent factors that facilitate innovative behaviour.

Originality/value

The study is a unique attempt to explore the role of psychological safety in enhancing creativity and innovative behaviour in hybrid mode of work setting.
The intersection between traditional roles and a fragmented labor market: a propensity score matching analysis of gender wage gap in Ecuador
Authors: Caria Sara , Yepez Jorge
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims at estimating the gender wage gap in Ecuador, and its evolution over the last decade and a half, exploring its heterogeneity through different working conditions (formal/informal, full employment/underemployment, short term/long term and tenure/no tenure) and workers personal characteristics (education level; age and children).

Design/methodology/approach

Propensity score matching (PSM) and coarsened exact matching (CEM) are used to examine the gender pay inequality of wage earners in Ecuador, using the National Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment Survey (ENEMDU) data set from 2007 to 2022.

Findings

Results show a persistent gender pay gap, evidencing a significant heterogeneity through the different dimensions taken into account, in terms of working conditions and workers personal characteristics. The evolution of the pay gap during the years analyzed hardly shows any reduction of differences in earnings between men and women; on the contrary, women exposure to precarious and unregulated jobs seems to be increasing wage inequality.

Practical implications

The results make the case for active policies oriented not only at containing the negative effects of the traditional division of labor within the family but also at improving labor law enforcement, mitigating informality and workers rapid turnover.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few that use matching techniques to study the gender wage gap and the first in Ecuador; the time span taken into account is larger than previous studies, allowing a medium-long run perspective across different economic phases.
Virtual revolution: leveraging teleworking as an HRD intervention for successful employment of people with disabilities in the digital age
Authors: Kumari Neha , Lenka Usha
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This article aims to find the important factors responsible for developing people with disabilities (PwD) to be successful teleworkers, subsequently identify the interrelationship between the factors, and finally, prioritize the factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has adopted preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology for systematic literature review. Then nominal group technique (NGT) was used to find out the crucial factors and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to obtain the cause-and-effect relation of variables.

Findings

Trust (TR), Top Management Support (TMS), Organizational Commitment (OC), Training and Education (TE), Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Job Satisfaction (JS), Flexibility and Autonomy (FA) and Job Productivity (JP) found to be the crucial factors responsible for making PwD successful teleworkers.

Practical implications

This study will benefit both organizations and PwD teleworkers if the factors mentioned in this study are focused. Policymakers in organizations can use this study to focus on prioritized factors to reap the benefit of teleworking by developing PwD.

Originality/value

This study is unique because of its innovative methodology, in-depth interviews with experts, emphasis on inclusivity and use of DEMATEL analysis. Taken as a whole, these elements add significant value to our understanding of teleworking for individuals with disabilities, which is not done in earlier disability inclusion studies.
When despotic leadership is more detrimental for employee job outcomes? Role of individual-level power distance orientation
Authors: Shahzad Khurram , Naz Farah , Iqbal Rimsha , Chaudhary Richa
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Using social exchange and power-dependence theories, this study advances the emergent debate on the dark side of leadership by examining the impact of despotic leadership style on employees’ supervisor-rated job performance, job satisfaction and turnover intention with individual-level power distance orientation as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected multisource and time-lagged survey data in two waves from 65 leaders and 300 subordinates as paired responses working in different banks, telecom and IT companies.

Findings

It was found that employees’ exposure to despotic leadership harms their job performance and job satisfaction and has a positive effect on their turnover intention. In line with our prediction, low power distance orientation employees react more strongly to despotic leadership while high power distance orientation mitigates its effects on employee job outcomes.

Practical implications

Despotic behavioral tendencies must be taken into consideration while selecting and appointing leaders. Organizational leaders should also refrain from opportunistic and exploitative use of their followers' efforts.

Originality/value

This study adds to the emerging literature on the dark side of leadership by examining the relationship of despotic leadership style with employee job outcomes. The unique contribution of this study is the examination of individual-level power distance orientation as the boundary condition of these relationships.
Cantilever piled-wall design criteria in cohesionless soil: a review
Authors: Zakaria Mohamed Hamed , Basha Ali
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The design of cantilever pile walls (CPWs) presents several common challenges. These challenges include soil variability, groundwater conditions, complex loading conditions, construction considerations, structural integrity, uncertainties in design parameters and construction and monitoring costs. Accordingly, this paper is to provide a detailed literature review on the design criteria of CPWs, specifically in cohesionless soil. This study aims to present a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a literature review approach to gather information on the design criteria of CPWs in cohesionless soil. It covers various aspects such as excavation support systems (ESSs), deformation behavior, design criteria, lateral earth pressure calculation theories, load distribution methods and conventional design approaches.

Findings

The review identifies and discusses common challenges associated with the design of CPWs in cohesionless soil. It highlights the uncertainties in determining load distribution and the potential for excessive wall deformations. The paper presents various approaches and methodologies proposed by researchers to address these challenges.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the field of geotechnical engineering by providing a valuable resource for geotechnical engineers and researchers involved in the design and analysis of CPWs in cohesionless soil. It offers insights into the design criteria, challenges and potential solutions specific to CPWs in cohesionless soil, filling a gap in the existing knowledge base. The paper draws attention to the limitations of existing analytical methods that neglect the serviceability limit state and assume rigid plastic soil behavior, highlighting the need for improved design approaches in this context.
Alumni Network Centrality and Competitive Aggressiveness
Authors: Chen Shenglan , Cumming Douglas , Liu Xiaoling , Ma Hui , Yan Cheng
Published: June 2024

This paper examines the role of external resources and information advantages embedded in a firm's alumni network in the adoption of aggressive competitive strategies. We extend the competitive dynamics literature and social network theory by analysing the effect that the acquisition of external resources and information advantage has on corporate competitive strategy. We hypothesize that more central firms in alumni networks are associated with more aggressive competitive actions and better performance. We introduce extensive data from China and find strong support for our central hypothesis. Further, the data indicate that the effect is stronger in firms with high product market competition, high input–output network centrality, and during periods of high economic policy uncertainty. The results are robust to several endogeneity tests.
Facing the Future of Crime: A Framework for Police Use of Technology
Authors: Bowers Kate , Johnson Shane
Published: June 2024

Technological change is rapid and brings many benefits to society. However, for some technologies there will be unintended consequences that create new opportunities for crime, or new ways of committing existing offences. Understanding what these threats are and addressing them is of great importance if we are to benefit responsibly from innovation and change. To illustrate the issues of central importance, we consider two emerging technologies—artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Of course, technological change also brings opportunities to reduce crime and make society safer. Nonetheless, the police adoption of technology should be done in a responsible manner which includes the need to evaluate whether it works to reduce crime, at what cost and how the use of new technologies will be received by the public. We discuss a framework for thinking about the police adoption of new technologies and the evidence that should be collected in advance to inform such decision making.
Elite class self‐interest, socioeconomic inequality and U.S. population health
Authors: Ignatow Gabe , Gutin Iliya
Published: June 2024

Class‐based perspectives on the persistent social gradients in health within modern welfare states largely focus on the adverse consequences of unfettered neoliberalism and entrenched meritocratic socioeconomic selection. Namely, neoliberal‐driven economic inequality has fuelled resentment and stress among lower‐status groups, while these groups have become more homogeneous with regard to health behaviours and outcomes. We synthesise several sociological and historical literatures to argue that, in addition to these class‐based explanations, socioeconomic inequality may contribute to persistent social gradients in health due to elite class self‐interest—in particular elites’ preferences for overdiagnosis, overprescription and costly high‐technology medical treatments over disease prevention, and for increased tolerance for regulatory capture. We demonstrate that this self‐interest provides parsimonious explanations for several contemporary trends in U.S. health inequality including (A) supply‐side factors in drug‐related deaths, (B) longitudinal trends in the social gradients of obesity and chronic disease mortality and (C) the immigrant health advantage. We conclude that sociological theories of elite class self‐interest usefully complement theories of the psychosocial effects of neoliberalism and of meritocratic social selection while answering recent calls for research on the role advantaged groups play in generating inequalities in health, and for research that moves beyond technological determinism in health sociology.
Maternal death by cancer in pregnancy: A descriptive study of the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy
Authors: Heimovaara Joosje H. , Huis in ’t Veld Evangeline A. , Lok Christianne A. R. , Garcia Alvaro Cabrera , Halaska Michael J. , Boere Ingrid , Gziri Mina Mhallem , Fruscio Robert , Painter Rebecca C. , Cardonick Elyce , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink Marry M. , Masturzo B. , Van Calsteren Kristel , van Zuylen Lia , Amant Frederic ,   for the International Network on Cancer Infertility and Pregnancy
Published: June 2024

Objective

To characterise pregnant women diagnosed with primary or recurrent cancer who died during pregnancy, during delivery or within 1 year postpartum.

Design

A descriptive study.

Setting

The registry of the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP).

Population

Women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy between 2000 and 2022.

Methods

Using the INCIP registry database, we compared the characteristics of all women with cancer who died during pregnancy, delivery or within 1 year postpartum with those of all women with cancer who survived the first year postpartum.

Main Outcome Measures

Maternal and tumour characteristics and obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.

Results

Of the 2359 women registered in INCIP, there were 131 cases (5.6%) of maternal mortality. Lung cancer (9/14, 64.3% of all registered women with lung cancer), gastro‐oesophageal cancer (13/21, 61.9%) and acute leukaemia (17/105, 16.2%) had the highest rates of maternal mortality. Maternal mortality was associated with fewer live births compared with the control group without maternal mortality (99/131, 75.6%, vs 1952/2163, 90.0%; P < 0.001), more elective caesarean sections (64/104, 60.4%, vs 756/1836, 41.2%; P < 0.001) and a lower gestational age at (induced) delivery (34.0 vs 37.1 weeks; P < 0.001), resulting in more preterm births.

Conclusions

Maternal mortality occurred in 5.6% of cancer‐in‐pregnancy cases and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.
Effect of linolenic acid on triterpenoids production by the liquid fermentation of Antrodia cinnamomea
Authors: Tang Wei , Ye Longfei , Guan Meizhu , He Jianfei , Liu Jianhua , Zhao Peicheng
Published: June 2024

Liquid state fermentation is now a commonly used route to obtain triterpenoids from Antrodia cinnamomea, and linolenic acid can significantly promote triterpenoids synthesis, whereas its action mechanism has not been studied. Here, we comprehensively performed an investigation on the mechanism of linolenic acid to promote triterpenoids production in liquid‐state fermentation of A. cinnamomea. Results showed that the addition of linolenic acid increased the unsaturated fatty acid index, fluidity, and permeability in the cell membrane of A. cinnamomea mycelia, favored the absorption of nutrients in the medium by the mycelium, enhanced the material exchange inside and outside, and thus promoted mycelial growth and triterpenoids synthesis. Moreover, 767 significantly differentially expressed genes were detected by adding linolenic acid, including 212 upregulated genes and 555 downregulated genes. The upregulated genes were mainly enriched in metabolism, glycolytic pathway, TCA cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. It was seen that the addition of linolenic acid improved the cell metabolic activity and promoted the synthesis of secondary metabolites, proving that the addition of linolenic acid improved the metabolic viability of cells and promoted secondary metabolite synthesis.
Impact of microorganisms on key processes of organic acid metabolism during the occurrence and disappearance of paocai pellicle
Authors: Xian Shuang , Li Yanlan , Liu Xingyan , Shen Guanghui , Zhou Man , Li Meiliang , Hou Xiaoyan , Li Shanshan , Luo Qingying , Zhang Zhiqing , Chen Anjun
Published: June 2024

In vegetable fermentation, pellicle is a common quality deterioration phenomenon. This study investigates the characteristics of glucose, organic acids, amino acids, and biogenic amines during the pellicle occurrence and disappearance of paocai. The results revealed a slight increase in pH of the fermentation system after pellicle occurred, and glucose was the main carbohydrate that microbial activity primary relied on. The microorganisms responsible for pellicle formation consumed organic acids in brine, but the lactic acid in paocai gradually increased and exceeded 25 mg/g. The appearance of pellicle caused a decrease in total free amino acids from 200.390 mg/100 g to 172.079 when pellicle occurred, whereas its impact on biogenic amines was not apparent. Through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment of metagenomics sequencing data, screening, and sorting of the key enzymes involved in organic acid metabolism, it was observed that the composition and species of the key microorganisms capable of metabolizing organic acids were more abundant before the appearance of pellicle. When pellicle occurred, lactic acid may be metabolized by Lactobacillus plantarum; in contrast, Lactobacillus and Pichia were associated with citric acid metabolism, and Lactobacillus, Pichia, Saccharomycodes, and Kazachstania were linked to malic acid metabolism. Moreover, Prevotella, Kazachstania, Lactobacillus, Vibrio, and Siphonobacter were implicated in succinic acid metabolism. Additionally, the production of tartaric acid and oxalic acid in paocai and brine resulted from abiotic effects. This knowledge offers a theoretical basis for precise control of paocai fermentation process.

Practical Application

Our study revealed the specific situation of the metabolites produced by the microorganisms during the pollution and recovery process of pellicle in paocai fermentation, especially the effect of pellicle on the key process of organic acid metabolism. These research results provided theoretical basis for precise control of paocai fermentation.
Employee stock ownership plans and capital expenditures in China
Authors: Dai Jin , Gao Chong , Sun Qian
Published: June 2024

This study examines how employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) affect long‐term investments or capital expenditures in China. Using a sample of listed companies from 2011 to 2021, we find that ESOPs negatively affect capital expenditures. This negative effect is stronger for firms with less institutional shareholding and older CEOs. Also, the effect is more pronounced for ESOPs with shorter vesting periods, debt financing, higher employee participation rates and more managerial holding. These results indicate that the unique features of China's ESOPs are likely to foster managerial opportunism and lead to a decline in long‐term investments for ESOP‐adopting firms. This study highlights the importance of the design of an ESOP, as it can erroneously impact the incentives of ESOP participants.
Oral health‐related quality of life and perceptions of patients following primary root canal treatment or non‐surgical retreatment
Authors: Lee Eileen Yi Ning , Sua Zi Yee , Bhatia Shekhar , Kohli Shivani , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero , Doğramacı Esma J. , Nagendrababu Venkateshbabu
Published: June 2024

This retrospective cohort study compared the effect of primary root canal treatment (RCT) with root canal retreatment (Re‐RCT) on patient‐reported outcomes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Forty randomly selected adults participated (RCT n = 20; Re‐RCT n = 20). The impact their dentition had on the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14) was assessed by calculating the prevalence of oral health impact, and the severity score. Focus group discussions using a semi‐structured guide were arranged through an online meeting platform. Qualitative content analysis identified common themes, and relevant quotes gathered. The impact on OHIP‐14 was limited for both RCT and Re‐RCT groups with no significant differences in the prevalence of oral health impact. Significant differences were found for functional limitation (RCT higher) and psychological discomfort (Re‐RCT higher). Common themes from the discussions include the importance of retaining teeth, the significance of effective communication between clinicians and patients and that the respondents were satisfied with the treatment.