bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning reveals diverging effects of altitude on aging
Authors: Teklu Amanuel Abraha , Heckenbach Indra , Petr Michael Angelo , Bakula Daniela , Keijzers Guido , Scheibye-Knudsen Morten
Published: September 2024

Aging is influenced by a complex interplay of multifarious factors, including an individual’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Notably, high altitude may impact aging and age-related diseases through exposures such as hypoxia and ultraviolet radiation. To investigate this, we mined summary exposure value as a measure of risk exposure levels, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as a measure of disease burden from the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) for each subnational region of Ethiopia, a country with considerable differences in the living altitude. We conducted a cross-sectional clinical trial involving 227 highland and 202 lowland dwellers from the Tigray region in Northern Ethiopia to gain a general insight into the biological aging at high altitudes. Notably, we observed significantly lower risk exposure rates and a reduced disease burden in higher-altitude regions of Ethiopia. When assessing biological aging using facial photographs, we found a faster rate of aging with increasing elevation, likely due to greater UV exposure. Conversely, analysis of nuclear morphologies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in blood smears (PBMCs) with five different senescence predictors revealed a significant decrease in DNA damage-induced senescence in both monocytes and lymphocytes with increasing elevation. Overall, our findings suggest that disease and DNA damage-induced senescence decreases with altitude in agreement with the idea that oxidative stress may drive aging.
Air cleaning reduces incident infections in day care - an interventional crossover study
Authors: Vartiainen Ville , Ehder-Gahm Inga , Hela Johanna , Luoto Anni , Juvela Jussi-Pekka , Nikuri Petra , Taipale Aimo , Lastovets Natalia , Saari Sampo , Kulmala Ilpo , Säämänen Arto , Sanmark Enni , Sormunen Piia
Published: September 2024

Background

While possibility of airborne transmission in the spread of common respiratory infections, there is no consensus on the relative importance of airborne infection route in real-life. This study aimed to investigate the significance of the airborne transmissions and the effectiveness of air cleaning in reducing infections among children in daycare.

Methods

A cross-over study was conducted in four daycare centers in Helsinki. All children attending the daycare were invited to participate (n = 262) and the sole inclusion criterion was that the children were expected to stay in the same day care center for the two-year duration of the study. 51 subjects were included in the final analysis. Clean air flow rate was increased by 2.1-2.9 times compared to baseline mechanical ventilation of the premises. The effect of intervention was assessed using negative binomial regression.

Results

The intervention reduced incident infections from 0.95 to 0.78 infections per child per month among the children (primary outcome) in daycare. The reduction attributed to intervention in the statistical model was 18.0 % (95% CI 2.1-31.3 %, p = 0.028).

Conclusions

We observed a significant decrease in incident infections without implementing any other infection mitigation strategies but air cleaning. Our results challenge the current paradigm which emphasizes fomite and contact transmission and infection control measures that target these pathways. As ventilation and air cleaning can only affect particles able to float in the air stream, our results support the significance of airborne transmission among common respiratory pathogens as well as air cleaning as an infection control measure.
How Binding Site Flexibility Promotes RNA Scanning in TbRGG2 RRM: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Lemmens Toon , Sponer Jiri , Krepl Miroslav
Published: September 2024

RNA Recognition Motifs (RRMs) are a key class of proteins that primarily bind single-stranded RNAs. In this study, we use unbiased molecular dynamics simulations to obtain insights into the intricate binding dynamics between uridine-rich RNAs and TbRGG2 RRM. Complementing structural experiments that unveil a primary binding mode with a single uridine bound, our simulations uncover two supplementary binding modes where adjacent nucleotides encroach upon the binding pocket. This leads to a unique molecular mechanism through which TbRGG2 RRM is capable of rapidly transitioning the U-rich sequence. In contrast, presence of non-native cytidines induces stalling and destabilization of the complex. By leveraging extensive equilibrium dynamics and large variety of binding states, TbRGG2 RRM effectively expedites diffusion along the RNA substrate while ensuring robust selectivity for U-rich sequences despite featuring a solitary binding pocket. Using recently developed Stafix potential, we substantiate our description of the complex dynamics by simulating fully spontaneous association process of U-rich sequences to the TbRGG2 RRM. Our study highlights critical role of dynamics and auxiliary binding states in interface dynamics employed by RNA-binding proteins, which is not readily apparent in traditional structural studies, but could represent a general type of binding strategy employed by many RNA-binding proteins.
Gestational arsenite exposure alters maternal postpartum heart size and induces Ca2+handling dysregulation in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Taube Nicole , Steiner Morgan , Ebenebe-Kasonde Obialunanma V. , Kabir Raihan , Garbus-Grant Haley , Alam El Din Sarah-Marie , Illingworth Emily , Wang Nadan , Lin Brian L. , Kohr Mark J.
Published: September 2024

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the US. Studies suggest a role for environmental exposures in the etiology of cardiovascular disease, including exposure to arsenic through drinking water. Arsenic exposure during pregnancy has been shown to have effects on offspring, but few studies have examined impacts on maternal cardiovascular health. While our prior work documented the detrimental effect of arsenic on the maternal heart during pregnancy, our current study examines the effect of gestational arsenic exposure on the maternal heart postpartum. Timed-pregnant wild-type (C57BL/6J) mice were exposed to 0, 100 or 1000 µg/L sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) via drinking water from embryonic day 2.5 (E2.5) until parturition. Postpartum heart structure and function was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography and gravimetric measurement. Hypertrophic markers were probed via qRT-PCR and western blot. Isolated cardiomyocyte Ca2+-handling and contraction were also assessed, and expression of proteins associated with Ca2+handling and contraction. Interestingly, we found that exposure to either 100 or 1000 µg/L sodium arsenite increased postpartum heart size at P12 vs. non-exposed postpartum controls. At the cellular level, we found altered cardiomyocyte Ca2+-handling and contraction. We also found altered expression of key contractile proteins, including α-Actin and cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-c). Together, these findings suggest that gestational arsenic exposure impacts the postpartum maternal heart, possibly inducing long-term cardiovascular changes. Furthermore, these findings highlight the importance of reducing arsenic exposure during pregnancy, and the need for more research on the impact of arsenic and other environmental exposures on maternal heart health and adverse pregnancy events.

New & Noteworthy

Gestational exposure to sodium arsenite at environmentally relevant doses (100 and 1000 µg/L) increases postpartum heart size, and induces dysregulated Ca2+homeostasis and impaired shortening in isolated cardiomyocytes. This is the first study to demonstrate that gestational arsenic exposure impacts postpartum heart structure and function beyond the exposure period.
Learning Impairments inFmr1-/-mice on an Audio-Visual Temporal Pattern Discrimination Task
Authors: Mol William , Post Sam , Lee Megan , Goel Anubhuti
Published: September 2024

Estimating time and making predictions is integral to our experience of the world. Given the importance of timing to most behaviors, disruptions in temporal processing and timed performance are reported in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Schizophrenia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), and Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Symptoms that implicitly include disruption in timing are atypical turn-taking during social interactions, unusual verbal intonations, poor reading, speech and language skills, inattention, delays in learning, and difficulties making predictions. Currently, there are no viable treatments for these symptoms, the reason being the underlying neural dysfunction that contributes to timing deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders is unknown. To address this unknown, we have designed a novel Temporal Pattern Discrimination Task (TPSD) for awake-behaving mice. Stimuli consist of audiovisual stimuli that differ in duration. Compared to Wild-Type (WT) mice,Fmr1-/-mice, a well-established mouse model of FXS, showed significant impairment in learning the TPSD task, as evidenced by reduced discriminability indices and atypical licking patterns. Often sensory information is multimodal and indeed studies show that learning in humans and rodents improves with multimodal stimuli than with unimodal stimuli. To test how the multimodal nature of stimuli impacted performance ofFmr1-/-mice, following training on the audiovisual stimuli, we tested mice on audio-only or visual-only stimuli. While WT mice showed significant disruption in performance when tested on unimodal stimuli,Fmr1-/-mice displayed equivalent performance on visual-only stimuli when compared to the multimodal task. Our novel task captures timing difficulties and multisensory integration issues inFmr1-/-mice and provides an assay to examine the associated neural dysfunction.
Identifying an optimal anti-gravity assistance level for select functional shoulder movements: A simulation study
Authors: Asgari Morteza , Crouch Dustin L.
Published: September 2024

The level of assistance torque is one key design parameter for passive shoulder exoskeletons. High assistance levels may perturb arm movements, while low assistance may not provide functional benefits. This study aimed to use computational tools to identify an optimal anti-gravity assistance level for passive shoulder exoskeletons.

We used the task space framework to perform biomechanical simulations of arm movements in OpenSim (Stanford, CA, USA). The simulated movements included shoulder elevation and lowering movements in frontal and scapular planes, as well as forward and lateral reaching movements. These movements were simulated across a range of assistance torque levels from 0% (no-assistance) to 100% of the maximum shoulder gravity torque, in increments of 10%. The optimal assistance level was identified based on analysis of hand kinematics, muscular response efficiency, and glenohumeral joint stability.

As the assistance level increased from 10% to 40%, the variability of hand movements nearly doubled, and this trend continued for higher assistance levels. The total muscle effort rate was minimized at an assistance level ranging from 20% to 30%. While the stability of the glenohumeral joint was mostly maintained across assistance levels, it decreased slightly at higher assistance levels.

The results of this study indicated that, for the simulated movements, an optimal assistance level lies within the range of 20-30% of the maximum gravity torque at the shoulder joint. Assistance levels above 40% could cause undesired effects such as greater variability of end-limb kinematics, reduced muscular efficiency, and compromised glenohumeral joint stability.
Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations are a source of heterogeneity among primary leukemic cells
Authors: McCastlain Kelly , Welsh Catherine , Ni Yonghui , Ding Liang , Franco Melissa , Autry Robert , Sejdiu Besian , Chang Ti-Cheng , Chen Wenan , Wu Huiyun , Pan Qingfei , Gonzalez-Pena Veronica , Schreiner Patrick , Arunachalam Sasi , Joo Joung , Li Benshang , Shen Shuhong , Brady Samuel , Zhang Jinghui , Gawad Charles , Evans William , Babu M. Madan , Khrapko Konstantin , Wu Gang , Yu Jiyang , Pounds Stanley , Kundu Mondira
Published: September 2024

Somatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are prevalent in tumors, yet defining their biological significance remains challenging due to the intricate interplay between selective pressure, heteroplasmy, and cell state. Utilizing bulk whole-genome sequencing data from matched tumor and normal samples from two cohorts of pediatric cancer patients, we uncover differences in the accumulation of synonymous and nonsynonymous mtDNA mutations in pediatric leukemias, indicating distinct selective pressures. By integrating single-cell sequencing (SCS) with mathematical modeling and network-based systems biology approaches, we identify a correlation between the extent of cell-state changes associated with tumor-enriched mtDNA mutations and the selective pressures shaping their distribution among individual leukemic cells. Our findings also reveal an association between specific heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations and cellular responses that may contribute to functional heterogeneity among leukemic cells and influence their fitness. This study highlights the potential of SCS strategies for distinguishing between pathogenic and passenger somatic mtDNA mutations in cancer.
Replication of a GWAS signal nearHLA-DQA2with acute myeloid leukemia using a disease-only cohort and external population-based controls
Authors: Laflamme Rose , Lisi Véronique , Hébert Josée , Sauvageau Guy , Lemieux Sébastien , Lavallée Vincent-Philippe , Lettre Guillaume
Published: September 2024

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. Its risk factors include rare and highly penetrant somatic mutations. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have also identified four common inherited variants associated with AML risk, but these findings have not yet been confirmed in many independent datasets. Here, we performed a replication study with 567 AML cases from the Leucegene cohort and 1,865 controls from the population-based cohort CARTaGENE (CaG). Because genotypes were generated using different technologies in the two datasets (e.g. low- vs. high-coverage whole-genome sequencing), we applied stringent quality-control filters to minimize type I errors. We showed using data reduction methods (e.g. principal component analysis [PCA] and uniform manifold approximation and projection [UMAP]) that our approach successfully integrated the Leucegene and CaG genetic data. We replicated the association between cytogenetically normal (CN)-AML and rs3916765, a variant located nearHLA-DQA2(odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.88 [1.21-2.93], P- value=0.005). The effect size of this association was stronger when we restricted the analyses to AML patients withNPM1mutations (odds ratios >2.35). We foundHLA- DOBto be the most significantly upregulated gene in Leucegene participants with the CN-AML protective A-allele at rs3916765. We further found that several HLA class II genes are also differentially expressed albeit at lower statistical significance. Our results confirm that a common genetic variant at the HLA locus associates with AML risk, providing new opportunities to improve disease prognosis and treatment.
Single-cell Transcriptome Profiling of Post-treatment and Treatment-naïve Colorectal Cancer: Insights into Putative Mechanisms of Chemoresistance
Authors: Puzanov Grigory A. , Astier Clémence , Yurchenko Andrey A. , Jules-Clement Gérôme , Andre Fabrice , Marabelle Aurélien , Hollebecque Antoine , Nikolaev Sergey I.
Published: September 2024

Drug resistance remains a major clinical challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) with conventional chemotherapy. Analyzing changes within tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) after treatment and in metastases is essential to understanding how resistance develops. In this study, we analyzed scRNA-seq data from 56 CRCs including treatment-naïve tumors and tumors treated with standard chemotherapy with the known response status (18 responders and 6 progressors). In our cohort, primary left-sided CRCs were associated with metastatic potential mesenchymal phenotype and with depleted B cells. In the post-treatment CRC, there was a high prevalence of dendritic cells (DC) in the TME in the response group. The DC-derived signature was associated with better survival in a large CRC cohort from the TCGA. In progressors there was an enrichment of pericyte-like fibroblasts, which appeared to be associated with poor survival in a CRC-TCGA cohort. Progressors also showed elevated fractions of exhausted CD8+ T memory cells suggesting a pro-inflammatory TME. In tumor cells of progressors group, we identified specific expression of chemo-protective markersMTRNR2L1andCDX1; and their co-expression with stemness-related immune-checkpointCD24. In summary, scRNA-seq provides a valuable information for the discovery of prognostic markers, and reveals distinct features potentially underlying response to chemotherapy or disease progression in CRC.
Regulation of tmTNF-α Processing by FRMD8 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis: Insights into Molecular Pathway Dynamics
Authors: Xu Jun , Yang Xiaoyu , Shu Peng , Wang Wei , Wu Haibo , Wang Zhe
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, with late-stage diagnoses prevalent in China resulting in significantly lower survival rates. This study focuses on identifying genes implicated in breast cancer metastasis, highlighting the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its forms—transmembrane (tmTNF-α) and soluble (sTNF-α).

Experimental Design

TNF-α is crucial for activating NF-κB pathways that regulate genes involved in cell adhesion, migration, and immune evasion, all essential for cancer metastasis. We conducted comprehensive analyses of FRMD8, a member of the FERM domain-containing proteins, as a significant regulator of tmTNF-α. Through integrative multi-omics and cellular functional studies, the relationship between FRMD8, iRhom2, and ADAM17 was assessed in the context of breast cancer metastasis.

Results

Our findings reveal that FRMD8 forms a complex with iRhom2 and ADAM17, enhancing the stability and sheddase activity of ADAM17, which is vital for the release of TNF-α. The absence of FRMD8 leads to decreased ADAM17 activity, increasing the availability of tmTNF-α and potentially promoting metastasis. This effect suggests that FRMD8 is a key modulator of TNF-α processing.

Conclusions

This study explores how FRMD8 influences TNF-α processing and the metastatic behavior of breast cancer, providing insights into molecular dynamics that could guide future therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes in breast cancer patients.
Effect of pre-germination temperature conditions on germination characteristics of temperate grassland species
Authors: Kiss Réka , Lukács Katalin , Tóth Ágnes , Tóth Benedek , Samraoui Kenz Raouf , Engel Rita , Deák Balázs , Valkó Orsolya
Published: September 2024

Germination characteristics of target species used for grassland restoration are often unknown, despite such information would be essential for designing restoration interventions. Filling this knowledge gap and improving our understanding about germination responses of grassland species to varying cold and warm treatments could be especially important in the face of climate change. Here we studied the effect of three different durations of warm dry stratification and three different durations of cold wet stratification, and their combinations in a full factorial design (in total 15 different pre-germination treatments), on the germination capacity of 48 grassland species native to Central Europe. Stratification treatments modelled present and forecasted summer (1-3 months warm period) and winter (1-3 months cold period) temperature conditions, while the study of the combined effect of these treatments is especially important in spring-germinating species. As response variables, we calculated relative response indexes and germination uncertainties of each species separately and applied general linear models to study the effect of treatments on these variables. We found clear effect of warm- or cold stratification on relative response indexes only in four species: strong positive response to warm stratification was found inSilene conica, while strong positive response to cold stratification was found inAgrimonia eupatoria, Echium vulgare, andPlantago lanceolata. The responses to treatment combinations were contradictory or lacked clear trends in most of the species. Germination uncertainty in general was high for all species, supporting the fact that Central European grassland species often rely on bet hedging as risk spreading strategy, to avoid unfavourable conditions during seedling establishment.
An empirical model of aminoacylation kinetics forE. coliclass I and II aminoacyl tRNA synthetases
Authors: Dykeman Eric Charles
Published: September 2024

Efficient functioning of the prokaryotic translational system depends on a steady supply of aminoacylated tRNAs to be delivered to translating ribosomes via ternary complex. As such, tRNA synthetases play a crucial role in maintaining efficient and accurate translation in the cell, as they are responsible for aminoacylating the correct amino acid to its corresponding tRNA. Moreover, the kinetic rate at which they perform this reaction will dictate the overall rate of supply of aminoacylated tRNAs to the ribosome and will have consequences for the average translational speed of ribosomes in the cell. In this work, I develop an empirical kinetic model for the 20 aminoacyl tRNA synthetase enzymes inE. colienabling the study of the effects of tRNA charging dynamics on translational efficiency. The model is parametrised based onin vitroexperimental measurements of substrateKmandkcatvalues for both pyrophosphate exchange and aminoacylation. The model also reproduces the burst kinetics observed in class I enzymes and the transfer rates measured in single turnover experiments. Stochastic simulation ofin vivotranslation shows the kinetic model is able to support the tRNA charging demand resulting from translation in exponentially growingE. colicells at a variety of different doubling times. This work provides a basis for the theoretical study of the amino acid starvation and the stringent response, as well as the complex behaviour of tRNA charging and translational dynamics in response to cellular stresses.

Author summary

Elucidating the complex interplay between tRNA charging by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases and the overall ribosomal demand for tRNAs will have important consequences for understanding the effects of amino acid starvation and the stringent response. Here I introduce an empirical kinetic model of the 20E. colitRNA synthetases and examine tRNA charging dynamics during exponential growth. The results show that the model is in good agreement with a variety of experimental observations, such as tRNA charging fractions, average translational speed of the ribosome, and measured total cellular tRNA abundances.
Intranasal therapies for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Systematic review, synthesis, and implications for global accessibility to care
Authors: Cavanagh Andrew S. , Kuter Nazli , Sollinger Benjamin I. , Aziz Khyzer , Turnbill Victoria , Martin Lee J. , Northington Frances J.
Published: September 2024

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the leading cause of neurodevelopmental morbidity in term infants worldwide. Incidence of HIE is highest in low and middle-income communities with minimal access to neonatal intensive care and an underdeveloped infrastructure for advanced neurologic interventions. Moreover, therapeutic hypothermia, standard of care for HIE in high resourced settings, is shown to be ineffective in low and middle-income communities. With their low cost, ease of administration, and capacity to potently target the central nervous system, intranasal therapies pose a unique opportunity to be a more globally accessible treatment for neonatal HIE. Intranasal experimental therapeutics have been studied in both rodent and piglet models, but no intranasal therapeutics for neonatal HIE have undergone human clinical trials. Additional research must be done to expand the array of treatments available for use as intranasal therapies for neonatal HIE thus improving the neurologic outcomes of infants worldwide.
CRISPR activation ofTfeb, a master regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, in osteoblast lineage cells increases bone mass and strength
Authors: James Alicen , Hendrixson James , Kadhim Ilham , Marques-Carvalho Adriana , Laster Jacob , Crawford Julie , Thostenson Jeff , Sato Amy , Almeida Maria , Onal Melda
Published: September 2024

Autophagy is a recycling pathway in which damaged or dysfunctional proteins, protein aggregates, and organelles are delivered to lysosomes for degradation. Insufficiency of autophagy is thought to contribute to several age-related diseases including osteoporosis. Consistent with this, elimination of autophagy from the osteoblast lineage reduces bone formation and causes low bone mass. However, whether increasing autophagy would benefit bone health is unknown. Here, we increased expression of the endogenous Transcription Factor EB gene (Tfeb) in osteoblast lineage cells in vivo via CRISPR activation.Tfeboverexpression stimulated autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis in osteoblasts.Tfeboverexpressing male mice displayed a robust increase in femoral and vertebral cortical thickness at 4.5 months of age. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the increase in femoral cortical thickness was due to increased bone formation at the periosteal surface.Tfeboverexpression also increased femoral trabecular bone volume. Consistent with these results, bone strength was increased inTfeboverexpressing mice. FemaleTfeboverexpressing mice also displayed a progressive increase in bone mass over time and at 12 months of age had high cortical thickness and trabecular bone volume. This increase in vertebral trabecular bone volume was due to elevated bone formation. Osteoblastic cultures showed thatTfeboverexpression increased proliferation and osteoblast formation. Overall, these results demonstrate that stimulation of autophagy in osteoblast lineage cells promotes bone formation and strength and may represent an effective approach to combat osteoporosis.
Geometric Landscape Annealing as an Optimization Principle Underlying the Coherent Ising Machine
Authors: Yamamura Atsushi , Mabuchi Hideo , Ganguli Surya
Published: September 2024

Given the fundamental importance of combinatorial optimization across many diverse domains, there has been widespread interest in the development of unconventional physical computing architectures that can deliver better solutions with lower resource costs. However, a theoretical understanding of their performance remains elusive. We develop such understanding for the case of the coherent Ising machine (CIM), a network of optical parametric oscillators that can be applied to any quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problem. We focus on how the CIM finds low-energy solutions of the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick spin glass. As the laser gain of this system is annealed, the CIM interpolates between gradient descent on coupled soft spins to descent on coupled binary spins. By combining the Kac-Rice formula, the replica method, and supersymmetry breaking, we develop a detailed understanding of the evolving geometry of the high-dimensional energy landscape of the CIM as the laser gain increases, finding several phase transitions in the landscape, from flat to rough to rigid. Additionally, we develop a novel cavity method that provides a geometric interpretation of supersymmetry breaking in terms of the reactivity of a rough landscape to specific external perturbations. Our energy landscape theory successfully matches numerical experiments, provides geometric insights into the principles of CIM operation, and yields optimal annealing schedules.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Consumer resistance to mobile health consultation: the role of IT affordances and IT identity
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Wang Mengdi , Li Dong
Published: September 2024

Purpose

As the new frontier in online healthcare innovation, mobile health consultation (MHC) is transforming how traditional healthcare is delivered. Despite being known on a large scale for its benefits, MHC still faces consumer resistance. MHC is a technology-enabled service, so an in-depth analysis of consumer resistance from the perspective of technology is crucial to enhance service adoption. This study sought to determine the mechanism by which two information technology (IT)-specific traits – IT affordance and IT identity – influence consumer resistance to MHC during consumer–platform interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

We used the Credamo platform to gather data from 786 users with medical consulting experience to validate the resulting relationships.

Findings

Based on partial least squares structural equation modeling, three of the six IT affordances (visibility, searching and guidance shopping) exerted a significant positive influence on IT identity, while trigger attending and association affordance had no significant effect on IT identity. Persistence affordance was negatively associated with IT identity, and IT identity negatively influenced consumer resistance to MHC.

Originality/value

Academically, this empirical paper primarily contributes to the MHC literature and the theory of IT affordance and IT identity. Practically, several valuable guidance for MHC platforms is provided.
Project-oriented strategic management of UK construction firms – towards corporate diversification: critical literature review
Authors: Siamuzwe-Manase Valentah , Halcro Keith R. , Kumar Bimal , Skitmore Martin
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The paper analyses the strategic management strategies of UK Construction Contracting Firms (CCFs) and their impact on the industry, highlighting their fragmentation, high-risk, low-profit nature and low profit returns. It suggests proactive strategies for sustainable growth and explores the potential of corporate diversification.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilising a thematic critical literature review, specific inclusion/exclusion criteria are used to select relevant literature together with a thematic qualitative synthesis data analysis approach to identify trends and challenges.

Findings

UK CCFs primarily use reactive and project-based strategic management, which may not align with long-term success due to market volatility, reactive supply, fragmentation, high competition and lack of differentiation. The short-term business cycle makes medium- to long-term strategy development difficult. It is recommended that CCFs adopt proactive strategic management and consider corporate diversification for enhanced competitiveness, stability and performance. Although there are conflicting findings on the impact of diversification on firm performance, this research suggests that it is a viable strategy for achieving enhanced firm performance and competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

The importance of proactive corporate strategies for CCFs is emphasised to overcome industry challenges, promote sustainable growth and enhance competitiveness. Corporate diversification, cultural transformation, management qualifications promotion and talent development collaboration are advocated, providing valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers and researchers.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this research involve fostering a shift towards proactive and dynamic strategic management in the UK construction industry, addressing the historical neglect of broader strategic perspectives and empowering practitioners and academics to drive positive change and innovation within the sector.

Social implications

The social implications of this research encompass the potential to enhance the overall efficiency, sustainability and collaborative dynamics within the UK construction industry, which can ultimately contribute to improved infrastructure development and the well-being of communities.

Originality/value

Project-driven strategic management in the UK construction industry is explored, questioning the reactive approach used by CCFs. It provides insights, best practices and improvement areas, emphasising diversification, proactive corporate strategies, cultural shifts and industry improvement, spanning theory, practice and theory.
Impact pathways: digital product passport for embedding circularity in electronics supply chains
Authors: Chaudhuri Atanu , Wæhrens Brian Vejrum , Treiblmaier Horst , Jensen Steffen Foldager
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This impact pathways paper identifies drivers and barriers for digital product passport (DPP) applications in electronics supply chains and to derive future research pathways.

Design/methodology/approach

Around39 interviews were conducted with three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers, customers, recycling partners, DPP service providers and an international standards organisation.

Findings

The results show the four key drivers for DPP adoption: improved decision-making to transition towards a circular economy, ensuring regulatory compliance, improving transparency across the supply chain and enhancing customer engagement. Four main barriers exist: developing and communicating the business case for DPP adoption, increased need for data, data standards and ensuring interoperability between systems, the extent of implementation effort needed and ensuring data security and integrity.

Originality/value

This is one of the earliest papers to concisely summarise the main drivers and barriers of DPP adoption and present a comprehensive research agenda for operations and supply chain management.
Analyzing factors influencing competitiveness of Indian tech start-ups: modified total interpretive structural model (m-TISM) approach
Authors: Wasi Khushnuma , Hasan Zuby , Parameswar Nakul , Patnaik Jayshree , Ganesh M.P.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Tech start-ups (TSs) functioning in different domains have a responsibility of ensuring that domestic knowledge and capabilities are leveraged to minimize dependence on foreign organizations. Despite the growth of the ecosystem, while numerous TSs emerge, very few of them are able to survive, and of those that survive, very few scale up. The aim of this study is to identify the factors influencing the competitiveness of technological start-ups and to study the interrelationship and interdependence of these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Modified total interpretative structural modeling (m-TISM) was employed for the current research. The analysis of what factors have an effect on competitiveness, how they affect it and why they affect it should be explored. The study begins by developing the list of factors through literature search, and further it is validated by expert opinion. A hierarchical model has been developed using m-TISM and MICMAC analysis to analyze the driving and dependency power of factors at each level.

Findings

Results show that the competitiveness of TSs is affected by organizational agility and internationalization. Factors present at the bottom level, namely entrepreneurial intensity, act as a strong driver for TSs. Team member commitment, transformational leadership, strategic alliances, knowledge sharing and organizational ambidexterity are middle-level factors.

Originality/value

This study is among the few articles that have explored competitiveness of TSs in the Indian context.
Assessing competition in the Turkish cement industry: insights from the Boone indicator
Authors: Yıldız Hakan , Köprücü Yılmaz , Şengül Serkan
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper investigates the degree of competitiveness within the Turkish cement industry, employing firm-level quarterly data spanning from 2008 to 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the level and trajectory of competition among Turkish cement firms, we employ the Boone indicator (β) as formulated by Boone (2008). This indicator, rooted in the concept of relative profit differences (RPD), serves as a robust metric for gauging competitive dynamics. According to the ß indicator, firms exhibiting higher relative efficiency are expected to secure greater profits and market shares in a fiercely competitive market. Additionally, we utilize concentration indices for the purpose of revealing comparable findings.

Findings

Empirical findings reveal that an enhancement in firms' efficiency corresponds to a proportionally modest increase in either market share or profits, implying a lower degree of competition within the Turkish cement industry. Although the specific magnitudes of ß estimates exhibit temporal fluctuations, we may conclude that the Turkish cement industry does not conform to the ideals of perfect competition. The concentration indices calculated on the sample also support this result.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to the Turkish cement companies over the period 2008–2016.

Originality/value

The studies measuring the level of competition in the Turkish cement sector are generally based on concentration ratios. In this study, we assess the competition level by using a different methodology based on parametric procedures.
Workplace envy as an inhibitor of change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior: the role of sustainable leadership
Authors: Piwowar-Sulej Katarzyna , Iqbal Qaisar
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Drawing on social exchange and social comparison theories, the current work aims to examine the direct and indirect effect of sustainable leadership (SL) on employees’ change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) through workplace envy (WE).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from multiple sources (311 employees and respective supervisors) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was conducted to verify the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The current empirical results confirmed that SL positively influences change-oriented OCB – both directly and indirectly (through WE). The negative impact of WE on change-oriented OCB is also concluded in this study.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is among pioneer studies which introduced inhibitor as a mediator in the “SL-employee behavioral outcomes” relationship. Limitations and implications have been elaborated at the end of the study.
Unlocking the secrets of expat employees: the role of diversity leadership, work adjustment and self-esteem in inhibiting psychological withdrawal behaviour
Authors: Bani-Melhem Shaker , Mohd-Shamsudin Faridahwati , Khassawneh Osama , Hamouche Salima , Koleva Petya
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Adjusting professionally to new work roles in a foreign work environment can be a challenging and stressful experience for expatriates. However, whether this experience translates into counterproductive behaviour remains to be examined. Hence, drawing on organisational support theory (OST; Eisenberger et al., 1986), this study aims to investigate whether work adjustment mediates the effect of diversity-oriented leadership on psychological withdrawal behaviour. The authors also propose that the relationship between diversity-oriented leadership and psychological withdrawal behaviour (via work adjustment) is moderated by organisational-based self-esteem.

Design/methodology/approach

Dyadic data from 148 paired surveys of full-time expatriate employees and direct supervisors working in hotels were collected. Smart-PLS procedures with SEM were used to assess the research hypotheses.

Findings

Overall, the authors received empirical support for the mediation and moderated model. Contrary to the expectations, the authors demonstrate that diversity-oriented leadership has no significant direct effect on expatriate employees’ psychological withdrawal behaviours; however, this effect is significant only via the full mediation of work adjustment. This relationship appears stronger among expatriate employees who feel important and valued by their organisation (i.e. organisational-based self-esteem).

Originality/value

This research is valuable in various ways, including adding to the emerging literature on expatriate employees in the UAE, which heavily relies on such employees for economic growth. Furthermore, as many organisations are hiring a diverse workforce, diversity-oriented leadership is crucial in ensuring that culturally and demographically diverse employees remain productive and become valuable and significant members of the organisation.
Measuring and managing organizational performance based on organizational capitals, service quality and BSC performance outcomes
Authors: Abd-Elrahman Abd-Elrahman Hassanein , Kamel Mahmoud Abdelrahman , Said Sameh Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test empirically a new holistic performance measurement model that integrates the best of current performance measurement frameworks and methodologies and builds upon the resource-based view to strategic management.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey collected responses from 379 top-, middle- and supervisory-level managers from 3 telecommunications service providers in Egypt. The hypothesized direct relationships were tested through multiple linear regression (using SPSS software), and the mediating effect was tested using the structural equation modeling technique (using AMOS software).

Findings

The results reveal that the proposed model is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring and managing holistic organizational performance. The results also reveal that Egyptian telecommunications companies have primarily emphasized the use of structural and relational capital to enhance their service quality (SQ) and performance outcomes (POs). Moreover, SQ was found to significantly and partially mediate the effect of organizational capitals (OCs) on POs.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model is a novel model that needs further investigation using various research designs and multiple research methods to assure its reliability and validity as a holistic performance measurement system.

Practical implications

The Egyptian telecommunications companies should efficiently manage and leverage all four components of OCs, especially the components of intellectual capital to improve their SQ and consequently enhance their POs.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to study the relationships among OCs, SQ and POs, merge them in an integrated performance measurement model and test this model empirically in the Egyptian telecommunications setting.
URBAN PLANNING PARADOXES AND SOCIOSPATIAL FRAGMENTATION: The Superblock Barcelona Case (2016–2023)
Authors: Frago Lluís , Morcuende Alejandro
Published: September 2024

Barcelona is an interesting living laboratory for studying the role of the local scale in urban planning. Since the early stages of what is known as the Barcelona Model (1979–1994), analysis of Barcelona's urban planning based on the creation of public spaces at a local scale has become a priority. More recently, micro‐scale urban planning has become dominant in addressing global challenges such as climate change within the framework of the New Urban Age paradigm. In this article we analyse the paradoxes between the ideology (local‐centrism) and practices (tactical urbanism) of this paradigm, based on an original perspective of the Superblock Barcelona project, contrary to the criticisms levelled against this project so far, which emanate mainly from economic lobbies in Barcelona. While cities seek to tackle global‐scale climate change, urban planning is being increasingly restricted to acting at local or micro scales. These paradoxes lead to sociospatial fragmentation and denial of other urban‐phenomenon scales, such as the metropolitan/regional one. We frame this article within the critical urban studies perspective, following the planetary urbanization hypothesis. The analysis of the Superblock Barcelona project is based on the logic of ‘making cities by making less city’ and focuses on how the local scale, the districts and neighbourhoods ‘burst against the city’, questioning the very right to the city.
Hydrophobic ZIF‐8 nanoparticles loaded on chitosan for improved methanol adsorption from fermented wine
Authors: Lin Mibin , Sha Jia , Zhu Zhonghao , Ye Penghui , Zhao Kai , Xiao Kaijun
Published: September 2024

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have great potential for the adsorption of minor molecular alcohols in the vapor phase. However, the drawbacks of powdered MOFs, including low recyclability and problematic separation, limit their application in fermented wine. Chitosan (CS) is a low‐cost, eco‐friendly, moldable matrix used in the food industry. In this study, a novel CS@ZIF‐8 adsorbent with excellent microporous surface area was successfully synthesized by incorporating hydrophobic ZIF‐8 into CS. The results showed that CS@ZIF‐8 beads had a high adsorption affinity for methanol at a Zn2+/2‐methylimidazole molar ratio of 1:5. The adsorption mechanism of methanol on CS@ZIF‐8 beads was systematically studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, isotherms, and kinetics. The Langmuir model calculated the maximum adsorption of methanol to 56.8 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics are consistent with pseudo‐second‐order models. Furthermore, CS@ZIF‐8 beads presented excellent recyclability for removing methanol for five consecutive cycles. It could treat 60 bed volumes of Chinese yellow wine in column filtration experiments to make the concentration below 50 mg/L. In summary, the highly efficient CS@ZIF‐8 adsorbent has great potential for methanol adsorption from fermented wines.

Practical Application

Methanol will exhibit adverse symptoms such as weakness and headaches after it is ingested. Therefore, methanol control is an important safety factor in the production of fermented wine. The adsorption method is recognized as a widely used technique due to its high efficiency and selectivity. The CS@ZIF‐8 adsorbent synthesized in this paper provides a new idea for methanol removal.