bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fasciola hepatica Fatty Acid Binding Protein 1 modulates T cell polarization by promoting dendritic cell thrombospondin-1 secretion without affecting metabolic homeostasis in obese mice
Authors: Zawistowska-Deniziak Anna , Lambooij Joost M. , Kalinowska Alicja , Patente Thiago A. , Łapiński Maciej , van der Zande Hendrik J.P. , Basałaj Katarzyna , de Korne Clarize , Chayé Mathilde A.M. , Gasan Tom , Norbury Luke J. , Giera Martin , Zaldumbide Arnaud , Smits Hermelijn H. , Guigas Bruno
Published: April 2022

Background

The parasitic trematode Fasciola hepatica evades host immune defenses through secretion of various immunomodulatory molecules. Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (fhFABPs) are among the main excreted/secreted proteins and have been shown to display anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is currently known regarding their impact on dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsequent capacity to prime specific CD4+ T cell subsets.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The immunomodulatory effects of both native F. hepatica extracts and recombinant fhFABPs were assessed on monocyte-derived human DCs (moDCs) and the underlying mechanism was next investigated using various approaches, including DC-allogenic T cell co-culture and DC phenotyping through transcriptomic, proteomic and FACS analyses. We mainly showed that fhFABP1 induced a tolerogenic-like phenotype in LPS-stimulated moDCs characterized by a dose-dependent increase in the cell-surface tolerogenic marker CD103 and IL-10 secretion, while DC co-stimulatory markers were not affected. A significant decrease in secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12p70 and IL-6 was also observed. In addition, these effects were associated with an increase in both Th2-on-Th1 ratio and IL-10 secretion by CD4+ T cells following DC-T cell co-culture. RNA sequencing and targeted proteomic analyses identified thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) as a non-canonical factor highly expressed and secreted by fhFABP1-primed moDCs. The effect of fhFABP1 on T cell skewing was abolished when using a TSP-1 blocking antibody during DC-T cell co-culture. Immunomodulation by helminth molecules has been linked to improved metabolic homeostasis during obesity. Although fhFABP1 injection in high-fat diet-fed obese mice induced a potent Th2 immune response in adipose tissue, it did not improved insulin sensitivity or glucose homeostasis.

Conclusions/Significance

We show that fhFABP1 modulates T cell polarization, notably by promoting DC TSP-1 secretion in vitro, without affecting metabolic homeostasis in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.
Physiopathological changes of ferritin mRNA density and distribution in hippocampal astrocytes in the mouse brain
Authors: Tortuyaux Romain , Oudart Marc , Mazaré Noémie , Mailly Philippe , Deschemin Jean-Christophe , Vaulont Sophie , Escartin Carole , Cohen-Salmon Martine
Published: April 2022

Astrocytes are thought to play a crucial role in brain iron homeostasis. How they accomplish this regulation in vivo remains unclear. In a recent transcriptomic analysis, we showed that polysomal Ftl1 and Fth1 mRNAs, encoding the ferritin light (Ftl) and heavy (Fth) chains that assemble into ferritin, a critical complex for iron storage and reduction, are enriched in perisynaptic astrocytic processes as compared to astrocytic soma. These data suggested that ferritin translation plays a specific role at the perisynaptic astrocytic interface and is tighly regulated by local translation. Here, we used our recently described AstroDot 3D in situ methodology to study the density and localization of ferritin mRNAs in astrocytes in the hippocampus in three different contexts in which local or systemic iron overload has been documented: ageing, the hepcidin knock-out mouse model of hemochromatosis and the APP/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our results showed that in wild type mice, Fth1 mRNA density was higher than Ftl1 and that both mRNAs were mostly distributed in astrocyte fine processes. Ageing and absence of hepcidin caused an increased Fth1/Ftl1 ratio in astrocytes and in the case of ageing, led to a redistribution of Fth1 mRNAs in astrocytic fine processes. In contrast, in AD mice, we observed a lower Fth1/Ftl1 ratio and Fth1 mRNAs became more somatic. Hence, we propose that regulation of ferritin mRNA density and distribution in astrocytes regulates iron homeostasis in physiology and pathophysiology.
Comparative metagenomic analysis of biosynthetic diversity across sponge microbiomes highlights metabolic novelty, conservation and diversification
Authors: Loureiro Catarina , Galani Anastasia , Gavriilidou Asimenia , de Mares Maryam Chaib , van der Oost John , Medema Marnix H. , Sipkema Detmer
Published: April 2022

Marine sponges and their microbial symbiotic communities are rich sources of diverse natural products (NPs) that often display biological activity, yet little is known about their global distribution landscape and the symbionts that produce them. As the majority of sponge symbionts remain uncultured, it is a challenge to characterize their NP biosynthetic pathways, assess their prevalence within the holobiont and measure their diversity across sponge taxa and environments. Here, we explore the microbial biosynthetic landscapes of three sponge species from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This dataset reveals striking novelty in its encoded biosynthetic potential, with less than 1% of the recovered gene cluster families (GCF) showing similarity to any characterized biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC). When zooming in on the microbial communities of each sponge, we observed higher variability of both secondary metabolic and taxonomic profiles between sponge species than within species. Nonetheless, we also identified conservation of GCFs, with 20% of sponge GCFs being shared between at least two sponge species, and a true GCF core comprised of 6% of GCFs shared across all species. Within this functional core, we identified a set of widespread and diverse GCFs encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) that are potentially involved in the production of diversified ether lipids, as well as GCFs putatively encoding the production of highly modified proteusins. The present work contributes to the small, yet growing body of data characterizing NP landscapes of marine sponge symbionts, and to the cryptic biosynthetic potential contained in this environmental niche.
Surface microbiota of Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles unravelled by 16S and 18S amplicon sequencing
Authors: Kanjer Lucija , Filek Klara , Mucko Maja , Majewska Roksana , Gračan Romana , Trotta Adriana , Panagopoulou Aliki , Corrente Marialaura , Bello Antonio Di , Bosak Sunčica
Published: April 2022

Loggerhead sea turtle is considered a keystone species with major ecological role in Mediterranean marine environment. As with other wild reptiles, their outer microbiome is rarely studied. Although there are several studies on sea turtle’s macro-epibionts and endo-microbiota, there has been little research on epibiotic microbiota associated with sea turtles’ skin and carapace. Therefore, we provide the first identification of combined epibiotic eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbiota on Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles. In this study, we sampled skin and carapace of 26 loggerheads from the Mediterranean Sea during 2018 and 2019. To investigate the overall microbial diversity and composition, amplicon sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA genes was performed. We found that the Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle epibiotic microbiota is a reservoir of a vast variety of microbial species. Microbial communities between samples mostly varied by different locations and seas, while within prokaryotic communities’ significant difference was observed between sampled body sites (carapace vs. skin). In terms of relative abundance, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were the most represented phyla within prokaryotes, while Alveolata and Stramenopiles thrived among eukaryotes. This study, besides providing a first survey of microbial eukaryotes on loggerheads via metabarcoding, identifies fine differences within both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities that seem to reflect the host anatomy and habitat. Multi-domain epi-microbiome surveys provide additional layers of information that are complementary with previous morphological studies and enable better understanding of the biology and ecology of these vulnerable marine reptiles.
Recall of pre-existing cross-reactive B cell memory following Omicron breakthrough infection
Authors: Kaku Chengzi I. , Bergeron Alan J. , Ahlm Clas , Normark Johan , Sakharkar Mrunal , Forsell Mattias N. E. , Walker Laura M.
Published: April 2022

Understanding immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection will facilitate the development of next-generation vaccines. Here, we profiled spike (S)-specific B cell responses following Omicron/BA.1 infection in mRNA-vaccinated donors. The acute antibody response was characterized by high levels of somatic hypermutation (SHM) and a bias toward recognition of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggesting the early activation of vaccine-induced memory B cells (MBCs). BA.1 breakthrough infection induced a shift in B cell immunodominance hierarchy from the S2 subunit toward the receptor binding domain (RBD). A large proportion of RBD-directed neutralizing antibodies isolated from BA.1 breakthrough infection donors displayed convergent sequence features and broadly recognized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Together, these findings provide fundamental insights into the role of pre-existing immunity in shaping the B cell response to heterologous SARS-CoV-2 variant exposure.

One sentence summary

BA.1 breakthrough infection activates pre-existing memory B cells with broad activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Bacterial threat assessment of bacteriophage infection is mediated by intracellular polyamine accumulation and Gac/Rsm signaling
Authors: de Mattos Camilla D. , Nemudryi Artem A. , Faith Dominick , Bublitz DeAnna C. , Hammond Lauren , Kinnersley Margie A. , Schwartzkopf Caleb M. , Robinson Autumn J. , Joyce Alex , Michaels Lia A. , Brzozowski Robert S. , Coluccio Alison , Xing Denghui David , Uchiyama Jumpei , Jennings Laura K. , Eswara Prahathees , Wiedenheft Blake , Secor Patrick R.
Published: April 2022

When eukaryotic cells are killed by pathogenic microorganisms, damage-associated and pathogen-associated signals are generated that alert other cells of nearby danger. Bacteria can detect the death of their kin; however, how bacteria make threat assessments of cellular injury is largely unexplored. Here we show that polyamines released by lysed bacteria serve as damage-associated molecules in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In response to exogenous polyamines, Gac/Rsm and cyclic-di-GMP signaling is activated and intracellular polyamine levels increase. In the absence of a threat, polyamines are catabolized, and intracellular polyamines return to basal levels, but cells infected by bacteriophage increase and maintain intracellular polyamine levels, which inhibits phage replication. Phage species not inhibited by polyamines did not trigger polyamine accumulation by P. aeruginosa, suggesting polyamine accumulation and metabolism are targets in the phage-host arms-race. Our results suggest that like eukaryotic cells, bacteria can differentiate damage-associated and pathogen-associated signals to make threat assessments of cellular injury.

Abstract Figure
Allopeptimicins: unique antibacterial metabolites generated by hybrid PKS-NRPS, with original self-defense mechanism in Actinoallomurus
Authors: Iorio Marianna , Gentile Andrea , Brunati Cristina , Tocchetti Arianna , Landini Paolo , Maffioli Sonia Ilaria , Donadio Stefano , Sosio Margherita
Published: April 2022

In the search for structurally novel metabolites with antibacterial activity, innovative approaches must be implemented to increase the probability of discovering novel chemistry from microbial sources. Here we report on the application of metabolomic tools to the genus Actinoallomurus, a poorly explored member of the Actinobacteria. From examining extracts derived from 88 isolates belonging to this genus, we identified a family of cyclodepsipeptides acylated with a C20 polyketide chain, which we named allopeptimicins. These molecules possess unusual structural features, including several double bonds in the amino-polyketide chain and four non-proteinogenic amino acids in the octapeptide. Remarkably, allopeptimicins are produced as a complex of active and inactive congeners, the latter carrying a sulfate group on the polyketide amine. This modification is also a mechanism of self-protection in the producer strain. The structural uniqueness of allopeptimicins is reflected in a biosynthetic gene cluster showing a mosaic structure, with dedicated gene cassettes devoted to formation of specialized precursors and modular assembly lines related to those from different pathways.
A single vesicle fluorescence-bleaching assay for multi-parameter analysis of proteoliposomes by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Veit Sarina , Paweletz Laura Charlotte , Bohr Sören S.-R. , Menon Anant K. , Hatzakis Nikos S , Pomorski Thomas Günther
Published: April 2022

Reconstitution of membrane proteins into model membranes is an essential approach for their functional analysis under chemically defined conditions. Established model-membrane systems used in ensemble average measurements are limited by sample heterogeneity and insufficient knowledge of lipid and protein content at the single vesicle level, which limits quantitative analysis of vesicle properties and prevents their correlation with protein activity. Here, we describe a versatile total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy-based bleaching protocol that permits parallel analyses of multiple parameters (physical size, tightness, unilamellarity, membrane protein content and orientation) of individual proteoliposomes prepared with fluorescently tagged membrane proteins and lipid markers. The approach makes use of commercially available fluorophores including the commonly used nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) dye and may be applied to deduce functional molecular characteristics of many types of reconstituted fluorescently tagged membrane proteins.
Head-to-head comparison of CCN4, DNMT3A, PTPN11, and SPARC as suppressors of anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Pirkey Anika C. , Deng Wentao , Norman Danielle , Razazan Atefeh , Klinke David J.
Published: April 2022

Background

Effective communication between innate and adaptive immunity is essential for mounting an effective antitumor immune response. Emergent cancer cells likely secrete factors that inhibit this communication. To identify such factors, we applied an in vitro workflow that coupled a functional assay with proteomics to a syngeneic mouse model of melanoma known to be resistant to immunotherapies. Collectively, these in vitro results suggested CCN4, DNMT3A, PTPN11, and SPARC as secreted factors that potentially mediate immunosuppression and could potentially become easily accessible targets for novel immunotherapies. The objective of this study was to test for consistent clinical correlates in existing human data and to verify in vivo whether knocking out tumor cell production of these secreted factors improved immune-mediated control of tumor growth.

Results

Analyses of available human data indicate that high CCN4 expression is associated with reduced survival in primary melanoma patients. High DNMT3A, PTPN11, and SPARC expression showed no association with overall survival. In addition, scRNAseq data from patients with melanoma confirmed CCN4 is expressed by the tumor cells, as opposed to other cells in the tumor microenvironment. An experimental system was created using a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to generate knock out cell lines for each of the four genes of interest using the B16F0 mouse melanoma cell line. In a immunocompetent C57BL/6, DNMT3A, PTPN11, and SPARC knockouts had no effect on overall survival compared to mice challenged with wildtype B16F0 cells while the CCN4 knockout significantly increased survival. This increase in overall survival was lost when the CCN4 knockout cells were injected into severely immunocompromised NSG hosts, indicating that CCN4’s effect on the tumor microenvironment is immune mediated. A kinetic analysis leveraging a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach quantified the various knockouts’ effect on cells’ intrinsic growth rate. The analysis shows CCN4 is the only knockout tested that decreased the net proliferation rate in immunocompetent mice compared to wildtype cells.

Conclusions

The results suggest that CCN4 is a mediator of immunosuppression in the melanoma tumor microenvironment and a potential collateral immunotherapy target.
CryoGrid-PIXUL-RNA: High throughput RNA isolation platform for tissue transcript analysis
Authors: Schactler Scott A. , Scheuerman Stephen J. , Lius Andrea , Altemeier William A. , An Dowon , Matula Thomas J. , Mikula Michal , Kulecka Maria , Denisenko Oleg , Mar Daniel , Bomsztyk Karol
Published: April 2022

Disease molecular complexity requires high throughput workflows to map disease pathways through analysis of vast tissue repositories. Great progress has been made in life sciences analytical technologies. To match the high throughput of these advanced analytical platforms, we have previously developed a multipurpose microplate sonicator, PIXUL, that can be used in multiple workflows to extract analytes from cultured cells and tissue fragments for various downstream molecular assays. And yet, the sample preparation devices, such as PIXUL, along with the downstream analytical capabilities have not been fully exploited to interrogate tissues because storing and sampling of such specimens remain, in comparison, inefficient. To mitigate this bottleneck, we have developed a low-cost user-friendly system, the CryoGrid, that consists of CryoBlock, thermometer/thermocouple, and QR coded CryoTrays to freeze and store frozen tissue fragments, and hand-held CryoCore tool for tissue sampling supported by iPad and Google apps to display tissues, direct coring and share metadata.

RNA is one of the most studied analytes. There is a decades-long history of developing methods to isolate and analyze RNA. Still, the throughput of sampling and RNA extraction from tissues has not matched that of the high throughput transcriptome analytical platforms. To address this need, we have integrated the CryoGrid system with PIXUL-based methods to isolate RNA for gene-specific qPCR and genome-wide transcript analyses. TRIzol is commonly used to isolate RNA but it is labor-intensive, hazardous, requires fume-hoods, and is an expensive reagent. We developed a PIXUL-based TRIzol-free RNA isolation fast protocol that uses a buffer containing proteinase K (PK). Virtually every disease (and often therapeutic agents’ toxicity) is a systemic syndrome but often only one organ is examined. CryoGrid-PIXUL, integrated with either TRIzol or PK buffer RNA isolation protocols, yielded similar RNA profiles in a multiorgan (brain, heart, kidney and liver) mouse model of sepsis. Thus, RNA isolation using the CryoGrid-PIXUL system combined with the PK buffer offers an inexpensive user-friendly workflow to study transcriptional responses in tissues in health and disease as well as in therapeutic interventions.
Efflux-linked Accelerated Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance at a Population Edge
Authors: Bhattacharyya Souvik , Bhattacharyya Madhumita , Pfannenstiel Dylan M. , Nandi Anjan K. , Hwang YuneSahng , Ho Khang , Harshey Rasika M.
Published: April 2022

Efflux is a common mechanism of resistance to antibiotics. We show that efflux itself promotes accumulation of antibiotic-resistance mutations (ARM). This phenomenon was initially discovered in a bacterial swarm where the linked phenotypes of high efflux and high mutation frequencies spatially segregated to the swarm edge, driven there by motility. We uncovered and validated a global regulatory network that connects high efflux to downregulation of specific DNA repair pathways even in non-swarming states. The efflux-DNA repair link was corroborated in a clinical ‘resistome’ database: genomes with mutations that increase efflux exhibit a significant increase in ARMs. Accordingly, efflux inhibitors decreased evolvability to antibiotic resistance. Swarms also revealed how bacterial populations serve as reservoir of ARMs even in absence of antibiotic selection pressure. High efflux at the edge births mutants that, despite compromised fitness, survive there because of reduced competition. This finding is relevant to biofilms where efflux activity is high.
The temporal transcriptomic signature of cartilage formation
Authors: Takács Roland Á. , Vágó Judit , Póliska Szilárd , Pushparaj Peter N. , Ducza László , Kovács Patrik , Jin Eun-Jung , Barrett-Jolley Richard , Zákány Róza , Matta Csaba
Published: April 2022

Chondrogenesis is a multistep process, in which cartilage progenitor cells generate a tissue with distinct structural and functional properties. Although several approaches to cartilage regeneration rely on the differentiation of implanted progenitor cells, the temporal transcriptomic landscape ofin vitrochondrogenesis in different models has not been reported. Using RNA sequencing, we examined differences in gene expression patterns during cartilage formation in micromass cultures of embryonic limb bud-derived progenitors. Principal component and trajectory analyses revealed a progressively different and distinct transcriptome during chondrogenesis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), based on pairwise comparisons of samples from consecutive days were classified into clusters and analysed. We confirmed the involvement of the top DEGs in chondrogenic differentiation using pathway analysis and identified several chondrogenesis-associated transcription factors and collagen subtypes that were not previously linked to cartilage formation. Transient gene silencing ofATOH8orEBF1on day 0 attenuated chondrogenesis by deregulating the expression of key osteochondrogenic marker genes in micromass cultures. These results provide detailed insight into the molecular mechanism of chondrogenesis in primary micromass cultures and present a comprehensive dataset of the temporal transcriptomic landscape of chondrogenesis, which may serve as a platform for new molecular approaches in cartilage tissue engineering.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

This study provides insights into the mechanisms of cartilage formation. Gene expression patterns during cartilage formation in micromass cultures were analysed using RNA sequencing. SilencingATOH8orEBF1attenuates chondrogenesis.

Key points

•

We examined the global gene expression patterns during in vitro chondrogenesis.

•

Using WGCNA, we created a module of genes with patterns similar to those of SOX9, ACAN, and COL2A1.

•

We identified ATOH8 and EBF1 transcription factors with a yet unexplored role in chondrogenesis.
Social media communication with intensified pandemic fears: evaluating the relative impact of user- and firm-generated content on brand loyalty
Authors: Heng Wei Lee , Chuan Huat Ong , Arumugam Prakash V.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse user-generated content and firm-generated content on perceived quality and brand trust, and eventually how it impacted brand loyalty with pandemic fear as the moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed an online survey questionnaire method in the Facebook online shopping groups to collect the data. The filter question technique was adopted to verify the respondent's validity. A total of 434 samples was collected using purposive sampling. The data were then analysed using SmartPLS 3.0.

Findings

The analysis showed that firm-generated content appeared to have a stronger positive relationship on perceived quality and brand trust than on user-generated content. Brand trust and perceived quality are found to influence brand loyalty positively. However, pandemic fears only moderate the relationship between firm-generated content and brand trust and perceived quality. This study revealed that the main components in social media communication do not influence perceived quality and brand trust to the same extent.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge of social media communication during the pandemic period that has not been studied empirically in the Malaysian context. The main components in social media communication were delineated and the impact of pandemic fears on how they would possibly affect the established relationships in the literature were examined. This study enables the researchers and practitioners to take a closer look at how the pandemic crisis could provide a shift on what has been understood so far.
Understanding the role of image, quality and price for developing prestigious mass brands
Authors: Singh Balgopal
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This research article aims to understand the role of brand image, service quality and price (charge) in revitalising functional mass brands into prestigious mass brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research framework was developed by synthesising the past literature on masstige marketing and brand extension. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire from 396 respondents availing M-Wallet. Structural equation modelling was used to validate the brand revitalization attributes; further, the binary logistic regression model examined the effect of revitalization attributes on the chance of increasing customer's perception of masstige.

Findings

The exploratory study suggested brand image, service quality and value for money pricing as essential attributes to revitalize mass brands into masstige brands; furthermore, path analysis validated the positive effects of these attributes on the perception of masstige. The proposed binary logistic regression model suggested brand image as sensitive attributes, increasing the odds ratio by 9.39 times in favour of perceiving brand as masstige followed by the perceived service quality that is 5.87 times. The prediction capability of the proposed binary logistic regression model is found to be 96%.

Practical implications

The methodology of this study provides the basis for future researchers to advance research on masstige. This study will assist the marketers of mass brands to make better marketing decisions related to how masstige image can be sustained or a new or less known brand can be revitalized into a prestigious brand.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide empirical evidence of how the mass brand can be revitalised as masstige brands by considering image, quality and price attributes.
The effective mediating role of stakeholder management in the relationship between BIM implementation and project performance
Authors: Zhang Hong Min , Chong Heap-Yih , Zeng Yu , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Building information modeling (BIM) has brought great advantages to project delivery and performance. However, BIM has also increased the complexity of projects. Research shows that for BIM implementation to have a positive impact in this innovative environment, BIM should be synchronized with stakeholder management. Therefore, this research aims to incorporate the theory of stakeholder management in BIM-enabled projects and determine the theory's intermediary role between BIM implementation and project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was conducted and 13 critical success factors (CSFs) for BIM implementation, 29 CSFs for stakeholder management and 6 CSFs for BIM project performance were identified. These measurement items were tested using a questionnaire survey method and analyzed using structural equation modeling. This research was focused on Chinese megaprojects or complex projects that were under a high level of development of BIM, which could reflect the complex stakeholder relationships and BIM implementation for project performance.

Findings

The results indicate that effective use of BIM can directly improve project performance. Further, stakeholder management has an important and positive intermediary role within the path of BIM implementation and project performance, particularly through (1) stakeholder dynamics (SD) and (2) stakeholder engagement or empowerment (SE).

Originality/value

The logical relationship of mutual influence among CSFs has been revealed for BIM-enabled projects. This research contributes to the effective collaboration and practice of BIM in the construction industry.
Organisational learning from failure and the needs-based hierarchy of project-based organisations
Authors: Chiponde Danstan Bwalya , Gledson Barry , Greenwood David
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation”, Maslow suggested the “Hierarchy of Needs” as a classification system that described the stimuli for human behaviour. Presently, project behaviour research, which inspired this work, encourages undertaking research on behavioural aspects within and across organisational and project settings. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyse project-based organisations’ (PBOs) seemingly reluctance in engaging in organisational learning from past project failures by drawing upon both institutional theory (since it focuses on how firms interact) and Maslow’s model within a project behaviour piece of research.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were held with purposively selected construction professionals from the UK construction industry, and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Besides the need to learn from failures, PBOs’ main competing needs revolve around their “competitiveness”; “profitability and productivity”; “repeat business” and “reputation and partnering”. Mirroring these needs against Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, “competitiveness” and “profitability” are analogous to foundational “physiological” and “safety” needs. The need for “repeat business” and “reputation” is approximated with Maslow’s “affiliation” and “self-esteem” needs, and organisational learning is associated with “self-actualisation”. From an institutional theory perspective, such response to failure is influenced by the need to show legitimacy and conformity imposed by institutional factors.

Practical implications

Instead of taking a simplified approach to learning from failure such as the use of technological tools, PBOs and the sector at large should consider more robust approaches, by appreciating the influence of institutional factors and the external environment on their efforts to learn from failure.

Originality/value

Unlike past studies that present organisational learning within PBOs as a straightforward process, this study instead highlights the need of understanding various competing needs within a PBO and the external pressure.
Full curriculum-based venture creation programmes: current knowledge and research challenges
Authors: Smith Kelly , Rogers-Draycott Matthew Charles , Bozward David
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Full curriculum-based Venture Creation Programmes (VCPs) are a relatively new and potentially underutilised form of degree programme in which students explore the on-going creation of a new venture as a primary aspect of their formal study. The highly experiential nature of VCPs has the potential to meet the calls of researchers and policymakers for students to actively participate in and control their own learning for enterprise and entrepreneurship. However, research into VCP's remains limited which constrains their development. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to review the literature surrounding VCPs in order to investigate the current research and explore areas for further study to support the development of these courses.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted in order to find and explore literature around VCPs, defined here as credit-bearing whole programmes of study, focused on learning for entrepreneurship, with the creation of a real-life business venture as an integral part of the learning experience, on which completion of the programme is dependent. First, academic literature published in peer-reviewed journals was collected through a systematic search. In parallel with this, academic colleagues working in this space were contacted for recommendations of literature and for information on work in progress. This led to additional emerging work being discovered that is primarily being presented at conferences. A further general Internet search was conducted to find non-academic information, reports and literature relating to VCP practice.

Findings

Four themes were explored covering the entire student journey (1) application and recruitment; (2) teaching, learning and assessment; (3) development of entrepreneurial identity; and (4) entrepreneurial outcomes. The literature presented in the paper suggests that VCPs can meet calls to provide an innovative curriculum based on experiential learning principles. VCPs can provide a positive learning experience in addition to leading to actual business start-up during the degree or after graduation.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comprehensive review of literature focusing on VCPs. Recommendations are made for further research. A key question remains: if full VCPs have the potential to enhance learning, produce positive business outcomes, and address policy calls, why are there so few known VCPs at universities around the world?
School principals' experiences of autonomy and accountability: outcomes of the School Education Quality Improvement Project in Kuwait
Authors: Alajmi Munirah
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to explore Kuwaiti public school principals' experiences in relation to autonomy and accountability after the implementation of the School Education Quality Improvement Project, which aimed to increase the autonomy and accountability of Kuwaiti public schools.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative approach using semistructured interviews with 24 Kuwaiti public school principals who had participated in the education reform project.

Findings

The study results indicated that Kuwaiti public school principals have limited autonomy in four main areas: accountability, personnel management, budget allocation and instructional programs. The results also revealed that the Integrated Education Reform Program failed to develop more autonomy in schools, creating a lack of balance between autonomy and accountability.

Originality/value

The study's findings on school principals' experiences of autonomy in the reform era will be informative for policymakers. Practical suggestions are provided to reduce the autonomy gap in schools.
Revisiting supply chain drivers for greater marketing outcomes of handicraft sector
Authors: Dalal Arunava , Bhattacharya Subhajit , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The handicraft sector is unorganized, with tremendous opportunities for generating employment, particularly for the non-urban and bottom of the pyramid (BOP) population. The aim of this paper is to revisit the existing supply chain of the handicraft sector to identify the gaps that can help generate better marketing outcomes for the sector when addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method of qualitative and quantitative research has been used. Empirical observations from artisans have been collected to identify different variables impacting the functioning of the handicraft value chain.

Findings

Different variables were identified and grouped into six important dimensions through the mixed-method research. The components were ranked based on importance, which can help in developing a robust supply chain at BOP for the handicraft sector.

Originality/value

Studies on the supply chain of the handicraft sector are rare, and none has tried to understand issues in an integrated way directly from the artisans. This study has captured the voices of the artisans, and through qualitative and quantitative data analyses, the main reasons for the artisans' pain points were identified. This can give directions to a viable business model for the handicraft sector.
An empirical investigation of performance assessment of Indian healthcare industry
Authors: Saleeshya P.G. , Harikumar Priya
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to measure the performance of Indian hospitals, both operationally and financially, by using hospital KPI's. The assessment is predominantly done by linking it to the existing Lean practices in Indian hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study based on cross-sectional survey of hospital managers and specialists in various private healthcare facilities across India was conducted to validate the proposed Lean framework. From an extensive literature survey, the authors identified quality, delivery, efficiency, accessibility and patient centeredness to be the main operational performance (OP) indicators for hospitals. Business or financial performance was measured based on parameters which are average revenue per occupied bed (ARPOB), earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and operating revenue. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was carried out using a specialized technique, called Structural Equation Modelling(SEM) and an explicit factor structure was hypothesized.

Findings

Management commitment towards Lean in hospitals is statistically proven to have impacted operational and financial performance. However, leanness in technology and business processes showed no statistical significance on either operational or financial performance parameters. Hospital stakeholders showed statistical significance on though it had no impact on the financial performance. Results obtained from the statistical analysis indicate a positive impact of hospital Lean practices on timely delivery of services and improved service quality. Efficiency, accessibility of services and patient centered behavior in hospital operations could not be statistically proven to have impacted the financial performance.

Social implications

Effectiveness of Lean management (LM) principles in improving hospital operations is largely dependent on patient centered behavior. Empowered employees who are trained to add value from a customer view point, make hospital operations safe and improved. Properly trained and communicated employees who are committed to quality improvements can make a positive impact on patients' quality of life and thus positively impact the society. The study lists ways to attain the required outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper is among the very few that has attempted to suggest ways to link implementation of Lean practices more effectively in Indian hospitals to improve hospital performance at operational and financial levels.
Quality improvement: understanding the adoption and diffusion of digital technologies related to surgical performance
Authors: Apell Petra , Hidefjäll Patrik
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Quantifying the performance level of surgeons with digital virtual reality (VR) simulators can help ensure that quality requirements in healthcare are met. In order to better understand integration amongst quality principles, practices and technologies in the adoption and diffusion of VR simulators, the authors applied a technological innovation system (TIS) framework. The purpose of this study is to understand how the adoption and diffusion of VR surgical simulators in a Swedish healthcare context is influenced by various system factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, single-case holistic design based on innovation system theory was used to analyse the adoption of digital quality technologies related to surgical performance in Swedish hospitals. The case employs a mixed methods approach triangulating data longitudinally from published documents and expert interviews.

Findings

Adoption of digital technologies regarding surgical performance is restricted by system factors relating to inconsistent normative and regulatory requirements for quantified performance criteria to judge surgical expertise. Addressing these systems' weaknesses with evidence-based training programmes can have a significant impact on the further development of the innovation system and can ultimately affect healthcare reliability and quality.

Originality/value

This paper explores quality management (QM) challenges in the context of digital transformation in healthcare. The paper attempts to fill the gap for TIS studies in a healthcare context and highlight the role of innovation function strength along the value chain and in relation to technology cycles to increase the understanding of adoption of digital technologies relating to surgical performance.
Complementary resources and SME firm performance: the role of external readiness and E-commerce functionality
Authors: Yang Tan , Xun Jiyao , Chong Woon Kian
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Electronic commerce (EC) strategy – performance logic has gained significant popularity in the literature, particularly from the resource-based view (RBV) of theoretical underpinning. However, such an obsession of focusing on organizations' complementary resources has been increasingly challenged, which has pressed the RBV to examine the possibility of external factors that can also impact firm performance. In this study, the authors shed light on the firm's external readiness—defined as the extent to which a firm's customers and suppliers perceive EC as important—in the relationship between SME's complementary resources and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed a refined data set based on the British EC Award database, in which the authors sampled 430 British SMEs' senior managements and examined how EC investments made by the SMEs influenced firm performance, and how their external readiness moderated this main relationship.

Findings

The results showed that, in line with the RBV perspective, SMEs' complementary business resources and human resources both had strong and direct impacts on the firm performance. They were also strongly mediated by EC functionality. In addition, SMEs' external readiness moderated the relationship between human resources and firm performance and that of EC functionality on firm performance.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to RBV theory building by extending earlier research on the role of technology as performance enablers for SMEs and shed light on the often-overlooked role of SMEs' external readiness.
Making the hospital smart: using a deep long short-term memory model to predict hospital performance metrics
Authors: Jia Qiong , Zhu Ying , Xu Rui , Zhang Yubin , Zhao Yihua
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Abundant studies of outpatient visits apply traditional recurrent neural network (RNN) approaches; more recent methods, such as the deep long short-term memory (DLSTM) model, have yet to be implemented in efforts to forecast key hospital data. Therefore, the current study aims to reports on an application of the DLSTM model to forecast multiple streams of healthcare data.

Design/methodology/approach

As the most advanced machine learning (ML) method, static and dynamic DLSTM models aim to forecast time-series data, such as daily patient visits. With a comparative analysis conducted in a high-level, urban Chinese hospital, this study tests the proposed DLSTM model against several widely used time-series analyses as reference models.

Findings

The empirical results show that the static DLSTM approach outperforms seasonal autoregressive integrated moving averages (SARIMA), single and multiple RNN, deep gated recurrent units (DGRU), traditional long short-term memory (LSTM) and dynamic DLSTM, with smaller mean absolute, root mean square, mean absolute percentage and root mean square percentage errors (RMSPE). In particular, static DLSTM outperforms all other models for predicting daily patient visits, the number of daily medical examinations and prescriptions.

Practical implications

With these results, hospitals can achieve more precise predictions of outpatient visits, medical examinations and prescriptions, which can inform hospitals' construction plans and increase the efficiency with which the hospitals manage relevant information.

Originality/value

To address a persistent gap in smart hospital and ML literature, this study offers evidence of the best forecasting models with a comparative analysis. The study extends predictive methods for forecasting patient visits, medical examinations and prescriptions and advances insights into smart hospitals by testing a state-of-the-art, deep learning neural network method.
Open e-learning platforms and the design–reality gap: an affordance theory perspective
Authors: McCarthy Stephen , Rowan Wendy , Kahma Nina , Lynch Laura , Ertiö Titiana Petra
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The dropout rates of open e-learning platforms are often cited as high as 97%, with many users discontinuing their use after initial acceptance. This study aims to explore this anomaly through the lens of affordances theory, revealing design–reality gaps between users' diverse goals and the possibilities for action provided by an open IT artefact.

Design/methodology/approach

A six-month case study was undertaken to investigate the design implications of user-perceived affordances in an EU sustainability project which developed an open e-learning platform for citizens to improve their household energy efficiency. Thematic analysis was used to reveal the challenges of user continuance behaviour based on how an open IT artefact supports users in achieving individual goals (e.g. reducing energy consumption in the home) and collective goals (lessening the carbon footprint of society).

Findings

Based on the findings, the authors inductively reveal seven affordances related to open e-learning platforms: informing, assessment, synthesis, emphasis, clarity, learning pathway and goal-planning. The findings centre on users' perception of these affordances, and the extent to which the open IT artefact catered to the goals and constraints of diverse user groups. Open IT platform development is further discussed from an iterative and collaborative perspective in order to explore different possibilities for action.

Originality/value

The study contributes towards research on open IT artefact design by presenting key learnings on how the designers of e-learning platforms can bridge design–reality gaps through exploring affordance personalisation for diverse user groups. This can inform the design of open IT artefacts to help ensure that system features match the expectations and contextual constraints of users through clear action-oriented possibilities.