bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple interspecies recombination events documented by whole genome sequencing in multidrug resistant Haemophilus influenzae clinical isolates.
Authors: Michel Charlotte , Argudín Maria A. , Wautier Magali , Echahidi F. , Prevost Benoit , Vandenberg Olivier , Martiny Delphine , Hallin Marie
Published: September 2023

Introduction:  Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) was long known as an easy-to-treat bacterium but the rise of resistance against beta-lactams and other critically important antibiotics is now an increasing concern. We describe here the whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of three non-typeable Hi isolates received in 2018 – 2019 by the Belgian National Reference Centre (NRC) for Haemophilus influenzae as they presented an unusual multi-resistant profile.
Methods: All three isolates were sequenced by WGS and mapped to the Reference isolate Hi Rd KW20. Shorten Uptake signal sequence (USS) known to be associated with homologous recombination were sought in ftsI, murE and murF genes, and inner partial sequences were compared to the database of Blast nucleotide to look for similarity with other Haemophilus species. Their Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) genotype was studied. Core-genome MLST was performed on NTHi database pubMLST to place our isolates in the actual worldwide epidemiology.
Results: The isolates also harboured interspecies recombination patterns in the murF-murE-ftsI regioninvolved in cell wall synthesis. The three isolates were multidrug resistant and two of them were also resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and showed a reduced susceptibility to meropenem. All three isolates belonged to the MLST Clonal Complex (CC) 422, and WGS revealed that the three were very similar. They harbored mobile genetic elements (carrying blaTEM-1B, mefA and msrD genes associated with resistance), mutations in gyrA and parC linked to fluoroquinolone resistance as well as remodelling events in ompP2 that might be related to lower carbapenem susceptibility. 
Conclusion: The Hi evolution towards antimicrobial multiresistance (AMR) is a complex and poorly understood phenomenon, although probably linked in majority to the presence of USS and exchange within the Pasteurellaceae family. To better understand the respective roles of clonal expansion, horizontal gene transfers, spontaneous mutations and interspecies genetic rearrangements in shaping Hi AMR , both analysis of Hi communities over time within individuals and worldwide monitoring of non-typeable Hi causing infectionsshould be conducted.
PATHOGENECITY AND ENZYME SCREENING OF SOME SELECTED NON-DERMATOPHYTIC MOLDS
Authors: Nwofor CN , Onyenwe NE , Osuaha CB
Published: September 2023

A total of 10 non-dermatophytic molds isolated from both symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle skin which includes Penicillumcitrinum, Aspergillus welwitschiae, Aspergillus aculeatus, Curvulariakusanol, Cladosporium teniussmum, Pestalotiopsismicrospora, Fusarium oxysporum,Fusarium linchenicola, Absidia sp. and Aspergillus fumigatus were subjected to a pathogenecity test using albino mice. These isolates were also screened for five enzymes using standard plate method.Result from pathogenecity test showed that Absidiasp, C.tenuissimum and Aspergillus welwitschiae were able to elicit discolouration, lesion production and alopecia on the albino mice skin respectively which are evidences of clinical symptoms associated of cutaneous mycoses. For enzyme screening  resultrevealed the highest zone of activity for keratinase (65mm), amylase (86mm), protease (60mm), lipase (60mm) and cellulase (86mm) which were observed on P.microspora, A.welwitschiae, C.tenuissimum, A.welwitschiae and  A. welwitschiaerespectively.  Pathogenecity test from this study shows that some of these molds are highly virulent and that can be attributed to their ability to posses some virulent factors which includes secretion of hydrolytic enzyme.
Activation mechanism of the cardiac calcium pump by a small-molecule allosteric modulator
Authors: Šeflová Jaroslava , Cruz-Cortés Carlos , Guerrero-Serna Guadalupe , Robia Seth L. , Espinoza-Fonseca L. Michel
Published: September 2023

The discovery of small-molecule allosteric modulators is an emerging paradigm in drug discovery, and signal transduction is a subtle and dynamic process that is challenging to characterize. We developed a time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) imaging approach to investigate the activation mechanism of a druggable protein by a small-molecule allosteric modulator. We tested this approach using the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a), an important pharmacological target that transports Ca2+at the expense of ATP hydrolysis in the heart. We found that CDN1163, a validated SERCA2a activator, does not dissociate the endogenous complex between SERCA2a and its regulator phospholamban (PLN) in the presence of either Ca2+or AMP-PCP, a non-hydrolyzable ATP analog. CDN1163 does not influence SERCA2a’s affinity for Ca2+ions at functionally relevant conditions. Global analysis of the fluorescence lifetimes showed that ATP is both a substrate and a modulator that populates competent SERCA2a conformations. Interestingly, CDN1163 alone does not significantly induce changes in the structural populations of SERCA2a. Instead, CDN1163 potentiates the effects of ATP to further shift the equilibrium toward a competent SERCA2a conformation. Importantly, this population shift occurs at sub-physiological conditions, and within physiological Ca2+concentrations at which SERCA2a operates. We propose an activation mechanism whereby a small-molecule modulator synergizes with ATP to stabilize a conformation of SERCA2a primed for activation. This study demonstrates the power of TCSPC to reveal novel insights into how structural and biochemical states are coupled to allosterically activate a pharmacological target in the heart.
MAGIK: A rapid and efficient method to create lineage-specific reporters in human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Haideri Tahir , Lin Jirong , Bao Xiaoping , Lian Xiaojun Lance
Published: September 2023

Precise insertion of a fluorescent protein into a lineage-specific gene in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) presents challenges due to the low knockin efficiency and difficulties in selecting the correctly targeted cells. Here we introduce the ModRNA-based Activation for Gene Insertion and Knockin (MAGIK) approach to enhance knockin efficacy in hPSCs. MAGIK operates in two steps: first, it employs a Cas9-2A-p53DD modRNA with a mini-donor plasmid (without a drug-selection cassette) to significantly enhance efficiency; second, a dCas9 activator modRNA and a dgRNA are used to temporarily activate the successfully targeted gene, allowing for live cell sorting without single cell cloning. Consequently, MAGIK eliminates the need for drug selection cassettes or labor-intensive single cell colony screening, expediting precise genetic integration. We have demonstrated that MAGIK can be utilized to insert fluorescent proteins into various genes, includingSOX17, NKX6.1, NKX2.5andPDX1, across multiple hPSC lines, showcasing its robustness. This innovative MAGIK approach streamlines the process and provides a promising solution for targeted genetic modifications in hPSCs.
Clinical actionability of genetic findings in cerebral palsy
Authors: Lewis Sara A , Chopra Maya , Cohen Julie S. , Bain Jennifer , Aravamuthan Bhooma , Carmel Jason B , Fahey Michael C , Segel Reeval , Wintle Richard F , Zech Michael , May Halie , Haque Nahla , Fehlings Darcy , Srivastava Siddharth , Kruer Michael C
Published: September 2023

Background and objectives

Single gene mutations are increasingly recognized as causes of cerebral palsy (CP) phenotypes, yet there is currently no standardized framework for measuring their clinical impact. We evaluated Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic (P/LP) variants identified in individuals with CP to determine how frequently genetic testing results would prompt changes in care.

Methods

We analyzed published P/LP variants in OMIM genes identified in clinical (n = 1,345 individuals) or research (n = 496) cohorts using exome sequencing of CP patients. We established a working group of clinical and research geneticists, developmental pediatricians, genetic counselors, and neurologists and performed a systematic review of existing literature for evidence of clinical management approaches linked to genetic disorders. Scoring rubrics were adapted, and a modified Delphi approach was used to build consensus and establish the anticipated impact on patient care. Overallclinical utilitywas calculated from metrics assessingoutcome severityif left untreated,safety/practicalityof the intervention, and anticipated interventionefficacy.

Results

We found 140/1,841 (8%) of individuals in published CP cohorts had a genetic diagnosis classified asactionable, defined as prompting a change in clinical management based on knowledge related to the genetic etiology. 58/243 genes with P/LP variants were classified as actionable; 16 had treatment options targeting theprimary disease mechanism, 16 hadspecific prevention strategies, and 26 hadspecific symptom managementrecommendations. The level of evidence was also graded according to ClinGen criteria; 44.6% of interventions had evidence class “D” or below. The potential interventions haveclinical utilitywith 97% of outcomes being moderate-highseverityif left untreated and 62% of interventions predicted to be of moderate-highefficacy. Most interventions (71%) were considered moderate-highsafety/practicality.

Discussion

Our findings indicate that actionable genetic findings occur in 8% of individuals referred for genetic testing with CP. Evaluation of potentialefficacy, outcomeseverity, and interventionsafety/practicalityindicates moderate-highclinical utilityof these genetic findings. Thus, genetic sequencing to identify these individuals for precision medicine interventions could improve outcomes and provide clinical benefit to individuals with CP. The relatively limited evidence base for most interventions underscores the need for additional research.
Comparison of COVID-19 and Influenza-Related Outcomes in the United States during Fall-Winter 2022-2023
Authors: Kopel Hagit , Bogdanov Alina , Winer-Jones Jessamine , Adams Christopher , Winer Isabelle , Bonafede Mac , Nguyen Van Hung , Mansi James A.
Published: September 2023

Background

Three years into the pandemic, SARS-COV-2 remains a significant burden in comparison to other respiratory illnesses; however, many of the monitoring tools available during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic have been phased out, making it more difficult to track the current burden of outpatient medical encounters and hospitalizations, especially for at-risk groups. The objective of this analysis was to characterize the frequency and severity of medically-attended COVID-19 and influenza during peak influenza activity in the pediatric (0-17), adult (18-64), and older adult (65+) populations and characterize the prevalence of underlying medical conditions among patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional analysis of individuals in the Veradigm Health Insights EHR Database linked to Komodo claims data with a medical encounter of claim between October 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. We captured age, sex, and underlying medical conditions associated with higher risk for severe COVID-19 during a 12-month baseline period. We identified patients with medical encounters with a diagnosis of COVID-19 or influenza between October 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, and stratified them into 5 mutually exclusive categories based on the highest level of care received with that diagnosis during the season (intensive care unit [ICU] > hospitalization without ICU > emergency department > urgent care > other outpatient).

Results

Among the 23,526,196 individuals in the dataset, 5.0% had a COVID-19-related medical encounter, and 3.0% had an influenza-related medical encounter during the 6 month observation period. The incidence of hospitalizations with a COVID-19 diagnosis was 4.6 times higher than the incidence of hospitalizations with an influenza diagnosis. Hospitalizations with COVID-19 were higher in all age groups. Nearly all adults hospitalized with COVID-19 had at least one underlying medical condition, but 25.8% of 0-5-year-olds and 18.3% of 6-17-year-olds had no underlying medical conditions.

Conclusions

COVID-19 continues to place a heavy burden on the United States healthcare system and was associated with more medical encounters in all age groups, including hospitalizations, than influenza during a 6-month period that included the 2022-2023 peak influenza activity.
Fine Needle Aspiration Versus the CytoCore® Motorized Rotating Needle Device for Thyroid Nodule Biopsies: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Verma Adarsh , McDowell Rhonda , Porreca Anthony
Published: September 2023

Background

While ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) is commonly used to biopsy suspicious thyroid nodules, its use is associated with a high rate of nondiagnostic and indeterminate samples. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of a new motorized FNA device (CytoCore®, Praxis Medical) to a historical cohort of patients biopsied using US-FNA within the same health system and literature controls.

Materials and Methods

Data from 120 patients with suspicious thyroid nodules undergoing thyroid biopsy with a motorized FNA device between March 2022 and August 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographics, lesion characteristics, number of passes required, Bethesda category, and cellularity scores were compared to a historical control cohort of 100 patients who underwent US-FNA between March 2019 and March 2020. All patients underwent the procedure within the same health system. Nondiagnostic and indeterminate samples rates for the motorized FNA device were separately compared to literature controls.

Results

A significantly reduced median number of passes were required with the motorized FNA device compared to US-FNA (z= 8.235,p< .001). Adequate samples were obtained after the first pass for 58% of nodules biopsied with motorized FNA device compared to only 11% with US-FNA. The cumulative percentage of adequate samples increased to 98% after two passes for the motorized FNA group versus only 58% for the US-FNA group. Eleven percent of subjects in the US-FNA required 5 passes to obtain an adequate sample. The mean cellularity score was also greater for the motorized FNA group (3.5 ± 0.5 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6;z= 5.201,p< .001). Compared to published rates, the motorized had a lower nondiagnostic rate (2.0% vs. 10% to 15%) and lower indeterminate rate (8.3% vs. 20%; p=0.05) compared to the use of FNA.

Conclusion

The motorized FNA device requires less passes to obtain an adequate biopsy than US-FNA, thus decreasing procedure length, tissue trauma, and damage to the specimen damage. Its use is also associated with obtaining samples with a higher cellularity and lower nondiagnostic and indeterminate sample rates.
DCM-PROGRESS: predicting end-stage heart failure in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients
Authors: Schmidt A F , Leinveber P , Panovsky R , Soukup L , Machac P , van de Leur R R , Sammani A , Lekadir K , Riele A ter , Asselbergs F W , Boonstra M J
Published: September 2023

Aims

Patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are at considerable risk for end-stage heart failure (HF), requiring close monitoring to identify early signs of disease. We aimed to develop a model to predict the 5-years risk of end-stage HF, allowing for tailored patient monitoring and management.

Methods and results

Derivation data were available from a Dutch cohort of 293 DCM patients, with external validation available from a Czech Republic cohort of 235 DCM patients. Candidate predictors spanned patient and family histories, ECG and echocardiogram measurements, and biochemistry. End-stage HF was defined as a composite of death, heart transplantation, or implantation of a ventricular assist device. Lasso and sigmoid kernel support vector machine (SVM) algorithms were trained using cross-validation. During follow-up 65 (22%) of Dutch DCM patients developed end-stage HF, with 27 (11%) cases in the Czech cohort. Out of the two considered models, the lasso model (retaining NYHA class, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, height, R-axis, and TAPSE as predictors) reached the highest discriminative performance (testing c-statistic of 0.85, 95%CI 0.58; 0.94), which was confirmed in the external validation cohort (c-statistic of 0.75, 95%CI 0.61; 0.82), compared to a c-statistic of 0.69 for the MAGGIC score. Both the MAGGIC score and the DCM-PROGRESS model slightly over-estimated the true risk, but were otherwise appropriately calibrated.

Conclusion

We developed a highly discriminative risk-prediction model for end-stage HF in DCM patients. The model was validated in two countries, suggesting the model can meaningfully improve clinical decision-making.
Extracellular vesicles, syntaxin 2 and SNAP23 collectively play a role in the receptive uterine microenvironment
Authors: Kalam Sadaf N , Dowland Samson , Cole Louise , Lindsay Laura , Murphy Christopher R
Published: September 2023

Uterine luminal fluid (ULF) composition plays a major role in cell-to-cell communication between the receptive endometrium and an invading blastocyst. ULF is made up of secretions from the uterine glands and uterine epithelial cells (UEC). However, the cellular mechanisms regulating these exocytotic secretions are not yet understood. This study investigated the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) during early pregnancy using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis at time of fertilisation (TOF) Day 1 and at time of receptivity (TOR) Day 5.5 revealed EVs present, with an abundance at TOR. Exocytosis signalling in UECs, by SNARE proteins syntaxin 2 (syn2) and SNAP23, was also examined. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed both syn2 and SNAP23 to be present in the apical area of UECs at TOR. Western blot and immunofluorescence quantification revealed a significant increase in syn2 and SNAP23 at TOR compared to TOF. SNAP23 colocalization with apical actin showed SNAP23 was in the luminal space contributing to ULF. Overall, this data shows EVs, syn2 and SNAP23 (potential receptivity marker) are present in ULF and may together create a favourable microenvironment for blastocyst implantation.

Summary statement

During uterine receptivity SNAREs participate in the secretion of ULF. EVs and SNAP23 are present in the uterine luminal space during uterine receptivity. SNAP23 has the potential to be used as a receptivity marker.
Characterization of bacterial and viral pathogens in the respiratory tract of children with HIV-associated chronic lung disease: a case‒control study
Authors: Mushunje Prince K. , Dube Felix S. , Odland Jon Ø , Ferrand Rashida A , Nicol Mark P. , Abotsi Regina E. ,   The BREATHE study team
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Chronic lung disease is a major cause of morbidity in African children with HIV infection; however, the microbial determinants of HIV-associated chronic lung disease (HCLD) remain poorly understood. We conducted a case-control study to investigate the prevalence and densities of respiratory microbes among pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)-naïve children with (HCLD+) and without HCLD (HCLD-) established on antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Methods

Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from HCLD+ (defined as forced-expiratory-volume/second<-1.0 without reversibility postbronchodilation) and age-, site-, sex- and duration-of-ART-matched HCLD-enrolled in Zimbabwe and Malawi (BREATHE trial-NCT02426112) were tested for seven bacteria, includingStreptococcus pneumoniae(SP),Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Haemophilus influenzae(HI),Moraxella catarrhalis(MC), and five viruses, including human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus A or B, and human metapneumovirus, using qPCR (Fluidigm). Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression analysis were used for between-group comparisons and risk factors associated with common respiratory microbes, respectively.

Results

A total of 345 participants (287 HCLD+, 58 HCLD-; median age, 15.5 years [IQR=12.8–18], females, 52%) were included in the final analysis. SP (40%[116/287]vs.21%[12/58],p= 0.005) and HRV (7%[21/287]vs.0%[0/58],p= 0.032) were more prevalent in HCLD+ patients than in HCLD-patients. Viruses (predominantly HRV) were detected only in HCLD+ participants. HI (1.55×104CFU/mlvs.2.55×102CFU/ml,p= 0.006) and MC (1.14×104CFU/mlvs.1.45×103CFU/ml, p= 0.031) densities were higher in HCLD+. Bacterial codetection (≥ any 2 bacteria) was higher in the HCLD+ group (36% [114/287]vs.(19% [11/58]), (p= 0.014), with SP and HI codetection (HCLD+: 30% [86/287]vs.HCLD-: 12% [7/58],p= 0.005) being the most frequent. In 128 SP-positive participants (116 HCLD+, 12 HCLD-), 66% [85/128] of participants had non-PCV-13 serotypes detected. Serotypes 13 and 21 (9% [8/85] each) and PCV-13 serotypes (4, 19A, 19F: 16% [7/43] each) were more prevalent. Study participants with a history of previous tuberculosis treatment were more likely to carry SP or HI, while those who used ART for ≥2 years were less likely to carry HI and MC.

Conclusion

Children with HCLD+ were more likely to be colonized by SP and HRV and had higher HI and MC bacterial loads in their nasopharynx. The role of SP, HI, and HRV in the pathogenesis of CLD, including how they influence the risk of acute exacerbations, should be studied further.
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (2Z,2′E)-2,2′-(3-methoxy-3-phenylpropane-1,2-diylidene)bis(hydrazine-1-carbothioamide) dimethylformamide monosolvate
Authors: Guseinov Firudin I. , Knyazev Aleksandr V. , Shuvalova Elena V. , Kobrakov Konstantin I. , Samigullina Aida I. , Atioğlu Zeliha , Akkurt Mehmet , Bhattarai Ajaya
Published: September 2023

The overall molecular configuration of the title compound, C12H16N6OS2·C3H7NO, is stabilized in the solid state by intramolecular C—H...N, C—H...O, N—H...N and N—H...O interactions, forming S(5) ring motifs. In the crystal, molecules are linked to each other and solvent dimethylformamide molecules by N—H...S, N—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming a three dimensional network. The phenyl ring of the title compound is disordered over two sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.57 (4):0.43 (4). A Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed to quantify the contributions of the different intermolecular interactions, indicating that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H...H (38.7%), S...H / H...S (24.0%), C...H / H...C (18.5%) and N...H / H...N (9.8%) interactions.
Restor(y)ing commitment to a failing organization: how narratives and forecasts mitigate anxiety
Authors: Postaire Maxence , Puyou François-Régis
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This research interrogates how the construction of narratives and accounting forecasts contributes to managing the emotional state of actors involved in reporting meetings by promoting discourses of hope in their organization's future, mitigating their anxiety. This study shows how narratives are built from multiple antenarratives and accounting forecasts, which restore and strengthen organizational actors' commitment to their organizations. This study contributes to a better understanding of the role played by narratives and accounting documents in mitigating organizational members' anxiety.

Design/methodology/approach

Over eight months, an interventionist research design method gave one of the authors the opportunity to record discussions held during reporting meetings in a business incubator. These recordings captured the production of narratives and forecasts in these meetings.

Findings

This study shows how the production of multiple antenarratives and accounting forecasts helps organizational actors who attend reporting meetings mitigate the anxiety triggered by disappointing performance figures and restore collective discourses full of hope for the organization's future. This case highlights how personal antenarratives and successive versions of accounting forecasts contribute to restoring a collective commitment to a failing organization.

Originality/value

This study refines current understanding of the under-explored links between accounting forecasts, narratives and anxiety management. The study provides insight into how accounting practices contribute to the production of narratives that successfully restore organizational members' commitment to working for a failing organization. The study also exemplifies the original insights gained from interventionist research protocols.
Food choices and perceptions of consumers with body image dissatisfaction about the “healthy foods” section of a supermarket
Authors: Medeiros Kharla Janinny , Zarbato Longo Giana , Fiates Giovanna M.R.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Social expectations of body image can generate negative body feelings, exacerbate compensatory behaviors and discourage healthy food choices. This study examined the food choices and perceptions of adult consumers dissatisfied with their body image about food products available in the “healthy foods” section of a Brazilian supermarket.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory, descriptive and qualitative study. Body image dissatisfaction was assessed with the self-reported silhouette scale validated for the Brazilian population. Chosen items were classified according with degree of processing. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 26 men and women and transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Findings

Participants chose 81 food products, most of which (53%) were ultra-processed. Thematic analysis revealed that participants were motivated mainly by consumption habits, preference, convenience and brand loyalty. Participants questioned the concept of health promoted by the supermarket and suggested that the kind of food items available in “healthy foods section” may confuse consumers about the healthfulness of packaged processed foods (PF). Despite being critical of the concept of healthfulness promoted by the supermarket, participants predominantly selected ultra-processed foods (UPF) mentioning health-related motivations for their selection, revealing a realm of contradictions. The results indicate that, for individuals dissatisfied with their body image due to overweight and with emotional eating behavior, the environment of the healthy foods section of supermarkets is not conducive to healthy food shopping.

Originality/value

Qualitative approach can bring results which add to the body of evidence on the importance of the food environment's influence on food choices, especially of individuals prone to making poor choices for the sake of improving their perceived body image.
Poka-Yoke to minimise variations: a framework for building projects
Authors: Uhanovita A.C. Nadeeshan , K.A.T.O. Ranadewa , Parameswaran Agana
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Variations due to errors and mistakes have caused cost overruns in building projects. Therefore, it is undeniable that the gravity of such variations will be a critical factor in deciding the success of any building project. In addition, the design stage of a building project is considered the most suitable stage to identify and mitigate the causes of potential variations. However, there are no proper mechanisms to minimise the frequency or gravity of variations. Many researchers experienced the promising essence of Poka-Yoke, a mistake-proofing method aimed at increasing efficiency by early detection and eradication of the causes of potential errors. However, less attention has been paid so far to implement Poka-Yoke principles to minimise variations in the building project. Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework to minimise variations in building projects through the integration of the Poka-Yoke principles.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretivism stance is adopted, and a qualitative research approach is used. The data collection technique adopted is semi-structured interviews with ten experts, and the data is analysed using code-based content analysis through NVivo12.

Findings

Research findings revealed 23 causes of variations, categorised under client-originated, consultant-originated, contractor-originated and other variations. The identified causes were then mapped with the Poka-Yoke principles to develop the framework. The research findings could prove useful to researchers, academics, government agencies and construction professionals in developing nations that have demographic/cultural and socioeconomic characteristics such as Sri Lanka.

Originality/value

The findings benefitted the Sri Lankan construction sector by minimising the causes of variations. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will be the first of its kind in the Sri Lankan construction industry, leading to a better understanding of the “Poka-Yoke” principle within the building construction context.
New identification of induction machine parameters with a meta-heuristic algorithm based on least squares method
Authors: Zorig Anwar , Belkheiri Ahmed , Bendjedia Bachir , Kouzi Katia , Belkheiri Mohammed
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The great value of offline identification of machine parameters is when the machine manufacturer does not provide its parameters. Most machine control strategies require parameter values, and some circumstances in the industrial sector only require offline identification. This paper aims to present a new offline method for estimating induction motor parameters based on least squares and a salp swarm algorithm (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

The central concept is to use the classic least squares (LS) method to acquire the majority of induction machine (IM) constant parameters, followed by the SSA method to obtain all parameters and minimize errors.

Findings

The obtained results showed that the LS method gives good results in simulation based on the assumption that the measurements are noise-free. However, unlike in simulations, the LS method is unable to accurately identify the machine’s parameters during the experimental test. On the contrary, the SSA method proves higher efficiency and more precision for IM parameter estimation in both simulations and experimental tests.

Originality/value

After performing a primary identification using the technique of least squares, the initial intention of this study was to apply the SSA for the purpose of identifying all of the machine’s parameters and minimizing errors. These two approaches use the same measurement from a simple running test of an IM, and they offer a quick processing time. Therefore, this combined offline strategy provides a reliable model based on the identified parameters.
Leading without position power: preliminary validation of the multiparty collaborative leadership scale (MCLS)
Authors: Curseu Petru Lucian , Schruijer Sandra G.L.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to report the development of the multiparty collaborative leadership scale (MCLS) that assesses four dimensions of collaborative leadership that have been defined in the literature regarding the functions of collaborative leadership in intra- and interorganizational settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have tested the validity and reliability of the MCLS in a sample of 110 managers and professionals who participated in five multiparty collaboration workshops, each lasting for two days. The authors used multilevel analyses to test the construct, discriminant and predictive validity of the MCLS.

Findings

The results generally supported the reliability and validity of the MCLS. The scale has good internal consistency and in terms of validation, the authors show that MCLS negatively predicts the conflictuality and positively predicts the collaborativeness of the leading party as well as trust in the multiparty system and its entitativity.

Research limitations/implications

The MCLS can be used to extend literature on collaborative leadership and generate insights on the antecedents and consequences of effective collaborative leadership in multiparty systems.

Social implications

Multiparty systems are set to deal with important societal challenges and mediators involved in multiparty issues are asked to settle important international disputes and conflicts. Understanding collaborative leadership in such systems and its role in establishing effective multiparty collaboration is key. The MCLS can be used as a research instrument and as a development tool toward realizing much-needed collaboration.

Originality/value

The authors present a first attempt to develop a short scale to assess collaborative leadership in complex systems in which participating stakeholders lack position power.
Part time jobs, fragmentation and work instability: light on the gender gap in Emilia-Romagna
Authors: Bosco Maria Giovanna , Valeriani Elisa
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if, given personal, supply-related features, and labour demand-related variables, there is a difference in the share of women finding more stable jobs with respect to men, in an eight-year time span.

Design/methodology/approach

Fragmentation leads to a lower probability of transitioning into more certain, full-time work positions. The authors analyse a rich cohort of dependent workers in Emilia-Romagna to investigate whether part-time jobs lead to full-time jobs in a “stepping-stone” fashion and whether this happens with the same probability for men and women. The focus is on the cost of part-time jobs rather than the contrast between permanent and temporary jobs, as often observed in the literature. The authors also evaluate the transition between part-time job formulae and open-ended work arrangements to determine whether women's transition to full-fledged, stable work positions is slightly rarer than their male counterparts. Even if the authors allow for the fact that part-time contracts can be a choice and not an obligation, these contracts generate more flexibility in managing the equilibrium between private and work life and create more uncertainty than full-time contracts because of the fragmentation associated with these arrangements.

Findings

The authors find that women have a more fragmented working career than men, in that they hold more contracts than men in the same time span; moreover, the authors find that part-time jobs act more as bottlenecks for women than for men.

Originality/value

The authors use a large administrative dataset with over 600,000 workers observed in the 2008–2015 time span, in Emilia Romagna, Italy. The authors can disentangle the number of contracts per worker and observe individual, anonymise personal features, that the authors consider in the authors' propensity score estimate. The authors ran a robustness check of the PSM estimates through coarsened exact matching (CEM).
Corporate social responsibility and customer loyalty: mediating role of corporate reputation among Generation Z customers of Nepali commercial banks
Authors: Subedi Gopal , Pokhrel Laxman , Basnet Dinesh
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Drawing on social identity, signalling and stakeholder theories, this paper aims to examine corporate reputation’s (CR) mediating role concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer loyalty (CL) among Generation Z customers of Nepali commercial banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The research applied a cross-sectional survey research design to collect data from 281 customers of Nepali commercial banks. The study used a purposive sampling method to reach the respondents and partial least squares structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results reveal that CSR significantly influences CR and CL. Likewise, CR positively influences CL. Moreover, CR partially mediates the relationship between CSR and CL. It implies that CSR and CR are critical variables for CL among Generation Z customers of Nepali commercial banks.

Practical implications

This study focuses on understanding the importance of CSR to Nepalese commercial bank managers to create a better customer base by focusing on the CSR dimensions, i.e. economic, environmental and social. It adds to the literature on the theoretical aspect of the study of CSR, particularly in the banking industry.

Originality/value

It has initially investigated CSR as a higher-order construct to explain the meditational mechanism of CR concerning CSR and CL. Moreover, the study examined the issue of endogeneity.
Media sentiment, news and liquidity of Chinese property developer stocks amidst the shadow of a mortgage crisis in China
Authors: Gurov Sergei , Teplova Tamara
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study examines the relationship between news intensity, media sentiment and market microstructure invariance-implied measures of trading activity and liquidity of Chinese property developer stocks during the 2020–2022 Chinese property sector crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt the extension of the news article invariance hypothesis, which is a generalization of the market microstructure invariance conjecture, from January 2020 to January 2022 to test specific quantitative relationships between the arrival rate of public information, trading activity and a nonlinear function of a proxy for the probability of informed trading. Empirical tests are based on a dataset of 22,412 firm-day observations and two count-data models to correct for overdispersion and the excess number of zeros. Seventy-five stocks of Chinese companies from the property development industry (including the China Evergrande Group) were included in the sample.

Findings

The authors reject the news article invariance hypothesis but document a positive and significant relationship between the flow of public information and risk liquidity. Additionally, the authors find that the proxy for informed trading activity is positively related to the arrival rates of public information from October 2021 to January 2022.

Originality/value

The findings support the hypothesis that negative (positive) media sentiment induces significant deterioration (insignificant improvement) in stock liquidity. The authors find that an increase in the number of news articles about a company corresponds to a higher liquidity of Chinese property developers' stocks after controlling for media sentiment.
What motivates users to continually use wearable medical devices? Evidence from a developing nation
Authors: Jamwal Mohit , Kanojia Honey , Dhiman Neeraj
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Wearable medical devices (WMDs) are improving people’s health and well-being in a noble way, as these aid in effective personal health monitoring, remote surveillance and overall illness management. Despite its wider applicability and usage, it is prevalent that users discontinue its usage, which presents an obstacle in the proliferation of such vital innovations among the masses. Therefore, relying on the expectation-confirmation model (ECM), this study aims to delve deeper to explain the factors that motivate users to continually use WMDs by incorporating novel variables, namely, health belief, health information accuracy and privacy protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes and tests an extended ECM perspective to predict the continuance intention (CI) of WMDs among users. By using structural equation modelling using SmartPLS, the authors tested the model on Indian people (n = 451) who had an erstwhile experience of using WMDs.

Findings

The study results show that confirmation of users’ expectations positively impacts their usefulness and satisfaction towards WMDs. Moreover, satisfaction towards WMDs is the strongest predictor of users’ CI, followed by perceived usefulness. Interestingly, personal factor such as health beliefs reveals a greater influence on perceived usefulness than technological factors like health information accuracy and privacy protection.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings demonstrate the significance of using the expectation-confirmation perspective in technology-based studies in general and WMDs, in particular. This study aids by offering an integrated model of WMD’s continued usage intention for the users, in addition to practical implications for marketers and policymakers.

Originality/value

A paucity of research exists when understanding the predictors of CI for WMDs. This study fills this gap and adds to behavioural literature by offering a noble viewpoint involving an extended ECM perspective.
Developing a benchmarking model for subjective well-being: a combined approach using structural equation modeling and fuzzy AHP
Authors: Aggarwal Arun , Kukreja Vinay , Nobi Kamrunnisha
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is not only to develop an integrated model of subjective well-being (SWB) by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) but also to prioritize the subfactors of personality and SWB that affect the contextual performance (CP) of an employee by using a fuzzy-analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), which has not been done in the past.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 15 field experts and 412 employees of information technology (IT) companies operating in India. The data analysis was performed in two stages. The first stage includes CFA and SEM. The second stage includes prioritizing the factor through FAHP.

Findings

The results of SEM analysis manifested that all the dimensions of personality have a significant impact on CP. However, in the case of SWB, only two components (satisfaction with life and positive affect) have a significant impact on CP. Results of FAHP show that SWB is more important in predicting CP than the Big Five personality dimensions.

Originality/value

This research is a novel attempt to test and prioritize the factors affecting the CP of IT employees. The findings of the research will be useful for managers in increasing the performance of their employees. Further, the findings of the research will contribute to the literature on the factors affecting CP.
Innovation and commercialisation: the role of the international dynamic marketing capability in Malaysian international entrepreneurial firms
Authors: Mostafiz Md Imtiaz , Ahmed Farhad Uddin , Ibrahim Fahad , Tarba Shlomo Yedidia
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how international entrepreneurial firms (IEFs) successfully commercialise innovative products/services internationally. In doing so, the authors examined the role played by the international dynamic marketing capability (IDMC) in the relationship between explorative and exploitative innovation and commercialisation. In addition, the authors also evaluated how the breadth and depth of international networks facilitate IEFs in upholding the effects of the IDMC to influence commercialisation.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the research model, structural equation modelling is used based on time-lagged survey data drawn from 201 Malaysian IEFs. To validate the results, additional robustness tests and endogeneity analyses have been performed.

Findings

The findings show that the IDMC positively mediates the relationship between explorative and exploitative innovation and commercialisation. Furthermore, the finding exhibits that the effects of the IDMC on commercialisation are positively moderated by the breadth and depth of international networks.

Originality/value

Given the fragmented and general nature of the extant marketing research on the IDMC, the study contributes to the international marketing literature by providing rich and nuanced pertinent knowledge. This study advances dynamic capability theory in relation to IEFs by establishing the IDMC as a functional capability suited to enable them to successfully commercialise the products/services resulting from explorative and exploitative innovation.
State responses to herder–farmers conflict and peace-building in rural grazing areas of Nigeria
Authors: Muhammed Abubakar Yinusa , Adisa Waziri B. , Ayodele Johnson , Gbadeyan Olawale James , Garba Esther
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Conflicts between herders and farmers in Nigeria in the last five years have been destructive to the corporate existence of Nigerian society and the Nigerian State, especially in Northcentral, Northwestern and Southern Nigeria. This paper aims to investigate the relationships between state responses and peace-building in rural grazing communities in Nigeria using a National Survey on Peace-building in Nigeria conducted by this team using a cross-sectional survey of 1,711 farmers and herders.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the political economy of the herder–farmers conflict in Africa to contextualise the problem. Data generated from the study were analysed using chi-square test and binary logistic regression model.

Findings

The results showed that protection of victims of herder–farmers conflict (P = 0.024), blockage of sources of illicit weapons (P = 0.000), arrest of leaders (P = 0.043), provision of shelter (P = 0.030), provision of food (P = 0.037), protection of women from sexual exploitation and abuse (P = 0.019) and use of the media were positively related to peace-building in the rural grazing areas. The study further found that when the Federal Government (ß= 0.452, P = 0.018), State Government (ß= 0.522, P = 0.018), private individuals (ß = 0.855, P = 0.000) and cooperative societies (ß = 0.744, P = 0.021) established ranches, peace was likely to be guaranteed as opposed to where herders (ß= –0.355, P= 0.029) were allowed to establish ranches in the rural grazing communities in Nigeria implying that the Federal and State Government must be cautious in the implementation of the Livestock Transformation Plans not to create an impression that it is designed to favour the herders.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is original and the paper has not been submitted to any journal.
Business ties, adaptive capability and technological turbulence: implications for SMEs’ performance in Turkey
Authors: Uzkurt Cevahir , Ekmekcioglu Emre Burak , Ceyhan Semih
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Based on the dynamic capability theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of the adaptive capability of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the relationship between business ties and firm performance. This study also investigates the moderating role of technological turbulence in those relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,265 SME managers in Turkey. Partial least squares analysis, a variance-based structural equation modelling, was applied to examine a mediated moderation model.

Findings

The results support the proposed framework illustrating that business ties are positively related to adaptive capability and firm performance. Moreover, adaptive capability mediates the relationship between business ties and firm performance. The results also indicate that the indirect effect of business ties on firm performance through adaptive capability was moderated by technological turbulence.

Practical implications

SMEs in emerging economies need to enhance their business ties and invest in their adaptive capabilities to increase their performances. This relation becomes more strategic under technologically turbulent environments.

Originality/value

By introducing empirical data from the Turkish emerging context, this paper contributes to our understanding of how SMEs’ relational networks contribute to firm performance. From the dynamic capability perspective, it shows how SMEs use their adaptive capabilities to environmental challenges. It also fills an important gap by showing that environmental uncertainties (specifically technological turbulence) moderate the adaptive capability’s mediating impact on the relationship between business ties and firm performance. The results also provide potential future directions for dynamic capabilities research in emerging contexts.