bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of Archaeal Pseudomurein Biosynthesis Genes through Pangenomics
Authors: Lupo Valérian , Roomans Célyne , Royen Edmée , Ongena Loïc , Jacquemin Olivier , Mullender Coralie , Kerff Frédéric , Baurain Denis
Published: November 2024

The peptidoglycan (PG; or murein) is a mesh-like structure, which is made of glycan polymers connected by short peptides and surrounds the cell membrane of nearly all bacterial species. In contrast, there is no PG counterpart that would be universally found in Archaea, but rather various polymers that are specific to some lineages. Methanopyrales and Methanobacteriales are two orders of Euryarchaeota that harbor pseudomurein (PM), a structural analogue of the bacterial PG. Owing to the differences between PG and PM biosynthesis, some have argued that the origin of both polymers is not connected. However, recents studies have revealed that the genomes of PM-containing Archaea encode homologues of the bacterial genes involved in PG biosynthesis, even though neither their specific functions nor the relationships within the corresponding inter-domain phylogenies have been investigated so far. In this work, we devised a pangenomic bioinformatic pipeline to identify proteins for PM biosynthesis in Archaea without prior genetic knowledge. The taxonomic distribution and evolutionary relationships of the candidate proteins were studied in detail in Archaea and Bacteria through HMM sequence mining and phylogenetic inference of the Mur domain-containing family, the ATP-grasp superfamily and the MraY-like family. Our results show that archaeal muramyl ligases are of bacterial origin, but diversified through a mixture of horizontal gene transfers and gene duplications. However, in the ATP-grasp and MraY-like families, the archaeal members were not found to originate from Bacteria. Our pangenomic approach further identified five new genes potentially involved in PM synthesis and that would deserve functional characterization.
Jasmonate Primes Plant Responses to Extracellular ATP through Purinoceptor P2K1
Authors: Jewell Jeremy B. , Carlton Ashleigh , Bartley Laura E. , Tanaka Kiwamu
Published: November 2024

Extracellular ATP (eATP) signaling inArabidopsis thalianais mediated by the purinoceptor P2K1. Previous studies have clarified that the downstream transcriptional responses to eATP involve jasmonate (JA)-based signaling components such as the JA receptor (COI1) and JA-responsive bHLH transcription factors (MYCs). However, the specific contributions of JA signaling itself on eATP signaling are unexplored. Here, we report that JA primes plant responses to eATP through P2K1. Our findings show that JA treatment significantly upregulates P2K1 transcription, corroborating our observation that JA facilitates eATP-induced cytosolic calcium elevation and transcriptional reprogramming in a JA signaling-dependent manner. Additionally, we find that salicylic acid represses eATP-induced plant response. These results suggest that JA accumulation during biotic or abiotic stresses may potentiate eATP signaling, enabling plants to better cope with subsequent stress events.
A Genetic Toggle Switch in Plants
Authors: Kassaw Tessema K. , Xu Wenlong , Zalewski Christopher S. , Kiwimagi Katherine , Weiss Ron , Antunes Mauricio S. , Prasad Ashok , Medford June I.
Published: November 2024

In synthetic biology, genetic components are assembled to make transcriptional units, and transcriptional units are assembled into circuits to perform specific and predictable functions of a genetic device. Genetic devices have been described in bacteria, mammalian cell cultures and small organoids, yet development of programmable genetic circuits for devices in plants has lagged. Programmable genetic devices require defining the component’s quantitative functions. Because plants have long life spans, studies often use transient analysis to define quantitative functions while verification in stably engineered plants is often neglected and largely unknown. This raises a question if unique attributes of plants such as environmental sensitivity, developmental plasticity, or alternation of generations, adversely impacts predictability of plant genetic circuits and devices. Alternatively, it is also possible that genetic elements to produce predictable genetic devices for plants require rigorous characterization with detailed mathematical modeling. Here we use plant genetic elements with quantitatively characterized transfer functions and developed in silico models to guide their assembly into a genetic device: a toggle switch or a mutually inhibitory gene-regulatory device. Our approach allows computational selection of plant genetic components and iterative refinement of the circuit if the desired genetic functions are not initially achieved. We show that our computationally selected genetic circuit functions as predicted in stably engineered plants including through tissue and organ differentiation. Developing abilities to produce predictable and programmable plant genetic devices opens the prospect of predictably engineering plant’s unique abilities in sustainable human and environmental systems.
p53 engagement is a hallmark of an unfolded protein response in the nucleus of mammalian cells
Authors: Park Joseph H , Wandless Thomas J
Published: November 2024

Exposure to exogenous and endogenous stress is associated with the intracellular accumulation of aberrant unfolded and misfolded proteins. In eukaryotic cells, protein homeostasis within membrane-bound organelles is regulated by specialized signaling pathways, with the unfolded protein response in the endoplasmic reticulum serving as a foundational example. Yet, it is unclear if a similar surveillance mechanism exists in the nucleus. Here we leveraged engineered proteins called destabilizing domains to acutely expose mammalian cells to nuclear- or cytosolic- localized unfolded protein. We show that the appearance of unfolded protein in either compartment engages a common transcriptional response associated with the transcription factors Nrf1 and Nrf2. Uniquely, only in the nucleus does unfolded protein activate a robust p53-driven transcriptional response and a transient p53-independent cell cycle delay. These studies highlight the distinct effects of localized protein folding stress and the unique protein quality control environment of the nucleus.
Polyhydroxybutyrate production in freshwater SAR11 (LD12)
Authors: Bennett Brittany D. , Meier David A.O. , Lanclos V. Celeste , Asrari Hasti , Coates John D. , Thrash J. Cameron
Published: November 2024

SAR11 bacteria (orderPelagibacterales) are oligotrophs and often the most abundant bacterioplankton in aquatic environments. A subset of sequenced SAR11 genomes, predominantly in the brackish and freshwater SAR11 subclades, contain homologs ofphagenes, which in other organisms confer the ability to store carbon and energy via polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers. Here, we investigated the relevance of PHA production to SAR11 biology. Phylogenetics showed that Pha proteins occurred on a long branch and provided evidence for origin at the common ancestor of the brackish IIIa and freshwater LD12 subclades, followed by horizontal transfer within SAR11. Using the LD12 representative “CandidatusFonsibacter ubiquis” strain LSUCC0530, we found that a large minority of LSUCC0530 cells contained a single Nile red-staining granule, confirmed that the cells produced polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and estimated the total PHB content in the cells. We heterologously expressed the LSUCC0530phaCABlocus inEscherichia coli, finding it to be functional and the likely origin of the PHB. We also determined that, irrespective of changes to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations, a similar fraction of LSUCC0530 cells generated PHB granules and expression of thephaCABlocus remained constant. We suggest that PHB synthesis in LSUCC0530 may be constitutively active due to the slow growth dynamics and minimal regulation that characterize SAR11 bacteria. This is the first characterization of polymer storage in SAR11, providing new insights into the likely fitness advantage for cells harboring this metabolism.
Superconductivity and strain-enhanced phase stability of Janus tungsten chalcogenide hydride monolayers
Authors: Seeyangnok Jakkapat , Pinsook Udomsilp , Ackland Graeme J.
Published: November 2024

Janus transition metal-dichalcogenide materials have attracted a great deal of attention due to their remarkable physical properties arising from the two-dimensional geometry and the breakdown of the out-of-plane symmetry. Using first-principles density functional theory, we investigated the phase stability, strain-enhanced phase stability, and superconductivity of Janus WSeH and WSH. In addition, we investigated the contribution of the phonon linewidths from the phonon energy spectrum responsible for the superconductivity and the electron-phonon coupling as a function of phonon wave vectors and modes. Previous work has examined hexagonal 2H and tetragonal 1T structures, but we found that neither is a ground-state structure. The metastable 2H phase of WSeH is dynamically stable with Tc≈11.60K, similar to WSH. Compressive biaxial strain—the two-dimensional equivalent of pressure—can stabilize the 1T structures of WSeH and WSH with Tc≈9.23K and 10.52 K, respectively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Color-kinematics duality for nonlinear sigma models with nonsymmetric cosets
Authors: Helset Andreas
Published: November 2024

We propose an extension of the color-kinematics duality for nonlinear sigma models with nonymmetric cosets. The role of color is replaced with curvatures in field space. The duality between curvature and kinematics allows for a new double copy: the double copy of the nonlinear sigma model for nonsymmetric cosets is the general Galileon theory. We provide evidence for this new double copy of geometry.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Topological material in the III–V family: Heteroepitaxial InBi on InAs
Authors: Nicolaï Laurent , Minár Ján , Richter Maria Christine , Heckmann Olivier , Mariot Jean-Michel , Djukic Uros , Adell Johan , Leandersson Mats , Sadowski Janusz , Braun Jürgen , Ebert Hubert , Denlinger Jonathan D. , Vobornik Ivana , Fujii Jun , Šutta Pavol , Bell Gavin R. , Gmitra Martin , Hricovini Karol
Published: November 2024

InBi(001) is formed epitaxially on InAs(111)-A by depositing Bi onto an In-rich surface. Angle-resolved photoemission measurements reveal topological electronic surface states, close to the M¯ high symmetry point. This demonstrates a heteroepitaxial system entirely in the III–V family with topological electronic properties. InBi shows coexistence of Bi and In surface terminations, in contradiction with other III–V materials. For the Bi termination, the study gives a consistent physical picture of the topological surface electronic structure of InBi(001) terminated by a Bi bilayer rather than a surface formed by splitting to a Bi monolayer termination. Theoretical calculations based on relativistic density functional theory and the one-step model of photoemission clarify the relationship between the InBi(001) surface termination and the topological surface states, supporting a predominant role of the Bi bilayer termination. Furthermore, a tight-binding model based on this Bi bilayer termination with only Bi–Bi hopping terms, and no Bi–In interaction, gives a deeper insight into the spin texture.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Predicting arbitrary state properties from single Hamiltonian quench dynamics
Authors: Liu Zhenhuan , Hao Zihan , Hu Hong-Ye
Published: November 2024

Analog quantum simulation is an essential routine for quantum computing and plays a crucial role in studying quantum many-body physics. Typically, the quantum evolution of an analog simulator is largely determined by its physical characteristics, lacking the precise control or versatility of quantum gates. This limitation poses challenges in extracting physical properties on analog quantum simulators, an essential step of quantum simulations. To address this issue, we introduce the protocol, which uses a single quench Hamiltonian for estimating arbitrary state properties, eliminating the need for ancillary systems and random unitaries. Additionally, we derive the sample complexity of this protocol and show that it performs comparably to the classical shadow protocol. The Hamiltonian shadow protocol does not require sophisticated control and can be applied to a wide range of analog quantum simulators. We demonstrate its utility through numerical demonstrations with Rydberg atom arrays under realistic parameter settings. The new protocol significantly broadens the application of randomized measurements for analog quantum simulators without precise control and ancillary systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Universal scaling hypothesis of quantum spatial search in complex networks
Authors: Sato Rei , Nikuni Tetsuro , Nohara Kayoko , Salani Giorgio , Watabe Shohei
Published: November 2024

Since quantum spatial searches on networks have a strong network dependence, the question arises whether the universal perspective exists in this quantum algorithm for various networks. Here, we propose a universal scaling hypothesis of the quantum spatial search on complex networks such as small-world and scale-free networks. The average path length, a key quantity in the complex network science, is useful to expose this universal feature, where the collapse plot can be generated for the optimal time, the maximal finding probability, and the optimal hopping parameter. Based on the path integral method, we also clarify that the probability amplitude in the continuous-time quantum walk can be determined by the path length distribution.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Crystal structures and circular dichroism of {2,2′-[(1S,2S)-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diylbis(nitrilophenylmethanylylidene)]diphenolato}nickel(II) and its ethanol solvate
Authors: Ito Masataka , Chikaraishi Kasuga Noriko , Matsuse Ryo , Hirotsu Masakazu
Published: November 2024

The title compound, [Ni(C40H30N2O2)] (1), with an optically active Schiff base ligand derived from 2-hydroxybenzophenone and (1S,2S)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, was crystallized as the solvent-free and ethanol solvate forms (1 and 1·2C2H5OH). In both structures, the two phenyl groups on the stereogenic centers of the O,N,N,O-tetradentate ligand are axially oriented, and the conformation of the central diamine chelate ring is λ. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of 1 and the analogous nickel(II) complex [Ni(C30H26N2O2)] (2) in solution show partially similar patterns in the 350–450 nm range, but are mirror images in the longer wavelength region (450–650 nm). In the latter region, the sign of CD for these complexes is sensitive to the substituents on the C=N carbon atoms (phenyl for 1 and methyl for 2) rather than the diamine chelate ring conformation.
Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT and molecular docking studies of ethyl 5-amino-2-bromoisonicotinate
Authors: Mahadevaiah Harish Kumar , Shivanna Harishkumar , Hanumaiah Anil Kumar , Hirehalli Chikkegowda Devarajegowda , Bandrehalli Siddagangaiah Palakshamurthy
Published: November 2024

In the title compound, C8H9BrN2O2, the C—O—C—C torsion angle between isonicotine and the ethyl group is 180.0 (2)°. Intramolecular N—H...O and C—H...O interactions consolidate the molecular structure. In the crystal, N—H...N interaction form S(5) zigzag chains along [010]. The most significant contributions to the Hirshfeld surface arise from H...H (33.2%), Br...H/H...Br (20.9%), O...H/H...O (11.2%), C...H/H...C (11.1%) and N...H/H...N (10%) contacts. The topology of the three-dimensional energy frameworks was generated using the B3LYP/6–31 G(d,p) model to calculate the total interaction energy. The net interaction energies for the title compound are E
ele = 59.2 kJ mol−1, E
pol = 15.5 kJ mol−1, E
dis = 140.3 kJ mol−1 and E
rep = 107.2 kJ mol−1 with a total interaction energy E
tot of 128.8 kJ mol−1. The molecular structure was optimized by density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–311+G(d,p) level and the theoretical and experimentally obtained parameters were compared. The frontier molecular orbitals HOMO and LUMO were generated, giving an energy gap ΔE of 4.0931 eV. The MEP was generated to identify active sites in the molecule and molecular docking studies carried out with the title compound (ligand) and the covid-19 main protease PDB ID: 6LU7, revealing a moderate binding affinity of −5.4 kcal mol−1.
Crystal structure of a solvated dinuclear CuII complex derived from 3,3,3′,3′-tetraethyl-1,1′-(furan-2,5-dicarbonyl)bis(thiourea)
Authors: Le Canh Dinh , Nguyen Hoang Phuc , Pham Chien Thang
Published: November 2024

Reaction between equimolar amounts of 3,3,3′,3′-tetraethyl-1,1′-(furan-2,5-dicarbonyl)bis(thiourea) (H2L) and CuCl2·2H2O in methanol in the presence of the supporting base Et3N gave rise to a neutral dinuclear complex bis[μ-3,3,3′,3′-tetraethyl-1,1′-(furan-2,5-dicarbonyl)bis(thioureato)]dicopper(II) dichloromethane disolvate, [Cu2(C16H22N4O3S2)2]·2CH2Cl2 or [Cu2(L)2]·2CH2Cl2. The aroylbis(thioureas) are doubly deprotonated and the resulting anions {L
2–} bond to metal ions through (S,O)-chelating moieties. The copper atoms adopt a virtually cis-square-planar environment. In the crystal, adjacent [Cu2(L)2]·2CH2Cl2 units are linked into polymeric chains along the a-axis direction by intermolecular coordinative Cu...S interactions. The co-crystallized solvent molecules play a vital role in the crystal packing. In particular, weak C—Hfuran...Cl and C—Hethyl...Cl contacts consolidate the three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
2-Amino-5-oxo-4-(thiophen-2-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Nyapola Carren , Zamisa Sizwe J. , Njogu Eric M. , Omondi Bernard
Published: November 2024

The crystal structure of the title compound, C14H12N2O2S, reveals two symmetrically independent molecules within the asymmetric unit. Each molecule contains a chromenone core attached to a 2-thiophene ring, cyano, and amino groups. The 2-thiophene ring of one of the two molecules in the asymmetric unit was found to be disordered over two positions, with the major component having a site occupancy factor of 0.837 (2). The 2-thiophene ring is nearly orthogonal to the fused 4H-pyran ring, with dihedral angles between the two sets of planes being 89.5 (5) and 89.63 (8)°. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding, involving N—H...N and N—H...O interactions, creates two distinct motifs leading to the formation of a two-dimensional supramolecular network along the crystallographic ac plane.
Structural insights into 1,4-bis(neopentyloxy)pillar[5]arene and the pyridine host–guest system
Authors: Vinodh Mickey , Alipour Fatemeh H. , Al-Azemi Talal F.
Published: November 2024

The crystal structure of 1,4-bis(neopentyloxy)pillar[5]arene, C95H140N2O10 (TbuP), featuring two encapsulated pyridine molecules, reveals significant host–guest interactions. Interestingly, the pyridine guests are positioned near the neopentyloxy substituents instead of the electron-rich aromatic core of the pillar[5]arene. This spatial arrangement suggests a preference for the pyridine molecules to engage with the aliphatic regions of the host. Detailed analysis of the structural characteristics of this host–guest system (TbuP·2Py), as well as its packing pattern within the crystal network, is presented and discussed.
Multi-objective time-cost-safety risk trade-off optimization for the construction scheduling problem
Authors: Yılmaz Mehmet , Dede Tayfun
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enable the planning of construction projects with simultaneous consideration of time, cost and safety risks. It also aims to improve the decision-making process by evaluating the effectiveness of the Rao-2 algorithm in solving multi-objective time-cost-safety risk problems. In the end, this model is designed to support project managers in enhancing management approaches by addressing project challenges and constraints more efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the Rao-2 algorithm, along with Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) and Whale Optimization algorithm (WOA), were improved using the crowding distance-based non-dominated sorting method. Rao-2 was first compared to GWO and WOA. Subsequently, it was compared with well-established algorithms in the literature, including genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and differential evolution (DE). The C-metric, hypervolume and spread metrics were employed for performance measurement. The performance of the algorithms was evaluated on four case studies consisting of 11, 13, 18 and 25 activities.

Findings

The results revealed that Rao-2 performs better than other algorithms as the number of activities increases, when compared using the Hypervolume, Spread and C-metric measures. In terms of performance measures, the GWO algorithm outperformed Rao-2 in some evaluation metrics for the instance involving 11 activities. However, as the number of activities grew, the Rao-2 method consistently generated higher-quality Pareto fronts and outperformed GWO and WOA in all evaluation metrics. The solutions generated by Rao-2 were also superior to those obtained from GA, PSO and DE in all case studies, further demonstrating the capability of our framework to produce a wide range of optimal solutions with high diversity across different case studies.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates that Rao-2 not only improves solution quality when generating Pareto fronts but also achieves better results with fewer function evaluations compared to GA, PSO and DE. The algorithm's efficiency makes it particularly well-suited for optimizing time, cost and safety risks in large-scale construction projects, which in turn positions Rao-2 as a better choice for such projects by producing superior results compared to other algorithms. By providing high-quality solutions with reduced computational demands, Rao-2 offers a faster and more resource-efficient tool for decision-making, contributing to advancements in both the theory and practice of construction project management.
Impacts of effort recognition on nurses’ organizational commitment and turnover intention
Authors: Pham Thi Tuan Linh , Huang Tzu-Ling , Wong May-Kuen , Shyu Yea-Ing Lotus , Cheng T.C.E. , Chen Li-Tzu , Teng Ching-I
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Organizational commitment could influence nurses’ turnover intention, but we know little about how effort recognition may enhance all three aspects of nurses’ organizational commitment and consequently reduce their turnover intention. This study adopts the self-affirmation theory to examine how the number of effort recognitions received by a nurse may impact the normative, continuance and affective aspects of their organizational commitment and their turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected two-wave data from the survey responses of 481 nurses in a large medical center in Taiwan between June and August, 2017 and between January and February, 2018 as well as counting the number of times their efforts were recognized as excellent by using patient/family performance appraisal forms in 2016. Bivariate correlation was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

We found that effort recognition is positively associated with nurses’ normative organizational commitment but not with their continuance or affective commitment. The three aspects of organizational commitment are negatively associated with turnover intention.

Practical implications

Nurse managers who hope to reduce nurses’ turnover intention could consider adequately recognizing nurses’ outstanding performance.

Originality/value

The present study is the first to employ the self-affirmation theory to examine the impact of effort recognition on the three aspects of organizational commitment and turnover intention.
Research on 3D humanoid robot pose estimation based on HRNet-Epipolar and CRF robot model by multiple view
Authors: Wang Kexin , Pei Yubin , Li Zhengxiao , Wang Xuanyin
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to present an unmarked method including entire two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) methods to recover absolute 3D humanoid robot poses from multiview images.

Design/methodology/approach

The method consists of two separate steps: estimating the 2D poses in multiview images and recovering the 3D poses from the multiview 2D heatmaps. The 2D one is conducted by High-Resolution Net with Epipolar (HRNet-Epipolar), and the Conditional Random Fields Humanoid Robot Pictorial Structure Model (CRF Robot Model) is proposed to recover 3D poses.

Findings

The performance of the algorithm is validated by experiments developed on data sets captured by four RGB cameras in Qualisys system. It illustrates that the algorithm has higher Mean Per Joint Position Error than Direct Linear Transformation and Recursive Pictorial Structure Model algorithms when estimating 14 joints of the humanoid robot.

Originality/value

A new unmarked method is proposed for 3D humanoid robot pose estimation. Experimental results show enhanced absolute accuracy, which holds important theoretical significance and application value for humanoid robot pose estimation and motion performance testing.
Consumer resistance to service robots: a stressor-based perspective on engagement and wellbeing
Authors: Wong Jimmy , Wong Amy
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Applying the Innovation Resistance Theory, this study aims to examine the effects of contextual and trait stressors on consumer engagement and wellbeing in the context of service robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 560 users who interacted with a service robot at a library and a museum. The data were analyzed using Smart PLS 4.0.

Findings

The findings show the significant negative effects of perceived intrusion on consumer engagement and wellbeing. In addition, technology anxiety exhibited a significant positive effect on consumer engagement and wellbeing, whereas consumer engagement predicted wellbeing. Moreover, the findings highlight the importance of consumer engagement as a key mediator between the stressors and wellbeing.

Practical implications

The findings equip service managers with the necessary information to effectively integrate service robots in an inclusive manner that resonates with consumer engagement and wellbeing.

Originality/value

This research uses field data to empirically validate the effects of contextual and trait stressors on consumer resistance to service robots.
The relationship between government expenditure on agriculture and agriculture production
Authors: Sogah Ernest , Mawutor John Kwaku Mensah , Ofoeda Isaac , Gborse Freeman Christian
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The impact of government expenditure on economic performance has been a topic of discussion at both the sectoral and aggregate national levels. Despite its theoretical importance, evidence from literature indicates that this relationship has not been universally accepted across different countries and sectors. Given the significance of agriculture in African economies, particularly in Ghana, and the role of government in this sector, this study examines the impact of government expenditure on agricultural productivity in Ghana from 2000Q1 to 2022Q4.

Design/methodology/approach

Specification of the model was done based on the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration bound test approach.

Findings

The results revealed that the studied variables cointegrated in the long run. Government expenditure was found to induce agriculture production both for the long run and short run within the period of the study, implying that government expenditure matters in inducing agriculture productivity in Ghana.

Originality/value

The study employed the ARDL methodology to investigate government expenditure and agriculture production contagion in Ghana, which has been specifically overlooked by previous studies. It is suggested that the Government of Ghana as well as others in similar environment should increase investment into the agriculture to boost the productivity of the sector.
Artificial intelligence in the workplace – challenges, opportunities and HRM framework: a critical review and research agenda for change
Authors: Mendy John , Jain Apoorva , Thomas Asha
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper specifically aims to examine how (via which activities, methods and capabilities) organizations’ management deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to address underperformance. Five mitigation strategies/recommendations are introduced to manage the challenges and facilitate greater efficacies in changing organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conceptually synthesizes 47 articles, thematically reports and critically analyzes the AI–HRM–managerial decision-making relationship in changing organizations and discusses the impacts.

Findings

The results highlight three significant challenges and opportunities for changing organizations: (1) job performance challenges, (2) organizational performance challenges and HR and (3) collaborative intelligence opportunities.

Originality/value

The paper’s originality lies in addressing the current lack of a theoretical framework guiding HRM and AI experts on the managerial and strategic capabilities needed to address underperformance and their impacts in facilitating collective efficacies in human–AI collaboration in changing organizations. By further capturing an innovative HR Framework’s (1) human, (2) AI, (3) employees’ well-being, (4) jobs and (5) organizational performance, and its five key managerial recommendations/strategies, this paper develops two concepts: “technological servitization” and “re-ontological in-securitization” to advance theory in Managerial Psychology regarding the unintended/paradoxical consequences of managements’ AI-driven organizational performance interventions, including meaninglessness in organizations.
Effect of sustained elevated temperature on compression and split-tensile properties of concrete made with waste foundry sand
Authors: Manjunatha M. , Suresh N. , Bindiganavile Vivek , Rao Vadiraj , Shivaswamy Sanjay
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The aim of the current study is to inspect the influence of high temperatures on the compressive and split-tensile-strength (STS) of concrete mixtures produced by replacing natural river sand with waste-foundry sand (WFS) at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. When the experimental findings and the projected outcomes were compared by IS:456-2000 code equations, the STS results predicted by the suggested mathematical equations exhibit lower variations. It is proposed to employ the presented mathematical formulas to evaluate the STS of concrete cylindrical specimens at higher temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

After fabricating, concrete mixtures were allowed to cure for 28 days. For the purpose of avoiding explosive spalling during the heating process, concrete samples are taken out from the curing chamber after 28 days and allowed to dry for two days. The manufactured concrete specimen is exposed to 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C temperatures for a duration of 2 h. After the specimens have cool down to room temperature (RT), the physical test, ultrasonic-pulse-velocity (UPV) test, compressive strength test and STS test are carried out.

Findings

With an increase in WFS content, concrete specimens' residue compressive-strength and STS decreases. The STS of samples declines as the WFS content rises with increase in temperature interval. According to the UPV test, the concrete samples quality is “good” up to 400 °C; after 500 °C, it ranges from “doubtful to poor.” The UPV values of various mixes declined as the temperature increased. Mass losses increase with exposure to greater temperatures and with an increase in the proportions of WFS in concrete specimens. For mixtures MWFS-0, MWFS-1, MWFS-2, MWFS-3 and MWFS-4 (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% WFS content), no cracks were present on any of the samples below 400 °C. Concrete surfaces start to show cracks whenever the intervals of temperature increase above 400 °C.

Originality/value

In this investigation, WFS elements are totally substituted for natural sand in concrete mixtures. The residue strength properties, including residual compressive strength and residual STS, were found to be lower after exposures to greater temperature when comparisons were made to referral mixtures. When comparing specimens’ compressive strength, higher temperatures have more effects on the STS of samples with higher WFS contents.
Evaluating the visual literacy of the Kuwaiti government’s Arabic infographics during the COVID-19 pandemic: an automated visual analysis and AI approach
Authors: Al Nashmi Eisa , Almutairi Abdullah , Bashir Manaf , Alsharhan Eiman
Published: November 2024

Purpose

With infographics emerging as key communication tools on social media platforms, this study explores the visual literacy of governments in creating effective infographics, especially during crises. Using the Kuwaiti government during the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, the investigation evaluates the government’s visual competency and strategy in its infographics on X.

Design/methodology/approach

For competence, AI-based techniques were employed to analyze the proportion of text region size to total infographic size, word count per infographic and the most prominent colors used. Regarding strategy, the study utilized the crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) model as a framework to examine how the Kuwaiti government integrated crisis communication response strategies into infographics.

Findings

When communicating complex messages, the government resorted to text-heavy infographics instead of creative visualizations, casting doubt on its visual competence. The inconsistent use of colors further undermined a recognizable visual identity. Regarding strategy, infographics on crisis updates were most frequent, supporting CERC’s emphasis on reducing uncertainty. Yet, prioritizing bolstering strategies above empathy and action steps goes against the advice of existing literature.

Originality/value

While crisis communication research is widely based on textual analysis, this study extends the literature by examining visuals, specifically infographics. Additionally, focusing on Arabic infographics from Kuwait, the study expands the crisis communication literature, which has mainly concentrated on Western countries and the English language. Given the lack of consensus on the best methods to measure visual literacy, this study’s AI approaches contribute to the literature.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-03-2024-0172
Defect recognition in Ti-6Al-4V fabrication by in situ monitoring of directed energy deposition using a laser beam
Authors: Ouyang Lingxiao , Wang Hao , Aoyagi Kenta , Imamiya Yuji , Zhao Yufan , Chiba Akihiko
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between in situ monitoring characteristics and surface defects in laser-based directed energydeposited Ti-6Al-4V.

Design/methodology/approach

In situ monitoring was conducted to extract and quantify the monitoring characteristics of each frame. A two-dimensional contour map was generated using the quantified characteristics to determine the defect formation locations. Computational thermal-fluid dynamics software was used to determine which surface tension terms or shielding gas had a significant effect on the depression of the molten pool.

Findings

This study has made a significant contribution by revealing the direct correlation between the molten pool size and brightness with defect formation in laser-based DED of Ti-6Al-4V. It was found that in regions of reduced height, the molten pool exhibited increased size and brightness, leading to surface depressions due to vapor recoil pressure flattening the molten pool. Moreover, the results highlighted that the enhanced Marangoni forces, caused by a high-temperature gradient, hindered the proper accumulation of molten metal, exacerbating height reductions. This insight provides a deeper understanding of how molten pool dynamics directly influence surface quality, which is a critical factor in DED processes.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understanding of the relationship between in situ monitoring characteristics and surface defects in laser-based directed energy-deposited Ti-6Al-4V. Additionally, by using in situ monitoring and computational analysis, significant insights were gained into the factors influencing molten pool behavior and subsequent surface defects.
Research on digital twin technology and its application in intelligent operation and maintenance of high-speed railway infrastructure
Authors: liu Yi , Li Ping , Feng Boqing , Pan Peifen , Wang Xueying , Zhao Qiliang
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper analyzes the application of digital twin technology in the field of intelligent operation and maintenance of high-speed railway infrastructure from the perspective of top-level design.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the definition, connotations, characteristics and key technologies of digital twin technology. It also conducts a thorough analysis of the current state of digital twin applications, with a particular focus on the overall requirements for intelligent operation and maintenance of high-speed railway infrastructure. Using the Jinan Yellow River Bridge on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway as a case study, the paper details the construction process of the twin system from the perspectives of system architecture, theoretical definition, model construction and platform design.

Findings

Digital twin technology can play an important role in the whole life cycle management, fault prediction and condition monitoring in the field of high-speed rail operation and maintenance. Digital twin technology is of great significance to improve the intelligent level of high-speed railway operation and management.

Originality/value

This paper systematically summarizes the main components of digital twin railway. The general framework of the digital twin bridge is given, and its application in the field of intelligent operation and maintenance is prospected.
Information and communication technologies, financial inclusion and economic growth: evidence from high- and low-income countries
Authors: Nugraha Dhita Aditya , Sugiharso Safuan Sugiharso Safuan
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) and financial inclusion on economic growth. This study also examines whether ICT can be a determinant of financial inclusion. Moreover, this study provides new evidence concerning whether ICT can reduce the financial inclusion gap.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the country-level data over the period 2005–2019 and estimate using the dynamic and the static panel model.

Findings

The results show that the ICT and financial inclusion interaction variable substantially and positively impacts economic growth for only certain interaction variables. ICT is an essential determinant of financial inclusion and reduces some gaps.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by considering whether ICT and financial inclusion impact economic growth in high- and low-income countries. The other contribution of this study is that ICT represents a determinant in promoting financial inclusion. The final contribution of this study is providing new evidence concerning whether ICT can reduce the financial inclusion gap so that financial access can increase, financial inclusion can develop and simultaneously encourage economic growth.
Efficacy of an Inactivated Whole‐Virus A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR‐165) (H3N2) Influenza Vaccine in Ferrets
Authors: Kishida Noriko , Imai Masaki , Ainai Akira , Asanuma Hideki , Saito Reiko , Fujisaki Seiichiro , Shirakura Masayuki , Nakamura Kazuya , Kuwahara Tomoko , Takashita Emi , Tashiro Masato , Odagiri Takato , Watanabe Shinji
Published: November 2024

It has been reported that the high‐growth reassortant (HGR) A(H3N2) influenza viruses used for split influenza vaccine (SV) production have some amino acid substitutions in hemagglutinin due to egg adaptation during virus propagation, causing antigenic differences between HGR and epidemic viruses. To clarify whether inactivated whole‐virus vaccine (WV) derived from the A(H3N2) HGR virus possessing egg adaptation could induce cross‐protective immune responses against epidemic A(H3N2) viruses, the efficacy of WV was compared with that of SV in a ferret model. When the ferrets immunized with WV or SV derived from HGR A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR‐165) virus were challenged with the homologous virus A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR‐165) or its original cell‐propagated A/Victoria/361/2011 virus, respectively, WV successfully shortened the duration of virus shedding of both challenge viruses, whereas SV shortened only that of the homologous virus, A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR‐165). When WV‐immunized ferrets were challenged with A/Fukushima/69/2015 virus, which is an epidemic virus antigenically different from the A/Victoria/361/2011 virus, WV could shorten the duration of shedding of this virus. In addition, we found that early induction of nasal IgG and IgA antibodies by vaccines helped shorten the virus‐shedding period, although this was dependent on the degree of difference in antigenicity of the challenge virus. These results indicate that vaccination with WV, not with SV, would be a solution to avoid decreased vaccine effectiveness due to the antigenic change of HGR virus by egg adaptation during virus propagation.
Bee microbiomes in a changing climate: Investigating the effects of temperature on solitary bee life history and health
Authors: Crowley Bailey L. , Schaeffer Robert N.
Published: November 2024

Climate change is rapidly warming thermal environments, an important abiotic stimulus governing interactions between microbial symbionts and their hosts. Increasing evidence suggests that solitary bees rely on pollen provision microbes for successful development. However, the effects of heat stress on provision microbiota and the resulting consequences for larval health and development remain to be examined. We performed an in vitro study to investigate the effects of the thermal environment on provision microbiome composition and measured fitness outcomes for Osmia lignaria larvae. While pollen sterilisation removed bacteria from microbe‐rich provisions, larval survivorship did not significantly differ between bees reared on microbe‐rich (unmanipulated) diets and provisions treated with ethylene oxide (EO) gas. In contrast to previous research in solitary bees, larvae reared on EO‐treated provisions weighed more and had higher total fat content, with temperature moderating the degree of difference. As anticipated, we observed a negative relationship between the duration of larval development and temperature. Our results indicated that an intact provision microbiota may not always improve bee fitness and that bee‐microbe interactions during larval development may contribute to the size‐shrinking effect observed for cavity‐nesting bees under warming conditions.
Do Gender Differences in Mental Health Contribute to Gender Differences in Physical Health? An Instrumental Variables Approach
Authors: Zikos Vasileios
Published: November 2024

Existing research indicates that gender disparities in mental health contribute to gender disparities in physical health. However, the observed relationship might be driven by the endogeneity of mental health. By combining high‐quality panel data with standard estimation techniques, we initially confirm the previous findings. In contrast, when we account for the endogeneity of mental health using the death of a relative and the death of a spouse as instruments, we observe a change in the existing result. Although the positive and significant impact of mental health on physical health persists, the disparity between women and men becomes negligible.
The Umbilical1
Authors: Barlow Jay
Published: November 2024

Traditional psychoanalytic approaches view excessive parental, social or relational involvement in human development as an opportunity for linking complex gender and identity experiences. The analyst's unconscious bias might present them with an opportunity for interpretation that might resemble something akin to conversion therapy. All of which leaves the patient feeling alienated thereby confirming their exiled Self. Early relational trauma affects every gender and sexual identity. In turn each traumatic situation, from inappropriate interference to traumatic abuse, affects how an individual forms and experiences relationships. Gender and sexual identity are fluid agencies of the Self within all human development. For people who are non‐normative when it comes to their gender, identity or sexuality, evidence of early relational trauma should not unthinkingly be treated alongside mental health struggles. This clinical paper explores the once‐weekly analytic work with a young trans man who was exiled and lived in a dysregulated state of mind from his early relational trauma. This paper uses images from the artist Louise Bourgeois to explore the early development of projective identification and to propose that this becomes a way of exiling unwanted feelings into the Other with the hope of finding a place of belonging as if through a psychic umbilical.
Closing a gap or creating a new one? Comparing support for participatory instruments among different stakeholders
Authors: WAUTERS BRAM , HAESEVOETS TESSA , VERSCHUERE BRAM , ROETS ARNE , STEYVERS KRISTOF , PITTOORS GILLES , BERKVENS LIESE , DE SMEDT NINA , GOUTRY WILLEM , VAN SEVEREN RUBEN
Published: November 2024

Representative democracy is perceived to be in crisis in many Western countries. Increasing citizen participation is often considered to be a remedy to close this gap between government and the people. Which instruments should be used to realize this remains, however, open for discussion. In this article, we compare attitudes of citizens, politicians and civil servants towards a number of participatory instruments. We assess to what extent these attitudes are influenced by ‘interests’ (operationalized as the formal position one takes: either politician, citizen or civil servant) and ‘ideas’ (measured as ideological beliefs), while holding the institutional context constant (the local level in Flanders [Belgium]). Analyses based on a large‐scale survey (N = 4,168) show that although the ideological position of the respondents to some extent affects attitudes towards particular participatory instruments, especially their formal position has a considerable impact on how participatory instruments are appreciated. Indeed, different stakeholders distinctly advance different instruments as the best way to enhance citizen participation. This raises questions about the potential of citizen participation to narrow the gap between citizens and policymakers, as diverging attitudes towards particular instruments might create a new gap rather than closing one.