bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signatures of time interval reproduction in the human electroencephalogram (EEG)
Authors: McCone H. , Butler J.S. , O’Connell R.G.
Published: December 2023

Accurate timing is essential for coordinating our actions in everyday tasks such as playing music and sport. Although an extensive body of research has examined the human electrophysiological signatures underpinning timing, the specific dynamics of these signals remain unclear. Here, we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) while participants performed a variant of a time interval reproduction task that has previously been administered to macaques, and examined how task performance was predicted by the dynamics of three well known EEG signals: limb-selective motor preparation in the mu/beta band (8-30Hz), the Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) and the Centro-Parietal Positivity (CPP) evidence accumulation signal. In close correspondence with single unit recordings in macaques, contralateral mu/beta signals indicated that participants reproduced intervals by adjusting the starting level and build-up rate of motor preparation to reach a response triggering threshold at the desired time. The CNV showed a highly similar pattern with the exception that its pre-response amplitude was increased for faster reproductions. This pattern of results suggests that, rather than tracing a veridical temporal accumulator as had been suggested in earlier work, the CNV more closely resembles a dynamic anticipatory signal. In contrast, the CPP did not exhibit any relationship with reproduction time suggesting that the evidence accumulation processes guiding perceptual decisions are not involved in generating representations of elapsed time. Our findings highlight close similarities in the dynamics exhibited by intracranial and non-invasive motor preparation signals during interval reproduction while indicating that the CNV traces a functionally distinct process whose precise role remains to be understood.
Dopamine enhances GABAAreceptor-mediated current amplitude in a subset of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Bergum Nikolas , Berezin Casey-Tyler , Vigh Jozsef
Published: December 2023

Neuromodulation in the retina is crucial for effective processing of retinal signal at different levels of illuminance. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), the neurons that drive non-image forming visual functions, express a variety of neuromodulatory receptors that tune intrinsic excitability as well as synaptic inputs. Past research has examined actions of neuromodulators on light responsiveness of ipRGCs, but less is known about how neuromodulation affects synaptic currents in ipRGCs. To better understand how neuromodulators affect synaptic processing in ipRGC, we examine actions of opioid and dopamine agonists have on inhibitory synaptic currents in ipRGCs. Although µ-opioid receptor (MOR) activation had no effect on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) currents, dopamine (via the D1R) amplified GABAergic currents in a subset of ipRGCs. Furthermore, this D1R-mediated facilitation of the GABA conductance in ipRGCs was mediated by a cAMP/PKA-dependent mechanism. Taken together, these findings reinforce the idea that dopamine’s modulatory role in retinal adaptation affects both non-image forming as well as image forming visual functions.
Tropical Race 4 and Race 1 strains causing Fusarium wilt of banana infect and survive inHeliconiaspecies and ornamental bananas
Authors: la Parte Einar Martínez de , Meijer Harold J.G. , Quesada Mauricio Guzmán , Rodriguez Claudiana Carr , Jimenez Silvia Masis , Vicente Luis Pérez , Kema Gert H.J.
Published: December 2023

Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by soilborneFusariumspp., is a major global threat to the cultivation of bananas. In addition to persistent chlamydospores, weeds are a reservoir of the causal agents. However, it remains unclear whether other Zingiberales species, which are grown in the same geographic regions, also can serve as hosts forFusariumspp. that cause FWB. Greenhouse assays were conducted to investigate whetherFusarium phialophorum(Race 1; pathogenic to Gros Michel banana) andFusarium odoratissimum(TR4; pathogenic to Cavendish banana) can infect threeHeliconiaspecies, two ornamental banana species orMusa textilis(abacá).Heliconia latispatha, Musa balbisiana, andMusa coccineadisplayed external symptoms after inoculation with TR4, while inoculation with Race 1 caused symptoms inH. latispatha, H. psittacorum, M. coccinea, andM. velutina. Isolates recovered from distinct organs of all studied plant species were characterized and re-isolated strains caused FWB symptoms in Gros Michel and Cavendish banana plants, and their rhizome discolored area scores were similar to the reference strains. The susceptibility of some ornamental species and the presence ofFusariumstrains as asymptomatic endophytes in others, with remaining pathogenicity, call for a revision of the race nomenclature and the current containment protocols for FWB.
Cholesterol Dysregulation Drives Seed-Dependent Tau Aggregation in Patient Stem Cell-Derived Models of Tauopathy
Authors: Lam Morrie , Kuo Szu-Yu , Reis Surya , Gestwicki Jason E. , Silva M. Catarina , Haggarty Stephen J.
Published: December 2023

Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the progressive misfolding and accumulation of pathological tau protein in focal regions of the brain, leading to insidious neurodegeneration. Abnormalities in cholesterol metabolism and homeostasis have also been implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the connection between cholesterol dysregulation and tau pathology remains largely unknown. To model and measure the impact of cholesterol dysregulation on tau, we utilized a combination ofin vitroandex vivotau aggregation assays using an engineered tau biosensor cell line and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuronal cultures from an individual harboring an autosomal dominant P301L tau mutation and from a healthy control. We demonstrate that excess cholesterol esters lead to an increased rate of tau aggregationin vitroand an increase in seed-dependent insoluble tau aggregates detected in the biosensor line. We observed a strong correlation between cholesterol ester concentration and the presence of high-molecular-weight, oligomeric tau species. Importantly, in tauopathy patient iPSC-derived neurons harboring a P301L tau mutation with endogenous forms of misfolded tau, we show that acute dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis through acute exposure to human plasma-purified cholesterol esters formed by the linkage of fatty acids to the hydroxyl group of cholesterol leads to the rapid accumulation of phosphorylated tau. Conversely, treatment with the same cholesterol esters pool did not lead to subsequent accumulation of phosphorylated tau in control iPSC-derived neurons. Finally, treatment with a heterobifunctional, small-molecule degrader designed to selectively engage and catalyze the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of aberrant tau species prevented cholesterol ester-induced aggregation of tau in the biosensor cell line in a Cereblon E3 ligase-dependent manner. Degrader treatment also restored the resiliency of tauopathy patient-derived neurons towards cholesterol ester-induced tau aggregation phenotypes. Taken together, our study supports a key role of cholesterol dysregulation in tau aggregation. Moreover, it provides further pre-clinical validation of the therapeutic strategy of targeted protein degradation with heterobifunctional tau degraders for blocking tau seeding.
Foliar inoculation ofPhyllachora maydisinto corn induces infection and local spread in field environments
Authors: Solórzano José E. , Subbaiah Aarav , Floyd Crystal , Kleczewski Nathan M. , Malvick Dean K.
Published: December 2023

Tar spot of corn (Zea maysL.) is a significant disease in the United States and Canada caused byPhyllachora maydis, an obligate biotroph fungus. However, field research critical for understanding, managing, and mitigating the disease has been hindered by a need for methods to inoculate corn withP. maydisin field environments. In this study, we developed a method to initiate tar spot in field settings using inoculations of corn leaves withP. maydisinoculum that had been stored at -20 °C for 10 months. Stromata ofP. maydiswere observed 19 days after inoculation (dai), and the spread of tar spot was initially detected locally from the infection area 39 to 41 dai. Tar spot was not present in the fields beyond the inoculated area or localized spread area, signifying that the establishment of the disease resulted solely from inoculations. This study enhances our understanding of inoculation and infection of corn withP. maydisand tar spot development in field environments. The results will aid new research into understanding the corn tar spot pathosystem and improving management strategies.
Boosting bactericidal immunity of a recombinantMycobacterium smegmatisstrain via zinc-dependent ribosomal proteins
Authors: Singh Shivani , Kanzin David , Chavez Sarah , Saavedra-Avila N. Alejandra , Ng Tony W. , Lukose Regy , Mayer Oren , Kim John , Chen Bing , Chen Mei , Porcelli Steven A. , Jacobs William R. , Tiwari Sangeeta
Published: December 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major global health burden and kills over a million people annually. New immunization strategies are required for the development of an efficacious TB vaccine that can potentially induce sterilizing immunity. In this study, we first confirmed that various strains of the IKEPLUS vaccine confer a higher survival benefit than BCG in a murine model of intravenousMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) infection. We have shown that there was a significant increase in the expression of the Rv0282 when IKEPLUS was grown in low zinc and iron containing Sauton medium. We confirmed on biofilm assays that zinc plays a vital role in the growth and formation ofMycobacterium smegmatis(M. smegmatis) biofilms. IKEPLUS grown in low zinc media led to better protection of mice after intravenous challenge with very high dosage of Mtb. We also showed that various variants of IKEPLUS induced apoptotic cell-death of infected macrophages at a higher rate than wild typeM. smegmatis. We next attempted to determine if zinc containing ribosomal proteins such as rpmb2 could contribute to protective efficacy against Mtb infection. Since BCG has an established role in anti-mycobacterial efficacy, we boosted BCG vaccinated mice with rmpb2 but this did not lead to an increment in the protection mediated by BCG.
Efficient and accurate detection of viral sequences at single-cell resolution reveals putative novel viruses perturbing host gene expression
Authors: Luebbert Laura , Sullivan Delaney K. , Carilli Maria , Eldjárn Hjörleifsson Kristján , Winnett Alexander Viloria , Chari Tara , Pachter Lior
Published: December 2023

There are an estimated 300,000 mammalian viruses from which infectious diseases in humans may arise. They inhabit human tissues such as the lungs, blood, and brain and often remain undetected. Efficient and accurate detection of viral infection is vital to understanding its impact on human health and to make accurate predictions to limit adverse effects, such as future epidemics. The increasing use of high-throughput sequencing methods in research, agriculture, and healthcare provides an opportunity for the cost-effective surveillance of viral diversity and investigation of virus-disease correlation. However, existing methods for identifying viruses in sequencing data rely on and are limited to reference genomes or cannot retain single-cell resolution through cell barcode tracking. We introduce a method that accurately and rapidly detects viral sequences in bulk and single-cell transcriptomics data based on highly conserved amino acid domains, which enables the detection of RNA viruses covering over 100,000 virus species. The analysis of viral presence and host gene expression in parallel at single-cell resolution allows for the characterization of host viromes and the identification of viral tropism and host responses. We applied our method to identify putative novel viruses in rhesus macaque PBMC data that display cell type specificity and whose presence correlates with altered host gene expression.
Best Paper awards lack transparency, inclusivity, and support for Open Science
Authors: Lagisz Malgorzata , Rutkowska Joanna , Aich Upama , Ross Robert M. , Santana Manuela S. , Wang Joshua , Trubanová Nina , Page Matthew J. , Pua Andrew Adrian Yu , Yang Yefeng , Amin Bawan , Martinig April Robin , Barnett Adrian , Surendran Aswathi , Zhang Ju , Borg David N. , Elisee Jafsia , Wrightson James G. , Nakagawa Shinichi
Published: December 2023

Awards can propel academic careers. They also reflect the culture and values of the scientific community. But, do awards incentivise greater transparency, diversity, and openness in science? Our cross-disciplinary survey of 222 awards for the “best” journal articles across all 27 SCImago subject areas revealed that journals and learned societies administering such awards generally publish little detail on their procedures and criteria. Award descriptions are brief, rarely including contact details or information on the nominations pool. Nominations of underrepresented groups are not explicitly encouraged and concepts that align with Open Science are almost absent from the assessment criteria. Instead, such awards increasingly rely on article-level impact metrics. USA-affiliated researchers dominated the winner’s pool (48%), while researchers from the Global South and developing countries were uncommon (11%). Sixty-one-percent of individual winners were men. Thus, Best Paper awards miss the global calls for greater transparency and equitable access to academic recognition.
DNA-protein interaction is dominated by short anchoring elements
Authors: Chen Hong , Xu Yongping , Ge Hao , Su Xiao-dong
Published: December 2023

To understand the regulation of gene expression, it is essential to elucidate the binding mechanism of DNA binding domain (DBD) of transcription factors (TFs), and predict the location of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). For an exhaustive search of TFBSs, we have investigated four typical TFs with diverse origins, such as WRKY, PU.1, GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR (GR), and MYC2 by using a newly developed method, KaScape. During KaScape experiments, we identified short sequences (3-4 bases) or “anchoring element” (AE) for the four TFs that dominated the bound population of DNA-DBD binding. We further developed the AEEscape (AE Energy landscape) algorithm to detect and confirm the AE and derived its binding energy landscape for all possible sequences. Our analysis of the energy landscape revealed an energetic funnel around the TFBS, which is related to the AE density gradient in the region surrounding the TFBS. Our results provide novel insights into the mechanism of TF binding to TFBSs.
The importance of the location of the N-terminus in successful protein foldingin vivoandin vitro
Authors: Dall Natalie R , Mendonça Carolina A T F , Torres Vera Héctor L , Marqusee Susan
Published: December 2023

Protein folding in the cell often begins during translation. Many proteins fold more efficiently co-translationally than when refolding from a denatured state. Changing the vectorial synthesis of the polypeptide chain through circular permutation could impact functional, soluble protein expression and interactions with cellular proteostasis factors. Here, we measure the solubility and function of every possible circular permutant (CP) of HaloTag inE. colicell lysate using a gel-based assay, and in livingE. colicells via FACS-seq. We find that 78% of HaloTag CPs retain protein function, though a subset of these proteins are also highly aggregation-prone. We examine the function of each CP inE. colicells lacking the co-translational chaperone trigger factor and the intracellular protease Lon, and find no significant changes in function as a result of modifying the cellular proteostasis network. Finally, we biophysically characterize two topologically-interesting CPsin vitrovia circular dichroism and hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled with mass spectrometry to reveal changes in global stability and folding kinetics with circular permutation. For CP33, we identify a change in the refolding intermediate as compared to WT HaloTag. Finally, we show that the strongest predictor of aggregation-prone expression in cells is the introduction of termini within the refolding intermediate. These results, in addition to our findings that termini insertion within the conformationally-restrained core is most disruptive to protein function, indicate that successful folding of circular permutants may depend more on changes in folding pathway and termini insertion in flexible regions than on the availability of proteostasis factors.
Regulation of blood pressure by METTL3 via RUNX1b-eNOS pathway in endothelial cells
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Yang Xiaoxiao , Lan Mei , Yuan Ze , Li Shuai , Liu Yangping , Han Cha , Ai Ding , Yang Yang , Zhu Yi , Li Bochuan
Published: December 2023

Background

Endothelial cells regulate vascular tone to control the blood pressure (BP) by producing both relaxing and contracting factors. Previously, we identified methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a primaryN6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, as a key player in alleviating endothelial atherogenic progression. However, its involvement in BP regulation remains unclear.

Methods

To evaluate the role of METTL3in vivo, mice with EC specific METTL3 deficiency (EC-Mettl3KO) with or without Ang II infusion were used to create a hypertensive model. Functional and MeRIP sequencing analysis were performed to explore the mechanism of METTL3-mediated hypertension.

Results

We observed a reduction in endothelial METTL3 activity by Ang IIin vitroandin vivo. Endothelial METTL3-deficient mice exhibited higher BP than controls, both before and after Ang II infusion. Through m6A sequencing and functional analysis, we identified m6A modification of various RUNX1 monomers resulted in endothelial dysfunction. Mutations in the 3′UTR region of RUNX1b abolished its luciferase reporter activity, and enhanced eNOS promoter luciferase reporter activity with or without METTL3 overexpression. Overexpression of METTL3 by adeno-associated virus reduced Ang II-induced BP elevation.

Conclusion

This study reveals that METTL3 alleviates hypertension through m6A-dependent stabilization ofRUNX1bmRNA, leading to upregulation of eNOS, thus underscoring the pivotal role of RNA transcriptomics in the regulation of hypertension.
Basement membrane extract potentiates the endochondral ossification phenotype of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-based cartilage organoids
Authors: Notoh Hinako , Yamasaki Satoshi , Suzuki Nobuaki , Suzuki Atsuo , Okamoto Shuichi , Kanematsu Takeshi , Suzuki Naruko , Katsumi Akira , Kojima Tetsuhito , Matsushita Tadashi , Tamura Shogo
Published: December 2023

Endochondral ossification is a developmental process in the skeletal system and bone marrow of vertebrates. During endochondral ossification, primitive cartilaginous anlages derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergo vascular invasion and ossification.In vitroregeneration of endochondral ossification is beneficial for research on the skeletal system and bone marrow development as well as their clinical aspects. However, to achieve the regeneration of endochondral ossification, a stem cell-based artificial cartilage (cartilage organoid, Cart-Org) that possesses an endochondral ossification phenotype is required. Here, we modified a conventional 3D culture method to create stem cell-based Cart-Org by mixing it with a basement membrane extract (BME) and further characterized its chondrogenic and ossification properties. BME enlarged and matured the bone marrow MSC-based Cart-Orgs without any shape abnormalities. Histological analysis using Alcian blue staining showed that the production of cartilaginous extracellular matrices was enhanced in Cart-Org treated with BME. Transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing revealed that BME altered the gene expression pattern of Cart-Org to a dominant chondrogenic state. BME triggered the activation of the SMAD pathway and inhibition of the NK-κB pathway, which resulted in the upregulation ofSOX9,COL2A1, andACANin Cart-Org. BME also facilitated the upregulation of genes associated with hypertrophic chondrocytes (IHH,PTH1R,andCOL10A1) and ossification (SP7,ALPL, andMMP13). Our findings indicate that BME promotes cartilaginous maturation and further ossification of bone marrow MSC-based Cart-Org, suggesting that Cart-Org treated with BME possesses the phenotype of endochondral ossification.

Highlights

Basement membrane extract (BME) enlarges MSC-based Cart-Org.

BME activates the SMAD pathway and inhibits the NK-kB pathway of the Cart-Org.

BME promotes cartilaginous maturation and further ossification of Cart-Org.
A YIPF5-GOT1A/B complex directs a transcription-independent function of ATF6 in ER export
Authors: Cramer Paul , Yonemura Yoji , Behrendt Laura , Marszalek Aleksandra , Sannai Mara , Durso William , Günes Cagatay , Szafranski Karol , Nakamura Nobuhiro , Nasrashvili Tornike , Mayer Johanna , von Eyss Björn , Kaether Christoph
Published: December 2023

Exit from the endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by the Sar1/COPII machinery and a number of accessory factors. How the initial steps of cargo recruitment upstream of Sar1/COPII are mediated remains unclear, but the dihydropyridine FLI-06 inhibits cargo recruitment into ER exit sites. Here, we used chemical genetics screening approaches in conjunction with FLI-06 treatment and identified the ER membrane proteins YIPF5 and GOT1A/B as putative components of early export processes. Surprisingly, the two homologous proteins GOT1A and GOT1B, coded byGOLT1AandGOLT1B, respectively, exhibited opposite functions after treatment with FLI-06: increasing the expression of GOT1A or reducing the expression of GOT1B or YIPF5 prevented inhibition of ER-export by FLI-06. Inhibiting ER export with FLI-06 elicited a specific ER stress-related gene expression signature distinct from the ER-stress signature induced by Thapsigargin. The interactomes of GOT1A and GOT1B suggested a connection to ER-stress mediators. Moreover, RNA-Seq data showed that FLI-06-induced genes are strongly enriched for ATF6 target genes which are suppressed by GOLT1A overexpression or GOLT1B knock-down. This suggests that ATF6 signaling is involved in FLI-06-mediated toxicity, and we could demonstrate that siRNA-mediated knock-down or specific inhibitor of ATF6 rescued cells from FLI-06-mediated cell death. Knock-down or inhibition of ATF6 is sufficient to resume transport from the ER under FLI-06-treatment, suggesting that ATF6 is directly involved in the FLI-06-mediated ER-export block. Surprisingly, our data show that this ATF6 function is independent ofde novotranscription, implying a novel, transcription-independent function of ATF6.
ECM1 Attenuates Hepatic Fibrosis by Interfering with Mediators of Latent TGF-β1 Activation
Authors: Link Frederik , Li Yujia , Zhao Jieling , Munker Stefan , Fan Weiguo , Nwosu Zeribe , Yao Ye , Wang Shanshan , Huang Chenjun , Hammad Seddik , Liebe Roman , Liu Hui , Shao Chen , Gao Chunfang , Sun Bing , Torok Natalie J. , Ding Huiguo , Ebert Matthias , Weng Honglei , Dijke Peter ten , Drasdo Dirk , Dooley Steven , Wang Sai
Published: December 2023

Objective: Extracellular Matrix Protein 1 (ECM1) serves as a gatekeeper of hepatic fibrosis by maintaining transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in its latent form. ECM1 knockout (KO) causes latent (L) TGF-β1 activation, resulting in hepatic fibrosis with rapid mortality. In chronic liver disease (CLD), ECM1 decreases with increasing CLD severity. We investigate the regulatory role of ECM1 in TGF-β1 bioavailability and its impact on CLD progression. Design: RNAseq was performed to analyze hepatic gene expression. Functional assays were performed using hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Ecm1-KO and Fxr-KO mice, patient liver tissue, and computer simulations. Results: Expression of LTGF-β1 activators, including thrombospondins (TSPs), ADAMTS proteases, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) increased along with pro-fibrotic gene expression in liver tissue of Ecm1-KO mice. In HSCs, overexpression of ECM1 prevented TSP-1-, ADAMTS1-, and MMP-2/9-mediated LTGF-β1 activation. In vitro interaction assays demonstrated that ECM1 inhibited LTGF-β1 activation by interacting with TSP-1 and ADAMTS1 via their respective, intrinsic KRFK or KTFR amino acid sequences, and by suppressing MMP-2/9 proteolytic activity. In mice, ECM1 overexpression attenuated KRFK-induced LTGF-β1 activation, while KTFR treatment reversed Ecm1-KO- and Fxr-KO-mediated liver injury. In patients with CLD, ECM1 expression was inversely correlated with TSP-1, ADAMTS1, MMP-2/9 expression and LTGF-β1 activation. And these results were complemented by a computational compartment model representing the key network of cellular phenotypes and predicted interactions in liver fibrogenesis. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the hepatoprotective effect of ECM1, which interferes with mediators of LTGF-β1 activation, suggesting ECM1 or its representative peptide as potential anti-fibrotic therapies in CLD.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a new benzimidazole compound, 3-{1-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-1H-1,3-benzodiazol-2-yl}phenol
Authors: Bouhidel Zakaria , Sahli Kaouther , Cherouana Aouatef
Published: December 2023

The title compound, C20H16N2O2, is composed of two monosubstituted benzene rings and one benzimidazole unit. The benzimidazole moiety subtends dihedral angles of 46.16 (7) and 77.45 (8)° with the benzene rings, which themselves form a dihedral angle of 54.34 (9)°. The crystal structure features O—H...N and O—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, which together lead to the formation of two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded layers parallel to the (101) plane. In addition, π–π interactions also contribute to the crystal cohesion. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most significant contacts in the crystal packing are: H...H (47.5%), O...H/H...O (12.4%), N...H/H...N (6.1%), C...H/H...C (27.6%) and C...C (4.6%).
Tetraaqua(ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2
N,N′)nickel(II) naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate dihydrate
Authors: Suyunov Jabbor R. , Turaev Khayit Kh. , Alimnazarov Bekmurod Kh. , Ibragimov Aziz B. , Mengnorov Islombek J. , Rasulov Abdusamat A. , Ashurov Jamshid M.
Published: December 2023

The reaction of ethane-1,2-diamine (en, C2H8N2), the sodium salt of naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid (H2NDS, C10H8O6S2), and nickel sulfate in an aqueous solution resulted in the formation of the title salt, [Ni(C2H8N2)(H2O)4](C10H6O6S2)·2H2O or [Ni(en)(H2O)4](NDS)·2H2O. In the asymmetric unit, one half of an [Ni(en)(H2O)4]2+ cation and one half of an NDS2− anion, and one water molecule of crystallization are present. The Ni2+ cation in the complex is positioned on a twofold rotation axis and exhibits a slight tetragonal distortion of the cis-NiO4N2 octahedron, with an Ni—N bond length of 2.0782 (16) Å, and Ni—O bond lengths of 2.1170 (13) Å and 2.0648 (14) Å. The anion is completed by inversion symmetry. In the extended structure, the cations, anions, and non-coordinating water molecules are connected by intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonding, as well as C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional network.
Review on aviation intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coating
Authors: Chen Yajun , Sui Zehuan , Du Juan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the research progress of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in the aviation field in the past few years. The paper provides certain literature review supports and development direction suggestions for future research on intelligent self-healing coatings in aviation.

Design/methodology/approach

This mini-review uses a systematic literature review process to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings that have been researched and applied in the field of aviation in recent years. In total, 64 articles published in journals in this field in the last few years were analysed in this paper.

Findings

The authors conclude that the incorporation of multiple external stimulus-response mechanisms makes the coatings smarter in addition to their original self-healing corrosion protection function. In the future, further research is still needed in the research and development of new coating materials, the synergistic release of multiple self-healing mechanisms, coating preparation technology and corrosion monitoring technology.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the few systematic literature reviews on intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in aviation. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the topical issues of such coatings and present their views and opinions by discussing the opportunities and challenges that self-healing coatings will face in future development.
Fractal model of thermal contact conductance of rough surfaces based on axisymmetric cosinusoidal asperity
Authors: Sun Xianguang , Xin Xicheng
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a fractal model of thermal contact conductance of rough surfaces based on axisymmetric cosinusoidal asperity.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of contact load, fractal dimension, fractal roughness and friction coefficient on the thermal contact conductance of rough surfaces were investigated in this study.

Findings

The findings suggest that as the contact load increases, the thermal contact conductance of rough surfaces also increases. In addition, an increase in the fractal dimension corresponds to an increase in the thermal contact conductance. Conversely, an increase in fractal roughness leads to a decrease in thermal contact conductance. The smaller the friction coefficient, the lower the thermal contact conductance of the rough surface. In practical engineering applications, it is possible to achieve the desired thermal contact conductance of rough surfaces by selecting surfaces with appropriate roughness.

Originality/value

A fractal model of thermal contact conductance of rough surfaces based on axisymmetric cosinusoidal asperity was established in this study. The findings of this study offer a theoretical foundation for investigating the thermal contact conductance of rough surfaces.
Intellectual capital, digital transformation and firm performance: evidence based on listed companies in the Chinese construction industry
Authors: Zhang Yang , Li Hui , Yao Zeliang
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the effects of intellectual capital and its constituents on the performance of listed companies operating in China's construction sector. The study also intends to examine the moderating role of digital transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses will be tested using Modified Value-Added Intellectual Capital (MVAIC). The sample will be comprised of 93 Shenzhen and Shanghai A-share listed companies within the construction industry from the period of 2015–2021. Multiple regression analysis was employed to investigate the influence of intellectual capital, its components and digital transformation on the performance of construction firms.

Findings

The study's results reveal that the performance of construction firms greatly depends on intellectual capital and its components. Furthermore, digital transformation plays a vital moderating role between intellectual capital and its components and construction firm performance.

Practical implications

This study addresses a critical inquiry on how construction managers can employ intellectual capital to enhance the performance of firms during digital transformation. Additionally, this research bridges this gap by guiding construction managers to concentrate on their external surroundings when examining firm performance.

Originality/value

By focusing on the predictors influencing construction firms' performance, this study contributes to the existing corpus of knowledge. This study employs resource orchestration theory (ROT) to determine how the different components of intellectual capital impact the performance of construction firms, with digital transformation acting as a moderating variable. This research will be valuable to researchers, construction industry professionals and policymakers.
What and how influence the safety knowledge sharing of new generation of construction workers in China: a study based on DEMATEL and ISM
Authors: Ni Guodong , Zhou Qi , Miao Xinyue , Niu Miaomiao , Zheng Yuzhuo , Zhu Yuanyuan , Ni Guoxuan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

New generation of construction workers (NGCWs) who were born in the 1980s and later have gradually become the main workforce of Chinese construction industry. They may behave differently when dealing with knowledge-related activities due to divergent characteristics caused by generational discrepancy. To provide a theoretical foundation for construction companies and safety managers to improve safety management, this research explores the factors and paths impacting the NGCWs' ability to share their safety knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on literature review, main factors that influence the safety knowledge sharing of the NGCWs were identified. Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory and Interpretive Structural Modeling were applied to identify the hierarchical and contextual relations among the factors influencing the safety knowledge sharing of the NGCWs.

Findings

The results showed that sharing atmosphere ranked first in centrality and had a high degree of influence and being influenced, indicating itself an extremely important influencing factor of safety knowledge sharing of NGCWs. Six root influencing factors were identified, including individual characteristics, work pressure, sharing platform, incentive mechanism, leadership support and safety management system.

Research limitations/implications

The number of influencing factors of safety knowledge sharing of the NGCWs identified in this study is limited, and the data obtained by the expert scoring method is subjective. In future studies, the model should be further developed and validated by incorporating experts from different fields to improve its integrity and applicability.

Practical implications

The influencing factors identified in this paper can provide a basis for construction companies and safety managers to improve productivity and safety management by taking relevant measures to promote safety knowledge sharing. The research contributes to the understanding knowledge management in the context of the emerging market. It helps to answer the question of how the market can maintain the economic growth success through effective knowledge management.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the influencing factors of NGCWs' safety knowledge sharing from the perspective of intergenerational differences, and the 13 influencing factor index system established expands the scope of research on factors influencing safety knowledge sharing among construction workers and fills the gap in safety knowledge sharing research on young construction workers. Furthermore, this paper establishes a multi-layer recursive structure model to clarify the influence path of the influencing factors and contributes to the understanding of safety knowledge sharing mechanism.
Predicting students' soft skills: the role of psychological capital, psychological well-being and grade levels
Authors: Saman Abdul , Wirawan Hillman
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Soft skills are essential not only for students but also for employees in any workplace. Some factors influence the development of soft skills in high schools. This study investigates the effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on soft skills through the role of psychological well-being at different students’ grade levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Three scales (i.e. the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, the Scale of Psychological Well-being and the soft skills assessment) were used on 707 high school students from seven senior high schools. The data were analysed using a moderated-mediation regression technique to reveal the conditional indirect effect of PsyCap on soft skills.

Findings

The results suggested that students' grade levels moderated the indirect effect of PsyCap on soft skills via psychological well-being. Students in higher grades showed a stronger impact of PsyCap on soft skills via psychological well-being.

Research limitations/implications

The psychological states of students should be regarded as one of the most critical aspects of education and career advancement. Schools should assist students in developing their soft skills. Students, regardless of grade level, would begin to occupy their PsyCap, ensure their psychological well-being and finally, engage in soft skills development activities.

Originality/value

This current study has shifted from simply assessing soft skills to investigating some avenues for developing soft skills in various contexts and areas. If the theoretical model is well established, teachers and educators can effectively improve soft skills intervention by understanding the antecedents of soft skills.
Scale to measure project resilience for the construction sector to cope with hazards
Authors: Rahi Khalil , Abu Baker Faris , Preece Christopher , Abu Jadayil Wisam
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test and validate a scale for measuring project resilience in the construction sector within the built environment. By identifying relevant indicators and items, the study aims to enhance the resilience of construction projects and minimize losses and failures resulting from disruptive events such as societal, technological, biological and environmental hazards (e.g. Covid-19, war in Ukraine, shortage of resources, etc.).

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative approach, specifically exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, to evaluate the suitability, dimensionality and reliability of the proposed indicators and items for measuring project resilience in the construction sector.

Findings

The study found that 9 indicators and 34 items were suitable for measuring project resilience in the construction sector, and the proposed model showed good fit for the two dimensions of project resilience, which may have practical implications for project managers in the construction sector within the built environment.

Originality/value

The study proposes a new scale for measuring project resilience in the construction sector, which is a novel contribution to the field of project management. The study identifies specific indicators and items that are relevant to this industry, which may have practical implications for project managers in this sector. The study also highlights the need for further research to make the project resilience scale more robust and reliable.
The accreditation paradigm: a comparative analysis of accreditations for management programmes
Authors: Reddy J. Srikanth , Sharma Ritu , Gupta Narain
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The present paper concerns the domestic and international accreditations of business schools to find the commonalities in various accreditation standards. The study also addresses cost involvement and comparisons between various accreditations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examined the requirements, methods and preparations for many national and international accrediting authorities. The accreditation criteria, history and guidelines were collected from secondary data sources. The content analysis was used to draw conclusions about the similarities and differences between the data sources and identify any differences and similarities between various accreditations.

Findings

The study found commonalities across accreditation standards and cost analyses, helping institutions achieve suitable accreditations. To unify the administrative procedure at the institutional level and reduce duplicates for schools seeking multiple accreditations, similarities in all accreditation requirements are analysed. The comparison helps organisations determine which accreditation standard best suits their needs and goals. Schools with limited budgets might compare accreditation costs to determine which are worth pursuing.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to comparing a few accreditation bodies related to management education. In future research, the study may be extended to other areas. The use of the approach developed in this study for evaluating accreditation agencies of different streams, such as engineering, science and medicine, will be the study's future implications.

Practical implications

The research indicates that schools can streamline accreditation by identifying commonalities, aligning procedures, comparing standards and conducting cost assessments. These insights aid efficient accreditation and inform accrediting bodies' framework enhancements. Standards facilitate global performance comparisons.

Originality/value

This is likely the first study to compare Indian and international accreditations using the accreditation frameworks and cost analyses using comparative analysis. The study recommends strategies for achieving academic benchmarks through continuous improvement activities and success in international competition.
Interpersonal deviance, organizational deviance and socio-emotional factors at work: the role of socio-demographic traits
Authors: Abas Basit , Vo-Thanh Tan , Bukhari Shazia , Villivalam Srikanth , Senbeto Dagnachew Leta
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The existing hospitality and tourism literature indicates a discrepancy in the findings related to the socio-demographic variables' impact on hotel employees' socio-emotional factors and behavioral outcomes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire, primary data were gathered from hotel employees in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India from February to June 2022. A total of 416 valid responses collected through offline mode were used in the data analysis. Multiple linear regressions were done using SPSS V.29.

Findings

The findings show that the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents significantly affect socio-emotional factors at work as well as interpersonal deviance and organizational deviance.

Practical implications

Policymakers and hotel managers can implement training and development programs that assist hotel employees with diversified socio-demographic attributes in handling stress, developing their emotional intelligence and minimizing workplace deviance. The study also provides hotel managers with actional recommendations to reduce work–family conflict, social disparity among employees and their emotional exhaustion.

Originality/value

The study adds to the literature with a comprehensive framework regarding the role of various socio-demographic traits in fostering interpersonal deviance, organizational deviance and socio-emotional factors at work.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2023-0304
At what age do Mexicans suffer the most financial stress?
Authors: García Mata Osvaldo
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Needs change as people get older. Procuring resources to satisfy them can generate anguish and insecurities in consumers due to their financial situation. This study aims to analyze the relationship between age and financial stress among Mexican adults and estimate the age of their maximum financial stress.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on constructing a financial stress indicator using the confirmatory factor analysis and linear regression models with a quadratic term, employing data from the National Survey on Financial Inclusion 2021.

Findings

Results show that the relationship between age and financial stress follows a quadratic pattern, with a maximum level at age 56, which varies according to sex, marital status, number of dependents, education and regions. These findings interest financial product designers and policy developers who aim to improve consumers' well-being.

Research limitations/implications

Longitudinal studies and indicators, such as financial fragility, are needed to facilitate refining models over time.

Originality/value

There is no evidence of studies that have addressed the age of maximum financial stress in Latin America. Doing so is relevant because identifying the stages in life when adults are most vulnerable to financial stress helps assess its causes more precisely, thus mitigating its adverse effects.
A novel approach integrating IF-AHP, IF-DEMATEL and CoCoSo methods for sustainability management in food digital manufacturing supply chain systems
Authors: Ortíz-Barrios Miguel Angel , Madrid-Sierra Stephany Lucia , Petrillo Antonella , Quezada Luis E.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Food manufacturing supply chain systems are the most relevant wheels of the world economy since they provide essential products supporting daily life. Nevertheless, various supply inefficiencies have been reported to compromise food safety in different regions. Sustainable supplier management and digitalization practices have become cornerstone activities in addressing these shortcomings. Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated method for sustainability management in digital manufacturing supply chain systems (DMSCS) from the food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The Intuitionistic Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (IF-AHP) was used to weigh the criteria and subcriteria under uncertainty. Second, the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (IF-DEMATEL) was applied to determine the main DMSCS sustainability drivers whilst incorporating the expert's hesitancy. Finally, the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) was implemented to pinpoint the weaknesses hindering DMSCS sustainability. A case study from the pork supply chain was presented to validate this method.

Findings

The most important criterion for DMSCS sustainability management is “location” while “manufacturing capacity” is the most significant dispatcher.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel approach integrating IF-AHP, IF-DEMATEL, and CoCoSo methods for sustainability management of DMSCS pillaring the food industry.