bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoid chrono-pharmacology unveils novel targets for the cardiomyocyte-specific GR-KLF15 axis in cardiac glucose metabolism
Authors: Durumutla Hima Bindu , Prabakaran Ashok Daniel , Soussi Fadoua El Abdellaoui , Akinborewa Olukunle , Latimer Hannah , McFarland Kevin , Piczer Kevin , Werbrich Cole , Jain Mukesh K , Haldar Saptarsi M , Quattrocelli Mattia
Published: December 2023

Circadian time-of-intake gates the cardioprotective effects of glucocorticoid administration in both healthy and infarcted hearts. The cardiomyocyte-specific glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its co-factor, Krüppel-like factor (Klf15), play critical roles in maintaining normal heart function in the long-term and serve as pleiotropic regulators of cardiac metabolism. Despite this understanding, the cardiomyocyte-autonomous metabolic targets influenced by the concerted epigenetic action of GR-Klf15 axis remain undefined. Here, we demonstrate the critical roles of the cardiomyocyte-specific GR and Klf15 in orchestrating a circadian-dependent glucose oxidation program within the heart. Combining integrated transcriptomics and epigenomics with cardiomyocyte-specific inducible ablation of GR or Klf15, we identified their synergistic role in the activation of adiponectin receptor expression (Adipor1) and the mitochondrial pyruvate complex (Mpc1/2), thereby enhancing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and pyruvate oxidation. Furthermore, in obese diabetic (db/db) mice exhibiting insulin resistance and impaired glucose oxidation, light-phase prednisone administration, as opposed to dark-phase prednisone dosing, effectively restored cardiomyocyte glucose oxidation and improved diastolic function towards control-like levels in a sex-independent manner. Collectively, our findings uncover novel cardiomyocyte-autonomous metabolic targets of the GR-Klf15 axis. This study highlights the circadian-dependent cardioprotective effects of glucocorticoids on cardiomyocyte glucose metabolism, providing critical insights into chrono-pharmacological strategies for glucocorticoid therapy in cardiovascular disease.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Brief summary

Depending on when it is taken during the day, the drug prednisone activates the heart to
Data-driven selection of analysis decisions in single-cell RNA-seq trajectory inference
Authors: Dong Xiaoru , Leary Jack R. , Yang Chuanhao , Brusko Maigan A. , Brusko Todd M. , Bacher Rhonda
Published: December 2023

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiments have become instrumental in developmental and differentiation studies, enabling the profiling of cells at a single or multiple time-points to uncover subtle variations in expression profiles reflecting underlying biological processes. Benchmarking studies have compared many of the computational methods used to reconstruct cellular dynamics, however researchers still encounter challenges in their analysis due to uncertainties in selecting the most appropriate methods and parameters. Even among universal data processing steps used by trajectory inference methods such as feature selection and dimension reduction, trajectory methods’ performances are highly dataset-specific. To address these challenges, we developed Escort, a framework for evaluating a dataset’s suitability for trajectory inference and quantifying trajectory properties influenced by analysis decisions. Escort navigates single-cell trajectory analysis through data-driven assessments, reducing uncertainty and much of the decision burden associated with trajectory inference. Escort is implemented in an accessible R package and R/Shiny application, providing researchers with the necessary tools to make informed decisions during trajectory analysis and enabling new insights into dynamic biological processes at single-cell resolution.
Enhancing Rice Growth and Yield with Weed Endophytic BacteriaAlcaligenes faecalisandMetabacillus indicusUnder Reduced Chemical Fertilization
Authors: Fatema Kaniz , Mahmud Nur Uddin , Gupta Dipali Rani , Siddiqui Md. Nurealam , Sakif Tahsin Islam , Sarker Aniruddha , Sharpe Andrew G , Islam Tofazzal
Published: December 2023

Endophytic bacteria, recognized as eco-friendly biofertilizers, have demonstrated the potential to enhance crop growth and yield. While the plant growth-promoting effects of endophytic bacteria have been extensively studied, the impact of weed endophytes remains less explored. In this study, we aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from native weeds and assess their plant growth-promoting abilities in rice under varying chemical fertilization. The evaluation encompassed measurements of mineral phosphate and potash solubilization, as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production activity by the selected isolates. Two promising strains, tentatively identified asAlcaligenes faecalis(BTCP01) from Eleusine indica (Goose grass) andMetabacillus indicus(BTDR03) fromCynodon dactylon(Bermuda grass) based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, exhibited noteworthy phosphate and potassium solubilization activity, respectively. BTCP01 demonstrated superior phosphate solubilizing activity, while BTDR03 exhibited the highest potassium (K) solubilizing activity. Both isolates synthesized IAA in the presence of L-tryptophan, with the detection ofnifHandipdCgenes in their genomes. Application of isolates BTCP01 and BTDR03 through root dipping and spraying at the flowering stage significantly enhanced the agronomic performance of rice variety BRRI dhan29. Notably, combining both strains with 50% of recommended N, P, and K fertilizer doses led to a substantial increase in rice grain yields compared to control plants receiving 100% of recommended doses. Taken together, our results indicate that weed endophytic bacterial strains hold promise as biofertilizers, potentially reducing the dependency on chemical fertilizers by up to 50%, thereby fostering sustainable rice production.
Extracellular vesicles propagate aging in COPD airway epithelial cells by transfer of microRNA-34a
Authors: Devulder Justine V. , Baker Jonathan R. , Fenwick Peter S. , Odqvist Lina , Donnelly Louise E. , Barnes Peter J.
Published: December 2023

Rationale

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with the acceleration of lung aging, demonstrated by the accumulation of senescent cells in lung tissue. MicroRNA (miR)-34a is induces senescence by suppressing the key anti-aging molecule, sirtuin-1 (SIRT1). Senescent cells spread senescence to neighboring and distant cells, which favors the progression of COPD and its comorbidities. The mechanisms for spreading senescence remain undetermined but may be mediated by the transfer of microRNAs in extracellular vesicles.

Objectives

To analyze the miRNA content of extracellular vesicles in COPD and explore their effect on cellular senescence of healthy cells

Methods

EVs were isolated from small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) from healthy donors or COPD patients. Recipient healthy SAEC were cultured with EVs and the expression of miR-34a and markers of cellular senescence, p21CIP1and SIRT1, were measured.

Main Results

EVs from COPD cells induce senescence in healthy recipient cells via the selective transfer of miR-34a. We showed that COPD SAEC produce increased numbers of EVs enriched with miR-34a. EVs are taken up by healthy cells, resulting in reduced expression of the anti-aging molecule sirtuin-1 and increased expression of markers of senescence, such as p21CIP1and positive staining for senescence-associated β-galactosidase

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence of the mechanism by which EVs spread cellular senescence in human primary cells via miR-34a, rather than via soluble mediators. EVs enriched with miR-34a may spread senescence locally, accounting for disease progression, but also provide a mechanism for distant spread to account for comorbidities and multimorbidity of the elderly.
Male-specific features ofC. elegansneuronal aging
Authors: Weng Yifei , Murphy Coleen T.
Published: December 2023

Aging is a complex biological process, with sexually dimorphic aspects. For example, men and women differ in their vulnerabilities in cognitive decline, suggesting biological sex may contribute to the heterogeneous nature of aging. Although we know a great deal about the cognitive aging of hermaphrodites of the model systemC. elegans,less is known about cognitive decline in males. Through behavioral analyses, we found that the cognitive aging process has both sex-shared and sex-dimorphic characteristics. Through neuron-specific sequencing, we identified neuronal age-associated sex-differential targets. In addition to sex-shared neuronal aging genes, males differentially downregulate mitochondrial metabolic genes and upregulate GPCR genes with age. In addition, the X chromosome exhibits increased gene expression in hermaphrodites and altered dosage compensation complex expression with age, indicating possible X-chromosomal dysregulation that contributes to sexual dimorphism in cognitive aging. Finally, we found that the sex-differentially expressed genehrg-7, which encodes an aspartic-type endopeptidase, regulates male behavior during cognitive aging but does not affect hermaphrodites’ behaviors. Overall, these results suggest that males and hermaphrodites exhibit different age-related neuronal changes. This study will strengthen our understanding of sex-specific vulnerability and resilience and help identify new pathways to target with novel treatments that could benefit both sexes.
Early Intervention with Electrical Stimulation Reduces Neural Damage After Stroke in Non-human Primates
Authors: Zhou Jasmine , Khateeb Karam , Yazdan-Shahmorad Azadeh
Published: December 2023

Ischemic stroke is a neurological condition that results in significant mortality and long-term disability for adults, creating huge health burdens worldwide. For stroke patients, acute intervention offers the most critical therapeutic opportunity as it can reduce irreversible tissue injury and improve functional outcomes. However, currently available treatments within the acute window are highly limited. Although emerging neuromodulation therapies have been tested for chronic stroke patients, acute stimulation is rarely studied due to the risk of causing adverse effects related to ischemia-induced electrical instability. To address this gap, we combined electrophysiology and histology tools to investigate the effects of acute electrical stimulation on ischemic neural damage in non-human primates. Specifically, we induced photothrombotic lesions in the monkey sensorimotor cortex while collecting electrocorticography (ECoG) signals through a customized neural interface. Gamma activity in ECoG was used as an electrophysiological marker to track the effects of stimulation on neural activation. Meanwhile, histological analysis including Nissl, cFos, and microglial staining was performed to evaluate the tissue response to ischemic injury. Comparing stimulated monkeys to controls, we found that theta-burst stimulation administered directly adjacent to the ischemic infarct at 1 hour post-stroke briefly inhibits peri-infarct neuronal activation as reflected by decreased ECoG gamma power and cFos expression. Meanwhile, lower microglial activation and smaller lesion volumes were observed in animals receiving post-stroke stimulation. Together, these results suggest that acute electrical stimulation can be used safely and effectively as an early stroke intervention to reduce excitotoxicity and inflammation, thus mitigating neural damage and enhancing stroke outcomes.
RLKdb: A comprehensive curated receptor-like kinase family database
Authors: Yin Zhiyuan , Liu Jinding , Dou Daolong
Published: December 2023

Dear Editor,

Since the first plant receptor-like kinase (RLK) geneZmPK1was cloned fromZea maysin 1990 (Walker & Zhang, 1990), this large gene family has been extensively studied and shown to play crucial roles in growth, development, and immunity (Tanget al., 2017). RLKs are widespread in the plant kingdom, while the biological functions of most RLKs remain largely elusive (Dievartet al., 2020). Given RLKs share a conserved monophyletic RLK/Pelle kinase domain, RLKs in several model plants are classified into distinct families by extracellular domains (ECDs) (Shiu & Bleecker, 2001). However, independent domain shuffling in specific lineages drives the origin of novel families, which raises a question: how about the landscape of RLKs in the whole plant kingdom? Previously, sequence homology-based methods have been widely used for RLK identification and classification, which probably will miss the distantly related proteins but with similar structures and potential novel families unmentioned in the literature. The academic community urgently requires a dedicated database for a systematic overview of the RLK gene family, providing data support for in-depth research on RLK genes. Here, we used a topology-based method to accurately isolate the RLKomes from proteomes. The obtained RLKomes were further classified into (sub)families based on ECD domains. We constructed a comprehensively curated plant RLK database (https://biotec.njau.edu.cn/rlkdb/), which contains valuable resources for investigating the origin and evolution of the RLK family and multiple online tools for personalized analysis.
Cell-based production of Fc-GlcNAc and Fc-alpha-2,6 sialyl glycan enriched antibody with improved effector functions through glycosylation pathway engineering
Authors: Huang Han-Wen , Shivatare Vidya S. , Tseng Tzu-Hao , Wong Chi-Huey
Published: December 2023

Glycosylation of antibody plays an important role in Fc-mediated killing of tumor cells and virus-infected cells through effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP) and vaccinal effect. Previous studies showed that therapeutical humanized antibodies with α2-6 sialyl complex type (SCT) glycan attached to Fc-Asn297 exhibited optimal binding to the Fc receptors on effector cells associated with ADCC, ADCP and vaccinal effect. However, the production of antibodies with homogeneous Fc-SCT needs multiplein vitroenzymatic and purification steps. In this study, we report two different approaches to shorten the processes to produce SCT-enriched antibodies. First, we expressed a bacterial endoglycosidase in GNT1-KO EXPI293 cells to trim allN-glycans to mono-GlcNAc glycoforms forin vitrotransglycosylation to generate homogeneous SCT antibody. Second, we engineered the glycosylation pathway of HEK293 cells through knockout of the undesired glycosyltransferases and expression of the desired glycosyltransferases to produce SCT enriched antibodies with similar binding affinity to Fc receptors and ADCC activity to homogenous SCT antibody.
The impact of speaker accent on discourse processing: a frequency investigation
Authors: Thomas Trisha , Martin Clara D. , Caffarra Sendy
Published: December 2023

Previous studies show that there are differences in native and foreign speech processing (Lev-Ari, 2018) while mixed evidence has been found regarding differences between dialectal and foreign accent processing (see: Adank et al., 2009; Floccia et al. 2006 but see also: Floccia et al., 2009; Girard et al., 2008). Within this field, two theories have been proposed. The Perceptual Distance Hypothesis states that the mechanisms underlying dialectal accent processing are attenuated versions of those of foreign (Clarke & Garrett, 2004). While, the Different Processes Hypothesis argues that the mechanisms of foreign and dialectal accent processing are qualitatively different (Floccia et al, 2009). A recent study looking at single-word EEG data, suggested that there may be flexibility in processing mechanisms (Thomas et al., 2022). The present study deepens this investigation by addressing in which frequency bands native, dialectal and foreign accent processing differ when listening to extended speech. Electroencephalographic data was recorded from 30 participants who listened to dialogues of approximately six minutes spoken in native, dialectal and foreign accents. Power spectral density estimation (1-35 hz) was performed. Linear mixed models were done in frequency windows of particular relevance to discourse processing. Frequency bands associated with phoneme [gamma], syllable [theta], and prosody [delta] were considered along with those of general cognitive mechanisms [alpha and beta]. Results show power differences in the Gamma frequency range. While in higher frequency ranges foreign accent processing is differentiated from power amplitudes of native and dialectal accent processing, in low frequencies we do not see any accent-related power amplitude modulations. This suggests that there may be a difference in phoneme processing for native accent types and foreign accent, while we speculate that top-down mechanisms during discourse processing may mitigate the effects observed with short units of speech.
eIF5A controls mitoprotein import by relieving ribosome stalling at theTIM50translocase mRNA
Authors: Barba-Aliaga Marina , Bernal Vanessa , Rong Cynthia , Zid Brian M. , Alepuz Paula
Published: December 2023

The efficient import of nuclear-encoded proteins into mitochondria is crucial for proper mitochondrial function. The conserved translation factor eIF5A is primarily known as an elongation factor which binds ribosomes to alleviate ribosome stalling at sequences encoding polyprolines or combinations of proline with glycine and charged amino acids. eIF5A is known to impact the mitochondrial function across a variety of species although the precise molecular mechanism underlying this impact remains unclear. We found that depletion of eIF5A in yeast drives reduced translation and levels of TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation proteins. We further found that loss of eIF5A leads to the accumulation of mitoprotein precursors in the cytosol as well as to the induction of a mitochondrial import stress response. Here we identify an essential polyproline-containing protein as a direct eIF5A target for translation: the mitochondrial inner membrane protein Tim50, which is the receptor sub-unit of the TIM23 translocase complex. We show how eIF5A directly controls mitochondrial protein import through the alleviation of ribosome stalling alongTIM50mRNA at the mitochondrial surface. Removal of the polyprolines from Tim50 rescues the mitochondrial import stress response, as well as the translation of oxidative phosphorylation reporter genes in an eIF5A loss of function. Overall, our findings elucidate how eIF5A impacts the mitochondrial function by reducing ribosome stalling and facilitating protein translation, thereby positively impacting the mitochondrial import process.
Predicting stop codon reassignment improves functional annotation of bacteriophages
Authors: Cook Ryan , Telatin Andrea , Bouras George , Camargo Antonio Pedro , Larralde Martin , Edwards Robert A. , Adriaenssens Evelien M.
Published: December 2023

The majority of bacteriophage diversity remains uncharacterised, and new intriguing mechanisms of their biology are being continually described. Members of some phage lineages, such as theCrassvirales, repurpose stop codons to encode an amino acid by using alternate genetic codes. Here, we investigated the prevalence of stop codon reassignment in phage genomes and subsequent impacts on functional annotation. We predicted 76 genomes within INPHARED and 712 vOTUs from the Unified Human Gut Virome catalogue (UHGV) that repurpose a stop codon to encode an amino acid. We re-annotated these sequences with modified versions of Pharokka and Prokka, called Pharokka-gv and Prokkagv, to automatically predict stop codon reassignment prior to annotation. Both tools significantly improved the quality of annotations, with Pharokka-gv performing best. For sequences predicted to repurpose TAG to glutamine (translation table 15), Pharokka-gv increased the median gene length (median of per genome medians) from 287 to 481 bp for UHGV sequences (67.8% increase) and from 318 to 550 bp for INPHARED sequences (72.9% increase). The re-annotation increased mean coding density from 66.8% to 90.0%, and from 69.0% to 89.8% for UHGV and INPHARED sequences. Furthermore, the proportion of genes that could be assigned functional annotation increased, including an increase in the number of major capsid proteins that could be identified. We propose that automatic prediction of stop codon reassignment before annotation is beneficial to downstream viral genomic and metagenomic analyses.
The current landscape and emerging challenges of benchmarking single-cell methods
Authors: Cao Yue , Yu Lijia , Torkel Marni , Kim Sanghyun , Lin Yingxin , Yang Pengyi , Speed Terence P , Ghazanfar Shila , Yang Jean Yee Hwa
Published: December 2023

With the rapid development of computational methods for single-cell sequencing data, benchmarking serves as a valuable resource. As the number of benchmarking studies surges, it is timely to assess the current state of the field. We conducted a systematic literature search and assessed 282 papers, including all 130 benchmark-only papers from the search and an additional 152 method development papers containing benchmarking. This collective effort provides the most comprehensive quantitative summary of the current landscape of single-cell benchmarking studies. We examine performances across nine broad categories, including often ignored aspects such as role of datasets, robustness of methods and downstream evaluation. Our analysis highlights challenges such as how to effectively combine knowledge across multiple benchmarking studies and in what ways can the community recognise the risk and prevent benchmarking fatigue. This paper highlights the importance of adopting a community-led research paradigm to tackle these challenges and establish best practice standards.
Single-cell analysis reveals lasting immunological consequences of influenza infection and respiratory immunisation in the pig lung
Authors: Muir Andrew , Paudyal Basudev , Schmidt Selma , Sedaghat-Rostami Ehsan , Chakravarti Soumendu , Hernández Sonia Villanueva , Moffat Katy , Polo Noemi , Angelopoulos Nicos , Schmidt Anna , Tenbusch Matthias , Freimanis Graham , Gerner Wilhelm , Richard Arianne C. , Tchilian Elma
Published: December 2023

The pig is a natural host for influenza viruses and integrally involved in virus evolution through interspecies transmissions between humans and swine. Swine have many physiological, anatomical, and immunological similarities to humans, and are an excellent model for human influenza. Here, we employed single RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and flow cytometry to characterize the major leucocyte subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), twenty-one days after H1N1pdm09 infection or respiratory immunization with an adenoviral vector vaccine expressing haemagglutinin and nucleoprotein with or without IL-1β. Mapping scRNA-seq clusters from BAL onto those previously described in peripheral blood facilitated annotation and highlighted differences between tissue resident and circulating immune cells. ScRNA-seq data and functional assays revealed lasting impacts of immune challenge on BAL populations. First, mucosal administration of IL-1β reduced the number of functionally active Treg. Second, influenza infection upregulated IFI6 in BAL cells, decreasing their susceptibility to virus replicationin vitro. Our data provides a reference map of porcine BAL cells and reveals lasting immunological consequences of influenza infection and respiratory immunisation in a highly relevant large animal model for respiratory virus infection.

Author Summary

Pigs and humans have a similar anatomy and physiology. In humans, cells from lung-washes are used to study immune responses and it was shown that these cells are crucial in protection against respiratory diseases such as influenza and COVID-19. To better understand lung immunity, we compared genes expressed in cells of pig lung-wash to white blood cells, providing an atlas for future studies of immunity in the lung. We also tested a vaccine given to the lung containing IL-1β, a strong immune activator that protects mice against influenza virus infection. However, although IL-1β increased pig immune responses it did not protect pigs against infection. We also showed that the number of immune cells that dampen immune responses (regulatory T cells) is reduced. In addition, we demonstrated increased expression of a protein, IFI6, 21 days after infection showing that while immune cells in the lung have common properties, the invading organisms influence them significantly. Our study elucidates why some vaccines fail despite inducing powerful immune responses, emphasizes the need for caution when applying results from small animals like mice to humans, and indicates the importance of the pig as a model to study disease in humans and livestock.
The membrane curvature inducing REEP1 proteins generate a novel ER-derived vesicular compartment
Authors: Shibata Yoko , Mazur Emily E. , Pan Buyan , Hernandez Sebastien V. , Zhang Jiuchun , Rapoport Tom A.
Published: December 2023

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is shaped by abundant, membrane curvature-generating proteins that include the REEP family member REEP5. The REEP1 subfamily, consisting of REEP1-4 in mammals, differs in abundance and topology from REEP5. Mutations in REEP1 and REEP2 cause Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, but REEP1-4’s function remains enigmatic. Here we show that the REEP1 proteins reside in a novel vesicular compartment and identify features that determine their localization. Mutations in REEP1 proteins that compromise curvature-inducing activity, including those that cause disease, relocalize the proteins to the bulk ER. These mutants interact with wildtype proteins to retain them in the ER, consistent with their autosomal-dominant disease inheritance. REEP1vesicles contain the fusogen atlastin-1, but not general ER proteins. We propose that REEP1 proteins generate these vesicles themselves by budding directly from the ER, and that they cycle back to the ER by atlastin-mediated fusion. The vesicles may serve to regulate ER tubule dynamics.
State-dependent memory retrieval: insights from neural dynamics and behavioral perspectives
Authors: Wang Fei , Chen Xu , Bo Binshi , Zhang Tianfu , Liu Kaiyuan , Jiang Jun , Wang Yonggang , Xie Hong , Liang Zhifeng , Guan Ji-Song
Published: December 2023

Memory retrieval is strikingly susceptible to external states (environment) and internal states (mood states and alcohol), yet we know little about the underlying mechanisms. We examined how internally generated states influence successful memory retrieval using the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of laboratory mice during memory retrieval. Mice exhibited a strong tendency to perform memory retrieval correctly only in the reinstated mammillary body-inhibited state, in which mice were trained to discriminate auditory stimuli in go/no-go tasks. fMRI revealed that distinct auditory cues engaged differential brain regions, which were primed by internal state. Specifically, a cue associated with a reward activated the lateral amygdala, while a cue signaling no reward predominantly activated the postsubiculum. Modifying these internal states significantly altered the neural activity balance between these regions. Optogenetic inhibition of those regions in the precue period blocked the retrieval of type-specific memories. Our findings suggest that memory retrieval is under the control of two interrelated neural circuits underlying the neural basis of state-dependent memory retrieval.
Crystal structure of a water oxidation catalyst solvate with composition (NH4)2[FeIV(L-6H)]·3CH3COOH (L = clathrochelate ligand)
Authors: Plutenko Maksym O. , Shylin Sergii I. , Shova Sergiu , Blinder Aleksander V. , Fritsky Igor O.
Published: December 2023

The synthetic availability of molecular water oxidation catalysts containing high-valent ions of 3d metals in the active site is a prerequisite to enabling photo- and electrochemical water splitting on a large scale. Herein, the synthesis and crystal structure of diammonium {μ-1,3,4,7,8,10,12,13,16,17,19,22-dodecaazatetracyclo[8.8.4.13,17.18,12]tetracosane-5,6,14,15,20,21-hexaonato}ferrate(IV) acetic acid trisolvate, (NH4)2[FeIV(C12H12N12O6)]·3CH3COOH or (NH4)2[FeIV(L–6H)]·3CH3COOH is reported. The FeIV ion is encapsulated by the macropolycyclic ligand, which can be described as a dodeca-aza-quadricyclic cage with two capping triazacyclohexane fragments making three five- and six six-membered alternating chelate rings with the central FeIV ion. The local coordination environment of FeIV is formed by six deprotonated hydrazide nitrogen atoms, which stabilize the unusual oxidation state. The FeIV ion lies on a twofold rotation axis (multiplicity 4, Wyckoff letter e) of the space group C2/c. Its coordination geometry is intermediate between a trigonal prism (distortion angle φ = 0°) and an antiprism (φ = 60°) with φ = 31.1°. The Fe—N bond lengths lie in the range 1.9376 (13)–1.9617 (13) Å, as expected for tetravalent iron. Structure analysis revealed that three acetic acid molecules additionally co-crystallize per one iron(IV) complex, and one of them is positionally disordered over four positions. In the crystal structure, the ammonium cations, complex dianions and acetic acid molecules are interconnected by an intricate system of hydrogen bonds, mainly via the oxamide oxygen atoms acting as acceptors.
Mediating role of quality of work life between work-related social capital and life satisfaction among health professionals
Authors: Rashid Irfana , Amin Faseeh
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The main aim of this study is to highlight the significance of fostering social capital and improving the quality of work life (QWL) for the well-being of healthcare workers. The second objective of this research is to address a notable gap in the current knowledge by examining the mediating influence of QWL on the relationship between work-related social capital and life satisfaction within the healthcare profession.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional research methodology to examine the complex relationships among the variables and included a sample of 330 individuals who are employed full-time in the healthcare profession in the North Indian Region.

Findings

The study confirms all research hypotheses, showing that social capital improves work life. Thus, work-life quality improves life satisfaction significantly. The mediation analysis in this study used bootstrapping to show that work-life quality mediates the association between social capital and life satisfaction.

Practical implications

Addressing social support issues and using effective human resource management tactics can improve employees’ work life and satisfaction. The findings are essential in collectivistic cultures because strong workplace relationships improve professional welfare.

Originality/value

This study differentiates itself by analysing social capital and QWL as multi-dimensional constructs inside the workplace, ensuring the results’ correctness and validity. This study provides a distinct viewpoint for scholars and practitioners, enhancing comprehension of the correlation between life satisfaction and work-related social capital within the healthcare industry.
Last-mile distribution and commodity availability, security and access: the moderating role of supply chain integration
Authors: Adusei Samuel , Nuertey Dorcas , Poku Emmanuel
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study investigated the relationship between last-mile distribution or delivery (LMD) and commodity access through the mediating role of commodity availability and commodity security and the moderating effect of supply chain integration (SCI).

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the survey research design and employed the questionnaire instrument in collecting primary data from respondents in Eastern Regional Health Institutions in Ghana. The total number of valid responses received was 204. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was adopted to analyze the relationship between the study variables.

Findings

The findings showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between LMD and commodity availability as well as LMD and commodity security. Moreover, while the relationship between commodity availability and commodity access is positive and significant, that between commodity security and commodity access is positive but insignificant. Furthermore, there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between LMD and commodity access. The study discovered that the interaction between LMD and commodity access is insignificant and negatively affected by SCI.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous studies have empirically verified the effect of LMD on commodity access in the presence of mediating factors such as commodity availability and commodity security and SCI as the moderating factors.
Boundary violations and teleworker counterproductive work behavior: the role of working time demands, threat to family role and involuntary teleworking
Authors: Xu Nan , Tang Chunyong , Yang Chengchuan , Lai Yanzhao
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Drawing on cognitive appraisal theory, this study aims to explore the indirect effect of work/family boundary violations on teleworkers’ counterproductive work behavior (CWB). In addition, it examines the moderating role of involuntary teleworking in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the diary study method, this study used 543 questionnaires collected from 122 teleworkers in China.

Findings

The findings indicate that working time demands mediate the relationship between work boundary violations and teleworker CWB, and threats to family roles mediate the relationship between family boundary violations and teleworker CWB. In addition, involuntary teleworking positively moderates the relationship between work boundary violations and working time demands, as well as the relationship between family boundary violations and threats to family roles.

Originality/value

The study makes several valuable contributions to the extant literature. First, it enhances research on the antecedents of teleworker CWB. Second, by introducing two mediating variables corresponding to two types of boundary violations, the paper provides new insights and a fresh understanding of the effects of boundary violations in teleworking situations. Third, by considering the moderating role of involuntary teleworking, this research adds to the current knowledge on the impact of discussing boundary violations solely on teleworking or traditional office days.
Environmental responsibility of family businesses: a perspective paper
Authors: Dasanayaka Chamila H. , Gunarathne Nuwan , Murphy David F.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This perspective paper explores ongoing research into stimuli that promote environmental responsibility in family business contexts. It also delineates emerging patterns and possible directions for future research within this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors synthesise, critically assess and integrate existing research to make current thinking about the environmental responsibility of family businesses more accessible to a wide range of readers.

Findings

This paper offers a comprehensive overview of multifaceted triggers and sheds light on how they interact and influence the environmental performance of family businesses. The authors delve into family dynamics and values, examining how they enable a business to develop environmental responsibility practices. Simultaneously, the authors emphasise the importance of probing the impact of the macro environment within which family businesses operate, which either might incentivise or challenge their pursuit of environmental responsibility initiatives. The need to design a robust tool to measure the environmental consciousness of familiness, applicable to specific contextual settings, has been identified. Investigating how accounting and control systems act as supportive management tools to enhance the efficacy of overall corporate performance in family businesses is another area for future research. Moreover, examining these dynamics within the unique landscape of emerging economies offers a promising field of exploration.

Originality/value

This article consolidates existing research on the environmental responsibility of family businesses and puts forward potential avenues for future research.
Enhancing firm performance through innovation: the roles of intellectual capital, government support, knowledge sharing and knowledge management success
Authors: Truong Binh Thi Thanh , Nguyen Phuong V. , Vrontis Demetris
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study determines whether government support for innovation (GSFI), knowledge sharing, knowledge management success (KMS) and intellectual capital (IC) strengthens the relationship between firm innovation and performance in the manufacturing industry in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model and related hypotheses on manufacturers in Vietnam were developed based on the resource-based view and knowledge-based view. Data were collected from 361 respondents through a structured questionnaire and analyzed by partial least squares-structural equation modeling.

Findings

GSFI and IC significantly and positively influence firm innovation and performance. However, knowledge sharing does not affect firm innovation. Moreover, KMS fully mediates the positive relationship between knowledge sharing and firm innovation, and firm innovation partially mediates the positive relationships of IC and government support with firm performance.

Practical implications

The findings show how managers can utilize IC, KMS and government assistance to maximize the benefits of innovative outcomes and improve business performance.

Originality/value

This groundbreaking study creates a research model incorporating IC, knowledge sharing, KMS, GSFI, firm innovation and firm performance by extending two theories. Although the effects of various intangible assets on firm performance have been discussed extensively in the literature, there has been limited focus on the significance of KMS, knowledge sharing, IC and GSFI for enhancing innovative outcomes and driving business success in emerging markets such as Vietnam.
IFLA 2023: connecting librarians and information professionals
Authors: Oyelude Adetoun A.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the 2023 conference of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) conference activities for 2023 as held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands from 21 to 25 August.

Design/methodology/approach

A report of the events that spanned five days, especially the aspects that hinged on technology use in libraries globally are highlighted. Narrative of the experiences during the conference is made from the participatory observation standpoint.

Findings

Librarians globally are connecting and collaborating. They use technology in their libraries and research into ways and means of collaborating more. Library associations globally are making impact especially in the use of artificial intelligence in service delivery. All sections of IFLA are active in working together and librarying!

Originality/value

The IFLA 2023 conference is one-of-a-kind experience in the library association world. Libraries and librarians globally are finding out new things yearly and the year 2023 is no different.
Experimental exploration of mechanical behaviour of graphene oxide blend polymer nanocomposites
Authors: G. Manikandaraja , R. Pandiyarajan , A. Vasanthanathan , S. Sabarish
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the development of composites made of epoxy (E) resin with different weight percentages of polypropylene (PP) and graphene oxide (Go) to form nanocomposite plates.

Design/methodology/approach

A hand lay-up process was used to develop 21 different composites, with varying concentrations of PP (5%–35%) and Go (5%–35%). A ternary composite of E matrix was produced by combining binary fillers PP and Go (5%–35%) in a 1:1 ratio to a (95%–5%) solution. With the help of adopting the melt condensation deal to extract Go, the modified Hummers method was used to make Go platelets.

Findings

Through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction investigations, the particulate’s size and structural characteristics were identified. Based on the FESEM analysis of the collapsed zones of the composites, a warp-and-weft-like structure is evident, which endorses the growth yield strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of the composites.

Originality/value

The developed nanocomposites have exceptional mechanical capabilities compared to plain E resin, with E resin exhibiting better tensile strength, modulus and flexural strength when combined with 10% PP and 10% Go. When compared to neat E resin, materials formed from composites have exceptional mechanical properties. When mixed with 10% PP and 10% Go, E resin in particular displays improved tensile strength (23 MPa), tensile modulus (4.15 GPa), flexural strength (75.6 MPa) and other attributes. Engineering implications include automobile side door panels, spacecraft applications, brake pads and flexible battery guards.
Phygital marketing through the lens of neuroscience and phenomenology: an interpretivist account
Authors: Johnson Matt , Barlow Rob
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the prospect of using neurophenomenology to understand, design and test phygital consumer experiences. It aims to clarify interpretivist approaches to consumer neuroscience, wherein theoretical models of individual phenomenology can be combined with modern neuroimaging techniques to detect and interpret the first-person accounts of phygital experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument is conceptual in nature, building its position through synthesizing insights from phenomenology, phygital marketing, theoretical neuroscience and other related fields.

Findings

Ultimately, the paper presents the argument that interpretivist neuroscience in general, and neurophenomenology specifically, provides a valuable new perspective on phygital marketing experiences. In particular, we argue that the approach to studying first-personal experiences within the phygital domain can be significantly refined by adopting this perspective.

Research limitations/implications

One of the primary goals of this paper is to stimulate a novel approach to interpretivist phygital research, and in doing so, provide a foundation by which the impact of phygital interventions can be empirically tested through neuroscience, and through which future research into this topic can be developed. As such, the success of such an approach is yet untested.

Originality/value

Phygital marketing is distinguished by its focus on the quality of subjective first-personal consumer experiences, but few papers to date have explored how neuroscience can be used as a tool for exploring these inner landscapes. This paper addresses this lacuna by providing a novel perspective on “interpretivist neuroscience” and proposes ways that current neuroscientific models can be used as a practical methodology for addressing these questions.
Integration of lean manufacturing and factory physics in an Industry 4.0 roadmap for augmenting operational performance
Authors: Utiyama Marcel , Alliprandini Dario Henrique , Figuerôa Hillary Pinto , Gondim Jonas Ferreira , Gonçalves Lucas Tollendal , Navas Lorena Braga , Zeno Henrique
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The advent of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and the requirements imposed on companies still need to be clarified. Companies still strive to understand I4.0 requirements and technological, organizational, operational and management challenges. Current literature on I4.0 underlies the importance of a roadmap with structured steps to achieve the benefits of I4.0, mainly focused on augmenting operational performance. Therefore, this paper proposes a roadmap to implement I4.0 focused on operational management concepts, mainly aiming to augment operational performance and bridge the gap between theory and practice regarding roadmaps focused on the operational management dimension.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a research approach divided into the following stages: a literature review to analyze the I4.0 roadmaps and identify the main components of I4.0; development of the proposed I4.0 roadmap presented; field research to test the roadmap by collecting data from a manufacturing company in the automotive industry; validation of the roadmap through modeling and simulation.

Findings

The authors presented a production line design with real-time control, fast response, shop floor coordination and predictive capacity. The results prove that the proposed I4.0 roadmap augments operation performance in the investigated automotive company. The main results were work in process reduction, lead time reduction, output increase, real-time control, shop floor coordination and fast response.

Originality/value

The main novelty of the proposed roadmap is to move toward I4.0 implementation with a focus on the operational management dimension. The roadmap has an innovative combination of the two approaches – lean manufacturing and factory physics – a straightforward roadmap with only three steps: (1) requirements, (2) real-time control and (3) predictive capacity, a structured definition of the approaches and operational management concepts fundamental in each step.
Estimating the anisotropy of the vertical transverse isotropy coal seam by rock physics model–based inversion
Authors: Wu Haibo , Guo Jinran , Ji Guangzhong , Huang Yaping , Ding Hai , Lin Peng
Published: December 2023

Coal seams exhibiting nearly horizontal bedding, and fractures can be characterized as transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry, known as vertical transverse isotropy coal seams. The resulting anisotropy cannot be overlooked in high‐precision seismic velocity analysis, migration imaging and pre‐stack inversion. Therefore, we estimate the anisotropy of the vertical transverse isotropy coal seam (using the anisotropic Thomsen's parameters ε, γ and δ) by inverting the horizontal P‐ and SH‐wave velocities and fracture density based on a rock physics model. The Mori–Tanaka model and Brown–Korringa formula were first used to quantify the anisotropy of the vertical transverse isotropy coal seams impacted by dry and fluid‐saturated fractures. Subsequently, we formulated an equation for the inversion of horizontal P‐ and SH‐wave velocities, considering the measured vertical P‐ and SH‐wave velocities as constrained parameters. This approach is generally applied in vertical drilling scenarios. We tested the inversion method using the ultrasonic test results of coal samples collected from the southern margin of the Qinshui Basin, China and then used it on the full waveform logging data from a vertical coalbed methane well. Both the inversion results of horizontal P‐ and SH‐wave velocities and the estimated anisotropic parameters (ε and γ) were in good agreement with the ultrasonic test results of coal samples, although the accuracy of δ was slightly lower. Therefore, we believe that the proposed method can be extended to estimate the anisotropy of vertical transverse isotropy medium (assuming suitable rock physics models) for the ultrasonic testing of rock samples and full waveform logging along the vertical direction in near‐horizontal formations.