bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Identification of potential high-risk clones of Carbapenem-ResistantPseudomonas aeruginosaco-producing, KPC-2, VIM-2 and OXA-74 from tertiary hospitals in Metro Manila, Philippines”
Authors: Tesalona Sherill , Abulencia Miguel Francisco , Pineda-Cortel Maria Ruth , Sapula Sylvia A , Venter Henrietta , Lagamayo Evelina
Published: June 2024

Carbapenem-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA) is an opportunistic human pathogen and a global public health concern due to the limited treatment options available for infections by this pathogen. Identification of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants at an early phase is crucial to administer the appropriate treatment in a timely manner, thereby alleviating the transmission and enhancing the outcomes of patients infected with these pathogens. This study investigated the whole genome sequence (WGS) of 35 CRPA isolates obtained from three hospitals in Metro Manila, Philippines, collected from August 2022 to January 2023. The investigation revealed that a high proportion of isolates obtained from Hospital B and C contained acquired AMR determinants. The traditional multilocus sequence type (MLST) analysis using Pasteur nomenclature in the PubMLST database revealed six different known sequence types (STs), namely ST111, ST175, ST1822, ST357, ST3753 and ST389 and the highest number of unknown STs (27 singletons). Moreover, to delineate the unknown STs identified, the Pasteur nomenclature in the Pathogenwatch database was used, which led to the identification of novel STs. Notably, a novel ST4b1c was found to co-produce the metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) NDM-7, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) CTX-M-15 and TEM-2, as well as class D OXA-395. Furthermore, potential high-risk clones represented by ST389 and novel STs (ST95c6, STf555, and STab6a) were identified, all of which co-produced carbapenemases KPC-2, VIM-2, and OXA-74. This study represents the first report in the Philippines on the co-production of ESBL KPC-2, MBL VIM-2 and Class D OXA-74 hosted by potential high-risk clones and novel STs. It underscores the need for continuous surveillance and monitoring of other problematic strains.
TGF-β2/OPTN/FOXC1/miR-200axis regulates intraocular pressure dynamics in trabecular meshwork cells
Authors: Sugali Chenna Kesavulu , Gajula Navya Naidu , Chava Suresh , Reddy Aramati Bindu Madhava
Published: June 2024

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) being its primary risk factor. Current therapeutic approaches, such as beta-blockers, alpha-adrenergic agonists, Rho-kinase inhibitors, etc., aim to reduce IOP levels. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying altered IOP remain poorly understood. In this study, we have treated primary human trabecular meshwork cells (HTM) with exogenous dexamethasone (dex) or transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-β2) to investigate its effects on glaucoma candidate genes. Interestingly, our findings reveal that FOXC1 acts as a repressor toCYP1B1, and optineurin (OPTN) facilitates the ubiquitination of FOXC1, thereby inducing CYP1B1 expression. Further, we discovered that themiR-200family and other miRNAs regulate these glaucoma-candidate genes. Furthermore, TGF-β2 downregulates themiR-200family, whereas themiR-200family targetsFOXC1, exerting reversible effects by altering the extracellular matrix. FOXC1 positively regulatesCLOCK, one of its target genes. Besides, CLOCK/BMAL1 has binding sites on miR-200 family promoters. Modulating the TGF-β2/OPTN/FOXC1/miR-200axis appears critical in regulating IOP dynamics through CLOCK/BMAL1-mediated daily rhythmicity in the anterior segment of the eye.

Graphical Abstract
The Assembly of Purple-red Spinach Provides Insight into the Mechanism of Betalain Biosynthesis
Authors: Liu Zhiyuan , She Hongbing , Meng Meng , Zhang Helong , Xu Zhaosheng , Qian Wei
Published: June 2024

Purple-red spinach is a unique cultivar with rich in betalains, which has been used for food colorants and is beneficial for human health. In view of the lack of genomic inforamtion of purple-red spinach genome and promote the idetification of betalian gene, we presented the genome of purple-red spinach with Nanopore ultra-long and illumina sequencing platform. The contig N50 size was 2.2Mb and 99.33% contig sequence was anchored to the six chromosomes, totaling 878.83Mb. The purple-red genome constitues 74.15% repeat sequence and harbors 26020 protein-coding genes. We also comprehensively identified candidate genes in betalain biosynthesis pathway in spinach. Moreover, a combined transcriptomic and BSA analysis uncovered a key betalain gene, FUN_002594, which regulated the color and betalain content of leaf. Our data present a valuable resource for facilitating molecular breeding programs of spinach and shed novel light on unique attributes, as well as the modulation of betalain biosynthesis.
Tool use fine-tunes arm and tool maps
Authors: Peviani V.C. , Pfeifer L.N. , Risso G. , Bassolino M. , Miller L.E.
Published: June 2024

There is evidence that the sensorimotor system builds fine-grained spatial maps of the limbs based on somatosensory signals. Can a hand-held tool be mapped in space with a comparable spatial resolution? Do spatial maps change following tool use? In order to address these questions, we used a spatial mapping task on healthy participants to measure the accuracy and precision of spatial estimates pertaining to several locations on their arm and on a hand-held tool. To study spatial accuracy, we first fitted linear regressions with real location as predictor and estimated location as dependent variables. Intercepts and slopes, representing constant offset and estimation error, were compared between arm and tool, and before to after tool use. We further investigated changes induced by tool use in terms of variable error associated with spatial estimates, representing their precision. We found that the spatial maps for the arm and tool were comparably accurate, suggesting that holding the tool provides enough information to the sensorimotor system to map it in space. Further, using the tool fine-tuned the user’s spatial maps, increasing the precision of the tool map to a greater extent than their arm map. Furthermore, this increased precision is focal to specific tool locations, i.e., the tool tip, which may work as a spatial anchor following tool use. Our results demonstrate that tool users possess dynamic maps of tool space that are comparable to body space.
Distinct roles of two thalamostriatal systems in learning processes of visual discrimination in common marmosets
Authors: Kato Shigeki , Sugawara Masateru , Yamasaki Miwako , Watanabe Masahiko , Inoue Ken-ichi , Nakamura Katsuki , Koketsu Daisuke , Chiken Satomi , Nambu Atsushi , Takada Masahiko , Kobayashi Kazuto
Published: June 2024

The thalamostriatal projections arising from the intralaminar thalamic nuclei (ILN) constitute the principal source of input information to specified subregions of the striatum, a key structure of the cortico-basal ganglia circuitry. However, the roles of primate ILN in cortico-basal ganglia circuit functions remain unclear. Here, we performed immunotoxin-induced selective targeting of two representative structures of the ILN, the parafascicular nucleus (Pf) and centre médian nucleus (CM) projecting to the caudate nucleus (Cd) and putamen (Pu), respectively, in common marmosets. Elimination of Pf-Cd neurons resulted in impaired reversal learning of a two-choice visual discrimination task, whereas removal of CM-Pu neurons disturbed the task acquisition. No marked impact of such manipulations was observed on either motor skill learning or spontaneous locomotor activity. Our findings reveal that the two thalamostriatal systems play distinct roles in the learning processes of external cue-dependent decision-making in nonhuman primates.
Modeling the velocity of evolving lineages and predicting dispersal patterns
Authors: Bastide Paul , Rocu Pauline , Wirtz Johannes , Hassler Gabriel W. , Chevenet François , Fargette Denis , Suchard Marc A. , Dellicour Simon , Lemey Philippe , Guindon Stéphane
Published: June 2024

Accurate estimation of the dispersal velocity or speed of evolving organisms is no mean feat. In fact, existing probabilistic models in phylogeography or spatial population genetics generally do not provide an adequate framework to define velocity in a relevant manner. For instance, the very concept of instantaneous speed simply does not exist under one of the most popular approaches that models the evolution of spatial coordinates as Brownian trajectories running along a phylogeny (Lemeyet al., 2010). Here, we introduce a new family of models – the so-called “Phylogenetic Integrated Velocity” (PIV) models – that use Gaussian processes to explicitly model the velocity of evolving lineages instead of focusing on the fluctuation of spatial coordinates over time. We describe the properties of these models and show an increased accuracy of velocity estimates compared to previous approaches. Analyses of West Nile virus data in the U.S.A. indicate that PIV models provide sensible predictions of the dispersal of evolving pathogens at a one-year time horizon. These results demonstrate the feasibility and relevance of predictive phylogeography in monitoring epidemics in time and space.
Mapping Somatosensory Afferent Circuitry to Bone Identifies Neurotrophic Signals Required for Fracture Healing
Authors: Xu Mingxin , Thottappillil Neelima , Cherief Masnsen , Li Zhao , Zhu Manyu , Xing Xin , Gomez-Salazar Mario , Mwirigi Juliet M. , Sankaranarayanan Ishwarya , Tavares-Ferreira Diana , Zhang Chi , Wang Xue-Wei , Archer Mary , Guan Yun , Tower Robert J. , Cahan Patrick , Price Theodore J. , Clemens Thomas L. , James Aaron W.
Published: June 2024

The profound pain accompanying bone fracture is mediated by somatosensory neurons, which also appear to be required to initiate bone regeneration following fracture. Surprisingly, the precise neuroanatomical circuitry mediating skeletal nociception and regeneration remains incompletely understood. Here, we characterized somatosensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG) afferent neurons innervating murine long bones before and after experimental long bone fracture in mice. Retrograde labeling of DRG neurons by an adeno-associated virus with peripheral nerve tropism showed AAV-tdT signal. Single cell transcriptomic profiling of 6,648 DRG neurons showed highest labeling across CGRP+ neuron clusters (6.9-17.2%) belonging to unmyelinated C fibers, thinly myelinated Aδ fibers and Aβ-Field LTMR (9.2%). Gene expression profiles of retrograde labeled DRG neurons over multiple timepoints following experimental stress fracture revealed dynamic changes in gene expression corresponding to the acute inflammatory (S100a8,S100a9) and mechanical force (Piezo2). Reparative phase after fracture included morphogens such asTgfb1, Fgf9andFgf18. Two methods to surgically or genetically denervate fractured bones were used in combination with scRNA-seq to implicate defective mesenchymal cell proliferation and osteodifferentiation as underlying the poor bone repair capacity in the presence of attenuated innervation. Finally, multi-tissue scRNA-seq and interactome analyses implicated neuron-derived FGF9 as a potent regulator of fracture repair, a finding compatible with in vitro assessments of neuron-to-skeletal mesenchyme interactions.
Metabolic engineering ofAcinetobacter baylyiADP1 for naringenin production
Authors: Kurnia Kesi , Efimova Elena , Santala Ville , Santala Suvi
Published: June 2024

Naringenin, a flavanone and a precursor for a variety of flavonoids, has potential applications in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. The biological production of naringenin using genetically engineered microbes is considered as a promising strategy. The naringenin synthesis pathway involving chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) relies on the efficient supply of key substrates, malonyl-CoA and coumaroyl-CoA. In this research, we utilized a soil bacterium,Acinetobacter baylyiADP1, which exhibits several characteristics that make it a suitable candidate for naringenin biosynthesis; the strain naturally tolerates and can uptake and metabolize coumarate, a primary compound in alkaline-pretreated lignin and a precursor for naringenin production.A. baylyiADP1 also produces intracellular lipids, such as wax esters, thereby being able to provide an excess of malonyl-CoA for naringenin biosynthesis. Moreover, the genomic engineering of this strain is notably straightforward. In the course of the construction of a naringenin-producing strain, the coumarate catabolism was eliminated by a single gene knockout (ΔhcaA) and various combinations of plant-derived CHS and CHI were evaluated. The best performance was obtained by a novel combination of genes encoding for a CHS fromHypericum androsaemumand a CHI fromMedicago sativa,that enabled the production of 18 mg/L naringenin in batch cultivations from coumarate. Furthermore, the implementation of a fed-batch system led to a significant 3.7-fold increase (66 mg/L) in naringenin production. These findings underscore the potential ofA. baylyiADP1 as a host for naringenin biosynthesis as well as advancement of lignin-based bioproduction.
Hemoglobin Rothschild: Structural Rationalization of Decreased O2Affinity as a Consequence of a β37(C3)Trp→Arg Mutation
Authors: Al-Seragi Mohammed
Published: June 2024

Hemoglobin Rothschild is characterized by a β37(C3)Trp→Arg mutation that severely impairs wildtype hemoglobin function. This mutation has previously been documented to diminish conformational cooperativity, and thereby uppercut oxygen affinity. While the mutation is known to have direct implications on the hinge region at theα1β2interface, the immediate and indirect manifestations of this mutation have not been rendered using high-resolution molecular visualization software. Further unexplored is whether low O2affinity inHbRis an outcome of a stabilized, unliganded, tetrameric T-state, a liganded, dimerized R-state deprived of quaternary enhancement, or a combination of both.

Herein, PyMOL is used to rationalize the structural artifacts of the Rothschild variant that govern decreased O2affinity via a stabilized, tetrameric T-stateHbR, and decreased O2affinity viaHbRdimerization and loss of cooperative binding in the R-state. Molecular docking simulations were then performed to determine on what grounds O2affinity is most attenuated. The result shows that, at the 95% confidence level, reduced O2affinity inHbRis just as much an outcome of a stabilized tetrameric T-state as it is a dimerized R-state lacking quaternary, subunit cooperativity. The work described here builds a statistical framework to accommodate further, pair-wise comparison of low O2affinity hemoglobin variants to build intuition on which primary sequence mutations pose the largest clinical consequences.
Impact of Maximal Overexpression of a Non-toxic Protein on Yeast Cell Physiology
Authors: Fujita Yuri , Namba Shotaro , Moriya Hisao
Published: June 2024

While it is recognized that excess expression of non-essential proteins burdens cell growth, the physiological state of cells under such stress is largely unknown. This is because it is challenging to distinguish between adverse effects arising from the properties of the expressed excess protein (cytotoxicity) and those caused solely by protein overexpression. In this study, we attempted to identify the model protein with the lowest cytotoxicity in yeast cells by introducing a new neutrality index. We found that a non-fluorescent fluorescent protein (mox-YG) and an inactive glycolytic enzyme (Gpm1-CCmut) showed the lowest cytotoxicity. These proteins can be expressed at levels exceeding 40% of total protein while maintaining yeast growth. The transcriptome of cells expressing mox-YG to the limit indicated that the cells were in a nitrogen source requirement state. Proteome analysis revealed increased mitochondrial function and decreased ribosome abundance, like the inactivated state of the TORC1 pathway. The decrease in ribosome abundance was presumably due to defective nucleolus formation, partially rescued by a mutation in the nuclear exosome. These findings suggest that massive overexpression of excess protein, termed protein burden, causes nitrogen source starvation, a metabolic shift toward more energy-efficient respiration, and a ribosomal biosynthesis defect due to an imbalance between ribosomal protein and rRNA synthesis in the nucleolus.
p53 enables phospholipid headgroup scavenging
Authors: Yashinskie Jossie J. , Zhu Xianbing , McGregor Grace , Paras Katrina , Jackson Benjamin T. , Xie Abigail , Koche Richard , Metallo Christian , Finley Lydia W.S.
Published: June 2024

Changes in cell state are often accompanied by altered metabolic demands, and homeostasis depends on cells adapting to their changing needs. One major cell state change is senescence, which is associated with dramatic changes in cell metabolism, including increases in lipid metabolism, but how cells accommodate such alterations is poorly understood. Here, we show that the transcription factor p53 enables recycling of the lipid headgroups required to meet the increased demand for membrane phospholipids during senescence. p53 activation increases supply of phosphoethanolamine (PEtn), an intermediate in the Kennedy pathway forde novosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), by transactivating genes involved in autophagy and lysosomal catabolism that enable membrane turnover. Disruption of PEtn conversion to PE is well-tolerated in the absence of p53 but results in dramatic organelle remodeling and perturbs growth and gene expression following p53 activation. Consistently, CRISPR-Cas9-based genetic screens reveal that p53-activated cells preferentially depend on genes involved in lipid metabolism. Together, these results reveal lipid headgroup recycling to be a homeostatic function of p53 that confers a cell-state specific metabolic vulnerability.
Correlated frequency noise in a multimode acoustic resonator
Authors: Tubsrinuan Nuttamas , Cole Jared H. , Delsing Per , Andersson Gustav
Published: June 2024

Frequency instabilities are a major source of errors in quantum devices. This Letter investigates frequency fluctuations in a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator, where reflection coefficients of 14 SAW modes are measured simultaneously for more than 7 h. We report two distinct noise characteristics. Multimode frequency noise caused by interactions with two-level system (TLS) defects shows significant degrees of correlation that diminish with increased detuning. This finding agrees with the current understanding of the parasitic TLS behavior as one of the dominant noise sources in quantum devices. In addition to the TLS-induced noise, we observe strong anomalous frequency fluctuations with slow, anticorrelated dynamics. These noise bursts resemble signatures of cosmic radiation observed in superconducting quantum systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
New approach to QCD final-state evolution in processes with massive partons
Authors: Assi Benoît , Höche Stefan
Published: June 2024

We present an algorithm for massive parton evolution which is based on the differentially accurate simulation of soft-gluon radiation by means of a nontrivial azimuthal angle dependence of the splitting functions. The kinematics mapping is chosen such as to reflect the symmetry of the final state in soft-gluon radiation and collinear splitting processes. We compute the counterterms needed for a fully differential next-to-leading order matching and discuss the analytic structure of the parton shower in the next-to-leading logarithmic limit. We implement the new algorithm in the numerical code Alaric and present a first comparison to experimental data.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Poles and poltergeists in
e+e−→DD¯
data
Authors: Hüsken Nils , Lebed Richard F. , Mitchell Ryan E. , Swanson Eric S. , Wang Ya-Qian , Yuan Chang-Zheng
Published: June 2024

A recent report of e+e−→DD¯ events by the BESIII collaboration suggests the presence of a structure R at 3900 MeV. We argue that this structure, called G(3900) in the past, is not in fact due to a new cc¯ resonance but rather naturally emerges due to a combination of interference between nearby resonances and the opening of the

D

*

D

¯

channel. We further find that the appearance of this structure does not require suppression because of a radial node in the ψ(4040) wave function, although a node improves fit quality. The measured e+e− coupling of ψ(4040) is found to be substantially smaller than previously estimated. In addition, we report new corrections to the measured cross section σ(e+e−→DD¯) at energies near ψ(3770).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Attempt at constructing a model of grand gauge-Higgs unification with family unification
Authors: Maru Nobuhito , Nago Ryujiro
Published: June 2024

We discuss a possibility whether a model of grand gauge-Higgs unification incorporating family unification in higher dimensions can be constructed. We first extend a five-dimensional SU(6) grand gauge-Higgs unification model to a five-dimensional SU(7) grand gauge-Higgs unification model compactified on an orbifold S1/Z2 to obtain three generations of quarks and leptons after symmetry breaking of the larger family unified gauge group. A prescription of constructing a six-dimensional SU(N) grand gauge-Higgs unification model including a five-dimensional SU(7) grand gauge-Higgs unification after compactifying the sixth dimension on an orbifold S1/Z2 is given. We find a six-dimensional SU(14) grand gauge-Higgs unification model with a set of representations containing three generations of quarks and leptons.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring emergent leadership in agile teams: network dynamics, roles and skills at the individual level
Authors: Tabassum Marya , Raziq Muhammad Mustafa , Allen Matthew , Sarwar Naukhez , Golra Owais Anwar
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Leadership research has traditionally focused on formal leadership; however, leaders may emerge in informal settings in self-managed teams, and little is known about who emergent leaders are and what their characteristics are. This study investigates emergent leaders' behaviors, roles, skills, and leadership style, drawing on a multi-method approach.

Design/methodology/approach

We first identify emergent leaders using social network analysis and aggregation approaches. Second, we investigate emergent leaders' characteristics using interviews with forty agile team members in five organizations.

Findings

Results indicate different roles of emergent leaders (i.e. coach, liaisons), leadership styles (i.e. supportive), skills (i.e. culturally intelligent, strategist), and influencing factors (i.e. personality, technical knowledge, social circle).

Originality/value

We contribute by identifying emergent leaders through multiple identification methods (i.e. network analysis, aggregation), and then through identifying their various characteristics, we contribute to leadership literature as well as idiosyncrasy-credit theory. We also add to agile-leadership theory, showing that multiple informal leaders may emerge within agile teams. Finally, our findings have practical implications for self-managed teams, informal group settings, organizational change professionals, and organizations with horizontal structures.
Research visualization on cloud computing services in the field of information science and library science
Authors: Ali Nusrat , Naveed Muhammad , Khan Shakeel Ahmad
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This bibliometric study is steered to compute the impact of literature published on cloud computing within the fields of information science and library science. The research has been conducted on concentrating the term “Cloud Computing” to search the literature published in both fields, i.e. information science and library science from the time span 2007 to August 2023. This study aims to investigate the top productive country, organizations and highly cited publications.

Design/methodology/approach

The period of the exploration was from 2007 to August 2023 for bibliometric analysis and data was collected from the ISI Web of Science. Total 401 documents were retrieved and analyzed to highlight the year-wise distribution of documents type, year-wise most cited articles, prominent journals of the subjects, productivity of organizations, impact of countries and cooccurrences of keywords. The results are grounded on the basis of documents types (articles, early access articles, proceeding papers, book review, editorial material, news items and reviews).

Findings

The findings reveal that the most productive year of publication on cloud computing services was 2013. The top productive source is “International Journal of Information Management.” The articles entitled “Assessing the determinants of cloud computing adoption: An analysis of the manufacturing and services sectors” found as the most cited article and the significant increase in citations is also noteworthy. The most productive organizations on the topic include “Islamic Azad University of Iran,” “University Cologne of Germany” and “University Nova Lisboa of Portugal.” The results confirmed that the USA dominates in the production of research on “Cloud Computing Services” and the most repeated keyword in the literature is cloud computing. The research articles are the most cited sources of research.

Originality/value

This bibliometric research is an original piece of work that has been conducted to measure the research production in the field of information science and library science during 2007−2023. This piece of work is valuable for those who want to study the literature on cloud computing in the area of information science and library science.
An implicit solution method for digital construction of temperature fields in concrete structures based on point temperature measurements
Authors: Zhu Zhenyang , Liu Yi , Zhang Lei
Published: June 2024

Purpose

At present, using the finite element method is difficult to efficiently and accurately construct the temperature field of mass concrete based on temperature measurement points. Thus, there is a need to propose a method for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed an implicit finite element method that digitally constructs the temperature field of mass concrete based on temperature measurement data. That is, in the proposed method of this paper, the temperature of the measuring point is also one of the boundary conditions, which real-time corrects the calculation error.

Findings

In this method, during the digital construction of the temperature field, the computed temperature approaches the actual measured value at the point of measurement with increasing iteration steps. Using this method and sufficient temperature measurement data, the errors in calculation conditions (such as the boundary conditions, the initial casting temperature and material parameters) can be automatically corrected during the iterative computation process.

Originality/value

This new method can improve calculation accuracy and allows the digitally constructed temperature field to converge to its true value with sufficient measurement data.
Enhancing project portfolio selection for construction holding firms: a multi-objective optimization framework with risk analysis
Authors: Ghanbari Milad , Olaikhan Asaad Azeez Jaber , Skitmore Martin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to develop a framework for the optimal selection of construction project portfolios for a construction holding company. The objective is to minimize risks, align the portfolio with the organization’s strategic objectives and maximize portfolio returns and net present value (NPV).

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a multi-objective genetic algorithm approach to optimize the portfolio selection process. The construction company’s portfolio is categorized into four main classes: water projects, building projects, road projects and healthcare projects. A mathematical model is developed, and a genetic algorithm is implemented using MATLAB software. Data from a construction holding company in Iraq, including budget and candidate projects, are used as a case study.

Findings

The case study results show that out of the 34 candidate projects, 13 have been recommended for execution. These selected projects span different portfolio classes, such as water, building, road and healthcare projects. The total budget required for executing the selected projects is $64.55m, within the organization’s budget limit. The convergence diagram of the genetic algorithm indicates that the best solutions were achieved around generation 20 and further improved from generation 60 onwards.

Practical implications

The study introduces a specialized framework for project portfolio management in the construction industry, focusing on risk management and strategic alignment. It uses a multi-objective genetic algorithm and risk analysis to minimize risks, increase returns and improve portfolio performance. The case study validates its practical applicability.

Originality/value

This study contributes to project portfolio management by developing a framework specifically tailored for construction holding companies. Integrating a multi-objective genetic algorithm allows for a comprehensive optimization process, taking into account various objectives, including portfolio returns, NPV, risk reduction and strategic alignment. The case study application provides practical insights and validates the effectiveness of the proposed framework in a real-world setting.
Updating aircraft maintenance education for the modern era: a new approach to vocational higher education
Authors: Gauthama Wira , Hendra Oke , Aswia Pangsa Rizkina , Amalia Direstu
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide an example of curriculum development for vocational higher education in aviation, specifically in the aircraft maintenance engineering program, while considering the anticipated technological changes in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods, including document analysis, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, were utilized to collect, and analyse data.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that redesigning the curriculum through course reconstruction, integrating independent learning methods, and adopting blended learning approaches holds significant potential for enhancing the education of future aircraft maintenance engineers.

Originality/value

These endeavours contribute to the cultivation of highly skilled graduates who are adept at navigating technological advancements and making valuable contributions to the competitiveness and safety of the aviation industry.
Exploring ethical leadership and green human resource management for social sustainable performance improvement: evidence from the Greek maritime industry
Authors: Karakasnaki Maria
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Improving the social sustainable performance of organizations requires a shift toward ethical leaders’ behaviors and green-focused human resource management initiatives. Drawing on the resource-based view of the firm, this study aims to empirically evaluate the influence of ethical leadership and green human resource management on the social sustainable performance of maritime companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes empirical data from 109 Greek maritime companies and uses partial least squares structural equation modeling to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings confirm the direct, significant and positive effect of both ethical leadership and green human resource management on social sustainable performance. The complementary (partial) mediation of green human resource management in the ethical leadership – social sustainable performance is also revealed.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the under-researched domain of social sustainability and addresses the emerging concept of green human resource management in the maritime transportation literature. It also highlights the effect of ethical leadership and green human resource management on the improvement of social sustainable performance, which is also lacking in the literature. The study uncovers that the presence of leaders with ethical values and the implementation of green human resource management are important for organizations seeking to achieve high levels of social sustainable performance.
Implementing materials passports in the construction industry: empirical evidence from Ghana
Authors: Gasue Rhoda , Aklashie Samuel , Dompey Annabel Morkporkpor Ami , Agyekum Kofi , Opoku Desmond
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The increasing concern for waste reduction in the global construction industry has led to diverse sustainable approaches emerging globally in the past decade. Material passport (MP), a growing approach, has been seen to be very promising. This study examines the implementation of materials passports in the Ghanaian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the quantitative research method. Having reviewed literature related to this study, questionnaires served as a means of soliciting the views of 77 professionals in the built environment in the Ghanaian construction industry on the theme under investigation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyze the data retrieved.

Findings

Findings from the study revealed that Ghanaian construction professionals possessed a low level of awareness of the concept of MPs. However, they showed a massive willingness to adopt MPs in their professional practice. The findings further revealed that the professionals believed challenges such as the lack of knowledge, complexities of MP in terms of its preparation, and lack of quality assurance for recovered products hinder the adoption of MPs. The findings also revealed that strategies such as adequate training and education, policies and regulations, and adequate stakeholder engagement could aid in the implementation of MPs in the Ghanaian construction industry.

Originality/value

For the concept of MPs to gain a firm foundation globally, its perception and implementation must be explored thoroughly. This empirical study, being the first to investigate MP implementation in Ghana, has provided insights into the topic from the perspective of professionals operating in the Ghanaian construction industry. The paper reveals information on the practice of MPs from the context of a typical developing country.
Disentangling the effects of entrepreneurs’ passion and perfectionism on their eudaimonic well-being
Authors: Luu Ngoc , Nguyen Huy
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Reflecting subjective feelings of aliveness, thrivingness and energy, entrepreneurs’ eudaimonic well-being helps to enhance firm performance, which raises the question how to improve this largely under-researched type of well-being. Drawing upon the conservation of resources theory, this study examines how an entrepreneur’s obsessive passion has an inverted U-shaped association while harmonious has a positive association with their eudaimonic well-being, and how these relationships vary under the moderating effect of socially prescribed perfectionism.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 includes a survey with entrepreneurs from 182 small businesses in Vietnam. To overcome the limitation of cross-sectional data in Study 1 and test the hypotheses in a diverse and western sample, this research employed a two-wave lagged design in Study 2 with 81 entrepreneurs in the United States and United Kingdom.

Findings

Both studies confirmed that an entrepreneur’s harmonious passion has a positive association and obsessive passion has an inverted U-shaped association with their eudaimonic well-being. This study also found these associations are moderated by socially prescribed perfectionism.

Originality/value

This research extends the literature on eudaimonic well-being in entrepreneurship by confirming its determinants and contributes to the debate about the positive side of obsessive passion. Also, its examination of socially prescribed perfectionism in the context of entrepreneurship lays the foundation for further research on the role of this important personality trait in shaping the performance and well-being of entrepreneurs. This study provides theoretical contributions and managerial implications and suggests areas for future research.
Linear recruitment in tourism academia: when academic jobs “go sideways”
Authors: Seraphin Hugues , Smith Simon , Wyatt Brianna , Kozak Metin , Kennell James , Mandić Ante
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The recruitment and promotion of teaching academics in the UK is constrained by a complex array of career progression barriers. These barriers have led to an increasing trend of horizontal career (lack of) progression. The purpose of this paper is to reveal and discuss linearity and horizontality constrictions, challenges and issues impacting on potential careers in tourism academia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a leading UK national academic recruitment website to gather data and insights from across 137 posted jobs related to tourism between 2020 and 2022.

Findings

The main findings of this work note the constrictions of the UK academic job market and the consequences it poses for academics within tourism and beyond. It is proposed that future research to further understand the realities faced by academics is needed to prompt action for change to create more enriching career development.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study centres around sense making a phenomenon that exists but is not often talked about within academia (whether in tourism or beyond). For academics and managers, this paper presents an opportunity to reflect more holistically on careers with a view to instigating valuable change moving forward (for oneself or others). There is also a dearth of studies relating to career progression of tourism higher education educators.
Understanding the role of organizational design in fostering long-term dynamic capabilities: a longitudinal case study
Authors: Bojesson Catarina
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Organizational design has been suggested as a facilitator of an organization’s dynamic capabilities. This study aims to investigate the role of organizational design in the concept of dynamic capabilities and explores how it facilitates long-term dynamic capabilities in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected via a longitudinal case study conducted at a global company engaged in the development and manufacture of railway equipment. Specifically, this study focused on one of the organization’s sites in Sweden for a period of approximately five years.

Findings

Organizational design has a twofold impact on dynamic capabilities, functioning as both a facilitator and an impediment. It is essential for structures and processes to align with the available resources and capabilities of an organization. Moreover, managers’ beliefs and decision making significantly influence the extent to which organizational design choices effectively foster dynamic organizational performance.

Originality/value

This longitudinal case study contributes to the theory of dynamic capabilities by identifying key changes in an organization that is transforming to become more dynamic and the impact of organizational design on the organization’s dynamic capabilities.
Decoding workplace dynamics: unveiling perceptual and attitudinal drivers of counterproductive work behaviour using hybridSEMANN approach
Authors: Abdullah Hasan Oudah , Al-Abrrow Hadi
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The study aims to determine the impact of perceptual and attitudinal factors on employees’ counterproductive work behaviour (CWB). The study emphasises the verification of the direct, indirect, linear and non-linear effects of several antecedents of CWBs. The moderating role of self-efficacy is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,215 employees from several industrial companies in Southern Iraq. The study used the hybrid approach to data analysis, based on a dual-stage SEM-ANN, i.e. partial least squares structural equation modelling and artificial neural network approach.

Findings

Results indicate that most of the proposed variables predict CWB and that abusive supervision and perceived organisational politics (POP) positively affect job burnout (JB) through job stress. In addition, non-linear relationships, JB, abusive supervision and POP are the most important in predicting CWB. The study confirms that a negative perception of the work environment increases the likelihood of harmful behaviours in the organisation and that self-efficacy can reduce such a perception.

Originality/value

The importance of the current study is summarised in its attempt to verify the antecedents of CWB by relying on a two-step approach to test linear and non-linear relationships. This approach will greatly enhance theories regarding adverse behaviour in the workplace, especially, with a fairly large sample size.
Finding the right one: understanding the supplier selection process of social enterprises
Authors: Zhang Xiying , van Donk Dirk Pieter , Xiao Chengyong , Pullman Madeleine
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to develop an in-depth understanding of how supplier selection helps social enterprises achieve their social missions while maintaining commercial viability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a multiple-case design to study the supplier selection processes of 15 Dutch social enterprises.

Findings

Social enterprises tend to build supply relationships through existing networks and evaluate suppliers based on value alignment, relationship commitment, resource complementarity, and cost. Depending on the possibility of social value creation in supplier selection, the importance of these criteria varies across different social enterprise models and between key and non-key suppliers. Moreover, suppliers’ long-term relationship commitment can help reconcile tensions between the social and commercial logic of a social enterprise and facilitate impact creation.

Research limitations/implications

Data collection is limited to the perspectives of buyers – the social enterprises. Future research could collect supplier-side data to explore how they engage with social enterprises during the selection process.

Practical implications

Managers of social enterprises can use our research findings as guidance for selecting the most suitable suppliers, while organizations that want to collaborate with social enterprises should actively build network ties to be identified.

Originality/value

We contribute to the cross-sector collaboration literature by showing the underlying reasons for the preference for network reinforcing and indirect networking in supplier identification. We contribute to the social impact supply chain literature by revealing the critical role of supplier selection in shaping collaboration outcomes.
Does participation in self-help groups affect the political empowerment of tribal women? Evidence from India
Authors: Mahato Tanushree , Jha Manish Kumar
Published: June 2024

Purpose

There has been a substantial increase in the implementation of programmes that aim to enhance the livelihoods of rural people by organizing them into groups, emphasizing women towards achieving women empowerment, which is one of the key goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to assess the impact of participation in self-help groups (SHGs) under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) on the political empowerment of rural tribal women in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on primary data collected using a multistage random sampling method. Field research is conducted in the state of Jharkhand, primarily focusing on women belonging to the scheduled tribe category. The propensity score matching technique derives the results using the psmatch2 command in STATA.

Findings

The results show a significant positive change in women's access to voting rights, awareness of various government schemes and entitlements, political awareness and participation, campaigning during elections and leadership positions after participation in SHGs under NRLM.

Originality/value

The existing literature indicates that research on the empowerment of tribal women through participation in SHGs is scant. This study makes a novel contribution by examining the effectiveness of participation in SHGs under NRLM on the political empowerment of tribal women in rural India. This study will provide significant insights to the government, policymakers, practitioners and researchers working on SHGs and tribal women’s empowerment.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0489
Study on the vibration characteristics of double-row tapered roller bearings for high-speed rail axle box
Authors: Wang Xinghong , Bian Qiang , Gao Xinhua , Zhao Chunjiang , Liu Minghui , Xie Xinghui , Jiao Bowen
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a dynamic model considering the actual operating conditions of the train and to study the dynamic performance and vibration characteristics of axle box bearings under different operating conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, based on the internal contact characteristics of double-row tapered roller bearings, a dynamic model considering the actual operating conditions of the train is established. The correctness of the model is verified by the vibration test of the bearing. Comparative analysis was conducted on the effects of axial force, radial force and rotational speed on the angular velocity of the cage, slip rate and vibration acceleration level of the inner ring.

Findings

As the force increases, the slip rate of the cages on both sides decreases, and the vibration acceleration level of the inner ring increases. With the increase of rotational speed, the cage slip rate of the axle box bearing increases and the vibration acceleration level of the inner ring increases.

Originality/value

A dynamic model is established considering the actual operating conditions, and the dynamic performance and vibration characteristics of the axle box bearing under different operating conditions are analyzed by numerical method. The research content can provide reference for the parameter design of high-speed railway bearings.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2024-0085/