bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A strong priority effect in the assembly of a specialized insect-microbe symbiosis
Authors: Chen Jason Z. , Junker Anthony , Zheng Iris , Gerardo Nicole M. , Vega Nic M.
Published: April 2024

Microbial community assembly is determined in part by interactions between taxa that colonize ecological niches available within habitat patches. The outcomes of these interactions, and by extension the trajectory of community assembly, can display priority effects - dependency on the order in which taxa first occupy these niches. The underlying mechanisms of these phenomena vary from system to system and are often not well resolved.

Here, we characterize priority effects in colonization of the squash bug (Anasa tristis) by bacterial symbionts from the genusCaballeronia, using pairs of strains that are known to strongly compete during host colonization, as well as strains that are isogenic and thus functionally identical. By introducing symbiont strains into individual bugs in a sequential manner, we show that within-host populations established by the first colonist are extremely resistant to invasion, regardless of strain identity and competitive interactions. By knocking down the population of an initial colonist with antibiotics, we further show that colonization success by the second symbiont is still diminished even when space in the symbiotic organ is available and physically accessible for colonization. We propose a paradigm in which resident symbionts exclude subsequent infections by manipulating the host environment, partially but not exclusively by eliciting tissue remodeling of the symbiont organ.

Importance

Host-associated microbial communities underpin critical ecosystem processes and human health, and their ability to do so is determined in turn by the various processes that shape their composition. While natural selection acts on competing genotypes and species during community assembly, the manner by which selection determines the trajectory of community assembly can differ depending on the sequence by which taxa establish within that community. We document this phenomenon, known as a priority effect, during experimental colonization of a North American insect pest, the squash bugAnasa tristis, by its betaproteobacterial symbionts in the genusCaballeronia. Our study demonstrates how stark, strain-level variation can emerge in specialized host-microbe symbioses simply through differences in the order by which strains colonize the host. Understanding the mechanistic drivers of community structure in host-associated microbiomes can highlight both pitfalls and opportunities for the engineering of these communities and their constituent taxa for societal benefit.
Interplay between particle size and microbial ecology in the gut microbiome
Authors: Letourneau Jeffrey , Carrion Verónica M , Jiang Sharon , Osborne Olivia W , Holmes Zachary C , Fox Aiden , Epstein Piper , Tan Chin Yee , Kirtley Michelle , Surana Neeraj K , David Lawrence A
Published: April 2024

Physical particles can serve as critical abiotic factors that structure the ecology of microbial communities. For non-human vertebrate gut microbiomes, fecal particle size (FPS) has been known to be shaped by chewing efficiency and diet. However, little is known about what drives FPS in the human gut. Here, we analyzed FPS by laser diffraction across a total of 76 individuals and found FPS to be strongly individualized. Surprisingly, a behavioral intervention with 41 volunteers designed to increase chewing efficiency did not impact FPS. Dietary patterns could also not be associated with FPS. Instead, we found evidence that mammalian and human gut microbiomes shaped FPS. Fecal samples from germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice exhibited increased FPS relative to colonized mice. In humans, markers of longer transit time were correlated with smaller FPS. Gut microbiota diversity and composition were also associated with FPS. Finally,ex vivoculture experiments using human fecal microbiota from distinct donors showed that differences in microbiota community composition can drive variation in particle size. Together, our results support an ecological model in which the human gut microbiome plays a key role in reducing the size of food particles during digestion, and that the microbiomes of individuals vary in this capacity. These new insights also suggest FPS in humans to be governed by processes beyond those found in other mammals and emphasize the importance of gut microbiota in shaping their own abiotic environment.
Human polymerase theta helicase positions DNA microhomologies for double-strand break repair
Authors: Zerio Christopher J. , Bai Yonghong , Sosa-Alvarado Brian A. , Guzi Timothy , Lander Gabriel C.
Published: April 2024

DNA double-strand breaks occur in all human cells on a daily basis and must be repaired with high fidelity to minimize genomic instability1. Deficiencies in high-fidelity DNA repair by homologous recombination lead to dependence on DNA polymerase theta, which identifies DNA microhomologies in 3’ single-stranded DNA overhangs and anneals them to initiate error-prone double-strand break repair. The resulting genomic instability is associated with numerous cancers, thereby making this polymerase an attractive therapeutic target2,3. However, despite the biomedical importance of polymerase theta, the molecular details of how it initiates DNA break repair remain unclear4,5. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of the polymerase theta helicase domain bound to microhomology-containing DNA, revealing DNA-induced rearrangements of the helicase that enable DNA repair. Our structures show that DNA-bound helicase dimers facilitate a microhomology search that positions 3’ single-stranded DNA ends in proximity to align complementary base pairs and anneal DNA microhomology. We define the molecular determinants that enable the polymerase theta helicase domain to identify and pair DNA microhomologies to initiate mutagenic DNA repair, providing mechanistic insights into therapeutic targeting of these interactions.
The enhancement of electricity generation using cellulose based on ternary microbial consortium
Authors: Gao Shengchao , Mai Tingfang , Ding Yi , Wang Zhiwei , Fan Xinxin , Zhang Yue , Liu Gongwei , Liu Ying
Published: April 2024

Cooperation between microorganisms is crucial to design an efficient inoculum for enhancing the electricity-producing ability of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) fed bioreactors. In the present study, the influence of microbial mutualistic interactions and electricity generation capability were investigated by designing several co-culture and ternary culture systems. It was found that a ternary culture system ofCellulomonasLsc-8,Bacillus subtilisC9 andGeobacter sulfurreducensPCA was used to efficiently convert cellulose into electricity. The maximum current density of 796 ± 30 µA·cm-2were achieved by the ternary culture, which were much higher than thatGeobacter sulfurreducensPCA using acetate and co-culture systems to utilize CMC in bioreactors, respectively. In this consortium,CellulomonasLsc-8, andBacillus subtilisC9 simultaneously digested CMC to produce acetate and secreted riboflavin as an electron shuttle;Geobacter sulfurreducensPCA utilized acetate to generate electricity. The introduction ofBacillus subtilisC9 further promoted the degradation of CMC and secreted more riboflavin to enhance electricity generation of the ternary culture. This work suggested that the synergistic interaction between interspecies in microbial consortia is emergent in designing specific community for achieving maximum power generation using CMC as substrate. This research shows new insight into the design of more efficient, stable, and robust microbial consortia applicable in waste treatment and power generation.

IMPORTANCE

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) may benefit from microbial consortia that efficiently convert carbon sources to electricity. A key challenge with this system is how to manage microbial community assembly to maximize electricity generation. Herein, we constructed and tested a three-species microbial consortium to enhance conversion of cellulose to electricity.CellulomonasLsc-8 andBacillus subtilisC9 efficiently converted cellulose to acetate (electron donor) and riboflavin (electron shuttle), which enabledGeobacter sulfurreducensto generate electricity. This study laid the foundation for design of more efficient, stable, and robust microbial consortia for waste treatment and energy applications.
Splenic red pulp macrophages eliminate the liver-resistantStreptococcus pneumoniaeduring bloodstream infection
Authors: Huang Yijia , Zhao Zhifeng , Li Kunpeng , Huang Xueting , Tian Xianbin , Meng Jingjing , Zhou Hongyu , Wu Jiamin , Dai Qionghai , Zhang Jing-Ren , An Haoran
Published: April 2024

The spleen is well-known for defense against invasive infections of encapsulated bacteria, particularlyStreptococcus pneumoniae(pneumococcus). However, the precise mechanism of the splenic anti-bacterial immunity remains elusive. Here we report that red pulp (RP) macrophages execute the splenic defense againstS. pneumoniaein mice, with the help of natural antibodies (nAbs) and complement system. The spleen slowly but substantially cleared encapsulated pneumococci from the bloodstream in the early phase of blood infection, especially the serotypes that resist to liver filtration. Among splenic macrophage subpopulations, only the lack of RP macrophages led to the complete loss of the splenic immunity. Intravital microscopy detected direct capture and phagocytic killing of circulating pneumococci by RP macrophages in the absence of neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes. Likewise, plasma nAbs targeting pneumococcal cell wall phosphocholine and complement protein C3 were essential for RP macrophage-mediated immune clearance. Our findings have thus uncovered the long-sought immune pathway against invasive pneumococcal infections in the spleen.

Short summary

The spleen plays a crucial role in defending against invasive infections caused byStreptococcus pneumoniae(pneumococcus) and other encapsulated bacteria in humans, but the mechanisms underlying this organ-specific immunity remain largely elusive. This study has revealed that the spleen eliminates pneumococci through a coordinated interplay among red pulp macrophages, serum nAbs targeting phosphocholine and the complement system.
High-resolution atlas of the developing human heart and the great vessels
Authors: Bayraktar Semih , Cranley James , Kanemaru Kazumasa , Knight-Schrijver Vincent , Colzani Maria , Davaapil Hongorzul , Lee Jonathan Chuo Min , Polanski Krzysztof , Richardson Laura , Semprich Claudia I. , Kapuge Rakeshlal , Dabrowska Monika , Mulas Ilaria , Perera Shani , Patel Minal , Ho Siew Yen , He Xiaoling , Tyser Richard , Gambardella Laure , Teichmann Sarah A. , Sinha Sanjay
Published: April 2024

The human heart and adjoining great vessels consist of multiple cell types vital for life, yet many remain uncharacterised molecularly during development. Here, we performed a high-resolution profiling of the heart and great vessels during the first and second trimesters, defining 63 cell types with distinct identity and location-specific signatures. We reveal previously unreported cell types, including for the pericardium and the ductus arteriosus. At the ventricles, we identified signatures involved in establishing the trabeculation-compaction and right-left axes of ventricular cardiomyocytes. At the vessels, we distinguished the constituents belonging to either coronary or great vessels. We confirmed our findings and revealed nuanced signatures with specific zonation patterns. Collectively, we provide a comprehensive human cardiac developmental atlas for enhanced understanding of function in health and disease.
The under-recognized dominance of magnetosome gene cluster-containing bacteria in oxygen-stratified freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Ji Runjia , Wan Juan , Goswami Pranami , Shen Jianxun , Pan Yonxin , Lin Wei
Published: April 2024

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) capable of magnetosome organelle biomineralization and magnetotaxis are widespread in chemically stratified aquatic environments. Conventionally, it has long been considered that the overall abundance of MTB in microbiota is not very high and that Magnetococcia is the most frequently identified and predominant MTB members. However, the diversity and distribution of MTB in chemically stratified environments remain elusive due to the lack of large-scale systematic analyses. Here we conduct a comprehensive survey of genomes containing magnetosome gene clusters (MGCs), a group of genes responsible for magnetosome biomineralization and magnetotaxis, in 267 metagenomes from 38 oxygen-stratified freshwater environments. A total of 63 MGC-containing genomes belonging to eight bacterial phyla are reconstructed, including the newly identified Myxococcota. We discover an unexpectedly high relative abundance of putative MTB (up to 15.4% of metagenomic reads) in hypoxic and anoxic water columns, in which Deltaproteobacteria, rather than traditionally considered Magnetococcia, are the most ubiquitous and predominant MGC-containing bacteria. Our analysis reveals a depth-specific taxonomy and function of MGC-containing bacteria in stratified water columns shaped by physicochemical conditions. These findings underscore the unrecognized ecophysiological importance of MTB in freshwater ecosystems.
Design and synthesis of DNA origami nanostructures to control TNF receptor activation
Authors: Aba Göktuğ , Scheeren Ferenc A. , Sharp Thomas H.
Published: April 2024

Clustering of type II tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors (TNFRs) is essential for their activation, yet currently available drugs fail to activate signalling. Some strategies aim to cluster TNFR by using multivalent streptavidin or scaffolds based on dextran or graphene. However, these strategies do not allow for control of the valency or spatial organisation of the ligands, and consequently control of the TNFR activation is not optimal. DNA origami nanostructures allow nanometre-precise control of the spatial organization of molecules and complexes, with defined spacing, number and valency. Here, we demonstrate the design and characterisation of a DNA origami nanostructure that can be decorated with an engineered single-chain TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (SC-TRAIL) complexes, which show increased cell killing compared to SC-TRAIL alone on Jurkat cells. The information in this chapter can be used as a basis to decorate DNA origami nanostructures with various proteins, complexes or other biomolecules.
Direct and indirect regulation of β-glucocerebrosidase by the transcription factorsUSF2andONECUT2
Authors: Ging Kathi , Frick Lukas , Schlachetzki Johannes , Armani Andrea , Zhu Yanping , Gilormini Pierre-André , Marques Ana , Dhingra Ashutosh , Böck Desirée , Deen Matthew , Chen Xi , Serdiuk Tetiana , Trevisan Chiara , Sellitto Stefano , Pisano Claudio , Glass Christopher K , Heutink Peter , Yin Jiang-An , Vocadlo David J , Aguzzi Adriano
Published: April 2024

Mutations in theGBAgene, which encodes the lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), are the most prevalent genetic susceptibility factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, only approximately 20% of carriers develop the disease, suggesting the presence of genetic modifiers influencing the risk of developing PD in the presence ofGBAmutations. Here we screened 1,634 human transcription factors (TFs) for their effect on GCase activity in cell lysates of the human glioblastoma line LN-229, into which we introduced the pathogenicGBAL444P variant via adenine base editing. Using a novel arrayed CRISPR activation library, we uncovered 11 TFs as regulators of GCase activity. Among these, activation ofMITFandTFECincreased lysosomal GCase activity in live cells, while activation ofONECUT2andUSF2decreased it. Conversely, ablating USF2 increasedGBAmRNA and led to enhanced levels of GCase protein and activity. While MITF, TFEC, and USF2 affectedGBAtranscription, ONECUT2 was found to control GCase trafficking by modulating the guanine exchange factors PLEKHG4 and PLEKHG4B. Hence, our study provides a systematic approach to identifying modulators of GCase activity, expands the transcriptional landscape ofGBAregulation, and deepens our understanding of the mechanisms involved in influencing GCase activity.
Proteomic Dynamics and Heat Stress Response inArabidopsisSeedlings
Authors: Fan Kai-Ting , Xu Yuan
Published: May 2024

Global warming poses a grave threat to plant survival, adversely affecting growth and agricultural productivity. To develop thermotolerant crops, a profound comprehension of plant responses to heat stress at the molecular level is imperative. Leveraging a novel fusion of 15N-stable isotope labeling and the ProteinTurnover algorithm, we meticulously investigated proteome dynamics in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings subjected to moderate heat stress (30°C). This innovative approach facilitated a comprehensive analysis of proteomic changes across diverse cellular fractions. Our study unveiled significant turnover rate alterations in 571 proteins, with a median increase of 1.4-fold, indicative of accelerated protein dynamics under heat stress. Notably, root soluble proteins exhibited more subdued changes, suggesting tissue-specific adaptations. Moreover, we observed noteworthy turnover variations in proteins associated with redox signaling, stress response, and metabolism, underscoring the complexity of the response network. Conversely, proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and mitochondrial ATP synthesis displayed minimal turnover changes, signifying their stability. This exhaustive examination sheds light on the proteomic adjustments of Arabidopsis seedlings to moderate heat stress, elucidating the delicate balance between proteome stability and adaptability. These findings significantly augment our understanding of plant thermal resilience and offer crucial insights for the development of crops endowed with enhanced thermotolerance.
Developing a decision model for risks associated with using social media in operation and supply chain management
Authors: Yildiz Çankaya Sibel , Can Saglam Yesim , Sezen Bulent
Published: May 2024

Purpose

With the increasing use of social media in operation and supply chain management (OSCM), it is of great importance for managers to consider risks in advance and take precautions against the risks that might arise from social media usage among supply chain members. The aim of this research is to identify and evaluate the risks related to the use of social media in OSCM.

Design/methodology/approach

An initial research of the literature revealed that there is no detailed risk categorization in this area. Current taxonomies on the business risks of social media usage were examined and integrated with classifications identified in a Delphi study. The authors empirically demonstrate how the determined risks are prioritized and how decision-makers may decide to manage risks effectively based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method.

Findings

The findings of the research showed that reputation-associated risks such as criticism, language and loss of confidence should be prioritized over human, content and technical-associated risks.

Originality/value

To date, a comprehensive approach to determine risks arising from using social media in OSCM is missing. With the Delphi and AHP techniques, the authors provide a novel insight for managers to mitigate risks. The outcomes of this study may assist executives in achieving successful management of social media usage in OSCM. Besides, the proposed AHP model may provide guidelines and direction in this regard.
Employability skills among work ready professionals in higher education: mapping the field through bibliometric analysis with R studio
Authors: Rathee Vijay , Mittal Preeti
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The current study intends to synthesise the prior studies on employability skills among work-ready professionals in higher education through bibliometric and network visualisation tools. This study also identifies the gaps in the existing literature that still need to be filled and maps the course for future investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study examined research papers on employability skills among work-ready professionals in higher education to evaluate global patterns and the top authors, institutions, journals, and nations contributing to this field. The authors analysed eight hundred eighty-five papers from the Scopus database between 1982 and 2023 for the study. Open-source bibliometric tools like Biblioshiny were used in the study to examine the body of literature and to spot new directions for future research.

Findings

The study’s findings indicate that since 2008, researchers, academics, and policymakers have paid more attention to employability skills among work-ready professionals, and 2019 is the year seeing the highest no. of publications. Across the globe, 2077 authors contributed to the articles, papers, and journals published in the particular domain. Regarding location, the United Kingdom is the world’s most productive nation, with 342 articles produced. Similarly, Australia, India, and Malaysia are the leading nations that have contributed to the field. Both keywords significantly contribute to scientific knowledge.

Practical implications

The gaps in this study will serve as a reference point for researchers conducting future studies in this field. Additionally, the result of this analysis offers a roadmap for higher education to enhance graduate employability by embedding necessary skills into them.

Originality/value

There has not been a bibliometric analysis concerning employability skills among Work-ready professionals in the existing literature; hence, this article is innovative. This study is the first attempt at integrating the concept. The study also gives an overview of potential directions for future research in this discipline.
Why and when perceived organizational exploitation inhibits frontline hotel employees’ service performance: a social exchange approach
Authors: Fan Yurong , Huang Qixing , Wu Long-Zeng , Ye Yijiao , Zhou Yuan , Miao Chunchun
Published: April 2024

Purpose

By investigating trust in the organization as a mediator and traditionality as a moderator, this study aims to examine the effect perceived organizational exploitation poses on frontline hotel employees’ service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-wave survey that targets 219 supervisor–subordinate dyads from four Chinese hotels was conducted to test the hypotheses. The authors used SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 21.0 to analyze the data and verify the theoretical model.

Findings

This study found that perceived organizational exploitation exerts a destructive impact on frontline hotel employees’ service performance. Trust in the organization is a full mediator of the link connecting perceived organizational exploitation to service performance. Furthermore, traditionality weakens perceived organizational exploitation’s impact on trust in the organization and subsequent service performance.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings remind hotels to cease exploiting their employees to avoid compromising service performance. Hotels should also endeavor to instill trust among employees toward the hotel and allocate more attention to employees with lower levels of traditionality.

Originality/value

First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to explore the impact of perceived organizational exploitation on frontline hotel employees’ service performance. Second, this study reveals a novel mechanism underlying the connection between perceived organizational exploitation and service performance. Finally, this study identifies frontline hotel employees’ traditionality as a vital moderator that mitigates the negative relationships among perceived organizational exploitation, trust in the organization and service performance.
Customer attributions for LGBT-friendly branding hotels and skepticism
Authors: Ro Heejung , Kang Juhee
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationships between motives, skepticism and brands evaluations in the LGBT-friendly branding hotels context.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey is created and 278 LGBT participants are recruited through a consumer panels firm. The research model is tested through structural equation modeling.

Findings

Values-, stakeholder- and strategic-driven motives are negatively related to skepticism, while egoistic-driven motive is positively related to skepticism. Also, sexual orientation openness moderates the relationship between stakeholder-driven motives and skepticism. Finally, skepticism is negatively related to brands evaluations.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings are limited to the LGBT-friendly hotels. However, this research contributes to the CSR and LGBT consumer research by examining the relationships between the four motives and skepticism considering LGBT customers’ sexual orientation openness level.

Practical implications

Hotels should devote greater efforts to communicating that their LGBT-friendly branding efforts are genuine by acknowledging both the social benefits and the business interests.

Social implications

As more and more hotels promote themselves as LGBT-friendly brands, a key challenge is reducing skepticism by appropriately conveying their motives. This research sheds light on this critical issue.

Originality/value

Although existent research on LGBT-friendliness has established its importance; there is a lack of understanding as to how customers perceive LGBT-friendly branding hotels. This research examines the four motives of hotels presenting themselves as being LGBT-friendly and their relationships to skepticism.
Retaining Generation Z employees in the hotel industry: a time-lag study
Authors: Zhou Xiaoman , Chi Christina Geng-Qing , Wen Biyan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Generation Z (Gen Z) is entering the hotel workforce and will soon become the dominant group. This has called for a better understanding of this workforce’s attitudes and perceptions towards working in the hotel industry. This study aims to examine the effect of organizational socialization on the retention of Chinese Gen Z employees, the mediating role of person–environment fit (P-E fit) and the moderating effect of career commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Time-lagged data were collected from 426 Gen Z new employees from 20 upscale hotels at two different times (2 weeks and 12 weeks after the employees entered the hotel). Confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, bootstrapping analysis and moderated hierarchical regression analyses were used for data analysis.

Findings

Organizational socialization positively affects employee retention via person–environment fit. Moreover, career commitment positively moderates the relationship between person–environment fit and employee retention.

Practical implications

Hotels must view organizational socialization as a long-term investment in Gen Z talent management by offering effective training through diverse methods, creating a collaborative environment and helping them develop career plans to enhance their career commitment.

Originality/value

This study unpacks the four dimensions of organizational socialization and investigates their differential effects on Gen Z employees’ retention through P-E fit. The moderating role of career commitment is also examined. This study contributes to the growing body of hospitality human resources management research on this new generation of workforce in China.
Contact localization from soft tactile array sensor using tactile image
Authors: Tu Baoxu , Zhang Yuanfei , Min Kang , Ni Fenglei , Jin Minghe
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to estimate contact location from sparse and high-dimensional soft tactile array sensor data using the tactile image. The authors used three feature extraction methods: handcrafted features, convolutional features and autoencoder features. Subsequently, these features were mapped to contact locations through a contact location regression network. Finally, the network performance was evaluated using spherical fittings of three different radii to further determine the optimal feature extraction method.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to estimate contact location from sparse and high-dimensional soft tactile array sensor data using the tactile image.

Findings

This research indicates that data collected by probes can be used for contact localization. Introducing a batch normalization layer after the feature extraction stage significantly enhances the model’s generalization performance. Through qualitative and quantitative analyses, the authors conclude that convolutional methods can more accurately estimate contact locations.

Originality/value

The paper provides both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the performance of three contact localization methods across different datasets. To address the challenge of obtaining accurate contact locations in quantitative analysis, an indirect measurement metric is proposed.
Simplified model to study the kinematics of manipulators with parallelogram linkages
Authors: Malla Omar , Shanmugavel Madhavan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Parallelogram linkages are used to increase the stiffness of manipulators and allow precise control of end-effectors. They help maintain the orientation of connected links when the manipulator changes its position. They are implemented in many palletizing robots connected with binary, ternary and quaternary links through both active and passive joints. This limits the motion of some joints and hence results in relative and negative joint angles when assigning coordinate axes. This study aims to provide a simplified accurate model for manipulators built with parllelogram linkages to ease the kinematics calculations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces a simplified model, replacing each parallelogram linkage with a single (binary) link with an active and a passive joint at the ends. This replacement facilitates countering motion while preserving subsequent link orientations. Validation of kinematics is performed on palletizing manipulators from five different OEMs. The validation of Dobot Magician and ABB IRB1410 was carried out in real time and in their control software. Other robots from ABB, Yaskawa, Kuka and Fanuc were validated using control environments and simulators.

Findings

The proposed model enables the straightforward derivation of forward kinematics and transforms hybrid robots into equivalent serial-link robots. The model demonstrates high accuracy streamlining the derivation of kinematics.

Originality/value

The proposed model facilitates the use of classical methods like the Denavit–Hartenberg procedure with ease. It not only simplifies kinematics derivation but it also helps in robot control and motion planning within the workspace. The approach can also be implemented to simplify the parallelogram linkages of robots with higher degrees of freedom such as the IRB1410.
Understanding public sentiments and misbeliefs about Sustainable Development Goals: a sentiment and topic modeling analysis
Authors: Verma Abhinav , Nayak Jogendra Kumar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Misinformation surrounding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has contributed to the formation of misbeliefs among the public. The purpose of this paper is to investigate public sentiment and misbeliefs about the SDGs on the YouTube platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors extracted 8,016 comments from YouTube videos associated with SDGs. The authors used a pre-trained Python library NRC lexicon for sentiment and emotion analysis, and to extract latent topics, the authors used BERTopic for topic modeling.

Findings

The authors found eight emotions, with negativity outweighing positivity, in the comment section. In addition, the authors identified the top 20 topics discussing various SDGs and SDG-related misbeliefs.

Practical implications

The authors reported topics related to public misbeliefs about SDGs and associated keywords. These keywords can be used to formulate social media content moderation strategies to screen out content that creates these misbeliefs. The result of hierarchical clustering can be used to devise and optimize response strategies by governments and policymakers to counter public misbeliefs.

Originality/value

This study represents an initial endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of the public’s misbeliefs regarding SDGs. The authors identified novel misbeliefs about SDGs that previous literature has not studied. Furthermore, the authors introduce an algorithm BERTopic for topic modeling that leverages transformer architecture for context-aware topic modeling.
Air leaks fault detection in maintenance using machine learning
Authors: Barakat Neveen , Hajeir Liana , Alattal Sarah , Hussein Zain , Awad Mahmoud
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to develop a condition-based maintenance (CBM) scheme for pneumatic cylinders. The CBM scheme will detect two common types of air leaking failure modes and identify the leaky/faulty cylinder. The successful implementation of the proposed scheme will reduce energy consumption, scrap and rework, and time to repair.

Design/methodology/approach

Effective implementation of maintenance is important to reduce operation cost, improve productivity and enhance quality performance at the same time. Condition-based monitoring is an effective maintenance scheme where maintenance is triggered based on the condition of the equipment monitored either real time or at certain intervals. Pneumatic air systems are commonly used in many industries for packaging, sorting and powering air tools among others. A common failure mode of pneumatic cylinders is air leaks which is difficult to detect for complex systems with many connections. The proposed method consists of monitoring the stroke speed profile of the piston inside the pneumatic cylinder using hall effect sensors. Statistical features are extracted from the speed profiles and used to develop a fault detection machine learning model. The proposed method is demonstrated using a real-life case of tea packaging machines.

Findings

Based on the limited data collected, the ensemble machine learning algorithm resulted in 88.4% accuracy. The algorithm can detect failures as soon as they occur based on majority vote rule of three machine learning models.

Practical implications

Early air leak detection will improve quality of packaged tea bags and provide annual savings due to time to repair and energy waste reduction. The average annual estimated savings due to the implementation of the new CBM method is $229,200 with a payback period of less than two years.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first in terms of proposing a CBM for pneumatic systems air leaks using piston speed. Majority, if not all, current detection methods rely on expensive equipment such as infrared or ultrasonic sensors. This paper also contributes to the research gap of economic justification of using CBM.
A validation study of the Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS-15) in India
Authors: Mehta Palav , Vyas Mahimna , Shah Nirja
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to validate the Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS) created by Amanze and Carson (2019) for the Indian population.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the validation of the BFS was collected (Total N = 813) in two phases (Phase-I, N1 = 613 and Phase-II, N2 = 200) through online surveys. SPSS 26 and AMOS were used to establish the psychometric properties of the scale through internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The results indicated the validation of the BFS in the Indian context, with a high internal consistency (a = 0.847). Confirmatory factor analysis validated the factor structure and items, along with face validity.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers comprehensive suggestions on the approaches to forgiveness, addresses biases, advocates for qualitative exploration and emphasizes rigour for the future research on forgiveness.

Originality/value

The present study validates the BFS for future use for the Indian population. The authors offer comprehensive suggestions on the approaches to forgiveness, address biases, advocate for qualitative exploration and emphasize rigour for future research on forgiveness.
The role of cultural factors in green supply chain management practices: a conceptual framework and an empirical investigation
Authors: Iddik Sadia
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the debate on the impact of organizational culture and national culture on green supply chain management (GSCM) adoption by empirically testing the developed framework, and ultimately pave the way toward potential areas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data from a sample of Moroccan manufacturing firms, 130 responses were collected and analyzed using SPSS 25 and Smart PLS v 3.3.3 software. The paper used a convenience sample, as it is required by the quantitative method, which legitimate making generalization under certain conditions.

Findings

The research results indicated that the national culture does not influence the GSCM implementation. The results contradict a number of prior works. As for the second direct effect measured postulated that organizational culture has a direct and significant impact on the GSCM. The results indicate that adhocracy culture, clan culture and hierarchical culture have a positive impact on the implementation of GSCM initiatives. To assess the impact of ownership type on GSCM, we underlined the difference between local and foreign firms. In fact, as argued, the foreign firms are more implementing GSCM initiatives than local firms do. Based on the arguments advanced on prior literature, the firm size does, as expected, exert significant control over the adoption of GSCM initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

The paper here is a starting point to understand how environmental sustainability and culture are interlinked; further research might contribute to this topic by empirically testing the model in similar or different contexts, using different cultural frameworks.

Practical implications

The practical implications for the paper are related to the necessity of adopting adequate organizational culture to build responsible behaviors for GSCM adoption by Moroccan firms. Recognizing the powerful role of organizational culture as a crucial factor responsible for GSCM’s success beyond the well-defined corporate strategies, including market presence and technological advantages, etc.

Social implications

This paper contributes to the establishment of codependent links between sociology and management fields as it helps to update the social theories present in the operations management area.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, few works have pursued to review and bridge cultural theories with the GSCM implementation.
Adaptive iterative learning control of soft robot for beating heart tracking
Authors: Wang Yong , Liu Yuting , Xu Fan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Soft robots are known for their excellent safe interaction ability and promising in surgical applications for their lower risks of damaging the surrounding organs when operating than their rigid counterparts. To explore the potential of soft robots in cardiac surgery, this paper aims to propose an adaptive iterative learning controller for tracking the irregular motion of the beating heart.

Design/methodology/approach

In continuous beating heart surgery, providing a relatively stable operating environment for the operator is crucial. It is highly necessary to use position-tracking technology to keep the target and the surgical manipulator as static as possible. To address the position tracking and control challenges associated with dynamic targets, with a focus on tracking the motion of the heart, control design work has been carried out. Considering the lag error introduced by the material properties of the soft surgical robotic arm and system delays, a controller design incorporating iterative learning control with parameter estimation was used for position control. The stability of the controller was analyzed and proven through the construction of a Lyapunov function, taking into account the unique characteristics of the soft robotic system.

Findings

The tracking performance of both the proportional-derivative (PD) position controller and the adaptive iterative learning controller are conducted on the simulated heart platform. The results of these two methods are compared and analyzed. The designed adaptive iterative learning control algorithm for position control at the end effector of the soft robotic system has demonstrated improved control precision and stability compared with traditional PD controllers. It exhibits effective compensation for periodic lag caused by system delays and material characteristics.

Originality/value

Tracking the beating heart, which undergoes quasi-periodic and complex motion with varying accelerations, poses a significant challenge even for rigid mechanical arms that can be precisely controlled and makes tracking targets located at the surface of the heart with the soft robot fraught with considerable difficulties. This paper originally proposes an adaptive interactive learning control algorithm to cope with the dynamic object tracking problem. The algorithm has theoretically proved its convergence and experimentally validated its performance at the cable-driven soft robot test bed.
Study on intelligent assembly process planning and execution system based on digital twin
Authors: Wu Shiqing , Wang Jiahai , Jiang Haibin , Xue Weiye
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore a new assembly process planning and execution mode to realize rapid response, reduce the labor intensity of assembly workers and improve the assembly efficiency and quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the related concepts of digital twin, this paper studies the product assembly planning in digital space, the process execution in physical space and the interaction between digital space and physical space. The assembly process planning is simulated and verified in the digital space to generate three-dimensional visual assembly process specification documents, the implementation of the assembly process specification documents in the physical space is monitored and feed back to revise the assembly process and improve the assembly quality.

Findings

Digital twin technology enhances the quality and efficiency of assembly process planning and execution system.

Originality/value

It provides a new perspective for assembly process planning and execution, the architecture, connections and data acquisition approaches of the digital twin-driven framework are proposed in this paper, which is of important theoretical values. What is more, a smart assembly workbench is developed, the specific image classification algorithms are presented in detail too, which is of some industrial application values.
Swedish crisis preparedness planners' understanding and sense‐making of preparedness work in a public organisation: Implications for future development
Authors: Leth Eva , Borell Jonas , Ek Åsa
Published: April 2024

The sometimes rapid development of (new) threats and extraordinary events calls for a robust, flexible, and well‐equipped civil crisis preparedness system to respond and limit the damage of crisis events. To achieve this, Swedish municipalities and regions are required by law to regularly perform and report risk and vulnerability analysis ‘bottom up’ to governmental agencies. When performed in large and complex public organisations, crisis preparedness planning activities require negotiation, coordination, and cooperation among large numbers of people. Crisis preparedness planners facilitate and produce this proactive crisis preparedness work. However, research has revealed that preparedness planners face organisational and practical challenges when performing their work.

This study aims at increasing the knowledge of crisis preparedness planners' understandings and sense‐making of their work in one Swedish region when fulfilling the requirements set by the Swedish national regulations. The objectives of this paper are to present findings on (1) how the preparedness planners understand and make sense of their crisis preparedness work; (2) which major enablers and barriers that affect their work; and, based on the results, (3) forward possibilities for improvement.

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with the 10 crisis preparedness planners. A narrative stepwise analysis approach was applied. The analysis results revealed challenges in the crisis preparedness work due to uncommitted managers, unclear goalsetting, and the planners' sometimes limited skills in crisis preparedness work. It also report on managers' autonomy and varying focus on crisis preparedness, planners' unclear individual work space, and many different and sometimes strong voices about the work performance and content. This raises the question whose interest that in practice sets the agenda for crisis preparedness planning in the organisation.

The study demonstrates needs for increased organisational sense‐making on the concept of crisis preparedness and how it should be performed, and for conceptual and technical skills to perform the preparedness work. To increase sense‐making and strengthen generic subjectivity on crisis preparedness work, further discussions are needed about enablers and barriers in preparedness work and an increased joint focus on possible internal and external threats. There are also needs for increased manager‐coworker‐planner cooperation when developing the preparedness work, and strategic changes in the organisational development involving goalsetting for crisis preparedness ‘top‐down’ as well as ‘bottom‐up’.
Activation of M4 muscarinic receptors in the striatum reduces tic‐like behaviours in two distinct murine models of Tourette syndrome
Authors: Cadeddu Roberto , Braccagni Giulia , Branca Caterina , van Luik Easton R. , Pittenger Christopher , Thomsen Morten Skøtt , Bortolato Marco
Published: May 2024

Background and Purpose

Current pharmacotherapies for Tourette syndrome (TS) are often unsatisfactory and poorly tolerated, underscoring the need for novel treatments. Insufficient striatal acetylcholine has been suggested to contribute to tic ontogeny. Thus, we tested whether activating M1 and/or M4 receptors—the two most abundant muscarinic receptors in the striatum—reduced tic‐related behaviours in mouse models of TS.

Experimental Approach

Studies were conducted using CIN‐d and D1CT‐7 mice, two TS models characterized by early‐life depletion of striatal cholinergic interneurons and cortical neuropotentiation, respectively. First, we tested the effects of systemic and intrastriatal xanomeline, a selective M1/M4 receptor agonist, on tic‐like and other TS‐related responses. Then, we examined whether xanomeline effects were reduced by either M1 or M4 antagonists or mimicked by the M1/M3 agonist cevimeline or the M4 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0467154. Finally, we measured striatal levels of M1 and M4 receptors and assessed the impact of VU0461754 on the striatal expression of the neural marker activity c‐Fos.

Key Results

Systemic and intrastriatal xanomeline reduced TS‐related behaviours in CIN‐d and D1CT‐7 mice. Most effects were blocked by M4, but not M1, receptor antagonists. VU0467154, but not cevimeline, elicited xanomeline‐like ameliorative effects in both models. M4, but not M1, receptors were down‐regulated in the striatum of CIN‐d mice. Additionally, VU0467154 reduced striatal c‐Fos levels in these animals.

Conclusion and Implications

Activation of striatal M4, but not M1, receptors reduced tic‐like manifestations in mouse models, pointing to xanomeline and M4 PAMs as novel putative therapeutic strategies for TS.