bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upstream alternative polyadenylation inSCN5Aproduces a short transcript isoform encoding a mitochondria-localized NaV1.5 N-terminal fragment that influences cardiomyocyte respiration
Authors: Witmer Nathan H. , McLendon Jared M. , Stein Colleen S. , Yoon Jin-Young , Berezhnaya Elena , Elrod John W. , London Barry L. , Boudreau Ryan L.
Published: August 2024

SCN5Aencodes the cardiac voltage-gated Na+ channel, NaV1.5, that initiates action potentials.SCN5Agene variants cause arrhythmias and increased heart failure risk. Mechanisms controlling NaV1.5 expression and activity are not fully understood. We recently found a well-conserved alternative polyadenylation (APA) signal downstream of the firstSCN5Acoding exon. This yields aSCN5A-shorttranscript isoform expressed in several species (e.g. human, pig, and cat), though rodents lack this upstream APA. Reanalysis of transcriptome-wide cardiac APA-seq and mRNA-seq data shows reductions in both upstream APA usage and short/full-lengthSCN5AmRNA ratios in failing hearts. Knock-in of the humanSCN5AAPA sequence into mice is sufficient to enable expression ofSCN5A-short transcript, while significantly decreasing expression of full-lengthSCN5AmRNA. Notably,SCN5A-short transcript encodes a novel protein (NaV1.5-NT), composed of an N-terminus identical to NaV1.5 and a unique C-terminus derived from intronic sequence. AAV9 constructs were able to achieve stable NaV1.5-NT expression in mouse hearts, and western blot of human heart tissues showed bands co-migrating with NaV1.5-NT transgene-derived bands. NaV1.5-NT is predicted to contain a mitochondrial targeting sequence and localizes to mitochondria in cultured cardiomyocytes and in mouse hearts. NaV1.5-NT expression in cardiomyocytes led to elevations in basal oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, and mitochondrial ROS, while depleting NADH supply. Native PAGE analyses of mitochondria lysates revealed that NaV1.5-NT expression resulted in increased levels of disassembled complex V subunits and accumulation of complex I-containing supercomplexes. Overall, we discovered that APA-mediated regulation ofSCN5Aproduces a short transcript encoding NaV1.5-NT. Our data support that NaV1.5-NT plays a multifaceted role in influencing mitochondrial physiology: 1) by increasing basal respiration likely through promoting complex V conformations that enhance proton leak, and 2) by increasing overall respiratory efficiency and NADH consumption by enhancing formation and/or stability of complex I-containing respiratory supercomplexes, though the specific molecular mechanisms underlying each of these remain unresolved.
Pleiotropic cellular responses underlying antibiotic tolerance inCampylobacter jejuni
Authors: Cho Eunshin , Kim Jinshil , Hur Jeong In , Ryu Sangryeol , Jeon Byeonghwa
Published: August 2024

Antibiotic tolerance enables antibiotic-susceptible bacteria to withstand prolonged exposure to high concentrations of antibiotics. Although antibiotic tolerance presents a major challenge for public health, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Previously, we have demonstrated thatCampylobacter jejunidevelops tolerance to clinically important antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. To identify cellular responses associated with antibiotic tolerance, we conducted RNA-sequencing analysis onC. jejunifollowing the induction of antibiotic tolerance through exposure to elevated levels of ciprofloxacin or tetracycline. Additionally, we constructed knockout mutants for genes that showed significant changes in expression levels during antibiotic tolerance. We observed a significant upregulation of genes involved in protein chaperones, bacterial motility, DNA repair system, drug efflux pump, and iron homeostasis during antibiotic tolerance. Furthermore, the viability of these knockout mutants was significantly reduced compared to the wild-type strain, indicating the critical role of these cellular responses in sustaining antibiotic tolerance. Notably, we also found that the protein chaperone mutants ΔdnaK, ΔclpB, and ΔgroESLexhibited increased protein aggregates under antibiotic treatment, suggesting protein chaperones play a critical role in managing protein aggregation and facilitating the survival ofC. jejuniduring antibiotic tolerance. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that various cellular defense mechanisms collectively contribute to sustaining antibiotic tolerance inC. jejuni, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic tolerance that enableC. jejunito withstand the lethal effects of antibiotics.
Comprehensive assembly of monoclonal and mixed antibody sequences
Authors: Jiang Wenbin , Xiong Yueting , Xiao Jin , Wang Jingyi , Jiang Zhenjian , Luo Ling , Yuan Quan , Xia Ningshao , Yu Rongshan
Published: August 2024

The elucidation of antibody sequence information is crucial for understanding antigen binding and advancing therapeutic and research applications. However, completede novoassembly of monoclonal antibody sequences remains challenging due to accuracy and robustness limitations. To address this issue, we introduce Fusion, an innovativede novoassembler that integrates overlapping peptides and template information into complete sequences using a beam search strategy. We demonstrate Fusion’s performance by reconstructing multiple human and murine antibodies with highest accuracy (100% and over 99%, respectively). Biological validation of the recombinantly expressed AFS98 antibody with unknown sequences further supports its effectiveness. Furthermore, current methods are applicable only to traditional monoclonal antibody sequencing assembly, presenting a significant bottleneck in achieving higher throughput. In contrast, Fusion can assemble peptide sequences from mixtures of two or three monoclonal antibodies into complete individual sequences with the same accuracy as traditional sequencing, significantly enhancing throughput. To our knowledge, this is the first study enabling high-throughput sequencing of multiple antibodies using only bottom-up mass spectrometry. The duration, expense, and reagent consumption of mass spectrometry detection are comparable to those required for sequencing a single monoclonal antibody. In summary, Fusion’s superior performance in handling the complex antibody sequencing represents a significant advancement in antibody research.
RGAST: Relational Graph Attention Network for Spatial Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Gong Yuqiao , Yu Zhangsheng
Published: August 2024

Recent advancements in spatially resolved transcriptomics have provided a powerful means to comprehensively capture gene expression patterns while preserving the spatial context of the tissue microenvironment. Accurately deciphering the spatial context of spots within a tissue necessitates the careful utilization of their spatial information, which in turn requires feature extraction from complex and detailed spatial patterns. In this study, we present RGAST (Relational Graph Attention network for Spatial Transcriptome analysis), a framework designed to learn low-dimensional representations of spatial transcriptome (ST) data. RGAST is the first to consider gene expression similarity and spatial neighbor relationships simultaneously in constructing a heterogeneous graph network in ST analysis. We further introduce a cross-attention mechanism to provide a more comprehensive and adaptive representation of spatial transcriptome data. We validate the effectiveness of RGAST in different downstream tasks using diverse spatial transcriptomics datasets obtained from different platforms with varying spatial resolutions. Our results demonstrate that RGAST enhances spatial domain identification accuracy by approximately 10% compared to the second method in 10X Visium DLPFC dataset. Furthermore, RGAST facilitates the discovery of spatially variable genes, uncovers spatially resolved cell-cell interactions, enables more precise cell trajectory inference and reveals intricate 3D spatial patterns across multiple sections of ST data. Our RGAST method is available as a Python package on PyPI athttps://pypi.org/project/RGAST, free for academic use, and the source code is openly available from our GitHub repository athttps://github.com/GYQ-form/RGAST.
Unveiling Fine-scale Spatial Structures and Amplifying Gene Expression Signals in Ultra-Large ST slices with HERGAST
Authors: Gong Yuqiao , Yuan Xin , Jiao Qiong , Yu Zhangsheng
Published: August 2024

We propose HERGAST, a system for spatial structure identification and signal amplification in ultra-large-scale and ultra-high-resolution spatial transcriptomics data. To handle ultra-large ST data, we consider the divide and conquer strategy and devise a Divide-Iterate-Conque framework specially for spatial transcriptomics data analysis, which can also be adopted by other computational methods for extending to ultra-large-scale ST data analysis. To tackle the potential oversmoothing problem arising from data splitting, we construct a heterogeneous graph network to incorporate both local and global spatial relationships. In simulation, HERGAST consistently outperformed other methods across all settings with more than 10% average gaining. In real-world data, HERGAST’s high-precision spatial clustering enabled finding SPP1+ macrophages intermingled in tumors in colorectal cancer, while the enhanced gene expression signal enabled discovering unique spatial expression pattern of key genes in breast cancer.
Explainable AI in Healthcare: Systematic Review of Clinical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Aziz Noor A. , Manzoor Awais , Mazhar Qureshi Muhammad Deedahwar , Qureshi M. Atif , Rashwan Wael
Published: August 2024

This systematic review examines the evolution and current landscape of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), highlighting significant advancements and identifying persistent challenges. Utilising the PRISMA protocol, we searched major indexed databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library, to analyse publications from January 2000 to April 2024. This timeframe captures the progressive integration of XAI in CDSS, offering a historical and technological overview. The review covers the datasets, application areas, machine learning models, explainable AI methods, and evaluation strategies for multiple XAI methods.

Analysing 68 articles, we uncover valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of current XAI approaches, revealing significant research gaps and providing actionable recommendations. We emphasise the need for more public datasets, advanced data treatment methods, comprehensive evaluations of XAI methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our findings stress the importance of balancing model performance with explainability and enhancing the usability of XAI tools for medical practitioners. This research provides a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers seeking to develop and evaluate effective, ethical decision-support systems in clinical settings.
Fine-tuning of conditional Transformers for the generation of functionally characterized enzymes
Authors: Nicolini Marco , Saitto Emanuele , Jimenez Franco Ruben Emilio , Cavalleri Emanuele , Mesiti Marco , Galeano Alfonso Aldo Javier , Malchiodi Dario , Paccanaro Alberto , Robinson Peter N. , Casiraghi Elena , Valentini Giorgio
Published: August 2024

We introduceFinenzyme, a Protein Language Model (PLM) that employs a multifaceted learning strategy based on transfer learning from a decoder-based Transformer, conditional learning using specific functional keywords, and fine-tuning to model specific Enzyme Commission (EC) categories. UsingFinenzyme, we investigate the conditions under which fine-tuning enhances the prediction and generation of EC categories, showing a two-fold perplexity improvement in EC-specific categories compared to a generalist model. Our extensive experimentation shows thatFinenzymegenerated sequences can be very different from natural ones while retaining similar tertiary structures, functions and chemical kinetics of their natural counterparts. Importantly, the embedded representations of the generated enzymes closely resemble those of natural ones, thus making them suitable for downstream tasks. Finally, we illustrate howFinenzymecan be used in practice to generate enzymes characterized by specific functions using in-silico directed evolution, a computationally inexpensive PLM fine-tuning procedure significantly enhancing and assisting targeted enzyme engineering tasks.
Hematobiochemical Alterations and Pathological Lesions Induced by Fasciolosis in Slaughtered Cattle at Gondar ELFORA Abattoir, Ethiopia
Authors: Temesgen Abraham Belete , Mitiku Tadegegn , Birhan Mastewal , Kebede Mersha Chanie , Yesuf Mohammed , Mekonnen Muluken Yayeh , Alemayehu Moges Maru , Malede Birhan Anagaw , Geda Abdo Megra , Tumebo Aregash Wendimu , Shiferaw Kefale Ambachew , Wassie Zerihun Getie , Berie Genetu Kassahun , Mengistu Bemrew Admassu , Feleke Melaku Getahun , Edenshaw Fikadu , Yitie Mulusew Tesfaye , Kasse Gashaw Enbiyale , Tsehay Elias Melkamu , Shiferaw Samuel Atalay
Published: August 2024

Fasciolosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. It is a serious public health and veterinary concern, with significant consequences for both human and livestock populations. An abattoir-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2023 at Gondar ELFORA Abattoir, Ethiopia, to assess hematobiochemical alterations and pathological lesions induced by fasciolosis in slaughtered cattle. The study involved one hundred apparently healthy male local breed cattle, evenly split into fifty infected and fifty non-infected individuals, using a purposive sampling technique. Findings showed lower mean values for hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), lymphocytes, monocytes, total protein, albumin, and glucose. Conversely, they had higher mean values for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total leukocyte count (TLC), neutrophils, eosinophils, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Basophil levels were similar in both groups. Liver alterations observed included hepatomegaly with rounded edges and the presence of juvenile flukes in the cut section of the parenchyma. In chronic cases, the liver appeared smaller, with a firm consistency, a corrugated capsule, and dilated bile ducts containing twisted flukes. The characteristic microscopic lesions observed in the acute cases were infiltration of eosinophils, hemosiderin pigmentation, and congestion around the central vein and sinusoids, while in the chronic cases, there were fibrosis, proliferation of bile ducts, and metaplasia of columnar to cuboidal epithelial cells. The results of hematobiochemical alterations were consistent with gross and microscopic findings, indicating a significant impact on liver physiology and histology, leading to substantial losses in meat and milk production.
Dimensions and barriers for digital (in)equity and digital divide: a systematic integrative review
Authors: Raihan Mohammad M.H. , Subroto Sujoy , Chowdhury Nashit , Koch Katharina , Ruttan Erin , Turin Tanvir C.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This integrative review was conducted to provide an overview of existing research on digital (in)equity and the digital divide in developed countries.

Design/methodology/approach

We searched academic and grey literature to identify relevant papers. From 8464 academic articles and 183 grey literature, after two levels of screening, 31 articles and 54 documents were selected, respectively. A thematic analysis was conducted following the steps suggested by Braun and Clarke and results were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Findings

The results showed that most articles and papers were either from Europe or North America. Studies used a range of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. The results demonstrated four major dimensions of the digital divide among various vulnerable groups, including digital literacy, affordability, equity-deserving group-sensitive content and availability or access to infrastructure. Among vulnerable groups, low-income people were reported in the majority of the studies followed by older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, newcomers/new immigrants and refugees, Indigenous groups, people with disabilities and women. Most reported barriers included lack of access to the internet, digital skills, language barriers and internet costs.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, there have been limited attempts to thoroughly review the literature to better understand the emerging dimensions of digital equity and the digital divide, identifying major vulnerable populations and their unique barriers and challenges. This review demonstrated that understanding intersectional characteristics (age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, Indigenous identity and immigration status) and their interconnections is crucial for analyzing the dynamics of digital (in)equity and divide.
Simulation of coupled groundwater flow and contaminant transport using quintic B-spline collocation method
Authors: Bahar Ersin , Gurarslan Gurhan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new numerical scheme with no stability condition and high-order accuracy for the solution of two-dimensional coupled groundwater flow and transport simulation problems with regular and irregular geometries and compare the results with widely acceptable programs such as Modular Three-Dimensional Finite-Difference Ground-Water Flow Model (MODFLOW) and Modular Three-Dimensional Multispecies Transport Model (MT3DMS).

Design/methodology/approach

The newly proposed numerical scheme is based on the method of lines (MOL) approach and uses high-order approximations both in space and time. Quintic B-spline (QBS) functions are used in space to transform partial differential equations, representing the relevant physical phenomena in the system of ordinary differential equations. Then this system is solved with the DOPRI5 algorithm that requires no stability condition. The obtained results are compared with the results of the MODFLOW and MT3DMS programs to verify the accuracy of the proposed scheme.

Findings

The results indicate that the proposed numerical scheme can successfully simulate the two-dimensional coupled groundwater flow and transport problems with complex geometry and parameter structures. All the results are in good agreement with the reference solutions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, the QBS-DOPRI5 method is used for the first time for solving two-dimensional coupled groundwater flow and transport problems with complex geometries and can be extended to high-dimensional problems. In the future, considering the success of the proposed numerical scheme, it can be used successfully for the identification of groundwater contaminant source characteristics.
Central budget allocation regime and total factor productivity in Vietnam: a decomposition approach
Authors: Le Dao Van , Tran Tuyen Quang
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study explores the effect of local budget retention rate changes (RER) on total factor productivity (TFP) and its components in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a two-system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator and data from 2012 to 2019 across all 63 provinces/cities of Vietnam.

Findings

The study finds that local budget retention rates significantly influence public investment, affecting scale and allocation efficiency. The reallocation of budgets between regions and from the central government to local levels incurs certain costs, often resulting in economically robust provinces experiencing reductions in their retention rates.

Practical implications

Recognizing the challenges of immediate structural budget changes due to cultural and historical factors, the study suggests a more gradual policy approach. It emphasizes the importance of policy predictability, as abrupt reductions in the retention rate lead to higher costs than gradual reductions, thus implementing budget policies with a clearer timeline. This study provides insight into local budget allocation regimes and their impact on productivity in transitioning countries.

Originality/value

First, the study provides fresh evidence of the impact of retention rate changes on TFP and its components in Vietnam. Second, the study provides insights into the mechanisms of the nexus of increased budget spending, capital efficiency and, most importantly, attaining improvement in education. We also offer further insights into inefficient budget allocation agents in Vietnam, especially in large cities, which should alert scholars to explore this topic further in the future.
Bachpan Bachao Andolon: saving childhood!
Authors: Nafees Lubna , Mehdi Mokhalles Mohammad , Kapoor Shivani
Published: August 2024

Learning outcomes

The case study aims to provide students with an understanding of child labour in India and how the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) movement is facilitating the eradication of child labour in India. The key objectives are to understand the challenges of eradicating child labour in India, assess the approaches to rescue and rehabilitation for the protection of a child in India, analyse the personality traits of a leader and evaluate the charismatic leadership of a leader.

Case overview/synopsis

The case study discussed child labour and the movement started by Kailash Satyarthi to protect children through the BBA or Save the Childhood Movement in India. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his contribution to creating an environment to abolish child labour. Headquartered in New Delhi, BBA was established in 1980 to eliminate child slavery and violence against children (BBA.org.in, 2017). Satyarthi’s effort brought regulatory changes in the Indian constitution in the form of “Education as a fundamental right” (The Novel Prize, 2023). As per census 2011, more than 10 million children were involved in various industries in India (Drishtiias.com, 2019). Satyarthi and his BBA were far behind the mission they were to achieve. How should he move to eliminate child labour from India? Will he be able to create any impact on citizens, society and government through his new approaches?

Complexity academic level

The case study is ideal for courses on understanding strategy, leadership, personality traits and labour laws. This case study is designed for use in undergraduate and graduate early-stage programmes. The main purpose of this case study is to be used in programmes leading to a Master of Business Administration or a Bachelor of Business Administration. This case scenario focused on the BBA movement in India and its aim to eradicate child labour in India. It discussed the child labour scenario in Indian industries and how Satyarthi started the BBA movement to protect the future of underprivileged children in India. The case study discusses the challenges faced in rescuing and rehabilitation of children in India. The authors applied the big five model to analyse the personality of Satyarthi in the case context. The authors also used the concept and components of charismatic leadership to evaluate the traits of charismatic leaders from a case perspective. This case study will benefit students by focusing on traits related to personality and charismatic leadership concepts. Students will get the opportunity to explore the practical and theoretical concepts that interplay in this study.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human resource management.
Farmers’ access to agricultural information sources: a study of Lakadong turmeric farmers
Authors: Wann Tiplut , Khongtim Jiarlimon
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the availability, utilization and effectiveness of various information sources in enhancing the knowledge and practices of Lakadong turmeric farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on 125 Lakadong turmeric farmers in Myntkung and Biar villages, Meghalaya, India. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants, ensuring the representation of various ages, experiences and agricultural practices. A mixed-methods approach was used, including structured interviews and focus group discussions, to gather information on the farmers.

Findings

The study found that most of the Lakadong turmeric farmers (35.2%) needed information on farming techniques and practices and 93.6% of farmers approached their friends, relatives or fellow farmers to access any information. For most farmers, 77 (62%) relied on word-of-mouth to get information. After using the information effectively and efficiently, most farmers (46.4%) agreed that there was an increase in Lakadong turmeric yields, improved crop quality and reduced pest infestation.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights informational gaps in the agricultural sector, empowering farmers to explore alternative sources. It suggests that understanding farmers’ unique needs can improve agricultural extension agencies’ programs and resources. Policymakers should invest in digital literacy programs and regional information resources. The study also suggests integrating information literacy training into agricultural operations, fostering collaboration among farmers, institutions and information providers. The geographical indication tag on Lakadong turmeric can also empowers local communities by fostering economic opportunities through the promotion and protection of this prized spice.

Originality/value

Existing research tends to focus more broadly on agricultural information dissemination or other crops, leaving a notable gap in the literature regarding the unique informational needs and access challenges faced by Lakadong turmeric farmers.
Chatbot integration for online shopping: a bibliometric review and future research agenda
Authors: Sharma Namita , Arora Meenal , Tandon Urvashi , Mittal Amit
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current body of existing literature on chatbots and online shopping. Additionally, this study identifies and emphasize the future research agenda and emerging trends within this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough investigation was conducted on a set of 147 publications sourced from the Scopus database spanning the years 2016 to 2023 by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis methodology. The analysis included bibliometric techniques through VOSviewer, including science mapping and performance analysis of the literature under investigation.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate a systematic impression of prevailing scientific research on integration of Chatbot in online shopping. A majority of publications were contributed by developing countries specifically Asian regions. There has been a notable rise in research collaborations over the course of time. Further, themes were identified through keyword co-occurrence for exploration of future trends in the domain.

Practical implications

This study identifies and analyzes the patterns in the existing literature on chatbot and online shopping, with the objective of enhancing e-retailers comprehension of this particular topic area. The research findings hold significance for both researchers and organizations in their efforts to enhance strategy design.

Originality/value

This study uses bibliometric analysis to examine the literature on chatbots and online shopping, aiming to develop a systematic comprehension of the research field. This study makes a valuable contribution to the current scholarly discourse and provides support for future scholars in their investigations.
Examining the methods of converting the threats caused by sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical industry to economic opportunities and investigating the growth rate of Iran’s petrochemical industry during sanction
Authors: Ghazanfari Shabankareh Mohammad , Shesh Bulookii Ali , Kord Mojtaba
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the methods of converting the threats caused by sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical industry to economic opportunities and investigating the growth rate of Iran’s petrochemical industry during sanctions.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research was descriptive-exploratory and the research method was based on a mixed research strategy. In the qualitative part, two methods of content analysis and semistructured interview were used and in the quantitative part, the survey method was used. The participants of the qualitative part were the content of all related published researches that have been published in the past 20 years and to conduct a semistructured interview with experts that were selected by nonprobability sampling method. In the quantitative part, the statistical population, there were including managers, supervisors and experts active in the Iran’s petrochemical industry (especially in Asaluyeh area of Iran), the sampling method was nonprobability of the type available.

Findings

The findings of the research showed that the potential risks resulting from the sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical industry from the review of the selected researches include 5 main risks (marketing, financial, supply and procurement, technological and production) and 26 related subrisks. Also, the ranking of the mentioned risks showed that among the main risks, the highest rank is related to the financial risk and among the subrisks, the increase in transaction costs and disruption in the implementation of contractual obligations have the highest rank.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation of the growth rate of Iran’s petrochemical industry during the sanctions in terms of performance (production, export and foreign exchange) showed that the amount of production has gone through a growing trend during the period under review (it has grown by more than 68%). Also, the amount of exports in the investigated time period has been growing (it has grown by more than 70%) and finally, the amount of foreign exchange in this time period has experienced growth (more than 58% growth).

Originality/value

Introducing and examining methods of turning threats into economic opportunities in Iran’s petrochemical industry under the shadow of sanctions, which can be used in other active industries under sanctions in the energy field.
The impact of social embeddedness on SMEs' proactive environmental sustainability: a comparison between Italy and Russia
Authors: Sidorenko Aleksandra , Veselova Anna , Dikova Desislava
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The paper analyzes socially embedded antecedents of sustainability and compares the results between two distinct contexts of Russia and Italy. Specifically, the paper identifies which forms of embeddedness (network, family and virtual) are associated with proactive environmental sustainability in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study were gathered from the World Bank Enterprise Survey dataset and include observations of 1,106 Russian SMEs and 663 Italian SMEs. Given the dichotomous nature of the dependent variable “proactive environmental sustainability”, the study utilizes a binary logistic regression and test regression models on the Russian and Italian data.

Findings

Network embeddedness positively influences proactive environmental sustainability among SMEs in Italy, but not in Russia. Value chain environmental pressure positively impacts proactive environmental sustainability among SMEs in Russia and Italy. Network embeddedness negatively moderates the relationship between value chain environmental pressure and proactive sustainability in Russia, but not in Italy. Virtual embeddedness positively impacts proactive environmental sustainability practices among SMEs in Russia but not in Italy, while family embeddedness positively impacts proactive environmental sustainability practices in Italy, but not in Russia.

Originality/value

We employ social embeddedness theory to determine to what extent certain forms of embeddedness contribute to proactive environmental sustainability among SMEs originating from two very distinct national contexts, a developed economy and a transition (emerging) economy. Our comparative approach allows us to challenge the “traditional” assumptions about SMEs’ sustainability antecedents, by showing the key role of different forms of social embeddedness.
Geopolitical disruptions and supply chain structural ambidexterity
Authors: Moradlou Hamid , Skipworth Heather , Bals Lydia , Aktas Emel , Roscoe Samuel
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper seeks insights into how multinational enterprises restructure their global supply chains to manage the uncertainty caused by geopolitical disruptions. To answer this question, we investigate three significant geopolitical disruptions: Brexit, the US-China trade war and the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an inductive theory-elaboration approach to build on Organisational Learning Theory and Dunning’s eclectic paradigm of international production. Twenty-nine expert interviews were conducted with senior supply chain executives across 14 multinational manufacturing firms. The analysis is validated by triangulating secondary data sources, including standard operating procedures, annual reports and organisational protocols.

Findings

We find that, when faced with significant geopolitical disruptions, companies develop and deploy supply chain structural ambidexterity in different ways. Specifically, during Covid-19, the US-China trade war and Brexit, companies developed and deployed three distinct types of supply chain structural ambidexterity through (1) partitioning internal subunits, (2) reconfiguring supplier networks and (3) creating parallel supply chains.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to Dunning’s eclectic paradigm by explaining how organisational ambidexterity is extended beyond firm boundaries and embedded in supply chains to mitigate uncertainty and gain exploration and exploitation benefits. During significant geopolitical disruptions, we find that managers make decisions in tight timeframes. Therefore, based on the transition time available, we propose three types of supply chain structural ambidexterity. We conclude with a managerial framework to assist firms in developing supply chain structural ambidexterity in response to geopolitical disruptions.
The implementation of sustainability in Brazilian Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology
Authors: Corrêa dos Santos Benites Mauren , Ribeiro Alves Ricardo , Almeida Viana João Garibaldi
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify how the sustainability of Brazilian Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology is implemented.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is descriptive and quantitative, and questionnaires were used to collect data, which were applied to the campuses and deans of the 38 IFs. The sample selection resulted from a sampling calculation for a finite population, which considered the five Brazilian regions, reaching 248 respondents. To analyze the collected data, descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate the mean, standard deviation (σ) and coefficient of variation of each of the seven axes of the questionnaire and also of the axes and regions jointly; and the sustainability indicator was defined.

Findings

A majority of the analyzed FIs were considered to be medium or highly sustainable. The classifications achieved by the FIs demonstrate that sustainability practices are reasonably present in a significant number of campi and Principals’ Offices.

Practical implications

This study contributes by creating a data collection instrument to measure the sustainability practice, not only in educational institutions but also in any type of institution; and the sustainability indicators created, which make it possible to classify organs and entities in accordance with sustainable initiatives implemented by them.

Originality/value

This study’s authors can highlight the mapping of sustainability implementation in the Brazilian Federal Institutes analyzed, which, owing to the sample used, allows for the verification of similarities and differences in these practices between the five Brazilian regions, in addition to making comparisons possible.
Study on crack law of shield segment under load variation based on XFEM
Authors: Guo Hong , Niu Xiaokai , Xie Zhitian
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The occurrence of segment cracks caused by load changes in shield tunnels would affect the safety of the tunnel structure. To this end, a three-dimensional fine shield tunnel segment model based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) is established.

Design/methodology/approach

The cracking law of shield segment cracks is studied in two forms: overloading and unloading. The relationship between crack length, width and depth and transverse convergence and deformation is analyzed.

Findings

The results show that the cracks in shield tunnels mainly occur on the outer side of the arch waist and the inner side of the crown and bottom. Under overloading and unloading conditions, the length, width and depth of cracks increase non-linearly as the transverse convergence deformation increases. Under the same convergent deformation, the deeper the buried depth, the smaller the crack length, width and depth. Meanwhile, under overloading conditions, the influence of buried depth on the width and depth of cracks is more significant. In terms of crack width and depth, unloading conditions are more dangerous than overloading conditions.

Originality/value

The findings have a guiding effect for the management of cracks in shield tunnels during operation.
Using epistemic network analysis to examine how different fantasy contexts affect online gamified class students’ behavioral engagement
Authors: Bai Shurui , Hew Khe Foon
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Although numerous studies have explored gamification, its effects on student intrinsic motivation and behavioral engagement remain ambiguous. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the impacts of exogenous and endogenous fantasies on students’ intrinsic motivation, behaviors and perception of learning in gamified, fully online courses.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quasi-experimental design and mixed methods, this study involved two groups of postgraduate students: exogenous fantasy group (N = 23) and endogenous fantasy group (N = 23). Intrinsic motivation was assessed through surveys, while behavioral engagement was tracked over 10 weeks using online trace data. Semi-structured interviews gathered student insights on learning perceptions. The patterns of behavioral engagement in both fantasy groups were analyzed using epistemic network analysis.

Findings

Observed behavioral data indicated a significantly higher level of intrinsic motivation in the endogenous fantasy setting. The endogenous group was more engaged in pre-task analysis and post-task reflection, while the exogenous group focused more on quiz work and post-task reflection. Participants in the endogenous fantasy setting also reported increased cognitive engagement and a strong identification with their fictional characters.

Practical implications

Integrating endogenous fantasy into the curriculum can boost students’ intrinsic motivation, behavioral engagement and self-identification. Adopting a first-person perspective that allows students to embody the role of a virtual character is highly recommended. The use of interactive multimedia can greatly enrich the fantasy environment, resulting in a more immersive and engaging learning experience.

Originality/value

The study provides valuable insights into the impact of endogenous and exogenous fantasies on intrinsic motivation and behavioral engagement. It also stands out for its use of epistemic network analysis to assess and compare complex networks of learning task participation in two fantasy settings. Through analyzing these engagement patterns, researchers can obtain a more profound understanding of how each fantasy environment influences student engagement.
Graduate employability in Lebanon: leveraging alumni networks and cross-cultural competencies
Authors: Haj Youssef Moustafa , El Masri Tarek , Christodoulou Ioannis , Thanh Lan Mai
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This viewpoint aims to provide an overview of graduate employability in Lebanon from the perspective of the Dean of Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut, who is a reputable academic leader heading a world-ranked business school. The discussion also looks at the external factors that affect graduate employability in Lebanon with direct references to the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Through conversation with the Dean of a prominent business school in Lebanon, this viewpoint discusses several topics pertaining to the concept of graduate employability.

Findings

To boost graduate employability the focus should be on developing the curriculum, engaging with the alumni network, exploiting the board of governors and building on the school’s reputation and legacy.

Originality/value

Crises do offer new opportunities. Covid-19 pandemic has prepared employers to accept the idea of remote working, which has helped in boosting graduate employability in Lebanon.
Carbon emission trading scheme and earnings smoothness
Authors: Cao June , Huang Zijie , Kristanto Ari Budi , Liew Millie
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate how the implementation of an Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) influences an ETS-regulated firm’s level of earnings smoothness.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a staggered difference-in-differences model based on China’s ETS pilots commencing in 2013, this study investigates how the implementation of ETS pilots affects regulated firms’ earnings smoothing relative to non-regulated firms. The sample period spans from 2008 to 2019. This model incorporates time-invariant firm-specific heterogeneity, time-specific heterogeneity, and a series of firm characteristics to establish causality. Robustness tests justify findings.

Findings

The results show that after implementing an ETS pilot, regulated firms increase their earnings smoothness relative to non-regulated firms. Regulated firms strategically smooth their earnings to obtain additional financial resources and meet compliance costs arising from an ETS. Further analysis reveals that regulated firms’ earnings smoothing activity is a function of environmental regulations, managerial integrity, and capital market incentives.

Originality/value

This study deviates from past research focusing on the environmental consequences of ETS by indicating that an ETS affects regulated firms’ financial reporting decisions. Specifically, regulated firms resort to earnings smoothing as a short-term exit strategy from financing concerns arising from environmental regulations. This finding expands prior literature primarily focusing on the effect of tax and financial reporting regulations on earnings smoothness. This study also indicates that firms utilize earning smoothing to lower their short-term cost of capital, which enables them to access additional financing at a lower cost and reconfigure their operations to meet stakeholder environmental demands.
Business intelligence system adoption and the leveraging of reporting process capabilities
Authors: Martins Adelaide , Bianchi de Aguiar Maria Teresa , Sambento Marco , Branco Manuel Castelo
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the integration of business intelligence (BI) systems in the digital transformation context and its impact on management control (MC) and organizational performance by delving into the implementation of a BI pilot project in a multinational Engineering and Construction (E&C) group.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a qualitative insider action research approach. The initial stage of a BI system (BIS) is implemented by leveraging the critical success factors (CSFs) framework, based on the organizational, process and technological dimensions.

Findings

The results show that the BI solution leverages the capabilities of the reporting process with impacts on MC and overall organizational performance. The study uncovers the intricate dynamics of integrating BI and reports gains that span across streamlined and standardized processes, optimized use of resources, improved data flexibility and nurturing a data-driven culture.

Originality/value

This research adds to the current literature on MC and accounting information systems by providing an in-depth analysis of the early stages involved in implementing a BIS. The approach uses a well-established CSFs framework, which enhances the comprehension of how these factors impact the success of the implementation process. Focusing on the E&C sector, where the adoption of digital transformation is still gaining traction, this study provides practical knowledge and extends the theoretical understanding of BI technology applications with empirical evidence from the accounting field.
“Willing to go the extra mile”: an exploration of antecedents of assigned expatriates' work engagement
Authors: van Bakel Marian , Noesgaard Mette Strange , Michailova Snejina
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The expatriation literature (a substantial domain of the International HRM literature) has not paid sufficient attention to the phenomenon of work engagement, which is essential for expatriate success. Equally, research on work engagement in Organizational Behavior, although extensive and mature, has neglected the context of expatriation. Our study bridges the two literature streams to examine the antecedents of expatriates’ work engagement within the distinct context of international assignments.

Design/methodology/approach

Through e-interviews with 27 Nordic assigned expatriates in 16 host countries, we delineate and organize antecedents of assigned expatriates’ work engagement in a framework.

Findings

We identify two clusters of antecedents – general and specific – characteristic of expatriate settings (e.g. distance to headquarters, pride in being chosen, culture, fewer distractions, success in a foreign context, adjustment, location, and language). We decompose each cluster into contextual and job-related antecedents leading to absorption, dedication, and vigor as three components of work engagement. We depict and organize the relationships in a framework.

Originality/value

Our qualitative study connects two bodies of literature that have remained largely independent of each other. In doing this, we contribute to the expatriate literature by presenting a comprehensive picture of antecedents to work engagement and the engagement literature by exploring engagement in a new occupational work setting, namely international assignments.