bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wnt signaling modulates the response to DNA damage in theDrosophilawing imaginal disc by regulating the EGFR pathway
Authors: Ewen-Campen Ben , Perrimon Norbert
Published: February 2024

Despite the deep conservation of the DNA damage response pathway (DDR), cells in different contexts vary widely in their susceptibility to DNA damage and their propensity to undergo apoptosis as a result of genomic lesions. One of the cell signaling pathways implicated in modulating the DDR is the highly conserved Wnt pathway, which is known to promote resistance to DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation in a variety of human cancers.

However, the mechanisms linking Wnt signal transduction to the DDR remain unclear. Here, we use a genetically encoded system inDrosophilato reliably induce consistent levels of DNA damagein vivo, and demonstrate that canonical Wnt signaling in the wing imaginal disc buffers cells against apoptosis in the face of DNA double-strand breaks. We show that Wg, the primary Wnt ligand inDrosophila, activates Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling via the ligand-processing protease Rhomboid, which in turn modulates the DDR in aChk2, p53,andE2F1-dependent manner. These studies provide mechanistic insight into the modulation of the DDR by the Wnt and EGFR pathwaysin vivoin a highly proliferative tissue. Furthermore, they reveal how the growth and patterning functions of Wnt signaling are coupled with pro-survival, anti-apoptotic activities, thereby facilitating developmental robustness in the face of genomic damage.

Author Summary

Ectopic activation of the highly conserved Wnt signaling pathway has been previously demonstrated to promote resistance to radiation and chemoradiation therapy in a variety of human cancers, yet the mechanisms by which Wnt modulates the DDR pathway are not clearly established. Furthermore, putative interactions between Wnt signaling and the DDR outside the context of pathological Wnt over-expressing tumors have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we show that, inDrosophila, loss of canonical Wnt signaling during development of the highly proliferative wing imaginal disc sensitizes cells to DNA damage, biasing them towards apoptosis and ultimately disrupting normal wing development. In contrast, ectopic Wnt signaling reduces the level of apoptosis for a given level of DNA damage. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Wnt signaling acts via Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling, a well characterized pro-survival pathway, by activating the ligand-processing protease Rhomboid, and that this effect requires core DDR componentsChk2, p53,andE2F1.Altogether, we show that Wnt signaling can promote developmental robustness by opposing apoptosis in the face of DNA damage, and reveal a mechanism by which Wnt signaling modulates the DDR via EGFR signaling.
Thermodynamics of hybrid quantum rotor devices
Authors: Leitch Heather , Hammam Kenza , De Chiara Gabriele
Published: February 2024

We investigate the thermodynamics of a hybrid quantum device consisting of two qubits collectively interacting with a quantum rotor and coupled dissipatively to two equilibrium reservoirs at different temperatures. By modeling the dynamics and the resulting steady state of the system using a collision model, we identify the functioning of the device as a thermal engine, a refrigerator, or an accelerator. In addition, we also look into the device's capacity to operate as a heat rectifier and optimize both the rectification coefficient and the heat flow simultaneously. Drawing an analogy to heat rectification and since we are interested in the conversion of energy into the rotor's kinetic energy, we introduce the concept of angular momentum rectification, which may be employed to control work extraction through an external load.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Relationship between molecular structure and corrugations in self-assembled polypeptoid nanosheets revealed by cryogenic electron microscopy
Authors: Jiang Xi , Zuckermann Ronald N. , Balsara Nitash P.
Published: February 2024

Designing conformationally dynamic molecules that self-assemble into predictable nanostructures remains an important unmet challenge. This paper describes how atomic-scale cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) can be used to explore the relationship between molecular structure and self-assembly of block copolymers. We examined sheetlike micelles formed in water using a series of diblock copolypeptoids with the same hydrophilic block and three distinct crystalline hydrophobic blocks. Our cryo-TEM images revealed all the structures share nansoscale features, but differ in their intermolecular packing geometries. Different molecular arrangements, parallel and antiparallel V-shaped crystal motifs, were revealed by two-dimensional atomic-scale through-plane images. However, images from tilted samples revealed an unexpected feature when the hydrophobic polypeptoid block comprised phenyl rings with substituted bromine atoms at the para position. The nanosheets contained atomic-scale corrugations that were absent in the other systems which comprised unsubstituted aliphatic and aromatic side chains. We hypothesize that these corrugations are due to the dipolar characteristics of the brominated phenyl group and interactions between this group and water molecules.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Holographic limitations and corrections to quantum information protocols
Authors: Pirandola Stefano
Published: February 2024

We discuss the limitations imposed on entanglement distribution, quantum teleportation, and quantum communication by holographic bounds, such as the Bekenstein bound and Susskind's spherical entropy bound. For continuous-variable (CV) quantum information, we show how the naïve application of holographic corrections disrupts well-established results. These corrections render perfect CV teleportation impossible, preclude uniform convergence in the teleportation simulation of lossy quantum channels, and impose a revised Pirandola-Laurenza-Ottaviani-Banchi bound for quantum communication. While these mathematical corrections do not immediately impact practical quantum technologies, they are critical for a deeper theoretical understanding of quantum information theory.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Controlling quantum many-body systems using reduced-order modeling
Authors: Luchnikov I. A. , Gavreev M. A. , Fedorov A. K.
Published: February 2024

Quantum many-body control is among the most challenging problems in quantum science due to its outstanding computational complexity in a general case. We propose an efficient approach to a class of many-body quantum control problems, where time-dependent controls are applied to a sufficiently small subsystem. The method employs a tensor-network scheme to construct a reduced-order model of a subsystem's non-Markovian dynamics. The resulting reduced-order model serves as a digital twin of the original subsystem. Such twins allow significantly more efficient dynamics simulation, which enables the use of a gradient-based optimization toolbox in the control parameter space. This approach to building control protocols takes advantage of non-Markovian dynamics of subsystems by design. We validate the proposed method by solving control problems for quantum spin chains. In particular, the approach automatically identifies control sequences for exciting and guiding quasiparticles to recover and transmit quantum information across the system. In addition, we find generalized spin-echo sequences for a system in a many-body localized phase enabling significant revivals. We expect our approach can be useful for ongoing experiments with noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Extended magic phase in twisted graphene multilayers
Authors: Foo D. C. W. , Zhan Z. , Al Ezzi Mohammed M. , Peng L. , Adam S. , Guinea F.
Published: February 2024

Theoretical and experimental studies have verified the existence of “magic angles” in twisted bilayer graphene, where the rotation angle between layers gives rise to flat bands and consequently exotic correlated phases. Recently, magic-angle phenomena have been predicted and reported in other graphene systems, for instance, multilayers with alternating twist angles and trilayers with identical twist angles between consecutive layers. In this paper, we present a comprehensive theoretical study on flat bands in general twisted graphene systems. Using the continuum model in the chiral limit, we demonstrate the existence of flat bands in a variety of multilayers where the ratios between twist angles are rational and develop a framework for predicting magic-angle sets in trilayer configurations with arbitrary ratio of rotation angles. Our results are corroborated by tight-binding calculations. Remarkably, the technique we developed can be extended to systems with many layers of graphene. Our results suggest that flat bands can exist in graphene multilayers with angle disorder, that is, narrow samples of turbostatic graphite, point to the existence of a continuous, connected magic surface in trilayer configuration space, and compare favourably with contemporary experiments on trilayer moiré quasicrystals.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ternary Oxides of
s
- and
p
-Block Metals for Photocatalytic Solar-to-Hydrogen Conversion
Authors: Gelin Simon , Kirchner-Hall Nicole E. , Katzbaer Rowan R. , Theibault Monica J. , Xiong Yihuang , Zhao Wayne , Khan Mohammed M. , Andrewlavage Eric , Orbe Paul , Baksa Steven M. , Cococcioni Matteo , Timrov Iurii , Campbell Quinn , Abruña Héctor , Schaak Raymond E. , Dabo Ismaila
Published: February 2024

Oxides containing metals or metalloids from the p block of the periodic table (e.g., In, Sn, Sb, Pb, and

Bi

) are of technological interest as transparent conductors and light absorbers for solar-energy conversion due to the tunability of their electronic conductivity and optical absorption. Comparatively, these oxides have found limited applications in hydrogen photoelectrolysis, primarily due to their high electronegativity, which impedes electron transfer for reducing protons into hydrogen. We have shown recently that inserting s-block cations into p-block metal oxides is effective at lowering electronegativities while affording further control of band gaps. Here, we explain the origins of this dual tunability by demonstrating the mediator role of s-block cations in modulating orbital hybridization while not contributing to frontier electronic states. From this result, we carry out a comprehensive computational study of 109 ternary oxides of s- and p-block metal elements as candidate photocatalysts for solar hydrogen generation. We down-select the most desirable materials using band gaps and band edges obtained from Hubbard-corrected density-functional theory, with Hubbard parameters computed entirely from first principles, evaluate the stability of these oxides in aqueous conditions, and characterize experimentally four of the remaining materials, synthesized with high phase uniformity, to validate and further develop the computational models. We thus propose nine oxide semiconductors, including CsIn3O5, Sr2In2O5, and KSbO2, which, to the extent of our literature review, have not been previously considered as water-splitting photocatalysts.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The challenges of adopting emerging technologies in the AEC industry a literature review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Eriqat Mohammad O. , Sweis Rateb J. , Sweis Ghaleb J.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and provide a theoretical explanation for the barriers that hinder the adoption of emerging technologies in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, irrespective of the company’s size, specialization or geographical location. In addition, the paper proposes potential areas for future research in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of barriers hindering the adoption of emerging technologies was identified and clarified using a systematic literature review of various scientific sources.

Findings

Twenty-five barriers were recognized and explained and some suggestions for future research studies were provided.

Research limitations/implications

The barriers related to a specific country or region or to a specific technology were excluded.

Originality/value

By providing a deeper comprehension of the barriers hindering the adoption of emerging technologies, this review is expected to encourage their adoption in the industry. Furthermore, it could prove valuable in devising effective strategies for the successful implementation of these technologies.
Milkbasket takeover by Reliance Retail Venture Limited: the ethical dilemma
Authors: Ganguly Sanjeev , Rai Soumi , Mukherjee Shreya
Published: February 2024

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, the students would be able to comprehend the crisis at hand for Milkbasket, why did it resist Reliance’s takeover in the first place, then to evaluate the pros-cons and future prospects for the organization post-acquisition; to evaluate from an ethical standpoint the process of mergers and acquisitions using ethical frameworks to understand how, when, to whom and through what processes do mergers and acquisitions qualify the test of being ethical; and to analyse different hostile takeovers, especially through tender offers, proxy contests and toehold bidding strategy in this case.

Case overview/synopsis

Founded in 2015, Milkbasket was a micro-delivery start-up based in Gurugram (near New Delhi), India. Milkbasket would let its subscribers order till midnight and deliver groceries, milk and other everyday essentials to its subscribers before 7 a.m. next day. It had burnt a lot of cash and was facing difficulty in getting investors; as such they were engaged in discussions with many companies. Two of them – Reliance Retail Venture Limited and BigBasket – were not accepting the proposed valuation, but Milkbasket got term sheets from other two companies.

Complexity academic level

This case study can be used for graduate courses on strategic management, business ethics and corporate governance. This case study can also be used in corporate finance course to highlight the importance of making ethical/responsible judgements to protect stakeholder interests.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Can hybrid strategy improve SME performance? The role of innovation and adaptive capacity
Authors: Gutiérrez-Broncano Santiago , Linuesa-Langreo Jorge , Rubio-Andrés Mercedes , Sastre-Castillo Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This article focusses on the hybrid strategy, a simultaneous combination of cost leadership and differentiation strategy. The study aims to examine the impact of hybrid strategy on firm performance through its anticipated positive effects on process and product innovation. In addition, we study the moderating role of adaptive capacity in the direct relationships of hybrid strategy with process and product innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling was used to analyse 1,842 Spanish firms with fewer than 250 employees. We randomly selected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Spain from the Spanish Central Business Directory (2021) database. The overall sample design was based on stratified sampling.

Findings

We found that hybrid strategy is positively related to firm performance and to process and product innovation. Additionally, in firms implementing hybrid strategies, process innovation fostered firm performance. Finally, adaptive capacity strengthened the relationships of hybrid strategy with process and product innovation. This sheds light on how and when hybrid strategy is most effective in fostering SME performance.

Practical implications

We highlight that SMEs need to establish strategies that use diverse resources and capabilities and not just generate competitive advantage using one strategy (cost leadership or differentiation strategy). This requires an agile and flexible systems and structures.

Originality/value

Our research provides novel results by proposing the adoption of hybrid strategies instead of pure strategies (cost leadership and differentiation strategy) as a way for SMEs to survive during crises. Unlike “stuck in the middle” strategies, our study demonstrates the importance of hybrid strategies in a comprehensive model that links them to innovation and firm performance, with adaptive capacity being a determining factor.
Legal issues of transparency and disclosure in Ethiopian state-owned enterprises: a global perspective
Authors: Demamu Alemayehu Yismaw
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Ethiopia has enacted laws on transparency and disclosure of information in state-owned enterprises (SOEs). However, these laws are not strict enough, with the transparency and disclosure practices disappointing in the country. Thus, this study aims to investigate the legal framework governing transparency and disclosure in SOEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses doctrinal, qualitative and comparative approaches. Domestic legal texts are appraised based on the organization for economic co-operation and development Guideline on Corporate Governance of State-owned Enterprises, the World Bank Toolkit on Corporate Governance of State-owned Enterprises and best national practices. This approach has been further corroborated by qualitative analysis of the basic principles of transparency and disclosure.

Findings

The finding reveals that the laws on transparency and disclosure do not comply with global practices and are inadequate to ensure transparency and discourse in SOEs. They fail to establish appropriate disclosure frameworks and practices at the SOE and state-ownership entity levels. They also indiscriminately subject enterprises to multiple auditing functions and conflicting responsibilities.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, this study is the first legal literature on transparency and disclosure in Ethiopian SOEs. This study assists the state as owner in reforming the laws and uplifting SOEs from their current unpleasant condition. It can also become a reference for future research.
Fan conflict or complement? Exploring the intersection of sports betting and team loyalty
Authors: Dwyer Brendan , Shapiro Stephen L. , Drayer Joris
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was (1) to examine the underexplored intersection of sports betting and favorite team loyalty, and (2) to assess differences in gambling behavior among sport bettors by varying levels of team loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,555 National Football League (NFL) bettors and non-betting NFL fans were surveyed to assess media consumption across a mix of team loyalty attitudes and betting behaviors.

Findings

Statistically significant differences were found between four types of NFL fans (casual, team loyalty-dominant, betting-dominant and hybrid) as it relates to media consumption in various forms. Most notably, the results suggested symbiosis between the activities.

Research limitations/implications

The symbiosis finding, though preliminary, suggests the activity provides an additional platform for consumers to connect with spectator sport. Furthermore, the act of betting, like participation in fantasy sports, appears to spur consumption of the NFL product generally. The study, however, was limited to NFL fans, did not specify the method for sports betting, nor the intensity of gambling.

Practical implications

Teams should not worry that betting detracts from fan engagement with the team product. Also, leagues and media providers should continue to highlight betting content as participants consume at higher rates than non-participating sports fans.

Social implications

Team fandom may potentially moderate problem behavior among bettors. The betting results indicate being a loyal team fan lowers one’s gambling spend per month and largest bet compared to non-loyal bettors. However, the hybrid fan showed significantly higher media consumption levels.

Originality/value

Sports fans have more opportunities to interact and engage with their favorite games than ever before. However, consumers have limited amounts of time and money, and this study is one of the first to examine differences in fan interests and behaviors related to sport betting and team loyalty and the resulting viewership and consumption behavior.
Chain-of-event prompting for multi-document summarization by large language models
Authors: Bao Songlin , Li Tiantian , Cao Bin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In the era of big data, various industries are generating large amounts of text data every day. Simplifying and summarizing these data can effectively serve users and improve efficiency. Recently, zero-shot prompting in large language models (LLMs) has demonstrated remarkable performance on various language tasks. However, generating a very “concise” multi-document summary is a difficult task for it. When conciseness is specified in the zero-shot prompting, the generated multi-document summary still contains some unimportant information, even with the few-shot prompting. This paper aims to propose a LLMs prompting for multi-document summarization task.

Design/methodology/approach

To overcome this challenge, the authors propose chain-of-event (CoE) prompting for multi-document summarization (MDS) task. In this prompting, the authors take events as the center and propose a four-step summary reasoning process: specific event extraction; event abstraction and generalization; common event statistics; and summary generation. To further improve the performance of LLMs, the authors extend CoE prompting with the example of summary reasoning.

Findings

Summaries generated by CoE prompting are more abstractive, concise and accurate. The authors evaluate the authors’ proposed prompting on two data sets. The experimental results over ChatGLM2-6b show that the authors’ proposed CoE prompting consistently outperforms other typical promptings across all data sets.

Originality/value

This paper proposes CoE prompting to solve MDS tasks by the LLMs. CoE prompting can not only identify the key events but also ensure the conciseness of the summary. By this method, users can access the most relevant and important information quickly, improving their decision-making processes.
The influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality on knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior
Authors: Tan Zhihong , Yuan Ling , Wan Qunchao
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Based on social cognitive theory, this study aims to explore the influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality (SBLM) on employee knowledge behavior (knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior). The study first investigates the role of an ethical decision-making mechanism (moral disengagement) in mediating this relationship. In addition, it considers the possible boundary conditions to supplement research on the influence of SBLM in the knowledge management field.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected 256 data points from employees across three stages using convenience sampling. The authors then tested the proposed hypothesis using hierarchical regression and bootstrap methods.

Findings

The results demonstrated that SBLM promotes employees’ moral disengagement, leading to more knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior. Furthermore, high power distance orientation among employees exacerbates the ill effects of SBLM according to the first stage of a moderated mediation model. Employees with such an orientation are more likely to respond to a SBLM by exhibiting a higher level of moral disengagement, thus increasing their knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior.

Originality/value

Research on the influence of SBLM in the knowledge management field is limited. This study not only clarifies the relationships between SBLM and two types of knowledge behavior (knowledge territorial behavior and knowledge sabotage behavior) but also enriches the research on the antecedents of these two types of knowledge behavior.
Leveraging brand coolness for building strong consumer-brand relationships: different implications for products and services
Authors: Tran Khai Trieu , Truong Anh Tran Tram , Truong Van-Anh T. , Luu Tuan Trong
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to answer the following questions: How do consumers’ perceptions of brand coolness affect brand relationship outcomes and how do brand coolness effects differ between product brands and service brands?

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was used to collect data from 1,500 consumers assigned to assess one of 20 popular product and service brands in Vietnam. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Data analysis reveals that both dimensions of brand coolness (i.e. self-oriented and other-oriented coolness) exert positive impacts on brand relationship outcomes (i.e. brand satisfaction, brand love and brand advocacy) through brand attitude (i.e. the evaluative mechanism) and self-brand connection (i.e. the identity mechanism). While the identity mechanism of brand coolness effects is more prominent in product brands, the evaluative mechanism is more pronounced for service brands.

Practical implications

This research provides practical guidance for brand managers to build strong customer relationships by leveraging their brand coolness and the mechanisms underlying coolness effects. This study suggests a tailored application of brand coolness dimensions to different branded entities.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the brand coolness literature by validating a two-dimensional brand coolness structure encompassing self-oriented and other-oriented coolness, in accordance with a value-based conceptualization of the concept. For mass brand studies, this study recommends the exclusion of rebellious and subcultural attributes, as well as the utility of pre-determined brands as evaluated objects, in measuring brand coolness. This study also illuminates dual mediation mechanisms and moderation of the branded entity underlying brand coolness effects on consumer–brand relationships.
Influence of doping Si3N4 nanoparticles on the properties and microstructure of Sn58Bi solder for connecting Cu substrate
Authors: Deng Kai , Zhang Liang , Chen Chen , Lu Xiao , Sun Lei , Guo Xing-Yu
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the feasibility of adding Si3N4 nanoparticles to Sn58Bi and provides a theoretical basis for designing and applying new lead-free solder materials for the electronic packaging industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, Sn58Bi-xSi3N4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 Wt.%) was prepared for bonding Cu substrate, and the changes in thermal properties, wettability, microstructure, interfacial intermetallic compound and mechanical properties of the composite solder were systematically studied.

Findings

The experiment results demonstrate that including Si3N4 nanoparticles does not significantly impact the melting point of Sn58Bi solder, and the undercooling degree of solder only fluctuates slightly. The molten solder spreading area reached a maximum of 96.17 mm2, raised by 19.41% relative to those without Si3N4, and the wetting angle was the smallest at 0.6 Wt.% of Si3N4, with a minimum value of 8.35°. When the Si3N4 nanoparticles reach 0.6 Wt.%, the solder joint microstructure is significantly refined. Appropriately adding Si3N4 nanoparticles will slightly increase the solder alloy hardness. When the concentration of Si3N4 reaches 0.6 Wt.%, the joints shear strength reached 45.30 MPa, representing a 49.85% increase compared to those without additives. A thorough examination indicates that legitimately incorporating Si3N4 nanoparticles into Sn58Bi solder can enhance its synthetical performance, and 0.6 Wt.% is the best addition amount in our test setting.

Originality/value

In this paper, Si3N4 nanoparticles were incorporated into Sn58Bi solder, and the effects of different contents of Si3N4 nanoparticles on Sn58Bi solder were investigated from various aspects.
What’s next: Evergreen Marine Corp. after the Suez Canal incident
Authors: Lin Jasmin , Yang Qin , Minutolo Marcel C.
Published: February 2024

Research methodology

This case study was built from secondary data such as news articles and videos. Several drafts of the case study with teaching note were tested in classroom settings and shared at a case writing conference. The case was revised based on feedback from students and roundtable discussions from the conference.

Case overview/synopsis

“What’s next: Ever Given after the Suez Canal incident (Evergreen Marine Corporation in, 2022)” explores the situation of the firm Evergreen Marine Corporation, a world-leading cargo shipping company headquartered in Taiwan, and its efforts to deal with challenges stemming from a pandemic and the global supply chain transition. The case provides background on the latest changes in global business environments, the Suez Canal Incident stemming from the grounding of Ever Given and firm-specific information, which would help students to understand the context affecting Evergreen Marine Corporation’s (EMC) strategic decisions. The case enables students to evaluate EMC’s overall position and to analyze the actions that they can take to deal with these challenges in a dynamic global environment.

Complexity academic level

This case would be appropriate for a course in strategy or international business, especially with the topic of international supply chain management.
Charting creativity in government: the relationship between transformational leadership, psychological empowerment and employee creative performance
Authors: Alhosani Asma Ali , Ahmad Syed Zamberi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the link between transformational leadership and employee creativity through the lens of self-determination theory, with psychological empowerment serving as a mediating factor. Additionally, it will examine how financial rewards and job formalization might moderate this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a survey approach, targeting employees and supervisors from government ministries in the United Arab Emirates through purposive sampling. The study collected data from 254 participants via an online questionnaire and analyzed it using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique in SmartPLS4.

Findings

The results show that transformational leadership has a significant impact on the psychological empowerment and creative performance of employees. The relationship between transformative leadership and employee creative performance is mediated by psychological empowerment. Additionally, the moderating effects of financial rewards and job formalization are explored. The findings do not support the moderating role of job formalization, and financial rewards negatively moderate the transformational leadership–psychological empowerment relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The research is centered on a particular cultural setting and government ministry employees, thus limiting the generalizability.

Originality/value

This study explores at how transformational leadership affects employee creativity, considering the role of psychological empowerment and how financial rewards and job structure might influence this relationship.
Enhancing the resolution of three‐dimensional migration images based on space‐variant point spread function deconvolution
Authors: Liu Cewen , Sun Mengyao , Wu Wei , Dai Nanxun , Guo Mingjie , Wei Yanwen , Wu Xiaofeng , Fu Haohuan
Published: February 2024

Improving the resolution of seismic migration images plays an important role for geophysical interpreters to characterize underground reservoirs. However, the classical image domain least‐squares migration method based on the local‐stationary assumption cannot obtain a satisfactory high‐resolution seismic image due to the significant spatial variant characteristics of the point spread function. To mitigate this problem, we proposed a high‐resolution point spread function deconvolution method and applied it to two‐dimensional cases. Nevertheless, extending the two‐dimensional method to three‐dimensional problems directly would fail due to the intrinsic complexity in three‐dimensional cases. In this study, we resolve the differences encountered in the point spread function deconvolution method for two‐ and three‐dimensional cases and provide specific strategies for achieving high‐resolution imaging with low computational cost when extending the point spread function deconvolution method to three‐dimensional cases. The main schemes include (1) incorporating the analytical expression of the point spread function to guide the generation of three‐dimensional point spread function distributions, (2) extending the point spread function filter calculation method from a two‐dimensional square to a three‐dimensional rectangular prism and (3) interpolating to obtain more compact point spread functions for reducing migration artefacts. Results from the three‐dimensional synthetic Overthrust model and field data set demonstrate that our techniques could effectively enhance the spatial resolution of the migration images with reduced migration artefacts. With these specific strategies, the space‐variant point spread function deconvolution algorithm shows superior performance on three‐dimensional cases at a much lower computational cost compared with the classical least‐squares migration method and the local‐stationary deblurring method. Synthetic tests and real data applications confirm that the space‐variant point spread function deconvolution method has distinct advantages over both two‐ and three‐dimensional problems and can be widely adopted in practice.
Rapid evolution of flower phenology and clonality in restored populations of multiple grassland species
Authors: Bucharova Anna , Conrady Malte , Klein‐Raufhake Theresa , Ratka Victoria , Schultz Franziska , Hölzel Norbert
Published: February 2024

Restoration of terrestrial ecosystems often requires re‐introduction of plants. In restored sites, the plants often face environments that differ from those of natural populations. This can affect plant traits, reduce performance and impose novel selection pressures. As a response, restored populations might rapidly evolve and adapt to the novel conditions. This may enhance population survival and contribute to restoration success, but has been rarely tested so far.

Here, we focused on populations of three grassland species restored 20 years ago (Galium wirtgenii, Inula salicina and Centaurea jacea) by the transfer of green hay, and compared them with donor populations that were the source of the hay. We measured plants both in situ, and in a common garden under control and three stress conditions.

In situ, plants in restored sites flowered earlier than plants in donor sites in two out of the three species. In the common garden, plants from the restored populations flowered earlier (in Galium) or showed increased plasticity of clonal propagation in response to clipping (in Inula). Both these traits suggest rapid adaptation to the contrasting mowing regimes in restored in comparison with the donor sites. In Centaurea, we detected no differentiation, neither in situ, nor in the common garden.

Synthesis and applications. Grassland plants introduced into degraded habitats within the framework of ecological restoration may quite commonly evolve in response to novel selection pressures at restored sites. This rapid evolution likely increases the plant's adaptation to the new conditions of the restored grassland and thus enhances the likelihood of survival of the population and ultimately restoration success. While most practitioners do not consider evolution to be part of restoration, our finding highlights that restored populations of grassland species can be systems with considerable eco‐evolutionary dynamics.
The normality/emergency imaginary, contingency and political possibility: Analysing the UK pandemic response
Authors: Narby Petter
Published: February 2024

The outside of normality and normal politics is commonly referred to as emergencies, crises and disasters. The paper describes and analyses this normality/emergency imaginary by relating it to questions about order, necessity and contingency. The paper draws upon Sergei Prozorov's work on order and its excess to examine the shift in the United Kingdom pandemic response from recommendations to mandates and regulations in late March 2020. It is argued that the normality/emergency imaginary transposes the more general problem of necessity and contingency into a less complex one, thus providing a solution to questions of order, but that this displaces and eludes the important questions of contingency as a precondition for politics. Specifically, it reduces questions of order and contingency to a choice between normality or emergency where normality is rendered just and emergency measures come to be seen as necessary and un‐political. Indeed, the normality/emergency imaginary, and in particular the assumption that it is analogous to the order/contingency problem, makes it difficult to mount a political critique of emergency measures that does not reproduce and reaffirm the problem that motivates it.
Protective action as an enduring keystone of risk communication: Effective form, function and process of risk messaging as advocated by global higher education practitioners during a pandemic
Authors: Schwarz Andreas , Sellnow Timothy , Geppert Johanna , Sellnow Deanna D.
Published: February 2024

Risk communication is a keystone in crisis prevention and mitigation. For that purpose, many institutions worldwide have the task of translating scientific risk information into actionable messages for public safety. As a collaboration among international risk and crisis communication scholars and practitioners, we sought to identify what risk communication practitioners at higher education organizations in the Global South and North identify as essential elements of effective risk communication, based on 32 interviews in 16 countries during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic (June–August, 2020). Results exemplify a shared vision for addressing the stickiest, most wicked challenges to effective risk communication globally. The interviews revealed globally shared best practices related to form, function, and process leading directly to what we consider the keystone of effective risk communication: saving lives (outcome).
Nucleoporin93 limits Yap activity to prevent endothelial cell senescence
Authors: Nguyen Tung D. , Rao Mihir K. , Dhyani Shaiva P. , Banks Justin M. , Winek Michael A. , Michalkiewicz Julia , Lee Monica Y.
Published: February 2024

As the innermost lining of the vasculature, endothelial cells (ECs) are constantly subjected to systemic inflammation and particularly vulnerable to aging. Endothelial health is hence vital to prevent age‐related vascular disease. Healthy ECs rely on the proper localization of transcription factors via nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) to govern cellular behavior. Emerging studies report NPC degradation with natural aging, suggesting impaired nucleocytoplasmic transport in age‐associated EC dysfunction. We herein identify nucleoporin93 (Nup93), a crucial structural NPC protein, as an indispensable player in vascular protection. Endothelial Nup93 protein levels are significantly reduced in the vasculature of aged mice, paralleling observations of Nup93 loss when using in vitro models of EC senescence. The loss of Nup93 in human ECs induces cell senescence and promotes the expression of inflammatory adhesion molecules, where restoring Nup93 protein in senescent ECs reverses features of endothelial aging. Mechanistically, we find that both senescence and loss of Nup93 impair endothelial NPC transport, leading to nuclear accumulation of Yap and downstream inflammation. Pharmacological studies indicate Yap hyperactivation as the primary consequence of senescence and Nup93 loss in ECs. Collectively, our findings indicate that the maintenance of endothelial Nup93 is a key determinant of EC health, where aging targets endothelial Nup93 levels to impair NPC function as a novel mechanism of EC senescence and vascular aging.
Letter: The multifaceted role of Escherichia coli in influencing disorders of industrial populations
Authors: Ingrosso Maria Rosa , Gasbarrini Antonio , Cammarota Giovanni , Ianiro Gianluca
Published: February 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Faqerah et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17720 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17883
Effect of different inflammation states on the antimicrobial components in milk of goat udders after milking cessation
Authors: Sun Jinkun , Suzuki Naoki , Nii Takahiro , Isobe Naoki
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of milking cessation under different inflammatory conditions on the changes in antimicrobial components in milk and the process of mammary gland involution. Twenty udder halves were divided into two groups: those with (LPS) and without (control) lipopolysaccharide infusion, followed by cessation of milking for 8 weeks. Milk samples were collected weekly. Udder tissue was collected 4 weeks after milking cessation to measure the area of the lobule and connective tissue. After milking cessation, the somatic cell count (SCC) in the control group increased, whereas that in the LPS group did not. Lactoferrin (LF) and cathelicidin (Cath)‐2 concentrations increased in both groups, whereas only LF was significantly lower in the LPS group than in the control group at week 4. The Cath‐7 and S100A8 concentrations were significantly lower in the LPS group than in the control group. The lobule area was higher, and the connective tissue area was lower in the LPS group than in the control group. These results indicate that inflammation at milking cessation decreased the concentrations of some antimicrobial components and interfered with mammary gland involution. Therefore, animals with mastitis should recover prior to the onset of the dry period.
Inappropriate prescribing in patients with kidney disease: A rapid review of prevalence, associated clinical outcomes and impact of interventions
Authors: Hamzaei Zohra , Houlind Morten Baltzer , Kjeldsen Lene Juel , Christensen Louise Westberg Strejby , Walls Anne Byriel , Aharaz Anissa , Olesen Charlotte , Coric Faruk , Revell Joo Hanne Poulsen , Ravn‐Nielsen Lene Vestergaard , Andersen Trine Rune Høgh , Hedegaard Ulla
Published: February 2024

Background

The prevalence of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and polypharmacy is increasing and has amplified the importance of examining inappropriate prescribing (IP) in CKD. This review focuses on the latest research regarding the prevalence of IP in CKD and the related adverse clinical effects and explores new interventions against IP.

Method

A literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library searching articles published between June 2016 and March 2022.

Results

Twenty‐seven studies were included. An IP prevalence of 12.6% to 96% and 0.3% to 66% was reported in hospital and outpatient settings, respectively. In nonhospital settings, the prevalence of IP varied between 3.9% and 60%. IP was associated with higher risk of hospitalisation (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.17–1.81), higher bleeding rate (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.37) and higher risk of all‐cause mortality (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.13). Three studies reported the impact of interventions on IP.

Conclusion

This review highlights widespread IP in CKD patients across healthcare settings, with varying prevalence rates. IP is substantially linked to adverse outcomes in patients. While limited interventions show promise, urgent research is needed to develop effective strategies addressing IP and improving CKD patient care.
Fostering pro‐environmental behavior at work: A self‐determination theory perspective
Authors: Maco Matus , Kwon Jimin
Published: February 2024

With a growing corporate interest in pursuing public goods, numerous firms today endeavor to practice corporate social responsibility. Utilizing a multilevel structural equation modeling approach, we investigated the topic of employees' pro‐environmental behavior, contributing to the growing literature on “green” issues in the workplace. We incorporated self‐determination theory to examine how individuals' perceptions regarding their corporate environmental policies reflected in firm‐level green psychological climate influence their environment‐specific self‐regulation, and whether support of autonomy, relatedness, and competence psychological needs moderates this relationship. The relationship between environment‐specific self‐regulation and employees' engagement in pro‐environmental behavior was also further explained. Analysis of the data from 649 employees working in 37 major South Korean companies revealed that firm‐level green psychological climate is positively related to employees' environment‐specific self‐regulation and that environment‐specific self‐regulation is also positively related to their pro‐environmental behavior. Moreover, while we found that the positive association between firm‐level green psychological climate and employees' environment‐specific self‐regulation was stronger when they had a higher level of relatedness need satisfaction, interactions between firm‐level green psychological climate with autonomy and competence need satisfaction did not demonstrate any significant effects. Theoretical and practical contributions together with suggestions for related future research are discussed as well.
Can nerve monitoring during radical prostatectomy improve functional outcomes? A randomised trial
Authors: Nolsøe Alexander B. , Østergren Peter Busch , Jakobsen Henrik , Jensen Christian Fuglesang S. , Bruun Niels Henrik , Sønksen Jens , Fode Mikkel
Published: February 2024

Objective

To explore how the use of the ProPep® Nerve Monitoring System (ProPep Surgical, Austin, TX, USA) for intraoperative specific sparing of the pudendal nerve fibres influences postoperative functional outcomes after unilateral nerve‐sparing (UNS) or non‐nerve‐sparing (NNS) robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Patients and methods

We randomised 100 men undergoing UNS or NNS RARP to ProPep nerve monitoring during RARP (intervention) or standard of care RARP (control). Functional outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ‐SF), the International Prostate Symptom Score, the Danish Prostate Symptom Score, the International Index of Erectile Function, the Erection Hardness Scale, and 24‐h pad tests. The primary outcome was the difference in ICIQ‐SF score between the groups at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included differences in the remaining outcome measures and continence rates at all time points. Continence was defined as the use of no pads and the answer ‘Never’ to the question: ‘How often do you experience urinary incontinence?’ or a urine loss of <8 g on the 24‐h pad test.

Results

A total of 82 patients were included in the per‐protocol analysis at 12 months with 41 in each group. At 12 months the mean ICIQ‐SF scores were 5.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.71–7.03) and 5.66 (95% CI 4.05–7.27) for the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = 0.8). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the remaining outcomes. However, the continence rate was higher in the intervention group at 6 months (63% vs 44%, P = 0.09).

Conclusions

Intraoperative nerve monitoring did not result in better functional outcomes following UNS or NNS RARP. Larger studies are needed to explore if ProPep can reduce the time to continence after RARP.