bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Ethanol Exposure Produces Persistent Impairment in Cognitive Flexibility and Decision Signals in the Striatum
Authors: Cheng Yifeng , Magnard Robin , Langdon Angela J. , Lee Daeyeol , Janak Patricia H.
Published: March 2024

Lack of cognitive flexibility is a hallmark of substance use disorders and has been associated with drug-induced synaptic plasticity in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS). Yet the possible impact of altered plasticity on real-time striatal neural dynamics during decision-making is unclear. Here, we identified persistent impairments induced by chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure on cognitive flexibility and striatal decision signals. After a substantial withdrawal period from prior EtOH vapor exposure, male, but not female, rats exhibited reduced adaptability and exploratory behavior during a dynamic decision-making task. Reinforcement learning models showed that prior EtOH exposure enhanced learning from rewards over omissions. Notably, neural signals in the DMS related to the decision outcome were enhanced, while those related to choice and choice-outcome conjunction were reduced, in EtOH-treated rats compared to the controls. These findings highlight the profound impact of chronic EtOH exposure on adaptive decision-making, pinpointing specific changes in striatal representations of actions and outcomes as underlying mechanisms for cognitive deficits.
A genome-wide association study implicates the olfactory system inDrosophila melanogasterdiapause-associated lifespan extension and fecundity
Authors: Easwaran Sreesankar , Montell Denise J.
Published: March 2024

The effects of environmental stress on animal life are gaining importance with climate change. Diapause is a dormancy program that occurs in response to an adverse environment, followed by resumption of development and reproduction upon the return of favorable conditions. Diapause is a complex trait, so we leveraged theDrosophilagenetic reference panel (DGRP) lines and conducted a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) to characterize the genetic basis of diapause. We assessed post-diapause and non-diapause fecundity across 193 DGRP lines. GWAS revealed 546 genetic variants, encompassing single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions and deletions associated with post-diapause fecundity. We identified 291 candidate diapause-associated genes, 40 of which had previously been associated with diapause, and 89 of which were associated with more than one SNP. Gene network analysis indicated that the diapause-associated genes were primarily linked to neuronal and reproductive system development. Similarly, comparison with results from other fly GWAS revealed the greatest overlap with olfactory-behavior-associated and fecundity-and-lifespan-associated genes. An RNAi screen of selected candidates identified two neuronal genes, Dip-𝛾 and Scribbler, to be required during recovery for post-diapause fecundity. We complemented the genetic analysis with a test of which neurons are required for successful diapause. We found that although amputation of the antenna had little to no effect on non-diapause lifespan, it reduced diapause lifespan and postdiapause fecundity. We further show that olfactory receptor neurons and temperature-sensing neurons are required for successful recovery from diapause. Our results provide insights into the molecular, cellular, and genetic basis of adult reproductive diapause inDrosophila.
A cross sectional survey of Australian and New Zealand specialist trainees’ research experiences and outputs
Authors: Stehlik Paulina , Withers Caitlyn , Bourke Rachel , Barnett Adrian , Brandenburg Caitlin , Noble Christy , Bannach-Brown Alexandra , Keijzers Gerben , Scott Ian , Glasziou Paul , Veysey Emma , Mickan Sharon , Morgan Mark , Joshi Hitesh , Forrest Kirsty , Campbell Thomas , Henry David
Published: March 2024

Objective

To explore medical trainees’ experiences and views concerning college-mandated research projects.

Setting

Online survey (Apr-Dec 2021) of current and recent past trainees of Australian and New Zealand colleges recruited through 11 principal colleges and snowballing.

Participants

Current trainee or completed training in the past 5 years.

Main outcome measures

We asked participants: whether they were required to conduct research as part of their college training, how they conducted their research, and their research activity after training. Respondents were invited to submit project reports for reporting and methodological quality evaluation. Data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Of the 372 respondents, 313 (86%) were required to complete one or more projects. Of the 177 who had completed their project (representing 267 projects), 76 provided information on 92 studies, with 34 reports submitted for evaluation. Most respondents developed their own research questions, study design and protocol, and conducted research in their own time, with 56% (38/68) stating they had the skills to complete their project. Most project teams consisted of their own medical specialty followed by statisticians, but seldom others.

44% (30/68) were satisfied with their research experience, and 53% (36/67) supported mandatory projects. Half (87/174) felt research was important for career development, 72% (44/61) considered initiating research post-training, and 54% (33/61) participated in it.

Commonly expressed themes were time-burden of conducting projects, production of research waste, and the importance of research for skills development. Of the 34 submitted reports, 75% were published and 82% had a clear research question. Only three had a low risk of bias.

Conclusion

Majority of respondents conducted projects, but few shared details or reports. Despite valuing their research experiences and seeing clinical relevance, time conflicts and research waste were common concerns. Colleges should focus on enhanced research methods training and creating trainee research collaboratives.

Protocol registration

https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BNGZK

Summary box

Majority of medical specialty trainees are required to conduct a research project to develop their research skills.

We found the learning experiences are inconsistent, and the quality of research produced even more so.

A new approach is required that is tailored to the research skills required by most practicing clinicians, namely being expert in applying research to practice and in participating in collaborative research. Those wishing to become leaders in research should be supported to do so via a specialised well-supported pathway.
Personalized phosphoproteomics of skeletal muscle insulin resistance and exercise links MINDY1 to insulin action
Authors: Needham Elise J. , Hingst Janne R. , Onslev Johan D. , Diaz-Vegas Alexis , Leandersson Magnus R. , Kristensen Jonas Møller , Kido Kohei , Richter Erik A. , Højlund Kurt , Parker Benjamin L. , Cooke Kristen , Yang Guang , Pehmøller Christian , Humphrey Sean J. , James David E. , Wojtaszewski Jørgen F.P.
Published: March 2024

Type 2 diabetes is preceded by a defective insulin response, yet our knowledge of the precise mechanisms is incomplete. Here, we investigate how insulin resistance alters signalling responses in skeletal muscle and how this is modified by exercise. We measured parallel phenotypes and phosphoproteomes of insulin resistant and insulin sensitive individuals as they responded to exercise and insulin (n=19, 114 biopsies), quantifying over 12,000 phosphopeptides in each biopsy. Our personalized phosphoproteomics approach revealed that insulin resistant individuals have selective and time-dependent signalling alterations. Insulin resistant subjects have reduced insulin-stimulated mTORC1 responses and alterations to non-canonical rather than canonical insulin signalling. Prior exercise promotes insulin sensitivity even in insulin resistant individuals by ‘priming’ a portion of insulin signalling prior to insulin infusion. This includes MINDY1 S441, which is elevated in insulin-sensitive subjects and primed by prior exercise. MINDY1 contains a missense variant that is protective for type 2 diabetes but its role in disease risk is unknown. We show that MINDY1 S441 phosphorylation is downstream of AKT, and MINDY1 knockdown enhances insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in rat myotubes. This work delineates the signalling alterations in insulin resistant skeletal muscle and how exercise partially counteracts these and identifies MINDY1 as a regulator of insulin action.

Highlights

Insulin resistance primarily alters non-canonical insulin signalling.

mTORC1 substrates were most defective in insulin resistance.

Exercise counteracts insulin signalling defects including MINDY1 S441.

MINDY1 is a negative regulator of insulin sensitivity in rat myotubes and S441 is downstream of AKT.
Prevalence of differences of sex development in children and adolescents in Switzerland from 2000-2019
Authors: Metzger Sara , Sommer Grit , Flück Christa E.
Published: March 2024

Objective

Reliable data on prevalence of differences of sex development (DSD) are lacking. We aimed to estimate population-based prevalence of DSD in Switzerland.

Design

Retrospective population-based study including children and adolescents with DSD according to Chicago Consensus, born in Switzerland from 2000-2019.

Methods

Endocrine care centers in ten Swiss Children’s Hospitals and eight private endocrine practices collected DSD data through the I-DSD registry or case report forms. We calculated prevalence for DSD diagnostic groups and analyzed trends in prevalence.

Results

Over the 20-year study period, we identified 561 individuals with DSD. Almost half (n=266, 47%) had sex chromosome DSD, 177 (32%) had 46,XY DSD and 118 (21%) had 46, XX DSD. Causes for 46,XY DSD were disturbed androgen synthesis or action (37/177, 21%), atypical gonadal development (28/177, 16%), or other causes (112/177, 63%). Causes for 46,XX DSD were androgen excess (99/118, 84%), atypical gonadal development (8/118, 7%), or other causes (11/118, 9%). On average, 28 new cases were born with DSD annually. Prevalence was 17 for sex chromosome DSD, 12 for 46,XY DSD and 8 for 46,XX DSD per 100’000 live births and year. One per 7’500 newborn girls had 46,XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Conclusion

Prevalence of sex chromosome DSD was lower than expected because of underreporting due to late diagnosis. Prevalence of 46,XX CAH is similar to newborn screening data, suggesting good completeness of cases. For complex DSD cases, we expect complete coverage. This study provides a valuable resource for policymaking and (inter)national research on DSD.
Uncovering disease-related multicellular pathway modules on large-scale single-cell transcriptomes with scPAFA
Authors: Huang Zhuoli , Zheng Yuhui , Wang Weikai , Zhou Wenwen , Wei Chen , Zhang Xiuqing , Jin Xin , Yin Jianhua
Published: March 2024

Pathway analysis is a crucial analytical phase in disease research on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, offering biological interpretations based on prior knowledge. However, currently available tools for generating cell-level pathway activity scores (PAS) exhibit computational inefficacy in large-scale scRNA-seq datasets. Besides, disease-related pathways are commonly identified by cross-condition comparisons in each cell type, neglecting the potential multicellular patterns. Here, we present single-cell pathway activity factor analysis (scPAFA), a Python library designed for large-scale single-cell dataset allowing rapid PAS computation and uncovering biologically interpretable disease-related multicellular pathway modules, which are low-dimensional representations of disease-related PAS variance in multiple cell types. Application on colorectal cancer (CRC) dataset with 371,223 cells and large-scale lupus atlas over 1.2 million cells demonstrated that scPAFA can achieve > 33-fold decreases in runtime of PAS computation and further identified reliable and interpretable multicellular pathway modules that capture the transcriptomic features of CRC tumor status and transcriptional abnormalities in lupus patients, respectively.
An Lgr5-independent developmental lineage is involved in mouse intestinal regeneration
Authors: Marefati Maryam , Fernandez-Vallone Valeria , Leprovots Morgane , Vasile Gabriella , Libert Frédérick , Lefort Anne , Dinsart Gilles , Weber Achim , Jetzer Jasna , Garcia Marie-Isabelle , Vassart Gilbert
Published: March 2024

Collagenase/dispase treatment of intestinal tissue from adult mice generates cells growing in matrigel as stably replatable cystic spheroids in addition to differentiated organoids. Contrary to classical EDTA-derived organoids, these spheroids display poor intestinal differentiation and are independent of Rspondin/Noggin/EGF for growth. Their transcriptome resembles strikingly that of fetal intestinal spheroids, with downregulation of crypt base columnar cell (CBC) markers (Lgr5, Ascl2, Smoc2, Olfm4). In addition, they display upregulation of inflammatory and mesenchymal genetic programs, together with robust expression of YAP target genes. Lineage tracing, cell-sorting and single cell RNA sequencing experiments demonstrate that adult spheroid-generating cells belong to a hitherto undescribed developmental lineage, independent of Lgr5+ve CBCs, and are involved in regeneration of the epithelium following CBC ablation.
Cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying binocular vision
Authors: Honnuraiah Suraj , Huang Helena , Ryan William J. , Broersen Robin , Connelly William M. , Stuart Greg J.
Published: March 2024

How binocular visual information is combined at the level of single neurons in the brain is not fully understood. Here, we show in mice that callosal input from the opposite visual cortex (V1) plays a critical role in this process.In vivowe find this callosal projection carries ipsilateral eye information and synapses exclusively onto binocular neurons. Using the presence of callosal input to identify binocular neuronsin vitro,at the cellular level we show that binocular neurons are less excitable than monocular neurons due to high expression of Kv1 potassium channels. At the circuit level we find that only monocular neurons send callosal projections to the opposite V1, whereas binocular neurons do not. Finally, using dual-colour optogenetics we show that most binocular and monocular neurons receive direct input from the thalamus. In summary, we describe distinct cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying processing of binocular visual information in mouse V1.
Presynaptic occlusion of NMDA receptor-dependent potentiation in Synaptophysin family knockouts
Authors: del Olmo-Cabrera Sergio , Gotor Juan José Rodríguez , Verhaeghe Rémy , Wesseling John F.
Published: March 2024

Baseline synaptic strength is elevated in knockouts missing the synaptophysin family of synaptic vesicle proteins because of increased probability of release of release-ready vesicles. Here we show that the longest lasting component of long-term potentiation (LTP) is: (a) eliminated at Schaffer collateral synapses under standard conditions; (b) rescued by reducing extracellular Ca2+enough to lower baseline synaptic strength to wildtype levels; and, (c) eliminated at wildtype synapses by increasing Ca2+enough to elevate baseline to knockout levels. Next, an earlier component of LTP, lasting less than 1 hr, was eliminated first at knockouts and then wildtype by elevating baseline further. And, the LTP that was eliminated could be recovered by subsequently reducing extracellular Ca2+back to the permissive level. In sum, NMDA receptor-dependent LTP maintenance and expression are separable mechanisms at extensively studied Schaffer collateral synapses, and expression of multiple components can be occluded by enhancing the mechanism that catalyzes synaptic vesicle exocytosis from presynaptic terminals.
CB1Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Induce Acute Respiratory Depression in Awake Mice
Authors: Watkins Joshua , Aradi Petra , Hahn Rachel , Katona Istvan , Mackie Ken , Makriyannis Alexandros , Hohmann Andrea G.
Published: March 2024

Recreational use of synthetic cannabinoid agonists (i.e., “Spice” compounds) that target the Cannabinoid Type 1 receptor (CB1) can cause respiratory depression in humans. However, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive phytocannabinoid in cannabis, is not traditionally thought to interact with CNS control of respiration, based largely upon sparse labeling of CB1 receptors in the medulla and few reports of clinically significant respiratory depression following cannabis overdose. The respiratory effects of CB1agonists have rarely been studiedin vivo, suggesting that additional inquiry is required to reconcile the conflict between conventional wisdom and human data. Here we used whole body plethysmography to examine the respiratory effects of the synthetic high efficacy CB1agonist CP55,940, and the low efficacy CB1agonist Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in male and female mice. CP55,940 and THC, administered systemically, both robustly suppressed minute ventilation. Both cannabinoids also produced sizable reductions in tidal volume, decreasing both peak inspiratory and expiratory flow - measures of respiratory effort. Similarly, both drugs reduced respiratory frequency, decreasing both inspiratory and expiratory time while markedly increasing expiratory pause, and to a lesser extent, inspiratory pause. Respiratory suppressive effects occurred at lower doses in females than in males, and at many of the same doses shown to produce cardinal behavioral signs of CB1activation. We next used RNAscopein situhybridization to localize CB1mRNA to glutamatergic neurons in the medullary pre-Bötzinger Complex, a critical nucleus in controlling respiration. Our results show that, contrary to previous conventional wisdom, CB1mRNA is expressed in glutamatergic neurons in a brain region essential for breathing and CB1agonists can cause significant respiratory depression.
Redirecting DNA repair for efficient CRISPR-Cas-based gene targeting in tomato
Authors: Van Vu Tien , Nguyen Ngan Thi , Kim Jihae , Vu Minh Huy , Song Young Jong , Tran Mil Thi , Sung Yeon Woo , Kim Jae-Yean
Published: March 2024

The CRISPR-Cas-based gene targeting (GT) method has enabled precise modifications of genomic DNA ranging from single base to several kilobase scales through homologous recombination (HR). In plant somatic cells, canonical nonhomologous end-joining (cNHEJ) is the predominant mechanism for repairing double-stranded breaks (DSBs), thus limiting the HR-mediated GT. In this study, we implemented various approaches to shift the repair pathway preference toward HR by using a dominant-negative KU80 mutant protein (KUDN) to disrupt the initiation of cNHEJ and enhance DSB end resection through nucleases. Our results show from 1.71- to 3.55-fold improvement of the GT efficiency at the callus stage and a more remarkable, up to 9.84-fold, increase in GT efficiency at two specific tomato loci,SlHKT1;2andSlEPSPS1, when we screened transformants obtained from the KUDN-mediated cNHEJ suppression approach. With practical levels of efficiency, this enhanced KUDN-based GT tool successfully facilitated GT at an additional locus,SlCAB13. These findings provide a promising method for more efficient and precise plant breeding in the future.
Her9 controls the stemness properties of the hindbrain boundary cells
Authors: Engel-Pizcueta Carolyn , Hevia Covadonga F , Voltes Adrià , Livet Jean , Pujades Cristina
Published: March 2024

Different spatiotemporal distribution of progenitor/neurogenic capacities permits that brain regions engage asynchronously in neurogenesis. In the hindbrain, rhombomere progenitor cells are the main contributors to neurons during the first neurogenic phase, whereas boundary cells participate later, relying on Notch3-activity. To analyze the mechanism(s) that maintain boundary cells as proliferative progenitors not engaging in neurogenesis, we addressed the role of the zebrafish Hes1 ortholog, Her9, in this cell population.her9expression is temporarily sustained in boundary cells in a Notch-independent manner while they behave as non-neurogenic progenitors. Functional manipulations demonstrate that Her9 inhibits the onset of Notch-signaling and the neurogenic program, thus keeping boundary cells in the progenitor state. Combining multicolor clonal analysis with functional approaches, we reveal a role of Her9 in the expansion of boundary progenitors by promoting symmetric proliferative divisions and preventing neurogenic cell divisions. Moreover, Her9 regulates the proliferation of boundary cells by inhibiting the cell cycle genecdkn1caand potentially interplaying with CyclinD1. Altogether, Her9 maintains the stemness and proliferation of hindbrain boundary progenitors at early embryonic stages.
Ribosomes modulate transcriptome abundance via generalized frameshift and out-of-frame mRNA decay
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Nersisyan Lilit , Fürst Eliska , Alexopoulos Ioannis , Huch Susanne , Bassot Claudio , Garre Elena , Sunnerhagen Per , Piazza Ilaria , Pelechano Vicent
Published: March 2024

Cells need to adapt their transcriptome to quickly match cellular needs in changing environments. mRNA abundance can be controlled by altering both its synthesis and decay. Here we show how, in response to poor nutritional conditions, the bulk of theS. cerevisiaetranscriptome undergoes -1 ribosome frameshifts and experiences an accelerated out-of-frame co-translational mRNA decay. Using RNA metabolic labelling, we demonstrate that in poor nutritional conditions, NMD-dependent degradation represents at least one third of the total mRNA decay. We further characterize this mechanism and identify low codon optimality as a key factor for ribosomes to induce out-of-frame mRNA decay. Finally, we show that this phenomenon is conserved from bacteria to humans. Our work provides evidence for a direct regulatory feedback mechanism coupling protein demand with the control of mRNA abundance to limit cellular growth and expands the functional role of mRNA quality control.
Hemispheric multi-dimension features extraction analysis based on decoupled representation learning
Authors: Su Yuwei , Wang Sifeng , Zhang Xiaoyu , Lan Min , Zhong Suyu
Published: March 2024

The predominant approach in investigating brain structural asymmetry relies on predefined regions of interest, assessing variations between homologous brain regions through a single indicator, which is local, univariate, and relative. In response to this challenge, we employ decoupled representation learning from deep learning to extract hidden features containing hemisphere-specific information at a hemispheric systemic level. This novel approach enables a global and multivariate analysis of brain structural asymmetry. Our findings indicate a significant association between left-hemisphere-specific hidden features and language-related behavioral metrics, as well as a correlation between right-hemisphere-specific hidden features and social-related behavioral metrics. Tensor-based Morphometry results find the impact of left-hemisphere-specific features on the left inferior frontal sulcus within Broca’s area, a crucial region for language processing. Additionally, right-hemisphere-specific features influenced the right rostral hippocampus, a region implicated in emotion regulation and spatial navigation. The findings from Neurosynth indicate that significant regions caused by left-hemisphere-specific features are correlated with language, while significant regions caused by right-hemisphere-specific features are associated with behaviors primarily governed by the right hemisphere. Furthermore, our study establishes a link between structural changes induced by hemisphere-specific features and several genes. Such findings demonstrate that the application of deep learning techniques allows for precise capture of hemisphere-specific information within individual hemispheres, offering a new perspective for future research on brain structural asymmetry.
Crossed nonlinear dynamical Hall effect in twisted bilayers
Authors: Chen Cong , Zhai Dawei , Xiao Cong , Yao Wang
Published: March 2024

We propose a nonlinear dynamical Hall effect characteristic of layered materials with chiral symmetry, which is driven by the joint action of in-plane and time variation of out-of-plane ac fields jH∼Ė⊥×E∥. A different band geometric quantity—interlayer Berry connection polarizability, which probes a mixed quantum metric characteristic of layer hybridized electrons by twisted interlayer coupling—underlies this effect. When the two orthogonal fields have a common frequency, their phase difference controls the on/off, direction, and magnitude of the rectified Hall current. We show sizable effects in twisted homobilayer transition metal dichalcogenides and twisted bilayer graphene over a broad range of twist angles. Our work opens the door to discovering mixed quantum metric responses unique to van der Waals stacking and concomitant applications under the nonlinear spotlight.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Spontaneous Gap Opening and Potential Excitonic States in an Ideal Dirac Semimetal
Ta2Pd3Te5
Authors: Zhang Peng , Dong Yuyang , Yan Dayu , Jiang Bei , Yang Tao , Li Jun , Guo Zhaopeng , Huang Yong , Haobo  , Li Qing , Li Yupeng , Kurokawa Kifu , Wang Rui , Nie Yuefeng , Hashimoto Makoto , Lu Donghui , Jiao Wen-He , Shen Jie , Qian Tian , Wang Zhijun , Shi Youguo , Kondo Takeshi
Published: March 2024

The opening of an energy gap in the electronic structure generally indicates the presence of interactions. In materials with low carrier density and short screening length, long-range Coulomb interaction favors the spontaneous formation of electron-hole pairs, so called excitons, opening an excitonic gap at the Fermi level. Excitonic materials host unique phenomena associated with pair excitations. However, there is still no generally recognized single-crystal material with excitonic order, which is, therefore, awaited in condensed matter physics. Here, we show that excitonic states may exist in the quasi-one-dimensional material Ta2Pd3Te5, which has an almost ideal Dirac-like band structure, with the Dirac point located exactly at the Fermi level. We find that an energy gap appears at 350 K, and it grows with decreasing temperature. The spontaneous gap opening is absent in a similar material Ta2Ni3Te5. Intriguingly, the gap is destroyed by the potassium deposition on the crystal, likely due to extra-doped carriers. Furthermore, we observe a pair of in-gap flat bands, which is an analog of the impurity states in a superconducting gap. All these observations can be properly explained by an excitonic order, providing Ta2Pd3Te5 as a new and promising candidate realizing excitonic states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring the both-and success paradox in mega construction projects: multi-dimensional assessments of paradoxical leadership, project agility and megaproject success
Authors: Zaman Umer , Florez-Perez Laura , Abbasi Saba , Nawaz Muhammad Shahid
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Organizations are full of contradictions and leadership dilemmas. Managers often face challenges such as selecting between two contradicting options such that which one is more important can hardly be judged. To manage contradicting dynamics, today’s managers can adopt the paradoxical leadership approach. We build a theoretical model to investigate the influence of paradoxical leadership on multi-dimensional project agility (proactivity, adaptability, and resilience), and multi-dimensional project success (management, investment, and ownership success).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on survey-based data from the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) megaproject (N = 209), we performed covariance-based structural equation modeling to test the conceptual model.

Findings

The findings show that (1) paradoxical leadership has a significant positive impact on megaproject success, (2) paradoxical leadership has a significant positive influence on project agility, (3) project agility has a significant positive effect on megaproject success, and (4) project agility has a significant effect that mediates the link between paradoxical leadership and megaproject success. This research provides a theoretical and practical comprehension of paradoxical leadership with a new perspective on megaprojects.

Originality/value

This study provides an extension of the existing studies on paradoxical leadership and identifies the role of contradicting dynamics and their impact on multiple facets of megaproject success. It not only clarifies the relationship between paradoxical leadership and megaproject success, but also identifies the mediating role of project agility that can play an effective role in mobilizing success in megaprojects.
Climate neutrality in agriculture food supply chain: an integrated WINGS-GRID framework
Authors: Yadav Vinay Surendra , Raut Rakesh
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Substantial pressure from civil society and investors has forced governments around the world to take climate neutrality initiatives. Several countries have pledged their nationally determined contributions towards net-zero. However, there exist various obstacles to achieving the same and the agriculture sector is one of them. Thus, this study identifies and models the critical barriers to achieving climate neutrality in the agriculture food supply chain (AFSC).

Design/methodology/approach

Sixteen barriers are identified through a literature survey and are validated by the questionnaire survey. Furthermore, the interactions amongst the barriers are estimated through the application of the “weighted influence non-linear gauge system (WINGS)” method which considers the both intensity of influence and the strength of the barrier. To mitigate these barriers, a framework based on green, resilient and inclusive development (GRID) is proposed.

Findings

The obtained results reveal that lack of collaboration amongst AFSC stakeholders, lack of information and education awareness, and lack of technical expertise obtained a higher rank (amongst the top five) in three indicators of the WINGS method and thus are the most significant barriers.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt in modelling the climate neutrality barriers for the Indian AFSC. Additionally, the mitigating strategies are prepared using the GRID framework.
Master in education students' attitudes toward research at one University of Education in Myanmar
Authors: Htang Ling Kee , Hlaing Thet Htar
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study scrutinizes the attitudes of postgraduate students specializing in education toward research at one University of Education in Myanmar.

Design/methodology/approach

Having collected data from 121 Master in Education (MEd) students in three education departments, the study validated Papanastasiou's (2014) Revised-Attitude toward Research (R-ATR) scale by performing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A one-way MANOVA was used to establish the significance of mean differences between groups and ANOVA was used for the same purpose among groups.

Findings

The R-ATR scale is fit with the sample (χ2/df = 1.60), and the students' attitudes toward research are favorable with mean value for research usefulness (5.98), positive research predispositions (5.55) and research anxiety (3.61), despite feeling stressed and anxious. There was a significant difference in the students' attitudes toward research regarding their departments, while no significant difference was found based on their research experience, gender and age.

Practical implications

There should be an effective mechanism in implementing the research course and in online delivery mode, collaboration between the faculties in the process of revision and review of the research courses, effective strategies of improving research instructors' quality and also internationalization to sustain students' positive attitudes toward research and to reduce their stress and anxiety.

Originality/value

This research is empirically novel, and the initiative attempts to first use the R-ATR scale in teacher education in Myanmar.
Does lean inventory management alleviate financing constraints?
Authors: Wang Jingbin , Yao Xinyan , Zhu Xuechang , Li Baitong
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study explores the intricate relationship between inventory leanness, financial constraints and digital transformation in listed Chinese manufacturing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a large panel data collected from 2,563 Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises over the period from 2012 to 2021, this research employs the instrumental variable method combined with two-stage least squares estimators to explore the U- shaped relationship between inventory leanness and financial constraints. Furthermore, the moderating role of digital transformation is demonstrated.

Findings

Contrary to traditional assumptions, our research uncovers a U-shaped relationship between inventory leanness and financial constraints, indicating that excessive inventory reduction can exacerbate financial constraints. Digital transformation plays a significant moderating role, particularly in highly digitalized environments.

Practical implications

Our findings have practical significance for top managers and policymakers. We advocate for a balanced approach to lean inventory management to mitigating financial constraints. The study emphasizes the pivotal role of digital transformation in alleviating the impact of inventory leanness on financial constraints, highlighting the need for digital transformation strategies.

Originality/value

This research provides a comprehensive analysis of inventory leanness, financial constraints and digital transformation dynamics. It challenges conventional thinking by revealing the nonlinear nature of the inventory leanness–financial constraints relationship. The concept of moderation highlights the moderating effect of digital transformation. This study offers practical guidance for practitioners and policymakers.
The role of online retail website experience on brand happiness and willingness to share personal information: an SOR perspective
Authors: Banerjee Shubhomoy , Shaikh Ateeque , Sharma Archana
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The study aims to determine the role of online retail website experience on brand happiness and willingness to share personal information using the theoretical lens of the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework. Further, it explores the role of brand intimacy and brand partner quality in mediating the path between brand happiness and willingness to share personal information.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 439 online retail consumers in India, using an online questionnaire. The data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling in IBM Amos.

Findings

The present study found that online retail website experience is significantly related to brand happiness. The finding also supports that brand happiness was positively and significantly related to ‘consumers' willingness to share personal information. This relationship was fully mediated by brand intimacy. Brand happiness also mediated the relationship between website experience and the willingness to share personal information.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the emerging literature on brand happiness and willingness to share personal information. It establishes a central role of brand happiness as a driver and a mediator of consumers' willingness to share personal information with e-commerce retailers, extending the stimulus-organism-response framework in the context of brand happiness and willingness to share personal information. Further, the study establishes the role of website experience as a marketer (and brand) led driver of brand happiness.

Practical implications

The results have implications for the role of the website in enhancing the consumer experience, which in turn is a driver of brand happiness. Further, managers need to promote brand happiness with the help of website experience to enable consumers’ willingness to share personal information and help organizations customize their marketing campaigns.

Originality/value

This is among the first studies to evaluate brand happiness from the perspective of an online retail website experience and consider consumers’ willingness to share personal information from a branding rather than a technological perspective. Additionally, the study introduces the SOR framework in the context of brand happiness, with website experience acting as a stimulus for consumers, resulting in brand happiness, which is mediated by brand partner quality and brand intimacy (organism), leads to consumers' willingness to share personal information with online retail brands (response).
Economic growth, structural changes and employment linkages in India
Authors: Kumar Rakesh
Published: March 2024

Purpose

India started economic reforms at a rapid pace to catch up the world economy by following the services-led-growth model during the post-liberalisation period. Over the years, the growing unemployment rate posits a re-look into the dynamics of growth model for wider work force participation. In this backdrop, the paper aims to examine the dynamics of structural changes in employment pattern in view of economic growth led by services-led growth model in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a non-linear autoregressive model (NARDL) to examine the effect of the growth rates in three broad economic sectors namely agriculture and allied, services and industry on work force participation representing the employment opportunities in India.

Findings

The results highlight that the rapid expansion of the service sector has not occurred with enough employment opportunities by the same rate. By contrast, the growth in the industrial sector significantly creates employment opportunities in the short and long run. These results support the industry led growth model over the services for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the country.

Research limitations/implications

The study relies on combined labour force participation rates rather than gender-specific rates. Further, the regulatory, working conditions and economic incentives may affect the gender-specific engagement of the labour force in three broad sectors.

Practical implications

The results offer important insight into changing patterns in employment with policy lessons. A wider workforce force participation calls for expansion of manufacturing activities through pro-industry programmes.

Originality/value

The study makes pioneer efforts to examine the dynamics of labour force participation with respect to the growth of three broad economic sectors of the Indian economy. The results provide new insights with policy implications for the changing employment pattern and policy response.
Multidimensional Q‐compensated reverse time migration using a high‐efficient decoupled viscoacoustic wave equation
Authors: Ye Zilong , Huang Jianping , Mu Xinru , Mao Qiang
Published: March 2024

Seismic waves propagating through attenuating media induce amplitude loss and phase dispersion. Neglecting the attenuation effects during seismic processing results in the imaging profiles with weakened energy, mispositioned interfaces and reduced resolution. To obtain high‐quality imaging results, Q‐compensated reverse time migration is developed. The kernel of the Q‐compensated reverse time migration algorithm is a viscoacoustic wave equation with decoupled amplitude loss and phase dispersion terms. However, the majority of current decoupled viscoacoustic wave equations are solved using the computationally expensive pseudo‐spectral method. To enhance computational efficiency, we initiate our approach from the dispersion relation of a single standard linear solid model. Subsequently, we derive a novel decoupled viscoacoustic wave equation by separating the amplitude loss and phase dispersion terms, previously coupled in the memory variable. The newly derived decoupled viscoacoustic wave equation can be efficiently solved using the finite‐difference method. Then, we reverse the sign of the amplitude loss term of the newly derived viscoacoustic wave equation to implement high‐efficient Q‐compensated reverse time migration based on the finite‐difference method. In addition, we design a regularization term to suppress the high‐frequency noise for stabilizing the wavefield extrapolation. Forward modelling tests validate the decoupled amplitude loss and phase dispersion characteristics of the newly derived viscoacoustic wave equation. Numerical examples in both two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional confirm the effectiveness of the Q‐compensated reverse time migration based on the finite‐difference algorithm in mitigating the attenuation effects in subsurface media and providing high‐quality imaging results.
Environmental filtering governs consistent vertical zonation in sedimentary microbial communities across disconnected mountain lakes
Authors: Von Eggers Jordan M. , Wisnoski Nathan I. , Calder John W. , Capo Eric , Groff Dulcinea V. , Krist Amy C. , Shuman Bryan
Published: March 2024

Subsurface microorganisms make up the majority of Earth's microbial biomass, but ecological processes governing surface communities may not explain community patterns at depth because of burial. Depth constrains dispersal and energy availability, and when combined with geographic isolation across landscapes, may influence community assembly. We sequenced the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria and archaea from 48 sediment cores across 36 lakes in four disconnected mountain ranges in Wyoming, USA and used null models to infer assembly processes across depth, spatial isolation, and varying environments. Although we expected strong dispersal limitations across these isolated settings, community composition was primarily shaped by environmental selection. Communities consistently shifted from domination by organisms that degrade organic matter at the surface to methanogenic, low‐energy adapted taxa in deeper zones. Stochastic processes—like dispersal limitation—contributed to differences among lakes, but because these effects weakened with depth, selection processes ultimately governed subsurface microbial biogeography.
Equity Incentive Plans and Board of Director Discretion over Equity Grants
Authors: CADMAN BRIAN , CARRIZOSA RICHARD
Published: March 2024

Equity compensation is granted out of an equity incentive plan that must be approved by shareholders and cedes discretion over equity grants to boards of directors. We predict and find that equity plan proposals give boards more discretion over grants when the firm faces greater labor market forces and more volatile stock returns. When examining votes, we find that shareholders are less likely to support plans with abnormal discretion. We also find that boards with more discretion grant more equity in response to stock price declines. Lastly, we find that boards request additional shares when their ability to grant equity is more constrained by a smaller pool of available shares, and when they plan to increase equity grants. Overall our findings illuminate how firms balance needs to respond to labor market pressure and volatile operating environments against shareholder governance and oversight of equity compensation.
Changing climate, shifting mycotoxins: A comprehensive review of climate change impact on mycotoxin contamination
Authors: Casu Alessia , Camardo Leggieri Marco , Toscano Piero , Battilani Paola
Published: March 2024

Climate change (CC) is a complex phenomenon that has the potential to significantly alter marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Global warming of 2°C is expected to be exceeded during the 21st century, and the frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, storms, droughts, extreme temperatures, and wildfires, has intensified globally over recent decades, differently affecting areas of the world. How CC may impact multiple food safety hazards is increasingly evident, with mycotoxin contamination in particular gaining in prominence. Research focusing on CC effects on mycotoxin contamination in edible crops has developed considerably throughout the years. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive literature search to collect available studies in the scientific literature published between 2000 and 2023. The selected papers highlighted how warmer temperatures are enabling the migration, introduction, and mounting abundance of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungal species, including those producing mycotoxins. Certain mycotoxigenic fungal species, such as Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum, are expected to readily acclimatize to new conditions and could become more aggressive pathogens. Furthermore, abiotic stress factors resulting from CC are expected to weaken the resistance of host crops, rendering them more vulnerable to fungal disease outbreaks. Changed interactions of mycotoxigenic fungi are likewise expected, with the effect of influencing the prevalence and co‐occurrence of mycotoxins in the future. Looking ahead, future research should focus on improving predictive modeling, expanding research into different pathosystems, and facilitating the application of effective strategies to mitigate the impact of CC.
Successful treatment with granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis for plaque‐type skin lesions in patients with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Seishima Mariko , Hachiken Hideki , Furukawa Takuma , Yamamoto Junichiro
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GMA) is usually performed weekly for refractory skin diseases, such as generalized pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

Four patients with PsA who were refractory to previous treatments were enrolled. They received five or ten sessions of GMA. We assessed the clinical conditions of each patient and laboratory findings before and after GMA.

Results

GMA was effective in plaque‐type skin eruptions in all four patients with PsA. It was also effective in joint symptoms in three patients with PsA with mild symptoms, but was ineffective in one patient with severe joint symptoms.

Conclusion

GMA may be recommended to PsA patients with skin eruptions and mild joint symptoms.
Bacteriostasis of nisin against planktonic and biofilm bacteria: Its mechanism and application
Authors: Shi Ying , Wen Tao , Zhao Feng , Hu Jia
Published: March 2024

Food safety incidents caused by bacterial contamination have always been one of the public safety issues of social concern. Planktonic cells, viable but non‐culturable (VBNC) cells, and biofilm cells of bacteria can coexist in food or food processing, posing more serious challenges to public health and safety by increasing bacterial survival and difficulty in detection. As a non‐toxic, no side effect, and highly effective bacteriostatic substance, nisin has received wide attention from researchers. In this review, we summarized the species and biosynthesis of nisin, the effects of nisin alone or in combination with other treatments on planktonic and biofilm cells, and its applications in the fields of food, feed, and medicine by consulting numerous studies. Meanwhile, the mechanism of nisin on planktonic and biofilm cells was proposed based on existing researches. Nisin not only has antibacterial activity against most G+ bacteria but also exhibits a bacteriostatic effect on G− bacteria when combined with other antibacterial treatments. In addition to planktonic cells, nisin also has significant effects on bacterial cells in biofilms by changing the thickness, density, and composition of biofilms. Based on the three action processes of nisin on biofilms, we summarized the changes of bacteria in biofilms, including the causes of bacterial death and the formation of the VBNC state. We consider that research on the relationship between nisin and VBNC state should be strengthened.