bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astrocytic tau inclusions lead to microglial abnormalities, but leave neuronal networks intact
Authors: Vogels Thomas , Vargová Gréta , Hromádka Tomáš
Published: January 2024

Astrocytic tau inclusions are commonly found in the aging brain and primary tauopathies, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). The functional consequences of these histopathological lesions, however, are unknown due to the lack of specific animal models. We have developed a mouse model of astrocytic tau pathology to study downstream effects on microglia and neuronal networks. We have designed an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector expressing aggregation-prone human truncated tau (amino acids 151-391/4R) and red fluorophore mCherry in equal ratio under the astrocytic GFAP promotor. Injection of AAV-GFAP-htTau into the hippocampus of wild-type mice led to expression of human truncated tau in astrocytes and accumulation of soluble phosphorylated tau (p214, p231) but no detectable cognitive impairment. In vivo multiphoton imaging revealed alterations in microglial morphology in the vicinity of truncated tau positive astrocytes in the cortex. No alterations in firing patterns of excitatory cortical neurons surrounded by astrocytes overexpressing truncated tau were detected. These results suggest that early stages of astrocytic tau pathology lead to changes in microglial function, but not to functional impairment of neuronal networks.
Formation of long-term memory without short-term memory by CaMKII inhibition
Authors: Shin Myung Eun , Parra-Bueno Paula , Yasuda Ryohei
Published: January 2024

Most of the current models of long-term memory consolidation require prior establishment of short-term memory. Here, we show that optogenetic or genetic inhibition of CaMKII, a kinase important for synaptic plasticity, in an inhibitory avoidance task impairs short-term memory at 1 h but not long-term memory at 1 d. Similarly, cortico-amygdala synaptic potentiation was more sensitive to CaMKII inhibition at 1 h but not at 1 d. These results strongly suggest that long-term memory does not require the prior formation of short-term memory and that CaMKII-dependent synaptic plasticity specifically regulates short-term memory, but not long-term memory, for avoidance memory.
Solid-state nanopore detection of partially denatured dsDNA with single-strand binding protein: a preliminary analysis
Authors: Howald Nathan , Klotz Alexander R.
Published: January 2024

In this work we investigate the use of a nanopore sensor to detect single-strand binding protein (SSB) attached to AT-rich denaturation bubbles in genomic double-stranded (ds) DNA. DNA from theλbacteriophage was heated in the presence of E. coli SSB at temperatures predicted to open denaturation bubbles near the center of the molecule. A solid state nanopore sensor measured the ionic current as the DNA-SSB solution flowed through the pore, detecting blockades due to the translocation of biomolecules. Large current spikes were observed in the translocating DNA molecules, consistent with SSB binding. However, spikes were largely localized at either end of the DNA molecule, rather than at the predicted sites. We discuss the physico-chemical effects behind this disagreement and prospects for the future use of this technique for genomic mapping.
Modelling variability in functional brain networks using embeddings
Authors: Huang Rukuang , Gohil Chetan , Woolrich Mark W
Published: January 2024

Functional neuroimaging techniques allow us to estimate functional networks that underlie cognition. However, these functional networks are often estimated at the group level and do not allow for the discovery of, nor benefit from, subpopulation structure in the data, i.e. the fact that some recording sessions maybe more similar than others. Here, we propose the use of embedding vectors (c.f. word embedding in Natural Language Processing) to explicitly model individual sessions while inferring dynamic networks across a group. This vector is effectively a "fingerprint" for each session, which can cluster sessions with similar functional networks together in a learnt embedding space. We apply this approach to estimate dynamic functional connectivity, using Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), which are popular methods for inferring dynamic networks, to model individual sessions in neuroimaging data. We call this approach HIVE (HMM with Integrated Variability Estimation). Using simulated data, we show that HIVE can recover the true, underlying inter-session variability and show improved performance over existing approaches. Using real magnetoencephalography data, we show the learnt embedding vectors (session fingerprints) reflect meaningful sources of variation across a population (demographics, scanner types, sites, etc). Overall, HIVE provides a powerful new technique for modelling individual sessions while leveraging information available across an entire group.
Evidence for interacting but decoupled controls of decisions and movements in non-human primates
Authors: Saleri Clara , Thura David
Published: January 2024

Many recent studies indicate that control of decisions and actions is integrated during interactive behavior. Among these, several carried out in humans and monkeys conclude that there is a co-regulation of choices and movements. Another perspective, based on human data only, proposes a decoupled control of decision duration and movement speed, allowing for instance to trade decision duration for movement duration when time pressure increases. Crucially, it is not currently known whether this ability to flexibly dissociate decision duration from movement speed is specific to humans, whether it can vary depending on the context in which a task is performed, and whether it is stable over time. These are important questions to address, especially to rely on monkey electrophysiology to infer the neural mechanisms of decision-action coordination in humans. To do so, we trained two macaque monkeys in a perceptual decision-making task and analyzed data collected over multiple behavioral sessions. Our findings reveal a strong and complex relationship between decision duration and movement vigor. Decision duration and action duration can co-vary but also “compensate” each other. Such integrated but decoupled control of decisions and actions aligns with recent studies in humans, validating the monkey model in electrophysiology as a means of inferring neural mechanisms in humans. Crucially, we demonstrate for the first time that this control can evolve with experience, in an adapted manner. Together, the present findings contribute to deepening our understanding of the integrated control of decisions and actions during interactive behavior.

New & noteworthy

The mechanism by which the integrated control of decisions and actions occurs, coupled or interactive but decoupled, is debated. In the present study, we show in monkeys that decisions and actions influence each other in a decoupled way. For the first time, we also demonstrate that this control can evolve depending the subject’s experience, allowing to trade movement time for decision time and limit the temporal discounting of reward value.
Expression patterns of FGF and BMP pathway genes in the tardigradeHypsibius exemplaris
Authors: Heikes Kira L. , Goldstein Bob
Published: January 2024

A small number of conserved signaling pathways regulate development of most animals, yet we do not know where these pathways are deployed in most embryos. This includes tardigrades, a phylum with a unique body shape. We examined expression patterns of components of the BMP and FGF signaling pathways during embryonic segmentation and mesoderm development of the tardigradeHypsibius exemplaris. Among the patterns examined, we found that an FGF ligand gene is expressed in ectodermal segment posteriors and an FGF receptor gene is expressed in underlying endomesodermal pouches, suggesting possible FGF signaling between these developing germ layers. We found that a BMP ligand gene is expressed in lateral ectoderm and dorsolateral bands along segment posteriors, while the BMP antagonist Sog gene is expressed in lateral ectoderm and also in a subset of endomesodermal cells, suggesting a possible role of BMP signaling in dorsal-ventral patterning of lateral ectoderm. In combination with known roles of these pathways during development of common model systems, we developed hypotheses for how the BMP and FGF pathways might regulate embryo segmentation and mesoderm formation of the tardigradeH. exemplaris. These results identify the expression patterns of genes from two conserved signaling pathways for the first time in the tardigrade phylum.
Methylation of histone H3 lysine 36 is a barrier for therapeutic interventions of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Caeiro Lucas D. , Nakata Yuichiro , Borges Rodrigo L. , Zha Mengsheng , Garcia-Martinez Liliana , Bañuelos Carolina P. , Stransky Stephanie , Liu Tong , Chan Ho Lam , Brabson John , Domínguez Diana , Zhang Yusheng , Lewis Peter W. , Aznar Benitah Salvador , Cimmino Luisa , Bilbao Daniel , Sidoli Simone , Wang Zheng , Verdun Ramiro E. , Morey Lluis
Published: January 2024

Approximately 20% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) exhibit reduced methylation on lysine 36 of histone H3 (H3K36me) due to mutations in histone methylase NSD1 or a lysine-to-methionine mutation in histone H3 (H3K36M). Whether such alterations of H3K36me can be exploited for therapeutic interventions is still unknown. Here, we show that HNSCC models expressing H3K36M can be divided into two groups: those that display aberrant accumulation of H3K27me3 and those that maintain steady levels of H3K27me3. The former group exhibits reduced proliferation, genome instability, and heightened sensitivity to genotoxic agents like PARP1/2 inhibitors. Conversely, H3K36M HNSCC models with constant H3K27me3 levels lack these characteristics unless H3K27me3 is elevated by DNA hypomethylating agents or inhibiting H3K27me3 demethylases KDM6A/B. Mechanistically, H3K36M reduces H3K36me by directly impeding the activities of the histone methyltransferase NSD3 and the histone demethylase LSD2. Notably, aberrant H3K27me3 levels induced by H3K36M expression are not a bona fide epigenetic mark because they require continuous expression of H3K36M to be inherited. Moreover, increased sensitivity to PARP1/2 inhibitors in H3K36M HNSCC models depends solely on elevated H3K27me3 levels and diminishing BRCA1- and FANCD2-dependent DNA repair. Finally, a PARP1/2 inhibitor alone reduces tumor burden in a H3K36M HNSCC xenograft model with elevated H3K27me3, whereas in a model with consistent H3K27me3, a combination of PARP1/2 inhibitors and agents that up-regulate H3K27me3 proves to be successful. These findings underscore the crucial balance between H3K36 and H3K27 methylation in maintaining genome instability, offering new therapeutic options for patients with H3K36me-deficient tumors.
Mouse Gene-Targeting Strategies for Maximum Ease and Versatility
Authors: Papaioannou Virginia E. , Behringer Richard R.
Published: January 2024

Well-planned strategies are an essential prerequisite for any mutational analysis involving gene targeting. Consideration of the advantages or disadvantages of different methods will aid in the production of a final product that is both technically feasible and versatile. Strategies for gene-targeting experiments in the mouse are discussed, including the rationale behind some of the common elements of gene-targeting vectors, such as homologous DNA and the use of different site-specific recombinases. We detail positive and negative selection as well as screening strategies for homologous recombination events in embryonic stem (ES) cells. For the planning stages of making different types of alleles, we first consider general strategies and then provide details specific to either homologous recombination in ES cells or making alleles by gene editing with CRISPR–Cas in preimplantation embryos. The types of alleles considered are null or knockout alleles, reporter gene knock-in alleles, point mutations, and conditional null alleles.
Recovering a Targeted Mutation in Mice from Embryonic Stem Cell Chimeras or CRISPR–Cas Founders
Authors: Papaioannou Virginia E. , Behringer Richard R.
Published: January 2024

Following the production of chimeras from targeted embryonic stem (ES) cells or obtaining founders from CRISPR–Cas gene editing in preimplantation embryos, the desired targeted mutation must be recovered and established in the heterozygous state in a strain or stock of mice for further study. The breeding schemes for ES chimeras and CRISPR–Cas founders differ. For ES cell chimeras, we discuss the relative benefits of breeding from male or female chimeras. We discuss the importance of genetic background and provide practical advice for putting the mutation on inbred or outbred backgrounds or producing a coisogenic strain. For CRISPR–Cas founders, which will most likely be mosaic for different mutations, initial breeding strategies are discussed to maintain a desired genetic background at the same time as producing progeny to segregate different alleles. Strategies for testing the progeny to recognize indels, missense mutations, and knock-in mutations are discussed. In the event that ES cell chimeras or CRISPR–Cas founders produce no offspring or fail to transmit the mutant allele(s), there is a troubleshooting guide to pinpoint the problem. If heterozygous offspring from the chimeras or founders are normal, fertile, and of both sexes, the analysis of homozygous effects of the mutation can now begin; if not, possible dominant effects are considered.
Fluctuations and correlations of baryonic chiral partners
Authors: Koch Volker , Marczenko Michał , Redlich Krzysztof , Sasaki Chihiro
Published: January 2024

The exploration of critical phenomena in phase transitions of strongly interacting matter governed by quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is one of the goals of present ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collision experiments at BNL and CERN. The key research direction is to locate the putative critical point on the phase diagram of QCD linked to the chiral symmetry restoration at finite temperature and/or density. One of the main theoretical tools used for this purpose is the fluctuations of conserved charges, such as the net-baryon number. However, due to experimental limitations, analyses of heavy-ion collision data suffer from a very doubtful basing of the net-proton number being a proxy for the total net-baryon number fluctuations. In this work, we use the parity doublet model to investigate the fluctuations of the net-baryon number density in hot and dense hadronic matter. The model accounts for chiral criticality within the mean-field approximation. We focus on the qualitative properties and systematics of the first- and second-order susceptibility of the net-baryon number density, and their ratios for nucleons of positive and negative parity, as well as their correlator. We show that the fluctuations of the positive-parity nucleon do not necessarily reflect the fluctuations of the total net-baryon number density at the phase boundary of the chiral phase transition. We also investigate the nontrivial structure of the correlator. Furthermore, we discuss and quantify the differences between the fluctuations of the net-baryon number density in the vicinity of the chiral and liquid-gas phase transition in nuclear matter. We indicate a possible relevance of our results with the interpretation of the experimental data on net-proton number fluctuations in heavy-ion collisions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How to measure the transverse polarization of the produced hadrons in a symmetric collider?
Authors: Zhang Zhen-Hua
Published: January 2024

In this paper, some subtleties in the measurement of the transverse polarization of the produced hadrons on symmetric colliders—such as the Large Hadron Collider when conducting the pp collisions—are revealed. It can be proved that the transverse polarization of the produced particles with opposite pseudorapidity takes exactly opposite values if the normal vector of the production plane is defined in a convention-dependent way, regardless of whether parity is conserved or not in the production process. The analysis shows that, due to the symmetry of the initial state, the Λb transverse polarization measured by the CMS Collaboration in ) should be exactly equal to zero. A modified measurement of the Λb polarization for CMS and ATLAS is proposed, the result of which can be compared to the LHCb measurement.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effective Theory of Classical and Quantum Particle Dynamics in Rapidly Oscillating Fields
Authors: Penin Alexander A. , Su Aneca
Published: January 2024

We study the large-scale dynamics of charged particles in a rapidly oscillating field and formulate its classical and quantum effective theory description. The high-order perturbative results for the effective action are presented. Remarkably, the action models the effects of post-Newtonian general relativity on the motion of nonrelativistic particles, with the values of the emergent curvature and speed of light determined by the field spatial distribution and frequency. Our results can be applied to a wide range of physical problems including the high-precision analysis and design of the charged particle traps and Floquet quantum materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Integrability of a Globally Coupled Complex Riccati Array: Quadratic Integrate-and-Fire Neurons, Phase Oscillators, and All in Between
Authors: Cestnik Rok , Martens Erik A.
Published: January 2024

We present an exact dimensionality reduction for dynamics of an arbitrary array of globally coupled complex-valued Riccati equations. It generalizes the Watanabe-Strogatz theory [Integrability of a globally coupled oscillator array, .] for sinusoidally coupled phase oscillators and seamlessly includes quadratic integrate-and-fire neurons as the real-valued special case. This simple formulation reshapes our understanding of a broad class of coupled systems—including a particular class of phase-amplitude oscillators—which newly fall under the category of integrable systems. Precise and rigorous analysis of complex Riccati arrays is now within reach, paving a way to a deeper understanding of emergent behavior of collective dynamics in coupled systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Role of electron-electron interactions in electron emission from nanotube materials
Authors: Grigoryan Naira , Chudzinski Piotr
Published: January 2024

Nanotubes and nanorods have been recently established as very good materials to work as electron sources in a field emission (FE) process. These are one-dimensional materials and electron-electron interactions are expected to play a crucial role in their physics. Here we study the influence of electron-electron interactions on the field emission. We study the problem in the low energy regime; thus we need to abandon the antiadiabatic approximation and derive tunneling amplitude for a finite duration of the tunneling process. In this work we identified the parameters when exact analytic expression for tunneling current can be given. We obtained formalism that enables one to capture the collective effects due to electron-electron interactions and thermionic emission. Our results reveal that different types of nanotubes, and their minigap/compressibility parameters, can be easily distinguished based on FE measurements on these materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Neuronal temporal filters as normal mode extractors
Authors: Golkar Siavash , Berman Jules , Lipshutz David , Haret Robert Mihai , Gollisch Tim , Chklovskii Dmitri B.
Published: January 2024

Physical Review Research

To generate actions in the face of physiological delays, the brain must predict the future. Here we explore how prediction may lie at the core of brain function by considering a neuron predicting the future of a scalar time series input. Assuming that the dynamics of the lag vector (a vector composed of several consecutive elements of the time series) are locally linear, normal mode decomposition decomposes the dynamics into independently evolving (eigen)modes allowing for straightforward prediction. We propose that a neuron learns the top mode and projects its input onto the associated subspace. Under this interpretation, the temporal filter of a neuron corresponds to the left eigenvector of a generalized eigenvalue problem. We mathematically analyze the operation of such an algorithm on noisy observations of synthetic data generated by a linear system. Interestingly, the shape of the temporal filter varies with the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): a noisy input yields a monophasic filter and a growing SNR leads to multiphasic filters with progressively greater number of phases. Such variation in the temporal filter with input SNR resembles that observed experimentally in biological neurons.

Published by the American Physical Society2024
Hall response of locally correlated two-dimensional electrons at low density
Authors: Morpurgo Giacomo , Rademaker Louk , Berthod Christophe , Giamarchi Thierry
Published: January 2024

We study the Hall constant in a homogeneous two-dimensional fluid of correlated electrons immersed in a perpendicular magnetic field, with special focus on the regime of low carrier density. The model consists of a one-band tight-binding model and a momentum-independent causal self-energy, representing interaction-induced correlations effects that are restricted to be local in space. We write general gauge-invariant equations for the conductivity tensor at first order in the magnetic field and solve them numerically—–analytically when possible—in a minimal model of anisotropic square lattice with constant self-energy. Our results show that deviations from the universal behavior of the Hall constant, as observed in the semiclassical regime, appear upon entering the quantum regime, where the Fermi energy and interaction are comparable energy scales.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Finding optimal pathways in chemical reaction networks using Ising machines
Authors: Mizuno Yuta , Komatsuzaki Tamiki
Published: January 2024

Finding optimal pathways in chemical reaction networks is essential for elucidating and designing chemical processes, with significant applications such as synthesis planning and metabolic pathway analysis. Such a chemical pathway-finding problem can be formulated as a constrained combinatorial optimization problem, aiming to find an optimal combination of chemical reactions connecting starting materials to target materials in a given network. Due to combinatorial explosion, the computation time required to find an optimal pathway increases exponentially with the network size. Ising machines, including quantum and simulated annealing devices, are promising novel computers dedicated to such hard combinatorial optimization. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has yet to be an attempt to apply Ising machines to chemical pathway-finding problems. In this article, we present the Ising/quantum computing application for chemical pathway-finding problems. The Ising model, translated from a chemical pathway-finding problem, involves several types of penalty terms for violating constraints. It is not obvious how to set appropriate penalty strengths of different types. To address this challenge, we employ Bayesian optimization for parameter tuning. Furthermore, we introduce a technique that enhances tuning performance by grouping penalty terms according to the underlying problem structure. The performance evaluation and analysis of the proposed algorithm were conducted using a D-Wave Advantage system and simulated annealing. The benchmark results reveal challenges in finding exact optimal pathways. Concurrently, the results indicate the feasibility of finding approximate optimal pathways, provided that a certain degree of relative error in cost value is acceptable.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Unified light-matter Floquet theory and its application to quantum communication
Authors: Engelhardt Georg , Choudhury Sayan , Liu W. Vincent
Published: January 2024

Periodically driven quantum systems can exhibit a plethora of intriguing nonequilibrium phenomena that can be analyzed using Floquet theory. Naturally, Floquet theory is employed to describe the dynamics of atoms interacting with intense laser fields. However, this semiclassical analysis cannot account for quantum-optical phenomena that rely on the quantized nature of light. In this paper, we take a significant step to go beyond the semiclassical description of atom-photon coupled systems by unifying Floquet theory with quantum optics using the framework of full-counting statistics. This is achieved by introducing counting fields that keep track of the photonic dynamics. This formalism, which we dub “photon-resolved Floquet theory” (PRFT), is based on two-point tomographic measurements, instead of the two-point projective measurements used in standard full-counting statistics. Strikingly, the PRFT predicts the generation of macroscopic light-matter entanglement when atoms interact with multimode electromagnetic fields, thereby leading to complete decoherence of the atomic subsystem in the basis of the Floquet states. This decoherence occurs rapidly in the optical-frequency regime, but is negligible in the radio-frequency regime. Our results thus pave the way for the design of efficient quantum memories and quantum operations. Finally, employing the PRFT, we propose a quantum-communication protocol that can significantly outperform the state-of-art few-photon protocols by two orders of magnitude or better. The PRFT potentially leads to insights in various Floquet settings including spectroscopy, thermodynamics, quantum metrology, and quantum simulations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Corporate social responsibility in the Brazilian ceramic tile industry
Authors: Scur Gabriela , Pião Roberta de Castro Souza , De Souza William Jeferson Vieira , De Melo Mary Fernanda de Sousa
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The ceramic tile chain can generate several environmental impacts, from raw material extraction to the production process, commercialization, consumption, maintenance and disposal. One of the open issues remaining in the literature on socially responsible supply chains, also known as responsible supply chains, is understanding how corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices are being implemented in ceramic tile companies in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The method adopted is a multiple-case study. The authors conducted face-to-face interviews with six ceramic producers and a trade association. The authors also conducted eight interviews with specialists in the ceramic sector. They are two university professors, two class association representatives, one professional from a technological institute, two representatives of the inspection body and one supplier.

Findings

Companies perform on a compliance basis, manifesting a less proactive position when the subject is CSR. In addition, the CSR practices established by the companies are preferably aimed at reducing costs and risks and increasing reputation. Practices in terms of eco-design are linked to lowering costs and growing reputation, as seen from the reduction in the use of inputs and improvements in packaging to minimize costs. These practices improve the company’s reputation from the consumers' perspective. Environmental aspects are dominant due to the legislation.

Originality/value

This paper contributes theoretically since it identifies, from the companies' perspective, the CSR practices related to risk, cost reduction and reputation increase. There are also opportunities to be explored for facilitating their efforts towards a sustainable business model, especially considering the social dimension. From a managerial perspective, this paper provides some input for implementing CSR actions, mainly regarding their implications for society and local communities.
From workplace to home: consequences of supervisor bullying in the hospitality setting
Authors: Selem Kareem M. , Shoukat Muhammad Haroon , Shehata Ali Elsayed , Ahmad Muhammad Shakil , Gursoy Dogan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper highlights the effects of supervisor bullying (SBL) on work–family conflict (WFC), employee voice behavior (EVB), working compulsively (WCO) and working excessively (WEX), as well as the effects of WFC, EVB and WEX on employees' sleeping problems.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 473 five-star hotel employees, and their responses were analyzed using AMOS v.23.

Findings

SBL significantly lowers EVB while significantly increasing WFC. SBL increases WEX and WCO levels, which may be considered a short-term positive outcome of SBL.

Originality/value

This paper will help improve understanding of employee reactions to an emotionally charged workplace occurrence.
The relationship between job redesigning, reskilling and upskilling on organizational agility
Authors: Jamal Amani Fathi , El Nemar Sam , Sakka Georgia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This research explores the link between job redesign and skilling in three Lebanese service provider industries, aiming to understand how these factors affect organizational agility, a crucial factor for efficiency and effectiveness and promote long-term interventions through job redesign, upskilling and reskilling.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed two surveys, one for personnel (employees) and one for human aid managers (HR managers). These surveys collected data from 384 employees and 67 HR managers. The study utilized a work design questionnaire (WDQ), skilling application evaluation and the change acceptance model and testing to evaluate job redesign, skilling application effectiveness, technology acceptance and change readiness.

Findings

It was revealed that there is a significant and positive relationship between job redesign and the application of skilling programs. This relationship was shown to enhance organizational agility, with a particular focus on employees' technology acceptance and readiness for change. The integrated framework that combines job redesign, upskilling and reskilling was empirically tested and found to enable organizations to build their agility. The study also identified challenges and offered solutions for implementation, emphasizing the importance of employee responsiveness.

Practical implications

This research emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt job designs and enhance employee skills to enhance organizational agility, recommending a structured approach that combines job redesign and skill development efforts.

Originality/value

This research integrates job redesign, upskilling and reskilling in Lebanese service provider industries, contributing to organizational change and workforce development. It emphasizes technology acceptance and readiness for change.
Implementing success management on government-to-government projects: an integrated perspective with the PMBOK guide
Authors: Takagi Nilton , Varajão João , Ventura Thiago
Published: January 2024

Purpose

As in the private sector, public organizational information systems (IS) development is commonly carried out through projects. One of the alternatives followed by governmental organizations to perform their projects is outsourcing (by hiring other public institutions that have expertise in the IS area of the projects to be developed). However, limited research has been conducted on project success regarding these government-to-government (G2G) contexts. Since achieving success is crucial for public management, this paper proposes a model for Success Management of IS projects in G2G context.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method was design science research (DSR). In the evaluation step of the DSR, IS projects in a G2G environment were the object of case studies.

Findings

This work presents in detail how Success Management activities can be integrated into the processes and process groups of the Project Management Institute's project management guide. The authors also suggest tools and techniques to be used in each Success Management activity.

Practical implications

Managing success, particularly addressing success criteria and success factors, can help managers focus their efforts on what will really impact the success of a project. In the context of IS projects in G2G contexts, this contributes to decreasing waste and increasing the chances of providing better services to citizens.

Originality/value

This work contributes to theory by providing a new model for IS G2G projects that integrates Success Management and project management processes.
How local dealers benefit from their international participation: evidence from Africa
Authors: Zhang Lian , Wang Qingtao , Zhang Qiyuan , Zhou Kevin Zheng
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Although the prior literature has identified the relevance of dealer participation for multinational enterprises (MNEs), it is unclear whether such participation could also be an important means for local dealers to learn from MNEs. By adopting local firms’ viewpoint, our study draws on organizational learning theory to examine how local dealers benefit from their participation with foreign suppliers in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical setting is a combinative dataset of secondary data and primary survey of 164 small- and medium-sized local dealers with nine subsidiaries of a Chinese motorcycle company in six countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Findings

This research shows that dealer participation is positively associated with dealer performance, and this positive effect is stronger when local dealers operate in regions with low government corruption and high government support. However, the positive relationship is weaker when local dealers use the local tongue extensively but becomes stronger when their foreign suppliers have a high dealer coverage.

Originality/value

By taking a local-participant perspective, our study extends the participation literature to show how firms from a resource-constrained region may benefit from their proactive participation with foreign counterparts. Additionally, we identify the boundary conditions of institutional factors and strategic choices of local dealers and foreign suppliers, providing a nuanced understanding of firm behaviors in complex and uncertain markets.
Examination of spatial efficiency in super-tall towers within the Middle Eastern context
Authors: Ilgın Hüseyin Emre
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Super-tall towers have surfaced as a pragmatic remedy to meet the escalating requisites for both residential and commercial areas and to stimulate economic growth in the Middle East. In this unique regional context, optimizing spatial usage stands as a paramount consideration in the architectural design of skyscrapers. Despite the proliferation of super-tall towers, there exists a conspicuous dearth of comprehensive research pertaining to space efficiency in Middle Eastern skyscrapers. This study endeavors to bridge this substantial gap in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology utilized in this paper adopts a case study approach to accumulate data regarding super-tall towers in the Middle East, with a specific focus on investigating space efficiency. A total of 27 super-tall tower cases from the Middle East were encompassed within the analytical framework.

Findings

Key findings can be succinctly summarized as follows: (1) average space efficiency was 75.5%, with values fluctuating between a minimum of 63% and a maximum of 84%; (2) average ratio of the core area to the gross floor area (GFA) registered 21.3%, encompassing a spectrum ranging from 11% to 36%; (3) predominantly, Middle Eastern skyscrapers exhibited a prismatic architectural form coupled with a central core typology. This architectural configuration mostly catered to residential and mixed-use functions; (4) the combination of concrete and outrigger frame systems was the most frequently utilized; (5) as the height of the tower increased, space efficiency tended to experience a gradual decline and (6) no significant discernible disparities were detected in the impact of diverse load-bearing systems and architectural forms on space efficiency.

Originality/value

Despite the proliferation of super-tall towers, there exists a conspicuous dearth of comprehensive research pertaining to space efficiency in Middle Eastern skyscrapers. This study endeavors to bridge this substantial gap in the literature.
Perceived impacts of social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage in Kenya
Authors: Muma Shadrack Lusi , Naidoo Kovin Shunmugam , Hansraj Rekha
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Effective refractive error (RE) coverage in a resource-constrained country such as Kenya could possibly be achievable if the current dominant commercial entrepreneurship is supplemented with alternative avenues such as social entrepreneurship. This study aims to explore the perceived impact of social enterprises (SEs) in scaling effective RE coverage in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

This was an exploratory study with data collected from representatives of SEs (n = 29), trainees of SEs (n = 112) and beneficiaries of eye care services provided by SEs (n = 674). Participants were recruited purposively with data collected through telephonic calls. Thematic analysis was carried out by categorizing the codes into categories and themes based on the semantic meaning of the codes.

Findings

The perceived impact of SEs from the representative perspective included entrepreneurship and livelihood (n = 3; 10.3%), skills development (n = 20; 69%), technology development (n = 7; 24.1%), access to specialized services (n = 7; 24.1%) and affordability, accessibility and availability of RE services (n = 27; 93.1%). From the perspective of trainees, the themes included economic empowerment (n = 99; 88.4%), improved quality of life (n = 84; 75.0%), sensitizing locals to RE during screening events (n = 112; 100.0%) and enhancing accessibility, availability and affordability (n = 107; 95.5%).

Originality/value

The perceived impact of SEs highlighted in this paper showcases that they are useful for integration into the eye health ecosystem in a resource-constrained country such as Kenya. Integration of SEs into the eye health ecosystem could potentially address the human resource challenge, scale RE service delivery, enhance awareness creation and address the cost barriers to current RE service delivery coverage.
Gen Z consumers’ expectations for smart convenience stores in the USA, South Korea, and Japan
Authors: Jung Summer Dahyang , Claire Sahej , Kim Sohyeong
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Generation Z will be the leading consumer group in the future. Using convenience stores, the study provides an in-depth analysis on Gen Z’s current experience and future expectations from retail stores. The study further highlights the differences between Gen Z’s perception of convenience stores across three different regions – the USA, South Korea and Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 36 Gen Z participants from the USA (12), South Korea (11) and Japan (13). All interviews were first coded based on a preselected list of themes and were further coded with new themes that emerged from exploratory coding.

Findings

Each regional cohort varied in terms of how they experienced and what they expected from convenience stores. US participants showed negative or utilitarian attitudes toward convenience stores, whereas South Korean participants had a positive, personal attachment to them. In comparison, Japanese participants had a relatively neutral attitude. However, all three groups showed a common preference for smart technology and health concerns surrounding convenience store foods.

Practical implications

Convenience store chains should consider the cultural nuances when designing future services. The chains should further strive to remove the health concerns about the foods provided at the stores and design smart technologies that enhance user experience.

Originality/value

The present study broadens the knowledge in this budding consumer segment where current research is limited. It further sheds light on the variance among Gen Zers across different cultural contexts.
Different dynamics and controls of enzyme activities of leaf and root litter during decomposition
Authors: Long Chunyan , Yang Fan , Chen Qiong , Zhang Qian , Cheng Xiaoli
Published: January 2024

Litter enzyme dynamics are strongly shaped by litter, soil and microbial attributes during decomposition; however, the enzyme dynamics of leaf and root litter remain unresolved due to contrasting differences in rates and controls on leaf and root litter decomposition.

Herein, we conducted a 784‐day field experiment to evaluate the relative importance of litter, alkaline soil and microbial attributes to enzyme activities and their C:N:P stoichiometry of leaf and root litter during decomposition under subtropical land use change in China.

We found that only the C‐ and N‐acquiring enzyme activities of shrub leaves were greater than those of wood and crop, and there was no significant difference in P‐acquiring enzyme activity among the three species of leaves. Both the C‐ and P‐acquiring enzyme activities of crop roots were significantly lower than those of afforested lands (i.e. woodland and shrubland). The N‐acquiring activities of wood roots were significantly lower than those of shrub and crop. At the temporal dynamics, the C‐, N‐ and P‐acquiring enzyme activities of the leaves decreased with mass loss, which was affected by the shift in litter nutrients (e.g. N and P) and soil moisture during decomposition. In contrast, the three enzyme activities of roots increased with mass loss, largely due to the increase in microbial biomass of bacteria regulated by litter stoichiometry. The enzymatic C:nutrient (N and P) ratios declined with mass loss, but the enzymatic P:N ratios remained relatively constant with mass loss during the leaf litter decomposition. Whereas, both of the enzymatic C:nutrient ratios and enzymatic P:N ratios decreased with mass during the root litter decomposition. Our results showed that the enzymatic C:N:P stoichiometry of decaying leaves and roots was predominantly predicted by microbial biomass and bacterial biomass, respectively.

Overall, we outlined the pattern of contrasting contributions of litter, soil and microbial attributes to enzyme dynamics during decomposition, which provided a framework for better understanding litter C, N and P dynamics in relation to microbial resource allocation strategy during decomposition.

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Do wildlife crossing structures mitigate the barrier effect of roads on animal movement? A global assessment
Authors: Soanes Kylie , Rytwinski Trina , Fahrig Lenore , Huijser Marcel P. , Jaeger Jochen A. G. , Teixeira Fernanda Z. , van der Ree Rodney , van der Grift Edgar A.
Published: January 2024

The widespread impacts of roads on animal movement have led to the search for innovative mitigation tools. Wildlife crossing structures (tunnels or bridges) are a common approach; however, their effectiveness remains unclear beyond isolated case studies.

We conduct an extensive literature review and synthesis to address the question: What is the evidence that wildlife crossing structures mitigate the barrier effect of roads on wildlife movement? In particular, we investigated whether wildlife crossing structures prevented an expected decline in cross‐road movement, restored movement to pre‐construction conditions, or improved movement relative to taking no action.

In an analysis of 313 studies, only 14% evaluated whether wildlife crossing structures resulted in a change in animal movement across roads. We identified critical problems in existing studies, especially the lack of benchmarks (e.g. pre‐road, pre‐mitigation, or control data) and the use of biased comparisons.

Wildlife crossing structures allowed cross‐road movement in 98% of data sets and improved movement in ~60%. In contrast, the decline of wildlife movement was prevented in fewer than 40% of cases. For most structure types and species groups there was insufficient evidence to draw generalisable conclusions.

Synthesis and Applications: The evidence to date suggests that wildlife crossing structures can mitigate the barrier effect of roads on wildlife movement, but in many cases have been poorly implemented or evaluated. The most supported measures were the addition of ledges and vegetation cover to increase movement for small mammals; underpasses to prevent the decline in movement of ungulates following road construction; and improving road‐crossing for arboreal mammals using canopy bridges and vegetated medians. We strongly recommend that future use of crossing structures closely adheres to species‐specific, best‐practice guidelines to improve implementation and be paired with a thorough evaluation that includes benchmark comparisons, particularly for measures and species that lack sufficient evidence (e.g. invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and overpasses).
Environmental filtering and landscape composition drive multifaceted diversity of bird assemblages in vineyards
Authors: Bouvier Jean‐Charles , Lavigne Claire , Sentenac Gilles , Boivin Thomas
Published: January 2024

Agricultural landscapes are productive areas with high biodiversity potential, but their conversion to monocultures and intensification of practices are recognised drivers of bird biodiversity loss worldwide. This challenges the compatibility of agricultural land use with bird conservation, as landscape composition affects both the diversity of bird species and traits and the assembly of bird communities.

We address the underlying mechanisms of avian community assembly in vineyards at the plot and landscape levels in relation to landscape composition in one of the major wine producing regions of France. We jointly analyse how the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic facets of bird alpha and beta diversity respond to a gradient of landscape heterogeneity and test for a non‐random assembly rule.

We found that birds tended to avoid vineyard monocultures. There was consistent support for the co‐occurrence of both closely related species and similar functional traits within vineyard plots (namely, phylogenetic and functional clustering, respectively). Landscape composition, both within plots and on a large scale (1000 m), was critical in explaining the occurrence of species and traits within plots. Landscape composition determined a nested pattern of functional and phylogenetic beta diversity from vineyard monoculture to more complex landscapes with increasing seminatural land cover.

Synthesis and applications. Landscape composition in seminatural vegetation features significantly influenced both the alpha and beta bird diversity in vineyard‐dominated agricultural landscapes. Interspersed shrubs and woodland can help increase bird abundance and species richness in vineyards, while large‐scale land cover diversity might help promote functional and phylogenetic bird diversity.