bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoding Huge Phage Diversity: A Taxonomic Classification of Lak Megaphages
Authors: Cook Ryan , Crisci Marco A. , Pye Hannah V. , Telatin Andrea , Adriaenssens Evelien M. , Santini Joanne M.
Published: February 2024

High-throughput sequencing for uncultivated viruses has accelerated the understanding of global viral diversity and uncovered viral genomes substantially larger than any that have so far been cultured. Notably, the Lak phages are an enigmatic group of viruses that present some of the largest known phage genomes identified in human and animal microbiomes, and are dissimilar to any cultivated viruses. Despite the wealth of viral diversity that exists within sequencing datasets, uncultivated viruses have rarely been used for taxonomic classification. We investigated the evolutionary relationships of 23 Lak phages and propose a taxonomy for their classification. Predicted protein analysis revealed the Lak phages formed a deeply branching monophyletic clade within the classCaudoviriceteswhich contained no other phage genomes. One of the interesting features of this clade is that all current members are characterised by an alternative genetic code. We propose the Lak phages belong to a new order, the “Grandevirales”. Protein and nucleotide-based analyses support the creation of two families, three sub-families, and four genera within the order “Grandevirales”. We anticipate that the proposed taxonomy of Lak megaphages will simplify the future classification of related viral genomes as they are uncovered. Continued efforts to classify divergent viruses are crucial to aid common analyses of viral genomes and metagenomes.
In vitroantimicrobial activity of non-aureus StaphylococciandMammaliicocciagainstStaphylococcus aureusandStreptococcus uberisand their relationship with the presence of intramammary infections in organic dairy cows
Authors: Peña-Mosca F. , Gaire T. N. , Dean C. , Manriquez D. , Pinedo P. , Noyes N. , Caixeta L.
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to: (1) Assess thein vitroantimicrobial activity of non-aureus StaphylococciandMammaliicocci(NASM) isolates from organic cows teat apices with and without intramammary infections (IMI) byStaphylococcus aureus(SAU) orStreptococcusspp. andStreptococcus-like organisms (SSLO); (2) Investigate the relationship between IMI status and NASM counts on teat apex; (3) Explore the relationship between NASM species assigned taxonomy and the inhibitory activity against SAU andStreptococcus uberis(SUB). A total of 114 cows from 2 farms were sampled and followed from 8 weeks before to 5 weeks after calving. Weekly milk samples were cultured and used to design a case control study. Cases were defined as cows that had an IMI by SAU or SSLO, and controls were randomly chosen from cows without an IMI by these microorganisms. One teat apex sample from the week prior to IMI diagnosis was aerobically cultured. Taxonomy of recovered isolates was confirmed using mass spectrometry and whole genome sequencing. The inhibitory activity against SAU and SUB was investigated using agar dilution methods. Isolates were ranked based on in vitro inhibitory activity against SAU and SUB and categorized as “top 10” with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration or not. The presence of NASM isolates classified as “top 10” against SAU was highest in controls (19.4%) compared to cases (5.8%). No difference in NASM counts on teat apex was observed between cases and controls. The inhibitory activity varied across NASM, withStaphylococcus succinusshowing the highest inhibitory activity against both SAU and SUB.
Synaptic plasticity in human thalamocortical assembloids
Authors: Patton Mary H. , Thomas Kristen T. , Bayazitov Ildar T. , Newman Kyle D. , Kurtz Nathaniel B. , Robinson Camenzind G. , Ramirez Cody A. , Trevisan Alexandra J. , Bikoff Jay B. , Peters Samuel T. , Pruett-Miller Shondra M. , Jiang Yanbo , Schild Andrew B. , Nityanandam Anjana , Zakharenko Stanislav S.
Published: February 2024

Synaptic plasticities, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), tune synaptic efficacy and are essential for learning and memory. Current studies of synaptic plasticity in humans are limited by a lack of adequate human models. Here, we modeled the thalamocortical system by fusing human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived thalamic and cortical organoids. Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing revealed that most cells in mature thalamic organoids were glutamatergic neurons. When fused to form thalamocortical assembloids, thalamic and cortical organoids formed reciprocal long-range axonal projections and reciprocal synapses detectable by light and electron microscopy, respectively. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and two-photon imaging, we characterized glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Thalamocortical and corticothalamic synapses displayed short-term plasticity analogous to that in animal models. LTP and LTD were reliably induced at both synapses; however, their mechanisms differed from those previously described in rodents. Thus, thalamocortical assembloids provide a model system for exploring synaptic plasticity in human circuits.

Highlights

Human thalamic organoids consist of mostly glutamatergic projection neurons.

Thalamocortical assembloids form reciprocal glutamatergic synapses.

Synapses are functional and undergo short-term plasticity resembling animal models.

Long-term potentiation and depression reveal mechanisms distinct from rodents.

eTOC

Human organoids are often used to model diseases with synaptic pathology; however, few studies have examined synaptic function via single-cell or single-synapse recordings. Patton et al. fused human thalamic and cortical organoids into assembloids to examine synaptic transmission and short- and long-term synaptic plasticity in human thalamocortical and corticothalamic circuits.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Clostridioides difficile-mucus interactions encompass shifts in gene expression, metabolism, and biofilm formation
Authors: Furtado Kathleen L. , Plott Lucas , Markovetz Matthew , Powers Deborah , Wang Hao , Hill David B. , Papin Jason , Allbritton Nancy L. , Tamayo Rita
Published: February 2024

In a healthy colon, the stratified mucus layer serves as a crucial innate immune barrier to protect the epithelium from microbes. Mucins are complex glycoproteins that serve as a nutrient source for resident microflora and can be exploited by pathogens. We aimed to understand how the intestinal pathogen,Clostridioides diffiicile, independently uses or manipulates mucus to its benefit, without contributions from members of the microbiota. Using a 2-D primary human intestinal epithelial cell model to generate physiologic mucus, we assessedC. difficile-mucus interactions through growth assays, RNA-Seq, biophysical characterization of mucus, and contextualized metabolic modeling. We found that host-derived mucus promotesC. difficilegrowth bothin vitroand in an infection model. RNA-Seq revealed significant upregulation of genes related to central metabolism in response to mucus, including genes involved in sugar uptake, the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, and the glycine cleavage system. In addition, we identified differential expression of genes related to sensing and transcriptional control. Analysis of mutants with deletions in highly upregulated genes reflected the complexity ofC. difficile-mucus interactions, with potential interplay between sensing and growth. Mucus also stimulated biofilm formationin vitro, which may in turn alter viscoelastic properties of mucus. Context-specific metabolic modeling confirmed differential metabolism and predicted importance of enzymes related to serine and glycine catabolism with mucus. Subsequent growth experiments supported these findings, indicating mucus is an important source of serine. Our results better define responses ofC. difficileto human gastrointestinal mucus and highlight a flexibility in metabolism that may influence pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE

Clostridioides difficileresults in upwards of 250,000 infections and 12,000 deaths annually in the United States. Community-acquired infections continue to rise and recurrent disease is common, emphasizing a vital need to understandC. difficilepathogenesis.C. difficileundoubtedly interacts with colonic mucus, but the extent to which the pathogen can independently respond to and take advantage of this niche has not been explored extensively. Moreover, the metabolic complexity ofC. difficileremains poorly understood, but likely impacts its capacity to grow and persist in the host. Here, we demonstrate thatC. difficileuses native colonic mucus for growth, indicatingC. difficilepossesses mechanisms to exploit the mucosal niche. Furthermore, mucus induces metabolic shifts and biofilm formation inC. difficile, which has potential ramifications for intestinal colonization. Overall, our work is crucial to better understand dynamics ofC. difficile-mucus interactions in the context of the human gut.
Alpha-synuclein overexpression can drive microbiome dysbiosis in mice
Authors: Sampson Timothy R. , Wallen Zachary D , Won Woong-Jai , Standaert David G. , Payami Haydeh , Harms Ashley S.
Published: February 2024

Growing evidence indicates that persons living with Parkinson disease (PD), have a unique composition of indigenous gut microbes. Given the long prodromal or pre-diagnosed period, longitudinal studies of the human and rodent gut microbiome prior to symptomatic onset and for the duration of the disease period are currently lacking. PD is characterized in part by accumulation of the protein α-synuclein (α-syn) into insoluble aggregates, in both the central and enteric nervous systems. As such, a number of experimental rodent and non-human primate models of α-syn overexpression recapitulate some of hallmark pathophysiologies of PD. These animal models provide an opportunity to assess how the gut microbiome changes with age under disease relevant conditions. Here, we used a transgenic mouse strain, the Thy1-hSYN “line 61” mice which over express wild-type human α-syn to test how the gut microbiome composition responds in this model of PD pathology during aging. Using shotgun metagenomics, we find significant, age and genotype dependent bacterial taxa that become altered over age. We reveal that α-syn overexpression can drive alterations to the gut microbiome composition and suggest that it limits the expansion of diversity through age. Given emerging data on potential contributions of the gut microbiome to PD pathologies, our data provide an experimental foundation to understand how the PD-associated microbiome may arise as a trigger or co-pathology to disease.
The Impact of Mismatches Within the RNA: DNA Hybrid in the Transposon-Encoded Type I-F CRISPR-Cas System
Authors: Alalmaie Amnah , Khashan Raed
Published: February 2024

Recent research has revealed a collaboration between type I-F CRISPR systems and Tn7 transposons in certain bacteria, leading to the discovery of a new gene-editing tool called INTEGRATE. This system integrates transposons into the target strand without introducing a double-strand break or repair mechanism, making it highly promising. The published results showed that a full match between the spacer region of crRNA and the target DNA is necessary to form a stable and complete R-loop, which is critical for accurate integration. PAM-distal mismatches affected RNA-guided DNA transposition differently, with mismatches in positions 25-28 completely blocking the process, while mismatches in positions 29-32 were tolerated. To understand the impact of PAM-distal mismatches on the R-loop stabilization and transposition process, classical all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were conducted using three independent models, including one with a complete RNA-DNA match and two with PAM-distal mismatches located at positions 25-32. Our results suggest that the stable rotation of Cas8-HB is a critical step in the interaction with TniQ and initiation of the DNA transposition process. Network analysis techniques were employed to investigate the communication pathways within Cas8 and TniQ dimers, including eigenvector centrality and correlation analysis. These techniques revealed that certain amino acids in TniQ and Cas8 were highly central to the communication pathways, as they exhibited significant changes in centrality under both mismatches. The findings discussed in this study provide valuable insights into the mechanisms involved in the DNA transposition process and shed light on how PAM-distal mismatches can affect these mechanisms.
Microbial remineralization processes during post-spring-bloom excess phosphate in the northern Baltic Sea
Authors: Vanharanta Mari , Santoro Mariano , Villena-Alemany Cristian , Piiparinen Jonna , Piwosz Kasia , Grossart Hans-Peter , Labrenz Matthias , Spilling Kristian
Published: February 2024

In the northern Baltic, post-spring-bloom low dissolved inorganic nitrogen to phosphorus conditions, degradation of N-rich organic matter potentially supports the drawdown of excess phosphate. During a 17-day-long mesocosm experiment in the south-west Finnish archipelago, we examined nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon acquiring extracellular enzyme activities in three size fractions (<0.2 µm, 0.2–3 µm, and >3 µm), bacterial abundance, production, community composition and its predicted metabolic functions. The mesocosms received different carbon and nitrogen amendments to test for the effect of inorganic nutrient stoichiometry on enzymatic degradation processes that ultimately determine the export potential of organic matter. Alkaline phosphatase activity occurred mainly in the dissolved form and likely contributed to the excess phosphate conditions. In the beginning of the experiment, peptidolytic and glycolytic enzymes were predicted to be produced by free-living bacteria identified within the classes Actinobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, whereas the contribution of picocyanobacteria increased towards the end. Our results imply that heterotrophic bacteria lost the competition to picocyanobacteria due to the lack of suitable energy sources. The high hydrolytic rates in fractions <0.2 µm and 0.2–3 µm, found in this study, could potentially retain inorganic nutrients in the surface layer and suppress downward fluxes of organic matter and hence carbon sequestration.
Schizophrenia risk gene ZNF804A controls ribosome localization and synaptogenesis in developing human neurons
Authors: Sichlinger Laura , Wulf Maximilian , Dutan Polit Lucia , Nasser Fatema , Duarte Rodrigo R.R. , Powell Timothy R. , Marcus Katrin , Vernon Anthony C. , Srivastava Deepak P.
Published: February 2024

ZNF804Awas amongst the first genes robustly associated with schizophrenia based on findings from large-scale genomic studies. Previous research has implicatedZNF804Ain the regulation of gene expression and synaptic function, but the role of this gene in neurodevelopment and in schizophrenia pathogenesis remains unclear. To study its function during neurodevelopment, we generated isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with reducedZNF804Aexpression, differentiated them into developing cortical glutamatergic neurons and studied their transcriptomic, synaptic and protein signatures. Mutant neurons showed modest evidence changes in gene expression. However, high-content confocal imaging revealed increased excitatory synapse density in mutant neurons. Cell-compartment specific proteomic analysis further revealed that mutant neurons had higher levels of ribosomal and translational proteins within neurites, and high-content imaging confirmed increased local protein synthesis efficiency. Overall, these results demonstrate that in human developing cortical glutamatergic neurons,ZNF804Aregulates excitatory synapse formation potential via increased local protein translation.
Accessing the subleading-twist
B
-meson light-cone distribution amplitude with large-momentum effective theory
Authors: Hu Shu-Man , Wang Wei , Xu Ji , Zhao Shuai
Published: February 2024

Within the framework of large-momentum effective theory (LaMET), we propose a hard-collinear factorization formula to extract the subleading-twist B-meson light-cone distribution amplitude (LCDA) from the quasidistribution amplitude calculated on the lattice. The one-loop matching coefficient and an integro-differential equation governing the evolution of the quasidistribution amplitude are derived. Our results could be useful either in evaluating the subleading-twist B-meson LCDA on the lattice or in the understanding the feasibility of LaMET on higher-twist distributions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Standard translation twists and an operator-bounded energy inequality
Authors: Casini Horacio , Martinek Leandro
Published: February 2024

Twist operators implement symmetries in bounded regions of the space. Standard twists are a special class of twists constructed using modular tools. The twists corresponding to translations have interesting special properties. They can move continuously an operator from a region to a disjoint one without ever passing through the gap separating the two. In addition, they have generators satisfying the spectrum condition. We compute explicitly these twists for the two-dimensional chiral fermion field. The twist generator gives place to a new type of energy inequality where the smeared energy density is bounded below by an operator.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Skyrmions and pion stars in the gauged
U(1)
Einstein-Skyrme model
Authors: Kirichenkov R. , Kunz J. , Sawado Nobuyuki , Shnir Ya.
Published: February 2024

We consider topological and nontopological regular soliton solutions in the Einstein-Maxwell-Skyrme theory. We analyze the properties of these solutions and determine their domains of existence. The dependence of the solutions on the gauge coupling and on the strength of the effective gravitational coupling are examined. Topologically trivial localized field configurations, , are shown to exist, as nonlinear gravitational bound states of the Skyrme field. Both spherically symmetric and axially symmetric pion stars are considered. We find that these solutions share many features with the usual (mini)boson stars. In particular they also exhibit a spiraling behavior and do not possess a flat space limit.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Anisotropic Mean Flow Enhancement and Anomalous Transport of Finite-Size Spherical Particles in Turbulent Flows
Authors: Chiarini Alessandro , Cannon Ianto , Rosti Marco Edoardo
Published: February 2024

We investigate the influence of dispersed solid spherical particles on the largest scales of the turbulent Arnold-Beltrami-Childress (ABC) flow. The ABC flow is an ideal instance of a complex flow: it does not have solid boundaries, but possesses an inhomogeneous and three-dimensional mean shear. By tuning the parameters of the suspension, we show that particles modulate the largest scales of the flow toward an anisotropic, quasi-two-dimensional and more energetic state. In this regime, particles move along quasistraight trajectories and exhibit anomalous transport.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring phononlike interactions in one-dimensional Bose-Fermi mixtures
Authors: Gagge Axel , Mavrogordatos Th. K. , Larson Jonas
Published: February 2024

With the objective of simulating the physical behavior of electrons in a dynamic background, we investigate a cold atomic Bose-Fermi mixture confined in an optical lattice potential solely affecting the bosons. The bosons, residing in the deep superfluid regime, inherit the periodicity of the optical lattice, subsequently serving as a dynamic potential for the polarized fermions. Owing to the atom-phonon interaction between the fermions and the condensate, the coupled system exhibits a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition from a Luttinger liquid to a Peierls phase. However, under sufficiently strong Bose-Fermi interaction, the Peierls phase loses stability, leading to either a collapsed or a separated phase. We find that the primary function of the optical lattice is to stabilize the Peierls phase. Furthermore, the presence of a confining harmonic trap induces a diverse physical behavior, surpassing what is observed for either bosons or fermions individually trapped. Notably, under attractive Bose-Fermi interaction, the insulating phase may adopt a fermionic wedding-cake-like configuration, reflecting the dynamic nature of the underlying lattice potential. Conversely, for repulsive interaction, the trap destabilizes the Peierls phase, causing the two species to separate.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Mobile banking app experience of generation Y and Z consumers
Authors: Sharma Neeru , Sharma Meena , Singh Tejinderpal
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The study investigates whether the customer experience, satisfaction and continuance intention interrelationships in mobile banking services vary across Generation (Gen) Y and Gen Z consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using online surveys from 224 Gen Y and 238 Gen Z mobile banking users. The study uses the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique and an asymmetrical analytical approach through fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine the effects of five experience dimensions (pragmatic, usability, affective, sensory and social) and satisfaction on continuance intention.

Findings

Whilst Gen Z values pragmatic and affective experiences more than Gen Y and assigns less importance to usability experience (Uxp), both PLS-SEM and fsQCA did not find any significant impact of sensory experience (Sxp) in any cohort. In contrast, fsQCA suggests that social experience could play a significant role for specific segments within both generations. Furthermore, PLS-SEM demonstrates a greater impact of satisfaction on continuance intention for Gen Y than for Gen Z.

Research limitations/implications

The sample consists of high/middle-income urban consumers in one country. Future research could investigate low-income and semi-urban/rural consumers and consumers living in other countries.

Practical implications

Banks must recognise the diversity within and between Gen Y and Gen Z, adopting a segmented user experience approach. Users within each generation may prioritise distinct aspects of the mobile banking app and understanding the specific differences between Gen Y and Gen Z preferences is crucial.

Social implications

Encouraging mobile banking users to engage in community-driven financial initiatives can inspire non-users, promoting digital financial inclusion.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to compare the customer experience-based psychological patterns of continued mobile banking use in Gen Y and Gen Z.
Lean vs agile project management in construction: impacts on project performance outcomes
Authors: Badran Sara S. , Abdallah Ayman Bahjat
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The present research aims to investigate how lean project management (LPM) and agile project management (APM) affect project performance outcomes in the construction sector in Jordan. This study focuses on six key project performance outcomes, namely cost, time, quality, client satisfaction, innovation and responsiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study employed a quantitative approach to achieve the research objectives. Accordingly, a multi-item survey questionnaire was prepared to gather data from 392 project managers from construction companies in Jordan. The study’s model showed acceptable levels regarding reliability, validity, fit indices and discriminant validity. In order to test the hypotheses of this study, path analysis was employed using Amos 24.0 software.

Findings

LPM demonstrated a remarkably high positive impact on cost performance. It also positively affected quality performance and client satisfaction. However, LPM insignificantly affected time, innovation and responsiveness performance measures. On the other hand, APM showed a notably high positive impact on innovation and responsiveness. The findings also revealed that APM positively impacted quality performance and client satisfaction. In addition, APM negatively impacted cost performance and insignificantly impacted time performance.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first comprehensive studies to empirically examine the impact of both LPM and APM on various project performance outcomes in the construction industry in the context of a developing country. It reveals some similarities and differences between LPM and APM with regard to their impacts on project management outcomes. The findings are expected to guide managers in selecting the appropriate project management approach based on the desired performance outcomes. Accordingly, it offers important implications for project managers in construction companies.
Gender-based policies and women’s entrepreneurship: an fsQCA analysis of sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Adegbile Abiodun Samuel , Ogundana Oyedele Martins , Adesola Sola
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Entrepreneurship policy is a vital component of any entrepreneurial ecosystem. However, the specific policy initiatives that have a greater impact on women's entrepreneurship remain unclear in many developing economies. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of entrepreneurship policies targeted at women’s entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

Employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this paper utilises and analyses secondary data collected by the World Bank's Women, Business, and the Law (WBL) from 1970 to 2020, encompassing 48 countries within SSA.

Findings

Through our analysis, we identified two configurations that sufficiently support women's entrepreneurship. First, a combination of gender-based policies focussing on enabling “access to credit” and “signing of contracts”; and second, a blend of policies supporting “signing of contracts”, “business registration”, and “opening a bank account”, represent significant antecedents to supporting women's entrepreneurship. These distinct pathways are crucial to fostering women’s entrepreneurship in the SSA region.

Research limitations/implications

The study's findings indicate that the impact and effectiveness of entrepreneurship policies targeted at women entrepreneurs in developing economies depend on the effectiveness of other policies that are in place.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the intricate interrelationship between entrepreneurship policies and women’s entrepreneurship in developing countries by considering the interdependence and combinative value of gender-based policies that effectively support women’s entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa.
The authorship of teachers: jissen kiroku as the core of professionalism in Japanese jugyo kenkyu
Authors: Miyamoto Yuichi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the significance of teacher authorship (jissen kiroku) developed during jugyo kenkyu. Specifically, it explores the structural conditions of jugyo kenkyu that enabled the flourishing of jissen kiroku.

Design/methodology/approach

To find how jissen kiroku developed in jugyo kenkyu, this paper settled triad of authors-text-readers as the analytical perspective. Disputes through 1960s–1980s are adequate to inquire because it can elucidate how readers read jissen kiroku, which is typically challenging to observe.

Findings

Jissen kiroku is a powerful tool for semantically preserving, reconstructing and consolidating professional values and knowledge in jugyo kenkyu with deepening connoisseurship. Voluntary educational research associations (VERAs) encourage teachers to write and read jissen kiroku to develop their professionalism, which also helped develop exclusive semantics within the field. These developments were possible due to the public nature of jissen kiroku, disseminated to lesson study (LS) actors, thereby strengthening discussions both inside and outside VERAs.

Research limitations/implications

The paper proposes shift in views on educational science and emphasizes authorship as authority in that professionalism of teaching can be protected and elevated through authoring.

Originality/value

The significant roles of writing practice have not been explored enough. This paper finds the value of authorship in terms of public nature and openness to all teachers which enable the enhancement of professionalism of the LS field.
Small retail businesses' social media adoption amid a crisis
Authors: Woo Hongjoo , Kwon Wi-Suk , Sadachar Amrut , Tong Zhenghao , Yang Jimin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

When retail businesses, especially small businesses with greater vulnerability, could not meet consumers in person during the recent pandemic crisis, how did they adapt to the situation? This study examined how small business practitioners (SBPs’) perceptions, trust and adoption intention levels for social media, as well as the relationships among these variables, changed before and during the crisis based on the integration of the contingency theory and the diffusion of innovation theory (DIT).

Design/methodology/approach

Online surveys were conducted with USA SBPs before (n = 175) and during (n = 225) the recent pandemic. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and multiple-group SEM analysis.

Findings

The results confirmed significant sequential positive relationships between SBPs’ perceived external pressure and perceived benefits of adopting social media, which in turn led to their trust in and then adoption intentions for social media. Further, the comparisons between the pre- and in-pandemic samples revealed that SBPs’ perceptions and adoption intentions all became significantly higher during (vs before) the pandemic, but the structural relationships among these variables weakened during the pandemic.

Originality/value

This study uses a novel approach to integrate the contingency theory with the DIT to propose small businesses' perceptions, trust and adoption intentions for social media during the innovation decision process under rapid contingency changes. Our findings also offer practical implications including recommendations for small businesses’ innovation management as well as training programs.
Research on cross-city emergency management collaboration mechanism in major emergencies: insights from a knowledge management perspective
Authors: Zhang Lin , Wang Jinyu , Wang Xin , Gao Yingju
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Based on the perspective of knowledge management, this study aims to discuss how to build cross-city emergency management collaboration mechanism in major emergencies and explore the important role of knowledge management in emergency management collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theoretical analysis of knowledge management and the typical case study of cross-city emergency management collaborative rescue, this study provides an in-depth analysis of how these cities achieve high emergency management performance through multidimensional and multilevel knowledge collaboration, thus revealing the mechanism of knowledge transfer, integration and sharing in achieving high emergency management performance.

Findings

Through analyzing typical cases, this study finds that building a smooth mechanism for multichannel emergency rescue information can promote the diversification of knowledge transfer methods, building a platform-based integration mechanism for emergency rescue information can enhance knowledge integration capabilities and building a linkage mechanism for emergency rescue materials between cities can promote knowledge-sharing level, thereby improving emergency management performance level.

Research limitations/implications

This study has great significance for how to build cross-city emergency management collaboration mechanism in the digital era. In the future, the authors need to further discuss the following two aspects in depth: research on the impact of cross-city emergency management collaboration mechanism on improving the knowledge management capabilities of government emergency management departments; and research on the impact mechanism of knowledge management capabilities on city resilience.

Originality/value

Through case analysis of cross-city emergency management collaborative rescue for major emergencies in China in recent years, this study proposes three specific strategies for cross-city emergency management (smooth, integration and linkage mechanisms) and reveals that these three strategies are essentially aimed at improving the government’s knowledge management level.
Storytelling for understanding: a case study of an English-language digital storytelling service-learning subject for refugee children in Hong Kong
Authors: Shi Huiwen , Cheung Lok Ming Eric
Published: February 2024

Purpose

While most language departments of the university offer service-learning (SL) subjects based on language teaching, such as “Teaching Chinese as a Second Language in Local Schools” and “Serving the Community through Teaching English,” this paper aims to argue that teaching students to teach language(s) is yet to be the best strategy to serve the service recipients.

Design/methodology/approach

SL is widely understood as an experiential learning pedagogy that integrates academic focus, reflection and community service and is shown to be impactful. In Hong Kong, the first university that has made SL a graduation requirement is the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (the University). Considering this, new SL courses have proliferated over the past decade. Adopting a narrative inquiry approach, this paper examines personal narratives from a new SL subject aiming to raise awareness of refugees in Hong Kong. The data includes students’ reflective journals, co-created personal narratives and podcasts and semi-structured interviews.

Findings

This paper finds that crafting and recording narratives of shared experiences deepens cultural understanding, cultivates empathy and facilitates language learning in a genuine setting.

Social implications

Ultimately, this paper advocates a well-designed SL that combines language, content and technology as a powerful, transformational experience for both college students and service recipients.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on a brand new SL course, “Storytelling for Understanding: Refugee Children in Hong Kong,” offered in Semester 1, 2022–2023. The subject was developed by the two authors from a language division affiliated to the University. The deliverables were podcast recordings, co-authored and co-edited by the students and the children.
Untouchable them: the effect of chatbot gender on angry customers
Authors: Liang Shichang , Li Rulan , Lan Bin , Chu Yuxuan , Zhang Min , Li Li
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study explores how chatbot gender and symbolic service recovery may improve the satisfaction of angry customers in the context of service failures. It provides a strategy for companies to deploy chatbots effectively in customer anger.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relies upon a systematic literature review to propose three hypotheses, and we recruit 826 participants to examine the effect of chatbot gender on angry customers through one lab study and one field study.

Findings

This research shows that female chatbots are more likely to increase the satisfaction of angry customers than male chatbots in service failure scenarios. In addition, symbolic recovery (apology vs. appreciation) moderates the effect of chatbot gender on angry customers. Specifically, male (vs. female) chatbots are more effective in increasing the satisfaction of angry customers when using the apology method, whereas female (vs. male) chatbots are more effective when using the appreciation method.

Originality/value

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technology have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of chatbots as virtual agents in the field of interactive marketing. Previous research has concluded that chatbots can reduce negative customer feedback following a service failure. However, these studies have primarily focused on the level of chatbot anthropomorphism and the design of conversational texts, rather than the gender of chatbots. Therefore, this study aims to bridge that gap by examining the effect of chatbot gender on customer feedback, specifically focusing on angry customers following service failures.
Agile development for urban digitalisation: insights from the creation of Dresden’s smart city strategy
Authors: Noennig Jörg Rainer , Mello Rose Filipe , Stadelhofer Paul , Jannack Anja , Kulashri Swati
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Digitalising cities requires new urban governance processes that account for rapidly changing environments and technological advances. In this context, agile development methods have become valuable, if not necessary. However, agile development contradicts public administration practices of risk aversion and long-term planning. The purpose of this study is to discuss practical avenues for navigating these two contradictions by adapting agile development to the needs of public sector organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the collaborative elaboration of Dresden’s smart city strategy as a critical case study. Dresden’s smart city strategy was developed using agile development and quadruple-helix innovation. The year-long co-creation process involved stakeholders from various groups to conceive an integrated and sustainable vision for digitalisation-based urban development.

Findings

Despite the apparent contradictions, this study finds that key aspects of agile development are feasible for public sector innovation. Firstly, risks can be strategically managed and distributed among administration and non-administration stakeholders. Secondly, while delivering value through short iterative loops, adherence to formal processes remains possible. Informal feedback cycles can be harmoniously combined with official statements, allowing iterative progress.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical material is based on a single case study and thus risks overemphasising the general applicability of the proposed methods.

Practical implications

This paper outlines practical steps to greater agility for public administration engaged in digitalising cities. The paper conceptualises a forward and lateral momentum for the agile development of a smart city strategy that aims to reconcile formal policymaking processes with short-term loops and risk aversion with experimental value creation. This approach balanced risks, created value and enhanced the strategy‘s alignment with strategic frameworks, ultimately promoting innovation in the public sector.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel, empirically grounded conceptualisation of implementing agile methods that explicitly recognises the peculiarities of public administrations. It conceptualises the orchestrated and pragmatic use of specific agile development methods to advance the digitalisation of cities.
Plant diversity and functional identity drive grassland rhizobacterial community responses after 15 years of CO2 and nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Revillini Daniel , Reich Peter B. , Johnson Nancy Collins
Published: February 2024

Improved understanding of bacterial community responses to multiple environmental filters over long time periods is a fundamental step to develop mechanistic explanations of plant–bacterial interactions as environmental change progresses.

This is the first study to examine responses of grassland root‐associated bacterial communities to 15 years of experimental manipulations of plant species richness, functional group and factorial enrichment of atmospheric CO2 (eCO2) and soil nitrogen (+N).

Across the experiment, plant species richness was the strongest predictor of rhizobacterial community composition, followed by +N, with no observed effect of eCO2. Monocultures of C3 and C4 grasses and legumes all exhibited dissimilar rhizobacterial communities within and among those groups. Functional responses were also dependent on plant functional group, where N2‐fixation genes, NO3−‐reducing genes and P‐solubilizing predicted gene abundances increased under resource‐enriched conditions for grasses, but generally declined for legumes. In diverse plots with 16 plant species, the interaction of eCO2+N altered rhizobacterial composition, while +N increased the predicted abundance of nitrogenase‐encoding genes, and eCO2+N increased the predicted abundance of bacterial P‐solubilizing genes.

Synthesis: Our findings suggest that rhizobacterial community structure and function will be affected by important global environmental change factors such as eCO2, but these responses are primarily contingent on plant species richness and the selective influence of different plant functional groups.
Investigation on muscle fiber types and meat quality and estimation of their heritability and correlation coefficients with each other in four pig populations
Authors: Yan Min , Li Longyun , Huang Yizhong , Tang Xi , Shu Yujie , Cui Dengshuai , Yu Chuangang , Hu Yongqiang , Ma Junwu , Xiao Shijun , Guo Yuanmei
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the muscle fiber types and meat quality in four populations and estimate the heritability and correlation coefficients of those traits in Shanxia long black pig (SX). In this study, a total of 318 pigs were recorded for 16 traits of the muscle fiber types and meat quality in four populations, including 256 individuals from the new breed SX. The population had a significant effect on all recorded traits, and the meat quality of the Lulai black pig was better than the remaining populations. The heritability (h2) of meat quality traits was from 0.06 (pH at 24 h) to 0.47 (shearing force), and the muscle fiber types belonged to the traits with low to medium heritability. The density of total fiber had the highest h2 (0.40), while the percentage of type IIA had the lowest h2 (0.04). Most traits are phenotypically correlated with each other, but only a small proportion of traits are genetically correlated with each other. None fiber type genetically correlated with meat quality significantly, because the genetic correlation coefficients had large standard errors. These results provided some insights into genetic improvements for the meat quality in pig breeds and also indicated that the parameters of muscle fiber characteristics can explain parts of the variation in meat quality.
Note‐taking by university students on paper or a computer: Strategies during initial note‐taking and revision
Authors: Cojean Salomé , Grand Manon
Published: February 2024

Background

Taking notes during learning has benefits both during class (through writing things down to encode information) and after class (by using written notes as external storage for revision). Comparisons of note‐taking methods (i.e., using paper or a computer) have mainly shown that paper leads to better learning. However, previous studies have mostly been conducted in laboratory contexts.

Aims

The current study investigates university students' perceptions of the efficacity of their own preferred note‐taking method, along with the strategies they employ.

Sample

Data were collected from 108 university students.

Methods

Students answered a questionnaire about their note‐taking strategies during initial note‐taking (in class) and revision (after class).

Results

The results show that students who take notes on paper do not consider their method to be more effective, but they report engaging in more reformulation and less multitasking. Students who take notes on a computer are more likely to reformat their notes, and thus to reformulate at a later stage. For all students, review sheets are mostly done on paper.

Conclusions

These results suggest that although students are not necessarily aware of the benefits of reformulation associated with handwriting on paper during initial note‐taking, when revising, they tend to choose handwriting and benefit from reformulation when aiming for deeper processing. Therefore, revision activities remain mainly paper‐based.
Unpacking the complexities, challenges, and nuances of museum community engagement practitioners' narratives on knowledge production in Scotland
Authors: Wallen Linnea , Docherty‐Hughes John R. , Darling Stephen
Published: February 2024

This paper explores how community engagement practitioners understand their knowledge production work in facilitating and choreographing dialogical spaces (Freire, 2005) within which “organic intellectuals” (Gramsci, 1971) and “alternative” knowledge emerge. Using a qualitative, phenomenological research strategy, data were generated through semi‐structured interviews with community engagement practitioners in Scotland. Practitioners emphasize the importance of equity in the relationship with project participants in knowledge production. Practitioners' narratives reveal how those relationships are realized and how these inform their own and the museum institutions' practice. We acknowledge that community‐based project participants' expertise is prioritized by practitioners as critical to effective community engagement. We argue for a nuanced conceptualization—and appreciation—of the complexities inherent in museum community engagement practice, which is often absent in museum studies work. This conceptualization is embedded in practitioners' subjective experiences and reflections, as well as structural contexts, which simultaneously enable and constrain meaningful community engagement work.
Do children with cerebral palsy dream of electric legs? The effects of robot‐assisted gait training
Authors: Newman Christopher J.
Published: February 2024

This commentary is on the original article by Choi et al. on pages 1096–1105 of this issue.
Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in people with type 2 diabetes by baseline body mass index: An exploratory subgroup analysis of SURPASS‐AP‐Combo
Authors: Ma Jianhua , Liu Ming , Wang Rui , Du Liying , Ji Linong
Published: February 2024

Aims

To assess the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide versus insulin glargine in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) by baseline body mass index (BMI).

Materials and Methods

Participants with T2D from the Phase 3 SURPASS‐AP‐Combo trial (NCT04093752) were categorized into three BMI subgroups (normal weight [<25 kg/m2], overweight [≥25 and <30 kg/m2], and obese [≥30 kg/m2]) according to World Health Organization criteria. Exploratory outcomes including glycaemic control, body weight, cardiometabolic risk, and safety were compared among three tirzepatide doses (5, 10 or 15 mg) and insulin glargine.

Results

Of 907 participants, 235 (25.9%) had a BMI <25 kg/m2, 458 (50.5%) a BMI ≥25 to <30 kg/m2, and 214 (23.6%) a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 at baseline. At Week 40, all tirzepatide doses led to a greater reduction in mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; −2.0% to −2.8% vs. −0.8% to −1.0%, respectively) and percent change in body weight (−5.5% to −10.8% vs. 1.0% to 2.5%, respectively) versus insulin glargine, across the BMI subgroups. Compared with insulin glargine, a higher proportion of tirzepatide‐treated participants achieved treatment goals for HbA1c and body weight reduction. Improvements in other cardiometabolic indicators were also observed with tirzepatide across all the BMI subgroups. The safety profile of tirzepatide was similar across all subgroups by BMI. The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were gastrointestinal‐related events and decreased appetite, with relatively few events leading to treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions

In participants with T2D, regardless of baseline BMI, treatment with tirzepatide resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful glycaemic reductions and body weight reductions compared with insulin glargine, with a safety profile consistent with previous reports.