bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surround Suppression of Broadband Images
Authors: Pokorny Victor J , Weldon Kimberly B , Olman Cheryl A
Published: May 2024

Visual perception is profoundly sensitive to context. Surround suppression is a well-known visual context effect in which the firing rate of a neuron is suppressed by stimulation of its extra-classical receptive field. The majority of contrast surround suppression studies exclusively use narrowband, sinusoidal grating stimuli; however, it is unclear whether the results produced by such artificial stimuli generalize to real-world, naturalistic visual experiences. To address this issue, we developed a contrast discrimination paradigm that includes both naturalistic broadband textures and narrowband grating textures. All textures were matched for first order image statistics and overall perceptual salience. We observed surround suppression across broadband textures (F(1,6)=19.01, p=.005); however, effect sizes were largest for narrowband, sinusoidal gratings (Cohen's d=1.83). Among the three broadband texture types, we observed strongest suppression for the texture with a clear dominant orientation (stratified: Cohen's d=1.29), while the textures with a more even distribution of orientation information produced weaker suppression (fibrous: Cohen's d=0.63; braided: Cohen's d=0.65). We also observed an effect of texture identity on the slope of psychometric functions (F(1.98,11.9)=7.29, p=0.01), primarily driven by smaller slopes for the texture with the most uniform distribution of orientations. Our results suggest that well-known contextual modulation effects only partially generalize to more ecologically valid stimuli.
Synchronization of the prefrontal cortex with the hippocampus and posterior parietal cortex is navigation strategy-dependent during spatial learning
Authors: García F. , Torres M-J. , Chacana-Véliz L. , Espinosa N. , El-Deredy W. , Fuentealba P. , Negrón-Oyarzo I.
Published: May 2024

1.

During goal-directed spatial learning, subjects progressively change their navigation strategies to increase their navigation efficiency, an operation supported by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, how the mPFC may integrate relevant information in a wider memory networks involving the hippocampus (HPC) and the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is poorly understood. We recorded local-field potential and neuronal firing simultaneously from the mPFC, HPC and PPC in mice subjected to spatial memory acquisition in the Barnes maze. During navigation trials, animals demonstrated two consecutive behavioral stages: searching and exploration. Throughout training, mice gradually switched from less efficient (non-spatial) to more efficient (spatial) goal-oriented strategies exclusively during the searching stage. 4-Hz and theta (6-12 Hz) oscillations were detected during spatial navigation in the three recorded areas associated with episodes of immobility and locomotion, respectively. The entrainment of prefrontal gamma oscillations (60-100 Hz) by hippocampal and parietal 4-Hz and theta oscillations, as well as the incidence of prefrontal gamma, was higher when mice implemented spatial strategies during the searching stage. Interestingly, 4-Hz and theta from HPC and PPC also synchronized the spike-timing of prefrontal neurons, which was maximum during spatial strategies in the searching stage. Finally, neurons recorded in the mPFC increased their task stage firing selectivity when they used spatial strategy. Altogether, these results provide evidence for the neural mechanisms underlying the prefrontal large-scale coordination with distributed neural networks during spatial learning.
Rapid modulation of striatal cholinergic interneurons and dopamine release by satellite astrocytes
Authors: Stedehouder Jeffrey , Roberts Bradley M. , Raina Shinil , Bossi Simon , Liu Alan King Lun , Doig Natalie M. , McGerty Kevin , Magill Peter J. , Parkkinen Laura , Cragg Stephanie J.
Published: May 2024

Astrocytes are increasingly thought to have underestimated and important roles in modulating neuronal circuits. Astrocytes in striatum can regulate dopamine transmission by governing the extracellular tone of axonal neuromodulators, including GABA and adenosine. However, here we reveal that striatal astrocytes occupy a cell type-specific anatomical and functional relationship with cholinergic interneurons (ChIs), through which they rapidly excite ChIs and govern dopamine release via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on subsecond timescales. We identify that ChI somata are in unexpectedly close proximity to astrocyte somata, in mouse and human, forming a “soma-to-soma” satellite-like configuration not typically observed for other striatal neurons. Transient depolarization of astrocytes in mouse striatum reversibly regulated ChI excitability by decreasing extracellular calcium. These findings reveal a privileged satellite astrocyte-interneuron interaction for striatal ChIs operating on subsecond timescales via regulation of extracellular calcium dynamics to shape downstream striatal circuit activity and dopamine signaling.
Two neuropeptides that promote blood-feeding inAnopheles stephensimosquitoes
Authors: Bansal Prashali , Pillai Roshni , Babu Pooja D , Sen Sonia Q
Published: May 2024

Animals routinely need to make decisions about what to eat and when. These decisions are influenced not only by the availability and quality of food but also by the internal state of the animal, which needs to compute and give weights to these different variables before making a choice. Feeding preferences of female mosquitoes exemplify this behavioural plasticity. Both male and female mosquitoes usually feed on carbohydrate-rich sources of nectar or sap, but the female also feeds on blood, which is essential for egg development. This blood-appetite is modulated across the female′s reproductive cycle, yet little is known about the factors that bring it about. We show thatAnopheles stephensifemales, a major vector of urban malaria in the Indian sub-continent and West-Africa, suppress blood-feeding between a blood-meal and oviposition. We identify several candidate genes through transcriptomics of blood- deprived and -satedAnopheles stephensimidbrains that could modulate this behaviour. We show that shortNeuropeptide-F (sNPF)andRYamide (RYa)act together to promote blood-feeding and identify a cluster of cells in the subesophageal ganglion that expressessNPFonly in the blood-hungry state. Such females also have moresNPFin their midguts. We propose that increasedsNPFlevels in the brain and gut promotes a state of blood-hunger, which may drive feeding behaviour either bysNPFaction in the two tissues independently or via a communication between them.
An AI-Driven Framework for Discovery of BACE1 Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Xie Evan , Hasegawa Karin , Kementzidis Georgios , Papadopoulos Evangelos , Aktas Bertal Huseyin , Deng Yuefan
Published: May 2024

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 51 million individuals globally. Theβ-secretase (BACE1) enzyme is responsible for the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain. The accumulation of Aβplaques leads to neuronal death and the impairment of cognitive abilities, both of which are fundamental symptoms of AD. Thus, BACE1 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for AD. Previous BACE1 inhibitors have faced various issues related to molecular size and blood-brain barrier permeability, preventing any of them from maturing into FDA-approved AD drugs. In this work, a generative AI framework is developed as the first AI application to thede novogeneration of BACE1 inhibitors. Through a simple, robust, and accurate molecular representation, a Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Network with Gradient Penalty (WGAN-GP), and a Genetic Algorithm (GA), the framework generates and optimizes over 1,000,000 candidate inhibitors that improve upon the bioactive and pharmacological properties of current BACE1 inhibitors. Then, the molecular docking simulation models the candidate inhibitors and identifies 14 candidate drugs that exhibit stronger binding interactions to the BACE1 active site than previous candidate BACE1 drugs from clinical trials. Overall, the framework successfully discovers BACE1 inhibitors and candidate AD drugs, accelerating the developmental process for a novel AD treatment.
Unexpected events modulate context signaling in VIP and excitatory cells of the visual cortex
Authors: Najafi Farzaneh , Russo Simone , Lecoq Jerome
Published: May 2024

The visual cortex predicts incoming sensory stimuli through internal models of the world. Unexpected stimuli that violate these predictions update internal models and drive adaptation. Cortical inhibitory neurons, particularly VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) interneurons, are suggested to play a key role in representing unexpected stimuli, given their robust firing following unexpected omissions of familiar images. Importantly, this response is stimulus non-specific, raising an important question about what information it conveys. Given their unique connectivity with other cell types and brain areas, we hypothesized that during unexpected events, VIP neurons encode contextual information, defined as neuronal activity that is not driven by the stimulus itself. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the Allen Institute Visual Behavior dataset, in which mice viewed repeated familiar images and unexpected omissions of these images while two-photon calcium imaging data from different cell types and visual areas were recorded. Using dimensionality reduction techniques, we found that omissions trigger contextual signaling in VIP neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) and the lateral medial (LM) visual area, particularly in the superficial layers. Similarly, contextual coding was enhanced in excitatory neurons following omissions. This contrasted sharply with the excitatory response to expected images, during which contextual information was substantially suppressed. Our results suggest that unexpected events activate VIP neurons, which subsequently propagate contextual information across the cortical network. This potentially facilitates the integration of context within the cortical network, and leads to updated predictions about our dynamic environment.
Trifunctional fatty acid derivatives demonstrate the impact of diazirine placement
Authors: Farley Scotland E , Hashimoto Ryu , Evangelista Judah , Stein Frank , Haberkant Per , Kikuchi Kazuya , Tafesse Fikadu G. , Schultz Carsten
Published: May 2024

Functionalized lipid probes are a critical new tool to interrogate the function of individual lipid species, but the structural parameters that constrain their utility have not been thoroughly described. Here, we synthesize three palmitic acid derivatives with a diazirine at different positions on the acyl chain and examine their metabolism, subcellular localization, and protein interactions. We demonstrate that while they produce very similar metabolites and subcellular distributions, probes with the diazirine at either end pulldown distinct subsets of proteins after photo-crosslinking. This highlights the importance of thoughtful diazirine placement when developing probes based on biological molecules.
Chaperoning the chaperones: Proteomic analysis of the SMN complex reveals conserved and etiologic connections to the proteostasis network
Authors: Matera A. Gregory , Steiner Rebecca E. , Mills C. Alison , Herring Laura E. , Garcia Eric L.
Published: May 2024

Molecular chaperones and co-chaperones are highly conserved cellular components that perform variety of duties related to the proper three-dimensional folding of the proteome. The web of factors that carries out this essential task is called the proteostasis network (PN). Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) represent an underexplored area in terms of the connections they make with the PN. The Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) complex is an RNP assembly chaperone and serves as a paradigm for studying how specific small nuclear (sn)RNAs are identified and paired with their client substrate proteins. SMN protein is the eponymous component of a large complex required for the biogenesis of uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U-snRNPs) and localizes to distinct membraneless organelles in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of animal cells. SMN forms the oligomeric core of this complex, and missense mutations in its YG box self-interaction domain are known to cause Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The basic framework for understanding how snRNAs are assembled into U-snRNPs is known, the pathways and mechanisms used by cells to regulate their biogenesis are poorly understood. Given the importance of these processes to normal development as well as neurodegenerative disease, we set out to identify and characterize novel SMN binding partners.

Here, we carried out affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) of SMN using stable fly lines exclusively expressing either wildtype or SMA-causing missense alleles. Bioinformatic analyses of the pulldown data, along with comparisons to proximity labeling studies carried out in human cells, revealed conserved connections to at least two other major chaperone systems including heat shock folding chaperones (HSPs) and histone/nucleosome assembly chaperones. Notably, we found that heat shock cognate protein Hsc70-4 and other HspA family members preferentially interacted with SMA-causing alleles of SMN. Hsc70-4 is particularly interesting because its mRNA is aberrantly sequestered by a mutant form of TDP-43 in mouse andDrosophilaALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) disease models. Most important, a missense allele of Hsc70-4 (HspA8 in mammals) was recently identified as a bypass suppressor of the SMA phenotype in mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that chaperone-related dysfunction lies at the etiological root of both ALS and SMA.
A left-lateralized dorsolateral prefrontal network for naming
Authors: Yu Leyao , Dugan Patricia , Doyle Werner , Devinsky Orrin , Friedman Daniel , Flinker Adeen
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The ability to connect the form and meaning of a concept, known as word retrieval, is fundamental to human communication. While various input modalities could lead to identical word retrieval, the exact neural dynamics supporting this convergence relevant to daily auditory discourse remain poorly understood. Here, we leveraged neurosurgical electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings from 48 patients and dissociated two key language networks that highly overlap in time and space integral to word retrieval. Using unsupervised temporal clustering techniques, we found a semantic processing network located in the middle and inferior frontal gyri. This network was distinct from an articulatory planning network in the inferior frontal and precentral gyri, which was agnostic to input modalities. Functionally, we confirmed that the semantic processing network encodes word surprisal during sentence perception. Our findings characterize how humans integrate ongoing auditory semantic information over time, a critical linguistic function from passive comprehension to daily discourse.
Gucy1α1 specifically marks kidney, heart, lung and liver fibroblasts
Authors: Rudman-Melnick Valeria , Vanhoutte Davy , Stowers Kaitlynn , Sargent Michelle , Adam Mike , Ma Qing , Perl Anne Karina T. , Miethke Alexander G. , Burg Ashley , Shi Tiffany , Hildeman David A. , Woodle E. Steve S. , Kofron J. Matthew , Devarajan Prasad
Published: May 2024

Fibrosis is a common outcome of numerous pathologies, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), a progressive renal function deterioration. Current approaches to target activated fibroblasts, key effector contributors to fibrotic tissue remodeling, lack specificity. Here, we report Gucy1α1 as a specific kidney fibroblast marker. Gucy1α1 levels significantly increased over the course of two clinically relevant murine CKD models and directly correlated with established fibrosis markers. Immunofluorescent (IF) imaging showed that Gucy1α1 comprehensively labelled cortical and medullary quiescent and activated fibroblasts in the control kidney and throughout injury progression, respectively. Unlike traditionally used markers platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (Pdgfrβ) and vimentin (Vim), Gucy1α1 did not overlap with off-target populations such as podocytes. Notably, Gucy1α1 labelled kidney fibroblasts in both male and female mice. Furthermore, we observed elevated GUCY1α1 expression in the human fibrotic kidney and lung. Studies in the murine models of cardiac and liver fibrosis revealed Gucy1α1 elevation in activated Pdgfrβ-, Vim- and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSma)-expressing fibroblasts paralleling injury progression and resolution. Overall, we demonstrate Gucy1α1 as an exclusive fibroblast marker in both sexes. Due to its multiorgan translational potential, GUCY1α1 might provide a novel promising strategy to specifically target and mechanistically examine fibroblasts.
Structural and biochemical insights on the mechanism of action of the clinical USP1 inhibitor, KSQ-4279
Authors: Rennie ML , Gundogdu M , Arkinson C , Liness S , Frame S , Walden H
Published: May 2024

DNA damage triggers cell signalling cascades that mediate repair. This signalling is frequently dysregulated in cancers. The proteins that mediate this signalling are potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Ubiquitin-specific protease 1 (USP1) is one such target, with small molecule inhibitors already in clinical trials. Here we use biochemical assays and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study the clinical USP1 inhibitor, KSQ-4279 (RO7623066), and compare this to the well-established, tool compound, ML323. We find that KSQ-4279 binds to the same cryptic site of USP1 as ML323 but disrupts the protein structure in subtly different ways. Inhibitor binding drives a substantial increase in thermal stability of USP1, which may be mediated through the inhibitors filling a hydrophobic tunnel in USP1. Our results contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of action of USP1 inhibitors at the molecular level.
Structural insights into transcription regulation of the global virulence factor PhoP fromMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Shi Jing , Song Qian , Feng Zhenzhen , Wen Aijia , Liu Tianyu , Xu Liqiao , Ye Zonghang , Xu Simin , Gao Fei , Xiao Liuxiang , Zhu Jiapeng , Das Kalyan , Zhao Guoping , Feng Yu , Lin Wei
Published: May 2024

Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb), remaining as the leading cause of the worldwide threat Tuberculosis, relies heavily on its transcriptional reprogramming of diverse stress genes to swiftly adapt to adverse environments and ensure infections. The global virulence factor PhoP plays a pivotal role in coordinating transcription activation or repression of the essential phosphate-nitrogen metabolic remodeling genes. However, what defines PhoP to deferentially act as an activator or a repressor remains largely unexplored. Here, we determine one cryo-EM structure ofMtbRNAP-promoter open complex, three cryo-EM structures of PhoP-dependent transcription activation complexes (PhoP-TACs) consisting ofMtbRNA polymerase (RNAP), different number of PhoP molecules binding to different types of well-characterized consensus promoters, and one cryo-EM structure ofMtbPhoP-dependent transcription repression complex (PhoP-TRC) comprising ofMtbRNAP, PhoP, the nitrogen metabolism regulator GlnR and their co-regulated promoter. Structural comparisons reveal phosphorylation of PhoP is required for stabilization of PhoP-TACs, PhoP specifically recognizes promoters as novel tandem dimers and recruits RNAP through extensively interacting with its conserved β flap and σAR4 domains. Strikingly, the distinct promoter spacer length and PhoP-GlnR interactions in PhoP-TRC constrain the upstream DNA into a distinct topology and retain PhoP in a novel ‘dragging repression mode’. Collectively, these data highlight the dual regulatory mechanisms of PhoP-dependent transcription regulation in governing stress adaptation. These findings provide structural basis for developing potential anti-tuberculosis drugs and/or interventions.
Preferential binding of ADP-bound mitochondrial HSP70 to the nucleotide exchange factor GRPEL1 over GRPEL2
Authors: Manjunath Pooja , Stojkovič Gorazd , Konovalova Svetlana , Wanrooij Sjoerd , Koski Kristian , Tyynismaa Henna
Published: May 2024

Human nucleotide exchange factors GRPEL1 and GRPEL2 play pivotal roles in the ADP-ATP exchange within the protein folding cycle of mitochondrial HSP70 (mtHSP70), a crucial chaperone facilitating protein import into the mitochondrial matrix. Studies in human cells and mice have indicated that while GRPEL1 serves as an essential co-chaperone for mtHSP70, GRPEL2 has a role regulated by stress. However, the precise structural and biochemical mechanisms underlying the distinct functions of the GRPEL proteins have remained elusive. In our study, we present evidence revealing that ADP-bound mtHSP70 exhibits remarkably higher affinity for GRPEL1 compared to GRPEL2, with the latter experiencing a notable decrease in affinity upon ADP binding. Utilizing Alphafold modelling, we propose that the interaction between GRPEL1 and mtHSP70 can induce the opening of the nucleotide binding cleft of the chaperone, thereby facilitating the release of ADP, whereas GRPEL2 lacks this capability. This study elucidates how ADP binding to mtHSP70 enhances its affinity for GRPEL1, contrasting with its interaction with GRPEL2. Additionally, our findings suggest that the redox-regulated Cys87 residue in GRPEL2 does not play a role in dimerization but rather reduces its affinity for mtHSP70. Our findings on the structural and functional disparities between GRPEL1 and GRPEL2 may have implications for mitochondrial protein folding and import processes under varying cellular conditions.
Likelihood-based interactive local docking into cryo-EM maps in ChimeraX
Authors: Read Randy J. , Pettersen Eric F. , McCoy Airlie J. , Croll Tristan I. , Terwilliger Thomas C. , Poon Billy K. , Meng Elaine C. , Liebschner Dorothee , Adams Paul D.
Published: May 2024

The interpretation of cryo-EM maps often includes the docking of known or predicted structures of the components, which is particularly useful when the map resolution is worse than 4 Å. Although it can be effective to search the entire map to find the best placement of a component, the process can be slow when the maps are large. However, frequently there is a well-founded hypothesis about where particular components are located. In such cases, a local search using a map subvolume will be much faster because the search volume is smaller, and more sensitive because optimizing the search volume for the rotation search step enhances signal-to-noise. A Fourier-space likelihood-based local search approach, based on the previously-publishedem_placementsoftware, has been implemented in the newemplace_localprogram. Tests confirm that the local search approach enhances speed and sensitivity of the computations. An interactive graphical interface in the ChimeraX molecular graphics program provides a convenient way to set up and evaluate docking calculations, particularly in defining the part of the map into which the components should be placed.

Synopsis

Likelihood-based cryo-EM docking using ouremplace_localsoftware is faster and more sensitive than our related software,em_placement, when the approximate location of a component is known, and is available conveniently through a plugin to the ChimeraX visualization software.
Thermodynamic and stoichiometric laws ruling the fates of growing systems
Authors: Kamimura Atsushi , Sughiyama Yuki , Kobayashi Tetsuya J.
Published: May 2024

We delve into growing open chemical reaction systems (CRSs) characterized by autocatalytic reactions within a variable volume, which changes in response to these reactions. Understanding the thermodynamics of such systems is crucial for comprehending biological cells and constructing protocells because it sheds light on the physical conditions necessary for their self-replication. Building on our recent work, where we developed a thermodynamic theory for growing CRSs featuring basic autocatalytic motifs with regular stoichiometric matrices, we now expand this theory to include scenarios where the stoichiometric matrix has a nontrivial left kernel space. This extension introduces conservation laws, which limit the variations in chemical species due to reactions, thereby confining the system's possible states to those compatible with its initial conditions. By considering both thermodynamic and stoichiometric constraints, we clarify the environmental and initial conditions that dictate the CRSs' fate—whether they grow, shrink, or reach equilibrium. We also find that the conserved quantities significantly influence the equilibrium state achieved by a growing CRS. These results are derived independently of specific thermodynamic potentials or reaction kinetics, therefore underscoring the fundamental impact of conservation laws on the growth of the system.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Single-piston quantum engine
Authors: Rodin A.
Published: May 2024

A single-piston quantum engine based on a harmonic oscillator acting as the working fluid is proposed. Using the fact that the interaction between the piston and the oscillator depends on the extent of the oscillator wave function, one can control this interaction by modifying the oscillator temperature. By retracting the piston when the interaction is weak (hot oscillator) and returning it to the original position when the coupling is strong (cold oscillator), useful work can be performed assuming the interaction is attractive. The cycle of the engine is simulated numerically using two different powering protocols: bath and measurement. Using the collision model for the baths, the engine is shown to reach a steady state with positive work output.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enhancement of superconducting transition temperature and exotic stoichiometries in the
Lu−S
system under high pressure
Authors: Wu Juefei , Zhu Bangshuai , Ding Chi , Shao Dexi , Pei Cuiying , Wang Qi , Sun Jian , Qi Yanpeng
Published: May 2024

Binary metal sulfides are a potential family of materials for exploring high Tc superconductors under high pressure. In this work, we study the crystal structures, electronic structures, and superconducting properties of the Lu-S system in the pressure range from 0 to 200 GPa, combining crystal structure predictions with calculations. We predict 15 unique structures, encompassing seven unidentified stoichiometries. Within the S-rich structures, the formation of S atom cages is beneficial for superconductivity, with the superconducting transition temperature 25.86 and 25.30 K for LuS6−C2/m at 70 GPa and LuS6−R−3m at 90 GPa, respectively. With the Lu/(Lu+S) ratio increases, the Lu-d electrons participate more in the electronic properties at the Fermi energy, resulting in the coexistence of superconductivity and topological nontriviality of LuS2−Cmca, as well as the superconductivity of predicted Lu-rich compounds. Our calculation is helpful for understanding the exotic properties in the transition metal sulfides system under high pressure, providing the possibility of designing alternative superconductors for future experimental and theoretical works.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Se
Inter-Diffusion Limits Absorber Layer Grain Growth in
CdSe
-
CdTe
Photovoltaics
Authors: Altamimi T.F.S. , Leaver J.F. , Durose K. , Major J.D. , Mendis B.G.
Published: May 2024

Diffusion of Se from the CdSe window layer into the CdTe absorber improves the short circuit current density by narrowing the band gap and increasing the carrier lifetime. Thicker CdSe layers, however, show a dramatic loss in photocurrent collection due to Se over-alloying. Electron microscopy investigations show that this decrease in performance is due to the formation of small grains (∼783 nm average diameter), which exhibit grain boundary porosity in the

Se

inter-diffusion region. The larger grain boundary area and void free surfaces give rise to higher levels of nonradiative recombination, and therefore, a lower photocurrent. It is proposed that the small grain size is due to a drag force exerted by segregated Se solute atoms on a moving grain boundary, while faster Se diffusion along the grain boundaries results in vacancy build up and porosity due to the Kirkendall effect. The results indicate that the device processing conditions must be carefully controlled such that the negative effects of Se alloying (i.e., smaller grains, Kirkendall voids) do not undermine its benefits.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Optimization Tools for Distance-Preserving Flag Fault-Tolerant Error Correction
Authors: Pato Balint , Tansuwannont Theerapat , Huang Shilin , Brown Kenneth R.
Published: May 2024

Lookup-table decoding is fast and distance preserving, making it attractive for near-term quantum computer architectures with small-distance quantum error-correcting codes. In this work, we develop several optimization tools that can potentially reduce the space and time overhead required for flag fault-tolerant quantum error correction (FTQEC) with lookup-table decoding on Calderbank-Shor-Steane (CSS) codes. Our techniques include the compact lookup-table construction, the meet-in-the-middle technique, the adaptive time decoding for flag FTQEC, the classical processing technique for flag information, and the separate X- and Z-counting technique. We evaluate the performance of our tools using numerical simulation of hexagonal color codes of distances 3, 5, 7, and 9 under circuit-level noise. Combining all tools can result in an increase of more than an order of magnitude in the pseudothreshold for the hexagonal color code of distance 9, from (1.34±0.01)×10−4 to (1.43±0.07)×10−3.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Synthesis, characterization and structural analysis of complexes from 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine derivatives with transition metals
Authors: Fajardo Daniel A. , Arteaga Danny , Ellena Javier , Santiago Pedro H. O. , D'Vries Richard F. , Lenis Luis Alberto
Published: May 2024

The synthesis and structural characterization of three families of coordination complexes synthesized from 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (8, Ph-TPY), 4′-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (9, ClPh-TPY) and 4′-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (10, MeOPh-TPY) ligands with the divalent metals Co2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+ are reported. The compounds were synthesized from a 1:2 mixture of the metal and ligand, resulting in a series of complexes with the general formula [M(R-TPY)2](ClO4)2 (where M = Co2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+, and R-TPY = Ph-TPY, ClPh-TPY and MeOPh-TPY). The general formula and structural and supramolecular features were determinated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction for bis(4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine)nickel(II) bis(perchlorate), [Ni(C21H15N3)2](ClO4)2 or [Ni(Ph-TPY)2](ClO4)2, bis[4′-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine]manganese(II) bis(perchlorate), [Mn(C22H17N3O)2](ClO4)2 or [Mn(MeOPh-TPY)2](ClO4)2, and bis(4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine)manganese(II) bis(perchlorate), [Mn(C21H15N3)2](ClO4)2 or [Mn(Ph-TPY)2](ClO4)2. In all three cases, the complexes present distorted octahedral coordination polyhedra and the crystal packing is determined mainly by weak C—H...π interactions. All the compounds (except for the Ni derivatives, for which FT–IR, UV–Vis and thermal analysis are reported) were fully characterized by spectroscopic (FT–IR, UV–Vis and NMR spectroscopy) and thermal (TGA–DSC, thermogravimetric analysis–differential scanning calorimetry) methods.
Gender and organizational commitment: evidence from a nationwide survey in Poland
Authors: Adamchik Vera , Sedlak Piotr
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The study examines whether affective organizational commitment and its drivers differ between Polish female and male employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Our proprietary data are from ongoing surveys conducted by a major Polish HR consulting firm. The nationwide survey of nearly 3,000 Polish workers in 2020 constitutes the data set in this analysis. Regression analysis is applied to analyze the relationship between organizational commitment, gender and other variables.

Findings

The study provides support for the job model, that is, women and men have similar levels of commitment once all other factors are controlled. Although the results show that, ceteris paribus, the organizational commitment of women is statistically significantly higher than that of men, the effect size is trivial in practical terms. The study also discloses the fact that the determinants of organizational commitment of men and women are similar, thus refuting a commonly held notion about gendered job attribute preferences. Support for gender as a moderator between organizational commitment and its antecedents is not found. COVID-19-related work adjustments do not seem to have affected the commitment of Polish male and female workers to their employers.

Originality/value

The study adds to the scarce empirical literature on organizational commitment in Poland. To date, only a small number of such studies exist for Poland, and all of them use small homogeneous samples and limited questionnaires. The results are of value to researchers as well as HR managers seeking to improve long-term commitment to organizations.
Job content plateau and career commitment: the mediating role of developmental i-deals and the moderating role of proactive personality
Authors: Jena Biswa Prakash , Choudhary Archana , Pal Manas Kumar , Misra Siddharth
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Given the detrimental effects of job content plateau, the paper aims to study the impact of job content plateau on employees’ career commitment. In doing so, the authors examine whether the lapses in job content plateau can be addressed through developmental i-deals. A final purpose is to examine whether proactive employees are better positioned to obtain work arrangements that help them develop and remain committed to their careers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from full-time working executives employed in different organizations. These executives enrolled in a part-time MBA program. Data was collected at different time points and analyzed using the process macro (Preacher and Hayes, 2004).

Findings

The results suggest that developmental i-deals mediated the relationship between job content plateau and career commitment. In addition, proactive employees were better disposed to seal the deal and develop themselves – helping them to stay committed to their careers.

Originality/value

Prior studies highlight the negative consequences of job content plateau because it does not provide avenues to learn and develop. This paper addresses the gap in locating opportunities to learn and develop (an aspect that was missing in the job content plateau) through developmental i-deals. First, the study helps answer how to address learning gaps in jobs. Second, who can capitalize on their efforts once the organization sponsors learning opportunities.
A modified spatial house price to income ratio and housing affordability drivers study: using the post-LASSO approach
Authors: Wang Qifeng , Lin Bofan , Tan Consilz
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an index for measuring urban house price affordability that integrates spatial considerations and to explore the drivers of housing affordability using the post-least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) approach and the ordinary least squares method of regression analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on time-series data collected from 2005 to 2021 for 256 prefectural-level city districts in China. The new urban spatial house-to-price ratio introduced in this study adds the consideration of commuting costs due to spatial endowment compared to the traditional house-to-price ratio. And compared with the use of ordinary economic modelling methods, this study adopts the post-LASSO variable selection approach combined with the k-fold cross-test model to identify the most important drivers of housing affordability, thus better solving the problems of multicollinearity and overfitting.

Findings

Urban macroeconomics environment and government regulations have varying degrees of influence on housing affordability in cities. Among them, gross domestic product is the most important influence.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides important implications for policymakers, real estate professionals and researchers. For example, policymakers will be able to design policies that target the most influential factors of housing affordability in their region.

Originality/value

This study introduces a new urban spatial house price-to-income ratio, and it examines how macroeconomic indicators, government regulation, real estate market supply and urban infrastructure level have a significant impact on housing affordability. The problem of having too many variables in the decision-making process is minimized through the post-LASSO methodology, which varies the parameters of the model to allow for the ranking of the importance of the variables. As a result, this approach allows policymakers and stakeholders in the real estate market more flexibility in determining policy interventions. In addition, through the k-fold cross-validation methodology, the study ensures a high degree of accuracy and credibility when using drivers to predict housing affordability.
Artificial intelligence – talent acquisition in HEIs recruitments
Authors: R. Vedapradha , R. Hariharan , E. Sudha , V. Divyashree
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The current research study aims to examine the application feasibility and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) among higher educational institutions (HEIs) in talent acquisitions (TA).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic sampling method was adopted to collect the responses from the 385 staff working across the various levels of management in HEIs in metropolitan cities in India. JAMOVI & SmartPLS 4 were applied to validate the hypothesis by performing the simple percentage analysis and structural equation modelling. The demographic and construct variables considered were adoption, actual usage, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and talent management.

Findings

The key indicators of perceived usefulness are productivity, perceived ease of use, adaptability, candidate experience with the adoption of AI, frequency in decision-making in its actual usage and career path of development in the HEIs. These are the most influential items impacting the application of AI in TA.

Originality/value

AI has the potential to revolutionize TA in HEIs in the form of enhanced efficiency, improved candidate experience, more objective hiring decisions, talent analytics and risk automation. However, they facilitate resume screening, candidate sourcing, applicant tracking, interviewing and predictive analytics for attrition.
Revealing governance forms: the case of French agrifood platforms
Authors: Guillot Romane , Aubert Magali , Mione Anne
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Agrifood platforms are now part of consumption habits. They have emerged in various forms, and we need to describe this diversity to understand better how platforms manage their relationships with farmers. We aim to understand the governance forms of agrifood platforms and consider whether they comply with the principles of transaction cost economics (TCE).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of 103 French platform managers, a two-step cluster analysis and ordered logit regressions were applied to test hypotheses derived from the theory.

Findings

The results enable us to propose a refined typology of eight governance forms for the farmer-platform relationship. These different forms can be classified according to a continuum ranging from “market to hierarchy”, conforming to TCE principles. We define a gradient describing how the platforms manage their relations with the farmers through contractual and relational control. We show that specific assets, behavioural uncertainty, and membership in a platform network are associated with more integrated governance forms.

Practical implications

The article describes the different forms of platform governance and their relevance to market conditions. This clarification is necessary for farmers to elect the more suitable platform and for platform managers to create a new business or improve its efficiency.

Originality/value

This article is the first to offer a detailed typology of agrifood platform governance. It highlights these governance characteristics and their relationship with transaction attributes.
Ethnic minorities and income inequality: the Albanian community in Italy
Authors: Errico Lucia , Mosca Andrea , Rondinella Sandro
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study explores whether ethnic minorities exhibit varying levels of income inequality compared to the host population.

Design/methodology/approach

The research leverages a unique immigration event in Italy, specifically the settlement of multiple Albanian groups in southern Italy during the 16th century. This historical occurrence enables an investigation into the role of cultural traits in income inequality, as these groups are situated in the same geographical region and often share borders.

Findings

The results, which remain consistent after undergoing various robustness checks, indicate that Albanian villages, while still preserving their identity and tradition, tend to experience an approximately 2% lower level of income concentration compared to similar Italian municipalities.

Originality/value

Our findings aim to provide supporting evidence for future policy considerations regarding the long-term impact of immigration on income inequality.
Demystifying operator 4.0 through an integrative framework
Authors: Nujen Bella Belerivana , Mwesiumo Deodat , Alfnes Erlend , Tomasgard Tore
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Despite increased interest in the Operator 4.0 concept, there has been scarce attention on practice-oriented frameworks that can assist firms in reaping the potential benefits of technologies within the I4.0 framework. The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrative framework on how to engage Operator 4.0 effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

Following meta-synthesis logic and integrative conceptual analysis, this study synthesizes and integrates experimental case studies on Operator 4.0 solutions. The analysis is conducted on 24 cases retrieved from peer-reviewed articles.

Findings

The analysis revealed several factors that determine the type and extent of benefits that can be realized within a human-cyber-physical system. However, enhancing these capabilities is not straightforward, as several factors can inhibit the realization of these capabilities. Firstly, the benefits vary depending on the type of Operator 4.0. Secondly, the interoperability of the introduced I4.0 solution with the existing systems is crucial. Thirdly, the adaptability of the solution to serve multiple purposes is crucial, as it tends to increase technology acceptance.

Research limitations/implications

The studies reviewed in this research were based on experimental cases, with limited implementation of the solutions they proposed. As such, their implications when implemented on a larger scale are tentative.

Originality/value

The present study has synthesized existing experimental cases and developed an integrative framework to guide the implementation of Operator 4.0. By gathering primary insights from these experiments, we have clarified when and how Operator 4.0 and the required interactions can lead to successful implementation.
Fostering public sector employees’ citizen-oriented boundary-spanning behaviors through human resource flexibility and employee perceptions of normative public values
Authors: Luu Trong Tuan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Public sector employees’ contributions play a crucial role in improving public service quality and promoting the image of public organizations. The aim of this research is to unravel how and when human resource (HR) flexibility activates citizen-oriented boundary-spanning behaviors among public sector employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 427 public sector employees and 102 supervisors working for governmental agencies from the districts of a major city in Vietnam. Multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) was employed to analyze the data.

Findings

The positive associations between HR flexibility and the three dimensions of citizen-oriented boundary-spanning behaviors were supported. Harmonious passion demonstrated a mediating path for such linkages. Employee perceptions of normative public values were found to exert a positive moderating effect on the positive link between HR flexibility and harmonious passion, as well as their indirect link via harmonious passion.

Originality/value

This study advances the literature by identifying how and when HR flexibility shapes citizen-oriented boundary-spanning behaviors among public sector employees.
Insurance needs of digital nomads and predictions for future
Authors: Çetin Mesut
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to determine the impact of digital nomadism on the relationship between tourism and traditional insurance models, the opportunities and challenges that digital nomadism brings to the insurance industry and future predictions.

Design/methodology/approach

A review approach was used, utilizing industry reports, statistics, market research and previous studies.

Findings

Digital nomadism will directly bring about the development of personalized insurance products and services. The journey that began with digital health insurance will propel the industry to entirely new horizons.

Originality/value

The study offers a new perspective in this field by addressing the relationship between digital nomadism and the insurance industry.
Hydro‐modeling the ecosystem impact of wastewater reuse under climate change: A case study in upper Red River basin, Oklahoma
Authors: Gao Shang , Li Zhi , Graves Grant , Mattes Hannah A. , Fathollahifard Shadi , Vogel Jason , Neeson Thomas M. , Strevett Keith , Hong Yang
Published: May 2024

Water reuse, as a viable option for water supply, must be implemented to minimize the adverse impacts on stream ecosystems that previously received this wastewater effluent. In the State of Oklahoma (OK), USA, local communities have implemented wastewater reuse, and many seek to expand the reuse programs. This study presents a hydro‐modeling analysis based on the Coupled Routing and Excess STorage with VECtor routing (CREST‐VEC) model focusing on the potential ecosystem impacts and societal benefits of wastewater reuse under climate change in the OK portion of the Red River basin. First, a CREST‐VEC model is established for the upper Red River basin and validated against observed streamflow for a 30‐year historical period (1990–2020). Based on the established model, we then assess the sensitivity of ecosystem impact to various climate change scenarios and hypothetical wastewater reuse scenarios. Results show that dominant effects of climate change cause the annual time below environmental flow to increase in the next 30 years, which constrains the room to implement wastewater reuse. However, at sub‐catchment scale, the analyses identify viable locations for allocating wastewater reuse while maintaining ecosystem health. The results also reveal that wastewater reuse brings about the most societal water benefits at minimal cost of ecosystem health under representative concentration pathway (RCP) 2.6 followed by RCP 4.5 and then RCP 8.5. Overall, the study demonstrates capabilities of the hydro‐modeling framework in developing water management plans facing the changing climate.