bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal Control Costs of Brain State Transitions in Linear Stochastic Systems
Authors: Kamiya Shunsuke , Kawakita Genji , Sasai Shuntaro , Kitazono Jun , Oizumi Masafumi 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe brain is a system that performs numerous functions by controlling its states. Quantifying the cost of this control is essential as it reveals how the brain can be controlled based on the minimization of the control cost, and which brain regions are most important to the optimal control of transitions. Despite its great potential, the current control paradigm in neuroscience uses a deterministic framework and is therefore unable to consider stochasticity, severely limiting its application to neural data. Here, to resolve this limitation, we propose a novel framework for the evaluation of control costs based on a linear stochastic model. Following our previous work, we quantified the optimal control cost as the minimal Kullback-Leibler divergence between the uncontrolled and controlled processes. In the linear model, we established an analytical expression for minimal cost and showed that we can decompose it into the cost for controlling the mean and covariance of brain activity. To evaluate the utility of our novel framework, we examined the significant brain regions in the optimal control of transitions from the resting state to seven cognitive task states in human whole-brain imaging data. We found that, in realizing the different transitions, the lower visual areas commonly played a significant role in controlling the means, while the posterior cingulate cortex commonly played a significant role in controlling the covariances.Significance StatementThe brain performs many cognitive functions by controlling its states. Quantifying the cost of this control is essential as it reveals how the brain can be optimally controlled in terms of the cost, and which brain regions are most important to the optimal control of transitions. Here, we built a novel framework to quantify control cost that takes account of stochasticity of neural activity, which is ignored in previous studies. We established the analytical expression of the stochastic control cost, which enables us to compute the cost in high-dimensional neural data. We identified the significant brain regions for the optimal control in cognitive tasks in human whole-brain imaging data.
CSF circulation and dispersion yield rapid clearance from intracranial compartments
Authors: Hornkjøl Martin , Valnes Lars Magnus , Ringstad Geir , Rognes Marie E. , Eide Per-Kristian , Mardal Kent-André , Vinje Vegard 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTIn this paper we used a computational model to estimate the clearance of tracer driven by circulation of cere-brospinal fluid (CSF) produced in the choroid plexus (CP) located within the lateral ventricles. CSF was assumed to exit the subarachnoid space (SAS) via different outflow routes such as the parasagittal dura, cribriform plate and/or meningeal lymphatics. We also modelled a reverse case where fluid was produced within the spinal canal and absorbed in the CP in line with observation on certain iNPH patients. No directional interstitial fluid flow was assumed within the brain parenchyma. Tracers were injected into the foramen magnum. The models demonstrate that convection in the SAS yield rapid clearance from both the SAS and the brain interstitial fluid (ISF) and can speed up intracranial clearance from years, as would be the case for purely diffusive flow, to days.
Genetic modification of the ant Lasius niger using CRISPR-Cas9 technology
Authors: Konu Mauno , Kulmuni Jonna , Viljakainen Lumi 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTCRISPR-Cas9 has become one of the most prominent gene editing tools available and it has been utilized in various organisms from bacteria to fungi, plants, and animals. In this study, we developed a CRISPR-Cas9 protocol for the black garden ant Lasius niger, a common and easily available study species for lab and field environments. To create indel mutations using CRISPR-Cas9 in L. niger, we targeted three different locations in a well-studied eye pigmentation gene cinnabar, generating several mutations that disrupt the ommochrome biosynthesis pathway and result in the lack of this pigment and therefore, abnormal eye coloration in adult workers. We also developed a protocol to collect L. niger eggs, inject them with CRISPR-Cas9 construct, and rear the eggs into mature adult workers with assistance of nursing workers. We demonstrated for the first time with L. niger that CRISPR-Cas9 is an excellent tool to create targeted mutations for this species. Our protocol can be referred to when developing similar studies for other species of ants and eusocial insects.
Interpretable deep learning to uncover the molecular binding patterns determining TCR–epitope interactions
Authors: Dens Ceder , Bittremieux Wout , Affaticati Fabio , Laukens Kris , Meysman Pieter 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe recognition of an epitope by a T-cell receptor (TCR) is crucial for eliminating pathogens and establishing immunological memory. Prediction of the binding of any TCR–epitope pair is still a challenging task, especially for novel epitopes, because the underlying patterns are largely unknown to domain experts and machine learning models. To achieve a deeper understanding of TCR–epitope interactions, we have used interpretable deep learning techniques to gain insights into the performance of TCR–epitope binding machine learning models. We demonstrate how interpretable AI techniques can be linked to the three-dimensional structure of molecules to offer novel insights into the factors that determine TCR affinity on a molecular level. Additionally, our results show the importance of using interpretability techniques to verify the predictions of machine learning models for challenging molecular biology problems where small hard-to-detect problems can accumulate to inaccurate results.
An Integrated 3D bioprinted “disease in a dish” lung cancer model to simultaneously study drug efficacy, toxicity and metabolism
Authors: Nandeesha NP , Rotella Madhuri , Vangala Subrahmanyam , Saxena Uday 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDiscovery and development of new drugs is a long, expensive and high risk proposition. Millions of dollars spent and decade plus years of time taken to discover a new drug have haunted pharma industry for many years.In part, the reliance on animal models to make go or no go decisions for selecting drugs for human trials has been a problem because animal biology does not capture human disease in entirety. In recognition of this, the last decade has seen the emergence of more human like tools being developed in the hope of better prediction of human outcomes.Towards that end we have developed a 3D bioprinted disease in a dish lung cancer model which uses human cells and includes ability to measure drug efficacy, toxicity and metabolism simultaneously. For drug profiling studies in our disease in a dish model we 3D bioprinted intestinal cells, layered below which were liver cells and finally underneath were target lung cancer cells. The idea was to simulate the path taken by an oral drug which encounters the gut, followed by liver and target organs. We demonstrate here that a 3D bioprinted disease model composed of human derived cells is able to concurrently measure in vitro drug efficacy, toxicity and metabolism. Such humanized models will help make early go or no go decisions on the potential of a drug to enter human trials.
Managing escalating events: a case study from the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Burnard Kevin John 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThis paper presents a case study of the response of a pharmaceutical goods manufacturer to an unexpected disruptive event. Following a period of heavy rainfall, a small town within the UK was quickly overwhelmed by localised flash flooding. The sudden rise in ground water overwhelmed local drainage systems and caused flooding in several areas of the town. One of the impacted areas included the manufacturing facilities of a pharmaceutical goods producer. This case study explores the subsequent response of the organisation to the event.Design/methodology/approachBased on direct interviews and supporting documentation, this case study analyses the organisation's response and recovery activities in the face of escalating impacts. Drawing on identified theory, specific attention is placed on characterising severe events and the challenges of coordinating response activities.FindingsDrawing on the evidence of this case study, this paper highlights the identified features of an effective response within escalating events. Without this response, events such as those experienced by the case study organisation carry the distinct possibility of developing into large scale disruptions. This study highlights the importance of established channels of authority and the ability to identify and contain impacts.Originality/valueThis paper outlines some of the key considerations and operational priorities within response activities. These priorities support the effective identification and resolution of disruptive events and their associated impacts.
Using secondary data in research on social sustainability in construction project management: a transition from “interview society” to “project-as-practice”
Authors: Goel Ashish 
Published: May 2022

PurposeAccess to unbiased self-reported (primary) data for a normative concept like social sustainability has been a challenge for construction project management (CPM) scholars, and this difficulty has been further amplified by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to address this issue by asserting the suitability of secondary data as a methodologically sound but underutilized alternative and providing directions for secondary data-based research on social sustainability in a project setting.Design/methodology/approachBy drawing on a framework for social sustainability and using “project-as-practice” approach as its point of departure, this conceptual paper identifies possibilities for utilizing multiple secondary sources in CPM research.FindingsThe paper provides a roadmap for identification of secondary sources, access to data, potential research designs and methods, limitations of and cautions in using secondary sources, and points to many novel lines of empirical enquiries to stimulate secondary data-based research on social sustainability in CPM.Social implicationsIndicated secondary sources and empirical opportunities can support research efforts that aim to promote societal welfare through construction projects.Originality/valueThe presented guidance will assist researchers in identifying, accessing and utilizing naturalistic, secondary data for designing and conducting empirical research that cuts across social sustainability and CPM. This, in turn, will facilitate methodological pluralism and “practice turn” in such research endeavors.
Exploration, exploitation, ambidexterity and the performance of international SMEs
Authors: Su Lixun , Cui Annie Peng , Samiee Saeed , Zou Shaoming 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThis study aims to examine how international small and medium-sized enterprises (ISMEs) improve adaptive marketing capabilities (AMCs) through exploration, exploitation and ambidexterity (EEA) and thereby increase exporting performance. In addition, the present study attempts to examine conditions under which EEA can more effectively improve AMCs.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical model was tested by using survey data collected from 119 ISMEs based in the U.S. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was deployed to analyze the data.FindingsThe results show that exploration increases ISMEs’ performance through improving AMCs while ambidexterity reduces ISMEs’ performance through weakening AMCs. However, the negative influence of ambidexterity on AMCs attenuates in a dissimilar host country where ISMEs can conveniently learn new information. Finally, when ISMEs pursue exploitation in an either similar or dissimilar host country, their AMCs do not improve.Research limitations/implicationsWe provide empirical evidence of SMEs increasing AMCs and firm performance via EEA within the context of exporting. However, we did not collect objective financial performance of ISMEs.Practical implicationsOur findings provide guidance for ISMEs’ marketing managers to build AMCs by learning something new. Moreover, the findings help ISMEs effectively identify and select the most appropriate international marketing strategy depending on the similarity between host and home countries.Originality/valueOur findings contribute to the literature by explicating how ISMEs can heighten marketing capability to build competitive advantages in global markets through exploration. However, ISMEs should be cautious when pursuing ambidexterity, which may weaken AMCs and finally decrease firm performance. In addition, we identify external factors that influence effectiveness of EEA in building AMCs. By doing so, the findings help ISMEs understand how to increase AMCs so as to improve competencies in fast-changing global markets.
Talent development: a driver for strategic flexibility, innovativeness and financial performance
Authors: Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to build a theory presenting talent development as a driver for innovativeness and strategic flexibility, and how these organizational capabilities affect financial performance.Design/methodology/approachAs a methodological approach, this study uses a rich combination of literature review and exploratory interviews with managers and academicians. Moreover, a conceptual framework is tested by confirmatory factor analysis and finally structural equation modelling using the survey data from 462 Greek firms.FindingsThe results show the positive effect of talent development on strategic flexibility and innovativeness. Moreover, strategic flexibility is an influential firm capability for innovativeness and financial performance. This study also reveals the significance of innovativeness on financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study explores talent development and two certain organizational capabilities, but many other topics that affect business performance remain unexplored. The role of environmental characteristics could also be examined as a moderator in the proposed relationships.Practical implicationsThis study offers clear implications for managers, proving that talent development is a major driving force behind strategic flexibility, innovativeness and financial performance in order for managers to allocate resources, and to develop and execute these capabilities as an integral part of business strategy.Originality/valueThis empirical study contributes to the literature by developing a research conceptual framework of three underdeveloped firm capabilities, investigating and explaining both their correlations and dynamic nature and their role in financial performance improvement.
Provocative products, the boomerang effect, the shooting star crisis and the panacea of workforce diversity
Authors: Nizamidou Christina 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThe present article focuses on crises that arise from provocative advertisement images and products and introduces the shooting star crisis. Moreover, it aims to shed some light on the interconnection between the boomerang effect, crisis, crisis management and workforce diversity.Design/methodology/approachBy examining the cases of two leading organizations of the fashion industry that found themselves involved in crises and how they confronted them, it seeks to explore whether investments in workforce diversity is a solution for these problems.FindingsSometimes provocative products and images that intend to spark customers' imagination can backfire and initiate a crisis. Based on the findings, organizations that admit their wrongdoing and react promptly to their stakeholders' demands tend to overcome a crisis relatively faster than organizations with passive behavior. By understanding the need for a proactive approach, fashion organizations can evade future crises and avoid creating products or images that can be perceived as racist and invoke public outrage. Additionally, the study revealed that workforce diversity initiatives can mitigate a crisis and its aftermath.Originality/valueIts novelty is that it deals with the interrelationship between boomerang effect, crisis, crisis management and workforce diversity. Moreover, it introduces a new type of crisis, the shooting star crisis, in order to capture new crises that emerge in modern era, as a result of the extensive power of modern social media.
E-leadership and virtual communication adoption by educators: an UTAUT3 model perspective
Authors: Gupta Saurabh , Mathur Nidhi , Narang Daviender 
Published: May 2022

Purpose
The purpose of the study is to explore the various determinants of virtual communication technology (VCT) adoption among higher educational leaders by applying Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 3 (UTAUT3) model. Further, this study ascertains the relationship among the various determinants and measure the effects of these determinants in adoption of VCT by educational leaders.

Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted by using online survey method for data collection from 380 educational leaders of India through a convenience sampling procedure. The structural equation modelling technique was adopted to assess the dimensions of VCT adoption and test the proposed model and hypotheses.

Findings
The findings revealed that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC) and personal innovativeness (PI) have positive and significant effects on intention to use VCT (ITUVCT) and actual use of VCT (AUVCT), i.e. e-leadership communication adoption. Besides this, there is also a significant and positive effect of ITUVCT on actual usage of VCT by the educational leaders.

Research limitations/implications
This study makes its contribution to the literature related to technology adoption recommended in previous research for expanding the contexts through new studies and generalizing the UTAUT3 model, specifically in the teaching–learning and administrative perspectives. The results of the study will be further helpful for the researchers and practitioners to better understand the factors that influence higher educational leaders to adopt VCT.

Originality/value
The authors applied the UTAUT3 model and explored the factors determining the adoption intention of VCT among educational leaders. This study is the first study that adopts UTAUT3 model in Indian educational leaders’ context.
Assessing the impact of technological progress on trade in COMESA: a PVECM approach
Authors: Fauzel Sheereen 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThe present study investigates the extent to which technological progress influences trade in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region over the period 1990–2017.Design/methodology/approachMethodologically, this study uses a rigorous dynamic analysis namely a dynamic vector error correction model (PVECM) to carry out the proposed investigation. Such a procedure ensures that the dynamic behaviour under consideration is properly captured, while simultaneously catering for causality issues.FindingsThe results show that technological progress has had a positive and significant effect on trade for the sample of countries in the COMESA region over the years of studies. Also, the long-run results show that local investment and economic growth have a positive impact on international trade. Furthermore, the short-run estimates allowed us to make further analysis of the results. For instance, it is observed that trade as well results in technological progress as per the study. Hence, there is reverse causation or bi-directional causality between trade and technological progress.Originality/valueVery few research studies have been conducted on the link between technological progress and trade in a macroeconomy. The analysis thus is believed to supplement the dwarf literature on the technological progress and trade nexus by bringing additional evidence from COMESA.
The impact of the Compact with Africa initiative on foreign direct investments and environmental pollution
Authors: Duodu Emmanuel , Oteng-Abayie Eric Fosu , Frimpong Prince Boakye , Takyi Paul Owusu 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThis study is motivated by the Compact with Africa (CWA) initiative to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa. However, FDI is argued to be one of the primary causes of environmental pollution (CO2 emissions). In that regard, this study estimates the impact of the CWA initiative on FDI and environmental pollution.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized the difference-in-difference (DID) and triple difference (DDD) estimation strategies to examine the causal impact of the CWA initiative on FDI and environmental pollution from 2005 to 2019. The study selected nine CWA countries and nine non-CWA countries as treatment and control samples.FindingsThe authors found that the CWA initiative positively promotes FDI in the participant countries compared to non-participant countries. The CWA initiative also promoted environmental pollution in the CWA countries compared to non-CWA countries. Furthermore, the DDD estimates show that the effect of the CWA initiative on environmental pollution is through FDI.Practical implicationsThe authors recommend policies to attract environmentally friendly FDI for both Compact and non-Compact economies.Originality/valueThe study is the first to provide empirical evidence on the CWA initiative on FDI and environmental pollution in Africa. The study used a quasi-experimental method on the relationship between FDI and environmental pollution in Africa.
Commitment Systems in Cross‐boundary Work
Authors: van Rossenberg Yvonne G. T. , Swart Juani A. , Yalabik Zeynep Y. , Cross David , Kinnie Nicholas 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWork increasingly takes place across organizational boundaries. This has implications for workers’ commitments to a plethora of targets, including the organization and the client, as well as for the conflicting nature of the interrelation between these commitments. In this paper, we draw on commitment system theory (CST), which views commitment as a malleable and interconnected system. Using a pragmatic abductive and quantitative discovery approach, we distinguish and develop commitment systems to consist of strength, including the multiple targets and types of commitment, as well as interaction between commitments, including coupling and nature. In particular, we develop a theoretical understanding of the nature dimension by identifying two target‐neutral types of conflict and one context‐ and target‐specific type of conflict. Three commitment systems are identified: ‘balanced system’, ‘conflicting system’, and ‘detached system’. Furthermore, we provide insights into how job demands resources and contextual job aspects influence membership of these commitment systems. This paper is the first to empirically explore commitment as a system, and it advances the theoretical understanding of commitment systems in a cross‐boundary space. Our study discusses the theoretical, methodological and practical implications for cross‐boundary organizations that compete with their clients for the commitment of their employees.