Cooperative Effect Research Articles

7587 The Estrogen Receptors and ARE/Nrf2 are Involved in Protecting Human Dermal Fibroblasts from Damage Caused by Mitochondrial Disfunction

Abstract Disclosure: A. Darawshe: None. A. Trachtenberg: None. Y. Sharoni: None. Skin ageing is influenced by several factors including environmental exposure and hormonal changes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which mediate many of the effects of these factors, can be formed by extrinsic factors, such as sun exposure, or can result from mitochondrial dysfunction as occurs during ageing. Several studies have shown the protective role of estrogens on skin health. The aim of the current study was to examine the damage to dermal fibroblasts by mitochondrially generated ROS, and to study the mechanism of the protective effects of estradiol. Rotenone, a complex I inhibitor, was used to cause mitochondrial dysfunction in human dermal fibroblasts and its effects on mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS levels, mitochondrial respiration, cell death, apoptosis, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) and pro-collagen secretion were determined as markers of skin damage. Rotenone caused substantial reduction of respiration, followed by increased mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS which resulted in apoptotic cell death, increased MMP1 secretion and decreased collagen secretion. Pretreatment with estradiol recovered more than 50% of the respiratory activity, reduced mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS levels and MMP1 secretion and increased cell number and collagen secretion. These effects can be partially explained by a cooperative effect of estradiol and rotenone on Antioxidant Response Element (ARE/Nrf2) transcriptional activity, which leads to upregulation of antioxidant proteins such as NQO1 and Trxr1. To determine if estrogen receptors (ER) are involved in the protective effects, we used the ER inhibitor, Fulvestrant. This inhibitor, which completely inhibited ER Response Element reporter activity, partially prevented the protective effects of estradiol. The protective effects of estradiol were Similarly reduced by ML385 and Ochratoxin A, that are inhibitors of the ARE/Nrf2 transcription system. Incubating the cells with Fulvestrant and Ochratoxin A, which inhibit both pathways, completely blocked the protective effect of estradiol. These results suggest that the estrogen receptors and the ARE/Nrf2 signaling pathways are involved in the protective effects of estradiol against the damage caused by rotenone-induced mitochondria generated oxidative stress. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Hydrogenation Reactions with Heterobimetallic Complexes.

Hydrogenations are fundamentally and industrially important reactions that are atom economical paths to synthesize value-added products from feedstock chemicals. The cooperative effects of two or more metal centers in multimetallic active sites is a successful strategy to activate small molecules and facilitate catalytic reactions, and this strategy has been recently applied to catalytic hydrogenation reactions. Furthermore, heterobimetallic complexes have been well-documented to provide novel reaction pathways and improved selectivity, compared to their homo-bimetallic and monometallic analogues. This minireview provides a historical perspective on the development of heterobimetallic catalysts for the hydrogenation of unsaturated substrates and describes recent developments in this burgeoning research area.

Characterizing the Cooperative Effect of PROTAC Systems with End-Point Binding Free Energy Calculation.

Proteolytic targeting chimeras (PROTACs), as an emerging type of drug, function by proximity-based modalities that narrow the distance between a target protein and the E3 ubiquitin ligase to facilitate the ubiquitination labeling of the target protein for degradation. Although it is evidenced that the cooperativity of the PROTAC ternary interaction is one of the key factors affecting the degradation rate of a target protein, PROTAC design utilizing this indicator is still challenging because of the complicated/flexible interactions in a target-PROTAC-E3 ternary system. Therefore, developing reliable and practicable computational methods is of great interest for PROTAC design. Hence, in this study, we investigate the feasibility of using the end-point binding free energy calculation method, represented by molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann (generalized-Born) surface area (MM/PB(GB)SA), for characterizing cooperativity (including the stabilization and hook effects) of the PROTAC systems. The result shows that MM/GBSA is a good predictor in characterizing these effects under a relatively long molecular dynamics adjustment (50-100 ns) and low dielectric constant (εin = 1), with the Pearson correlation coefficient (rp) > 0.5 and 0.6 for the stabilization and hook effect, respectively. This study provides a feasible strategy for characterizing the cooperativity of the PROTAC systems, facilitating the rational design of PROTAC molecules.

How relational and collective identification shape the relationship between individual ambidexterity and job performance

AsbtractIn the contemporary business landscape, employees are increasingly expected to demonstrate a wide range of competencies, which require a combination of exploration‐based and exploitation‐based individual abilities. In this vein, the present study investigates how individual ambidextrous abilities affect job performance. Furthermore, by bridging the gap between individual ambidexterity literature and dynamic self‐concept theory, we argue that identification with both peers and leaders plays a contingency role, thus moderating the relationship between individual ambidexterity and job performance. To test our hypotheses, we conducted a multi‐source field study of 380 employees operating in manufacturing firms. The collected data combines objective measures of individual ambidextrous abilities, supervisory‐rated job performance, and identification measures. Our hypotheses received empirical support. Overall, this study provides practical guidance for organizations by highlighting the importance of fostering individual ambidexterity to maintain high job performance through effective cooperation with both peers and leaders at work.

Inhibition of intestinal inflammation and fibrosis by Scutellaria Baicalensis georgi and Boswellia serrata in human epithelial cells and fibroblasts.

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, manifests with chronic intestinal inflammation and frequent sequential fibrosis. Current pharmacological therapies may show harmful side effects and are not useful for prevention or resolution of fibrosis. Thus, the use of alternative therapies is emerging as a novel useful approach. Previous results suggest that Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) and Boswellia serrata (BS) display anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate in intestinal epithelial cells and fibroblasts the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic potential of SBG and BS, alone or in combination. Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT29), human intestinal epithelial cells (HIEC6) and human colon fibroblasts (CCD-18Co) were used. Cells were pretreated with SBG and BS and then exposed to pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines. SBG and BS extracts significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and improved epithelial restitution in HT29 and HIEC6 cells. Besides, fibrotic marker expression, including SNAIL, ACTA2, ZNF281, was strongly reduced. Colon myofibroblasts treated with SBG and BS showed a significant decrease of fibrotic markers as well. SBG and BS extracts significantly reduce inflammation and impair fibrosis in intestinal epithelial cells and colon myofibroblasts. No cooperative effect is observed.

Strategies to enhance the corporate innovation resilience in digital era: A cross-organizational collaboration perspective

The current economic environment is characterized by increasing uncertainty, while digitalization has led to profound transformations in both the economy and society. There is a pressing need to conduct an in-depth investigation into the specific effects of cross-organizational cooperation on firms' innovation resilience (FIR) in the digital era, as well as the underlying mechanisms driving these effects. This study utilizes panel data encompassing 30 Chinese provinces and municipalities, intending to analyze the impact of market-based and science-based cross-organizational cooperation on FIR and explore the heterogeneity of this impact. Moreover, the study examines the mediating and moderating mechanisms that influence the relationship between cross-organizational cooperation and FIR. The findings indicate that both market-based cooperation, including cooperation with suppliers (CS) and cooperation with customers (CC), and science-based industry-university-research cooperation (IURC) significantly enhance FIR, with science-based IURC demonstrating the most pronounced effect. Additionally, it is revealed that the impact of market-based and science-based cross-organizational cooperation exhibits spatial heterogeneity in promoting FIR. Market-based and science-based cross-organizational cooperation effectively improves enterprise liquidity, enhances operational efficiency, and consequently enhances innovation resilience (IR). Moreover, the positive impact of cross-organizational cooperation on FIR is amplified by increasing the degree of digital transformation and digital technological innovation.

Ripple and Lotus Phenomenon: Radiation Pattern Evolution of Nonlinear Thomson Scattering Under Cooperative and Competitive Effects of Applied Magnetic and Laser Field

Ripple and Lotus Phenomenon: Radiation Pattern Evolution of Nonlinear Thomson Scattering Under Cooperative and Competitive Effects of Applied Magnetic and Laser Field

Steric and Electronic Influence of Excited-State Decay in Cu(I) MLCT Chromophores.

ConspectusFor the past 11 years, a dedicated effort in our research group focused on fundamentally advancing the photophysical properties of cuprous bis-phenanthroline-based metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states. We rationalized that, by gaining control over the numerous factors limiting the more widespread use of CuI MLCT photosensitizers, they would be readily adopted in numerous light-activated applications given the earth-abundance of copper and the extensive library of 1,10-phenanthrolines developed over the last century. Significant progress has been achieved by recognizing valuable structure-property concepts developed by other researchers in tandem with detailed ultrafast and conventional time-scale investigations, in-silico-inspired molecular designs to predict spectroscopic properties, and applying novel synthetic methodologies. Ultimately, we achieved a plateau in exerting cooperative steric influence to control CuI MLCT excited state decay. This led to combining sterics with π-conjugation and/or inductive electronic effects to further exert control over molecular photophysical properties. The lessons gleaned from our studies of homoleptic complexes were recently extended to heteroleptic bis(phenanthrolines) featuring enhanced visible light absorption properties and long-lived room-temperature photoluminescence. This Account navigates the reader through our intellectual journey of decision-making, molecular and experimental design, and data interpretation in parallel with appropriate background information related to the quantitative characterization of molecular photophysics using CuI MLCT chromophores as prototypical examples.Initially, CuI MLCT excited states, their energetics, and relevant structural conformation changes implicated in their photophysical decay processes are described. This is followed by a discussion of the literature that motivated our research in this area. This led to our first molecular design in 2013, achieving a 7-fold increase in excited state lifetime relative to the current state-of-the-art. The lifetime and photophysical property enhancement resulted from using 2,9-branched alkyl groups in conjunction with flanking 3,8-methyl substituents, a strategy we adapted from the McMillin group, which was initially described in the late 1990s. Applications of this newly conceived chromophore are presented in solar hydrogen-producing photocatalysis, photochemical upconversion, and photosensitization of [4 + 4] anthracene dimerization of potential interest in thermal storage of solar energy in metastable intermediates. Ultrafast transient absorption and fluorescence upconversion spectroscopic characterization of this and related CuI molecules inform the resultant photophysical properties and vice versa, so the most comprehensive structure-property understanding becomes realized when these experimental tools are collectively utilized to investigate the same series of molecules. Computationally guided structural designs generated newly conceived molecules featuring visible light-harvesting and 2,9-cycloalkane substituted complexes. The latter eventually produced record-setting excited state lifetimes in molecules leveraging both cooperative steric influence and electronic inductive effects. Using photoluminescence data from structurally homologous CuI MLCT excited states collected over 44 years, an energy gap correlation successfully modeled the data spanning a 0.3 eV emission energy range. Finally, a new research direction is revealed detailing structure-photophysical property relationships in heteroleptic CuI phenanthroline chromophores that are photoluminescent at room temperature.

ANTIPASTI: Interpretable prediction of antibody binding affinity exploiting normal modes and deep learning.

The high binding affinity of antibodies toward their cognate targets is key to eliciting effective immune responses, as well as to the use of antibodies as research and therapeutic tools. Here, we propose ANTIPASTI, a convolutional neural network model that achieves state-of-the-art performance in the prediction of antibody binding affinity using as input a representation of antibody-antigen structures in terms of normal mode correlation maps derived from elastic network models. This representation captures not only structural features but energetic patterns of local and global residue fluctuations. The learnt representations are interpretable: they reveal similarities of binding patterns among antibodies targeting the same antigen type, and can be used to quantify the importance of antibody regions contributing to binding affinity. Our results show the importance of the antigen imprint in the normal mode landscape, and the dominance of cooperative effects and long-range correlations between antibody regions to determine binding affinity.

Construction of 2D/2D heterostructure with porous few layer g-C3N4 and NiCo2O4 nanosheets towards electromagnetic wave absorption

Developing high-performance materials with ultra-high reflection loss (RL ≤ -65 dB) for electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption is pivotal to address electromagnetic pollution, but it is still challenging. Herein, a two-dimensional (2D)/2D PFL g-C3N4/NiCo2O4 heterostructure with porous few-layer g-C3N4 (PFL g-C3N4) and ultrathin NiCo2O4 nanosheets has been prepared by self-assembly, hydrothermal reaction, and calcination strategies. The 2D/2D heterostructure exhibits extraordinary EMW absorption property, achieving a reflection loss (RL) value of -68.59 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 1.92 GHz at a matching thickness of 2.5 mm. As expected, the porous few layer g-C3N4 nanosheets provide rich interface which increases multiple reflection paths and enhances the conduction loss. The cooperative effects of magnetic loss, dielectric loss, and impedance matching contribute to the exceptional EMW absorption property of PFL g-C3N4/NiCo2O4 (2D/2D) heterostructure. The potential of PFL g-C3N4/NiCo2O4 in actual radar stealth is verified through radar scattering cross-section (RCS) simulation. This work paves the way for utilizing 2D/2D heterostructure as an ultra-efficient EMW absorbers.

A diffusive predator-prey system with hunting cooperation in predators and prey-taxis: II stationary pattern formation

This paper is a continuation of the study conducted by Ko and Ryu (2024) [5], which introduces and analyzes a generalized predator-prey reaction-diffusion system incorporating (repulsive) prey-taxis and a hunting cooperation effect in predators, under homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. In the study, the existence and uniqueness of global and classical solutions for the time- and space-dependent system are analytically examined. Furthermore, the study examines the local and global stability and convergence rate at the constant predator-extinction and coexistence states. In our paper, we analyze the stationary system corresponding to the system in [5], with a specific focus on examining the existence and nonexistence of positive and nonconstant solutions. The nonexistence occurs when the diffusion rate of prey is sufficiently high. On the other hand, the existence occurs when the prey-tactic rate is sufficiently high, indicating a strong repulsive prey-taxis, and the diffusion rate of prey is sufficiently low. For this investigation, we separately employ the energy method and the Leray-Schauder degree theory.

Catalytic asymmetric inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction of 2-pyrones with aryl enol ethers

Chiral aryl cyclohex-3-en ether scaffold is widely present in bioactive natural products and drugs. The exploitation of efficient and enantioselective methods for the construction of aryl cyclohex-3-en ether scaffold is significant. Herein we disclose a chiral N,N’-dioxide/Lewis acid complex-catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) reaction using electron-deficient 3-carboalkoxyl-2-pyrones and less electron-enriched aryl enol ethers as reactants. A wide range of non- and 1,2-disubstituted acyclic aryl enol ethers are applicable to deliver diverse chiral bridged bicyclic lactones in high yields and stereoselectivities (up to 95% yield, >20:1 dr, 97:3 er). The bridged bicyclic lactone core can be easily converted into chiral aryl cyclohex-3-en ether scaffold. Notably, DFT calculations revealed a stepwise and endo mechanism to explain the high enantioselectivity controlled by the cooperative effect of the steric factors and the dispersion interactions between ligands and enol ethers.

Effects of cooperation between institutions and organisations operating in the field of social assistance on the example of the Cooperation Model in rural municipalities

The article attempts to identify the benefits of inter-organizational cooperation in the form of partnership projects. It analyzes benefits for institutions and non-governmental organizations participating in the project named „Leaders of Cooperation” and in testing the Cooperation Model for rural municipalities, for the employees of these entities, and it seeks to answer the question of how cooperation in teams translates into support and assistance for individuals, families in the local community.The model was developed as a result of implementing the project named „Leaders of Cooperation”, co-financed by the European Social Fund for the years 2014–2020 under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. The primary goal of the Cooperation Model is to support institutions in municipalities and districts so they can more effectively assist individuals, families, and groups.The results discussed later in the article relate to research conducted using the qualitative technique of focus group interviews (FGI), completed at the end of the Model’s testing. The areas where benefits from cooperation were observed were associated with greater agility, efficiency, and effectiveness in task execution. There was noted potential for better diagnosing local needs and promoting cooperation as a new approach to delivering social services.The experience of joint action, sharing responsibility, and basing relationships on trust are essential foundations for building social capital. A trusting atmosphere encourages the desire to work, fosters creativity, and facilitates the efficient exchange of information.Team members were provided with support, enhanced competencies, and professional development (coaching, supervision, educational platform). The teams’ adoption of diverse solutions, based on the resources of individuals and families, contributed to their awareness of their competencies and an increase in their activation.

РОЛЬ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ И ЧАСТНЫХ СТРУКТУР В ФОРМИРОВАНИИ ОРГАНИЗАЦИОННОЙ МОДЕЛИ СИСТЕМЫ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ В ТУРИСТСКОЙ ИНДУСТРИИ

The scientific article highlights the key aspects of tourism development management, including strategies, financial support, regulation and the results of a comprehensive study of the role of public and private structures in the formation of an organizational model of the management system of the tourism industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan are presented. In the course of the work, an overview of existing development strategies was conducted, the roles of public and private structures in the formation of infrastructure were highlighted, and the effectiveness and prospects of cooperation between these sectors were analyzed. The presented analysis includes an assessment of the degree of engagement, the effectiveness of resource use, as well as identifying the advantages and disadvantages of existing partnerships. The article also examines the key benefits of cooperation, such as combined experience and knowledge, financial empowerment and joint marketing promotion. At the same time, disadvantages such as bureaucratic obstacles and risks to data privacy are highlighted. Recommendations for improving cooperation between public and private structures are proposed, and prospects for the development of the tourism infrastructure of the Republic of Kazakhstan are highlighted. The possibilities of intensifying the dialogue, creating a unified development strategy and promoting innovation and digitalization in tourism are discussed. The work provides an extensive overview of the current state of the tourist infrastructure and is aimed at forming practical recommendations for its sustainable development. Keywords: tourism industry, tourism infrastructure, development strategies, public structures, private structures, environmental sustainability, financial support, strategic cooperation.

The Urgent Call for Academic Action: Rebooting SDGs to Reset Our Future

This manuscript, presented at GEEF2024, emphasizes the critical role of academia in revitalizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address current global challenges. The SDGs, adopted in 2015, aim to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development by 2030. However, progress has stalled due to financial constraints, governance issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical crises such as the Russian–Ukraine war. The COVID-19 pandemic has had multifaceted impacts, reversing poverty reduction trends and disrupting education and energy investments. It has also exacerbated social inequalities, leading to the conceptualization of COVID-19 as a syndemic, an ecodemic, and an econodemic. These terms highlight the pandemic's complex interplay with preexisting health issues, environmental degradation, and economic disparities. Geopolitical crises have further hindered SDG progress by disrupting food and energy supplies and diverting resources from sustainable development initiatives. Climate change, marked by unprecedented heatwaves and natural disasters, poses additional threats to achieving the SDGs. The need for carbon neutrality and effective international cooperation is more urgent than ever before. In this context, universities play a crucial role in advancing the SDGs through research, innovation, and community engagement. Engaged universities align their research agendas with the SDGs, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and developing solutions to global challenges. Yonsei University's Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE) exemplifies this approach with its Yonsei SDGs Initiative. By analyzing research outputs via natural language processing, the initiative aligns academic activities with SDGs, particularly in health and well-being. The GEEF2024 conference underscored the importance of innovative strategies and international cooperation in achieving the SDGs. Discussions highlighted the need to address mental health crises, low birth rates, and the care economy's undervaluation. The conference also emphasized the necessity of inclusive development strategies that reflect the perspectives and priorities of Africa and Asia.In conclusion, universities must integrate social engagement into their core missions to remain relevant and impactful. By prioritizing research, teaching, and services that contribute to sustainable development, academia can play a pivotal role in overcoming global challenges and achieving the SDGs.

K4Cd3Ge4O13: A Congruent-Melting Germanate Nonlinear Optical Crystal with a Moderate Second-Harmonic Generation Intensity and Broad Transparent Window.

Mid-infrared (IR) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have generated extensive research interest because of their crucial role in laser technology applications. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel cadmium germanate NLO crystal, K4Cd3Ge4O13, using spontaneous crystallization. K4Cd3Ge4O13 demonstrates a distinct three-dimensional structural framework characterized by twisted [Ge4O13] and [Cd3O10] clusters, composed of [GeO4], [CdO4], [CdO5], and [CdO6] basic building units, respectively, which represents an unprecedented structural feature. The title compound undergoes a desirable congruent melting behavior at about 727 °C. Notably, K4Cd3Ge4O13 demonstrates a short UV cutoff edge at 261 nm, coupled with a wide energy gap of 4.4 eV, and maintains an extended IR transparency window at around 6.0 μm. More importantly, it demonstrates a strong second-harmonic generation activity comparable to that of KH2PO4 (KDP) at 1064 nm. Theoretical analyses further elucidate that the remarkable optical performances of K4Cd3Ge4O13 are predominantly attributed to the cooperative effects of Ge-O and Cd-O bond-based motifs. These desired characteristics underscore the potential of K4Cd3Ge4O13 as a good candidate material for mid-IR NLO applications.

The Landscape of Osteocalcin Proteoforms Reveals Distinct Structural and Functional Roles of Its Carboxylation Sites.

Human osteocalcin (OC) undergoes reversible, vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation at three glutamic acid residues, modulating its release from bones and its hormonal roles. A complete understanding of OC roles and structure-activity relationships is still lacking, as only uncarboxylated and few differently carboxylated variants have been considered so far. To fill this lack of knowledge, a comprehensive experimental and computational investigation of the structural properties and calcium-binding activity of all the OC variants is reported here. Such a comparative study indicates that the carboxylation sites are not equivalent and differently affect the OC structure and interaction with calcium, properties that are relevant for the modulation of OC functions. This study also discloses cooperative effects and provides structural and mechanistic interpretation. The disclosed peculiar features of each carboxylated proteoform strongly suggest that considering all eight possible OC variants in future studies may help rationalize some of the conflicting hypotheses observed in the literature.

Quantitative Measurement of Cooperative Binding in Partially Dissociated Water Dimers at the Hematite "R-Cut" Surface.

Water-solid interfaces pervade the natural environment and modern technology. On some surfaces, water-water interactions induce the formation of partially dissociated interfacial layers; understanding why is important to model processes in catalysis or mineralogy. The complexity of the partially dissociated structures often makes it difficult to probe them quantitatively. Here, we utilize normal incidence X-ray standing waves (NIXSW) to study the structure of partially dissociated water dimers (H2O-OH) at the α-Fe2O3(012) surface (also called the (11̅02) or "R-cut" surface): a system simple enough to be tractable yet complex enough to capture the essential physics. We find the H2O and terminal OH groups to be the same height above the surface within experimental error (1.45 ± 0.04 and 1.47 ± 0.02 Å, respectively), in line with DFT-based calculations that predict comparable Fe-O bond lengths for both water and OH species. This result is understood in the context of cooperative binding, where the formation of the H-bond between adsorbed H2O and OH induces the H2O to bind more strongly and the OH to bind more weakly compared to when these species are isolated on the surface. The surface OH formed by the liberated proton is found to be in plane with a bulk truncated (012) surface (-0.01 ± 0.02 Å). DFT calculations based on various functionals correctly model the cooperative effect but overestimate the water-surface interaction.

Soft skills and their importance from the perspective of Croatian managers

Objective - Managing organizations is a complex set of activities requiring various skills and knowledge. Changes in the working environment conditioned by the development of new technologies accelerated digitization, focus on profit and sustainability, the need for continuous networking, and generational differences are just some of the factors that strongly influence the perception of work and responsibility towards oneself and others. Influenced the change of the managerial and communication paradigm in which control (of work, productivity, information) is no longer the only goal but the aspiration to guide the individual in achieving his own goals and finding a balance. Recently, more and more people are talking about the importance of possessing soft skills in managers, which are important for the working environment and organizational climate. People are the greatest asset of any organization, and their loyalty to the organization depends on their identification with the values and the role they play in the team. Communication about roles and expectations is an often neglected factor that strongly affects the quality of interpersonal relationships. Methodology/Technique – Managers play a key role in managing human resources, training them in communication skills has never been more important. The aim of the paper is to examine the self-perception of soft skills in a convenient sample of Croatian managers to understand their awareness of the possibilities of influencing human resources management. A quantitative approach was used to investigate the self-perception of the competencies of Croatian managers through a survey of a purposive sample of 358 Croatian managers. Finding – The survey included questions about one’s perception of one's own soft skills, including communication skills, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and the ability to resolve conflicts. The research results showed that Croatian managers highly value soft skills, especially in the areas of communication and teamwork. However, certain weaknesses, such as conflict resolution and emotional intelligence, were also identified. Novelty – The research results indicate a positive correlation between leadership motivation and effective cooperation. Investing in the development of soft skills can significantly contribute to improving the efficiency and success of Croatian companies. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: M2, M12, M14, M21, A31 Keywords: Soft Skills, Human Resources Management, Competences, Communication, Managers. Reference to this paper should be referred to as follows: Luburić, G; Grmuša, T; Vuković, D. (2024). Soft skills and their importance from the perspective of Croatian managers, GATR-Global J. Bus. Soc. Sci. Review, 12(3), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2024.12.3(4)

How does regional cooperation affect green total factor productivity?—Evidence from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area in China

As a key regional development strategy, regional cooperation affects the sustainable development of city-regions. This study uses social network analysis, spatial analysis, and negative binomial regression analysis to investigate the impacts of regional cooperation on green total factor productivity (GTFP) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The main findings are as follows. First, regional cooperation is growing closer, unfolding a trend of networked and polycentric development patterns in the GBA. Second, the GTFP of most cities exhibits an upward trend, indicating a continuous improvement in green economic development in the GBA. Third, different types of regional cooperation have heterogeneous impacts on GTFP, with economic cooperation being essential for regional GTFP. Overall, this study provides a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the environmental effects of regional cooperation.