Organization Of Matter Research Articles

Decipher syntrophies within C2-C4 organic acids-degrading anaerobic microbiomes: A multi-omic exploration

In methanogenic ecosystems, carboxylic acid degradation is a crucial process facilitated by specialized bacteria working in syntrophy with methanogens. This study explores the transcriptomic responses in 178 metagenome-assembled genomes upon changes in feeding composition, specifically lactate, butyrate, propionate, and acetate, in four lab-scale bioreactors. Methanothrix soehngenii and Methanoculleus sp. emerged as key biomethanation contributors. Through metatranscriptomics, machine learning-based functional annotation, and flux balance analysis the underlying microbial interactions and dynamics were deciphered. Syntrophomonadaceae and Mesotoga species maintained mutualistic metabolite exchanges with hydrogenotrophic methanogens, degrading primarily butyrate and lactate, respectively. Acetate was mainly consumed by Smithellaceae sp., in competition with M. soehngenii in all reactors. Furthermore, the acetoclastic archaeon exhibited a previously undocumented capability to metabolize lactate, thereby confirming the prevalence of acetotrophic pathway. Transcriptomic profiles revealed an additional layer of complexity, where propionate dismutation and beta-oxidation pathways are interconnected by the exchanges of butyrate between putative syntrophs, including Syntrophomonadaceae and Smithellaceae species. Integrating multi-omics data with genome-scale metabolic modeling enabled the accurate reconstruction of dynamics within the controlled ecosystem. This composite novel approach was applied to the AD system to unveil the intricate relationships operating within the microbiome to promote thriving. Results elucidated the still poorly explored organization of the so-called microbial dark matter.

Bridging the innovation gap: Why organizational climate matters for leveraging innovation from supply networks

AbstractRecent studies have provided empirical evidence that innovation performance is related to the way a firm is embedded in its supply network, specifically the centrality of its network position, but it remains unclear why some firms can use inputs from suppliers better than others, despite having comparable structural characteristics in their supply networks. Drawing on theories of social networks and organizational climate, this study examines the role of buying firms' organizational climate for innovation. It uses several structured and unstructured datasets for S&P 500 firms and applies count regression models to test hypotheses. Supply network data from FactSet were analyzed to determine the degree centrality of a buying firm. Computer‐aided content analysis was used to capture the organizational climate of buying firms based on online employee reviews collected from Glassdoor. The results suggest a positive relationship between the degree centrality and the innovation performance of buying firms. Moreover, certain facets of the organizational climate related to learning, including rewards and career progress, as well as work pressure management, affect the link between the degree centrality of a buying firm and its innovation performance. In conclusion, this study enhances the understanding of the connection between supply networks and innovation. It highlights the crucial role of a firm‐level factor, specifically the influential facets of organizational climate for learning, in determining innovation performance.

Self-organization, networks and sustainable innovations in microfinance institutions: Does organizational resilience matter?

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the interplay among self-organization, networks and sustainable innovations within microfinance institutions (MFIs) and to examine the extent to which organizational resilience plays a significant role in shaping these dynamics as a mediator.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopted a cross-sectional research design combined with analytical and descriptive approach to collect the data. Smart partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to construct the measurement model and structural equation model to test the mediating effect under this study.FindingsThe results revealed that organizational resilience is a significant mediator in the relationship between self-organization, networks and sustainable innovations among microfinance institutions in Uganda.Research limitations/implicationsThe data for this study were collected only from microfinance institutions in Uganda. Future studies may collect data from other formal financial institutions like commercial banks and credit institutions to test the mediating effect of organizational resilience. More still, the study adopted only a single approach of using a questionnaire. However, future research through interviews may be desirable. Likewise this study was cross-sectional in nature. Therefore, a longitudinal study may be useful in future while investigating the mediating role of organizational resilience traversing over a long time frame.Practical implicationsA possible implication is that microfinance institutions which desire to have sustainable innovative solutions for their business operations in disruptive circumstances may need to scrutinize their capacity to be resilient and self-organize.Social implicationsMicrofinance institutions play a great role to the underserved clients. Thus, for each to re-organize to be able to provide services that meet users’ needs, without physical products so as to ensure long-term financial and social welfare combined with the ability to bounce back and adapt in times of economic downturn to avoid mission adrift.Originality/valueWhile most studies have been carried out on organizational resilience, this paper takes center stage and is the first to test the mediating role of organizational resilience in the relationship between self-organization, networks and sustainable innovations, especially in microfinance institutions in Uganda. This paper generates strong evidence and contributes to the powerful influence of organizational resilience in enhancing the level of sustainable innovations based on self-organization and networks.

Differential influences of rest tremor on brain fiber architecture in essential tremor and Parkinson's disease

BackgroundRest tremor is a movement disorder commonly found in diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). Rest tremor typically shows slower progression in PD, but more severe progression in ET. However, the underlying white matter organization of rest tremor behind PD and ET remains unclear. MethodsThis study included 57 ET patients (40 without rest tremor (ETWR), 17 with rest tremor (ETRT)), 68 PD patients (34 without rest tremor (PDWR), 34 with rest tremor (PDRT)), and 62 normal controls (NC). Fixel-based analysis was used to evaluate the structural changes of white matter in rest tremor in these different diseases. ResultsThe fiber-bundle cross-section (FC) of the right non-decussating dentato-rubro-thalamic tract and several fibers outside the dentato-rubro-thalamic pathway in ETWR were significantly higher than that in NC. The fiber density and cross-section of the left nigro-pallidal in PDWR is significantly lower than that in NC, while the FC of bilateral nigro-pallidal in PDRT is significantly lower than that in NC. ConclusionET patients with pure action tremor showed over-activation of fiber tracts. However, when superimposed with rest tremor, ET patients no longer exhibited over-activation of fiber tracts, but rather showed a trend of fiber tract damage. Except for the nigro-pallidal degeneration in all PD, PDRT will not experience further deterioration in fiber organization. These results provide important insights into the unique effects of rest tremor on brain fiber architecture in ET and PD.

Define soil

Two new brief definitions of soil are proposed to improve soil understanding among the general populous and to enhance soil connectivity. One definition is “The layered material at the earth's surface, which has resulted from chemical and biological processes and physical organisation of minerals and organic matter, and which supports terrestrial ecosystems and humanity.”

Organization agility: a literature review and research agenda

PurposeThe purpose of this literature review paper is to explore the concept of organization agility and its relevance in today's dynamic business environment. By conducting an in-depth review of existing academic and industry literature on organization agility, this study aims to identify the key factors that influence an organization's agility and the benefits and drawbacks associated with fostering agility.Design/methodology/approachThrough the technique of bibliometric analysis, we provide the growth trajectory of the field by identifying the publication trends, prominent authors and countries and most prolific journal publishing in the concerned domain. We also provide the intellectual structure of the organization agility research by identifying the prominent themes that have been worked upon till date. In addition, with the backing of the theories, contexts, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework, we identify the most frequently applied theories, constructs and methods in organization agility research and provide new avenues for future research by analyzing the most frequently used theories, methods, constructs and research contexts.FindingsWith the ever-increasing ambiguity and need for change (why), organization agility serves as the organization's backbone. It acts as a springboard for the organization, an anchor point that remains constant while other functional aspects constantly fluctuate and change. Organization agility can be defined (what) as the ability of organizations to quickly respond to market needs by sensing, renewing, adapting and succeeding in a turbulent market. To summarize, organizational agility matters at three fundamental aspects (where): strategic level or the market capitalizing level, internal operational level and individual level.Originality/valueThis paper is unique in the sense that it is the first comprehensive literature review in the field of organization agility research to use a hybrid methodology (bibliometric review with TCCMs).

Error Culture, Auditors’ Error Communication, and the Performance of the Auditee: A Study Among German Local Public Sector Auditors

In the course of financial and value for money audits, public sector auditors are facing different types of errors: accounting and economic errors, respectively. This study examines the relations between error culture in public sector audit organizations, auditors’ communication of accounting and economic errors, and performance of the auditee. The analyses of survey data from German local public sector auditors show that a strong error culture within the audit organization positively affect the auditors’ communication of errors to the auditee, regardless of the error type. Additionally, a strong error culture positively mediates the performance of the audited institution through the auditors’ communication of economic errors. This implies that it is important for public sector audit organizations to build a strong error culture. In addition to its practical contrition, the study provides novel theoretical insights as it demonstrates that the error management of one organization (audit entity) matters for the performance of another organization (audited entity).

Actuating Liquid Crystals Rapidly and Reversibly by Using Chemical Catalysis.

Microtubules and catalytic motor proteins underlie the microscale actuation of living materials, and they have been used in reconstituted systems to harness chemical energy to drive new states of organization of soft matter (e.g., liquid crystals (LCs)). Such materials, however, are fragile and challenging to translate to technological contexts. Rapid (sub-second) and reversible changes in the orientations of LCs at room temperature using reactions between gaseous hydrogen and oxygen that are catalyzed by Pd/Au surfaces are reported. Surface chemical analysis and computational chemistry studies confirm that dissociative adsorption of H2 on the Pd/Au films reduces preadsorbed O and generates 1 ML of adsorbed H, driving nitrile-containing LCs from a perpendicular to a planar orientation. Subsequent exposure to O2 leads to oxidation of the adsorbed H, reformation of adsorbed O on the Pd/Au surface, and a return of the LC to its initial orientation. The roles of surface composition and reaction kinetics in determining the LC dynamics are described along with a proof-of-concept demonstration of microactuation of beads. These results provide fresh ideas for utilizing chemical energy and catalysis to reversibly actuate functional LCs on the microscale.

Toward a practice-theoretical view of the situated nature of attention.

In this paper, we examine how a practice-theoretical perspective may complement and expand the central tenet of the attention-based view (ABV) that attention is contextually situated. We put forward three main arguments. First, the components that make a practice possible and that locate it in history and context (practice architecture) also prefigure a situated horizon of relevance and possibilities (pragmatic field of attention). Attention thus often befalls organizational members outside the realm of discursive consciousness as a consequence of being engaged in socio-material practices. Second, attention is situated at the crossroads of multiple practices, each with its practice architecture and local pragmatic field of attention. Organizational attention implies tensions, conflict, and contradictions and emerges from the interaction and negotiation of multiple individual and group pragmatic fields of attention. Finally, attention is situated in the temporal dynamics of sustaining and turning attention. This allows us to distinguish between inattention, dysfunctional distraction, and potentially productive attention turning. We argue that by focusing on the ordinary and routinized nature of attention, a theoretical practice view complements and enriches the ABV by offering a less voluntarist and top-down view and proposing a richer view of situatedness. A practice-theoretical approach also distributes attention among a broader set of elements, offering resources to theorize how these elements are connected. The approach also establishes a link between paying attention and caring, thus bringing emotions back into the study of organizational attention. In turn, the ABV helps the practice-theoretical perspective to recognize the central role of attention in organizational matters and the importance of engaging in full with the organizational unit of analysis when dealing with attention-related issues.

Large-scale investigation of white matter structural differences in bilingual and monolingual children: An adolescent brain cognitive development data study.

Emerging research has provided valuable insights into the structural characteristics of the bilingual brain from studies of bilingual adults; however, there is a dearth of evidence examining brain structural alterations in childhood associated with the bilingual experience. This study examined the associations between bilingualism and white matter organization in bilingual children compared to monolingual peers leveraging the large-scale data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Then, 446 bilingual children (ages 9-10) were identified from the participants in the ABCD data and rigorously matched to a group of 446 monolingual peers. Multiple regression models for selected language and cognitive control white matter pathways were used to compare white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) values between bilinguals and monolinguals, controlling for demographic and environmental factors as covariates in the models. Results revealed significantly lower FA values in bilinguals compared to monolinguals across established dorsal and ventral language network pathways bilaterally (i.e., the superior longitudinal fasciculus and inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus) and right-hemispheric pathways in areas related to cognitive control and short-term memory (i.e., cingulum and parahippocampal cingulum). In contrast to the enhanced FA values observed in adult bilinguals relative to monolinguals, our findings of lower FA in bilingual children relative to monolinguals may suggest a protracted development of white matter pathways associated with language and cognitive control resulting from dual language learning in childhood. Further, these findings underscore the need for large-scale longitudinal investigation of white matter development in bilingual children to understand neuroplasticity associated with the bilingual experience during this period of heightened language learning.

More organized white matter is associated with positivity bias in older adults.

On average, healthy older adults prefer positive over neutral or negative stimuli. This positivity bias is related to memory and attention processes and is linked to the function and structure of several interconnected brain areas. However, the relationship between the positivity bias and white matter integrity remains elusive. The present study examines how white matter organization relates to the degree of the positivity bias among older adults. We collected imaging and behavioral data from 25 individuals (12 females, 13 males, and a mean age of 77.32). Based on a functional memory task, we calculated a Pos-Neg score, reflecting the memory for positively valenced information over negative information, and a Pos-Neu score, reflecting the memory for positively valenced information over neutral information. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data were processed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. We performed two non-parametric permutation tests to correlate whole brain white matter integrity and the Pos-Neg and Pos-Neu scores while controlling for age, sex, and years of education. We observed a statistically significant positive association between the Pos-Neu score and white matter integrity in multiple brain connections, mostly frontal. The results did not remain significant when including verbal episodic memory as an additional covariate. Our study indicates that the positivity bias in memory in older adults is associated with more organized white matter in the connections of the frontal brain. While these frontal areas are critical for memory and executive processes and have been related to pathological aging, more extensive studies are needed to fully understand their role in the positivity bias and the potential for therapeutic interventions.

Mapping neurodevelopmental diversity in executive function

Executive function, an umbrella term used to describe the goal-directed regulation of thoughts, actions, and emotions, is an important dimension implicated in neurodiversity and established malleable predictor of multiple adult outcomes. Neurodevelopmental differences have been linked to both executive function strengths and weaknesses, but evidence for associations between specific profiles of executive function and specific neurodevelopmental conditions is mixed. In this exploratory study, we adopt an unsupervised machine learning approach (self-organising maps), combined with k-means clustering to identify data-driven profiles of executive function in a transdiagnostic sample of 566 neurodivergent children aged 8–18 years old. We include measures designed to capture two distinct aspects of executive function: performance-based tasks designed to tap the state-like efficiency of cognitive skills under optimal conditions, and behaviour ratings suited to capturing the trait-like application of cognitive control in everyday contexts. Three profiles of executive function were identified: one had consistent difficulties across both types of assessments, while the other two had inconsistent profiles of predominantly rating- or predominantly task-based difficulties. Girls and children without a formal diagnosis were more likely to have an inconsistent profile of primarily task-based difficulties. Children with these different profiles had differences in academic achievement and mental health outcomes and could further be differentiated from a comparison group of children on both shared and profile-unique patterns of neural white matter organisation. Importantly, children's executive function profiles were not directly related to diagnostic categories or to dimensions of neurodiversity associated with specific diagnoses (e.g., hyperactivity, inattention, social communication). These findings support the idea that the two types of executive function assessments provide non-redundant information related to children's neurodevelopmental differences and that they should not be used interchangeably. The findings advance our understanding of executive function profiles and their relationship to behavioural outcomes and neural variation in neurodivergent populations.

ІНКЛЮЗИВНЕ ІНСТИТУЦІЙНЕ СЕРЕДОВИЩЕ В ТУРИЗМІ

The article reveals the importance of inclusion and inclusive development, in particular in tourism, for Ukraine in view of the consequences of a full-scale war, namely in terms of ensuring the integration of victims, the number of whom is increasing, a large proportion of whom already need appropriate assistance in returning to a full-fledged life: socialization, employment, availability of services. The article examines the essence of the institutional environment and its elements, proposes the concept of an inclusive institutional environment in tourism, and also discloses its components, namely, among formal institutions – state bodies, enterprises of various forms, organizations and institutions, and informal – norms and rules of society, oral agreements, traditions, values, customs, mentality, business ethics, level of education and standard of living of the population. The article determines that the consolidation of the efforts of the constituents of an inclusive institutional environment regarding inclusiveness will accelerate the processes of inclusive development and contribute to increasing their efficiency, and tourism can become one of the main drivers of these processes by ensuring universality in matters of work organization, as well as the formation, implementation and consumption of a tourist product. In the course of the research, the role of the components in inclusive development, in particular the state through the implementation of its functions, was revealed, the available international and national legislative and normative documents were analyzed, which reflect the norms regarding inclusion, their basic provisions related to inclusion were revealed, and it was established that the central role will be played by formal institutions, first of all the state, in particular through the necessary legislative and regulatory acts and provision of social guarantees to the population, favorable conditions for the society to conduct its economic activities, raising the awareness of citizens in the issues of inclusion. In addition, the role of enterprises and institutions of civil society, represented by public unions, organizations, societies, etc., is determined.

The Hegelian Art of the Table of Contents: On the logic, and tradition, of Hegel's organizational practices

Abstract: During the early 19th century, a peculiarly systematic way of organizing books emerged in Germany. This systematization, which purported to be a rational organization of subject matter, was an outgrowth of the philosophy of Hegel. This article attempts to outline Hegel's organizational practice. It argues that Hegel's encyclopedia was a reaction against the Enlightenment encyclopedia, and that it attempted to restore the systematic mindset of pre-modern reference books. Yet it did this, not in a straightforward fashion, but by developing a method for organizing material that both stresses the interconnectedness of knowledge and promises to be highly scalable. In its attempt to trace the Hegelian organizational method, this article revisits and calls attention to a forgotten work in Hegel scholarship by Michael John Petry, who was the first writer to seriously stress the importance of classification in Hegel's work. This article is an attempt to demonstrate that Hegelianism and information organization can be brought into fruitful and mutually beneficial dialogue.

Remixing as a Ludus-Component of the Modern Culture

"The modern development of culture motivates the appearance of new modifications of the play element, based on the concept of Homo Ludens by J. Huizinga. The article substantiates a new scientific concept – remixing as the dominant principle of the organization of artistic matter. A definition of this concept is provided. The specificity of its manifestation is thought over using examples from pop culture, academic musical art (in particular, the creativity of the pianist-composer M.-A. Hamelin, the sketch duo Igudesman & Joo, the Rondo Veneziano orchestra), authentic performance, the opera genre (productions of “Alcina” by G. Handel, “La Cenerentola” by G. Rossini), products of the TV industry. The main vectors of the remixing process are characterized in accordance with the realization of the final artistic goal. The organic nature of the interaction of play logic with the combinatorial thinking of Homo Modernus is revealed. Keywords: principle of remixing, modern culture, remix, play element, Homo Ludens, Homo Modernus."

Участие в судебном заседании путем использования системы веб-конференции: за и против

The article examines the legal status of web-conferencing in the courtroom. Trial court litigation no longer requires physical presence in the courtroom because web-conferencing has become an integral part of the judicial system, thus facilitating people’s access to justice. However, many organizational issues remain unregulated, e.g., application timing, identification procedure, evidence examination and presentation, protocol procedures, etc. The legal regulation of the connection process and the consequences of non-compliance also remain a special issue. These organizational matters impact the ability of remote participants to defend their interests in court and obtain access to justice equal to those provided to in-person attendees. The author proposes various ways to enhance the norms of using web-conferencing systems in court, e.g., how to examine digital evidence in a web-conference format, how to provide web-conferencing facilities for every court session, etc. Web-conferencing at court needs stricter legislation, uniform legal standards, and clear procedures. The article offers an analysis of the existing information services, their technical capabilities, and alternative technological solutions for online participation in courts of arbitration and general jurisdiction.

Viscoelastic confinement induces periodic flow reversals in active nematics.

We use linear stability analysis and hybrid lattice Boltzmann simulations to study the dynamical behavior of an active nematic confined in a channel made of viscoelastic material. We find that the quiescent, ordered active nematic is unstable above a critical activity. The transition is to a steady flow state for high elasticity of the channel surroundings. However, below a threshold elastic modulus, the system produces spontaneous oscillations with periodic flow reversals. We provide a phase diagram that highlights the region where time-periodic oscillations are observed and explain how they are produced by the interplay of activity and viscoelasticity. Our results suggest experiments to study the role of viscoelastic confinement in the spatiotemporal organization and control of active matter.

Editorial

The editorial offers some red threads connecting the articles of this issue, introduces each contribution, and takes up some organisational matters.

Rapid Authentication and Detection of Olive Oil Adulteration Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.

The adulteration of olive oil is a crucial matter for food safety authorities, global organizations, and consumers. To guarantee olive oil authenticity, the European Union (EU) has promoted the labeling of olive oils with the indices of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Identification (PGI), while food security agencies are also interested in newly emerging technologies capable of operating reliably, fast, and in real-time, either in situ or remotely, for quality control. Among the proposed methods, photonic technologies appear to be suitable and promising for dealing with this issue. In this regard, a laser-based technique, namely, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), assisted via machine learning tools, is proposed for the real-time detection of olive oil adulteration with lower-quality oils (i.e., pomace, soybean, sunflower, and corn oils). The results of the present work demonstrate the high efficiency and potential of the LIBS technique for the rapid detection of olive oil adulteration and the detection of adulterants.

Implementing NRRP policies and the interest groups perspective in the justice sector: the “Ufficio per il processo” reform

ABSTRACT In the justice sector, the main objective of NRRP policies is to enhance the performance of the judiciary through comprehensive actions that impact various areas, including the courts, organizational matters, civil and criminal proceedings, alternative dispute resolution, digitization, judicial and staff training, and judicial governance. This context presents an excellent opportunity for a new cycle of policy design and implementation. The article focuses specifically on the Ufficio per il processo (literally, ‘Office for the trial’), an organizational reform that introduces new staff to support court proceedings. This reform is expected to have a broad and cross-cutting impact for at least two reasons. Firstly, it is instrumental in implementing the entire package of NRRP policies, where the efficiency of court proceedings depends significantly on the resources available to judges and clerks. Secondly, it highlights the interconnections between the judicial function and court management. The article analyses the influence exerted by key interest groups (such as the National Association of Magistrates and the National Bar Council) during the implementation phase of the reform, considering the transition from the Draghi to the Meloni Government. In the conclusions, the article identifies the dynamics that concretely shaped the Ufficio per il processo reform through the interaction between political powers and interest groups.