Roles of Drosophila Hox Genes in the Assembly of Neuromuscular Networks and Behavior

Hox genes have been known for specifying the anterior-posterior axis (AP) in bilaterian body plans. Studies in vertebrates have shown their importance in developing region-specific neural circuitry and diversifying motor neuron pools. In Drosophila, they are instrumental for segment-specific neurogenesis and myogenesis early in development. Their robust expression in differentiated neurons implied their role in assembling region-specific neuromuscular networks. In the last decade, studies in Drosophila have unequivocally established that Hox genes go beyond their conventional functions of generating cellular diversity along the AP axis of the developing central nervous system. These roles range from establishing and maintaining the neuromuscular networks to controlling their function by regulating the motor neuron morphology and neurophysiology, thereby directly impacting the behavior. Here we summarize the limited knowledge on the role of Drosophila Hox genes in the assembly of region-specific neuromuscular networks and their effect on associated behavior.

THE STRATEGIC CHOICES IN ACHIEVING TOURISM'S COMPETITIVENESS AND PERFORMANCE AMONG HOTELS IN INDONESIA

The current debate between external strategy and a resource-based approach as a driver of competitiveness is rarely investigated in a developing region. This study investigates whether an external focus or a resource-based strategy is better for leveraging the hotel industry's competitiveness and performance in a developing area in Indonesia. The authors obtained saturated responses from 204 managers and analyzed them with PLS-SEM's two-stage and repeated indicator approach while interviewing some of them. This study developed a formative model in PLS-SEM as a better method for investigating an organization's performance than a reflective approach. Quantitative analysis revealed the resource-based view as a better basis for supporting hotels' competitiveness and performance; however, the interview revealed considerable concerns over arising externalities. This paper suggests that hotel managers improve their internal core competence instead of wasting resources and worrying about external issues.

Coupling Development of Manufacturing Promotion and Innovation in China

This study analyzed the manufacturing implemented different modes of innovation at different regions, and established a model to predict the likelihood that the enterprise would follow the innovation mode dominated by the local government. Governmental regulation of innovation and spurring enterprises to innovate were important tools for development of the manufacturing in China, but regional differences in economic development required different coupling strategies of innovation. The results revealed that the developed region in China was biased to undertake disruptive innovation, while the developing region drived incremental innovation mainly, and made a theoretical model to explore the probability respectively. We assigned corresponding values based on theoretical analysis and relevant assumptions, and discovered that in the developing region was more likely to follow the innovation mode proposed by the local government than that in the developed region, but the data demonstrated that the probability were comparatively small for both the developed region and the developing region.

A structural relationship model of gender-role orientation and entrepreneurial intention: examining the mediating effect of motivational antecedents in Northeast India

PurposeThe paper presents a structural model to explain the relationship between various gender-role orientations (GROs) and motivational antecedents leading to entrepreneurial intention (EI). It examines the influence of GRO in the formation of EI among educated youths of Northeast India.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structural equation modelling approach, the hypothesized model is tested on a sample of 642 post-graduate students from four different universities in Northeast India, a developing region with unique socio-cultural diversity. The mediating role of EI antecedents on the relationship between GRO and EI was examined after establishing the reliability and validity of the measurement model.FindingsResults from the analysis support the hypothesized structural relationship confirming the influence of GRO on EI. The study also finds that androgynous individuals have a higher EI than their masculine or feminine counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to the understanding of EI determinants from a GRO perspective, especially in the industrially backward region of an emerging economy. It adds to the existing literature by empirically proving the role of gender orientation. The results have several policy implications for educational institutions and policymakers in emerging economies.Originality/valueThe paper re-examines the predictive value of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model from a GRO perspective and compares indirect effects of gender identity through motivational antecedents on EI. Whilst TPB predicted EI in Western and developed countries, using a more diverse sample provides strong empirical evidence in the context of a developing region.

Determinants of the Sustainable Entrepreneurial Engagement of Youth in Developing Country—An Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

The article identifies the motivating factors behind the career preferences of university graduates who chose to engage in sustainable entrepreneurship. In this research, multi-methods—theoretical investigations and qualitative interviews—have been utilized to determine the factors responsible for promoting sustainable entrepreneurship in a developing region. The sample consisted of university graduates who chose to pursue their careers in entrepreneurial activities in Hyderabad, the sixth largest city of Pakistan located in Sindh Province. While determining why young academics choose entrepreneurship as a career choice, entrepreneurial careers are explored as an ongoing process of biographical sequences in which new ways of thinking and communication, new forms of economic and occupational challenges, and necessities as well as ways of success and failure are permanently claimed or raised. Due to these challenges, the youth are confronted with complex social and economic situation to deal with. The study findings provide guidelines on how sustainable entrepreneurship can be developed, engaged, and sustained in the future in developing and under-developed regions.

Entropy generation and Poiseuille number link in developing isothermal laminar micro-flow

It is well-known that Poiseuille number (Po, hitherto viewed mainly as a Fluid Mechanics parameter) decreases along a hydrodynamically developing flow, from infinity at inlet to a fixed value downstream. This study reveals that the dimensionless entropy generation rate per unit length due to fluid friction (Sgen,fr) varies exactly the same way; hence, Po and Sgen,fr are jointly studied for their dependence. Laminar hydrodynamic development of isothermal flow of incompressible fluid (water) in a circular micro-tube (diameter, D) is examined. Results are obtained for a given flow velocity for different D and then numerical experiments are conducted for different flow velocities for the same D-values. Striking similarity in trends of Po and Sgen,fr show a unique linear relation between them for the hydrodynamically developing region. It is theoretically shown that Po is a direct measure of entropy generation due to fluid friction, which explains its numerically obtained linear relation with Sgen,fr. It is found that in hydrodynamically developing region, both Po and Sgen,fr decrease with decreasing D, which is the identified micro-effect.

Promising plans and practical use of ICT in education: Sub-Saharan Africa perspectives

Introduction. Information and communication technologies (ICT) in the field of education have become indispensable for many countries. Digital transformation of school has conquered the minds of many educationists in Sub-Saharan Africa which long suffered from low attendance rates and lack of qualified teachers. This is a developing region with unstable educational opportunities and ICT use is believed to be a central form solution for the future effective functioning of learning programmes. Materials and methods. General scientific theoretical methods and comparative analysis were used to analyze actual statistical data, take insight into existing online learning platforms, expert’s accounts. Results. Both the general problems of ICT application in education and its functioning in the context of national educational systems in such countries as Uganda and Kenya were analyzed. Unique evidence from this rapidly developing region underscores the need of a balanced and comprehensive approach to the strategies of the digital education reforms at school. Сonclusions. ICT introduction risks not to be an effective factor in the management of educational process without taking into account behavioral and sociocultural context as well as without thorough development of all levels of educational system. Though the article is addressed to the experts in the field of education and African studies, it will be of considerable interest to all practitioners concerned with the implementation of ICT in teaching practice.