bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human bone tissue-derived ECM hydrogels: Controlling physicochemical, biochemical, and biological properties through processing parameters
Authors: Kim Yang-Hee , Cidonio Gianluca , Kanczler Janos M. , Oreffo Richard OC , Dawson Jonathan I
Published: August 2023

Decellularized tissues offer significant potential as biological materials for tissue regeneration due to their ability to preserve the complex compositions and architecture of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). While the use of decellularized ECM hydrogels from bovine and porcine bone tissues has been extensively studied, the evaluation and derivation of decellularized matrices from human bone tissue remain largely unexplored.

The objective of this study was to investigate how the physiochemical and biological properties of ECM hydrogels derived from human bone ECM could be controlled by manipulating bone powder size (45-250 μm, 250-1000 μm, and 1000-2000 μm) and ECM composition through modulation of digestion time (3, 5, and 7 days).

The current studies demonstrate that a reduction in material bone powder size and an increase in ECM digestion time resulted in enhanced protein concentrations in the ECM hydrogels, accompanied by the presence of a diverse array of proteins. Furthermore, these adjustments in the physicochemical properties generated improved gelation strength of the hydrogels. The evaluation of human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (HBMSCs) cultured on ECM hydrogels derived from 45-250 μm bone powder, treated for 7 days, demonstrated enhanced osteogenic differentiation compared to hydrogels derived from both larger bone powders and collagen gels.

In conclusion, this study highlights the significant promise of human bone ECM hydrogels as biologically active materials for bone regeneration. The ability to manipulate digestion time and bone powder size enables the generation of hydrogels with enhanced release of ECM proteins and appropriate gelation and rheological properties, offering new opportunities for application in bone tissue engineering.
Candida albicanscells lacking AP-2 have defective hyphae and are avirulent despite increased host uptake and intracellular proliferation in macrophages
Authors: Christou Stella , Ayscough Kathryn R. , Johnston Simon A.
Published: August 2023

Candida albicansis a commensal microbe and opportunistic human pathogen. The yeast can be recognised and taken up by macrophages via interactions with its cell wall, a complex polysaccharide structure containing several components that are specifically recognised by immune cell receptors. Following uptakeCandidacan respond in the host environment by switching from a yeast to hyphal morphology which facilitates escape from macrophages and allows subsequent invasion of host tissues. Disruption ofCandida’s ability to form hyphae results in reduced virulence and fitness for survival in the host environment.Candida albicanscells lacking AP-2, an endocytic adaptor complex, have increased cell wall chitin and morphologically defective hyphaein vitro. Previous studies have correlated increased chitin with decreased recognition by macrophages, possibly due to masking of cell wall beta-glucan which is recognised by dectin receptors. Despite the cell wall changes in the mutant strain there was an unexpected increased uptake of the mutant. Increased chitin did not reduce phagocytosis and additional uptake was not due to compensatory elevated exposure of beta-glucan, highlighting the importance of cell wall components beyond chitin and glucan for macrophage engagement and uptake. Furthermore, theapm4mutant exhibited parasitism of macrophages, surviving and proliferating within the phagosome, a phenotype that was then replicated with a well-characterised yeast locked mutant.

Finally, the combined phenotype of reduced hyphal formation but continued proliferation resulted in reduced virulence despite an equivalent burden of infection to a wild-typeCandidainfection, as determined using a zebrafish larval model of candidiasis.
DsrMKJOP is the terminal reductase complex in anaerobic sulfate respiration
Authors: Barbosa Ana C. C. , Venceslau Sofia S. , Pereira Inês A. C.
Published: August 2023

Microbial dissimilatory sulfate reduction is a key process in the Earth biogeochemical sulfur cycle. In spite of its importance to the sulfur and carbon cycles, industrial processes and human health, it is still not clear how reduction of sulfate to sulfide is coupled to energy conservation. A central step in the pathway is the reduction of sulfite by the DsrAB dissimilatory sulfite reductase, which leads to the production of a DsrC-trisulfide. A membrane-bound complex, DsrMKJOP, is present in most organisms that have DsrAB and DsrC, and its involvement in energy conservation has been inferred from sequence analysis, but its precise function was so far not determined. Here, we present studies revealing that the DsrMKJOP complex of the sulfate reducerArchaeoglobus fulgidusworks as a menadiol:DsrC-trisulfide oxidoreductase. Our results reveal a close interaction between the DsrC-trisulfide and the DsrMKJOP complex and show that electrons from the quinone pool reduce consecutively the DsrM hemesb, the DsrK noncubane [4Fe-4S]3+/2+catalytic center, and finally the DsrC-trisulfide with concomitant release of sulfide. These results clarify the role of this widespread respiratory membrane complex and indicate that DsrMKJOP will provide the missing link to energy conservation by generating aproton motive forceacross the membrane in the last step of dissimilatory sulfate reduction.

Significance Statement

Dissimilatory sulfate reduction (DSR) is a vital microbial process in anoxic environments, namely in sulfate-rich marine sediments that harbor a vast microbial ecosystem. DSR drives the global biogeochemical sulfur cycle and is crucial in remineralization of organic matter on the seafloor. It also has huge environmental impact by preventing release of the greenhouse gas methane from these sediments, through its oxidation coupled to sulfate reduction. Despite its high ecological importance, it is still not clear how microorganisms derive energy to grow through DSR. Here, we disclose the physiological function of a widespread membrane complex in DSR, showing it acts as the terminal reductase in the respiratory chain and providing important insights into how sulfate/sulfite reduction is linked to energy conservation.
Ion-Concentration Gradients During Synaptic Input Increase the Voltage Depolarization in Dendritic Spines
Authors: Eberhardt Florian
Published: August 2023

The cable equation is key for understanding the electrical potential along dendrites or axons, but its application to dendritic spines remains limited. Their volume is extremely small so that moderate ionic currents suffice to alter ionic concentrations. The resulting chemical-potential gradients between dendrite and spine head lead to measurable electrical currents. The cable equation, however, considers electrical currents only as result of gradients in the electrical potential. The Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations allow a more accurate description, as they include both types of currents. Previous PNP simulations predict a considerable change of ionic concentrations in spines during an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). However, solving PNP-equations is computationally expensive, limiting their applicability for complex structures.

Here, we present a system of equations that generalizes the cable equation and considers both, electrical potentials and time-dependent concentrations of ion species with individual diffusion constants. Still, basic numerical algorithms can be employed to solve such systems. Based on simulations, we confirm that ion concentrations in dendritic spines are changing significantly during current injections that are comparable to synaptic events. Electrical currents reflecting ion diffusion through the spine neck increase voltage depolarizations in the spine head. Based on this effect, we identify a mechanism that affects the influx of Ca2+ in sequences of pre- and postsynaptic action potentials. Taken together, the diffusion of individual ion species need to be taken into account to accurately model electrical currents in dendritic spines. In the future the presented equations can be used to accurately integrate dendritic spines into multicompartment models to study synatptic integration.
Loss of zebrafishdcst2expression is not associated with muscle abnormalities
Authors: Allard-Chamard X. , Rodríguez E.C. , Brais B. , Armstrong G.A.B.
Published: August 2023

In this study we examined if the gene encoding Dendritic Cell-specific Six Transmembrane domain containing protein 2 (dcst2) plays a role in vertebrate muscle biology. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenic system we generated a 2 nucleotide deletion in exon 3 of the zebrafish orthologdcst2which resulted in a premature stop codon. Homozygous carriers of the mutation displayed reduced transcriptional expression ofdcst2suggesting that our mutation was indeed disrupting gene function. Mutantdcst2zebrafish developed normally to adulthood and displayed no differences in motor function using a free-swim and swim tunnel assays. Furthermore, histological examination of muscle cells revealed no differences in slow-twitch or fast-twitch muscle cell cross-sectional area in our mutants. We did observe thatdcst2-/-zebrafish were slightly heavier in weight and males were infertile. The data collected here, suggest thatdcst2does not play a role in zebrafish muscle cell biology.
A comprehensive workflow and its validation for simulating diffuse speckle statistics for optical blood flow measurements
Authors: Kobayashi Frisk Lisa , Verma Manish , Bešlija Faruk , Lin Chen-Hao P. , Patil Nishighanda , Chetia Sumana , Trobaugh Jason , Culver Joseph P. , Durduran Turgut
Published: August 2023

Diffuse optical methods including speckle contrast optical spectroscopy and tomography (SCOS and SCOT), use speckle contrast (k) to measure deep blood flow. In order to design practical systems, parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the effects of limited sampling of statistical quantities, should be considered. To that end, we have developed a method for simulating speckle contrast signals including effects of detector noise. The method was validated experimentally, and the simulations were used to study the effects of physical and experimental parameters on the accuracy and precision ofk. These results revealed that systematic detector effects resulted in decreased accuracy and precision ofkin the regime of low detected signals. The method can provide guidelines for the design and usage of SCOS and/or SCOT instruments.
Oxidative rearrangement of tryptophan to indole nitrile by a single diiron enzyme
Authors: Adak Sanjoy , Ye Naike , Calderone Logan A. , Schäfer Rebecca J. B. , Lukowski April L. , Pandelia Maria-Eirini , Drennan Catherine L. , Moore Bradley S.
Published: August 2023

Nitriles are uncommon in nature and are typically constructed from oximes via the oxidative decarboxylation of amino acid substrates or from the derivatization of carboxylic acids. Here we report a third strategy of nitrile biosynthesis featuring the cyanobacterial nitrile synthase AetD. During the biosynthesis of the ‘eagle-killing’ neurotoxin, aetokthonotoxin, AetD converts the alanyl side chain of 5,7-dibromo-L-tryptophan to a nitrile. Employing a combination of structural, biochemical, and biophysical techniques, we characterized AetD as a non-heme diiron enzyme that belongs to the emergingHeme Oxygenase-likeDiironOxidase and Oxygenase (HDO) superfamily. High-resolution crystal structures of AetD together with the identification of catalytically relevant products provide mechanistic insights into how AetD affords this unique transformation that we propose proceeds via an aziridine intermediate. Our work presents a new paradigm for nitrile biogenesis and portrays a substrate binding and metallocofactor assembly mechanism that may be shared among other HDO enzymes.
Seeking voluntary passive movement in flies is play-like behavior
Authors: Triphan Tilman , Huetteroth Wolf
Published: August 2023

Play-like behaviour (PLB) is pervasive across the animal kingdom, especially in vertebrate species. Invertebrate PLB has been restricted to social or object interaction. Here we examined individual PLB in the vinegar flyDrosophila melanogasterby providing voluntary access to a spinning platform – a carousel. We demonstrate that flies exhibit idiosyncratic carousel interactions that qualify as play-like behaviour. While some flies show spontaneous avoidance, others actively seek stimulation, engaging in repeated, prolonged visits to the carousel. We propose that flies voluntarily expose themselves to external forces to intentionally receive exafferent stimulation. Self stimulation provides an efficient way to improve self-perception via internal model training and can shape multisensory integration.

One-Sentence Summary

Vinegar flies seek passive movement.
Human iPSC-derived neural stem cells display a radial glia-like signaturein vitroand favorable long-term safety in transplanted mice
Authors: Luciani Marco , Garsia Chiara , Beretta Stefano , Petiti Luca , Peano Clelia , Merelli Ivan , Cifola Ingrid , Miccio Annarita , Meneghini Vasco , Gritti Angela
Published: August 2023

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (hiPSC-NSCs) are a promising source for cell therapy approaches to treat neurodegenerative and demyelinating disorders. Despite ongoing efforts to characterize hiPSC-derived cellsin vitroandin vivo, we lack comprehensive genome- and transcriptome-wide studies addressing hiPSC-NSC identity and safety, which are critical for establishing accepted criteria for prospective clinical applications.

Here, we evaluated the transcriptional and epigenetic signatures of hiPSCs and differentiated hiPSC-NSC progeny, finding that the hiPSC-to-NSC transition results in a complete loss of pluripotency and the acquisition of a radial glia-associated transcriptional signature. Importantly, hiPSC-NSCs share with somatic human fetal NSCs (hfNSCs) the main transcriptional and epigenetic patterns associated with NSC-specific biology.In vivo, long-term observation (up to 10 months) of mice intracerebrally transplanted as neonates with hiPSC-NSCs showed robust engraftment and widespread distribution of human cells in the host brain parenchyma. Engrafted hiPSC-NSCs displayed multilineage potential and preferentially generated glial cells. No hyperproliferation, tumor formation, or expression of pluripotency markers was observed. Finally, we identified a novel role of the Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Transcription Factor 1 (SREBF1) in the regulation of astroglial commitment of hiPSC-NSCs.

Overall, these comprehensivein vitroandin vivoanalyses provide transcriptional and epigenetic reference datasets to define the maturation stage of NSCs derived from different hiPSC sources, and to clarify the safety profile of hiPSC-NSCs, supporting their continuing development as an alternative to somatic hfNSCs in treating neurodegenerative and demyelinating disorders.
Anti-PD-1-iRGD Peptide Conjugate Boosts Antitumor Efficacy via Engagement Augmentation and Penetration Enhancement of T cells
Authors: Pan Yunfeng , Xue Qi , Yang Yi , Shi Tao , Wang Hanbing , Song Xueru , Yang Xueyi , Liu Baorui , Song Zhentao , Li Jie P. , Wei Jia
Published: August 2023

Despite the important breakthroughs of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in recent years, the overall objective response rate (ORR) remains limited in various cancers. Here, we synthesized programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibody iRGD conjugate (αPD-1-(iRGD)2) through glycoengineering and bio-orthogonal reaction. αPD-1-(iRGD)2exhibited extra iRGD receptor dependent affinity to several cancer cell lines rather than normal cell lines. Via dual targeting, αPD-1-(iRGD)2engageed tumor cells and T cells thus mediating T cell activation and facilitating tumor elimination. Besides, the attachment of iRGD impressively improved the penetrability of both PD-1 antibody and PD-1+T cells. In multiple syngeneic mouse models, αPD-1-(iRGD)2effectively reduced tumor growth with satisfactory biosafety. Moreover, results of flow cytometry and single-cell RNA-seq revealed that αPD-1-(iRGD)2remodeled the tumor microenvironment (TME) and expanded a unique population of “better effector” CD8+tumor infiltrating T cells (TILs) expressing stem and memory associated genes includingTcf7,Il7r,Lef1andBach2. Conclusively, αPD-1-(iRGD)2could be a novel and promising therapeutic approach for cancer immunotherapy.

Statement of significance

Designed against the clinical dilemma of unsatisfied response rate after contemporary cancer immunotherapy, αPD-1-(iRGD)2engages T cells and tumor cells, promotes T cell infiltration and expands a unique population of “better effectors” with enhanced therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer.
On Casein Kinase-2 (CK2) deregulation in NSCLC: an enzyme subunit-centered approach
Authors: Pérez George V. , Chen Li , Chenyi Deng , Ying Yin , Qiang Zhao , Zhiwei Zhang , Ke Yang , Perea Silvio E. , Perera Yasser
Published: August 2023

CK2 is considered a constitutively active protein kinase promoting/supporting several neoplastic properties and inducing a so-called non-oncogene addiction in tumor cells. Compared to the extensive body of pre-clinical research, the translational and clinical information on CK2 is still limited. The holoenzyme, composed by a tetrameric array of two catalytic (CSNK2A1 and/or CSNK2A1) and two regulatory (CSNK2B) subunits, remains to be clinically validated. Herein, we interrogated available cancer multiomics databases to unravel CK2 deregulated expression in NSCLC. We focused our analysis on individual CK2 subunits assuming subunit-specific tumor supportive roles across cancers and particularly, within two major NSCLC subtypes. Moreover, we performed meta-analysis to uncover associations between CK2 expression and patient survival, as well as further correlations analysis with components of the tumor-microenvironment. The genomic and transcriptomic data analysis was complemented by IHC evaluation of CSNK2A1, CSNK2A2 and CSNK2B subunit expression, and CK2 enzymatic activity thereof. Overall, our data suggests that epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms rather than mutational/gene amplification events may account for differential CK2 subunits expression/activity in NSCLC. Of note, CSNK2A1 and CSNK2B mRNA up-regulation consistently determine a worse patient prognosis in LUAD and correlated with increased infiltration of MDSCs/CAFs. Importantly, we corroborated that CK2 protein subunits levels and enzymatic activity are significantly exacerbated in LUAD and LUSC, but only CSNK2A1 positively correlated with tumor size and disease stage in the analyzed patient cohort, thus supporting our transcriptomic-based correlation analysis. Finally, we concluded that CSNK2A1 alone and/or the homo-tetramer thereof may be more instrumental to support NSCLC than CSNK2A2; thus, tailored drugs against these molecular CK2 entities may achieve better therapeutic windows at least for advanced lung cancer treatment.
The integrity of perineuronal nets in the amygdala as a key factor in the resilience to social isolation stress in old mice
Authors: Hidalgo-Cortés José , Mañas-Ojeda Aroa , Olucha-Bordonau Francisco E. , García-Mompó Clara , Castillo-Gómez Esther
Published: August 2023

Major depression is the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder in elderly population, affecting more than 20% individuals over 60 years old, especially women. In this age range, social isolation is a major risk factor for depression. While there is a significant positive association between social isolation and depression in the elderly population, the neurobiological basis of this association is complex and still poorly understood. Evidence from animal models and human studies indicates that neuroplasticity, especially that of limbic brain regions, is impaired in depression but, till date, scarce studies address this question in older population. In this regard, animal models devoid of human cultural connotations represent a crucial tool. In the present study, we investigated the impact of chronic isolation stress (CIS) and a subsequent resocialization period in aged male and female mice (∼ 21 months-old), focusing our attention on affective symptoms and the plasticity of parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) neurons in the lateral/basolateral amygdala (LA/BLA). We found that CIS impaired affective behaviour and LA/BLA plasticity only in females. Specifically, CIS induced depressive-like symptoms and decreased the integrity of perineuronal nets (PNN). Resocialization effectively rescued all these impairments. Old males were not affected by CIS but in social conditions showed higher PNN integrity (less plasticity) than females. All together, our results demonstrate that old females are less resilient to CIS than old males and point to the integrity of PNN in the LA/BLA as a key regulator of depressive-like symptoms induced by social isolation.
Muscle-restricted Nox4 knockout partially corrects muscle contractility following spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Toro Carlos A. , De Gasperi Rita , Aslan Abdurrahman , Johnson Nicholas , Siddiq Mustafa M. , Chow Christine , Zhao Wei , Harlow Lauren , Graham Zachary , Liu Xin-Hua , Sadoshima Junichi , Iyengar Ravi , Cardozo Christopher P
Published: August 2023

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe atrophy of skeletal muscle in paralyzed regions, and a decrease in the force generated by muscle per unit of cross-sectional area. Oxidation of skeletal muscle ryanodine 1 receptors (RyR1) reduces contractile force due to reduced binding of calstabin 1 to RyR1 together with altered gating of RyR1. One cause of RyR1 oxidation is NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4). We have previously shown that in rats, RyR1 was oxidized and bound less calstabin 1 at 56 days after spinal cord injury (SCI) by transection. Here, we used a conditional knock-out mouse model of Nox4 in muscle to investigate the role of Nox4 in reduced muscle specific force after SCI. Peak twitch force in control mice after SCI was reduced by 42% compared to sham-operated controls but was increased by approximately 43% in SCI Nox4 conditional KO mice compared to SCI controls although it remained less than that for sham-operated controls. Unlike what observed in rats, after SCI the expression of Nox4 was not increased in gastrocnemius muscle and binding of calstabin 1 to RyR1 was not reduced in this muscle. The results suggest a link between Nox4 expression in muscle tissue and reduction in muscle twitch force, however further studies are needed to understand the mechanistic basis for this linkage.
Hospitality SME innovation: responses to multifaceted crises
Authors: Dowell David , Bowen Robert , Morris Wyn
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This research investigates the multifaceted effects of Covid-19, Brexit and climate change on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality sector. Specifically, the authors evaluate the main opportunities, challenges and implications that hospitality businesses face in times of crises, and innovate as a response.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a mixed methods approach firstly analysing quantitative data from the Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS). Second, qualitative where data are gathered from interviews with a range of hospitality SMEs. The data are analysed independently and then triangulated to gain a deep understanding of the issues faced by hospitality SMEs and their responses.

Findings

This research contributes to knowledge on the impact of economic challenges on the hospitality sector. This research underlines that hospitality businesses face multiple challenges. The findings show that sector has responded with innovations to meet requirements and regulations, some which were forced upon the industry due to changing regulations and some unforced innovations based on the strategic intentions and entrepreneurialism of the business owners.

Originality/value

The paper embeds the pandemic with Brexit and climate change challenges, identifying two distinct types of innovation as SME responses in the hospitality sector. Survival in the hospitality industry is reliant upon adaptations, some brought about by the pandemic and others by Brexit and climate change.
On the estimation of the angle of attack for vertical axis wind turbines
Authors: Ouchene Samir , Smaili Arezki , Fellouah Hachimi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the problem of estimating the angle of attack (AoA) and relative velocity for vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) blades from computational fluid dynamics data.

Design/methodology/approach

Two methods are implemented as function objects within the OpenFOAM framework for estimating the blade’s AoA and relative velocity. For the numerical analysis of the flow around and through the VAWT, 2 D unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations are carried out and validated against experimental data.

Findings

To gain a better understanding of the complex flow features encountered by VAWT blades, the determination of the AoA is crucial. Relying on the geometrically-derived AoA may lead to wrong conclusions about blade aerodynamics.

Practical implications

This study can lead to the development of more robust optimization techniques for enhancing the variable-pitch control mechanism of VAWT blades and improving low-order models based on the blade element momentum theory.

Originality/value

Assessment of the reliability of AoA and relative velocity estimation methods for VAWT’ blades at low-Reynolds numbers using URANS turbulence models in the context of dynamic stall and blade–vortex interactions.
The adoption of shareholder activism by minority investors in Mauritius and a comparative analysis with the UK laws
Authors: Beebeejaun Ambareen , Bissessur Pramod Kumar
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Shareholder activism is gaining popularity across the globe especially in today’s context where the option of giving up and selling shares to exit the company has become obsolete. Hence, the purpose of this research paper is two-fold, firstly, to investigate the extent to which the minority shareholders of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius adopt and make use of the various tools of activism; and secondly, to compare the UK laws on shareholder activism with that of Mauritius.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve these objectives, this study adopted the qualitative research method. Primary data was collected by conducting a survey on minority shareholders of Mauritian listed companies to figure out the extent to which they resort to activism tools, while secondary data was collected through a qualitative legal, document and content analysis to scrutinise regulatory provisions and existing literature on the researched topic.

Findings

The results show a moderate implementation level of shareholder activism by the minority investors in Mauritius although it was noted that minority shareholders are more likely to resort to the internal tools of activism rather than external methods. Further to the comparative study conducted, this research recommends a more active participation of the Mauritian regulatory bodies, amendments to the Mauritius Code of Corporate Governance and Mauritius Companies Act and the establishment of a commission responsible for overseeing the exercise of shareholders’ powers and promoting derivative lawsuits among minority shareholders.

Originality/value

Few researchers like Beebeejaun and Koobloll (2018) analysed shareholder activism through the lens of corporate governance with the view of providing recommendations to bring amendments in the Mauritian corporate law landscape. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has yet been effectuated on the extent to which shareholder activism is practised by the minority investors in developing countries, for which this existing study aims at filling in the research gap.
Investigating the relationship between human resource development and quality in building projects
Authors: Abdolahi Mohammad Javad , Barmayehvar Behnod , Marjani Taimoor , Esmaeilabadi Reza
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to show that human resource development (HRD) criteria have a significant role on the quality of building projects.

Design/methodology/approach

It is worth mentioning that the present research is a survey in terms of practical purpose and in terms of data collection. In this regard, first, review of the related literature and then the HRD criteria were identified and initial questionnaire was developed after interviews with connoisseurs and approved them. The questionnaire consists of three main criteria and 21 subcriteria that have been distributed among 50 experts. The statistical population of the research includes project managers of grade 1 building companies. Data were processed by SPSS software tests.

Findings

Findings showed that all three main criteria of HRD, including training, motivation and participation have a direct and positive effect on the quality index, but the effectiveness of the training criterion is more than motivation and participation. In other words, the desired quality cannot be achieved only by training employees, and with it, a sense of motivation and participation of employees must be aroused.

Originality/value

Most researchers believe that achieving good quality in construction projects depends on the performance of human resources, so the development of human resources in the construction industry is very important.
Digital menus innovation diffusion and transformation process of consumer behavior
Authors: Lin Pearl M.C. , Peng Kang-Lin , Au Wai Ching Wilson , Qiu Hanqin , Deng Cheng Dan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how different menu types trigger diners’ behavioral intentions in restaurants’ innovation diffusion from paper to digital menus.

Design/methodology/approach

Four menu types, namely, paper menus with text only, paper menus with text and images, digital menus that show text and images or text and video with self-service technological functionality, are designed to empirically examine a mental process through which perceived information quality, perceived food quality and perceived service quality influence diners’ behavioral intentions.

Findings

Based on the online survey data from 502 diners, results show that the menu design influences customers’ perceptions. The video-based digital menu is the most effective to generate diners’ behavioral intentions, followed by a paper menu with text and images.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the innovation diffusion theory and stimulus-organism-responses theory to encourage the joint use of auditory and visual channels for digital menu design in restaurants.

Originality/value

The authors confirm the digital transformation in menu design in restaurants. Restaurant diners are also prepared and comfortable with digital menus, especially in the postpandemic world.
Urban-biased policy, government intervention and urban-rural income gap: evidence from provincial government work reports in China
Authors: Nie Changfei , Wang Haohui , Feng Yuan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to test the causal relationship between urban-biased policy and urban-rural income gap and further examine the moderating role of government intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the provincial Government Work Reports and the long-term policy practice of implementing the target responsibility system, the authors construct a unique indicator of urban-biased policy in China. Further, applying the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces in 2003–2018, the authors explore the causal relationship between urban-biased policy and urban-rural income gap.

Findings

The results show that urban-biased policy has contributed to the widen urban-rural income gap in China, which supports Lipton's urban-biased hypothesis. Further research shows that the stronger the government intervention, the bigger the role of urban-biased policy in widening urban-rural income gap.

Originality/value

On the one hand, this study not only investigates the direct effect of urban-biased policy on urban-rural income gap, but also examines the moderating effect from the perspective of government intervention, which helps to enrich the relevant studies of urban-biased theory. On the other hand, the authors' findings provide the latest empirical evidence for urban-biased policy to widen urban-rural income gap and presents a reference and warning for China and other developing countries about balancing the relationship between equity and efficiency during economic development.
The interplay of sensegiving and sensemaking: politics of ideology at a Japanese retailer in Hong Kong
Authors: Zhu Yi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study explores the politics of ideology in the process of sensegiving and sensemaking at a Japanese retailer in Hong Kong. Studies on power and politics are scarce despite key role of power and politics in understanding the factors behind the conflict between the management's policy legitimization (sensegiving) and employees' policy interpretation (sensemaking). By using the three dimensions proposed in the critical sensemaking approach (discourse, rules and contexts), this paper explores the complex mechanism of power and politics in sensemaking and sensegiving.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 15 months of participant observation as a salesperson, this paper discusses how the Japan-centric customer service philosophy (dominant discourse), customer service policies and practices (organizational rules) and asymmetric power structure between the Japanese global headquarters and Hong Kong subsidiaries (formative contexts) are presented and perpetuated through the sensegiving–sensemaking process.

Findings

Dominant discourse was observed in the management's sensegiving, which placed the Japanese style of customer service over others. This ethnocentric dominant discourse informed the creation of customer service policies, although the realization of the discourse was determined by the employees' conflicting interpretations of the organizational rules. As a formative context, an asymmetric power structure was present that positioned the Hong Kong subsidiary as subservient to the global headquarters in Japan. This shows that the political process of sensegiving and sensemaking deeply implicates the dominant discourse, organizational rules and power structure as central forces that determine the level of perpetuating ideology.

Originality/value

This research illustrates the wider implications of power and politics in sensegiving–sensemaking studies and provides a complex picture of ethnocentric management.
Labour Mobility With Vocational Skill: Australian Demand and Pacific Supply
Authors: Clemens Michael A. , Chand Satish
Published: August 2023

Can new channels for mid‐skill labour mobility simultaneously enhance the welfare of Australia and the Pacific Region? Answering this question requires forecasting Australian demand for vocationally‐skilled migrants over the next generation, and the potential for Pacific supply of those migrants. We project demand for such mid‐skill migrants over the next three decades by combining data on trends in the demand for basic tasks with data on trends in native investment in education commensurate with those tasks. We estimate that the Australian economy growing at historical rates through the year 2050 will demand approximately 1.6–2.1 million foreign workers with Technical and Vocational Education and Training. A large share of these could be supplied from the Pacific Islands with sufficient investment in training, with direct cooperation from Australian employers, and targeted access to the Australian labour market.
Externalities of Financial Statement Fraud on the Incoming Accounting Labor Force
Authors: CARNES ROBERT R. , CHRISTENSEN DANE M. , MADSEN PAUL E.
Published: August 2023

Financial statement fraud generates many negative effects, including reducing people's willingness to participate in the stock market. If it also stigmatizes accounting, it may similarly adversely affect the quantity and quality of workers willing to become accountants, thereby potentially creating negative effects for years to come. We examine the impact of fraud on the labor force entering the accounting profession, which is a key input into the production of accounting information (i.e., the output). Using data describing millions of college students across the United States, we find incoming students are actually more likely to major in accounting when local frauds occur during their formative years. These students are also more likely to have attributes desired by the accounting profession (e.g., high academic aptitude) and are more likely to subsequently serve in public accounting and become Certified Public Accountants. In the context of other fields (i.e., all college majors), we find that fraud similarly spurs interest in other business disciplines, but not in majors outside of business schools. Those attracted to other business disciplines, however, generally possess different traits. Specifically, students entering accounting are distinctively more likely to exhibit values espoused by the accounting profession, including a predisposition to public service and less commercial orientation. Thus, nonpecuniary motives appear to uniquely drive accounting student enrollment following fraud. Collectively, our findings suggest that, while fraud is unmistakably bad, it appears to have the positive unintended consequence of attracting labor into business disciplines and, in accounting, increasing the prevalence of desirable traits among entrants.
Sarcopenia in patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases
Authors: Hanaoka Hironari , Kikuchi Jun , Hiramoto Kazuoto , Akiyama Mitsuhiro , Saito Shutaro , Kondo Yasushi , Kaneko Yuko
Published: August 2023

Aim

To investigate the impact of high‐dose glucocorticoid therapy on sarcopenia in hospitalized patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

Methods

We included patients with RMDs who were hospitalized between 2020 and 2022 for remission induction treatment and collected information on skeletal mass index (SMI) before high‐dose glucocorticoid therapy and 1 month later. We divided the patients into 2 groups according to the progression of sarcopenia, defined as a >10% decrease in SMI, and compared their clinical characteristics.

Results

Forty‐nine patients were included in this analysis. The mean age was 53.3 years, 73.5% were female, and the mean SMI was 5.3 kg/m2. Before treatment, 83.7% had already met the definition of sarcopenia, and 57.1% experienced further sarcopenia progression after 1 month of high‐dose glucocorticoid treatment. Patients with sarcopenia progression were predominantly male (P = 0.025), had a higher body weight (P = 0.048), and showed a higher SMI than those without sarcopenia at baseline (P = 0.008). Multivariable analysis revealed that body weight increase from 0 to week 1 of high‐dose glucocorticoid treatment was associated with sarcopenia progression (odds ratio: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.04–0.61, P = 0.007) with a cut‐off of −1.8 kg. During a mean observation period of 30.2 days, the incidence of infection was significantly higher in patients with progressive sarcopenia (P = 0.042).

Conclusions

One‐month hospitalization with high‐dose glucocorticoid therapy is associated with sarcopenia progression in patients with RMDs. An early decrease in body weight can be used to predict muscle volume loss.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm healed with calcification in a female patient with Behçet's syndrome: A case report with a 2‐decade follow‐up
Authors: Tuzun Hasan , Ak Tumay , Bas Ahmet , Kara Ozge , Gulsen Fatih , Seyahi Emire
Published: August 2023

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are rare in Behçet syndrome (BS) but may result in life‐threatening complications. AAA are generally treated with surgical intervention following aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. Healing with wall calcification and mural thrombus for AAA is scarcely reported in the literature. Herein, we present a female patient who developed a large saccular aneurysm in the infra‐renal abdominal aorta 6 months after the diagnosis. Endovascular intervention was not found to be possible because of the dimensions of the aneurysm and the patient did not consent for open surgery. Therefore, she received only immunosuppressive treatment. By the second year of follow‐up, we detected reduction in the size of AAA, along with circumferential wall calcification and mural thrombus. The patient was followed‐up for 20 years without rupture and currently doing well. This case demonstrates that calcified large saccular AAA might not necessitate surgical intervention and be followed‐up for many years without any complication.
Does Democracy Reduce Ethnic Inequality?
Authors: Leipziger Lasse Egendal
Published: August 2023

To what extent and under what conditions do democratic institutions reduce socioeconomic ethnic inequality? I argue that democratization reduces ethnic inequality by introducing electoral accountability, which facilitates a series of egalitarian policies. However, the effect of democratization is conditional on the distribution of resources under the previous, nondemocratic regime. Countries that were more ethnically unequal prior to democratization experience greater egalitarian effects following democratization. To examine the argument, I leverage multiple country‐ and group‐level measures of ethnic inequality. Using fixed effects regressions, instrumental variable analyses, and event studies, I demonstrate that democratization substantively reduces ethnic inequality, but mainly for countries with high predemocratic levels of inequality.
Explaining China's approach to investor‐state dispute settlement reform: A contextual perspective
Authors: Du Ming
Published: August 2023

China's approach to ISDS reform is widely perceived as undecided and ambiguous. This paper provides the first detailed analysis of China's submission to the UNITRAL Working Group III and situates China's approach in the context of global dialogue of ISDS reform and competing reform proposals. The paper shows that China's open, flexible, and evolving approach to ISDS reform could be better understood by a contextual evaluation of the pertinent factors which have contributed to its formation. Moreover, this paper explains why China did not sign up to the EU's investment court system (ICS) proposal in the EU‐China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). Lastly, the paper argues that China should reconsider its attitude towards the ICS in the CAI context and that the EU's recent suggestion that the envisaged multilateral investment court may adopt an ‘open architecture’ is likely to enhance its appeal to China.
Toward sustainable harvest strategies for marine fisheries that include recreational fishing
Authors: Fowler Ashley M. , Dowling Natalie A. , Lyle Jeremy M. , Alós Josep , Anderson Leif E. , Cooke Steven J. , Danylchuk Andy J. , Ferter Keno , Folpp Heath , Hutt Clifford , Hyder Kieran , Lew Daniel K. , Lowry Michael B. , Lynch Tim P. , Meadows Nicholas , Mugerza Estanis , Nedreaas Kjell , Garrone‐Neto Domingos , Ochwada‐Doyle Faith A. , Potts Warren , Records David , Steinback Scott , Strehlow Harry V. , Tracey Sean R. , Travis Michael D. , Tsuboi Jun‐ichi , Vølstad Jon Helge , Chick Rowan C.
Published: August 2023

Recreational fishing (RF) is a large yet undervalued component of fisheries globally. While progress has been made in monitoring, assessing, and managing the sector in isolation, integration of RF into the management of multi‐sector fisheries has been limited, particularly relative to the commercial sector. This marginalises recreational fishers and reduces the likelihood of achieving the sector's objectives and, more broadly, achieving fisheries sustainability. We examined the nature and extent of RF inclusion in harvest strategies (HSs) for marine fisheries across 15 regions in 11 nations to define the gap in inclusion that has developed between sectors. We focused on high‐income nations with a high level of RF governance and used a questionnaire to elicit expert knowledge on HSs due to the paucity of published documents. In total, 339 HSs were considered. We found that RF inclusion in HSs was more similar to the small‐scale sector (i.e., artisanal, cultural, or subsistence) than the commercial sector, with explicit operational objectives, data collection, performance indicators, reference points, and management controls lacking in many regions. Where specified, RF objectives focused on sustainability, economic value and catch allocation rather than directly relating to the recreational fishing experience. Conflicts with other sectors included competition with the commercial sector for limited resources, highlighting the importance of equitable resource allocation policies alongside HSs. We propose that RF be explicitly incorporated into HSs to ensure fisheries are ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable, and we recommend that fisheries organisations urgently review HSs for marine fisheries with a recreational component to close the harvest strategy gap among sectors.
Gendered work in geoscience: Hard work in a masculine field
Authors: Heimann Samuel , Johansson Kristina
Published: August 2023

Based on the meaning‐making of women geoscientists in their descriptions of work and career experiences, this article explores the gendering of geoscience by analyzing women's hard work as a theoretical concept. Our findings show that the gendered requirements for women in geoscience involve “doing” various forms of hard work, including making one's work visible, asserting one's physical performance, and building social relations. Thus, hard work is found to be gendered in terms of being a perceived requirement shared by female geoscientists. It is a requirement that entails compensating for not being male in masculine organizations and simultaneously prevents women geoscientists from fully engaging in core geoscience work tasks. Hence, by gendering hard work and theoretically defining hard work as the work of the “other”, the study expands the theoretical understanding of the concept by suggesting that women's hard work is gendered and social rather than productive.
Becoming No‐Thing: Eckhart and Hegel on Identity and Difference
Authors: Roessiger Ursula
Published: August 2023

Abstract: My goal in this paper is to draw productively on Meister Eckhart's concept of the ‘no‐thing’ in order to illuminate Hegel's ontotheological account of both human and divine kenosis. I advance the view that just as divine kenosis is understood as the outpouring of the divine which includes the death of Christ in its economic activity, human kenosis also requires an engagement with death, namely, a spiritual death to the finite. It is via this species of death which is a becoming ‘no‐thing’ that the reconciliation between the human and the divine is disclosed as a unity that relies on the shared identity of the divine and the human while simultaneously respecting the integrity of both. Indeed, it is in and through their parallel activity of kenosis that finite and infinite being achieve their respective transcendence by necessarily engaging with the being of the other. Hence, Hegel's ontotheological work is not reducible to sheer immanentism as some scholars suggest, but instead upholds the genuine transcendence of the divine.