bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrosation of CD36 regulates endothelial function and serum lipids
Authors: Luse Melissa A. , Schug Wyatt J. , Dunaway Luke S. , Nyshadham Shruthi , Loeb Skylar A. , Carvalho Alicia , Tessema Rachel , Pavelic Caitlin , Keller T.C. Stevenson , Shu Xiaohong , Ruddiman Claire A. , Kosmach Anna , Sveeggen Timothy M. , Mitchell Ray , Bagher Pooneh , Minshall Richard D. , Leitnger Norbert , Columbus Linda , Levental Kandice R. , Levental Ilya , Cortese-Krott Miriam , Isakson Brant E.
Published: April 2024

During obesity, endothelial cells (ECs) become lipid laden leading to endothelial dysfunction. We demonstrate endothelium downregulates caveolin-1 (Cav1) in mouse and human in response to obesity. Using an EC-specific Cav1 knockout mouse, we find mice are hyperlipidemic regardless of diet, but retain endothelial cell function. Whereas initially this was thought to be due to Cav1 mediate endocytosis, we find instead the mice have significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) in response to the lack of Cav1. The presence or absence of NO toggled inversely EC lipid content and plasma lipid in mice. We found the fatty acid translocase CD36 was directly nitrosated by endogenous NO at the same cysteines that are palmitoylated on CD36. The nitrosation of CD36 prevented it’s trafficking to the plasma membrane and decreased lipid uptake. The physiological effect of this mechanism was a reliance on NO for endothelial function. This work suggests that CD36 nitrosation occurs as a protective mechanism to prevent EC lipotoxicity and preserve function.

Teaser

Nitric oxide regulates serum lipids and endothelial cell lipid content through nitrosation of CD36.
Reproducing Human Subjective Evaluation in the Microscopic Agglutination Test with Deep Learning
Authors: Nakano Risa , Oyamada Yuji , Ozuru Ryo , Miyahara Satoshi , Yoshimura Michinobu , Hiromatsu Kenji
Published: April 2024

The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is widely recognized as the gold standard for diagnosing zoonosis leptospirosis. However, a significant limitation of MAT is the inconsistency in test results, as it relies on the examiners’ subjective perceptions to estimate agglutination rates. To address this issue, we propose a deep neural network to replicate the subjective evaluation process of agglutination rate estimation in MAT. By employing a pre-trained DenseNet121, we can efficiently optimize the network parameters during the training phase. We validated the trained network using our original dataset. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed network provides accurate agglutination rate estimates. Furthermore, we utilize a standard visualization technique to gain insights into the decision-making process of the deep learning methods. The findings reveal that the proposed network extracts image features indicative of leptospire abundance. Overall, these results suggest that deep learning is effective for estimating agglutination rates and that enhancing interpretability aids medical experts in understanding the functionality of deep learning.
Beyond cortical geometry: brain dynamics shaped by rare long-range connections
Authors: Vohryzek Jakub , Sanz Perl Yonatan , Kringelbach Morten L , Deco Gustavo
Published: April 2024

A fundamental topological principle is that the container always shapes the content. In neuroscience, this translates into how the brain anatomy shapes brain dynamics. From neuroanatomy, the topology of the mammalian brain can be approximated by local connectivity, accurately described by an exponential distance rule (EDR). The compact, folded geometry of the cortex is shaped by this local connectivity and the geometric harmonic modes can reconstruct much of the functional dynamics. However, this ignores the fundamental role of the rare long-range cortical connections, crucial for improving information processing in the mammalian brain, but not captured by local cortical folding and geometry. Here we show the superiority of harmonic modes combining rare long-range connectivity with EDR (EDR+LR) in capturing functional dynamics (specifically long-range functional connectivity and task-evoked brain activity) compared to geometry and EDR representations. Importantly, the orchestration of dynamics is carried out by a more efficient manifold made up of a low number of fundamental EDR+LR modes. Our results show the importance of rare long-range connectivity for capturing the complexity of functional brain activity through a low-dimensional manifold shaped by fundamental EDR+LR modes.
Single-cell proteomics differentiates Arabidopsis root cell types
Authors: Montes Christian , Zhang Jingyuan , Nolan Trevor M. , Walley Justin W.
Published: April 2024

Recently, major advances have enabled the exploration of cellular heterogeneity using single-cell proteomics. Here we examine the feasibility of single-cell proteomics on plant samples. We focus onArabidopsis thaliana, examining isolated single cells from the cortex and endodermis, which are two adjacent root cell-types derived from a common stem cell. From 756 cells we identify 3,763 proteins and 1,118 proteins/cell. Ultimately, we focus on 3,217 proteins quantified following stringent filtering. Of these, we identified 596 proteins whose expression is enriched in either the cortex or endodermis and are able to differentiate these closely related plant cell-types. Collectivity, our findings underscore the promise of single-cell proteomics to explore the heterogeneity of expression between individual plant cells.
Harnessing RNA-based DNA repair pathways for targeted gene editing
Authors: Huynh Nhan , Kwon Sin , McMurrough Thomas A. , Loedige Kurt W. , Tavassoli Marjan , Shao Weijuan , Qin Heyuan , Luu Khanh , Dharni Balpreet , Haydaychuk Olha , Stead Brent E. , Edgell David R.
Published: April 2024

Recent studies have revealed a role for RNA in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Here, we show that the asymmetric DNA overhangs generated by the small TevSaCas9 dual nuclease informs a simple and robust editing strategy in human cells whereby Polθ and Rad52 are recruited to repair the double-strand break. The 2-nt, 3’ DNA overhang generated by the I-TevI nuclease domain of TevSaCas9 hybridizes with the 3’ end of a co-localized repair template guide RNA to specifically license repair. Substitutions that destabilize the repair duplex reduce editing efficiency. Targeted RNA-templated repair (rep-editing) harnesses cellular RNA-based DNA repair pathways to introduce precise nucleotide edits, deletions and insertions in human cells with high efficiency and fidelity independent of co-delivered repair functions. The small size of TevSaCas9 and RNA repair template offers delivery advantages over size-constrained or multi-component editing systems.
Transcriptional programs mediating neuronal toxicity and altered glial–neuronal signaling in aDrosophilaknock-in tauopathy model
Authors: Bukhari Hassan , Nithianandam Vanitha , Battaglia Rachel A. , Cicalo Anthony , Sarkar Souvarish , Comjean Aram , Hu Yanhui , Leventhal Matthew J. , Dong Xianjun , Feany Mel B.
Published: April 2024

Missense mutations in the gene encoding the microtubule-associated protein TAU (current and approved symbol is MAPT) cause autosomal dominant forms of frontotemporal dementia. Multiple models of frontotemporal dementia based on transgenic expression of humanTAUin experimental model organisms, includingDrosophila, have been described. These models replicate key features of the human disease but do not faithfully recreate the genetic context of the human disorder. Here we use CRISPR-Cas-mediated gene editing to model frontotemporal dementia caused by the TAU P301L mutation by creating the orthologous mutation, P251L, in the endogenousDrosophila taugene. Flies heterozygous or homozygous for Tau P251L display age-dependent neurodegeneration, display metabolic defects, and accumulate DNA damage in affected neurons. To understand the molecular events promoting neuronal dysfunction and death in knock-in flies, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on approximately 130,000 cells from brains of Tau P251L mutant and control flies. We found that expression of disease-associated mutanttaualtered gene expression cell autonomously in all neuronal cell types identified. Gene expression was also altered in glial cells, suggestive of non-cell-autonomous regulation. Cell signaling pathways, including glial–neuronal signaling, were broadly dysregulated as were brain region and cell type–specific protein interaction networks and gene regulatory programs. In summary, we present here a genetic model of tauopathy that faithfully recapitulates the genetic context and phenotypic features of the human disease, and use the results of comprehensive single-cell sequencing analysis to outline pathways of neurotoxicity and highlight the potential role of non-cell-autonomous changes in glia.
Verifiable Blind Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions and Single Photons
Authors: Drmota P. , Nadlinger D. P. , Main D. , Nichol B. C. , Ainley E. M. , Leichtle D. , Mantri A. , Kashefi E. , Srinivas R. , Araneda G. , Ballance C. J. , Lucas D. M.
Published: April 2024

We report the first hybrid matter-photon implementation of verifiable blind quantum computing. We use a trapped-ion quantum server and a client-side photonic detection system networked via a fiber-optic quantum link. The availability of memory qubits and deterministic entangling gates enables interactive protocols without postselection—key requirements for any scalable blind server, which previous realizations could not provide. We quantify the privacy at ≲0.03 leaked classical bits per qubit. This experiment demonstrates a path to fully verified quantum computing in the cloud.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring gender differences in the Force Concept Inventory using a random effects meta-analysis of international studies
Authors: Santoso Purwoko Haryadi , Setiaji Bayu , Wahyudi  , Syahbrudin Johan , Bahri Syamsul , Fathurrahman  , Ananda A. Suci Rizky , Sodhiqin Yusuf
Published: April 2024

The Force Concept Inventory (FCI) is one of the research-based assessments established by the physics education research community to measure students’ understanding of Newtonian mechanics. Former works have often recorded the notion of gendered mean FCI scores favoring male students notably in the North American (NA) based studies. Nevertheless, these performance gaps remain inconclusive and unexplored outside the NA context. This paper aims to fill this gap by meta-analyzing the mean FCI scores between gender based on the existing physics education research literature internationally. We analyzed the magnitude and direction on the mean FCI scores between gender based on primary international studies published over the last two decades. We also explored the moderating impact of international study characteristics on the meta-analytic findings by performing a subgroup analysis to study the different study regions stratified by two subgroups (NA vs non-NA authors). Thirty-eight studies reporting the mean FCI scores by gender were included in the present meta-analysis. We employed Hedges’ g statistic to estimate to what degree the mean FCI scores may be different between male and female students on each study. Under a random effects model, we meta-analyzed the findings and conducted a subgroup analysis to answer the research questions. In summary, our meta-analysis indicated a significantly positive and moderate amount of gendered mean FCI scores in favor of male students both in NA- and non-NA based regions, and the performance gaps were wider in the NA-based studies. Suggestions are discussed while interpreting the mean FCI scores between gender for teaching, learning, and forthcoming studies.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Utilizing time-series measurements for entropy-production estimation in partially observed systems
Authors: Kapustin Uri , Ghosal Aishani , Bisker Gili
Published: April 2024

Estimating the dissipation, or the entropy-production rate (EPR), can provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of nonequilibrium-driven processes. However, in practical experimental settings, precise quantification of the EPR can be challenging, as only partial information is typically accessible. Here, we explore the relationship between the observed information and the accuracy of EPR estimation. We employ a range of coarse-grained time-series trajectory data, simulating scenarios where varying degrees of information are available. We discover a hierarchy of lower bounds on the total EPR, demonstrating that an increasing amount of information can be leveraged for obtaining tighter EPR estimation, underscoring the critical role of exploiting the available data. Moreover, we introduce a technique for utilizing waiting times within hidden states and tightening the lower bound on the total EPR for some cases. This approach highlights the potential of hidden features within the data to provide valuable insights into the dissipative dynamics of complex systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
High-pressure X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy at fourth-generation synchrotron sources
Authors: Cornet Antoine , Ronca Alberto , Shen Jie , Zontone Federico , Chushkin Yuriy , Cammarata Marco , Garbarino Gaston , Sprung Michael , Westermeier Fabian , Deschamps Thierry , Ruta Beatrice
Published: April 2024

A new experimental setup combining X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) in the hard X-ray regime and a high-pressure sample environment has been developed to monitor the pressure dependence of the internal motion of complex systems down to the atomic scale in the multi-gigapascal range, from room temperature to 600 K. The high flux of coherent high-energy X-rays at fourth-generation synchrotron sources solves the problems caused by the absorption of diamond anvil cells used to generate high pressure, enabling the measurement of the intermediate scattering function over six orders of magnitude in time, from 10−3 s to 103 s. The constraints posed by the high-pressure generation such as the preservation of X-ray coherence, as well as the sample, pressure and temperature stability, are discussed, and the feasibility of high-pressure XPCS is demonstrated through results obtained on metallic glasses.
Bank performance and financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from the MENA region
Authors: Mateev Miroslav , Sahyouni Ahmad , Moudud-Ul-Huq Syed , Nair Kiran
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the role of market concentration and efficiency in banking system stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. We empirically test the hypothesis that market concentration and efficiency are significant determinants of bank performance and stability during the time of crises, using a sample of 575 banks in 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Design/methodology/approach

The main sources of bank data are the BankScope and BankFocus (Bureau van Dijk) databases, World Bank development indicators, and official websites of banks in MENA countries. This study combined descriptive and analytical approaches. We utilize a panel dataset and adopt panel data econometric techniques such as fixed/random effects and the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator.

Findings

The results reveal that market concentration negatively affects bank profitability, whereas improved efficiency further enhances bank performance and contributes to the banking sector’s overall stability. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that during the COVID-19 pandemic, bank stability strongly depended on the level of market concentration, but not on bank efficiency. However, more efficient banks are more profitable and stable if the banking institutions are Islamic. Similarly, Islamic banks with the same level of efficiency demonstrated better overall financial performance during the pandemic than their conventional peers did.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is related to the period of COVID-19 pandemic that was covered in this paper (2020–2021). Therefore, further investigation of the COVID-19 effects on bank profitability and risk will require an extended period of the pandemic crisis, including 2022.

Practical implications

This study provides information that will enable bank managers and policymakers in MENA countries to assess the growing impact of market concentration and efficiency on the banking sector stability. It also helps them in formulating suitable strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our recommendations are useful guides for policymakers and regulators in countries where Islamic and conventional banking systems co-exist and compete, based on different business models and risk management practices.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the banking stability literature by investigating the role of market concentration and efficiency as the main determinants of bank performance and stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is the first to analyze banking sector stability in the MENA region, using both individual and risk-adjusted aggregated performance measures.
Maintaining life satisfaction when faced with multiple crisis episodes: the role of entrepreneurs’ goal orientation
Authors: Knockaert Mirjam , DeTienne Dawn , Coppens Karlien , Lambrecht Johan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The aim is to understand how goal orientation may help entrepreneurs maintain life satisfaction when faced with multiple crisis episodes. To do so, the authors study the early impact of COVID-19 on the life satisfaction of entrepreneurs who were previously faced with venture distress.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on 164 Belgian entrepreneurs, who were faced with previous venture distress, are used. The analysis is quantitative, and uses survey data, in combination with databases. The survey was administered in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020).

Findings

Entrepreneurs high in learning goal orientation are less likely, and those high in performance-avoidance orientation are more likely to experience a decline in life satisfaction. Additionally, the time span between the two crises moderates the relationship between learning goal orientation and life satisfaction. Particularly, entrepreneurs high in learning goal orientation are less likely to experience a decline in life satisfaction if more time has passed between venture distress and the COVID-19 crisis.

Practical implications

Often, entrepreneurs are faced with multiple episodes of distress. The authors study entrepreneurs who have been in venture distress before and are then confronted with the COVID-19 crisis. The study shows that goal orientation, which is a type of self-regulation, plays an important role in how entrepreneurs’ life satisfaction is affected. Also, the authors find that the time between distress events matters. These are important insights for practitioners, including entrepreneurs and support providers.

Originality/value

The study adds to the emerging discussion on the impact of crises on entrepreneurs. It studies life satisfaction (a measure of well-being) and complements studies that examine the impact of crises, on entrepreneurs’ actions and firm performance.
Peer mentors' experiences in an online STEM peer mentoring program: “beacons of light”
Authors: Wendt Jillian L. , Jones Vivian O.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) women continue to be underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs and careers. Peer mentoring is one strategy that can support their participation. This study explores the experiences of Black women peer mentors in an online peer mentoring program at two historically Black institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study approach was utilized to explore the impact of an online peer mentoring program on peer mentors' STEM self-efficacy, sense of community, STEM identity and intent to persist in STEM.

Findings

Analysis identified five themes relating to peer mentors' experiences in the program: (1) an “I can do this” approach: confidence and self-efficacy; (2) utility of like others; (3) “beacons of light”: intersecting and malleable identities; (4) skills development and (5) motivation and reciprocity. Further, challenges of the online relationship were shared.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the utility of an online peer mentoring model among women mentors enrolled in STEM programs at two historically Black institutions. The findings support those who are historically marginalized in participating in and remaining in STEM.
Fit-intrapreneurship in the emerging economy of health and fitness industry
Authors: Lara-Bocanegra Alejandro , Pedragosa Vera , García-Fernández Jerónimo , Bohórquez María Rocío
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the precursors of high and low intrapreneurial intentions among fitness center employees, considering various variables (gender, age, organization size and job satisfaction).

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved 166 fitness center employees of the Portuguese fitness center. The study used a two-part questionnaire to gather sociodemographic data and assess variables related to intrapreneurial intentions and job satisfaction among fitness employees. The first part collected basic demographic information, while the second used validated scales to measure intrapreneurial intentions (innovation and risk-taking) and job satisfaction (intrinsic and extrinsic).

Findings

This study underscores intrapreneurship as key for the evolving global fitness sector, highlighting job satisfaction as critical for fostering intrapreneurial intentions. Age, organizational size and gender diversity are also significant, suggesting that fostering a diverse and satisfied workforce under transformational leadership can enhance fitness organizations’ adaptability and growth.

Social implications

This research supports the growth of the fitness sector by demonstrating how intrapreneurship, propelled by job satisfaction, can resolve challenges, benefiting fitness centers regardless of size, age or gender diversity.

Originality/value

The study highlights the vital role of intrapreneurs in the fitness industry, advocating a nongender-biased approach to intrapreneurship and identifying job satisfaction as key to fostering intrapreneurial intentions, beneficial for all fitness centers.
Bloodmobile location selection for resilient blood supply chain: a novel spherical fuzzy AHP-integrated spherical fuzzy COPRAS methodology
Authors: Imamoglu Gul , Ayyildiz Ertugrul , Aydin Nezir , Topcu Y. Ilker
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Blood availability is critical for saving lives in various healthcare services. Ensuring blood availability can only be achieved through efficient management of the blood supply chain (BSC). A key component of the BSC is bloodmobiles, which are responsible for a significant portion of blood donation collections. The most crucial factor affecting the efficacy of bloodmobiles is their location selection. Therefore, detailed decision analyses are essential for the location selection of bloodmobiles. This study proposes a comprehensive approach to bloodmobile location selection for resilient BSCs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides a novel integration of the spherical fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (SF-AHP) and spherical fuzzy complex proportional assessment (SF-COPRAS) methodologies. In this framework, the criteria are weighted using SF-AHP. The alternatives are then evaluated using SF-COPRAS, employing criteria weights obtained from SF-AHP without defuzzification.

Findings

The results show that supply conditions and resilience are the most important criteria for a bloodmobile location selection. Additionally, the validation analyses confirm the stability of the solution.

Practical implications

This study presents several managerial implications that can aid mid-level managers in the BSC during the decision-making process for bloodmobile location selection. The critical factors revealed, along with their importance in choosing bloodmobile locations, serve as a comprehensive guide. Additionally, the framework proposed in this study offers decision-makers (DMs) an effective method for ranking potential bloodmobile locations.

Originality/value

This study presents the first application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) for bloodmobile location selection. In this manner, several aspects of bloodmobile location selection are considered for the first time in the existing literature. Furthermore, from the methodological aspect, this study provides a novel SF-AHP-integrated SF-COPRAS methodology.
Economic freedom and foreign direct investment in Brazil: an empirical analysis of determinants and policy implications
Authors: Upadhyaya Kamal , Barreto de Góes Bruno
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of economic freedom and some key macroeconomic variables on the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

An econometric model is developed that includes FDI inflow as the dependent variable and macroeconomic variables such as the output, current account balance, the real exchange rate, openness and economic freedom as explanatory variables. Annual time series data from 1995 to 2022 is used. Before carrying out the estimation, the time series properties of the data are diagnosed using unit root tests and cointegration tests. Since the data series were found to be stationary in the first difference form and the variables in the model were cointegrated, an error correction model is developed and estimated.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that the size of the market (gross domestic product), current account balance and the economic freedom index significantly influence FDI inflow to Brazil. Although the signs of openness and the real exchange rate align with theoretical expectations, they do not attain statistical significance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first formal study on the impact of economic freedom on the FDI inflow in Brazil. The finding of this study adds value to the understanding of FDI dynamics in Brazil, highlighting the critical role of economic freedom and market size in attracting foreign investment.
Effect of intellectual capital on organizational performance in the Indonesian SOEs and subsidiaries: roles of open innovation and organizational inertia
Authors: Tjahjadi Bambang , Soewarno Noorlailie , Sutarsa Annisa Ayu Putri , Jermias Johnny
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the direct effect of intellectual capital on the organizational performance of Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and their subsidiaries. Furthermore, it also examines whether the relationship is mediated by open innovation and moderated by organizational inertia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is designed as quantitative research. A survey method is employed to collect data by distributing questionnaires to the upper-level managers of the SOEs and their subsidiaries. A total of 293 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, and 97 responses were obtained for further analysis. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to test the hypotheses. A mediation-moderation research framework is employed.

Findings

The results show that intellectual capital has a positive effect on organizational performance. Further results also demonstrate that open innovation mediates the intellectual capital–organizational performance relationship and organizational inertia moderates the intellectual capital–organizational performance relationship. Theoretically, the findings contribute to the resource-based view (RBV) and knowledge-based view (KBV) by providing empirical evidence of the importance of distinctive internal resources in achieving superior organizational performance. Practically, the findings provide strategic information for managers that they should properly manage intellectual capital, open innovation and organizational inertia because of their effects on organizational performance.

Originality/value

First, this study addresses the previous research gaps by confirming that intellectual capital has a positive effect on organizational performance in the research setting of an emerging market. Second, by using a mediation research framework, this study shows that open innovation mediates the relationship between intellectual capital and organizational performance. Third, by using a moderating research framework, this study also reveals that organizational inertia weakens the relationship between intellectual capital and organizational performance. Those associations are rarely researched.
Multiculturalism in the curriculum: a comparative analysis of the Finnish, Irish and Hungarian national core curricula
Authors: Gulya Nikoletta Maria , Fehérvári Anikó
Published: April 2024

Purpose

One key aspect of European curriculum reforms is to empower students with the skills needed to engage actively in the pluralistic and multicultural global society of the 21st century. This study aims to examine the extent of multicultural education within the national core curricula of three European countries: Hungary, Finland and Ireland, focusing on its role in fostering social acceptance through education.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research applying discourse analysis was conducted to identify key multiculturalism concepts within the curricula. The analysis concentrated on understanding how multiculturalism is portrayed through various perspectives, emphasizing situational meanings and frameworks. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the findings was carried out.

Findings

The research found that all three curricula contain the concept of multicultural education, although the extent of emphasis varies. The Hungarian National Core Curriculum (NCC) primarily emphasizes national values and sporadically addresses multicultural issues, often from a local perspective. In contrast, the Irish NCC is tolerance-oriented, stressing not only the understanding of different cultures but also the importance of accepting them. The Finnish NCC reflects a global perspective and emphasizes respect for different cultures and minority groups, with a pluralistic approach.

Originality/value

This study enhances our understanding of the discourse of multiculturalism within the curricula of three European countries, emphasizing both their similarities and differences. Additionally, it underscores the crucial role that curricula can play in effectively implementing multicultural education.
Leader-follower congruence in overqualification and leader undermining: the mediating role of leader's downward envy
Authors: Liu Fang , Lan Junbang , Zhu Weichun , Gong Yuanyuan , Peng Xue
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon social comparison theory, this paper explores the (in)congruence effect of leader and follower overqualification on leader's downward envy, which in turn leads to leader undermining behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two-wave, multi-sourced data gathered in China, a polynomial regression was conducted on 301 leader-follower dyads.

Findings

Results show asymmetrical incongruence effects, indicating greater leader's downward envy when leader overqualification was lower than follower overqualification. In addition, by increasing downward envy, leader-follower (in)congruence in overqualification has an indirect positive effect on leader undermining behavior.

Practical implications

This study highlights the importance of being conscious of both parties’ overqualification levels to avoid unfavorable outcomes. Meanwhile, training for both parties is crucial, offering a holistic understanding of leader-follower overqualification differences and downward envy, as well as skills to manage “triggers” of leader undermining.

Originality/value

Our study is among the first to examine the effects of overqualification from a leader-follower dyadic congruence perspective. It suggests that leader's downward envy and undermining behaviors toward followers are influenced by both follower and leader overqualification.
Aligning cooperative supply chain relationships with firm strategy: a cross-disciplinary analysis
Authors: Dangol Ramesh , Eunni Rangamohan V. , Bateman Patrick J. , Marculetiu Alina
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the conflicting views in supply chain and strategic management literature regarding cooperative supply chain relationships (CSCR) and firm performance. Supply chain literature suggests a universally positive impact of CSCR on performance, irrespective of a firm’s strategy. In contrast, strategic management literature contends that the effectiveness of CSCR depends on their alignment with the firm’s competitive strategy. The research aims to clarify this disparity, offering insights into the strategic use of CSCR for enhancing firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper theorizes the integration of perspectives for the impact of CSCR on firm performance by examining the relationships considering the alignment of cost leadership and product differentiation strategies with supplier and customer relationships. Plant-level survey data is analyzed using regression techniques to test four hypotheses.

Findings

All four main relationships (cost leadership, product differentiation, supplier relationship and customer relationship) on firm performance are statistically significant. However, cost leadership firms are better aligned to their chosen strategy when they have strong relationships with suppliers, whereas similar relationships with customers create misalignment, negatively influencing firm performance. In contrast, product differentiators benefit by investing in relationships with customers rather than with suppliers.

Practical implications

A firm’s performance does not solely depend on its CSCR efforts but on aligning them with the firm’s overall strategy. Therefore, managers need to be cognizant of the firm’s competitive strategy when investing in CSCR. Failing to do so could negatively impact firm performance and, eventually, its ability to compete in the marketplace.

Originality/value

Scholars have advocated for the importance of examining competing perspectives of phenomena, both within and across various bodies of literature, as cross-disciplinary analysis often brings enhanced focus and depth, leading to improved understanding. This research is one of the initial efforts to empirically analyze the varying perspectives on CSCR in supply chain and strategic management literature. This cross-disciplinary approach can yield a more integrated perspective.
Unraveling formal and informal business ties in shaping foreign subsidiary capabilities
Authors: Thoumrungroje Amonrat , Siri Nang Sarm
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon the resource-based view this study aims to examine the connections between formal and informal business relationships and resource-bridging and adaptive capabilities within the context of foreign subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Thailand. Based on prior literature emphasizing business network ties as sources of competitive advantage in emerging markets, this study extends the discourse by investigating the moderating effects of technological turbulence, power distance and assertiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative research approach, using data obtained from a self-administered survey conducted among 168 foreign subsidiaries spanning diverse industries in Thailand. The data were analyzed by using multiple-group structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Cultivating different types of business ties enables foreign subsidiaries to improve different types of capabilities. While interpersonal relationships (i.e. informal businessties) enable them to develop their abilities to combine various resources (i.e. resource-bridging capability), rigid contractual-based relationships (i.e. formal businessties) help them to be more adaptive (i.e. adaptive capability). These relationships are also contingent upon the levels of technological turbulence, host-country power distance and host-country assertiveness.

Originality/value

This research builds upon prior research on network ties and capability building by delineating the specific nature of capabilities. Contradicting to the previous findings, demonstrating a negative relationship between formal business ties and capabilities, this study found that each type of business tie enables foreign subsidiaries to enhance different types of capabilities under different circumstances. Moreover, this study adopts a lens of host-country national culture rather than home-country culture in investigating the moderating effects of power distance and assertiveness.
The role of social procurement policies and cross‐sector partnerships in addressing youth unemployment: A construction industry case study from Australia
Authors: Meltzer Ariella , Loosemore Martin , Barraket Jo , Keast Robyn , Powell Abigail , Muir Kristy , Denny‐Smith George
Published: April 2024

In Australia, 9.4% of young people aged 15–24 are unemployed, more than double the national rate. The national employment services system in Australia has, however, not successfully tackled this issue. While some wraparound programs have been implemented to better address young people's needs, most are designed to find young people any job rather than being tailored towards a specific career. Despite governments encouraging solutions that involve cross‐sector collaboration with private businesses, the potential of industry‐specific solutions has been less well‐explored. Addressing this gap, this paper presents an in‐depth case study of how one major Australian construction company has implemented an industry‐specific collaborative wraparound program to address youth unemployment, called the Connectivity Centre model (CCM). The paper discusses the features of this model that make it distinctive compared to other programs supporting young people's employment. It also discusses how the policy context of social procurement (policies generating social value through procurement processes) and cross‐sector collaboration incentivise the model. The policy implications are explored, highlighting how models like the CCM offer a complementary alternative to other unemployment supports available to young jobseekers in Australia.

Points for practitioners

Social procurement policies incentivise private companies’ involvement in youth unemployment programs, including utilising their cross‐sector networks.

Private companies’ involvement enables youth unemployment programs that reflect the same benefits as wraparound programs in intensive/personalised support while providing more industry specificity.

This set of characteristics is unique and complementary within Australia's youth unemployment support landscape.
Addressing Polymorphism in Linguistic Phylogenetics
Authors: Canby Marc E. , Evans Steven N. , Ringe Donald , Warnow Tandy
Published: April 2024

Understanding how languages change is important not only for the reconstruction of protolanguages and for estimating diversification dates (i.e. the dates when languages split), but also for the inference of evolutionary trees (or phylogenetic networks) of language families. We propose a parametric model of language change that addresses lexical polymorphism (two or more words for a given basic meaning) based on what is known about how languages change. Under our model, changes of state in lexical characters occur only due to semantic shift or borrowing, leading to (potentially brief) periods in which polymorphism is present. Across a wide range of model conditions, we find that a simple and natural modification to the maximum parsimony (MP) criterion (which seeks the tree with the fewest number of changes) to allow it to handle polymorphic characters has the best accuracy, substantially improving on well‐known Bayesian methods based on appearances and disappearances of words. We also provide a new analysis of Indo–European that takes polymorphism into account, finding support for a previous tree (Nakhleh et al., 2006) and a new tree that differs from the previous tree in the relationship between Italo‐Celtic and Tocharian.
Liver cirrhosis and antibiotic therapy but not TIPS application leads to a shift of the intestinal bacterial communities: A controlled, prospective study
Authors: Heller Thomas , Herlemann Daniel P. R. , Plieth Anabel , Kröger Jens‐Christian , Weber Marc‐André , Reiner Johannes , Jaster Robert , Kreikemeyer Bernd , Lamprecht Georg , Schäffler Holger
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The gut–liver axis is discussed to play an important role in hepatic cirrhosis. Decompensated liver cirrhosis is associated with portal hypertension, which can lead to a variety of complications. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an established treatment option for the complications of portal hypertension. In this study we focused on the effect of TIPS on intestinal microbial composition in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

Thirty patients with liver cirrhosis were compared to 18 healthy adults. Seventeen patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension received a TIPS. Clinical characteristics, including age, sex, and liver function measured with a Child‐Pugh score and model for end‐stage liver disease score, were obtained. Intestinal microbial composition was assessed via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from stool probes before and after TIPS.

Results

TIPS led to a reduction of hepatic venous pressure gradient. However, TIPS did not cause a shift in the intestinal bacterial communities. Independent from the application of TIPS, antibiotic therapy was associated with a significant difference in the intestinal bacterial microbiota and also a reduced α‐diversity. In addition, a significant difference was observed in the intestinal bacterial composition between patients with liver cirrhosis and healthy controls.

Conclusion

The presence of liver cirrhosis and the use of antibiotic therapy, but not the application of TIPS, were associated with a significant shift of the intestinal bacterial communities, showing a high impact on the microbiota of patients with liver cirrhosis.
Thoracic skeletal muscle mass predicts mortality in patients with surgery for pleural empyema: A case control study
Authors: Galata Christian , Schiller Philipp , Müller Lukas , Karampinis Ioannis , Stamenovic Davor , Buhl Roland , Kreuter Michael , Roessner Eric Dominic
Published: April 2024

Background

This study investigated the role of the thoracic skeletal muscle mass as a marker of sarcopenia on postoperative mortality in pleural empyema.

Methods

All consecutive patients (n = 103) undergoing surgery for pleural empyema in a single tertiary referral center between January 2020 and December 2022 were eligible for this study. Thoracic skeletal muscle mass index (TSMI) was determined from preoperative computed tomography scans. The impact of TSMI and other potential risk factors on postoperative in‐hospital mortality was retrospectively analyzed.

Results

A total of 97 patients were included in this study. The in‐hospital mortality rate was 13.4%. In univariable analysis, low values for preoperative TSMI (p = 0.020), low preoperative levels of thrombocytes (p = 0.027) and total serum protein (p = 0.046) and higher preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) category (p = 0.007) were statistically significant risk factors for mortality. In multivariable analysis, only TSMI (p = 0.038, OR 0.933, 95% CI: 0.875–0.996) and low thrombocytes (p = 0.031, OR 0.944, 95% CI: 0.988–0.999) remained independent prognostic factors for mortality.

Conclusions

TSMI was a significant prognostic risk factor for postoperative mortality in patients with pleural empyema. TSMI may be suitable for risk stratification in this disease with high morbidity and mortality, which may have further implications for the selection of the best treatment strategy.
The landscape of allelic expression and DNA methylation at the bovine SGCE/PEG10 locus
Authors: Zhang Yinjiao , Zhang Cui , Chen Weina , Huo Haonan , Li Shujing , Yu Wenli , Jin Lanjie , Wang Kun , Li Shijie
Published: April 2024

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic regulation in mammals in which a small subset of genes is monoallelically expressed dependent on their parental origin. A large imprinted domain, SGCE/PEG10 locus, is located on human chromosome 7q21s and mouse proximal chromosome 6. However, genomic imprinting of bovine SGCE/PEG10 cluster has not been systematically studied. In this study, we investigated allele expression of 14 genes of the SGCE/PEG10 locus in bovine somatic tissues and term placenta using a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based sequencing method. In addition to SGCE and PEG10, two conserved paternally expressed genes in human and mice, five other genes (TFPI2, GNG11, ASB4, PON1, and PON3) were paternally expressed. Three genes, BET1, COL1A2, and CASD1, exhibited tissue‐specific monoallelic expression. CALCR showed monoallelic expression in tissues but biallelic expression in the placenta. Three genes, GNGT1, PPP1R9A, and PON2, showed biallelic expression in cattle. Five differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were found to be associated with the allelic expression of TFPI2, COL1A2, SGCE/PEG10, PON3, and ASB4 genes, respectively. The SGCE/PEG10 DMR is a maternally hypermethylated germline DMR, but TFPI2, COL1A2, PON3, and ASB4 DMRs are secondary DMRs. In summary, we identified five novel bovine imprinted genes (GNG11, BET1, COL1A2, CASD1, and PON1) and four secondary DMRs at the SGCE/PEG10 locus.
Mental health outcomes of family carers after admission to aged care: A cross‐sectional survey study
Authors: Camões‐Costa Vera , Taylor Benjamin , Barton Chris , Chakraborty Samantha , Hewitt Alana , Lin Xiaoping , Brijnath Bianca
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This study investigated the predictors of poor mental health outcomes among family carers of residents after transitioning into residential aged care.

Methods

Using a cross‐sectional design, five groups of variables were evaluated as predictors: caregiver demographics; caregiving load; resident‐related variables; loneliness and visiting frequency; and the impact of the COVID‐19 context. A total of 309 primary family contacts of all residents of two residential aged care organisations in the state of Victoria (Australia) participated in the study (response rate 19%). The K‐10 and the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers were used to measure the primary outcomes. We compared psychological distress and burden outcomes between carers whose relative was admitted within the last 12 months, or longer than 12 months ago.

Results

Time since admission (<12 months or >12 months) did not affect the level of psychological distress (t (238) = −.08, p = .94) or subjective burden (t (245) = −.89, p = .38). Being a woman, a spouse, speaking a language other than English at home, being less satisfied with the support offered by the facility, not feeling supported in the decision to admit their relative, being lonely and providing higher levels of care preadmission were predictors of poor mental health outcomes.

Conclusions

Older women with low‐English proficiency who were primary carers and are socially isolated, are more likely to experience poor mental health outcomes and need additional support. These findings may inform the development of screening tools and tailored interventions to support this population during and after the transition process.