bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lysosomal acid lipase-activity as a novel target to efficiently address triple-negative breast cancer high malignancy
Authors: Steigerwald H. , Bozzetti T. , Tams M. , On J. , Hoffmann G. , Lambertz J. , Weidele K. , Treitschke S. , Reinhard F. , Kulik A. , Krawczyk N. , Niederacher D. , Neubauer H. , Werno C. , Rau T. , Fehm T. , Esser K
Published: October 2023

Increased metabolism of neutral lipids, e.g. triglycerides and cholesterol esters, is a hallmark of malignant cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Predominantly, cancer cells with a high epigenetic stem cell-associated signature increasingly utilize neutral lipids to maintain their high degree of tumor stemness, linking metabolic aberrations to epigenetically dysregulated differentiation processes. Lysosomal acid lipase (LIPA) is a central enzyme in the cellular utilization of exogenous and endogenous neutral lipids; however, the role of LIPA-activity in TNBC remains unexplored. We here show for the first time that pharmacological inhibition of LIPA, highly expressed in TNBC, reduces the expression markers of breast cancer stemness in cell culture models of TNBC. A role of LIPA in maintaining TNBC high cellular stemness was stressed by specific siRNA knock-down. Furthermore, inhibition of LIPA sensitized TNBC cells to therapy with Paclitaxel and Doxorubicin, two important chemotherapeutics in current TNBC treatment. When LIPA-activity was inhibited in a three-dinensional (3D) patient derived organoid model, we observed a significant reduction in TNBC cellular viability. Importantly, LIPA inhibition prevented tumor metastasis in a TNBC-zebrafish xenograft modelin vivo. These findings introduce LIPA-activity as a novel pharmacological target in TNBC therapy to specifically address its high cancer malignancy with a potential for implementation of LIPA inhibitors into personalized treatment in the future.
Defining melanoma combination therapies that provide senolytic sensitivity in human melanoma cells
Authors: Tchelougou Daméhan , Malaquin Nicolas , Cardin Guillaume , Desmul Jordan , Turcotte Simon , Rodier Francis
Published: October 2023

Malignant Melanoma that resists immunotherapy remains the deadliest form of skin cancer owing to poor clinically lasting responses. Alternative like genotoxic or targeted chemotherapy trigger various cancer cell fates after treatment including cell death and senescence. Senescent cells can be eliminated using senolytic drugs and we hypothesize that the targeted elimination of therapy-induced senescent melanoma cells could complement both conventional and immunotherapies.

We utilized a panel of cells representing diverse mutational background relevant to melanoma and found that they developed distinct senescence phenotypes in response to treatment. A genotoxic combination therapy of carboplatin-paclitaxel or irradiation triggered a mixed response of cell death and senescence, irrespective of BRAF mutation profiles. DNA damage-induced senescent cells exhibited morphological changes, residual DNA damage, and increased senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). In contrast, dual targeted inhibition of Braf and Mek triggered a partially reversible senescence-like state without DNA damage or SASP.

To assess the sensitivity to senolytics we employed a novel real-time imaging-based death assay and observed that Bcl-xl/Bcl-2 inhibitors and piperlongumine were effective in promoting death of carboplatin-paclitaxel and irradiation-induced senescent melanoma cells, while senescent-like cells resulting from Braf-Mek inhibition remained unresponsive. Interestingly, a direct synergy between Bcl-2/Bcl-xl inhibitors and Braf-Mek inhibitors was observed when used out the context of senescence. Overall, we highlight that the hallmarks of melanoma senescence and sensitivity to senolytics are context dependent and provide evidence of effective combinations of senotherapy drugs that could reduce treatment resistance while also discussing the limitations of this strategy in human melanoma cells.
Replicators, genes, and the C-value enigma: High-quality genome assembly of barley provides direct evidence that self-replicating DNA forms ‘cooperative’ associations with genes in arms races
Authors: Rabanus-Wallace M. Timothy , Wicker Thomas , Stein Nils
Published: October 2023

The C-value enigma—the apparent disjunction between the complexity of organisms and the sizes of their genomes—could be in part resolved if it were definitively shown that tolerance of self-copying DNA elements incurred an occasional selective advantage. We leverage the power of the latest genome assembly of the exceptionally repetitive and well-studied cereal crop barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) to explicitly test the hypothesis that the population of genes that have been repeatedly replicated by the action of replication-inducing sequences has undergone selection, favouring genes involved in co-evolutionary arms races (such as genes implicated in pathogen resistance). This was achieved by algorithmically identifying 1,999 genomic stretches that are locally rich in long repeated units. In these loci, we identified 554 geanes, belonging to 42 gene families. These gene families strongly overlap with a test set of pathogen resistance and other likely evolutionary ‘arms-race’ genes compiled independently from the literature. By statistically demonstrating that selection has systematically influenced the composition of replicator-associated genes at a genome-wide scale we provide evidence that tolerance of repeat-inducing DNA sequences is an adaptive strategy that may contribute to enigmatically inflated C-values, and invite more detailed research on how particular genes become prone to duplication, to the organism’s advantage. To this end, we examined the genomic sequences surrounding several of the candidate gene families, and find a repeated pattern of genomic disperse-and-expand dynamics, but where the repeated genomic unit itself varies between sites of expansion. This suggests that genes effectively form opportunistic relationships with replication-inducing DNA elements. We mention implications for agriculture.
Vps18 contributes to phagosome membrane integrity inMycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macrophages
Authors: Jani Charul , Marsh Amanda , Uchil Pooja , Jain Neha , Baskir Zach R. , Glover Owen T. , Root David E. , Doench John G. , Barczak Amy K.
Published: October 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) has evolved to be exquisitely adapted to survive within host macrophages. The capacity to damage the phagosomal membrane has emerged as central to Mtb virulence. While Mtb factors driving membrane damage have been described, host factors that repair that damage to contain the pathogen remain largely unknown. We used a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify novel host factors required to repair Mtb-damaged phagosomal membranes. Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 18 (Vps18), a member of the HOPS and CORVET trafficking complexes, was among the top hits. Vps18 colocalized with Mtb in macrophages beginning shortly after infection, and Vps18-knockout macrophages demonstrated increased damage of Mtb-containing phagosomes without impaired autophagy. Mtb grew more robustly in Vps18-knockout cells, and the first-line anti-tuberculosis antibiotic pyrazinamide was less effective. Our results identify Vps18 as required for phagosomal membrane integrity in Mtb-infected cells and suggest that modulating phagosome integrity may hold promise for improving the efficacy of antibiotic treatment for TB.
A network of transcriptomic signatures identifies novel comorbidity mechanisms between schizophrenia and somatic disorders
Authors: Zhang Youcheng , Bharadhwaj Vinay S. , Kodamullil Alpha T. , Herrmann Carl
Published: October 2023

The clinical burden of mental illness, in particular schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are driven by frequent chronic courses and increased mortality, as well as the risk for comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Evidence suggests an overlap of molecular pathways between psychotic disorders and somatic comorbidities. In this study, we developed a computational framework to perform comorbidity modeling via an improved integrative unsupervised machine learning approach based on multi-rank non-negative matrix factorization (mrNMF). Using this procedure, we extracted molecular signatures potentially explaining shared comorbidity mechanisms. For this, 27 case-control microarray transcriptomic datasets across multiple tissues were collected, covering three main categories of conditions including psychotic disorders, cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes. We addressed the limitation of normal NMF for parameter selection by introducing multi-rank ensembled NMF to identify signatures under various hierarchical levels simultaneously. Analysis of comorbidity signature pairs was performed to identify several potential mechanisms including 1) dysfunction of endothelial systems; 2) induction of hypoxia and oxidative stress; 3) dysregulation of neural transmission GABAergic system associated with neuroendocrine function (e.g. insulin secretion); 4) activation of inflammatory response auxiliarily interconnecting blood-brain systems, oxidative response and GABAergic neuro-action. Overall, we proposed a general cross-cohorts computing workflow for investigating the comorbid pattern across multiple symptoms, applied it to the real-data comorbidity study on schizophrenia, and further discussed the potential for future application of the approach.
Pulsed ultrasound modulates the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin and doxorubicin on cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19)
Authors: Mohammadi Seyed Omid , LaRocca Megan C. , Yang Christopher D. , Jessen Jordan , Kenney M. Cristina , Lin Ken Y.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Pulsed ultrasound has been proposed as a tool to enhance ocular drug delivery, but its effects on drug potency are not well understood. Doxorubicin-HCl and cisplatin are two drugs commonly used to treat ocular melanoma. We report the effects of pulsed ultrasound on the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-HCl and cisplatinin vitro.

Methods

Cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19) cells were treated with doxorubicin-HCl or cisplatin in the presence or absence of ultrasound. MTT and Trypan blue assays were performed at 24 and 48 hours post-treatment to assess cell metabolism and death.

Results

Cells treated with ultrasound plus doxorubicin-HCl demonstrated a significant decrease in metabolism compared to cells treated with doxorubicin-HCl alone. In contrast, cells treated with ultrasound plus cisplatin exhibited a significant increase in metabolism compared to cells treated with cisplatin alone at 48-hours. Cells treated with cisplatin pre-treated with ultrasound (US-Cis) exhibited a significant decrease in metabolism. Cell death was similar in doxorubicin- and cisplatin-treated cells with and without ultrasound.

Conclusion

Pulsed ultrasound enhances the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-HCl at 24- and 48-hours post-treatment but abrogates cisplatin toxicity 48-hours post-treatment. This suggests ultrasound modulates cell-drug interactions in a drug-specific manner. These findings may influence the future development of ultrasound-assisted ocular drug delivery systems.
Gut metabolite L-lactate supportsCampylobacter jejunipopulation expansion during acute infection
Authors: Sinha Ritam , LeVeque Rhiannon M. , Callahan Sean M. , Chatterjee Shramana , Stopnisek Nejc , Kuipel Matti , Johnson Jeremiah G. , DiRita Victor J.
Published: October 2023

How the microaerobic pathogenCampylobacter jejuniestablishes its niche and expands in the gut lumen during infection is poorly understood. Using six-week-old ferrets as a natural disease model, we examined this aspect ofC. jejunipathogenicity. Unlike mice, which require significant genetic or physiological manipulation to become colonized withC. jejuni, ferrets are readily infected without the need to disarm the immune system or alter the gut microbiota. Disease afterC. jejuniinfection in ferrets reflects closely how humanC. jejuniinfection proceeds. Rapid growth ofC. jejuniand associated intestinal inflammation was observed within two-three days of infection. We observed pathophysiological changes that were noted by cryptic hyperplasia through the induction of tissue repair systems, accumulation of undifferentiated amplifying cells on the colon surface, and instability of HIF-1α in colonocytes, which indicated increased epithelial oxygenation. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that lactate levels in colon content were elevated in infected animals. AC. jejunimutant lackinglctP, which encodes an L-lactate transporter, was significantly decreased for colonization during infection. Lactate also influences adhesion and invasion byC. jejunito a colon carcinoma cell line (HCT116). The oxygenation required for expression of lactate transporter (lctP) led to discovery of a putative thiol based redox switch regulator (LctR) that may represslctPtranscription under anaerobic conditions. Our work provides new insights into the pathogenicity ofC. jejuni.

Significance

There is a gap in knowledge about the mechanisms by whichC. jejunipopulations expand during infection. Using an animal model which accurately reflects human infection without the need to alter the host microbiome or the immune system prior to infection, we explored pathophysiological alterations of the gut afterC. jejuniinfection. Our study identified the gut metabolite L-lactate as playing an important role as a growth substrate forC. jejuniduring acute infection. We identified a DNA binding protein, LctR, that binds to thelctPpromoter and may represslctPexpression, resulting in decreased lactate transport under low oxygen levels. This work provides new insights aboutC. jejunipathogenicity.
Sea squirt-inspired bio-derived tissue sealants
Authors: Menon Aishwarya V. , Torres Jessica E. , Cox Abigail D. , Risselada Marije , Schmidt Gudrun , Wilker Jonathan J. , Liu Julie C.
Published: October 2023

Sea squirts’ or tunicates’ bodies are composed of cellulose nanofibers and gallol- functionalized proteins. These sea creatures are known to heal their injuries under seawater by forming crosslinks between gallols and functional groups from other proteins in their bodies. Inspired by their wound healing mechanism, herein, we have developed a tissue sealant using zein (a plant-based protein) and tannic acid (gallol-containing polyphenol). Except for fibrin- based sealants, most commercial surgical adhesives, and sealants available today are derived from petroleum products that compromise their biodegradability. They often have complicated and multi-step synthesis processes that ultimately affect their affordability. To overcome this challenge, we ensured that these sea squirt-inspired tissue sealants are bio-based, easily synthesized, and low-cost. The sealants were studied on their own and with a food-grade enzyme transglutaminase. The adhesion performances of the sealants were found to be higher than physiological pressures in seven out of nine different tissue substrates studied here. Their performance was also better than or on par with the FDA-approved fibrin sealant Tisseel.Ex vivomodels demonstrate instant sealing of leaking wounds in less than a minute. The sealants were not only cytocompatible but also showed complete wound healing on par with sutures and Tisseel when appliedin vivoon skin incisions in rats. Overall, these sea squirt-inspired bio-based sealants show great potential to replace currently available wound closure methods.
Morphological Analysis of Aging Hallmarks in the Central Nervous System of the Fast-Aging African Turquoise Killifish
Authors: Bergmans Steven , Vanhunsel Sophie , Van houcke Jolien , Mariën Valerie , Arckens Lut , Moons Lieve
Published: October 2023

As the number of elderly individuals is increasing in modern society, the need for a relevant gerontology model is higher than ever before. Aging can be defined by specific cellular hallmarks, described by López-Otín and colleagues, who provided a map which can be used to scavenge the aging tissue environment. As revealing the presence of individual hallmarks does not necessarily indicate aging, here we provide different (immuno)histochemical approaches that can be used to investigate several aging hallmarks—namely, genomic damage, mitochondrial dysfunction/oxidative stress, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication—in the killifish retina, optic tectum, and/or telencephalon at a morphological level. In combination with molecular and biochemical analysis of these aging hallmarks, this protocol offers the opportunity to fully characterize the aged killifish central nervous system.
Synthesis, crystal structure and reactivity of bis(μ-2-methylpyridine N-oxide-κ2
O:O)bis[dibromido(2-methylpyridine N-oxide-κO)cobalt(II)] butanol monosolvate
Authors: Näther Christian , Jess Inke
Published: October 2023

Reaction of CoBr2 with 2-methylpyridine N-oxide in n-butanol leads to the formation of the title compound, [CoBr2]2(2-methylpyridine N-oxide)4·n-butanol or [Co2Br4(C6H7NO)4]·C4H10O. The asymmetric unit of the title compound consists of one CoII cation as well as two bromide anions and two 2-methylpyridine N-oxide coligands in general positions and one n-butanol molecule that is disordered around a center of inversion. The CoII cations are fivefold coordinated by two bromide anions and one terminal as well as two bridging 2-methylpyridine N-oxide and linked by two symmetry-related μ-1,1(O,O) 2-methylpyridine N-oxide coligands into dinuclear units that are located on centers of inversion. In the crystal structure, the dinuclear units are also connected via pairs of C—H...Br hydrogen bonds into chains that elongate in the b-axis direction. The n-butanol molecules are located between the chains and are linked via O—H...Br hydrogen bonds each to one chain. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements reveal that a pure phase has been obtained. Measurements using thermogravimetry and differential thermoanalysis shows one mass loss up to 523 K, in which the n-butanol molecules are removed. PXRD measurements of the residue obtained after n-butanol removal shows that a completely different crystalline phase has been obtained and IR investigations indicate significant structural changes in the Co coordination.
Exploring the role of assurance context in system security assurance evaluation: a conceptual model
Authors: Wen Shao-Fang , Katt Basel
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Security assurance evaluation (SAE) is a well-established approach for assessing the effectiveness of security measures in systems. However, one aspect that is often overlooked in these evaluations is the assurance context in which they are conducted. This paper aims to explore the role of assurance context in system SAEs and proposes a conceptual model to integrate the assurance context into the evaluation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model highlights the interrelationships between the various elements of the assurance context, including system boundaries, stakeholders, security concerns, regulatory compliance and assurance assumptions and regulatory compliance.

Findings

By introducing the proposed conceptual model, this research provides a framework for incorporating the assurance context into SAEs and offers insights into how it can influence the evaluation outcomes.

Originality/value

By delving into the concept of assurance context, this research seeks to shed light on how it influences the scope, methodologies and outcomes of assurance evaluations, ultimately enabling organizations to strengthen their system security postures and mitigate risks effectively.
Analyzing the spatial determinants of housing prices in Dammam, Saudi Arabia: an AHP approach
Authors: Lawal Dano Umar
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the determinants that influence housing prices in Dammam metropolitan area (DMA), Saudi Arabia, by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model. The study considers determinants such as building age (BLD AG), building size (BLD SZ), building condition (BLD CN), access to parking (ACC PK), proximity to transport infrastructure (PRX TRS), proximity to green areas (PRX GA) and proximity to amenities (PRX AM).

Design/methodology/approach

The AHP decision model was used to assess the determinants of housing prices in DMA, using a pair-wise comparison matrix to determine the influence of the investigated factors on housing prices.

Findings

The study’s results revealed that building size (BLD SZ) was the most critical determinant affecting housing prices in DMA, with a weight of 0.32, trailed by proximity to transport infrastructure (PRX TRS), with a weight of 0.24 as the second most influential housing price determinant in DMA. The third most important determinant was proximity to amenities (PRX AM), with a weight of 0.18.

Originality/value

This study addresses a research gap by using the AHP model to assess the spatial determinants of housing prices in DMA, Saudi Arabia. Few studies have used this model in examining housing price factors, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia. Consequently, the findings of this study provide unique insights for policymakers, housing developers and other stakeholders in understanding the importance of building size, proximity to transport infrastructure and proximity to amenities in influencing housing prices in DMA. By considering these determinants, stakeholders can make informed decisions to improve housing quality and prices in the region.
Is voluntary risk disclosure informative? The role of UK firm-level governance
Authors: Elsayed Nader , Hassanein Ahmed
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The study investigates how firm-level governance (FL_G) affects the disclosure of voluntary risk information. Likewise, it explores the influence of FL_G on the informativeness of voluntary risk disclosure (VRD). Specifically, it examines how FL_G shapes the nexus between VRD and firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a sample of non-financial firms from the FTSE350 index listed on the London Stock Exchange between 2010 and 2018. The authors utilise an automated textual analysis technique to code the VRD in the annual reports of these firms. The firm value, adjusted for the industry median, is a proxy for investor response to VRD.

Findings

The results suggest that UK firms with significant board independence and larger audit committees disclose more risk information voluntarily. Nevertheless, firms with larger boards of directors and higher managerial ownership disseminate less voluntary risk information. Besides, VRD contains relevant information that enhances investors' valuation of UK firms. These results are more pronounced in firms with higher independent directors, lower managerial ownership and large audit committees.

Practical implications

The study rationalises the ongoing debate on the effect of FL_G on VRD. The findings are helpful to UK policy-setters in reconsidering the guidelines that regulate UK VRD and to the UK investors in considering risk disclosure in their price decisions and thus enhancing their corporate valuations.

Originality/value

It contributes to the risk reporting literature in the UK by presenting the first evidence on the effect of a comprehensive set of FL_G on VRD. Besides, it enriches the existing research by shedding light on the role of FL_G on the informativeness of discretionary risk information in the UK.
Unmasking mobility patterns: international travel behavior and emissions of scientists in a higher research institution
Authors: Hölbling Stefanie , Kirchengast Gottfried , Danzer Julia
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate patterns in international travel behavior of scientific staff depending on the categories of gender, scientific field and scientific seniority level. The learning from salient differences possibly revealed may inform measures for reducing travel greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially for high-emitting staff groups, and help strengthen the equality between scientists of different categories concerning their travel behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected and used novel empirical data on travel GHG emissions from University of Graz scientific staff for five consecutive years (2015–2019) and used statistical analysis and inference to test and answer three distinct research questions on patterns of travel behavior.

Findings

The travel footprint of scientific staff, in terms of annual GHG emissions per scientist, exhibits various highly significant differences across scientific fields, seniority and gender, such as male senior natural scientists showing ten times higher per-person emissions than female junior social scientists.

Originality/value

The five-year travel GHG emissions data set across all fields from natural sciences via social sciences to humanities at a large university (Uni Graz, Austria, about 2,000 scientific staff) and across seniority levels from predocs to professors, both for female and male scientists, enabled a robust empirical study revealing distinct differences in travel GHG footprints of academic staff. In this way, the study adds valuable insights for higher research institutions toward effective GHG reduction policies.
Market reaction to mandatory sustainability disclosures: evidence from Singapore
Authors: Chen Jerry
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the equity market reaction to sustainability disclosure measures derived from firms' inaugural sustainability reports following the implementation of mandatory sustainability reporting in Singapore.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores the equity market reaction to first-time sustainability reports of mandatory adopters and compares the reactions between voluntary and mandatory adopters. To mitigate any imbalanced distribution effects, entropy balancing techniques are employed.

Findings

The author observes a significant equity market reaction when mandatory adopters adhere to a reporting framework and release sustainability reports as standalone documents. Additionally, the study indicates that government regulation amplifies the equity market reaction for companies that include a board statement within their sustainability reports and present them as standalone publications.

Research limitations/implications

The lack of quantitative information disclosed in the first-time sustainability reports may restrict the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

The findings provide valuable insights for organizations and managers to evaluate the market's response to sustainability disclosures and improve communication effectiveness with investors. Furthermore, the study has direct policy implications for global standard-setting organizations in sustainability reporting. The findings support the notion that investors value market-led and investor-focused sustainability disclosures.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the limited body of research that examines the capital market effects of mandatory sustainability disclosures. To the author’s knowledge, this is among a few studies to directly investigate the equity market reaction to mandatory sustainability disclosures at the firm level.
Regulatory policy uncertainty, banking industry innovations and financial development among emerging markets
Authors: Abaidoo Rexford , Agyapong Elvis Kwame
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study examines the extent to which regulatory policy uncertainty, macroeconomic risk, banking industry innovations, etc. influence variability in financial sector development among emerging economies in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the empirical inquiry were compiled from a sample of 25 economies from the subregion from 2010 to 2020. Empirical estimates examining the relationships noted above were carried out using the two-step system generalized method of moments estimation technique.

Findings

Results the empirical estimates suggest that regulatory policy uncertainty and macroeconomic risk adversely influence or constrain financial sector development among the economies examined in the study. Banking industry innovations on the other hand is found to positively influence the development of the financial sector in these economies. Furthermore, moderating empirical analysis suggests that effective governance positively moderates the relationship between banking industry innovations and financial development among economies in the subregion.

Originality/value

This study’s approach to the mechanics of financial development among economies in SSA is designed to offer different perspectives to those found in the existing literature on financial development in three fundamental ways. First, although the verification of the role of banking industry innovations in financial development may not be new, it is important to point out that the approach used in this study is based on an index for innovations with different constituents or principal components in its construction; making the variable significantly different from what has been examined in the literature. In addition, the review of regulatory policy uncertainty and macroeconomic risk (both variables are multifaceted constructs using the principal component analysis procedure) further brings into this study’s analysis, a different approach to examining conditions influencing variability in financial development among developing economies.
Board diversity and intellectual capital disclosure of Chinese-listed firms with Belt and Road Initiative projects
Authors: Zhao Mingxiao , Abeysekera Indra
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Chinese-listed firms with Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) play a crucial role in advancing the outward investment policy of China. Board diversity can be vital, and intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) showing future earnings can build investor confidence in these firms. This study examines these two relationships in Chinese-listed firms with BRI projects during a predictable business outlook period (2019, pre-Covid period) and unpredictable business outlook period (2020, Covid period).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used least squares regression that analysed the target population comprising 79 listed Chinese firms with BRI projects in 2019 and 2020. The China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database provided board diversity data. Analysing annual reports using content analysis provided the ICD data, collected by following an established intellectual capital (IC) coding framework in the literature. After collecting board-related data, the study calculated the diversity between boards in firms (diversity of boards – DOB) using cluster analysis. The study estimated the diversity within each board (diversity in boards – DIB) using Blau's Index.

Findings

The findings indicate that in the predictable business outlook environment, DOB positively associates with ICD, and DIB negatively associates with ICD. In the unpredictable business outlook environment, the DIB and DOB interaction negatively associates with ICD, and DOB positively associates with ICD.

Research limitations/implications

The findings apply to Chinese-listed firms with BRI projects and further research is required to generalise findings beyond them. This study used annual reports to collect ICD, but a future study could examine BRI firms' social media and website disclosures. The attributes selected for board diversity dimensions can contribute to bounded findings, and future studies could expand the board diversity attributes included.

Practical implications

The findings provide insights into firms' board composition and structure associated with ICD.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies providing empirical evidence about board diversity and ICD of Chinese-listed firms with BRI projects.
The competitiveness, challenges and opportunities to accommodate the Halal tourism market: a Sharia-law tourism destination perspectives
Authors: Hariani Dina , Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perception among the tourism stakeholders about Halal tourism competitiveness, challenges and opportunities in Aceh, a Sharia-law tourism destination.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted the qualitative research method and used in-depth interviews with purposively selected 13 Halal tourism stakeholders in Aceh.

Findings

This study found that the Indonesian Government has aggressively promoted Aceh as one of its main Halal tourist destinations. Despite its popularity in the growing and lucrative Muslim market, the understanding of Halal tourism in Aceh among its stakeholders is still at its infancy level. Besides, although Aceh is a Muslim-majority region, its Halal facilities and services, especially the Halal certification for their foodservice industry, are still lacking compared to their neighbouring competitors.

Originality/value

This study confirms the scarcity of stakeholder understanding and support challenged and undermined Aceh’s Halal tourism competitiveness. As such, this study sheds light on the original insight that stakeholders’ limited comprehension and backing can hinder Aceh’s Halal tourism competitiveness.
Recovering the neglected importance of Harry Hopkins’ role in the New Deal: insights for management and organization studies
Authors: Deal Nicholous M. , MacIsaac Mark D. , Mills Albert J. , Helms Mills Jean
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the potential of the New Deal as a research context in management and organization studies and, in doing so, forward the role one of its chief architects, Harry Hopkins, played in managing the economic crisis. The exploration takes us to multiple layers that work together to form context around Hopkins including the Great Depression, the Roosevelt Administration, and ultimately, the New Deal. By raising Harry Hopkins as an exemplar of historical-narrative exclusion, the authors can advance the understanding of his role in the New Deal and how his actions produced early insights about management (e.g. modern crisis management).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper experiments with the methodological assemblage of ANTi-History and microhistorical analysis that the authors call “ANTi-Microhistory” to examine the life narrative of Harry Hopkins, his early association with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and later, the New Deal. To accomplish this, the authors undertake a programme of archival research (e.g. the digital repository of The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum) and assess various materials (e.g. speeches, biographies and memoirs) from across multiple spaces.

Findings

The findings suggest Harry Hopkins to be a much more powerful actor in mobilizing New Deal policies and their effect on early management thought than what was previously accepted. In the process, the authors found that because of durable associations with Roosevelt, key policy architects of the same ilk as Harry Hopkins (e.g. Frances Perkins, Henry Wallace, Lewis Douglas, and others) and their contributions have been marginalized. This finding illustrates the significant potential of little-known historical figures and how they might shed new insight on the development of the field and management practice.

Originality/value

The aim is to demonstrate the potential of engaging historical research in management with the individual – Harry Hopkins – as a unit of analysis. By engaging historical research on the individual – be it well-known or obscure figures of the past – the authors are considering how they contribute to the understanding of phenomena (e.g. New Deal, Progressivism or Keynesian economics). The authors build on research that brings to focus forgotten people, communities and ideas in management studies but go further in advocating for space in the research to consider the scholarly potential of the individual.
Linking emotional solidarity with residents' support for religious tourism development: an empirical research from a cultural heritage context
Authors: Daskin Mustafa , Pala Kenan
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The aim of this research study is to examine the role of emotional solidarity on religious tourism support. Data for the present research work were attained from various groups of residents in Amasya province/Türkiye.

Design/methodology/approach

The Google form-based questionnaires were self-managed by the participants. In the context of the survey, 306 complete questionnaires were gathered. For the data analysis, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was used via SmartPLS 4.0 software in conjunction with SPSS version 23.

Findings

The analysis results show that the emotional solidarity dimensions such as welcoming nature and sympathetic understanding were found to be positively related with religious tourism support at different coefficient levels; however, emotional closeness was not statistically related.

Originality/value

This study adds fresh insights into the field of tourist literature and has beneficial ramifications for business development in the area of religious tourism.
Women professors and Covid-19: impact of telework in the routine of university professors in Brazil
Authors: Boehs Samantha de Toledo Martins , Vilela Nágila Giovanna Silva , Santos-Costa Lucas dos , Kunde Simone , Lourenço Mariane Lemos
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This article investigates the impact of teleworking, especially concerning work intensity, during the Covid-19 pandemic, on the routine of women university professors in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data through a web-based survey disseminated through social media and sent e-mails to professors (addresses obtained from educational institutions’ public information), reaching 1,471 responses which were analyzed by correlation and multinomial logistic regression (MLR).

Findings

The authors find evidence to confirm all hypotheses tested at different levels. The professors who noticed increased workload during the pandemic are mostly from private higher education institutions (HEIs). The authors also demonstrate the impact of professional and family contexts and find a higher number of negative feelings and workplace correlates that influence the perception of working more.

Originality/value

This work problematizes the condition of women in Brazilian society, revealing the overload of work in the intersection between family, work, self-care, and other tasks. This study contributes to the literature exploring the home-office/telework in extreme periods, as is the case of the Covid-19 pandemic period.
Social cohesion and reconciliation between the Rohingya and host communities in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Authors: Miah Abu Said Md. Juel , Islam Tariqul , Fasse Anja , Anjum Iffat , Morshed KAM , Akhter Mahmud Elahi , Sultana Nayeem , Rayhan Md. Israt
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The Rohingyas are forcefully displaced from Myanmar and sheltered in the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh. They have outnumbered the local people indicating a critical condition of their living situation after the year 2017 influx. The aim of this paper is to present how coexistence has impacted social cohesion and reconciliation among different groups of Rohingyas and host communities.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 903 households through a multistage stratified random sampling. Social cohesion and reconciliation (SCORE) index was measured as a multifaceted theoretical construct based on the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Findings

The findings of this study are inclined toward the miracle of social cohesion and reconciliation between the Rohingya and host communities. Also, it is revealed that youth, males and Rohingyas who came before the year 2017 influx are more cohesive. In the host or local community, people having lower income, less education and involvement with the informal sector are revealed as less cohesive.

Practical implications

This study suggests vocational training as a short-term, cash-for-work as a mid-term and repatriation, proper identity, and protection services as long-term strategic plans to make the two communities more cohesive.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the SCORE indexes with a quantitative format, applying a second-order factor model.
Information Complementarities and the Dynamics of Transparency Shock Spillovers
Authors: BANERJEE SHANTANU , DASGUPTA SUDIPTO , SHI RUI , YAN JIALI
Published: October 2023

We show that information complementarities play an important role in the spillover of transparency shocks. We exploit the revelation of financial misconduct by S&P 500 firms, and in a “Stacked Difference‐in‐Differences” design, find that the implied cost of capital increases for “close” industry peers of the fraudulent firms relative to “distant” industry peers. The spillover effect is particularly strong when the close peers and the fraudulent firm share common analyst coverage and common institutional ownership, which have been shown to be powerful proxies for fundamental linkages and information complementarities. We provide evidence that increase in the cost of capital of peer firms is due, at least in part, to “beta shocks.” Disclosure by close peers—especially those with co‐coverage and co‐ownership links—also increases following fraud revelation. Although disclosure remains high in the following years, the cost of equity starts to decrease.
Paediatric diabetes‐related presentations to emergency departments in Victoria, Australia from 2008 to 2018
Authors: Kao Kung‐Ting , Lei Shaoke , Cheek John A , White Mary , Hiscock Harriet
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Despite significant treatment advances in paediatric diabetes management, ED presentations for potentially preventable (PP) complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains a major issue. We aimed to examine the characteristics, rates and trends of diabetes‐related ED presentations and subsequent admissions in youth aged 0–19 years from 2008 to 2018.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset and the National Diabetes Register. A diabetes‐related ED presentation is defined using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification diagnosis codes. ‘Non‐preventable’ presentations were the number of youths with newly diagnosed diabetes, and the remaining are classified as PP diabetes‐related presentations. Poisson regression model was used to examine the trends in incidence rate and prevalence.

Results

Four thousand eight hundred and seventy‐two (59%) of 8220 presentations were PP, 4683 (57%) were for DKA whereas 6200 (82%) required hospital admission. Diabetes‐related ED presentations decreased from 38.4 to 27.5 per 100 youth with diabetes per year between 2008 and 2018 (β = −0.04; confidence interval [CI] −0.04 to −0.03; P < 0.001). Females, those aged 0–4 years and rural youth had higher rates of ED presentations than males, older age groups and metropolitan youth. DKA presentations decreased from 20.1 presentations per 100 youth with diabetes in 2008–2009 to 14.9 presentations per 100 youth with diabetes in 2017–2018. The rate of DKA presentations was 68% higher in rural areas compared to metropolitan areas (incidence rate ratio 1.68; CI 1.59–1.78; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Although the rates of diabetes‐related ED presentations declined, PP diabetes‐related presentations and subsequent hospitalisation remain high. Patient level research is required to understand the increased DKA presentations in rural youth.
Mineral Chemistry, Trace Elements, Isotopic Analysis and Zircon U‐Pb Dating in the Hesar Pluton, Northern UDMA, Iran: Implications for Pre‐Collisional Magma Mixing
Authors: KAZEMI Kazem , MODABBERI Soroush , GHARIBNEJAD Parisa , XIAO Yilin , SARJOUGHIAN Fatemeh , KANANIAN Ali
Published: October 2023

The Hesar pluton in the northern Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic arc hosts numerous mafic‐microgranular enclaves (MMEs). Whole rock geochemistry, mineral chemistry, zircon U‐Pb and Sr‐Nd isotopes were measured. It is suggested that the rocks are metaluminous (A/CNK = 1.32–1.45), subduction‐related I‐type calc‐alkaline gabbro to diorite with similar mineral assemblages and geochemical signatures. The host rocks yielded an U‐Pb crystallization age of 37.3 ± 0.4 Ma for gabbro‐diorite. MMEs have relatively low SiO2 contents (52.9–56.6 wt%) and high Mg# (49.8–58.7), probably reflecting a mantle‐derived origin. Chondrite‐ and mantle‐normalized trace element patterns are characterized by LREE and LILE enrichment, HREE and HFSE depletion with slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.86–1.03). The host rocks yield (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.70492–0.70510, positive εNd(t) values of +1.55–+2.06 and TDM2 of 707–736 Ma, which is consistent with the associated mafic microgranular enclaves ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.705014, εNd(t) = +1.75, TDM2 = 729 Ma). All data suggest magma‐mixing for enclave and host rock formation, showing a complete equilibration between mixed‐mafic and felsic magmas, followed by rapid diffusion. The TDM1(Nd) and TDM2(Nd) model ages and U‐Pb dating indicate that the host pluton was produced by partial melting of the lower continental crust and subsequent mixing with injected lithospheric mantle‐derived magmas in a pre‐collisional setting of Arabian–Eurasian plates. Clinopyroxene composition indicates a crystallization temperature of ∼1000°C and a depth of ∼9 km.
Community knowledge on factors behind extirpation of lion Panthera leo in Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa)
Authors: Aglissi Janvier , Sogbohossou Etotépé A. , Bolam Jamie , Bauer Hans
Published: October 2023

A rise in human disturbance in Comoé National Park (CNP) has led to lion (Panthera leo) extirpation. After the crisis, there have been numerous efforts to restore this ecosystem and CNP's management authority is considering reintroducing lions. This ideally requires an understanding of the earlier process of lion extirpation. We assessed the causes of lion extirpation through semi‐structured questionnaires to 307 volunteer participants in surrounding 23 villages. Respondents reported that lions were extirpated two decades ago (19.75 years ± 8.15). Bouna was the sector that lions seem to have disappeared first (mean = 23.61 years ± 9.14) and recently on Nassian and Téhini sectors (mean = 18.43 years ± 8.17 and 18.74 years ± 6.74 respectively). People identified civil war from 2002 as the main facilitator of lion extirpation (85%; n = 261), which led to the abandonment of CNP, and opened the way for all forms of anthropogenic pressures including illegal hunting and prey depletion (70%; n = 216), illegal gold mining (74%; n = 227), direct lion killing due to transhumance and human‐wildlife conflict (15%; n = 45), and wildfires (23%; n = 72). Historically, prey density curves show a progressive decrease with a drastic drop during the civil war period before a post‐crisis recovery from 2016 to 2022. We recommend intensifying CNP monitoring and local measures to limit anthropogenic disturbances and improve indigenous communities' involvement to ensure the success of potential lion reintroduction.