bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MutS homolog 4 localization to meiotic chromosomes is required for chromosome pairing during meiosis in male and female mice
Authors: Kneitz Burkhard , Cohen Paula E. , Avdievich Elena , Zhu Liyin , Kane Michael F. , Hou Harry , Kolodner Richard D. , Kucherlapati Raju , Pollard Jeffrey W. , Edelmann Winfried
Published: November 2021

Msh4 (MutS homolog 4) is a member of the mammalian mismatch repair gene family whose members are involved in postreplicative DNA mismatch repair as well as in the control of meiotic recombination. In this report we show that MSH4 has an essential role in the control of male and female meiosis. We demonstrate that MSH4 is present in the nuclei of spermatocytes early in prophase I and that it forms discrete foci along meiotic chromosomes during the zygotene and pachytene stages of meiosis. Disruption of the Msh4 gene in mice results in male and female sterility due to meiotic failure. Although meiosis is initiated in Msh4 mutant male and female mice, as indicated by the chromosomal localization of RAD51 and COR1 during leptonema/zygonema, the chromosomes fail to undergo normal pairing. Our results show that MSH4 localization on chromosomes during the early stages of meiosis is essential for normal chromosome synapsis in prophase I and that it acts in the same pathway as MSH5.
Pre-mRNA splicing alters mRNP composition: evidence for stable association of proteins at exon–exon junctions
Authors: Le Hir Hervé , Moore Melissa J. , Maquat Lynne E.
Published: November 2021

We provide direct evidence that pre-mRNA splicing alters mRNP protein composition. Using a novel in vitro cross-linking approach, we detected several proteins that associate with mRNA exon–exon junctions only as a consequence of splicing. Immunoprecipitation experiments suggested that these proteins are part of a tight complex around the junction. Two were identified as SRm160, a nuclear matrix-associated splicing coactivator, and hPrp8p, a core component of U5 snRNP and spliceosomes. Glycerol gradient fractionation showed that a subset of these proteins remain associated with mRNA after its release from the spliceosome. These results demonstrate that the spliceosome can leave behind signature proteins at exon–exon junctions. Such proteins could influence downstream metabolic events in vivo such as mRNA transport, translation, and nonsense-mediated decay.
Hfq (HF1) stimulates ompA mRNA decay by interfering with ribosome binding
Authors: Vytvytska Oresta , Moll Isabella , Kaberdin Vladimir R. , von Gabain Alexander , Bläsi Udo
Published: November 2021

The adaptation of mRNA stability to environmental changes is a means of cells to adjust the level of gene expression. The Escherichia coli ompA mRNA has served as one of the paradigms for regulated mRNA decay in prokaryotes. The stability of the transcript is known to be correlated inversely with the bacterial growth rate. Thus, the regulation of ompA mRNA stability meets the physiological needs to adjust the level of ompA expression to the rate of cell division. Recently, host factor I (Hfq/HF1) was shown to be involved in the regulation of ompA mRNA stability under slow growth conditions. Here, we present the first direct demonstration that 30S ribosomes bound to the ompA 5′-UTR protect the transcript from RNase E cleavage in vitro. However, the 30S protection was found to be abrogated in the presence of Hfq. Toeprinting and in vitro translation assays revealed that translation of ompA is repressed in the presence of Hfq. These in vitro studies are corroborated by in vivo expression studies demonstrating that the reduced synthesis rate of OmpA effected by Hfq results in functional inactivation of the ompA mRNA. The data are discussed in terms of a model wherein Hfq regulates the stability of ompA mRNA by competing with 30S ribosomes for binding to the ompA 5′-UTR.
A subtilisin-like serine protease involved in the regulation of stomatal density and distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Berger Dieter , Altmann Thomas
Published: November 2021

Stomata are specialized cellular structures in the epidermis of aerial plant organs that control gas exchange (H2O release and CO2 uptake) between leaves and the atmosphere by modulating the aperture of a pore flanked by two guard cells. Stomata are nonrandomly distributed, and their density is controlled by endogenous and environmental factors. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating stomatal distribution, Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with altered stomatal characteristics were isolated and examined. The sdd1-1 mutant exhibits a two- to fourfold increase of stomatal density and formation of clustered stomata (i.e., stomata that are not separated by intervening pavement cells), whereas the internal leaf architecture is not altered. TheSDD1 gene was identified by map-based cloning. It encodes a subtilisin-like serine protease related to prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins. We propose that SDD1 acts as a processing protease involved in the mediation of a signal that controls the development of cell lineages that lead to guard cell formation.
A zebrafish nanos-related gene is essential for the development of primordial germ cells
Authors: Köprunner Marion , Thisse Christine , Thisse Bernard , Raz Erez
Published: November 2021

Asymmetrically distributed cytoplasmic determinants collectively termed germ plasm have been shown to play an essential role in the development of primordial germ cells (PGCs). Here, we report the identification of a nanos-like (nanos1) gene, which is expressed in the germ plasm and in the PGCs of the zebrafish. We find that several mechanisms act in concert to restrict the activity of Nanos1 to the germ cells including RNA localization and control over the stability and translatability of the RNA. Reducing the level of Nanos1 in zebrafish embryos revealed an essential role for the protein in ensuring proper migration and survival of PGCs in this vertebrate model organism.
Nitric oxide synthase is induced in sporulation ofPhysarum polycephalum
Authors: Golderer Georg , Werner Ernst R. , Leitner Stefan , Gröbner Peter , Werner-Felmayer Gabriele
Published: November 2021

The myxomycetePhysarum polycephalumexpresses a calcium-independent nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) resembling the inducible NOS isoenzyme in mammals. We have now cloned and sequenced this, the first nonanimal NOS to be identified, showing that it shares < 39% amino acid identity with known NOSs but contains conserved binding motifs for all NOS cofactors. It lacks the sequence insert responsible for calcium dependence in the calcium-dependent NOS isoenzymes. NOS expression was strongly up-regulated inPhysarummacroplasmodia during the 5-day starvation period needed to induce sporulation competence. Induction of both NOS and sporulation competence were inhibited by glucose, a growth signal and known repressor of sporulation, and byl-N6–(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (NIL), an inhibitor of inducible NOS. Sporulation, which is triggered after the starvation period by light exposure, was also prevented by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of NO-sensitive guanylate cyclase. In addition, also expression oflig1, a sporulation-specific gene, was strongly attenuated by NIL or ODQ. 8-Bromo-cGMP, added 2 h before the light exposure, restored the capacity of NIL-treated macroplasmodia to expresslig1and to sporulate. This indicates that the second messenger used for NO signaling in sporulation ofPhysarumis cGMP and links this signaling pathway to expression oflig1.
The activity and signaling range of mature BMP-4 is regulated by sequential cleavage at two sites within the prodomain of the precursor
Authors: Cui Yanzhen , Hackenmiller Renee , Berg Linnea , Jean François , Nakayama Takuya , Thomas Gary , Christian Jan L.
Published: November 2021

Proteolytic maturation of proBMP-4 is required to generate an active signaling molecule. We show that proBMP-4 is cleaved by furin in a sequential manner. Cleavage at a consensus furin site adjacent to the mature ligand domain allows for subsequent cleavage at an upstream nonconsensus furin site within the prodomain. BMP-4 synthesized from precursor in which the upstream site is noncleavable is less active, signals at a shorter range, and accumulates at lower levels than does BMP-4 cleaved from native precursor. Conversely, BMP-4 cleaved from precursor in which both sites are rapidly cleaved is more active and signals over a greater range. Differential use of the upstream cleavage site could provide for tissue-specific regulation of BMP-4 activity and signaling range.
The effect of choice on intentional and incidental memory
Authors: Ding Zhuolei , Jiang Ting , Chen Chuansheng , Murty Vishnu P. , Xue Jingming , Zhang Mingxia
Published: November 2021

Recent studies have revealed that memory performance is better when participants have the opportunity to make a choice regarding the experimental task (choice condition) than when they do not have such a choice (fixed condition). These studies, however, used intentional memory tasks, leaving open the question whether the choice effect also applies to incidental memory. In the current study, we first repeated the choice effect on the 24-h delayed intentional memory performance (experiment 1). Next, using an incidental paradigm in which participants were asked to judge the category of the items instead of intentionally memorizing them, we observed the choice effect on judgment during encoding and memory performance in a 24-h delayed surprise test (experiment 2). Participants judged more accurately and quickly and had better recognition memory for items in the choice condition than for items in the fixed condition. These results are discussed in terms of the role of choice in both intentional and incidental memory.
Rotten web citations cited in scholarly journals: use of time travel for retrieval
Authors: Niveditha B. , Kumbar Mallinath , Sampath Kumar B.T.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The present study compares the use of web citations as references in leading scholarly journals in Library and Information Science (LIS) and Communication and Media Studies (CMS). A total of 20 journals (each 10 from LIS and CMS) were selected based on the publishing history and reputation published between 2008 and 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study compares the use of web citations as references in leading scholarly journals in LIS and CMS. A PHP script was used to crawl the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) collected from the reference list. A total of 12,251 articles were downloaded and 555,428 references were extracted. Of the 555,428 references, 102,718 web citations were checked for their accessibility.

Findings

The research findings indicated that 76.90% URLs from LIS journals and 84.32% URLs from Communication and Media Studies journals were accessible and others were rotten. The majority of errors were due to HTTP 404 error code (not found) in both the disciplines. The study also tried to retrieve the rotten URLs through Time Travel, which revived 61.76% rotten URLs in LIS journal articles and 65.46% in CMS journal articles.

Originality/value

This is an in-depth and comprehensive comparative study on the availability of web citations in LIS and CMS journals articles spanning a period of 10 years. The findings of the study will be helpful to authors, publishers, and editorial staff to ensure that web citations will be accessible in the future.
Sales promotion: the role of equity sensitivity
Authors: Fam Kim-Shyan , Richard James E. , McNeill Lisa S. , Waller David S. , Zhang Honghong
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper explores how consumer psychographics impact responses to sales promotions (SPs), and specifically whether equity sensitivity (ES) moderates attitudes towards sales promotion in the retail purchase experience (PE).

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines data from a survey of 284 Hong Kong consumers, using a shopping mall-intercept method. Every third person walking past the researchers was asked to participate in the survey. After obtaining their permission, those agreeing to take part in the study were surveyed either inside or outside of the shopping complex. The face-to-face intercept surveying method also increases confidence in sample and response reliability.

Findings

The study finds that ES has a significant positive relationship with evaluations of the retail PE. Consumers identified as “Benevolents” were significantly more positive towards SPs and reported significantly higher satisfaction with the PE. In contrast, consumers identified as “Entitled” were less positive towards SP and less satisfied with the PE. In addition, noncash SPs significantly positively influenced Benevolents' PE.

Research limitations/implications

The current study extends and expands equity theory and ES research by applying these concepts to consumer SPs. The study is limited to an examination of common consumer purchases, across different product categories and SP types. While this allows us to examine the relationship between SP attitudes, ES and purchase satisfaction, future comparisons between individual sales promotion techniques (SPTs) and specific consumer profiles are recommended.

Practical implications

From a retail perspective, it is important to understand individual differences and what influences and motivates the consumers' retail PE. Retail managers are advised to track customer purchases and satisfaction levels linked to SPs as this would allow for the identification of which customers are more likely to fit the Entitled or Benevolent psychological profiles and predict their likely responses to SP offers.

Originality/value

To date, there has been little research on individual psychological differences between consumers when offered SPs at retail stores. The current study contributes to the marketing literature by extending the price fairness equity model to the retail PE, thereby addressing a prominent gap in the literature.
Tourist's satisfaction with local food effect behavioral intention in COVID-19 pandemic: a moderated-mediated perspective
Authors: Rehman Shafique Ur , Samad Sarminah , Singh Sandeep , Usman Muhammad
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study explored the relationship between local food consumption value and satisfaction with local food, leading to behavioral intention. Moreover, tourist's involvement is used as a mediator, and COVID-19 fear moderates between satisfaction with local food and behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling (SEM) technique presents researchers with extra flexibility and better research conclusions. This study used Partial Equation Modeling SEM to test the proposed hypotheses. The convenience sampling technique was used to collect data, and 339 questionnaires were part of the final analysis.

Findings

The results reveal that local food consumption value is positively associated with local food satisfaction except for emotional value. Satisfaction on local food significantly determined tourist's involvement and behavioral intention. Tourist's involvement is positively related to behavioral intention. Despite this, COVID-19 fear significantly decreases behavioral intention. Tourist's involvement significantly mediates, and COVID-19 fear moderates between satisfaction with local food and behavioral intention significantly.

Practical implications

The results of our research will support scholars and practitioners to recognize the importance of factors that influence people's intention to eat local food. Besides, our research offers a significant policy to get maximum benefits for the tourism industry in Pakistan.

Originality/value

To the author's knowledge, our study initially incorporates a research model in the COVID-19 pandemic and covers local food consumption value, satisfaction on local food, tourist's involvement and COVID-19 fear to determine the behavioral intention of people to eat local food. Besides, consumption value theory was used to build a research framework.
Digital financial inclusion and vulnerability to poverty: evidence from Chinese rural households
Authors: Wang Xiuhua , Fu Yang
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Digital finance has the transformative power to realise financial inclusion. However, evidence on the relationship between digital finance and poverty reduction remains limited. This study examines the mitigating effects of digital financial inclusion (DFI) on vulnerability to poverty in rural China, explores potential mechanisms at the micro-level, and investigates the external conditions for DFI to validate these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Rural household data from the China Labour Force Dynamics Survey and the regional DFI index compiled by Peking University are used. The probit and mediation effect models are employed to assess the impacts of the DFI on vulnerability to poverty and explore its mechanisms, with an appropriate instrumental variable to mitigate potential endogeneity.

Findings

DFI can mitigate vulnerability to poverty in Chinese rural households. Specifically, both sub-indices – coverage breadth and depth of use – have a significant effect. Further analyses based on the mediation model show that improving agricultural productivity, stimulating entrepreneurial activities and promoting non-agricultural employment are the core mechanisms for alleviating poverty vulnerability. Heterogeneity analysis shows that DFI is pro-poor and benefits those who lack economic opportunities. Moreover, adequate endowment in rural households, such as production and human capital, is an external condition for digital finance to mitigate vulnerability to poverty.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to examine the vulnerability-mitigation effects from the perspective of digital finance development, relying on data from a large-scale, nationwide household survey and the regional DFI index. It also checks for the mechanisms and heterogeneity of the effects, which prove the effects can help balance efficiency and equity.
Strategies for sustainable irrigation system management: a socio-technical system approach
Authors: Sirimewan DC , Samaraweera Aparna , Manjula NHC , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Rodrigo MNN , Ekanayake EMAC
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Irrigation System Management (ISM) poses many issues in terms of social and technical aspects. These can be further elaborated as the issues toward the efficiency of infrastructure, equity of water sharing, environmental integrity and economic acceptability. Water losses and the structural changes of the system caused many issues putting the irrigation system into distress. Hence, this urges the need for sustainable ISM to improve social and technical attributes in ISM. This paper aims to apply the Socio-Technical Systems (STSs) theory for sustainable ISM.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative expert opinion survey method was selected as the research strategy to approach the research aim. Sixteen industry professionals in the ISM sector were selected through the purposive sampling method to conduct semi-structured interviews to collect data in the Sri Lankan context. Code-based content analysis through a directed approach was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Four main categories of strategies were emerged from the research findings as “engineering strategies”, “operational strategies”, “management strategies” and “regulatory strategies” through STS approach for sustainable ISM. The STS framework was developed by combining engineering and operational strategies into the technical subsystem and the management and regulatory strategies into the social subsystem to approach the aim of achieving contemporary system management in irrigation in a sustainable manner.

Originality/value

The research revealed the links between the strategies emerged from various disciplines to minimise the issues in ISM from the perspectives of technical and social subsystems. The study contributes to knowledge by providing a framework for sustainable ISM by applying the socio-technical systems theory by integrating the concepts of sustainability.
Psychosocial safety climate, work engagement and organizational commitment in Malaysian research universities: the mediating role of job resources
Authors: Gan Kia Hui , Kee Daisy Mui Hung
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The current study is an examination of the effects of psychosocial safety climate on work engagement, organisational commitment and to mediate job resources in Malaysian research universities (RUs) during pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of this study consisted of full-time lecturers who work in Malaysian RUs at least a year. A sampling technique was used to select the respondents for this study. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were administered to respondents from 5 Malaysian RUs with 484 usable questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 48.4%.

Findings

The present study’s objective is to examine psychosocial safety climate’s (PSC) effect, job resources on work engagement and organizational commitment. The study also aims to test the mediating roles of job resources on PSC’s relationship, work engagement and organizational commitment. It is interesting to note that the relationship between PSC and work engagement was not significant.

Research limitations/implications

Although the present study had contributed to the existing literature, the present study’s result cannot be generalized. Suggestions for future research include an attempt to conduct a study over three-time points that looks at both the employee’s perspective, managerial perspective and organizational perspective within the workplace. All correlation and cross-sectional studies identified the need for a comprehensive three-wave study to examine the model’s longitudinal effects accurately.

Practical implications

The finding shown that university is suggested to apply higher PSC to allow their management discover more ways to increase the adequate job resources to support lecturers in RUs and in improving their work engagement and organizational commitment.

Originality/value

The integration of PSC in academicians of Malaysian RUs provides a novel perspective.
Use of 4.0 (I4.0) technology in HRM: a pathway toward SHRM 4.0 and HR performance
Authors: Pillai Rajasshrie , Yadav Shilpi , Sivathanu Brijesh , Kaushik Neeraj , Goel Pooja
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the use of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technology and its barriers in human resourcemanagement (HRM) for Smart HR 4.0 and its impact on HR performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has been conducted using the grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 122 senior HR officers of national and multi-national companies in India after the extensive literature review. NVivo 8.0 software was used for the analysis of the interview data.

Findings

I4.0 technology is used for HRM functions by HR professionals. It is revealed that Smart HR 4.0 that emerged from the I4.0 technology has leveraged the HR performance. It is also found that usage barriers, traditional barriers and risk barriers affect the use of I4.0 technology in HRM.

Originality/value

A model is developed using the grounded theory approach for HR managers to understand the impact of I4.0 on HRM. This study reveals the barriers affecting the use of I4.0 technology in HRM. It also provides the model for HR performance that emerged through the use of I4.0 technology in HR and Smart HR 4.0. The research delivered key insights for the HR professionals, marketers of HR technology and technology developers.
Understanding social media users’ privacy-protection behaviors
Authors: Baker-Eveleth Lori , Stone Robert , Eveleth Daniel
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify the roles that privacy experiences and social media use play in influencing privacy-protection behaviors. As social media use expands in terms of the number of users and functionality; it is important to understand social media user privacy-protection behaviors and the users’ psychological underpinnings driving those behaviors. Among these, perceptions are the users’ evaluation of their privacy concerns and data sharing benefits inherent in social media use which influence the users’ behaviors to protect their privacy.

Design/methodology/approach

To research these issues, a theoretical model and hypotheses were developed, based on self-efficacy theory. The theoretical model was empirically tested using 193 questionnaire responses collected from students enrolled in business courses at a medium-sized university in the western USA. All the respondents reported that they routinely use social media. The empirical analysis was performed using structural equations modeling in PC SAS version 9.4, procedure Calis.

Findings

The estimation of the paths in the structural model indicates that privacy concerns positively influence social media users’ protection behaviors while the perceived benefits of data sharing negatively influence protection behaviors. Privacy experience positively influences privacy concerns. Alternatively, social media use positively influences social media self-efficacy and perceived usefulness, which, in turn, have meaningful influences on data sharing benefits.

Originality/value

Previous findings about the effect of self-efficacy on protection behaviors has been inconclusive. This study adds some clarity. Specifically, the findings suggest that the effect depends upon the foci of self-efficacy. While higher self-efficacy with respect to using privacy-related features of a specific technology tends to lead to greater privacy concerns, higher self-efficacy with respect to the more general technology (e.g. social media, computer) seems to affect protection behaviors through perceived benefits. Further, the results of this study offer conclusions about the roles that privacy experiences, social media use and perceived social media benefits play in affecting protection behaviors.
The transformative outcomes of frontline employee adaptability for service value co-creation: a study of the banking sector
Authors: Le Hau Nguyen , Pham Tram-Anh Ngoc , Pham Thuy Ngoc
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to address two relatively unexplored issues in banking service literature. The first relates to the impact of co-creation behaviors of frontline employees (FLEs) on their well-being. The second is the impact of FLEs' adaptability on their performance of co-creation behaviors and their well-being in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural model was built and tested using survey data collected from 366 FLEs offering financial consulting services to customers at banks.

Findings

FLE co-creation behaviors have positive impacts on FLEs’ well-being, including well-being in the workplace (job satisfaction) and general well-being (quality of life). Moreover, FLEs with a high level of interpersonal and service-offering adaptability perform co-creation behaviors better than those with lower adaptability and have higher job satisfaction. Between service-offering adaptability and interpersonal adaptability, the former has stronger effects than the latter.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that banks develop and enhance FLEs’ adaptability and co-creation behaviors to enhance their well-being and customer value.

Originality/value

Prior research on FLEs' co-creation mainly focuses on customer-related transformative outcomes, leaving their own well-being less examined. This study fills this gap by providing evidence to suggest that although active co-creation behaviors require FLEs to have more skills and put in more effort, they do bring about transformative impacts in terms of better job satisfaction and quality of life. Additionally, a high level of adaptability helps FLEs to comfortably perform their co-creation behavior, thereby reducing stress and improving well-being.
Utilizing the social cognitive career theory in understanding students' choice in selecting auditing as a career: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Tetteh Lexis Alexander , Agyenim-Boateng Cletus , Kwarteng Amoako , Muda Paul , Sunu Prince
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The study uses social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to explore the driving and restraining factors that students consider in selecting auditing as a career.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the aim of this study, a qualitative research was preferred with the objective of gathering in-depth and enriched empirical data; hence, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventy-five fourth-year undergraduate accounting students of six top-ranked universities in Ghana that offer accounting programmes.

Findings

The findings of the current study unearth the constructs of the SCCT that students' decision to consider a career in audit is driven by outcome expectations (high earnings/monetary incentives and social prestige associated with the job), as well as self-efficacy belief (possession of ethical values). Further, the study finds that self-efficacy beliefs (job stress and accounting stereotype) were the factors restraining students from considering auditing as a career. The results finally show that the students who would choose auditing as a career in future are in one way or the other, preparing for the achievement of their goals.

Research limitations/implications

The SCCT framework utilized focuses on the three main constructs: self-efficacy, outcome expectations and goals. There are a number of related factors that may influence students' career choice decisions. These may include personal characteristics and contextual influences; a change of the theoretical framework may help discover other important personal and contextual factors that this current study could not unearth.

Practical implications

The study indicates, on the contrary, that students have negative perceptions about auditing as a career option; they consider the career as stressful, tedious and monotonous. These misconceptions make it less likely for a student to pursue auditing as a career. Educators can aid students in their decision to pursue a study in accounting and become auditors by displaying and reinforcing the positive outcomes that come with the position of an auditor.

Originality/value

The findings of this study add to the existing literature by delving deeper into the self-selection factors that influence a student's desire to become an auditor. Furthermore, the current research is exceptional in that it applies the SCCT to the aim of becoming an auditor. Although other research studies have looked into factors that may influence a student's decision to pursue a profession as an accountant, these studies have mostly been quantitative, limiting the students' ability to explain why those factors encourage or dissuade them.
Real Estate Insights Is tokenization of real estate ready for lift off in APAC?
Authors: Chow Yuen Leng , Tan Kok Keong
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies are set to disrupt the real estate sector in all areas: ownership, sale, management and investment. Tokenization moves physical real estate to the digital space and could result in substantial cost savings in the pre- and post-tokenization process. This article discusses whether real estate as an asset class is ready for digitalization in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Design/methodology/approach

Globally, the APAC region has the highest digital adaptation/adoption rates. Regulators in the region are also moving fast to clarify their stance on digital assets. This article adopts a holistic view, from trends, regulations, and technology, to discuss the benefits and challenges of digitalizing real estate in APAC.

Findings

Real estate tokenization is a nascent market but platforms like BrickX, KASA, ADDX, and Minterest have successfully launched real estate tokens in Australia, South Korea, and Singapore, respectively. Tokenization may prove to be a viable funding source for those relatively poorly capitalized financial markets in the APAC region.

Practical implications

This paper discusses the current regulatory and business contexts in relation to the pace of tokenization of real estate in APAC. Opportunities and difficulties are outlined in a concise manner to facilitate more discussion in this area.

Originality/value

Existing reports and research articles tend to focus on the western markets. This article provides a new perspective on tokenization, specifically in the APAC context.
Finding sustainable mobility solutions for shrinking cities: the case of Toyama and Kanazawa
Authors: Balaban Osman , Puppim de Oliveira Jose Antonio
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Shrinking population can have significant negative impacts on the social and economic fabric of a city. This paper aims to understand different urban transportation policies to respond to population decline in shrinking cities by examining two case studies of urban interventions in mid-size cities in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes the implementation of sustainable mobility strategies in the urban transport sector in the Japanese cities of Toyama and Kanazawa, which risk having their populations significantly reduced in the next decades. The analysis is based on case study research that uses the data and information collected through desk and field research. Interviews with local actors, as well as published policy and academic documents on the case studies provided critical data and information to analyze the case studies.

Findings

Both cities have tried to make urban mobility more sustainable via different strategies. Toyama used more structural changes, called the “sticks and dumplings” approach, having land use incentives and the Light Rail Transit reinforced by bus routes as the backbone of its strategy. Kanazawa relied on a city center revitalization plan to densify residential use in the city center.

Practical implications

More structural interventions are necessary to change the declining of shrinking cities, mitigating some of the negative effects. City administrations need to have clear policy priorities and should not allocate their limited resources to competing policy agendas.

Originality/value

The study is unique as it is one of the first efforts to analyze urban transportation interventions in shrinking cities in Japan.
Nutritional ecology of martens (Martes foina and Martes martes) in the western Italian Alps
Authors: Granata Marco , Mosini Andrea , Piana Manuel , Zambuto Francesco , Capelli Enrica , Balestrieri Alessandro
Published: November 2021

The macronutrient requirements of the strictly related pine marten (Martes martes) and stone marten (Martes foina) are almost identical, but, at range scale, in areas of putative sympatry (overlapping European ranges) the stone marten tends to be more frugivorous, which makes the contribution of carbohydrate energy to be higher than the target. In contrast, the macronutrient intake of the pine marten would be unaffected by the occurrence of the stone marten, supporting the putative dominance of the first in interspecific interactions. Most available studies examined marten diets separately, highlighting the need for further studies in areas of actual co‐occurrence. With this aim, we compared the two martens' diets in the Italian Alps both in sympatric and allopatric conditions, as assessed by the genetic identification of scats. Although fruit and rodents formed the bulk of both species' diets, as predicted the stone marten consumed twice as many fruit species as the pine marten and ate fruit more often in areas of sympatry, thus consuming less protein and more carbohydrates respect to its intake target. This competition‐driven, nutritionally imbalanced diet may affect the fitness of stone marten populations and play an important and still underreported role in regulating the relative abundance of marten communities.
Initiation of dialysis for kidney graft failure: A retrospective single‐center cohort study
Authors: Taira Hirona , Noguchi Hiroshi , Ueki Kenji , Kaku Keizo , Tsuchimoto Akihiro , Okabe Yasuhiro , Ohya Yusuke , Nakamura Masafumi
Published: November 2021

Few studies have focused on the outcome of dialysis for kidney graft failure. We investigated the outcomes of dialysis for graft failure. We retrospectively studied 52 patients undergoing dialysis for graft failure at our facility from January 2004 to December 2018. The mean age at initiation of dialysis was 51.8 ± 13.5 years. The patient survival rates after initiation of dialysis at 1, 3, and 5 years were 96.0%, 93.8%, and 82.4%, respectively. The rate of unplanned initiation was 44.2%. In multivariate logistic analysis, lack of follow‐up by nephrologists and pre‐emptive kidney transplantation (PEKT) tended to be risk factors for unplanned initiation (P = 0.065 and P = 0.014, respectively). Our study suggests that the prognosis of patients with dialysis for graft failure is acceptable. Dialysis for graft failure, especially in patients with PEKT, tends to be unplanned, and for safe initiation, early involvement of nephrologists may be necessary.
Impact of temperature and sunlight exposition on locally brewed beers composition revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with chemometric methods
Authors: Pale  , Djiedeu Nicodème , Lissouck Daniel , Mbogning William Feudjio , Issac Adoum , Owono Luc Calvin , Kenfack Cyril Assongo
Published: November 2021

Fluorescence excitation‐emission matrix (EEM) and synchronous scanning fluorescence (SF), coupled with parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) methods were used to differentiate 49 lager beer samples and monitor the effects of temperature and sunlight exposition on their composition. EEMs were decomposed into independent fluorescent components. The beer samples were characterized by the presence of excitation/emission (exc/em) peaks at 290/350, 315/345, 340/410, 375/455, 360/420, 400/460, and 437/525 nm, which were ascribed, according to the known beer fluorescent components, respectively to aromatic amino acids, vitamin B6 (pyridoxal), vitamin B6 (pyridoxic acids), vitamin B3, iso‐α‐acids, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2. The variation of the relative concentration of iso‐α‐acids in the different beer brands presented the same trend with that of their relative IBU, thus revealing the potency of our method in the assessment of beer bitterness. The impact of temperature and sunlight was assessed by separately monitoring the modifications of the EEMs after 5 h exposition to 40°C temperature and sunlight respectively. Noticeably a variation of the peaks intensity of the iso‐α‐acids, carbonyl and polyphenols compounds were observed, accompanied by a decrease of the alcohol content, thus indicating beer aging. This method can be useful for the identification and monitoring of beer state during the technological production cycle and storage.

Practical Application

The present work demonstrates the potency of the fluorescence technique used together with chemometric methods to give valuable information on beer bitterness. Development of rapid quantitative methods for beer bitterness assessment is of great importance for brewing industries.
Does Distance Matter? An Investigation of Partners Who Audit Distant Clients and the Effects on Audit Quality†
Authors: Francis Jere R. , Golshan Nargess , Hallman Nicholas J.
Published: November 2021

We examine how audit partners' geographic proximity to clients affects audit quality. We use hand‐collected data to show that approximately half of audit partners are assigned to clients headquartered more than 100 km away from the partners' home locations. Few of these partners relocate after receiving their assignments and, as a result, more than one‐third of clients are audited by partners who must commute long distances to visit the client in person. We explore this phenomenon by first modeling how distance affects partner‐client matching. We find that partners' geographic proximity to a prospective client is an important matching criterion, but also that trade‐offs are made when other partner characteristics such as industry specialization are more likely to be important. Next, consistent with our prediction, we show that audit quality is lower when partners reside farther from their clients. We corroborate our primary findings by showing that the association between partner distance and audit quality is mitigated when partners have access to direct flights to their clients' headquarters and when clients are geographically dispersed. Our paper should be informative for regulators, practicing auditors, and academics interested in how partner‐client matching affects audit outcomes.
The wearable artificial kidney created by Kolff and Jacobsen
Authors: Ash Stephen R.
Published: November 2021

In this history article, I describe my experience with the wearable artificial kidney (WAK) project of Dr. Willem Kolff in 1975. The WAK was unique and functioned well though it had an incomplete sorbent system. The company that licensed it redesigned it to become a more traditional dialysis system, suited for in‐center dialysis but without portability. At the end of this manuscript, I explain mistakes made in the steps to commercialization of the WAK, and lessons I learned from the experience.
High YAP and TEAD4 immunolabelings are associated with poor prognosis in patients with gallbladder cancer
Authors: Kim Joo Young , Sung You‐Na , Hong Seung‐Mo
Published: November 2021

Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and TEA domain‐containing sequence‐specific transcription factors 4 (TEAD4) are essential components of the Hippo pathway. Abnormal regulation of the Hippo pathway contributes to the progression and metastasis of many cancer types. However, their clinicopathologic and prognostic significances have not been studied in gallbladder cancers. Here, we systematically evaluated the YAP and TEAD4 immunolabelings and their association with clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes using 212 specimens of surgically resected gallbladder cancers. High YAP and TEAD4 immunolabelings were identified in 70 (33%) cases and were associated with infiltrative growth pattern, poor differentiation, perineural invasion, and advanced pT classification and AJCC stage. High YAP immunolabeling was significantly associated with high TEAD4 immunolabeling (p < 0.001). High immunolabeling levels of YAP or TEAD4 alone and the combined YAPhigh TEAD4high group were significantly associated with poor survival in both univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (HR = 2.358; 95% CI, 1.369–4.061; p = 0.002). Therefore, the YAP and TEAD4 immunolabelings are associated with aggressive behavior of gallbladder cancers and may be useful as a prognostic indicator in patients with surgically resected gallbladder cancer.
Relationship between psychopathic traits and performance on the Mini Social Cognition and Emotional Assessment in incarcerated males
Authors: Remmel Rheanna J. , Glenn Andrea L. , Harrison Alexandra P.
Published: November 2021

Psychopathy is a constellation of personality traits such as callousness, manipulativeness, and impulsivity, and these traits often co‐occur with antisocial behavior. Researchers and clinicians have posited that these traits may be associated with impairments in orbitofrontal cortex functioning, but researchers have rarely assessed this using clinical neuropsychological assessments. In a sample of 87 male inmates in a county jail, this study examined the relationship between psychopathic traits and performance on the Mini Social Cognition and Emotional Assessment (Mini‐SEA), an assessment of orbitofrontal cortex functioning. Psychopathy scores (total or factor) were not correlated with Mini‐SEA performance. Potential reasons for our null findings and study limitations are discussed.

Practitioner points

Psychopathic traits were not associated with performance on a neuropsychological measure assessing orbitofrontal cortex functioning.

Deficits in OFC functioning observed in psychopathy may be different in nature, or less severe, than those observed in patients with frontotemporal dementia, who perform poorly on this measure.
Deglaciation of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet and a Younger Dryas ice cap in the outer Hardangerfjorden area, southwestern Norway
Authors: Regnéll Carl , Briner Jason P. , Haflidason Haflidi , Mangerud Jan , Svendsen John Inge
Published: November 2021

Understanding past responses of ice sheets to climate change provides an important long‐term context for observations of present day, and projected future, ice‐sheet change. In this work, we reconstruct the deglaciation of the marine‐terminating western margin of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet in the outer Hardangerfjorden area of southwestern Norway, following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) until the start of the Holocene. We base our interpretations on a combination of geomorphological mapping using high‐resolution (LiDAR) terrain models, 68 new cosmogenic nuclide 10Be exposure ages and radiocarbon‐dated lake sediment cores, supported by the stratigraphic position of the 12.1 ka Vedde Ash. We show that even the highest mountain summits in the area (~1200–1400 m a.s.l.) were ice‐covered during the LGM, thus settling debates concerning the Scandinavian Ice Sheet thickness in this region. These summits emerged as nunataqs through the ice sheet about 22–18 ka, potentially owing to upstream ice thinning caused by the break‐up and retreat of the Norwegian Channel Ice Stream. Following the break‐up of the Norwegian Channel Ice Stream, the ice margin seemingly stabilized at the outermost coast for 3500–5500 years before the mouth of Hardangerfjorden became ice free at c. 14.5 ka. Subsequently, during the Bølling and Allerød periods, the ice sheet retreated rapidly into the inner parts of Hardangerfjorden before a major ice sheet re‐advance during the Younger Dryas. We identify and reconstruct a sizeable, independent ice cap on the Ulvanosa mountain massif during the Younger Dryas (YD), a massif that earlier was mapped as covered by the Scandinavian Ice Sheet during the YD. We also document ice‐free areas that are more extensive than previously thought between Hardangerfjorden and Matersfjorden during the YD.
What do adult black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) actually eat?
Authors: Rosenblatt Adam E. , Li Fernando , Kalicharan Leanna , Taylor Peter
Published: November 2021

The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is one of the largest predators in South America, yet we know little about adult diets. We studied stomach contents of adults in Guyana and found the largest individuals target mammals instead of fish and males exhibit cannibalism, a behavior never recorded for this species previously.
Primary cutaneous gamma/delta T‐cell lymphoma in Taiwan: A series of six cases with frequent solitary presentation and relatively indolent behavior
Authors: Chen Bo‐Jung , Wang Ren Ching , Jhuang Jie‐Yang , Chen Shang‐Wen , Su Ying‐Zhen , Tseng Chih‐En , Chiang Chien‐Ta , Wu You‐Ting , Chuang Shih‐Sung
Published: November 2021

Background

Primary cutaneous gamma/delta T‐cell lymphoma (PCDG‐TCL) is aggressive, frequently presenting as multiple plaques, tumors, and/or subcutaneous nodules.

Methods

In this study, we conducted a retrospective study in a tertiary center in Taiwan to characterize this rare tumor.

Results

We identified six patients. Five presented with a solitary lesion, including two with clinical impression of epidermal inclusion cyst or lipoma. Two of four evaluable cases exhibited epidermotropism, with one mimicking Pautrier microabscess. The neoplastic cells were pleomorphic and mostly medium‐ to large‐sized. In all cases, the neoplastic cells expressed T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐γ and/or TCR‐δ, with four co‐expressing βF1. Two of these βF1+ cases co‐expressed TCR‐γ but not TCR‐δ (two different clones). All were negative for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), low stage, and treated with radiotherapy alone or combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In two patients, lymphoma relapsed in 3 and 7 months, respectively, and one patient died of the disease in 7 months. Four other patients were free of disease for 6 to 126 months.

Conclusion

PCGD‐TCL cases in Taiwan are more commonly solitary, frequently with indolent courses. The two currently available TCR‐δ clones alone might be insufficient to detect all tumors.