bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artemisinin acts by inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum Ddi1, a retropepsin, resulting into the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins
Authors: Onchieku Noah Machuki , Kumari Sonam , Pandey Rajan , Sharma Vaibhav , Kumar Mohit , Deshmukh Arunaditya , Kaur Inderjeet , Mohmmed Asif , Gupta Dinesh , Kiboi Daniel , Gaur Naseem , Malhotra Pawan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractReduced sensitivity of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to Artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs) threatens the global efforts towards eliminating malaria. ARTs have been shown to cause ubiquitous cellular and genetic insults, which results in the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways. The UPR restores protein homeostasis, which otherwise would be toxic to cellular survival. Here, we interrogated the role of DNA-damage inducible protein 1 (PfDdi1), a unique proteasome-interacting retropepsin in mediating the actions of the ARTs. We demonstrate that PfDdi1 is an active A2 family protease that hydrolyzes ubiquitinated substrates. We further show that treatment with ARTs lead to the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in the parasites and blocks the destruction of the ubiquitinated substrates by PfDdi1. Besides, whereas the PfDdi1 is predominantly localised in the cytoplasm, exposure of the parasites to ARTs leads to DNA fragmentation and increased recruitment of the PfDdi1 into the nucleus. Furthermore, Ddi1 knock-out Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are more suceptible to ARTs and the PfDdI1 protein robustly restores the corresponding functions in the knock-out cells. Together, these results show that ARTs act by inducing DNA and protein damage, and impairing the damage recovery by inhibiting the activity of PfDdi1, an essential ubiquitin-proteasome retropepsin.
Human engineered skeletal muscle of hypaxial origin from pluripotent stem cells with advanced function and regenerative capacity
Authors: Shahriyari Mina , Islam Md Rezaul , Sakib M. Sadman , Rika Anastasia , Krüger Dennis , Kaurani Lalit , Anandakumar Harithaa , Shomroni Orr , Schmidt Matthias , Salinas Gabriela , Unger Andreas , Linke Wolfgang A. , Zschüntzsch Jana , Schmidt Jens , Fischer André , Zimmermann Wolfram-Hubertus , Tiburcy Malte 
Published: July 2021

SummaryHuman pluripotent stem cell derived muscle models show great potential for translational research. Here, we describe developmentally inspired methods for derivation of skeletal muscle cells and their utility in three-dimensional skeletal muscle organoid formation as well as skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Key steps include the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to embryonic muscle progenitors of hypaxial origin followed by primary and secondary fetal myogenesis into hypaxial muscle with development of a satellite cell pool and evidence for innervation in vitro. Skeletal muscle organoids faithfully recapitulate all steps of embryonic myogenesis in 3D Tissue engineered muscle exhibits organotypic maturation and function, advanced by thyroid hormone. Regenerative competence was demonstrated in a cardiotoxin injury model with evidence of satellite cell activation as underlying mechanism. Collectively, we introduce a hypaxial muscle model with canonical properties of bona fide skeletal muscle in vivo to study muscle development, maturation, disease, and repair.
Electrocorticography based monitoring of anaesthetic depth in mice
Authors: Schmidt Dominik , English Gwendolyn , Gent Thomas , Yanik Mehmet Fatih , von der Behrens Wolfger 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTTo improve animal welfare and data quality and reproducibility during research conducted under anaesthesia, anaesthetic depth in laboratory animals must be precisely monitored and controlled. While a variety of methods have been developed to estimate the depth of anaesthesia in humans, such tools for monitoring anaesthetic depth in laboratory animals remain limited. Here we propose an epidural electrocorticogram-based monitoring system that accurately tracks the depth of anesthesia in mice receiving inhalable isoflurane anaesthesia. Several features of the electrocorticogram signals exhibit robust modulation by the concentration of the administered anesthetic, notably, corticocortical coherence serves as an excellent indicator of anaesthetic depth. We developed a gradient boosting regressor framework that utilizes the extracted features to accurately estimate the depth of anaesthesia. Our method for feature extraction and estimation is conducted with a latency of only ten seconds, establishing a system for the real-time tracking of anaesthetic depth in mice.
Flight-tone mediated circadian control of audibility in mating swarms of Anopheles mosquitoes
Authors: Somers Jason , Georgiades Marcos , Su Matthew P , Bagi Judit , Andrés Marta , Mills Gordon , Ntabaliba Watson , Moore Sarah J , Spaccapelo Roberta , Albert Joerg T 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMating swarms of malaria mosquitoes form every day at sunset throughout the tropical world, they typically last less than 30 minutes. Activity patterns must thus be highly synchronized between the sexes. Moreover, males must be able to identify the few sporadically entering females by detecting the females’ faint flight tones. We here show that the Anopheles circadian clock ensures a tight synchrony of male and female activity and –importantly – also retunes the males’ acoustic detection system: by lifting their own flight tones at dusk, males actively enhance the audibility of females. The reported phenomenon of ‘harmonic convergence’ is a random by-product of the mosquitoes’ flight tone variance. Intriguingly, flight tones of individual mosquitoes occupy narrow –partly non-overlapping-frequency ranges, suggesting that the audibility of individual females varies across males.One Sentence SummaryMale mosquitoes sharpen their hearing at sunset.
In vivoevidence thatSORL1, encoding the endosomal recycling receptor SORLA, can function as a causal gene in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Andersen Olav M. , Bøgh Nikolaj , Landau Anne M. , Pløen Gro Grunnet , Jensen Anne Mette G. , Monti Giulia , Ulhøi Benedicte Parm , Nyengaard Jens Randel , Jacobsen Kirsten Rosenmay , Jørgensen Margarita Melnikova , Holm Ida E. , Kristensen Marianne L. , Hansen Esben Søvsø Szocska , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Breidenbach Laura , Droescher Mathias , Liu Ying , Pedersen Hanne Skovsgaard , Callesen Henrik , Luo Yonglun , Bolund Lars , Brooks David J. , Laustsen Christoffer , Small Scott A. , Mikkelsen Lars F. , Sørensen Charlotte B. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTThe few established causal genes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mutations inAPPandPSENs,have been functionally characterized using biomarkers, capturing anin vivoprofile reflecting the disease’s initial preclinical phase.SORL1, a gene encoding the endosome recycling receptor SORLA, epidemiologically behaves as a causal gene when truncating mutations lead to partial loss of protein function. Here, in an effort to test whetherSORL1can indeed function as an AD causal gene, we used CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing to develop a novel model ofSORL1haploinsufficiency in Göttingen Minipigs taking advantage of porcine models for biomarker investigations.SORL1haploinsufficiency in young minipigs was found to phenocopy the preclinicalin vivoprofile of AD observed with other causal genes, resulting in spinal fluid abnormalities in Aβ and tau, with no evident neurodegeneration or amyloid plaque formation. These studies provide functional support thatSORL1is a bona fide causal gene in AD, and when taken together with recent insight on other AD-causal genes, support the idea that dysfunctional endosomal recycling is a dominant pathogenic pathway in the disease.
The effect of political connections on firm performance: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Eissa Aref M. , Eliwa Yasser 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis paper examines the effect of political connections (PCs) on firms' profitability and market value in the Egyptian market after the uprising of 2013.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study is conducted based on 284 firm-year observations for non-financial listed firms on the EGX100 during the period of 2014–2017. To test the study’s hypothesis, two independent samplet-test, Pearson correlation analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) regressions are conducted.FindingsThe results suggest that PCs are common across all industries in Egypt, the PCs through top officers do not improve firm's profitability; however, it has a positive effect on firms' market value. Further, PCs through business owners improve neither profitability nor the market value. Finally, the results suggest that PCs through government ownership have a positive effect on both firms' profitability and market value.Practical implicationsThe study’s finding encourages policymakers and regulators in emerging markets, e.g. Egypt, to develop stricter laws, policies and regulatory initiatives to restrain the potential conflict of interest in the politically connected firms.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is one of the first to examine the relationship between PCs and both firms’ profitability and market value in Egypt.
Emerging union–management partnership in Chilean firms: particularities and limitations
Authors: Gutiérrez Crocco Francisca , Martin Caballero Angel 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe article explains why some Chilean companies have implemented a partnership strategy with trade unions, in a national context broadly described as unfavorable to such approach. Moreover, it discusses the shape and limits of this strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe argument draws on a case study conducted between 2016 and 2018 in three large companies. Human resources managers, line managers and union officers were interviewed in each of these companies, and internal and administrative documentation were analyzed.FindingsThe article demonstrates that the management’s partnership strategy in the studied companies has emerged to contain the union revitalization. Additionally, it suggests this strategy has not favored trust-based relationships that guarantee long-term mutual gains for employees and companies. The article identifies some factors that explain this situation: the regulation, the economic uncertainty and the absence of a pluralist management perspective.Originality/valueThe article has the value of providing empirical evidence on union–management partnership, a topic that has gained strategic importance for large Chilean companies but remains unexplored in the mainstream the human resources management literature. The article also contributes to underscore the theoretical relevance of political and cultural variables in explaining management strategies and their results.
Making of an innovative economy: a study of diversity of Chinese enterprise innovation
Authors: Salike Nimesh , Huang Yanghua , Yin Zhifeng , Zeng Douglas Zhihua 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis research examines the effects of firm ownership and size on innovation capability using data from the World Bank China Enterprise Survey (WBCES), which provides directly measurable innovation-related variables. Key consideration is given to the role and innovation capability of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) compared with domestic and foreign private enterprises in the Chinese economy.Design/methodology/approachIn its quest for technological self-reliance and a new developmental path, China is focusing on its enterprise innovation capability.FindingsThe findings suggest that SOEs and domestic private enterprises are similar in terms of innovation participation but differ in terms of innovation diversification, which implies ownership-specific innovative advantages. In general, the authors find that SOEs are more innovative with respect to processes innovation but less so with respect to product, management and promotion innovations. Foreign-owned enterprises are superior in all types of innovation except product innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors also find that size is an important determinant of innovation capability, with the effect varying depending on location and industry. Moreover, the joint effect of firm ownership and size on innovation declines with increasing size. These findings provide new insights into the evaluation of China's major policies.Originality/valueThis research examines the effects of ownership and size on enterprise innovation capability, using the WBCES (2013) data, which include direct measurable innovation related variables.
Challenges of network interaction in managing sustainable development projects in developing countries: case of an international consulting company
Authors: Dziubaniuk Olga , Ivanova-Gongne Maria , Berdysheva Ekaterina 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This study aims to explore the challenges and complexities of interaction in international stakeholder networks within the context of projects focused on the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs). In particular, it examines the challenges faced by stakeholders in a network from a developed country during interaction in the context of a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative approach, this study analyses interview data collected from the key managers of an international consulting company in charge of a water supply and sanitation project in Nepal. The primary data is triangulated with secondary data, such as project reports and related academic articles.

Findings
This study illustrates how interaction in international stakeholder networks affects and is interrelated with SDGs, as well as how aiming to achieve one specific goal can stimulate the implementation of other sustainable goals. Further, this research shows how project managers from a developed country had to adapt to the specifics of the developing country context and how their sustainability project influenced the well-being of local communities by improving environmental and social sustainability.

Research limitations/implications
The research suggests that challenges in stakeholder interaction may arise because of differences in process management methods used by the international stakeholders involved in the project and country-context specifics, such as corruption, imperfect national regulations, cultural specifics, effects of climate change, etc.

Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature on international multi-stakeholder interaction between actors from developed and developing countries. Furthermore, it adds to the literature on stakeholder networking by highlighting the importance of engaging in a dialogue with local communities during the conceptualisation stages of both sustainability and SDG implementation because of diverging worldviews and practices.
Application of lattice Boltzmann method to curved boundaries for simulating nanofluid flow in an L-Shape enclosure
Authors: Naseri Nia Shayan , Rabiei Faranak , Rashidi M.M. 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to use the Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to numerically simulate the natural convection heat transfer of Cu-water nanofluid in an L-shaped enclosure with curved boundaries.

Design/methodology/approach
LBM on three different models of curved L-shape cavity using staircase approach is applied to perform a comparative investigation for the effects of curved boundary on fluid flow and heat transfer. The staircase approximation is a straightforward and efficient approach to simulating curved boundaries in LBM.

Findings
The effect of curved boundary on natural convection in different parameter ranges of Rayleigh number and nanoparticle volume fraction is investigated. The curved L-shape results are also compared to the rectangular L-shape results that were also achieved in this study. The curved boundary LBM simulation is also validated with existing studies, which shows great accuracy in this study. The results show that the top curved boundary in curved L-shape models causes a notable increase in the Nusselt number values.

Originality/value
Based on existing literature, there is a lack of comparative studies which would specifically examine the effects of curved boundaries on natural convection in closed cavities. Particularly, the application of curved boundaries to an L-shape cavity has not been examined. In this study, curved boundaries are applied to the sharp corners of the bending section in the L-shape and the results of the curved L-shape models are compared to the simple rectangular L-shape model. Hence, a comparative evaluation is performed for the effect of curved boundaries on fluid flow in the L-shape enclosure.
Coping strategies of Vietnamese overseas-trained returnees to do research in home university contexts
Authors: Thi Nguyen Bao Trang , Moore Stephen H. , Nguyen Vu Quynh Nhu 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis study focuses on Vietnamese international students who returned from their overseas doctoral education to home universities in Vietnam (henceforth Vietnamese overseas-trained returnees). The purpose is to explore the experience of these returnees “doing research” (i.e. being research active) when resuming a lecturing role at a Vietnamese regional university. In the context of research now receiving heightened attention in both the wider global higher education (HE) discourse and the Vietnamese HE sector, this study is timely and provides valuable insights.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 76 Vietnamese overseas-trained returnees from varied disciplinary backgrounds completed a questionnaire on their research motivation and their perceived constraints doing research. Eighteen subsequently took part in semi-structured interviews. The study draws on the notion of human agency from the sociocultural perspective to understand the coping strategies of the Vietnamese overseas-educated returnees in response to the challenges they encountered.FindingsThe results show that the returnees' motivations to conduct research varied, fuelled by passion, but constrained by multiple factors. Time constraints, heavy teaching loads, familial roles and lack of specialized equipment are key inhibiting factors in re-engaging in research for these returnees. Addressing them necessitated a great deal of readaptation, renegotiation and agentive resilience on the part of the returnees in employing different coping strategies to pursue research.Practical implicationsThe paper argues for a subtle understanding of the returnees' experience of re-engaging in research that is both complex and contextual. Implications are drawn for research development in the regional Vietnamese HE context and perhaps in other similar settings.Originality/valueThere is little empirical knowledge about how Vietnamese returned graduates – university lecturers – continue doing research after their return. Also underexplored in global discourse is research on foreign-educated returnees doing research, while they are an important source of human resources. The present study, therefore, fills these research gaps.
A review of worldwide blockchain technology initiatives in the energy sector based on go-to-market strategies
Authors: Chacra Suzane Abou , Sireli Yesim , Cali Umit 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to introduce the current-state of the energy grid, to reviews new and enabling peer-to-peer and blockchain-based solutions and to propose a strategic go-to-market framework, populated with energy companies strategically positioned to capture the unique opportunities present across the energy industry.

Design/methodology/approach
Hundreds of use-cases worldwide have been reviewed, and 50 worldwide blockchain energy companies and initiatives were included in this study based on the publicly accessible information that indicates their go-to-market strategies. As a result, these initiatives were classified into three main types of go-to-market strategies. Each company and its portfolio of blockchain-based solutions was described under these three categories.

Findings
Based on the research conducted in this review paper, it is evident that the adoption of blockchain-based technologies, solutions and services is accelerating at a rapid pace within the global energy industry to meet the needs and challenges that exist within it. Given the companies outlined in this paper, the opportunity to leverage blockchain technology while aligning to a social driver like green energy is perceived to be the most promising go-to-market strategy within this sector.

Originality/value
This study explores the apparent business plans of different blockchain initiatives around the world. Although there are a few other review papers recently published, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this approach has not been taken in other studies in terms of the categorization of available use-cases.
“Going beyond to deliver hip hospitality”: exploring motivation and job satisfaction of hospitality workers in Dubai
Authors: Valk Reimara , Yousif Lina 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the motivation and job satisfaction of employees in the hospitality industry in Dubai, using Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation.

Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative research encompassed 20 interviews with employees at four different job levels from a 4-star hotel in Dubai, selected through purposive and quota sampling.

Findings
Findings show that achievement, recognition and responsibility are essential motivators. However, these were sources of dissatisfaction amongst employees from the lower job levels. Leader quality is crucial to hygiene. Moreover, it is a key motivator and a powerful source of job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications
This cross-sectional study entailed a small sample size of 20 employees from one hotel in Dubai. Therefore, the only generalisation to theory is permitted and not to a broader population, such as hospitality workers from other hotels in Dubai or any of the other six United Arab Emirates.

Practical implications
The two specific human resource programmes and practices presented in this paper can exert a positive influence on employees’ motivation and job satisfaction. This, in turn, will bring the hotel in a strong position to compete for motivated and competent human capital to deliver high quality guest services to gain a competitive advantage in the hospitality industry in Dubai.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature first, by identifying the type of motivation of the hotel’s employees as follows: “prosocial motivation”, evoked by satisfaction with motivators and hygienes. Second, by presenting a “Satisfier and Hygiene model for Prosocial Motivation and Job Satisfaction”, illustrating the reciprocal relation between prosocial motivation and job satisfaction.