bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medical care needs and experiences of LGBTQ populations in Japan
Authors: Otani Hiroyuki , Morita Tatsuya , Kim Hongja , Aso Kaori , Yuasa Misuzu , Kashiwagi Hideyuki , Oya Kiyofumi , Naito Akemi Shirado 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study comprehensively examines the medical needs and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) population—also referred to as sexual minorities—in Japan. It aims to bridge the existing gap in understanding the experiences of LGBTQ populations in accessing healthcare, and inform future healthcare reforms. In November 2022, a cross-sectional, web-based, anonymous survey was conducted targeting LGBTQ populations across Japan who had previously visited a medical institution. Participants were recruited through a private, web-based, survey company. Inclusion criteria included being 20 years old or above, having a record of medical visits, and experiencing distress or discomfort related to gender identity, gender, or sexual orientation. Survey items were developed based on previous research and preliminary interviews, to assess demographic characteristics, experiences with medical care, and preferences for end-of-life care. A total of 103 respondents with a diverse demographic profile from across Japan participated in the survey. Among sexual minorities whose gender identity differed from their birth assignment, significant challenges were reported, including distressful experiences related to assigned hospital rooms and difficulties accessing certain medical departments. LGBTQ individuals with non-heterosexual orientations also faced barriers to partner involvement in medical decision-making and care. This study underscores the need for healthcare reforms to address the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in Japan. Healthcare providers should create a more equitable and affirming healthcare system for all individuals, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Linear β-1,2-glucans trigger immune hallmarks and disease resistance in plants
Authors: Fuertes-Rabanal María , Largo-Gosens Asier , Fischer Alicia , Munzert Kristina S. , Carrasco-López Cristian , Sánchez-Vallet Andrea , Engelsdorf Timo , Mélida Hugo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractImmune responses in plants are triggered by molecular patterns or elicitors, recognized by plant pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Such molecular patterns arise from host-pathogen interactions and the response cascade activated after their perception is known as pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Glucans have emerged as key players in PTI, but certain glucans’ ability to stimulate defensive responses in plants remains understudied. This work focused on identifying novel glucan oligosaccharides acting as molecular patterns. The ability of various microorganism-derived glucans to prompt PTI responses was tested, revealing that specific microbial-derived glucans, such as short linear β-1,2-glucans, trigger this response in plants by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, MAP kinase phosphorylation, and differential expression of defence-related genes inArabidopsis thaliana. Pretreatments with β-1,2-glucan trisaccharide (B2G3) improved Arabidopsis defence against bacterial and fungal infections in a hypersusceptible genotype. The knowledge generated was then transferred to the monocotyledonous model species maize and wheat, confirming that these plants also respond to β-1,2-glucans, with increased ROS production and improved protection against fungal infections following B2G3 pretreatments. In summary, as with other β-glucans, plants perceive β-1,2-glucans as warning signals and stimulate defence responses against phytopathogens.HighlightsWe describe a new group of glycans present in the extracellular matrices of some plant-interacting microorganisms that are sensed by host surveillance systems and enhance the plant’s natural resistance to disease.
Semi-automated vs. manual: Comparative study of cell culture counting methods using validation parameters
Authors: Ramm Selina , Odefey Ulrich , Frahm Björn , Pein-Hackelbusch Miriam 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDetermining cell density and cell viability is fundamental for any cell cultivation process. In addition to the manual counting method using hemocytometers, (semi-)automated methods offer advantages such as lower variability and shortened analysis times. However, these methods should provide at least comparable results to the manual method, which is why a comparison of methods is essential. We conducted a dilution series experimental design according to ISO 20391-2:2019 and compared two cell counting methods based on validation parameters aligned with the ICH Q2(R1) guideline. Regarding specificity and linearity, the manual (hemocytometer) and semi-automated (Countstar BioTech®) method exhibited similar results in the two evaluated characteristics total cell density and cell viability of CHO-K1 cells. Regarding repeatability of determining total cell density, the semi-automated method achieved significant (α= 0.05) better results with average relative standard deviations of < 6 %, than the manual method with average relative standard deviations of > 9 %. Concerning repeatability of the cell viability measurement, no significant difference between the two methods were shown. These results show the suitabililty of the dilution series experimental design. For the applied example, they indicate that the investigated semi-automated method is an appropriate alternative to the manual method.
Long Terminal Repeats of Gammaretroviruses Retain Stable Expression After Integration Retargeting or Knock-In into the Restrictive Chromatin of Lamina-Associated Domains
Authors: Miklík Dalibor , Slavková Martina , Kučerová Dana , Mekadim Chahrazed , Mrázek Jakub , Hejnar Jiří 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTRetroviruses integrate their genomes into the genomes of infected host cells and form a genetic platform for stable gene expression. Epigenetic silencing can, however, hamper the expression of integrated provirus. As gammaretroviruses (γRVs) preferentially integrate into sites of active promoters and enhancers, the high expression activity of γRVs can be attributed to the integration preference. Long terminal repeats (LTRs) of some γRVs were shown to act as potent promoters for gene expression. Here, we investigate the capacity of different γRV LTRs to drive stable expression inside a non-preferred epigenomic environment using diverse retroviral vectors and CRISPR-Cas9-directed vector knock-in. We demonstrate that different γRV LTRs are either rapidly silenced or long-term active with active proviral population prevailing under normal and retargeted integration. In addition, we show that lamina-associated domains (LADs) can be targeted by CRISPR-Cas9 for vector insertion leading to γRV LTR-driven long-term stable gene expression. Alternatively to established γRV systems, the LTRs of feline leukemia virus and koala retrovirus are capable of driving stable, albeit intensity-diverse, transgene expression in LADs. Altogether, we show that despite the occurrence of rapid silencing events, the majority of γRV LTRs can drive stable expression after retrovirus integration or CRISPR-Cas9-directed knock-in outside of the preferred chromatin landscape.
AxoDen: An algorithm for the automated quantification of axonal density in defined brain regions
Authors: Sandoval Ortega Raquel Adaia , Li Emmy , Joseph Oliver , A. Dufour Pascal , Corder Gregory 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe rodent brain contains 70,000,000+ neurons interconnected via complex axonal circuits with varying architectures. Neural pathologies are often associated with anatomical changes in these axonal projections and synaptic connections. Notably, axonal density variations of local and long-range projections increase or decrease as a function of the strengthening or weakening, respectively, of the information flow between brain regions. Traditionally, histological quantification of axonal inputs relied on assessing the mean fluorescence intensity within a rectangle placed in the brain region-of-inter-est. Despite yielding valuable insights, this conventional method is notably susceptible to background fluorescence, post-acquisition adjustments, and inter-researcher variability. Additionally, it fails to account for the non-uniform innervation across brain regions, thus overlooking critical data such as innervation percentages and axonal distribution patterns. In response to these challenges, we introduce AxoDen, an open-source semi-automated platform designed to increase the speed and rigor of axon quantifications for basic neuroscience discovery. AxoDen processes user-defined brain regions-of-interests incorporating dynamic thresholding of grayscales-transformed images to facilitate binarized pixel measure-ments. Thereby AxoDen segregates the image content into signal and non-signal categories, effectively eliminating background interference and enabling the exclusive measurement of fluorescence from axonal projections. AxoDen provides detailed and accurate representations of axonal density and spatial distribution. AxoDen’s advanced yet user-friendly platform enhances the reliability and efficiency of axonal density analysis and facilitates access to unbiased high-quality data analysis with no technical background or coding experience required. AxoDen is freely available to everyone as a valuable neuroscience tool for dissecting axonal innervation patterns in precisely defined brain regions.
Probing the dependence of transcription factor regulatory modes on promoter features
Authors: Guharajan Sunil , Parisutham Vinuselvi , Brewster Robert C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTranscription Factors (TFs) are often classified as activators or repressors, yet these context-dependent labels are inadequate to predict quantitative profiles that emerge across different promoters. The regulatory interplay between a TFs function and promoter features can be complex due to the lack of systematic genetic control in the natural cellular environment. To address this, we use a library ofE. colistrains with precise control of TF copy number. We measure the quantitative regulatory input-output function of 90 TFs on synthetic promoters that isolate the contributions of TF binding sequence, location, and basal promoter strength to gene expression, uncovering TF specific regulatory principles. We infer that many of these TFs function by stabilizing RNA polymerase at the promoter, a property we see for both activating and repressing TFs. We develop a thermodynamic model that predicts stabilizing TFs have a specific quantitative relationship with promoters of differential strength. We test this prediction using synthetic promoters spanning over 100-fold range in basal expression levels and confirm that stronger promoters have lower fold-change for stabilizing TFs, whereas non-stabilizing TFs do not exhibit this relationship, indicating a conserved mechanism of transcription control across distinct TFs. This work demonstrates that understanding the intrinsic mechanisms of TF function is central to decoding the relationship between sequence and gene expression.
Jet-Origin Identification and Its Application at an Electron-Positron Higgs Factory
Authors: Liang Hao , Zhu Yongfeng , Wang Yuexin , Che Yuzhi , Ruan Manqi , Zhou Chen , Qu Huilin 
Published: May 2024

To enhance the scientific discovery power of high-energy collider experiments, we propose and realize the concept of jet-origin identification that categorizes jets into five quark species (b,c,s,u,d), five antiquarks (b¯,c¯,s¯,u¯,d¯), and the gluon. Using state-of-the-art algorithms and simulated νν¯H,H→jj events at 240 GeV center-of-mass energy at the electron-positron Higgs factory, the jet-origin identification simultaneously reaches jet flavor tagging efficiencies ranging from 67% to 92% for bottom, charm, and strange quarks and jet charge flip rates of 7%–24% for all quark species. We apply the jet-origin identification to Higgs rare and exotic decay measurements at the nominal luminosity of the Circular Electron Positron Collider and conclude that the upper limits on the branching ratios of H→ss¯,uu¯,dd¯ and H→sb,db,uc,ds can be determined to 2×10−4 to 1×10−3 at 95% confidence level. The derived upper limit for H→ss¯ decay is approximately 3 times the prediction of the standard model.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Do workplace digitalisation and group diversity matter in linking innovative culture to employee engagement?
Authors: Hooi Lai Wan , Chan Ai Joo 
Published: May 2024

PurposeDrawing on the Job Demands-Resource (JD-R) model, this paper examines innovative culture as the antecedent to employee engagement (EE), taking workplace digitalisation as the mediator and group diversity as the moderator on the workplace digitalisation–EE relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe research model is tested using structural equation modelling, based on 256 online survey data representing the management-level executives of Selangor/Kuala Lumpur-based Malaysian companies.FindingsOur findings support that innovative culture directly affects EE and indirectly through workplace digitalisation. Besides, group diversity moderates the workplace digitalisation–EE relationship.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that organisations can enhance EE in a diversity-oriented digital setting by cultivating an innovative culture to facilitate employees’ perception and acceptance of workplace digitalisation.Originality/valueOur findings enrich the interdisciplinary literature on how innovative culture, employees’ perception and acceptance of workplace digitalisation and group diversity intersect in reshaping EE.
Does organizational culture influence gender microaggressions in the workplace? A grounded theory approach
Authors: Priya P. , Sreejith S.S. 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis article adds to the existing literature by identifying persistent sociocultural norms that influence organizational culture as facilitators of gendered microaggressions experienced by women in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from 25 women employees in the Indian banking and finance sector following an unstructured interview. Grounded theory was utilized to establish that organizational culture, which in turn is reinforced by gender microaggressions, contributes to its prevalence.FindingsGender microaggressions manifest in the form of Alienation, Opportunity Denial, Invisible Restrictions and Sexual Innuendos. The relationship between organizational culture and gender microaggressions is cyclical, reinforcing and strengthening each other.Originality/valueThis is the first study on gender microaggressions to be conducted in the banking and finance sector.
Examining the influence of continuance performance management on turnover intention: exploring the mediating effects of employee motivation and job autonomy – a practical study in the banking industry in Dubai
Authors: Qureshi Tahir Masood , Ghadi Mohammed Yasin , Sindhu Mahwish 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
Continuous performance management is an emerging global phenomenon adopted by the human resources management discipline that is decentralizing the way performance management is traditionally executed within organizations. This study aims to examine the impact of continuous performance management (CPM) on turnover intention in the banking sector in Dubai and to identify the mediating roles of employee motivation and job autonomy.

Design/methodology/approach
The study used surveys to collect primary data from 375 employees at 15 banks operating in Dubai to explore the relationships among CPM, employee motivation, turnover intention, as well as perceived job autonomy. Through a robust analytical methodology that included exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, multiple regression and parallel mediation analysis using the Hayes process macro, not only were the factor structures validated, but the relationships between the constructs were also uncovered. This comprehensive research process helped the present study delve into the depths of the study’s subject matter, thereby enhancing the value of the study to the extant literature which given the multicultural orientation, further contributed to the comprehensiveness of the conceptual relationship between the variables.

Findings
From the findings, the current study concludes that the key predictors of employee motivation, job autonomy and turnover intention in the banking sector among employees were CPM factors. In addition, based on the findings from the Hays process macro parallel mediation analysis, the current study identified the mediation effect of employee motivation and job autonomy between CPM and turnover intention. With the confirmation of all the research hypotheses, the output from this study is valuable to HR academicians and practitioners seeking to understand CPM and how to implement performance management drivers for the purpose of employee development and retention.

Originality/value
This paper’s originality lies in its examination of the burgeoning trend of CPM within the unique context of the GCC banking sector, a sector-specific focus that offers fresh insights into the adoption and impact of CPM in a regional context.
Exploratory and exploitative linkages and innovative activity in the offshore renewable energy sector
Authors: Barrett Shane , Crowley Frank , Doran Justin , O'Connor Mari 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis paper examines the relationship between open innovation (measured by exploratory and exploitative linkages) and firm-level innovative activity in the offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector.Design/methodology/approachA unique, purpose-built survey that targeted firms operating in the ORE sector and its supply chain was used. The data provides novel insights into the research activities and networking capabilities of an industry in its infant stages of development. Regression models are used to estimate the relationship between firm-level external linkages and innovative activity.FindingsExploratory linkages are positively related to more innovative activity. This relationship is subject to diminishing returns, distinguishing the ORE sector from other sectors. Collaborating with suppliers and accessing scientific journals are conducive to research and development (R&D) activity and process innovation, whilst collaborating with customers is associated with the decision to introduce new products and processes.Originality/valueThis study provides evidence of a positive, but curvilinear, relationship between external knowledge linkages and innovative activity, adding novel insights into the relationship between open innovation (OI) strategies, research and innovation outcomes for firms predominantly in the introductory stages of the technological life cycle with limited commercialisation experience. The nuanced finding that specific linkages matter for certain research and innovation (R&I) outcomes adds deeper complexity to March’s (1991) framework, where tailoring certain exploratory or exploitative linkages to specific innovation activities is important.
Beyond averages: quantile regression explorations of sustainability practices and firm value
Authors: Buallay Amina , AlAjmi Jasim Yusuf , Fadhul Sayed , Papoutsi Aikaterini 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This study investigates the association between corporate sustainability disclosures and firm performance and value.

Design/methodology/approach
This study collected data from 694 manufacturing companies operating in 34 countries between 2007 and 2019, yielding 6,181 firm-year observations. This study employs a dual-model framework to analyze the influence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and Tobin's Q ratio. Two sets of control variables, firm- and country-specific, were incorporated to account for potential confounding factors. To validate the robustness of the findings, we utilized a battery of econometric techniques, including traditional ordinary least squares (OLS), firm-fixed effects, quantile regression, and instrumental variables-generalized method of moments (IV-GMM), applied to both the pooled and firm-fixed effects models.

Findings
The findings are contradictory: there is a negative relationship between sustainability disclosure and operating performance and return on equity, but a positive relationship between sustainability disclosure and firm value. The negative correlation is consistent with agency theory and the positive correlation is consistent with the legitimacy and shareholder theories. These results are robust to performance measures and estimation methods.

Research limitations/implications
Short-term profit shouldn't deter sustainability. It boosts legitimacy, reputation, efficiency, and long-term market value. Investors must look beyond profitability ratios, embracing ESG metrics. Firms should see sustainability as strategic investment, not cost. Patience pays off: long-term gains await. Regulation can guide balanced growth, prioritizing both shareholders and societal well-being.

Originality/value
This study is the first to adopt a firm’s fixed-effect quantile regression, which provides deep insights into the role of sustainability disclosure in meeting stakeholders’ expectations.
Social media impact on sustainable intention and behaviour: a comparative study between university students in Malaysia and Indonesia
Authors: Mohamad Saleh Mohamad Saifudin , Mehellou Ali , Huang Miao , Briandana Rizki 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThe use of social media for sustainable information is important since it has the potential to influence people’s intentions and behaviour towards sustainability. As previous studies on social media and sustainable development have primarily focussed on Western viewpoints, this study presents a comprehensive Asian perspective by investigating the impact of social media on sustainable intention and behaviour amongst Malaysian and Indonesian undergraduate university students.Design/methodology/approachA campus-wide online survey was conducted with 953 students from Malaysia and Indonesia. The researchers collected data through an online questionnaire and a two-week quantitative survey of undergraduate students in Malaysia and Indonesia. Quantitative data were analysed by SmartPLS software and comparative studies were conducted.FindingsThe result of the survey indicated that Facebook and Instagram were mainly used by Malaysian students to obtain and communicate about sustainability information, whilst Instagram was mainly used by Indonesian students. The findings also discovered that social media usage and social media effectiveness and usefulness are statistically significant predictors of sustainable intention amongst the students in Malaysia and Indonesia. Sustainable intention is also a statistically significant predictor of sustainable behaviour amongst the students. Additionally, this study also found that Malaysian students appeared to have a high level of the effect of sustainable intention on sustainable behaviour and the effect of the effectiveness and usefulness of social media to sustainable intention compared to Indonesian students. On the contrary, their use of social media related to sustainable behaviour was relatively low compared to Indonesian students.Originality/valueOverall, the findings can contribute to the presently scant empirical works that focus on social media’s influence on sustainability and sustainable development. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge related to sustainability communication and sustainable education, particularly in terms of the use of social media in the learning and teaching process. Future research could focus on studying postgraduate students and university students from other Asian countries. Moreover, using qualitative methods like in-depth interviews or focus group discussion and applying other theories might unveil further results.