bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Routing TQM through HR strategies to achieve organizational effectiveness: the mediating role of HR outcomes in India
Authors: Nayak Surekha , Ganesh Anjali , Bhat Shreeranga , Kumar Roopesh 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe present research focuses on improving the awareness related to soft total quality management (TQM) practices by looking from the viewpoint of strategic human resources (HR). In addition, it is intended to reflect on the resulting soft TQM-HR outcomes and determine the mediating effect between soft TQM-HR strategies and organizational effectiveness (OE).Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory research methodology with an online survey technique was adopted for the study. Three hundred and three managerial-level personnel from nine large Indian manufacturing organizations participated in the research. A theoretical model is projected and verified using correlation and mediation analysis.FindingsThe results show that commitment, reduced turnover intentions and satisfaction levels of employees mediate the relationship between resources, development and retention strategies and OE. However, the retention strategy has the strongest association with the OE of the three strategies. Also, of the three HR outcomes, satisfaction was strongly associated with OE. The analysis proved that the proposed model is an acceptable fit.Practical implicationsImplementing HR-related TQM strategies will likely impact OE since it elicits positive HR outcomes such as commitment, reduced turnover intention and satisfaction. Recognizing human resources as a unique strategic asset will help HR managers devise adequate resourcing, development and retention strategies instrumental in executing TQM.Originality/valueThe present micro study is unique in scrutinizing the influence of soft TQM-HR practices on organizational effectiveness by analysing the mediating effects of commitment, reduced turnover intention and satisfaction in Indian large-scale manufacturing organizations. The study is unique since no literature deciphers the linkages between HR strategies and organizational effectiveness in the Indian manufacturing sector.
COVID-19's impact on lean programs and implementation in energy-based utilities
Authors: Jensen Paula H. , Cross Jennifer , Polanco-Lahoz Diego A. 
Published: November 2023

PurposeLean is a continuous improvement methodology that has succeeded in eliminating waste in a variety of industries. Yet, there is a need for more research on Lean implementation in several under-studied contexts, including crisis situations such as those created by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigates how Lean programs were impacted by COVID-19, while previous research has primarily explored how Lean was used to solve problems created by the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method research approach was used to analyze employee feedback on how COVID-19 impacted the Lean programs using data from various levels of four energy-based utilities in the United States. First, an online questionnaire collected qualitative and quantitative data from a broad sample of participants. Then, a follow-up semi-structured interview allowed the elaboration of perceptions related to the research question using a smaller sample of participants.FindingsOut of the 194 responses from the four companies, only 41% of the respondents at least somewhat agreed that COVID-19 impacted the Lean program at their company; of the remaining 59%, 35% indicated they were neutral, while 24% disagreed. The themes from the qualitative portion indicated that, while employees believed their companies had successfully found a new way to do Lean within the constraints of not always being in person, the collaboration and engagement were more challenging to sustain, and COVID-19 also otherwise made it more difficult to implement Lean. Meanwhile, some believed there was no impact on the Lean program.Originality/valueThe COVID-19 and Lean peer-reviewed literature published from 2020 to September 2023 focused primarily on using Lean to address problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic vs studying the pandemic's impact on Lean programs. This research partially fills this literature gap in understanding the impact COVID-19 had on Lean initiatives.
Outcomes of dual‐chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator for left bundle branch area pacing: A systematic review of literature
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Nadeem Saffa , Raza Hafiz Ahmed , Hashmi Abdul Wasey , Talat Fawad , Kumar Deepak , Zaidi Syed Muhammad Jawad , Mehmoodi Amin , Malik Jahanzeb 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis systematic review of literature aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dual‐chamber ICDs for LBBAP in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB).MethodsDigital databases were searched systematically to identify studies reporting the left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement in patients with LBBB. Detailed study and patient‐level baseline characteristics including the type of study, sample size, follow‐up, number of cases, age, gender, and baseline characteristics were abstracted.ResultsIn a total of three studies, 34 patients were included in this review. There was a significant improvement reported in QRS duration in all studies. The mean QRS duration at baseline was 170 ± 17.4 ms, whereas the follow‐up QRS duration at follow‐up was 121 ± 17.3 ms. Two studies reported a significant improvement of 50% in LVEF from baseline. No lead‐related complications or arrhythmic events were recorded in any study. The findings of the systematic review suggest that dual‐chamber ICD for LBBAP is a promising intervention for patients with heart conditions.ConclusionThe procedure offers significant improvements in QRS duration and LVEF, and there were no lead‐related complications or arrhythmic events recorded in any of the studies.
Involvement of DKK1 secreted from adipose‐derived stem cells in alopecia areata
Authors: Choi Nahyun , Hwang Juyeong , Kim Doo Yeong , Kim Jino , Song Seung Yong , Sung Jong‐Hyuk 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAdipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) have shown efficacy in promoting hair growth, while DKK1 inhibits the WNT pathway, which is associated with hair loss. Our study focused on investigating the expression of DKK1 in alopecia areata (AA), a condition characterised by significant increases in the DKK1 levels in human and mouse ASCs. Treatment of interferon‐γ increased the expression of DKK1 via STAT3 phosphorylation in ASCs. Treatment with recombinant DKK1 resulted in a decrease of cell growth in outer root sheath cells, whereas the use of a DKK1 neutralising antibody promoted hair growth. These results indicate that ASCs secrete DKK1, playing a crucial role in the progression and development of AA. Consequently, we generated DKK1 knockout (KO) ASCs using the Crispr/Cas9 system and evaluated their hair growth‐promoting effects in an AA model. The DKK1 KO in ASCs led to enhanced cell motility and reduced cellular senescence by activating the WNT signalling pathway, while it reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines by inactivating the NF‐kB pathway. As expected, the intravenous injection of DKK1‐KO‐ASCs in AA mice, and the treatment with a conditioned medium derived from DKK1‐KO‐ASCs in hair organ culture proved to be more effective compared with the use of naïve ASCs and their conditioned medium. Overall, these findings suggest that DKK1 represents a novel therapeutic target for treating AA, and cell therapy using DKK1‐KO‐ASCs demonstrates greater efficiency.
Integrated single‐cell transcriptomics reveals the hypoxia‐induced inflammation‐cancer transformation in NASH‐derived hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liang Yuan , Zhang Rui , Biswas Siddhartha , Bu Qingfa , Xu Zibo , Qiao Lei , Zhou Yan , Tang Jiaqi , Zhou Jinren , Zhou Haoming , Lu Ling 
Published: November 2023

AbstractNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the primary risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), owing to improved vaccination rates of Hepatitis B and the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome related to obesity. Although the importance of innate and adaptive immune cells has been emphasized, the malignant transformation of hepatocytes and their intricate cellular network with the immune system remain unclear. The study incorporated four single‐cell transcriptomic datasets of liver tissues covering healthy and NAFLD‐related disease status. To identify the subsets and functions of hepatocytes and macrophages, we employed differential composition analysis, functional enrichment analysis, pseudotime analysis, and scenic analysis. Furthermore, an experimental mouse model for the transformation of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis into hepatocellular carcinoma was established for validation purposes. We defined CYP7A1+ hepatocytes enriched in precancerous lesions as ‘Transitional Cells’ in the progression from NAFLD to HCC. CYP7A1+ hepatocytes upregulated genes associated with stress response, inflammation and cancer‐associated pathways and downregulated the normal hepatocyte signature. We observed that hypoxia activation accompanied the entire process of inflammation‐cancer transformation. Hepatocyte‐derived HIF1A was gradually activated during the progression of NAFLD disease to adapt to the hypoxic microenvironment and hepatocytes under hypoxic environment led to changes in the metabolism, proliferation and angiogenesis, promoting the occurrence of tumours. Meanwhile, hypoxia induced the polarization of RACK1+ macrophages that enriched in the liver tissues of NASH towards immunosuppressed TREM2+ macrophages. Moreover, immunosuppressive TREM2+ macrophages were recruited by tumour cells through the CCL15‐CCR1 axis to enhance immunosuppressive microenvironment and promote NAFLD‐related HCC progression. The study provides a deep understanding of the development mechanism of NAFLD‐related HCC and offers theoretical support and experimental basis for biological targets, drug research, and clinical application.
Ethical challenges of conducting and reviewing human genomics research in Malaysia: An exploratory study
Authors: Zee Teong Win , Abdul Aziz Mohammad Firdaus Bin , Wei Phan Chia 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEven though there is a significant amount of scholarly work examining the ethical issues surrounding human genomics research, little is known about its footing in Malaysia. This study aims to explore the experience of local researchers and research ethics committee (REC) members in developing it in Malaysia. In‐depth interviews were conducted from April to May 2021, and the data were thematically analysed. In advancing this technology, both genomics researchers and REC members have concerns over how this research is being developed in the country especially the absence of a clear ethical and regulatory framework at the national level as a guidance. However, this study argues that it is not a salient issue as there are international guidelines in existence and both researchers and RECs will benefit from a training on the guidelines to ensure genomics research can be developed in an ethical manner.
Effects of marine climate variability on the relative abundance of Lutjanus purpureus (POEY, 1866) on the Amazon Continental Shelf
Authors: Trindade Diego Gomes , de Almeida de Gouveia Nelson , da Mescouto Niedja Luana da Costa , de Sousa Moura Hanna Tereza Garcia , da Silva Ualerson Iran Peixoto , Bentes Bianca 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the effects of climate and marine variability on the catches of Lutjanus purpureus in three sectors of the Amazon Continental Shelf. Remote sensing data were compared with landings (CPUE) between 1997 and 2007 and analyzed for partial influence obtained through the Generalized Additive Model. Additionally, significant variables were analyzed through Wavelet Cross‐Spectrum, and periods of high correlation between variables in space and time were identified. The results indicated a high coherence between catch per unit effort (CPUE) and environmental variables on an interannual scale, suggesting that Red Snapper fishing is mainly influenced by the seasonal effects of oceanographic variables. These results suggest that fluctuations in Red Snapper catches between 1997 and 2007 may be the result of natural processes that occur in the Amazon Continental Shelf every year in synergy with environmental variables, which are also indirectly affected by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) pattern.
Cognitive status and low sun exposure as frailty major risk factor among older people in a rural area of East Java, Indonesia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Soenarti Sri , Mahendra Aditya Indra , Rudijanto Achmad , Soeharto Setyawati , Ratnawati Retty , Maryunani  , Marintan Silmy 
Published: November 2023

AimTo reveal the prevalence of frailty and factors that strongly affected the frailty condition among older adults in East Java, Indonesia.MethodWe conducted a cross‐sectional study carried out among 400 older adults aged ≥60 years without any acute illness. Data were collected from rural area in two locations in Malang and Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia, in 2019–2020. For data collection, we used the sociodemographic profile assessment, Fried frailty phenotype, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini Mental State assessment, sun exposure, handgrip strength, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, walk score, and body mass index. We used logistic regression statistics for data analysis.ResultsThe result showed that 2.5% were robust, 83% were prefrail, and 14.5% were frail. A higher proportion of subjects were aged 60–74 years (83.3%), women (70.3%), with lower educational status (84.5%). Multivariate analysis showed that the intrinsic factors low cognitive status (odds ratio [OR], 3.052 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.691–5.508]) and older age (OR, 3.073 [95% CI, 1.637–5.767]) were associated with frailty among the older adults in a rural area. Depression was also associated with frailty (OR, 2.458 [95% CI, 0.465–12.985]). From extrinsic factors, we also found that low sun exposure (OR, 2.931 [95% CI, 1.650–5.204]) and unemployment (OR, 1.997 [95% CI, 1.112–3.588]) were associated with frailty.ConclusionFor the Indonesian elderly in this study, low cognitive status, older age, depression, low sun exposure, and unemployment were associated with frailty. Understanding the modifiable risk factors of frailty can provide a valuable reference for future prevention and intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 170–175.
Past, Present, and Future Anatomy of an Oil Brine Plume Remediation near Poplar, Montana: A Case Study
Authors: Davis Andy , Kamark Ben , Sims Nathan , Roth Martin , Mocko John 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe Biere #1‐22 oil production well near Poplar, Montana leaked brine and light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) to the shallow alluvial aquifer for several years before final closure in 2002. Since 2008, 2.5 billion L of brine have been removed (~90% of the original Cl mass). However, Cl will not reach the original background levels due to the reservoir of solutes entrained in the Bearpaw bedrock remnant from the lateral dense aqueous phase liquid flow across the alluvial/bedrock interface. After removal of ~100,000 L of product since 2006, residual LNAPL is now confined to 2.2 ha (5.5 acres) a decrease from the original 2.7 ha (6.6 acres) areal extent by 17%. The initial ~7.5 m thick product in 2002 is stable at a maximum of ~1 m. However, LNAPL has infiltrated into fine‐grained clay/silt units forming a smear zone in lenses 10 to 20 m bgs. Ongoing remediation has successfully mitigated benzene groundwater impacts over the last 14 years, with the benzene plume area having decreased by >99% (at the 5 μg/L) level from the maximum ~140 ha in 2002. This appears to be the first study evaluating the challenges to remediate a mixed LNAPL/dissolved organic/inorganic plume. Based on the mass removal to date, the asymptotic trends in solute concentrations, unpotable background groundwater quality, absence of a source/receptor pathway, lack of beneficial groundwater use, duration of mitigation with no obvious future accrual in benefit and the availability of institutional controls, it seems that the remedial strategies employed since 2006 have met their cost/benefit goals.
Influence of rare‐earth elements on the ionic conductivity of LATP electrolyte and its application in assembled cells
Authors: Lu Xiaojuan , Li Ziqian , Liu Songtao , Huang Ke , Hai Jiankang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRare earth elements (Pr, Eu, Lu) with larger ionic radius and lower electronegativity were used to dope NASICON type solid electrolyte Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) by solid state method. The effects of the types and the doping amounts of rare earth elements on the properties of LATP were investigated systematically. A test cell of Li4Ti5O12//Lu‐LATP//LiCoO2 was assembled and the cycling performance was evaluated. The failure mechanism of the test cell was analyzed. The relative density, cell volumes, and the total ionic conductivity of LATP were increased upon doping of rare‐earth elements. The grain sizes and the electronic conductivity were decreased. Among the three rare earth elements studied, Lu doped LATP achieved the highest total ionic conductivity of 3.6 × 104 S/cm, with the lowest activation energy of 0.23 ev, and the electronic conductivity was one order of magnitude lower than that of un‐doped LATP. The enhancement of the total conductivity was ascribed to the synergized effect of the increase of the relative density, the enlargement of the cell volumes and the broadening of Li+ migration window owing to the larger ionic radius and the lower electronegativity of the rare earth elements. Based on the relaxation time distribution spectra, the failure mechanism of the assembled cell was attributed to the degradation of the electrolytes and the irreversible decomposition of electrodes.
(Not So) Happy Cows: An Autonomy‐Based Argument for Regulating Animal Industry Misleading Commercial Speech
Authors: Marciel Rubén , Magaña Pablo 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT‘Happy cow messages’ are instances of commercial speech by the animal industry which, by action or by omission, mislead consumers about the harmful effects that the industry has for non‐human animals, the environment, or human health. Despite their ubiquity, happy cow messages have received little philosophical scrutiny. This article aims to call attention to this form of speech, and to make the case for its restriction. To do so we first conceptualize happy cow messages. Second, we argue that they encroach upon individual autonomy in two particularly objectionable ways: by impairing our ability to behave according to our moral convictions, and by thwarting our capacity to identify and reason about our moral duties. This, we hold, grounds a pro tanto case for stricter and more comprehensive regulation of commercial speech by the animal industry. Third, and against the objection that restricting happy cow messages would violate freedom of speech, we contend that none of the most influential arguments for free speech grants them protection. Indeed, we suggest, those rationales seem to call for their restriction. Fourth, and finally, we review some possible ways to defuse the misleading potential of happy cow messages through commercial speech regulations.
The joint effects of litigation risk and regulation on non‐GAAP reporting
Authors: Cazier Richard A. , Christensen Theodore E. , Merkley Kenneth J. , Treu John S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe examine the joint effects of litigation risk and regulation in shaping firms’ financial reporting decisions. Specifically, we investigate how these disciplining mechanisms influence firms’ disclosure of non‐GAAP earnings metrics, which have been at the forefront of the SEC's regulatory concerns in recent years. We employ a plausibly exogenous shock to litigation risk based on a US circuit court ruling to explore how litigation risk influences firms’ non‐GAAP earnings disclosures. We find a robust negative relation between litigation risk and both the likelihood and aggressiveness of non‐GAAP reporting. However, we find a significant attenuation in the sensitivity of non‐GAAP disclosure to litigation risk after the implementation of Regulation G (Reg G), despite evidence that aggressive non‐GAAP reporting persists in the post‐Reg G environment. Additional analyses indicate that this attenuation is actually the net result of two unique effects. First, we find that Reg G created a de facto “safe harbor” for non‐GAAP reporting among firms in circuits with higher litigation risk and a “curtailment effect” among firms in the circuit with the lowest litigation risk. Overall, Reg G led to a convergence in non‐GAAP reporting practices irrespective of firms’ circuit‐specific litigation risk. We posit that this net attenuation of litigation risk's influence on non‐GAAP reporting is likely an unintended consequence of Reg G.
Differential patterns in runs of homozygosity in two mice lines under divergent selection for environmental variability for birth weight
Authors: Ojeda‐Marín Candela , Gutiérrez Juan Pablo , Formoso‐Rafferty Nora , Goyache Félix , Cervantes Isabel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRuns of homozygosity (ROH) are defined as long continuous homozygous stretches in the genome which are assumed to originate from a common ancestor. It has been demonstrated that divergent selection for variability in mice is possible and that low variability in birth weight is associated with robustness. To analyse ROH patterns and ROH‐based genomic inbreeding, two mouse lines that were divergently selected for birth weight variability for 26 generations were used, with: 752 individuals for the high variability line (H‐Line), 766 individuals for the low variability line (L‐Line) and 74 individuals as a reference population. Individuals were genotyped using the high density Affymetrix Mouse Diversity Genotyping Array. ROH were identified using both the sliding windows (SW) and the consecutive runs (CR) methods. Inbreeding coefficients were calculated based on pedigree (FPED) information, on ROH identified using the SW method (FROHSW) and on ROH identified using the CR method (FROHCR). Differences in genomic inbreeding were not consistent across generations and these parameters did not show clear differences between lines. Correlations between FPED and FROH were high, particularly for FROHSW. Moreover, correlations between FROHSW and FPED were even higher when ROH were identified with no restrictions in the number of heterozygotes per ROH. The comparison of FROH estimates between either of the selected lines were based on significant differences at the chromosome level, mainly in chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 15 and 19. ROH‐based inbreeding estimates that were computed using longer homozygous segments had a higher relationship with FPED. Differences in robustness between lines were not attributable to a higher homozygosis in the L‐Line, but maybe to the different distribution of ROH at the chromosome level between lines. The analysis identified a set of genomic regions for future research to establish the genomic basis of robustness.