bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CFM: Confinement Force Microscopy-a dynamic, precise and stable microconfiner for traction force microscopy in spatial confinement
Authors: Abbasi Fatemeh , Rieck Katharina , Brandt Matthias , Matis Maja , Betz Timo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn vivo, cells experience complex tissue environments with various chemical and physical features. They sense and respond to tissue morphology and mechanical properties and adjust their behavior and function based on the surrounding. In contrast to the free environment experienced on 2D substrates commonly used in research, the 3D natural environment represents a major physical obstacle for cells. Here, cells are usually confined either by the extracellular matrix (ECM) or neighboring cells. The importance of such confinements has been demon-strated in the past decades by showing its influence on cell decision-making in many vital biological processes such as migration, division and cytoskeletal reorganization. Despite these insights, the sheer level of complexity faced when studying cell biological questions in biomimetic confined situations, led to an indispensable need for a 3D system which can simulate thein vivoconfined condition, while being capable of providing microenvironments with different chemical and physical properties for the cells and capturing the mechanical forces and properties of the studied biological sample. Here we introduce a microconfiner that finally provides a new imaging capacity, namely the confine-ment force microscopy (CFM). We are able to adjust the confinement level in real time during microscopy while measuring not only the the cellular traction but also the cellular compression forces. Furthermore, the chemical and physical properties of the microenvironment can be optimized for the respective questions. We demonstrate the power of this confinement system by the mechanical response of cells, migration analysis of immune cells, the timed force generation during durotaxis driven adhesion switching and the viscoelastic properties of cancer tissue.
Reprogramming of breast tumor-associated macrophages with modulation of arginine metabolism
Authors: Fernando Veani , Zheng Xunzhen , Sharma Vandana , Furuta Saori 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHER2+ breast tumors have abundant immune-suppressive cells, including M2-type tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). While TAMs consist of the immune-stimulatory M1-type and immune-suppressive M2-type, M1/M2-TAM ratio is reduced in immune-suppressive tumors, contributing to their immunotherapy refractoriness. M1 vs. M2-TAM formation depends on differential arginine metabolism, where M1-TAMs convert arginine to nitric oxide (NO) and M2- TAMs convert arginine to polyamines (PAs). We hypothesize that such distinct arginine metabolism in M1- vs M2-TAMs is attributed to different availability of BH4(NO synthase cofactor) and that its replenishment would reprogram M2-TAMs to M1-TAMs. Recently, we reported that sepiapterin (SEP), the endogenous BH4precursor, elevates the expression of M1- TAM markers within HER2+ tumors. Here, we show that SEP restores BH4levels in M2-TAMs, which then redirects arginine metabolism to NO synthesis and converts M2-TAMs to M1-TAMs. The reprogrammed TAMs exhibit full-fledged capabilities of antigen presentation and induction of effector T cells to trigger immunogenic cell death of HER2+ cancer cells. This study substantiates the utility of SEP in metabolic shift of HER2+ breast tumor microenvironment as a novel immunotherapeutic strategy.
The impact of inclusive leadership on task performance: a moderated mediation model of resilience capacity and work meaningfulness
Authors: Gong Lei , Zhang Shuqin , Liu Zhiying 
Published: August 2023

PurposeThis study aims to understand the relationships between inclusive leadership, work meaningfulness, resilience capacity and task performance during a pandemic, thereby providing strategies to address future crises more effectively.Design/methodology/approachData were collected via a survey of 391 healthcare workers from 77 teams in primary hospitals in China.FindingsThe results indicate that inclusive leadership positively drives task performance through resilience capacity, and work meaningfulness amplifies this effect by strengthening the relationship between inclusive leadership and resilience capacity.Originality/valueWorkers face increased work pressure and requirements during a crisis, and understanding how to promote their task performance in such a context is of paramount importance. Although inclusive leadership is theorized to stimulate various positive employee outcomes, little is known about the mechanisms by which inclusive leadership affects task performance. The authors find that resilience capacity is a key mechanism responsible for the effect of inclusive leadership on the task performance of workers in high-stress situations. This positive indirect effect of inclusive leadership on task performance is amplified by a high level of work meaningfulness.
The influence of management innovation on the organisational performance of KIBS: the mediating role of service innovation and technology
Authors: Simao Lurdes Barroso , Carvalho Luisa , Madeira Maria Jose 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
Based on the socio-technical systems theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of management innovation (MI) on organisational performance (OP), as well as the mediating role of technology (TEC) use and service innovation (SI) in linking MI and OP.

Design/methodology/approach
The research data was derived from 163 knowledge-intensive business services firms and analysed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS software.

Findings
This study found a significant impact of MI on OP. The analysis also revealed that TEC use and SI influence OP and that MI influences performance indirectly through TEC use and SI.

Practical implications
This research reinforces the role of MI in firms aiming at improving their performance. The findings of this study suggest that managers’ regular initiatives in management practices, processes and structures influence the enabling role of TEC use and SI on OP.

Originality/value
Since not every MI lead to the planned performance, this research contributes to the literature on the influence of MI on OP by providing empirical evidence on the role of TEC use and SI on OP. TEC use and SI serve as complementary mediators. Higher levels of MI directly increase OP but also increase TEC use and SI, leading to OP.
Designing online delivery of Lean education during COVID-19
Authors: McDermott Olivia 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
This study describes how two organisations transitioned to teaching Lean online during and post Covid-19. This study aims to establish how Lean teaching and training can be designed and delivered effectively online without adverse effects on the student’s learning experience of Lean concepts.

Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach was used to review the design, application and results of the transition to online Lean teaching and training. Qualitative and quantitative methods were deployed to assess the results.

Findings
Online Lean learning and application were assured via the design of practical problem-based teaching environments, aided by using the virtual classroom as an obeya room and as a kaizen environment where students worked in teams. Students were enabled to learn and apply Lean tools practically and reflect on their learnings.

Practical implications
This study demonstrates that effective online design can ensure. Lean methods are understood without affecting the student's learning, classroom experience and grasp of concepts.

Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the first studies on implementing Lean training and education online during COVID-19 under the lens of both a training provider and university education viewpoint. The changes validated best practices for virtual Lean education and training in the organisations under study, maintained post-COVID.
Social enterprises’ objectives and choices of legal forms under the framework of Sustainable Development Goals – an analysis of 80 cases in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Huan , Chen Yingshi 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
This study aims to measure social enterprises’ (SEs’) social objectives under the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, and explore the impact of SEs’ social objectives on their choices of legal forms.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used semi-structured questionnaires followed up by field interviews and observations of the sampled SEs. The survey sample includes 80 participants of Social Entrepreneurs Stars Competition in Zhejiang Province of China. The authors conduct content analysis to measure the objectives of SEs. The authors also perform descriptive analysis, chi-square test and regression analysis on the data.

Findings
The findings confirm the theoretical discussions that SEs’ choices of legal forms reflect SEs’ strategies toward achieving social objectives. Similar to certain countries, some SEs in China register as nonprofit entities to concentrate on nonprofitable sustainability objectives, while others register as commercial enterprises or hybrid organizations to generate profits. However, some SEs focus on profitable non-sustainability issues and fail to prioritize social objectives over economic objectives. There are positive effects of social entrepreneurs’ background similarity and negative effects of social entrepreneurs’ educational level on their SEs’ choices to register as commercial enterprises.

Research limitations/implications
Due to the small size and nonrepresentative sample this study is based on, the findings need be further tested by a larger sample. SEs in different service domains rely on different types of financial resources (Mair et al., 2012; Doherty et al., 2014). In future research, the model can be expanded to test the effects of service domains and types of financial sources on SEs’ choices of legal forms.

Practical implications
To encourage more societal resources being allocated toward achieving the United Nations’ SDGs, policymakers and SE certification programs are recommended to explicitly incorporate sustainability objectives into the evaluation standards and supportive policies for SEs. Social entrepreneurs who aim to balance the social and economic objectives in their business are suggested to target the population with whom they share similar community background. Training or consulting programs for social entrepreneurs are suggested to provide advice tailored to their socio-economic background and personal experiences.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ this study is the first quantitative analysis to identify factors that associate with SEs’ choice of legal forms in China. The authors developed new instruments to measure SEs’ social objectives and service targets, access to financial resources and social entrepreneurs’ social-economic backgrounds.
Are credit ratings forward-looking? – Evidence from India
Authors: Sharma Chandan 
Published: August 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the informational value of credit rating changes for investors. The article analyses whether credit rating changes indicate the future financial performance of a firm.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs pooled time-series cross-section regression technique and two-sample t-test for analysis. The paper utilizes a firm's operating profit as a proxy of its future financial performance to understand what inference can be drawn about future financial performance from a change in a firm's credit rating.FindingsThe paper finds that a firm operating profit declines in the year after a credit rating downgrade. However, no such significant relationship is evident in the case of a rating upgrade. The results are consistent across rating categories and individual years of the sample period.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses non-financial corporate rating data; hence, the findings may not apply to credit rating changes in financial corporates and structured finance.Practical implicationsInvestors and analysts can incorporate credit rating downgrade by CRAs as a key input in a firm's future financial forecast. Analysts and investment managers can also look at credit rating changes of firms in the same industry and draw a definite conclusion about which firm is likely to see a higher deterioration in performance.Originality/valueThe author has not come across any literature that directly investigates credit rating changes from the perspective of information content about future financial performance.
Exploring the usage intention of AI-powered devices in smart homes among millennials and zillennials: the moderating role of trust
Authors: Chin Chee-Hua , Wong Winnie Poh Ming , Cham Tat-Huei , Thong Jun Zhou , Ling Jill Pei-Wah 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
This study aims to investigate how artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart home devices affect young consumers' requirements for convenience, support, security and monitoring, as well as their ability to advance environmental sustainability. This study also examines the variables that impact users' motivation to use AI-powered smart home devices, such as perceived value, ease of use, social presence, identity, technology security and the moderating impact of trust.

Design/methodology/approach
The responses from residents of Sarawak, Malaysia, were collected through online questionnaires. This study aimed to examine the perceptions of millennials and zillennials towards their trust and adoption of AI-powered devices. This study used a quantitative approach, and the relationships among the study constructs were analysed using partial least squares - structural equation modelling.

Findings
The present study found that perceived usefulness, ease of use and social presence were the main motivators among actual and potential users of smart home devices, especially in determining their intentions to use and actual usage. Additionally, there was a moderating effect of trust on the relationship between perceived ease of use, social presence, social identity and intention to use AI-powered devices in smart homes.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine the factors influencing smart technology adoption. This study provided meaningful insights on the development of strategies for the key stakeholders to enhance the adoption and usage of AI-powered smart home devices in Sarawak, one of the promising Borneo states. Additionally, this study contributed to the growing body of knowledge on the associations between technology acceptance model dimensions, intention and actual usage of smart technology, with the moderating impact of trust.
Nutrient enrichment alters seasonal β‐diversity in global grasslands
Authors: Garbowski Magda , Boughton Elizabeth , Ebeling Anne , Fay Philip , Hautier Yann , Holz Hanna , Jentsch Anke , Jurburg Stephanie , Ladouceur Emma , Martina Jason , Ohlert Timothy , Raynaud Xavier , Roscher Christiane , Sonnier Grégory , Tognetti Pedro Maximiliano , Yahdjian Laura , Wilfahrt Peter , Harpole Stan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Intra‐annual (i.e. seasonal) temporal niche partitioning is essential to the maintenance of biodiversity in many plant communities. However, understanding of how climate and global change drivers such as eutrophication influence seasonal niche partitioning in plant assemblages remains limited.

We used early‐season and late‐season compositional data collected from 10 grassland sites around the world to explore relationships between climate variability and intra‐annual species segregation (i.e. seasonal β‐diversity) and to assess how nutrient enrichment alters seasonal β‐diversity in plant communities. We then assessed whether changes in seasonal β‐diversity in response to nutrient enrichment are underpinned by species turnover or nestedness and determined how specific functional groups (i.e. annual forbs, perennial forbs, C3 and C4 graminoids and legumes) respond to eutrophication within and across early and late sampling dates.

We found a positive relationship between intra‐annual temperature variability and seasonal β‐diversity but observed no relationship between intra‐annual precipitation variability and seasonal β‐diversity. Nutrient enrichment increased seasonal β‐diversity and increased turnover of species between early‐ and late‐season communities. Nutrient enrichment reduced the abundance of C4 graminoids and legumes within and across sampling timepoints and eliminated intra‐annual differences in these groups. In contrast, nutrient enrichment resulted in seasonal differences in C3 graminoids, which were not observed in control conditions and increased abundance of C3 graminoids and annual forbs within and across early and late sampling dates.

Synthesis: Our understanding of how grasslands respond to various components of global change is primarily based on studies that document community changes at inter‐annual scales. Using early‐season and late‐season compositional data from 10 grassland sites around the world, we show that nutrient enrichment increases seasonal β‐diversity and alters intra‐annual dynamics of specific functional groups in unique ways.
Drivers of plant community (in)stability along a sea–inland gradient
Authors: La Bella Greta , Carboni Marta , Sperandii Marta Gaia , de Bello Francesco , Stanisci Angela , Acosta Alicia T. R. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Global change pressures are highlighting the need to better understand the mechanisms driving the temporal stability of natural communities under different environmental conditions. There is ample evidence that species richness helps communities to withstand environmental fluctuations and stabilise over time. However, it is still debated whether richness promotes stability through the diversity of species functional traits, phylogenetic lineages and ecological strategies in the community or because of the likelihood of including stable species. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the positive effect of diversity on stability is maintained in conditions of strong environmental fluctuations (e.g. frequent disturbances and stress).

To address these questions, we analysed long‐term monitoring data of 84 permanent plots in coastal dune plant communities distributed along a gradient of natural stress and disturbance, with communities closer to the sea subject to greater stress and more frequent disturbances. Specifically, we used structural equation models to disentangle the relative influence of the environmental gradient and the different diversity components (species richness, functional and phylogenetic diversity; SR, FD and PD), as well as of the dominant ecological strategy (captured by species lifespan) on community stability, through their effect on two key stability mechanisms (population stability and species asynchrony).

We found that the sea–inland environmental gradient was the main driver of stability mechanisms. Stress and disturbance decreased both population stability and species asynchrony, but also reduced species richness, which thus exerted a stabilising effect only on the communities in more favourable environmental conditions.

Surprisingly, we did not find an effect of FD and PD on community stability, neither directly nor via asynchrony. However, the dominance of perennial species mitigated the instability generated by stress and disturbance. Perennial species were on average more stable than annuals and displayed a wider range of species fluctuations, including compensatory dynamics among species (i.e. asynchrony).

Synthesis: Overall, our results highlight the importance of accounting for the environmental context when examining mechanisms of community stability. Species richness remains a useful direct predictor of community stability. Species ecological strategies, like the acquisitive–conservative trade‐off connected to lifespan, however, should also be routinely considered as drivers of both population stability and compensatory dynamics.
Berberine interacts with gut microbiota and its potential therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Zhu Ting‐Wei , Li Xue‐Lian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBerberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Chinese medicinal plants showing a tight correlation with gut microbiota. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent reproductive and endocrine disorder syndrome among women of childbearing age. Dysbiosis, the imbalance of intestinal microorganisms, is a potential factor that takes part in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Recent evidence indicates that berberine offers promise for treating PCOS. Here, we review the recent research on the interaction between berberine and intestinal microorganisms, including the changes in the structure of gut bacteria, the intestinal metabolites after BBR treatment, and the effect of gut microbiota on the bioavailability of BBR. We also discuss the therapeutic effect of BBR on PCOS in terms of gut microbiota and its potential mechanisms.
Thinking with relations in nature conservation? A case study of the Etosha National Park and Haiǁom
Authors: Dieckmann Ute 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe area of the Etosha National Park in Namibia has been inhabited for many centuries by Haiǁom, a group of (now former) hunter‐gatherers. In 1907, Etosha was proclaimed as a game reserve, although Haiǁom were still allowed to live in the area until they were expelled in the 1950s due to then‐dominant ideas of fortress conservation. In recent years, Haiǁom have been provided with several resettlement farms by the Namibian government as a reaction to the colonial land dispossession. In this article, I explore the onto‐epistemology of Haiǁom (i.e. their being in and knowing the Etosha area), focusing on their relations with the land and with human and beyond‐the‐human beings before their eviction. I argue that the eviction implies not only economic marginalization but also social deprivation, which is inadequately addressed with resettlement. I suggest that thinking with relations, illustrated with the Haiǁom case, would call for other solutions in the context of measures taken for past land dispossessions and would open new paths for Namibia's nature conservation initiatives.