bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eliminating elevated p53 signaling fails to rescue skeletal muscle defects or extend survival in Lamin A/C-deficient mice
Authors: Kirby Tyler J. , Zahr Hind C. , Hannah Fong Ern Hwei , Lammerding Jan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractLamins A and C, encoded by theLMNAgene, are nuclear intermediate filaments that provide structural support to the nucleus and contribute to chromatin organization and transcriptional regulation.LMNAmutations cause muscular dystrophies, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other diseases. The mechanisms by which manyLMNAmutations result in muscle-specific diseases have remained elusive, presenting a major hurdle in the development of effective treatments. Previous studies using striated muscle laminopathy mouse models found that cytoskeletal forces acting on mechanically fragileLmna-mutant nuclei led to transient nuclear envelope rupture, extensive DNA damage, and activation of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways in skeletal muscle cellsin vitroandin vivo. Furthermore, hearts ofLmnamutant mice have elevated activation of the tumor suppressor protein p53, a central regulator of DDR signaling. We hypothesized that elevated p53 activation could present a pathogenic mechanism in striated muscle laminopathies, and that eliminating p53 activation could improve muscle function and survival in laminopathy mouse models. Supporting a pathogenic function of p53 activation in muscle, stabilization of p53 was sufficient to reduce contractility and viability in wild-type muscle cellsin vitro. Using three laminopathy models, we found that increased p53 activity inLmna-mutant muscle cells primarily resulted from mechanically induced damage to the myonuclei, and not from altered transcriptional regulation due to loss of lamin A/C expression. However, global deletion of p53 in a severe muscle laminopathy model did not reduce the disease phenotype or increase survival, indicating that additional drivers of disease must contribute to the disease pathogenesis.
Mitoguardin-2 is a lipid transporter and its lipid transfer ability is required for function
Authors: Hong Zhouping , Adlakha Jyoti , Guinn Emily , Giska Fabian , Gupta Kallol , Melia Thomas J. , Reinisch Karin M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractLipid transport proteins at membrane contact sites, where organelles are closely apposed, are critical in redistributing lipids from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where they are made, to other cellular membranes. Such protein mediated transfer is especially important for maintaining organelles disconnected from secretory pathways, like mitochondria. Here we identify mitoguardin-2, a mitochondrial protein at contacts with the ER and/or lipid droplets (LDs), as a lipid transporter. An X-ray structure shows that the C-terminal domain of mitoguardin-2 has a hydrophobic cavity that binds lipids. Mass spectrometry analysis reveals that both glycerophospholipids and free-fatty acids co-purify with mitoguardin-2 from cells, and that each mitoguardin-2 can accommodate up to two lipids. Mitoguardin-2 transfers glycerophospholipids between membranes in vitro, and this transport ability is required for roles both in mitochondrial and LD biology. While it is not established that protein-mediated transfer at contacts plays a role in LD metabolism, our findings raise the possibility that mitoguardin-2 functions in transporting fatty acids and glycerophospholipids at mitochondria-LD contacts.
A rigidity phase transition of Stomatin condensates governs a switch from transport to mechanotransduction
Authors: Sanfeliu-Cerdán Neus , Mateos Borja , Garcia-Cabau Carla , Català-Castro Frederic , Ribera Maria , Ruider Iris , Porta-de-la-Riva Montserrat , Wieser Stefan , Salvatella Xavier , Krieg Michael 
Published: July 2022

AbstractA large body of work suggests that biomolecular condensates ensuing from liquid-liquid phase separation mature into various material states. How this aging process is controlled and if the naive and mature phases can have differential functions is currently unknown. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, we show that MEC-2 Stomatin undergoes a rigidity phase transition during maturation from fluid to viscoelastic, glass-like condensates that facilitate either transport or mechanotransduction. This switch is promoted by the SH3 domain of UNC-89/Titin/Obscurin through a direct interaction with MEC-2 and suggests a physiological role for a percolation transition in force transmission during body wall touch. Together, our data demonstrate a novel function for rigidity maturation during mechanotransduction and a previously unidentified role for Titin homologs in neurons.
Financial exposure to environmental liabilities in Lake Huron drainage area farmlands: a GIS and hedonic pricing approach
Authors: Chung Kenneth Hsien Yung , Adriaens Peter 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThis paper aims to quantify the impact of environmental contamination on farmland valuation. It applies data fusion and hedonic pricing approaches to quantify the contribution of nitrogen and phosphorus loading on farmland sales transactions. It further suggests approaches to improve internalization of environmental cost in valuation approaches using shadow pricing. The work informs the field of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing by fusing environmental data with financial transactions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is an empirical study implementing hedonic pricing of farmland in the Lake Huron major drainage area. Data sources and fusion were derived from AcreValue, the United States Department of Agriculture's Gridded Soil Survey Geographic database (gSSURGO) and the United States Geological Survey's Spatially Referenced Regression on Watershed Attributes database (SPARROW).FindingsThe results suggest that environmental contamination has statistically significant positive determination power on farmland prices such that prices increase with contamination. Conventional metrics such as percentage of cultivated land in the parcel, root zone depth, whether the parcel is designated by the Natural Resource Conservation Service as prime farmland, and the size of the farmland parcel contribution to farmland value as well. The results indicate that environmental impacts are not accurately accounted for in farmland transactions.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper points to inaccurate valuation of environmental contamination in farmland value. While geocoding allowed for positioning of farmland sales transactions relative to modeled areas of contaminant loading in the Lake Huron drainage area, the interpretation indicates that value is driven by cultivation. Hence, generalization to other areas needs a cautious approach. Empirical testing across locations and drainage areas with diverse farmland features will serve to verify the modeled data used in this study.Practical implicationsThe lack of integration of externalities in land valuation has implications on lending and disclosure practices, as financial service providers increasingly seek to account for ESG risk on their loan books and broader investment portfolios. The impact of farmland accounting practices for contamination such as shadow pricing may impact land valuation based on future cash flows, and may serve to inform sustainability-linked lending practices to farm operations.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to fuse data from AcreValue, gSSURGO and SPARROW to discover the explanatory power of nutrient contamination in farmland value in the Lake Huron major drainage area.
Factors affecting the probability of formalizing informal sector activities in Sub Saharan Africa: evidence from World Bank enterprise surveys
Authors: Moyo Busani 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the factors that affect the likelihood of formalizing informal sector activities in 13 Sub-Saharan African countries, using World Bank enterprise survey data collected between the periods 2009 and 2018. Notwithstanding the great contribution of the informal economy in Africa, developing countries may stand to gain more if they make inroads in formalizing the informal sector.Design/methodology/approachSince the dependent variable is binary taking the value of one if the firm is willing to formalize and zero otherwise, the study will employ a discrete choice probit model.FindingsResults inter alia show that firms that are more likely to formalize are young, owned by individuals with high levels of education and, have registered before. Governments should therefore target firms that are young and provide them with information about the benefits of registration, and if these firms are owned by experienced and educated individuals, the likelihood for them to register would be high.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses cross sectional data and therefore cannot capture time variant factors affecting the probability to register and also cannot correct effectively for endogeneity.Practical implicationsGovernments should therefore target firms that are young and provide them with as much information as possible about the benefits of registration, and if these firms are owned by experienced and educated individuals, the likelihood to convince them to register would be high. They should also reduce the cost of registration so as to improve net benefits in line with the rational exit view.Social implicationsFormalizing informal activities will help improve the performance of these firms, reduce vulnerable employment as well as crime, poverty and inequality. Providing decent operating and working conditions to informal players will reduce social and political unrest.Originality/valueThe African continent is home to many informal firms accounting for roughly 55% of economic activity with 90% of workers eking out a living in a sector that does not respect worker rights, provide decent working conditions and where changes in growth have done little to reduce its size. Regulatory reforms have also been implemented resulting in the number of start-up registration procedures falling from 11 in 2003 to seven in 2019. The uniqueness of Sub Saharan Africa in terms of entrepreneurial culture, political, institutional and economic conditions as well as lack of consensus in the extant empirical literature make this study pertinent.
Coevolution of post-merger integration and dual knowledge networks reconstruction: evidence from Chinese overseas acquisitions
Authors: Chen Feiqiong , Wang Wenjing , Zhu Jieru 
Published: July 2022

Purpose
Post-merger integration (PMI) is driven by coevolving processes. By integrating the literature on acquisitions with that of knowledge networks, this paper highlights different reconstruction mechanisms for dual knowledge networks during PMI – namely, internal knowledge network coupling and external knowledge network embeddedness. This paper aims to examine their coevolutionary relationships with PMI.

Design/methodology/approach
A coevolutionary framework is tested using a latent growth model and cross-lagged models. The analysis is based on longitudinal data collected from 116 Chinese technology-sourcing overseas merger and acquisition firms.

Findings
This paper unearths a novel idea that variations in post-merger reconstruction of dual knowledge networks can explain why some acquirers increase the degree of integration faster than the others. The results show that the internal knowledge network coupling leads to more knowledge similarity and, in turn, causes a higher degree of integration. The external knowledge network embeddedness also causes higher relative network status of the acquirer, which consequently leads to a higher degree of integration. Furthermore, results from cross-lagged models confirm that an increase in the degree of integration positively influences subsequent changes in the internal knowledge network coupling and external knowledge network embeddedness, thus forming a coevolutionary relationship over time.

Originality/value
This paper responds to recent calls for more insights into the dynamics of PMI. By highlighting different reconstruction mechanisms for internal and external knowledge networks during PMI, this paper explains why it is important to understand PMI dynamics from a dual knowledge network perspective. This paper is the first to adopt a coevolutionary perspective and provide a more comprehensive dynamic framework between PMI and reconstruction of dual knowledge networks. Besides, this paper contributes to the research on emerging market multinational corporations’ cross-border merger and acquisition integration from a dynamic perspective, revealing the time effects of traditionally favored light-touch integration.
Keep Good Shape (KGS) – the expansion dilemma
Authors: Rishi Bikramjit , Dani Vinit Vijay 
Published: July 2022

Learning outcomes
After working on the assignment questions, the learners can achieve the following learning outcomes: to deliberate on the emerging cloud-based business models in the food-tech sector; to scrutinize the challenges faced by a start-up while selecting an expansion model; and to purpose strategies and solutions for scaling up the business.

Case overview/synopsis
Ms Megha Bafna, the founder, conceptualized starting Keep Good Shape (KGS) in the year 2017. She started the business with a seed capital of INR 3,500 (US$54.13) from her savings. The idea stuck to her mind as she was working with a real estate firm, and every day, she packaged salad for her lunch. Bafna thought that if someone makes the salad available, she will buy it. Based on this this unmet need of the consumers, KGS started as a passion in 2017 and became a full-fledged business in 2021 with 400 daily customers and 38 full-time employees. Today, she serves 22 different salads, including customized salads for customers with lifestyle diseases based on a subscription model. She grew her organization using social media tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp without using any traditional promotion tools. COVID-19 pandemic has increased her orders by almost 10% as healthy meals emerged as people’s choice in 2021. In 2021, she has to choose between expansion through cloud-based kitchen business models across India. She has been confused about selecting the suitable cloud-based kitchen business model and contemplating about funding if she has to expand the business.

Complexity academic level
An instructor can use this case in the courses of entrepreneurship/strategy subject of a graduate/MBA program. The case study sensitizes the students about setting up a new business and organizing to scale it up further.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship
Independent directors and firm innovation: the moderating role of gender and nationality diversity
Authors: Sierra-Morán Johana , Cabeza-García Laura , González-Álvarez Nuria 
Published: July 2022

PurposeAlthough the literature on corporate governance and firm innovation finds that board independence is important, this paper proposes that the presence of independent directors alone is not enough to explain their impact on firm innovation. This study analyses if diversity among independent directors may affect the relationship between board independence and firm innovation.Design/methodology/approachA panel data on a sample of 124 Spanish listed companies for the period 2008–2019 used to test the hypotheses.FindingsResults suggest that independent directors have a negative effect on firm innovation, measured as number of patents, but when there are high levels of gender and nationality diversity among such directors, this negative effect may be mitigated.Originality/valueConsidering that firm innovation is a complex process associated with decision-making and that board independence itself may be not enough, this study goes a step further and delves deeper into the characteristics of independent directors. As far as is known, this paper is the first theoretical and empirical study that considers that independent director diversity as a moderating variable between board independence and firm innovation. Besides, this research contributes to the debate on the role of independent directors in firm innovation and the results may also serve as a guideline for policy makers and firms for structuring boards that are pro-innovation.
Are bargaining concessions inevitable in recessions? An empirical investigation into union bargaining priorities and trade-offs of pay rises for job security
Authors: Valizade Danat , Cook Hugh , Forde Christopher , MacKenzie Robert 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThis paper examines the extent of bargaining concessions in recession through investigating the effects of union bargaining on pay, job security and workforce composition.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on an original survey (n = 400) of workplace level trade union bargaining units in England, the authors employed latent class analysis to establish three groups of bargaining units on the basis of pay outcomes achieved. Linear regression analysis with moderation effects investigated whether pay rises at or above inflation in conjunction with shifts in bargaining priorities was associated with decreases in perceived job security and changes in the composition of the workforce.FindingsAround a quarter of sampled units, concentrated mostly in decentralised bargaining units in the private sector, achieved pay rises at or above the inflation rate during an economic downturn. Pay rises at or above inflation in workplaces severely affected by recession triggered changes in bargaining priorities requiring some concessions, notably in terms of employees' job security. That said, across the sample, achieving pay rises was associated with improved perception of job security and lesser use of contingent labour.Originality/valueThe findings uncover a subset of bargaining units able to secure positive outcomes for workers against a hostile economic tide, whilst demonstrating that concession bargaining is not inevitable but rather contingent on the micro-environments in which union bargaining takes place.
Why do multi-child mothers suffer from employment exclusion? Analysis based on Chinese women’s evidence
Authors: Zhang Xi-Xi , Wang Jun 
Published: July 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the lasting effect of reproductive behaviour on career cycles for women. Women are the main bearers of population reproduction and family division of labour and a source of innovation for social and economic construction. However, few studies have used a comprehensive theoretical framework to research why female employees suffer from employment exclusion (EE) after multiple births. Therefore, structured equation modelling is used to test the degree of fit between the theoretical model and the data, to verify whether the hypotheses are valid and then make an appropriate interpretation of the theoretical model.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper focusses on working mothers with two or more children and is based on questionnaire surveys, with 306 pieces of primary data obtained. This paper constructed the chained mediation model on the theoretical basis of the conservation of resources theory to examine and analyse the mechanisms of family–work conflict (FWC) and human capital depreciation (HCD) on EE.

Findings
Empirical results suggested that FWC has a significant positive impact on EE, while HCD does not. Chain mediation variables of family orientation (FO) and work engagement (WE) mediated the relationship between FWC and EE significantly, as well as between HCD and EE. Each antecedent positively predicted FO and, through FO, indirectly affected WE, then indirectly affected EE.

Research limitations/implications
In the context of fertility policy adjustment and population structural imbalance, research from the perspective of females may better reflect reality and deepen understanding of EE to avoid it.

Originality/value
Frist, relevant studies mostly study the factors affect in women’s equal employment from the macro levels, and focus on qualitative research, and lack sufficient empirical analysis. Second, this study locates the research object in the group of working mothers with two or more children. The focus of the research objects makes the research conclusions help to improve the work dilemma of special groups. Third, this study has opened up the “black box” between employees’ individual resources and work attitudes and behavior tendencies. Fourth, this study expands the possible outcome variables of FWC.
A variational principle for a fractal nano/microelectromechanical (N/MEMS) system
Authors: He Chun-Hui 
Published: July 2022

Purpose
The variational principle views a complex problem in an energy way, it gives good physical understanding of an iteration method, and the variational-based numerical methods always have a conservation scheme with a fast convergent rate. The purpose of this paper is to establish a variational principle for a fractal nano/microelectromechanical (N/MEMS) system.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper begins with an approximate variational principle in literature for the studied problem, and a genuine variational principle is obtained by the semi-inverse method.

Findings
The semi-inverse method is a good mathematical tool to the search for a genuine fractal variational formulation for the N/MEMS system.

Research limitations/implications
The established variational principle can be used for both analytical and numerical analyses of the N/MEMS systems, and it can be extended to some more complex cases.

Practical implications
The variational principle can be used for variational-based finite element methods and energy-based analytical methods.

Originality/value
The new and genuine variational principle is obtained. This paper discovers the missing piece of the puzzle for the establishment of a variational principle from governing equations for a complex problem by the semi-inverse method. The new variational theory opens a new direction in fractal MEMS systems.
The mathematical model of men’s garment prototype
Authors: Zhu Chun , Liu Kaixuan , Wang Ruolin , Wang Jianping , Bruniaux Pascal , Zeng Xianyi 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to build a mathematical model of men’s wear prototype, so that the computer can draw men’s wear prototype automatically.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the bust line, front and back center line, waist line, side seam, front chest width and back width line in the coordinate system are expressed by equations. Then, a parabola is used to establish a neckline curve, a linear equation is used to establish a shoulder oblique line, and a double ellipse is superposed to construct the armhole arc. Finally, all the garment prototype curves are built mathematical models.FindingsThe result shows that every curve of garment prototype can be expressed approximately by mathematical model.Originality/valueThis research lays the foundation for the automation and intelligence of garment pattern-making.