Low Turnover Research Articles

The Effects of In-Group Identity and Clarity of the Bonus Determination Criteria on Supervisors’ Discretionary Bonus Adjustments: Field Evidence from China

ABSTRACT This study examines the influence of in-group identity between supervisors and subordinates and the clarity of the bonus determination criteria on supervisors’ discretionary adjustments of subordinates’ bonus compensation through the lens of social identity theory. Using field data from a multinational manufacturing company’s subsidiary in China, we find that in-group sales agents receive higher bonus awards and that this effect is more pronounced when there is high clarity of the bonus determination criteria. Additional analysis shows that these effects hold for higher-tenured sales agents and in regions characterized by lower sales agent turnover. Finally, we find that higher bonus awards are positively (negatively) associated with in-group sales agents’ future performance when there is low (high) clarity of the bonus determination criteria. Our findings hold potential implications for management practices in corporations operating in countries that have strong relationship-based cultures. Data Availability: Data used in this study are provided by a proprietary source.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Employee involvement is an important factor in organizational success, which is able to drive productivity, innovation, and employee welfare. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of employee engagement, exploring the conceptualization, causes, outcomes, and measurement of employee engagement. The conceptualization of employee engagement involves the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of employee relationships and commitment to their work and organization. This includes factors such as job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and a sense of belonging. Many causes affect employee engagement including personality characteristics, job characteristics, and work environment. In addition, organizational factors such as leadership style, communication style, and organizational culture have a significant effect on the level of involvement. Employee engagement is complex and has far-reaching implications for organizations. Employees who are highly engaged tend to show higher job performance, increased organizational concern, and lower turnover. The article also identifies various employee engagement measurement approaches whose results can be used as evaluations for organizations to improve performance. Overall, this literature review provides a comprehensive overview of employee engagement, the Concept of Employee Engagement, Influencing factors, outcomes, and engagement measurement.

Optimizing zebrafish rearing-Effects of fish density and environmental enrichment.

Despite its popularity in research, there is very little scientifically validated knowledge about the best practices on zebrafish (Danio rerio) husbandry, which has led to several facilities having their own husbandry protocols. This study was performed to expand knowledge on the effects of enrichment and fish density on the welfare of zebrafish, with hopes of providing a scientific basis for future recommendations and legislations. Zebrafish were reared at three different stocking densities, (1, 3 or 6 fish/L), in tanks with or without environmental enrichment. Agonistic behavior was observed twice a week for 9 weeks directly in the housing tanks. Aspects of welfare is known to be reflected in neuroendocrine stress responses. Thus, cortisol secretion in response to lowering the water level was analyzed for each group. In addition, we assessed cortisol secretion in response to confinement and risk-taking behavior (boldness) using the novel tank diving test for individual fish. At termination of the experiment fish were subjected to stress by transfer to a novel environment and brain tissue was sampled for analysis of brain monoaminergic activity. Fish kept at the lowest density (1 fish/L) showed a significantly higher level of aggression than fish kept at 3 or 6 fish/L. Moreover, fish kept at this low density showed significantly higher cortisol secretion on a group level than fish kept at the higher stocking densities, when subjected to lowering of the water level. Keeping fish at 1 fish/L also had effects on brain monoamines, these fish showing higher brain dopamine concentrations but lower dopamine turnover than fish kept at higher densities. Neither stocking density or enrichment had any clear effects on the behavior of individual fish in the novel tank diving test. However, fish kept at high densities showed lower and more variable growth rates than fish kept at 1 fish/L. Taken together these results suggest that zebrafish should not be kept at a density of 1 fish/L. The optimal stocking density is likely to be in the range of 3-6 fish/L.

The effect of person job fit and job crafting on contract employee’s turnover intention

The present study examined the effect of person-job fit and job crafting on contract employees’ turnover intention. The participants were 135 contract employees of state-owned (BUMN) and private enterprises (BUMS) in Palangkaraya Raya city. They recruited using the quota sampling technique. Three scales were deployed, namely the person-job fit scale, job crafting scales, and turnover intention scales. The collected data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The result indicating that person-job fit and job crafting affect the employee’s turnover intention. In other words, contract employees with adequate job fit levels and good crafting exhibited low turnover intention. The turnover intention was affected by person-job fit and job crafting. When an employee has the qualifications corresponding to his job position and gets the opportunity to develop his potential the chances of turnover intention are small.

Effect of a single dose of zoledronic acid on bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in Indian postmenopausal osteoporotic women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus - A prospective cohort pilot study.

The objectives were to study the effect of a single dose of intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid (ZA) on changes in bone mineral density (BMD) (lumbar spine (LS), hip, & distal forearm), trabecular bone score (TBS) and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in postmenopausal osteoporotic women with and without diabetes over 12 months. Patients were divided into two groups: type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n = 40) and non-DM (n = 40). Both groups received a single dose of 4 mg IV ZA at baseline. The BMD with TBS and BTMs (β-CTX, sclerostin, P1NP) were measured at baseline, six months, and 12 months. At baseline, BMD in all three sites was similar in both groups. T2DM patients were older and had lower BTMs than non-DM patients. The mean increase in LS-BMD (gram/cm2) at 12 months in T2DM and the non-DM group was 3.6 ± 4.7% and 6.2 ± 4.7 %, respectively (P = 0.01). However, the age adjusted mean difference in LS BMD increment between two groups at one year was - 2.86 % (-5.02% to -0.69%), P = 0.01. There was a comparable change in BMD at other two sites, BTMs, and TBS in both the groups over one year follow-up. The gain in the LS-BMD was significantly lower in T2DM group compared to non-DM subjects over 12 months after a single IV infusion of 4 mg ZA. The explanation for this could be low bone turnover in diabetes subjects at baseline.

Retaining U.S. stem women faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic: the important role of family-supportive supervisor behaviors to lower work-to-life conflict

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact the careers of U.S. women faculty in computer science (CS) – a field with few women and high attrition rates among women – due to difficulties balancing increased work and family demands (author citation). Thus, it is important to understand whether supervisors may help to decrease this work-to-life conflict and increase the odds of retaining women faculty. This study examined whether family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB) were associated with better retention-related job outcomes (e.g., lower turnover intentions) among women faculty in CS, and whether this association was mediated by lower work-to-life conflict.Design/methodology/approachA total of 379 CS faculty across the U.S. (54% women, 52% with children at home) were surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic (Fall 2020-Spring 2021).FindingsCompared to men, women CS faculty reported significantly higher work-to-life conflict, and that higher work-to-life conflict predicted poorer retention-related work outcomes for all faculty. However, for women only, FSSB predicted lower levels of work-to-life conflict, and in turn, better retention-related work outcomes.Practical implicationsResults suggest that emotionally-supportive supervisor behaviors may lower work-to-life conflict during the pandemic, which has important implications for retention-related work outcomes among women faculty in CS.Originality/valueResearch has yet to disentangle how managers can help to retain women CS faculty in light of the increasing and changing work and home demands due to the pandemic. The present study focused on whether FSSB – particularly emotional support – may benefit women CS faculty.

A Novel Reservation and Allocation Approach of Shared Parking Slots considering the Noncritical Aisle Space

Urban areas are experiencing a substantial increase in parking demand, which creates an imbalance due to the limited availability of parking facilities. To address this issue, effective parking management is necessary. Shared parking is an alternative solution that utilizes private plots which are vacant during the day to serve the parking needs of users engaged in nearby activities. While current parking management approaches have achieved high utilization rates for available parking slots, the use of aisle space in parking lots can alleviate oversaturated parking demands, especially during peak periods, for users with relatively short parking durations. This study aims to model the noncritical aisle space with time-space constraints in the shared parking slot allocation problem. We propose a programming model that maximizes the profit of the platform based on a reservation and allocation platform. Numerical experiments demonstrate that utilizing the aisle space can enhance the revenue and enable the platform to accommodate more requests that meet the requirements. Moreover, the presence of aisle parking slots may potentially result in slightly lower turnover rates of normal parking slots.

Can Better Leadership Reduce Nursing Home Staff Turnover?

ObjectivesTo assess whether a measure of leadership support for worker safety, health, and well-being predicts staff turnover in nursing homes after controlling for other factors. DesignThis paper uses administrative payroll data to measure facility-level turnover and uses a survey measure of nursing home leadership commitment to workers. In addition, we use data from Medicare to measure various nursing home characteristics. Setting and ParticipantsNursing homes with at least 30 beds serving adults in California, Ohio, and Massachusetts were invited to participate in the survey. The analysis sample included 495 nursing homes. MethodsWe used a multivariable ordinary least squares model with turnover rate as the dependent variable. We used an indicator for nursing homes who scored above the median on the measure of leadership that supports worker safety, health, and well-being. Control variables include bed count (deciles), ownership (corporate/noncorporate × for-profit/not-for-profit), percent of residents on Medicaid, state, being in a nonmetropolitan county, and total nurse staffing per patient day in the 2 quarters before the survey. ResultsThe unadjusted turnover rate was lower for those nursing homes that scored higher on leadership commitment to worker safety, health, and well-being. After controlling for additional variables, greater leadership commitment was still associated with lower turnover but with some attenuation. Conclusions and ImplicationsWe find that nursing homes with leadership that communicated and demonstrated commitment to worker safety, health, and well-being had relatively fewer nurses leave during the study period, with turnover rates approximately 10% lower than homes without. These findings suggest that leadership may be a valuable tool for reducing staff turnover.

Double SSA spectrum and magnetic field strength of the FSRQ 3C 454.3

ABSTRACT We present the results of a radio multifrequency ($\rm 3{-}340~GHz$) study of the blazar 3C 454.3. After subtracting the quiescent spectrum corresponding to optically thin emission, we found two individual synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) features in the wide-band spectrum. The one SSA had a relatively low turnover frequency (νm) in the range of $\rm 3{-}37~GHz$ (lower νm SSA spectrum, LSS), and the other one had a relatively high νm of $\rm 55{-}124~GHz$ (higher νm SSA spectrum, HSS). Using the SSA parameters, we estimated B-field strengths at the surface where optical depth τ = 1. The estimated B-field strengths were $\rm \gt 7$ and $\rm \gt 0.2~mG$ for the LSS and HSS, respectively. The LSS-emitting region was magnetically dominated before the 2014 June γ-ray flare. The quasi-stationary component (C), ∼0.6 mas apart from the 43 -GHz radio core, became brighter than the core with decreasing observing frequency, and we found that component C was related to the LSS. A decrease in jet width was found near component C. As a moving component, K14 approached component C, and the flux density of the component was enhanced while the angular size decreased. The high intrinsic brightness temperature in the fluid frame was obtained as TB, int ≈ (7.0 ± 1.0) × 1011 K from the jet component after the 2015 August γ-ray flare, suggesting that component C is a high-energy emitting region. The observed local minimum of jet width and re-brightening behaviour suggest a possible recollimation shock in component C.

Four-Stage Evolution of Diabetes or Whole-Body Insulin Resistance (WBIR): Debunking of The Lipid-Induced Insulin Resistance (LIIR) and Proposing of the Glycation-Induced Insulin Resistance (GIIR)

Insulin resistance (IR) would develop first preferentially in the muscle tissue with a relatively low cell turnover and then progress in sequence to the subcutaneous adipose tissue, then to the visceral adipose tissue, and then to the liver with higher cell turnovers. Moreover, metabolic disruptions due to IR would vary widely from tissue to tissue, contrary to the widespread notion that IR impairs merely glucose uptake in tissues. This warrants that IR be divided better into four distinct tissue-specific IRs: muscle insulin resistance (MIR), subcutaneous adipose insulin resistance (s-AIR), visceral adipose insulin resistance (v-AIR), and hepatic insulin resistance (HIR). Tissue-specific IRs developing in the order of MIR, s-AIR, v-AIR, and HIR with uniquely tissue-specific metabolic disruptions would amount to nothing but the whole-body insulin resistance (WBIR) evolving in four distinctively insulin-resistant stages, IR-I to IR-IV stage. The four-staged metabolic evolution from rapid weight gain (IR-I stage) to visceral obesity (IR-II stage), then to rapid weight loss (IR-III stage), and then to full-blown diabetes (IR-IV stage) not only complies well with the natural development history of diabetes but also resolves many controversies regarding obesity or diabetes, including visceral obesity, obesity paradox, and dawn phenomenon that have long remained metabolic puzzles. In addition, the entrenched notion of the lipid-induced insulin resistance (LIIR), which is refuted by four-stage WBIR evolution and believed to be the main culprit for the current epidemic of obesity and diabetes around the world, was debunked thoroughly. Then, in order to replace the LIIR, the glycation-induced insulin resistance (GIIR) was proposed and verified to be compatible to the fourstage WBIR evolution.

Drought‐induced relocation of ant colonies and its consequences for the long‐term spatial ecology of a population under stress

Abstract Maintaining a central refuge such as a nest or burrow can offer protection against environmental stressors but comes at the expense of the capacity to disperse to new locations. This trade‐off with mobility can be detrimental when environmental conditions become adverse for extended periods, necessitating animals to relocate in order to track shifting niche envelopes. Long‐lived ant colonies that invest in the construction of large nests are especially susceptible to changing environmental conditions. The Australian meat ant, Iridomyrmex purpureus, build large terrestrial nests at sites that balance shade and solar exposure. Long‐term study of a population of meat ants showed low nest turnover and a stable spatial distribution of nests across typical rainfall years. With the onset of drought, a dramatic surge in the production of new nests occurred through a process of budding that far exceeded historic trends. This appears to have allowed colonies to relocate nests into areas with more favourable microclimate conditions in a strategy reminiscent of the production of runners in stressed plants. The consequence has also been the packing of nests into a narrow habitable zone that has resulted in an apparent increase in competition among large rival colonies. Following the break in drought and the thinning of some nests through abandonment, competition has progressively eased in later years. The surge in nest budding triggered by acute environmental stress in this population offers a possible strategy for long‐lived colonies to effectively migrate across the landscape. With changes in environmental conditions becoming more frequent and severe with the climate crisis, any strategy available to central place foragers to track windows of preferred conditions is likely to become increasingly important. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Bone Mineral Density in Adult Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Assessed by Both DXA and QCT.

Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in uncomplicated young adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and sex- and age-matched controls, using both dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) to investigate their diagnostic ability in detecting abnormal values in these patients. 118 patients with T1DM (65 females, mean age 30.12 ± 8.78 years) and 94 sex- and age-matched controls were studied. BMD was assessed in all participants by DXA and QCT at lumbar spine (LS). Biochemical markers of bone metabolism were also measured. T1DM was associated with lower BMD at L1-L3 vertebrae measured by both DXA and QCT and lower bone turnover compared to sex- and age-matched controls. In T1DM subjects, QCT detected more patients with abnormal BMD values compared to DXA. BMI and HbA1c levels were the only determinants of BMD. Bone turnover markers were lower in patients with longer duration of diabetes. QCT provides a higher sensitivity compared to DXA in detecting abnormal BMD values in patients with uncomplicated T1DM. In these patients, the diabetes-related decreased BMD may be present early, before it is detected by DXA, the clinical gold standard for BMD measurements, and before the presence of any other diabetes complications, stressing the importance of an early intervention for fracture prevention.

#6424 DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF BONE TURNOVER MARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS DEGREES OF KIDNEY DYSFUNCTION AND PRIMARY OSTEOPOROSIS

Abstract Background and Aims There are limited data available on the validity of bone turnover markers (BTMs) to predict bone turnover in patients with kidney dysfunction and primary osteoporosis. Method This is a cross-sectional retrospective study of patients with primary osteoporosis and eGFR<90 ml/min/1.73 m2 who had bone biopsy for clinical purposes for a time period of 8 years. CKD-EPI equation 2021 was used to calculate eGFR based on the mean serum creatinine readings. Bone biopsy samples were evaluated qualitatively using KDIGO TMV classification. Routine laboratory data were collected in addition to alkaline phosphatase, iPTH, cyclase activating (CAP) PTH, osteocalcin, bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and N-telopeptide collagen (NTX). Results Study included 156 patients with mean age of 64.7 years. The majority of patients were females (93.6%). The mean BMI was 26.2 kg/m2. The mean eGFR was 70 ml/min with 78% of patients had eGFR from 60-90 ml/min/1.73 m2. CKD stage III was found in 19%, and 3% of patients had CKD stage IV. HTN was found in 47%, history of kidney stones in 9%, and fragility fractures in 77%. Bisphosphonates were the most used pre-biopsy bone specific medication (66%). Teriparatide was used in 10.9% and SERM was used in 7.7% of patients, while 31.4% of patients did not receive any bone anti-resorptive or anabolic medication “treatment naiive”. Bone cortical thickness and cancellous volume were low in 94.2%, while high bone turnover (HBT) was found in 42.9% and low bone turnover (LBT) in 57.1%. Mineralization was defective only in 9.6%, while osteoid thickness was increased in 5.8%. Figure 1 shows the distribution of bone turnover among study group. Baseline characteristics and routine laboratory data were not different between HBT and LBT. PTH, especially PTH CAP, and alkaline phosphatase tended to be higher in HBT but did not reach statistical significance. While BTMs (osteocalcin, BSAP and NTX) were significantly higher in HBT (Table 1). Using ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for BSAP, NTX and osteocalcin were 0.605, 0.660, 0.642, respectively. Combining the NTX with either BSAP or osteocalcin did not result in increasing the AUC. This was also the same when the three of them were combined. BTMs were able to discriminate bone turnover status only among patients with eGFR≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (Table 2). Conclusion Low bone turnover was found in 43% in treatment naïve patients with primary osteoporosis, with a higher prevalence among patients with eGFR≥60. In the study group, PTH and total alkaline phosphatase were not able to discriminate LBT from HBT, while BTMs showed a modest ability to discriminate the turnover status only among patients with eGFR≥60.

A Study on Employee Engagement and Ethic of Friendship

This abstract presents a comprehensive overview of the relationship between employee engagement and the ethic of friendship, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges associated with cultivating friendships in the workplace. Friendship in the workplace is characterized by mutual trust, support, and a sense of camaraderie between employees. When fostered effectively, it can have a profound impact on employee engagement, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. Genuine friendships in the workplace can create a sense of belonging and encourage collaboration, leading to increased employee productivity, creativity, and loyalty. Additionally, workplace friendships have been linked to lower turnover rates and improved employee retention. Employee engagement and ethical practices are critical factors for fostering a positive work environment and enhancing organizational success. However, an often over looked aspect is the role of friendship within the workplace and its influence on employee engagement and ethical behaviour.

#3048 INDOXYL SULFATE INHIBITS OSTEOGENESIS OF BONE MARROW DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS THROUGH AHR/HES1/BMP2 PATHWAY

Abstract Background and Aims There is a high global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The increased risk of bone fracture in patients with CKD suggests that CKD-associated factors, such as uremic toxins, might be the cause. Recent studies demonstrated that low turnover osteodystrophy and bone formation defect develop in early CKD, which indicates that uremic toxins, particularly in relatively low concentrations, can potentially be a cause. Thus far, studies about defected osteogenesis adopted high concentrations of uremic toxins (for example, indoxyl sulfate (ISx) >100 μM). Furthermore, the pathology is not yet fully investigated. Uremic toxin induced aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has been linked to bone formation defect, however, the mechanisms are incompletely understood. AHR inhibit osteogenesis during early processes of differentiation of early cells (stem cells), but whether uremic toxins induced AHR to affect stem cell in osteogenesis lineage has yet to be studied. The present study aims to clarify whether ISx at concentrations approximate to average in CKD patients (20 μM in free form) affect osteogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and further survey the underline signal transduction of AHR-induced defected osteogenesis. Method Mineralization of D1 cells (mouse BMSCs) was evaluated by alizarin red S staining (ARS). The mRNA expressions and protein levels of osteogenic markers including Runx2, BMP2, ALP, and osteocalcin were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. AHR translocation into the nucleus was evaluated by an immunofluorescence confocal microscope. Reporter gene assays were adopted to study the transcriptional regulation of Runx2 and BMP2. Results ISx at concentrations ≤50 μM significantly downregulated mineralization of BMSCs with the most influence in the early stage of osteogenesis. ISx decreased the mRNA expressions and protein levels of osteogenic markers Runx2, BMP2, ALP, and osteocalcin. ISx of 50 μM induced AHR translocation into the nucleus and upregulated AHR target genes CYP1a1 and CYP1b1. The ISx-induced mineralization defects of BMSCs were counteracted by AHR antagonist CH223191, while downregulated gene expressions of osteogenic markers were recovered by AHR antagonist and knockdown (KD) of AHR. In mechanistic studies, ISx upregulated mRNA levels of hairy and enhancer of split (HES1), which is a primary target of NOTCH signaling. Although there were no significant differences in expressions of Notch1∼4, the upregulated Hes1 was attenuated by the antagonist and KD of AHR, which indicated that Hes1 was directly regulated by AHR. We identified putative binding sites of transcription repressor Hes1 in the promoter area of BMP2 and Runx2. Following experimental treatment of ISx, expression levels of BMP2 and Runx2 monitored by reporter assays were downregulated, which indicated that Hes1 plays as a transcription repressor to downregulated BMP2 and Runx2. Conclusion ISx under clinically relevant concentrations attenuated mineralization of BMSCs, particularly in the early stage of osteogenesis. ISx-induced AHR upregulated Hes1, which inhibited expressions of not only Runx2, but also BMP2, which has not been published before. A study of the underline signal transduction pathways relevant to the AHR genomic control system may provide potential therapy for low bone formation in early CKD.

Associations of Type 2 Diabetes, Body Composition, and Insulin Resistance with Bone Parameters: The Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be associated with increased risk of fractures, despite preserved bone mineral density (BMD). Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) may have separate effects on bone turnover and bone strength, which contribute to skeletal fragility. We characterized and assessed the relative associations of obesity, body composition, IR, and T2D on bone turnover markers (BTMs), BMD, and advanced hip analysis (AHA). In this cross-sectional analysis of Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study, 525 (61.3% women) participants were grouped according to T2D, IR (homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] </≥2.5), and BMI (</≥25 kg/m2): insulin-sensitive lean (IS-L), insulin-sensitive overweight/obese (IS-O), insulin-resistant (IR), and T2D. BMD, AHA, and body composition, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan) and fasting BTMs, were assessed. Analyses performed using Bayesian model averaging and principal component analysis. T2D was associated with low BTMs (by 26%-30% [95% confidence interval [CI] 11%-46%] in women, 35% [95% CI 18%-48%] in men compared to IS-L), which persisted after adjustment for VAT. BTMs were similar among IR/IS-O/IS-L. BMD was similar among T2D/IR/IS-O; BMD was low only in IS-L. All groups were similar after adjustment for BMI. Similarly, AHA components were lowest in IS-L (attenuated following adjustment). On multivariate analysis, T2D was independently associated with BTMs. IR was also associated with C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen in men. Age and body size were the strongest independent contributors to BMD and AHA. VAT was inversely associated with section modulus, cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia in women, and hip axis length in men. Low bone turnover is associated with T2D and IR (in men), while BMD and hip strength/geometry are predominantly associated with body size. VAT, indicative of dysglycemia, is also associated with impaired bone geometry. Establishing the role of BTMs and AHA fracture risk may improve skeletal assessment in T2D people. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Fate mapping reveals compartment-specific clonal expansion of mononuclear phagocytes during kidney disease

Fate mapping reveals compartment-specific clonal expansion of mononuclear phagocytes during kidney disease

Frequent pulse disturbances shape resistance and resilience in tropical marine microbial communities

The Johor Strait separates the island of Singapore from Peninsular Malaysia. A 1-kilometer causeway built in the early 1920s in the middle of the strait effectively blocks water flowing to/from either side, resulting in low water turnover rates and build-up of nutrients in the inner Strait. We have previously shown that short-term rather than seasonal environmental changes influence microbial community composition in the Johor Strait. Here, we present a temporally-intensive study that uncovers the factors keeping the microbial populations in check. We sampled the surface water at four sites in the inner Eastern Johor Strait every other day for two months, while measuring various water quality parameters, and analysed 16S amplicon sequences and flow-cytometric counts. We discovered that microbial community succession revolves around a common stable state resulting from frequent pulse disturbances. Among these, sporadic riverine freshwater input and regular tidal currents influence bottom-up controls including the availability of the limiting nutrient nitrogen and its biological release in readily available forms. From the top-down, marine viruses and predatory bacteria limit the proliferation of microbes in the water. Harmful algal blooms, which have been observed historically in these waters, may occur only when there are simultaneous gaps in the top-down and bottom-up controls. This study gains insight into complex interactions between multiple factors contributing to a low-resistance but high-resilience microbial community and speculate about rare events that could lead to the occurrence of an algal bloom.

Money matters, but what else? Mature worker motives and the importance of gender, age, socioeconomic status and age-inclusive HR practices

Policies encouraging extended workforce participation mainly focus on financial motives, but socioemotional selectivity theory and research suggest that mature worker motives are multifaceted, with emotionally meaningful goals gaining importance with age. We adopt a person-centred approach using latent class analysis of survey data from 1501 Australian workers aged 45 years and over. Two motivational profiles based on patterns of motives were identified, which we term income-dominant (income is the main reason) and socioemotional-income (socioemotional reasons are dominant, but income is important too). Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence of a socioemotional-dominant profile. This provides new theoretical insights, as it suggests that even though socioemotional reasons may increase in importance with age, financial reasons remain important to most mature workers, especially those who may view work as being transactional. Being female, older, and having higher socioeconomic status and age-inclusive HR policies increase the odds of having a socioemotional-income rather than income-dominant profile. The socioemotional-income subgroup had lower turnover intentions and later desired retirement ages than the income-dominant subgroup, highlighting the potential for more socioemotionally focused policies and practices to encourage extended workforce participation.JEL Classification:J26, M12, M54

Changes in elastin structure and extensibility induced by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia.

Elastin is a key elastomeric protein responsible for the elasticity of many organs, including heart, skin, and blood vessels. Due to its intrinsic long life and low turnover rate, damage in elastin induced by pathophysiological conditions, such as hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia, accumulates during biological aging and in aging-associated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Prior studies have shown that calcification induced by hypercalcemia deteriorates the function of aortic tissues. Glycation of elastin is triggered by hyperglycemia and associated with elastic tissue damage and loss of mechanical functions via the accumulation of advanced glycation end products. To evaluate the effects on elastin's structural conformations and elasticity by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia at the molecular scale, we perform classical atomistic and steered molecular dynamics simulations on tropoelastin, the soluble precursor of elastin, under different conditions. We characterize the interaction sites of glucose and calcium and associated structural conformational changes. Additionally, we find that elevated levels of calcium ions and glucose hinder the extensibility of tropoelastin by rearranging structural domains and altering hydrogen bonding patterns, respectively. Overall, our investigation helps to reveal the behavior of tropoelastin and the biomechanics of elastin biomaterials in these physiological environments. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Elastin is a key component of elastic fibers which endow many important tissues and organs, from arteries and veins, to skin and heart, with strength and elasticity. During aging and aging-associated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, physicochemical stressors, including hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia, induce accumulated irreversible damage in elastin, and consequently alter mechanical function. Yet, molecular mechanisms associated with these processes are still poorly understood. Here, we present the first study on how these changes in elastin structure and extensibility are induced by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia at the molecular scale, revealing the essential roles that calcium and glucose play in triggering structural alterations and mechanical stiffness. Our findings yield critical insights into the first steps of hypercalcemia- and hyperglycemia-mediated aging.