Renewal Capability Research Articles

Role of Investing in Human Resources in Enhancing the Organizational Renewal Capabilities of the Pharmaceutical Industry

This study aims to explore the role of the dimensions investing in human resources in enhancing the organizational renewal capabilities of companies operating in the pharmaceutical industry. An online survey was conducted among a sample of (350) individuals who worked in pharmaceutical companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that the dimensions of investing in human resources as assessed by employees of pharmaceutical companies positively enhance all four studied dimensions of organizational renewal capabilities (strategic competence, learning orientation connectivity, leadership practices, exploiting time) for a wide range of pharmaceutical companies. The results confirm that enhancing the investing in human resources is a promising path toward improving the regulatory renewal capabilities of pharmaceutical companies. Despite the interest in investing in human resources, the lack of consensus on the specific elements of investing in human capital limits the understanding of their implications. Building on recent developments in visualizing and measuring investing in human resources, this study addresses this gap by exploring how the investing in human resources relates to the regulatory renewal capabilities of pharmaceutical companies. Received: 25 August 2024 / Accepted: 30 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANE POTENTIAL IS A FUNCTIONALLY RELEVANT AXIS OF NON-GENETIC CELLULAR HETEROGENEITY IN GLIOBLASTOMA

Abstract AIMS Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are believed to underpin treatment resistance in glioblastoma by virtue of their self- renewal capabilities and presumed transcriptional plasticity. Understanding how cell state diversity is established and maintained is crucial to make therapeutic gains. We have previously shown mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) to be a functionally relevant source of extrinsic noise in embryonic and haematopoietic stem cells. This study evaluates cellular MMP as an axis of variability in GSCs. METHOD MMP was measured by flow cytometry in patient-derived GSC lines using cationic dyes that diffuse reversibly across the mitochondrial membrane in a voltage dependent manner. MMP-high and low populations (top and bottom 10-20%) were fractionated and subjected to RNA-sequencing and assays of proliferation and clonogenicity. Correlation between MMP and global transcription rate was investigated through a uridine analogue (5-EU) incorporation assay. The relationship between MMP and quiescence was assessed, with quiescence defined as inducible histone2B-GFP label retention after 10 days. Timecourse data for MMP was obtained through sequential staining. RESULTS RNA sequencing identified differential gene expression and exon utilization according to MMP status. MMP- high cells upregulated cell cycle genes, while MMP-low cells exhibited a diverse signature suggestive of a more differentiated state. A greater proportion of MMP-high cells were in cycle, but MMP-low cells formed more colonies. MMP positively correlated with global transcription rate in both cycling and quiescent GSCs. Time- course experiments revealed dynamic periodicity in cellular MMP. CONCLUSION The MMP axis reveals transcriptional and functional heterogeneity in GSCs and importantly unmasks phenotypic variability within the treatment-refractory quiescent compartment. The positive correlation between MMP and transcription rate, along with splicing differences, suggests a mechanism underlying functional diversity. Given the oscillatory dynamics of MMP, we postulate that stable-low MMP may define a deeply quiescent, therapy-resistant state. Evaluating MMP as a tractable regulator of GSC fate is warranted.

Vertical Spatial Differentiation and Influencing Factors of Rural Livelihood Resilience: Evidence from the Mountainous Areas of Southwest China

Rural livelihood resilience (RLR) is significant for the sustainability of rural areas, farmers and agriculture. This research takes the mountainous areas of Southwest China as the study areas and integrates the buffer, adjustment and renewal capabilities to construct a RLR analysis framework and evaluation indicator system. The RLR of 234 sample counties was evaluated using set pair analysis, and the influencing factors of RLR were investigated using Geodetector. The aim is to scientifically analyze the vertical spatial differentiation and influencing factors of RLR and fully explore the risk-resistant potential of rural livelihood systems in mountainous areas. The results show that (1) From 2000 to 2020, RLR increases significantly, but the level is still low, and its structure shows a primary pattern of “buffer capability > adjustment capability > renewal capability”. (2) There is no significant negative correlation between RLR and terrain gradients, especially in the middle and low mountains. RLR in high mountainous areas is significantly lower than in low and medium mountainous areas, but the gap is narrowing. There are no significant gaps in RLR and various capabilities between low and medium mountain areas. (3) Economic development, non-agricultural industries and grassroots autonomous organizations are essential determinants for RLR. Economic development, grassroots autonomous organizations and transportation conditions are more important in low and medium mountain areas, while non-agricultural industries and medical conditions contribute more to high mountainous areas. (4) To enhance the RLR, policy recommendations should place a strong emphasis on extending the agricultural industry chain, improving rural production and living infrastructure and strengthening the supply of high-quality social public services. The findings can provide a scientific basis for governments to implement rural revitalization strategies and improve farmers’ well-being, as well as practical guidance for enhancing the risk resistance ability of underdeveloped mountainous rural areas.

Configuration analysis of marine economic resilience based on 11 coastal provinces of China: an fsQCA approach

IntroductionThe marine economy has played an important role in stabilizing national economic growth and ensuring economic security. Achieving high-quality and sustainable development of the marine economy is a strategic task for China to build a maritime power. Confronting various risk factors such as financial crises, natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, industrial transformation, and public health security, etc., marine economic resilience (MER) has received widespread attention in recent years and is considered to be crucial for high-quality and sustainable development of the marine economy. MethodsThis study takes 11 coastal provinces in China as cases, integrates 6 condition variables by building a Resistance capability-Recovery capability-Renewal capability (3R) configuration model, and uses the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach to empirically explore the configuration effect between multiple land factors and MER. Results and discussion(1) None of the 6 conditions in the three dimensions of resistance capability, recovery capability, and renewal capability alone constitute the necessary conditions for strong or weak MER, indicating that a single condition has weak explanatory power for MER; (2) There are two configurations for strong MER: Strong Resistance-Recovery Type and Comprehensive Strong Type. Industrial structure, governmental capability, and digital economy are the core conditions for strong MER configurations; (3) There are four weak MER configurations: Comprehensive Weak Type, Weak Recovery-Renewal Type, Weak Resistance-Recovery Type I, and Weak Resistance-Recovery Type II. This study may expand the research scope of MER influencing factors and enriching the research perspective of land-sea integration, as well as providing decision-makers with practical policy implications.

The effect of institutional pressures and dynamic managerial capability on strategic renewal: The case of strategic agility and digital readiness as mediators in healthcare industry

This research investigates the role of institutional pressures, dynamic managerial capabilities, strategic agility and digital readiness as mediating factors in the gap of the healthcare sector's post-pandemic digital transformation. This study employed strategic and managerial questionnaires involving 308 medium-sized private hospitals in Indonesia and LISREL 6.0 was used for the analysis. Findings indicated that strategic agility did not mediate dynamic managerial capability for strategic renewal. Moreover, the private healthcare sector was found to be influenced by pressures to imitate other hospitals and competitors, and digital readiness had a stronger mediating effect than strategic agility. The study enriches organization theory by investigating institutional pressures driving strategic renewal. It also enhances the literature on strategic management by exploring the mediating role of strategic agility and digital readiness in strategic change. Lastly, it highlights the association between digital readiness and managerial and organizational aspects resulting from strategic change and further emphasizes the need for integrated teams and digital health services in hospitals to achieve strategic renewal.

Near-infrared PAINT localization microscopy via chromophore replenishment of phytochrome-derived fluorescent tag.

Bacterial phytochromes are attractive moleculartemplates for engineering fluorescent proteins (FPs) because their near-infrared (NIR) emission significantly extends the spectral coverage of GFP-like FPs. Existing phytochrome-based FPscovalently bind heme-derived tetrapyrrolechromophores and exhibit constitutivefluorescence. Here we introduce Rep-miRFP, an NIRimaging probe derived from bacterialphytochrome, which interacts non-covalently and reversibly with biliverdinchromophore. In Rep-miRFP,the photobleached non-covalent adduct can be replenished with fresh biliverdin, restoring fluorescence. By exploiting this chromophore renewal capability, we demonstrate NIR PAINT nanoscopy in mammalian cells using Rep-miRFP.

The effect of institutional pressures and dynamic managerial capability on strategic renewal: The case of strategic agility and digital readiness as mediators in healthcare industry

This research investigates the role of institutional pressures, dynamic managerial capabilities, strategic agility and digital readiness as mediating factors in the gap of the healthcare sector's post-pandemic digital transformation. This study employed strategic and managerial questionnaires involving 308 medium-sized private hospitals in Indonesia and LISREL 6.0 was used for the analysis. Findings indicated that strategic agility did not mediate dynamic managerial capability for strategic renewal. Moreover, the private healthcare sector was found to be influenced by pressures to imitate other hospitals and competitors, and digital readiness had a stronger mediating effect than strategic agility. The study enriches organization theory by investigating institutional pressures driving strategic renewal. It also enhances the literature on strategic management by exploring the mediating role of strategic agility and digital readiness in strategic change. Lastly, it highlights the association between digital readiness and managerial and organizational aspects resulting from strategic change and further emphasizes the need for integrated teams and digital health services in hospitals to achieve strategic renewal.

The impact of intellectual capital on the performance of faculty members at the university A field study at the Faculty of Economic, Commercial and Management Sciences, Skikda University - Algeria

The study aimed to find out the extent to which the faculty members of the Faculty of Economic، Commercial and Management Sciences at the University of 20 August 1955 Skikda were aware of the concept of intellectual capital and the great role it plays in building dynamic renewable capabilities at the level of human resources at the university that cannot be imitated، then analyze the impact of intellectual capital on The performance of the faculty under study، Where the descriptive analytical approach was followed in this study by relying on the questionnaire as a main tool in data collection. The study population consisted of 125 college professors. A simple random sample of 50 professors was selected. 44 questionnaires were retrieved، which represent the number of study sample members. In data analysis، we relied on the SPSS statistical analysis program.

Impact of CuO Nanoparticle Blended Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel on the Performance and Emission Characteristics of a CI engine

Environmental pollution and fossil fuel depletion are the major concerns in the present situation. Researchers have tried various biofuels for compression ignition (CI) engine in order to overcome these problems. Waste cooking oil (WCO) was found to be suitable alternate fuel for CI engine because of their huge availability, economically cheaper and renewable capability. However, WCO has poor fuel properties which led to inferior combustion in CI engine. Due to inferior combustion, engine performance was poor, engine exhaust emissions were higher. In this experimental work, different techniques were adopted to improve the performance of CI engine using WCO, as the base fuel. WCO was collected in bulk from a restaurant and used for the entire research work. A single cylinder, four stroke, direct injection, water cooled CI engine was used for this research work. In the first phase of work, experiments were conducted using diesel, WCO as fuel and kept as baseline data. WCO was converted into waste cooking oil biodiesel (WCOB) through transesterification process and conducted experiments using WCOB in the second phase of this work. In the third phase of the work, copper oxide nanofluids were prepared by wet chemical method in four mass concentrations, blended with WCOB and experiments were conducted. Finally, all the experimental outputs from various techniques were compared and analysed. It was observed that WCO produced lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and higher exhaust emissions than diesel. In the second phase, BTE was improved while using WCOB as compared to WCO. HC, CO emissions and smoke opacity were reduced. But nitric oxide (NOx) emission was found to be increased as compared to WCO. It was noted that BTE was improved further while using copper oxide nanofluids blended with WCOB. Emissions and smoke were drastically reduced as compared to WCOB and WCO.

Continuing the manifesto conversation: Toward building a renewal capability for the marketing discipline

Continuing the manifesto conversation: Toward building a renewal capability for the marketing discipline

Effect of sawdust filler with Kevlar/basalt fiber on the mechanical properties epoxy–based polymer composite materials

In this paper aim to design and develop the new hybrid composite material high-strength lightweight and high-strength mat fibers fabricated from natural fibers has increased tremendously. The use of natural fibers has rapidly increased due to their high availability, low density, and renewable capability over synthetic fiber. The materials used to fabricate hybrid composite laminates are Basalt/Kevlar fiber with Sawdust particles mixed with Epoxy LY556 resin, the ratio was fixed 50:50 between the reinforcement and matrix material. Compression molding techniques were used for fabricating laminates, followed by six different sample laminates with changing the stacking sequence to seven layers. After curing laminates as per the ASTM standard followed for mechanical properties to perform the experiments, surface analysis microstructure study also carryout, the high tensile strength of 328 MPa, Flexural strength of 380 MPa, Impact strength 13 MPa, which used for automotive (4 Wheelers) the interior part may be replaced with existing materials.

Innovationskrise im staatlichen Theatersektor? Eine Längsschnitt-Analyse für Theater in Nordrhein-Westfalen, 1995–2018

ZusammenfassungDer vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die kulturelle Innovationstätigkeit staatlicher deutscher Theater am Beispiel des bevölkerungsreichsten Bundeslandes Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW). Während bisherige Diagnosen, einschließlich die sozialstrukturell geprägte Publikumsforschung, die Nachfrageseite in den Mittelpunkt stellen und dabei vor allem den stetigen Rückgang und die Alterung des Publikums diagnostizieren, geht unsere Analyse auf die Angebotsseite ein, insbesondere die Zahl von Ur- und Erstaufführungen und ihre Übernahme ins Repertoire. Der Beitrag zeigt, dass die bisherigen Anstrengungen der kommunalen und landeseigenen Theater, die Anzahl der Spielstätten und der dort aufgeführten Stücke zu erhöhen, nicht ausgereicht haben, um den Rückgang des Publikums zu stabilisieren. Gleichzeitig werden nur wenige neue Stücke auf den Spielplan gesetzt, von welchen sich noch weniger langfristig im Repertoire etablieren können. Unseren Ergebnissen zufolge wird der Theatersektor seine Erneuerungsfähigkeit nur sichern können, wenn eine Verschiebung hin zu deutlich mehr neuen Stücken erfolgt, die neues Publikum anziehen. Ein für Erneuerung grundsätzlich günstiger institutioneller Kontext ist der dezentrale Wettbewerb, der den Theatersektor in NRW prägt.

Employer constraints on trade union renewal in Chile

The present article explores the revitalisation strategies developed by a company-level trade union in the food manufacturing industry in Chile. Using qualitative research and building on a case study, the findings suggest that predominant renewal strategies were restructuring through mergers, a variation on the Anglo-Saxon labour-management partnership, and organising based on recruiting new members and legal mobilization. The article argues that these revitalisation strategies were implemented in relation to the deployment of the employer's trade union weakening strategies, this being the central feature that drove the renewal capabilities of the researched trade union. The article contributes to enlarge the understanding of the way employer strategies and regulatory contexts shape the union revitalization framework.

Brain DNA damage analysis in pesticide exposed wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus): a chemometric approach

Brain the most important organ which controls most of the regulations in the body is composed of neurons and glia. As brain has a high metabolic rate and reduced cell renewal capability, the lipids, proteins and nucleic acids become the major targets of damage. In the present study carbofuran (CF) induced brain DNA damage in male wistar albino rats at sub-lethal doses (Control-A; B-1.0, C-0.5 and D-0.3 mg/kg BW) while the groups B1,C1, D1, B2, C2, D2 and B3, C3, D3 represents the exposure duration 30, 60 and 90 days each respectively. FTIR spectroscopy based chemometric analysis of functional groups in nucleic acids are reported, changes in band area and band frequencies were examined to understand the DNA damage by constructing heat map. Significant changes were observed in the band frequency, band areas, bandwidth and intensity values (p < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001). The principal component analysis was analyzed to study the alterations at the molecular level, which revealed maximum variance of 74% in groups A, B1, C1, D1 and C2 and 13.7% variance in B2, D2, B3, C3 and D3. The present study provides significant details to analyse DNA damage using non-conventional approach and can also be used for detecting DNA damage in several neural diseases and disorders and emphasizes on using FTIR spectral data through chemometric approach to analyse the DNA damage. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Autophagy-related proteases accompany the transition of pre-chondrogenic cells into chondroblasts

BackgroundAutophagy is classified as a form of programmed cell death. Nevertheless, besides the death-inducing function, autophagy enables removal of damaged organelles, energy savings, and thus cell survival. This applies in particular to cells with poor renewal capabilities, such as chondroblasts. Autophagy is regulated by a complex molecular network, including proteases and their substrates. In autopodium, autophagy-related proteases have been examined particularly within the context of the elimination of the interdigital tissue. However, the death-inducing effects of their expression/activation have not been specified yet. This work focuses on autophagy-associated proteases (cathepsins, matrix metalloproteinases, and caspases) in development of phalangeal cartilage of the mouse autopodium. MethodsPCR Array, Real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry were used to follow the expression of autophagy-associated genes in vivo at two developmental stages prenatal/embryonic (E)12 vs. E14. Real-time PCR was then applied to investigate the influence of rapamycin (an inducer of autophagy) on the expression of autophagy-associated proteases in chondroblasts in vitro using micromass culture. ResultsSeveral proteases showed increased expression levels during the transition of pre-chondrogenic cells into chondroblasts in vivo. The most significant increases were observed for Ctsb (fold regulation 2.22), Ctsd (fold regulation 2.37), Ctss (fold regulation 2.92), Mmp9 (up to 445%), and Casp8 (up to 250%). The transition was associated also with the high expression of crucial autophagic inducers, such as Atgs. The in vitro treatment of chondroblasts by rapamycin showed significantly decreased expression of cathepsins, a mild increase in expression of metalloproteinases, and no effect in caspase expression. ConclusionsThe present data provide a screening of autophagy-associated proteases accompanying the formation of cartilage in vivo and specify their expression under rapamycin treatment in vitro. Notably, the selected proteases are assigned to osteoarthritis, therefore their regulation might be used in clinically oriented studies.

Oxygen-rich PdSnCu nanocrystals with particle connection features as enhanced catalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction

Most electrocatalysts show a high mass and special activity during the ethanol oxidation reaction, but those still suffer from limited stability, finite renewable capability and poor anti-poisoning durability. Furthermore, the reliable structure and appropriate composition of catalysts are fairly associated with the electrocatalysis performance. Herein, we report the development of trimetallic Pd61Sn34Cu5 nanocrystals (NCs) whose rough surfaces are rich in step atoms and coupled with abundant of SnOx and CuO, which may effectively boost reaction activity and rapidly remove carbonaceous intermediate, respectively. Under the tuning on the composition, the defect rich Pd61Sn34Cu5 NCs exhibit elevated electrocatalysis activity and durability for ethanol oxidation reaction with an optimized mass activity (1.26 A ) and specific activity (10.6 mA cm−2), which is about 2.21 and 2.58 times greater than that of the commercial Pd/C catalyst (0.57 A and 4.1 mA cm−2).

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Natural Leaf Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Polyester Composites.

In recent times, demand for light weight and high strength materials fabricated from natural fibres has increased tremendously. The use of natural fibres has rapidly increased due to their high availability, low density, and renewable capability over synthetic fibre. Natural leaf fibres are easy to extract from the plant (retting process is easy), which offers high stiffness, less energy consumption, less health risk, environment friendly, and better insulation property than the synthetic fibre-based composite. Natural leaf fibre composites have low machining wear with low cost and excellent performance in engineering applications, and hence established as superior reinforcing materials compared to other plant fibres. In this review, the physical and mechanical properties of different natural leaf fibre-based composites are addressed. The influences of fibre loading and fibre length on mechanical properties are discussed for different matrices-based composite materials. The surface modifications of natural fibre also play a crucial role in improving physical and mechanical properties regarding composite materials due to improved fibre/matrix adhesion. Additionally, the present review also deals with the effect of silane-treated leaf fibre-reinforced thermoset composite, which play an important role in enhancing the mechanical and physical properties of the composites.

Characteristics of groundwater in Northeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its response to climate change and human activities: A case study of Delingha, Qaidam Basin

Delingha is located in the northeast margin of Qaidam Basin. Bayin River alluvial proluvial fan is the main aquifer of Delingha, in which groundwater generally flows from north to south. The hydrochemistry results showed that two different hydrochemical evolution paths formed along southeast and southwest directions, respectively. Cl-Na type groundwater was formed in front of Gahai Lake, and SO4·HCO3-Na·Ca type groundwater was formed in front of Keluke Lake. The results of deuterium (D) and 18O revealed that the groundwater mainly originated from the continuous accumulation of precipitation during geological history under cold and humid climate conditions. In addition, results of 14C indicated that the groundwater age was more than 1140 years, implying relatively poor renewal capability of regional groundwater. Moreover, our numerical modeling results showed that the regional groundwater level will continue to rise under the warm and humid climate conditions.© 2021 China Geology Editorial Office.

Analysis of the Influence of Renewable Generator Frequency Endurance Capability on Low-Frequency Load Shedding: A Hunan Case Study

With the rapid development of renewable generators such as distributed photovoltaic and profound changes of the power structure, this paper analyzes the frequency characteristics of the power system with high penetration of renewable generations in the process of low-frequency load shedding and discusses the influence of the distributed renewable generator frequency endurance capabilities on the implementation effect of low-frequency load shedding in detail. Finally, the influences of the distributed renewable generator frequency endurance capability and the capacities of the distributed renewable generator on frequency response characteristics of an actual Hunan power grid are simulated. The simulation results show that more distributed photovoltaic capacity without frequency endurance capability leads to deeper frequency drops after the disturbance and requires more basic rounds of load shedding. When the penetration rate of distributed photovoltaic is too high, it may cause load shedding, resulting in power grid load losses and, at the same time, leading to an overshoot phenomenon in the process of frequency recovery. Therefore, the influence of distributed photovoltaic on the control of low-frequency load shedding should be considered when designing low-frequency load shedding schemes for the power grid with high penetration of distributed photovoltaic.

Identification of primordial germ cell-like cells as liver metastasis initiating cells in mouse tumour models

Liver metastasis, characterized by the spread of tumors to the liver from other areas, represents a deadly disease with poor prognosis. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic strategies and/or agents to combat liver metastasis primarily due to the insufficient understanding of liver metastasis. To develop a promising strategy for targeting liver metastasis, understanding of a cell origin responsible for liver metastasis and how this cell can be pharmacologically eliminated are therefore crucial. Using diverse tumor models including p53−/− genetic mouse model and syngeneic tumor models, we identified primordial germ cell (PGC)-like tumor cells, which are enriched in earliest liver micro-metastasis (up to 99%), as a cell origin of liver metastasis. PGC-like tumor cells formed earliest micro-metastasis in liver and gradually differentiated into non-PGC-like tumor cells to constitute late macro-metastasis in the course of tumor metastasis. The liver metastasis-initiating cells (PGC-like tumor cells) display cell renewal and differentiation capabilities, resemble primordial germ cells (PGCs) in morphology and PGC marker gene expression, and express higher level of the genes linked to metastasis and immune escape compared with non-PGC-like tumor cells. Of note, Stellarhigh PGC-like tumor cells, but not Stellarlow non-PGC-like cells, sorted from primary tumors of p53−/− mice readily form liver metastasis. Depletion of PGC-like tumor cells through genetic depletion of any of key germ cell genes impairs liver metastasis, while increased PGC-like tumor cells by SMAD2 knockout is correlated with markedly enhanced liver metastasis. Finally, we present the proof of principle evidence that pharmacologically targeting BMP pathways serves as a promising strategy to eliminate PGC-like tumor cells leading to abrogating liver metastasis. Collectively, our study identifies PGC-like tumor cells as a cell origin of liver metastasis, whose depletion by genetically targeting core PGC developmental genes or pharmacologically inhibiting BMP pathways serves a promising strategy for targeting liver metastasis.