This study examines the general equilibrium effects of the adoption of a dual-class share structure by an innovative firm in Korea. In contrast to previous studies, which are performed from a ...microeconomic perspective and focus on empirical analyses, this study is performed from a macroeconomic perspective and uses a theoretical approach based on a dynamic general equilibrium model. The calibrated results obtained using data from Korea show that the adoption of a dual-class share structure by an innovative firm increases real gross domestic product, total real consumption, social welfare, and total innovation ability by 0.63%, 1.23%, 1.23%, and 2.22%, respectively, but decreases the probability of failure to defend management rights by 6.44%. In contrast, the adoption of a dual-class share structure by a non-innovative firm has a much weaker effect because a non-innovative firm does not invest in innovation.
This study examines the multi‐level functionalities of social media in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011. Based on a conceptual model of multi‐level story flows of ...social media (Jung and Moro, 2012), the study analyses the multiple functionalities that were ascribed to social media by individuals, organisations, and macro‐level social systems (government and the mass media) after the earthquake. Based on survey data, a review of Twitter timelines and secondary sources, the authors derive five functionalities of social media: interpersonal communications with others (micro level); channels for local governments; organisations and local media (meso level); channels for mass media (macro level); information sharing and gathering (cross level); and direct channels between micro‐/meso‐ and macro‐level agents. The study sheds light on the future potential of social media in disaster situations and suggests how to design an effective communication network to prepare for emergency situations.
The increasing global contamination of plastics in marine environments is raising public concerns about the potential hazards of microplastics to environmental and human health. Microplastics formed ...by the breakdown of larger plastics are typically irregular in shape. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of spherical or irregular shapes of microplastics on changes in organ distribution, swimming behaviors, gene expression, and enzyme activities in sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). Both types of microplastics accumulated in the digestive system, causing intestinal distention. However, when compared to spherical microplastics, irregular microplastics decreased swimming behavior (i.e., total distance travelled and maximum velocity) of sheepshead minnow. Both microplastics generated cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), while ROS-related molecular changes (i.e., transcriptional and enzymatic characteristics) differed. This study provides toxicological insights into the impacts of environmentally relevant (fragmented) microplastics on fish and improves our understanding of the environmental effects of microplastics in the ecosystem.
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•Microplastics accumulated in the digestive system and influenced swimming behaviors of fish.•Microplastics caused transcriptional changes in ROS-related genes and changed their enzymatic levels and activities.•Physiological and biochemical toxicity differed according to the shape of microplastic.
This study examines the macroeconomic effects of family business inheritance tax reduction in South Korea using a theoretical model that addresses the problem of a family member's occupational choice ...decision between being a worker and being an entrepreneur. In contrast with previous studies, the model considers the distribution of firm size. The effect of the reduction in the family business inheritance tax rate on the macroeconomy is positive in this model, whereas it is negative in a model in the literature that does not consider the distribution of firm size when addressing the occupational choice decision. Calibrated results obtained using data for South Korea show that a 50% reduction in the family business inheritance tax rate increases the total labour demand, total real investment, and total sales by 0.13%, 1.88%, and 0.15%, respectively.
Uniform metal nanomesh structures are promising candidates that may replace of indium‐tin oxide (ITO) in transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs). However, the durability of the uniform metal mesh ...has not yet been studied. For this reason, a comparative analysis of the durability of TCEs based on pure Ag and AgNi nanomesh, which are fabricated by using simple transfer printing, is performed. The AgNi nanomesh shows high long‐term stability to oxidation, heat, and chemicals compared with that of pure Ag nanomesh. This is because of nickel in the AgNi nanomesh. Furthermore, the AgNi nanomesh shows strong adhesion to a transparent substrate and good stability after repeated bending.
AgNi nanomesh transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) exhibit excellent long‐term stability to oxidation, heat, and chemicals. This stability is due to the ability of nickel to protect the AgNi nanomesh from heat, chemical attack, and oxidation. It is believed that this robust AgNi nanomesh TCE may be broadly applicable to various high‐performance optoelectronic devices such as flexible solar cells and displays.
This study aimed to analyze the relationship between deans and directors of Korean universities on the organizational commitment of university professors, and the mediating effects of organizational ...culture and organizational trust. A survey was conducted with full-time professors at 20 universities; 387 responses were analyzed. Structural equation modeling was performed using a two-step approach to achieve the research purpose, and the mediating effects were tested using phantom variables. The analysis revealed that the authentic leadership of deans and directors significantly and positively affected organizational trust, culture, and commitment, with trust being a more important mediator than culture. This study is significant in that most previous studies on university leadership have focused on the university president, the top-level policymaker, and used measurement tools designed for business organizations. Conversely, this study focused on deans and directors, the middle managers at universities, and adapted existing diagnostic tools for universities in Korea with horizontal organizational structures based on academic experience. In Korea, there is currently an emphasis on university reform, evaluation, and financial support. Thus, the importance of deans and directors as the key administrative workforce and enablers in creating a healthy organizational culture is in the spotlight The results suggest the urgent necessity for investment in leadership training for these positions.
Emerging evidence suggests that breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be involved in resistance to doxorubicin. However, it is unlear whether the ...doxorubicin-induced EMT and expansion of BCSCs is related to cancer dormancy, or outgrowing cancer cells with maintaining resistance to doxorubicin, or whether the phenotypes can be transferred to other doxorubicin-sensitive cells. Here, we characterized the phenotype of doxorubicin-resistant TNBC cells while monitoring the EMT process and expansion of CSCs during the establishment of doxorubicin-resistant MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells (DRM cells). In addition, we assessed the potential signaling associated with the EMT process and expansion of CSCs in doxorubicin-resistance of DRM cells. DRM cells exhibited morphological changes from spindle-shaped MDA-MB-231 cells into round-shaped giant cells. They exhibited highly proliferative, EMT, adhesive, and invasive phenotypes. Molecularly, they showed up-regulation of Cyclin D1, mesenchymal markers (β-catenin, and N-cadherin), MMP-2, MMP-9, ICAM-1 and down-regulation of E-cadherin. As the molecular mechanisms responsible for the resistance to doxorubicin, up-regulation of EGFR and its downstream signaling, were suggested. AKT and ERK1/2 expression were also increased in DRM cells with the advancement of resistance to doxorubicin. Furthermore, doxorubicin resistance of DRM cells can be transferred by autocrine signaling. In conclusion, DRM cells harbored EMT features with CSC properties possessing increased proliferation, invasion, migration, and adhesion ability. The doxorubicin resistance, and doxorubicin-induced EMT and CSC properties of DRM cells, can be transferred to parental cells through autocrine signaling. Lastly, this feature of DRM cells might be associated with the up-regulation of EGFR.
Abstract
CTCF is crucial to the organization of mammalian genomes into loop structures. According to recent studies, the transcription apparatus is compartmentalized and concentrated at ...super-enhancers to form phase-separated condensates and drive the expression of cell-identity genes. However, it remains unclear whether and how transcriptional condensates are coupled to higher-order chromatin organization. Here, we show that CTCF is essential for RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated chromatin interactions, which occur as hyperconnected spatial clusters at super-enhancers. We also demonstrate that CTCF clustering, unlike Pol II clustering, is independent of liquid-liquid phase-separation and resistant to perturbation of transcription. Interestingly, clusters of Pol II, BRD4, and MED1 were found to dissolve upon CTCF depletion, but were reinstated upon restoration of CTCF, suggesting a potent instructive function for CTCF in the formation of transcriptional condensates. Overall, we provide evidence suggesting that CTCF-mediated chromatin looping acts as an architectural prerequisite for the assembly of phase-separated transcriptional condensates.
This study examines Internet Connectedness and civic engagement in post-disaster Fukushima, Japan. Internet Connectedness encompasses the post-access digital divide, conceptualized through intensity, ...activity scope, centrality, and place scope. Guided by communication infrastructure theory, structural equation modeling results indicate that individuals who engage in broader types of online activities and perceive the Internet as more central had stronger connections to their online neighborhood storytelling network (online ICSN). Higher online ICSN and a broader Internet activity scope led to increased civic engagement on social media, subsequently positively affecting offline civic engagement. The study results offer specific measures and guidelines for narrowing the digital divide and fostering residents' community engagement, which are likely to play essential roles in disaster preparedness and resilience.
The residents of Shinchimachi, Fukushima Prefecture, face ongoing struggles in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition to physical damage and health risks, residents ...contend with the socio-psychological difficulties of facing stigma. This research used interview and survey methods to unearth nuanced perceptions of stigma and to test the effects of the perceived stigma and neighborhood connectedness on future outlook. Interviews revealed that residents perceive stigma from mainstream media and people from other prefectures. Based on communication infrastructure theory (CIT), the survey found that a perceived stigma has a negative effect on future outlook, but that for residents who are connected to neighborhood storytelling networks, especially through community organizations, the negative effect of stigma on future outlook is weaker and they are more likely to have a positive future outlook. The study makes concrete suggestions for harnessing resources already available within communities for sustainable recovery.
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