bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and optimization of variability in a human colonic epithelium culture model
Authors: Pike Colleen M. , Zwarycz Bailey , McQueen Bryan E. , Castillo Mariana , Barron Catherine , Morowitz Jeremy M. , Levi James A. , Phadke Dhiral , Balik-Meisner Michele , Mav Deepak , Shah Ruchir , Glasspoole Danielle L. Cunningham , Laetham Ron , Thelin William , Bunger Maureen K. , Boazak Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2023

Animal models have historically been poor preclinical predictors of gastrointestinal (GI) directed therapeutic efficacy and drug-induced GI toxicity. Human stem and primary cell-derived culture systems are a major focus of efforts to create biologically relevant models that enhance preclinical predictive value of intestinal efficacy and toxicity. The inherent variability in stem-cell-based complex cultures makes development of useful models a challenge; the stochastic nature of stem-cell differentiation interferes with the ability to build and validate robust, reproducible assays that query drug responses and pharmacokinetics. In this study, we aimed to characterize and reduce potential sources of variability in a complex stem cell-derived intestinal epithelium model, termed RepliGut®Planar, across cells from multiple human donors, cell lots, and passage numbers. Assessment criteria included barrier formation and integrity, gene expression, and cytokine responses. Gene expression and culture metric analyses revealed that controlling for stem/progenitor-cell passage number reduces variability and maximizes physiological relevance of the model. After optimizing passage number, donor-specific differences in cytokine responses were observed in a case study, suggesting biologic variability is observable in cell cultures derived from multiple human sources. Our findings highlight key considerations for designing assays that can be applied to additional primary-cell derived systems, as well as establish utility of the RepliGut®Planar platform for robust development of human-predictive drug-response assays.
Dynamic vocal learning in adult marmoset monkeys
Authors: Phaniraj Nikhil , Wierucka Kaja , Burkart Judith M.
Published: September 2023

While vocal learning is vital to language acquisition in children, adults continue to adjust their speech while adapting to different social environments in the form of social vocal accommodation (SVA). Even though adult and infant vocal learning seemingly differ in their properties, whether the mechanisms underlying them differ remains unknown. The complex structure of language creates a challenge in quantifying vocal changes during SVA. Consequently, animals with simpler vocal communication systems are powerful tools for understanding the mechanisms underlying SVA. Here, we tracked acoustic changes in the vocalizations of adult common marmoset pairs, a highly vocal primate species known to show SVA, for up to 85 days after pairing with a new partner. We identified four properties of SVA in marmosets: (1) bidirectional learning, (2) exponential decrease in vocal distance with time, (3) sensitivity to initial vocal distance, and (4) dyadic acoustic feature synchrony. We developed a mathematical model that shows all four properties. The model suggests that marmosets continuously update the memory of their partners’ vocalizations and modify their own vocalizations to match them, a dynamic form of vocal learning. The model provides crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying SVA in adult animals and how they might differ from infant vocal learning.
Opiate anticipation,opiate induced anatomical changes in hypocretin (Hcrt, orexin) neurons and opiate induced microglial activation are blocked by the dual Hcrt receptor antagonist suvorexant, while opiate analgesia is maintained
Authors: McGregor Ronald , Wu Ming-Fung , Thannickal Thomas , Siegel Jerome
Published: September 2023

We previously found that heroin addiction in humans is accompanied by an increase in the number of detected Hcrt neurons and a decrease in their soma size. We now show that the increased number of Hcrt cells visible after morphine treatment is likely the result of increased Hcrt production in neurons having sub-detection levels of the peptides. We find that morphine increases Hcrt projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the level of tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme (TH) and the number of TH positive cells in VTA, with no changes in the adjacent substantia nigra. We find that the dual Hcrt receptor antagonist suvorexant prevents morphine-induced changes in the number and size of Hcrt neurons, microglial activation and morphine anticipatory behavior, but does not diminish morphine analgesia. These findings suggest that combined administration of opiates and suvorexant may be a less addictive way of administering opiates for pain relief in humans.
Do not let the beginning trap you! On inhibition, associative creative chains, and Hopfield neural networks
Authors: Mtenga Ronald , Bode Mathias , Khalil Radwa
Published: September 2023

Creative thinking stems from the cognitive process that fosters new ideas and problem-solving solutions. Creative cognition in emerging artificial intelligence systems and neural models may reduce complexity in understanding creative cognition. Hopfield Neural Networks (HNN) is a simple neural model known for its biological plausibility to store and retrieve neuron patterns. The primary objective is to demonstrate that ideas, symbolized as patterns of ones and zeros representing clusters of neurons that synchronize their firing, can be stored within HNN and establish connections through correlation. The network can converge towards these ideas by manually adjusting specific state parameters, effectively controlling the overall network activity. When the second closest stored pattern deviated significantly from the input pattern, the network’s ability to converge decreased, enabling it to connect the input and patterns. Thus, we suggest employing HNN for the first time to create a model that emulates creative thinking processes, including making meaningful links between seemingly unrelated ideas.

We implemented certain modifications to the original HNN, including introducing pattern weight control, which provides a robust representation for content addressable memory and illustrates conceptual links in stored data, a step towards the larger framework of creativity. We have made progress in identifying two mechanisms that could assist in managing the dynamics of the network and the formation of associative links. These mechanisms are related to the activation threshold of the neurons and the inhibitory stimulus on the stored patterns.
Automatic monitoring of whole-body neural activity in behavingHydra
Authors: Hanson Alison , Reme Raphael , Telerman Noah , Yamamoto Wataru , Olivo-Marin Jean-Christophe , Lagache Thibault , Yuste Rafael
Published: September 2023

The ability to record every spike from every neuron in a behaving animal is one of the holy grails of neuroscience. Here, we report coming one step closer towards this goal with the development of an end-to-end pipeline that automatically tracks and extracts calcium signals from individual neurons in the cnidarianHydra vulgaris. We imaged dually labeled (nuclear tdTomato and cytoplasmic GCaMP7s) transgenicHydraand developed an open-source Python platform (TraSE-IN) for the Tracking and Spike Estimation of Individual Neurons in the animal during behavior. The TraSE-IN platform comprises a series of modules that segments and tracks each nucleus over time and extracts the corresponding calcium activity in the GCaMP channel. Another series of signal processing modules allows robust prediction of individual spikes from each neuron’s calcium signal. This complete pipeline will facilitate the automatic generation and analysis of large-scale datasets of single-cell resolution neural activity inHydra, and potentially other model organisms, paving the way towards deciphering the neural code of an entire animal.
Sortilin inhibition treats multiple neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders
Authors: Leppert Hannah G. , Anderson Joelle T. , Timm Kaylie J. , Davoli Cristina , Pratt Melissa A. , Booth Clarissa D. , White Katherine A. , Rechtzigel Mitchell J. , Meyerink Brandon L. , Johnson Tyler B. , Brudvig Jon J. , Weimer Jill M.
Published: September 2023

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a genetically and clinically diverse group of diseases characterized by lysosomal dysfunction. Batten disease is a family of severe LSDs primarily impacting the central nervous system. Here we show that AF38469, a small molecule inhibitor of sortilin, improves lysosomal and glial pathology across multiple LSD models. Live-cell imaging and comparative transcriptomics demonstrates that the transcription factor EB (TFEB), an upstream regulator of lysosomal biogenesis, is activated upon treatment with AF38469. Utilizing CLN2 and CLN3 Batten disease mouse models, we performed a short-term efficacy study and show that treatment with AF38469 prevents the accumulation of lysosomal storage material and the development of neuroinflammation, key disease associated pathologies. Tremor phenotypes, an early behavioral phenotype in the CLN2 disease model, were also completely rescued. These findings reveal sortilin inhibition as a novel and highly efficacious therapeutic modality for the treatment of multiple forms of Batten disease.
Rebound activation of 5-HT neurons following SSRI discontinuation
Authors: Collins Helen M. , Gullino L. Sophie , Ozdemir Dersu , Lazarenco Caroline , Sudarikova Yulia , Daly Elizabeth , Cuéllar Fuencisla Pilar , Pinacho Raquel , Bannerman David M. , Sharp Trevor
Published: September 2023

Cessation of therapy with a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is often associated with an early onset, disabling discontinuation syndrome the mechanism of which is surprisingly little investigated. Here we determined the effect on 5-HT neurochemistry of discontinuation from the SSRI paroxetine. Paroxetine was administered repeatedly to mice (once daily, 12 days versus saline controls) and then either continued or discontinued for up to 5 days. Whereas tissue levels of 5-HT and/or its metabolite 5-HIAA tended to decrease during continuous paroxetine, levels increased above controls after discontinuation, notably in hippocampus. In microdialysis experiments continuous paroxetine elevated hippocampal extracellular 5-HT and this effect fell to saline control levels on discontinuation. However, depolarisation (high potassium)-evoked 5-HT release was reduced by continuous paroxetine but increased above controls post-discontinuation. Extracellular hippocampal 5-HIAA also decreased during continuous paroxetine and increased above controls post-discontinuation. Next, immunohistochemistry experiments found that paroxetine discontinuation increased Fos expression in midbrain 5-HT neurons, adding further evidence for a hyperexcitable 5-HT system. The latter effect was recapitulated by 5-HT1Areceptor antagonist administration although gene expression analysis could not confirm altered expression of 5-HT1Aautoreceptors following paroxetine discontinuation. Finally, in behavioural experiments paroxetine discontinuation increased anxiety-like behaviour, which partially correlated in time with the measures of increased 5-HT function. In summary, this study finds that SSRI discontinuation triggers a rebound activation of 5-HT neurons across a range of experiments. This effect is reminiscent of neural changes associated with various psychotropic drug withdrawal states, suggesting a common unifying mechanism.
Transposition ofHOPPLAin siRNA-deficient plants suggests a limited effect of the environment on retrotransposon mobility inBrachypodium distachyon
Authors: Thieme Michael , Minadakis Nikolaos , Himber Christophe , Keller Bettina , Xu Wenbo , Rutowicz Kinga , Matteoli Calvin , Böhrer Marcel , Rymen Bart , Laudencia-Chingcuanco Debbie , Vogel John , Sibout Richard , Stritt Christoph , Blevins Todd , Roulin Anne C.
Published: September 2023

Long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) are powerful mutagens regarded as a major source of genetic novelty and important drivers of evolution. Yet, the uncontrolled and potentially selfish proliferation of LTR-RTs can lead to deleterious mutations and genome instability, with large fitness costs for their host. While population genomics data suggest that an ongoing LTR-RT mobility is common in many species, the understanding of their dual role in evolution is limited. Here, we harness the genetic diversity of 320 sequenced natural accessions of the Mediterranean grassBrachypodium distachyonto characterize how genetic and environmental factors influence plant LTR-RT dynamics in the wild. When combining a coverage-based approach to estimate global LTR-RT copy number variations with mobilome-sequencing of nine accessions exposed to eight different stresses, we find little evidence for a major role of environmental factors in LTR-RT accumulations inB. distachyonnatural accessions. Instead, we show that loss of RNA polymerase IV (Pol IV), which mediates RNA-directed DNA methylation in plants, results in high transcriptional and transpositional activities of RLC_BdisC024 (HOPPLA) LTR-RT family elements, and that these effects are not stress-specific. This work supports findings indicating an ongoing mobility inB. distachyonand reveals that host RNA-directed DNA methylation rather than environmental factors controls their mobility in this wild grass model.

Author summary

Long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) are major components of plant genomes. Their ‘copy- and-paste’ replication mechanism allows them to rapidly increase in copy number, with potentially negative effects on host fitness. On the other hand, because they can rewire transcriptional networks and alter phenotypes, their mobility is an important driver of evolution. Ever since their discovery, LTR-RT activity has been linked to stress exposure, suggesting that LTR-RTs modulate the pace of evolution in response to the environment. In this study, we test this hypothesis by harnessing the genetic variation in a set of 320 natural accessions of the Mediterranean grassBrachypodium distachyonoriginating from diverse habitats. We find little evidence for the importance of stresses in activatingB. distachyonLTR-RTs. Instead, we show that the loss of RNA polymerase IV, a component of plant retrotransposon silencing, leads to the activation and transposition of an LTR-RT family that we nameHOPPLA.HOPPLAis the first LTR-RT family inB. distachyonshown to transpose in real-time. These findings open up new avenues for studying retrotransposon-mediated evolution in this close relative of staple crops, such as rice and wheat.
The impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure on firm financial performance: evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Chung Ricky , Bayne Lyndie , Birt Jacqueline
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure on firm financial performance under a mandatory disclosure regime in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine the largest 109 firms listed on the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX) as of the financial year of 2019. The authors use a manually constructed index based on the most current 2019 ESG Reporting Guide launched by HKEX, followed by quantitative statistical methods using a model that follows the valuation framework by Ohlson.

Findings

The authors find a significant positive association between total ESG disclosure level and firm financial performance in the main tests. However, when the total ESG scores are partitioned into environmental and social subscores, the results show that only social disclosures are value relevant. Moreover, the results demonstrate that environmental and social subscores are both significant when return on assets (ROA) is used as a dependent variable. Furthermore, the robustness tests show that only qualitative ESG information is value relevant to share prices, while both quantitative and qualitative ESG information are relevant to ROA. In addition, the disclosure quality of annual reports alone is good in explaining the firm financial performance in this study.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing non-financial reporting literature using hand-collected data as well as examining the firm financial performance of ESG reporting under the mandatory disclosure regime in the Hong Kong context.
The value of voluntary participation in construction dispute mediation
Authors: Cao Nan , Cheung Sai On
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Voluntary participation (VP) has been identified as one of the characterizing features of mediation. This study aims to examine the value of VP in construction dispute mediation from two perspectives. Firstly, is VP a prerequisite of successful construction mediation. Secondly, does power asymmetry (PA) between the contracting parties marginalize the value of VP in fostering the use of mediation to resolve construction disputes.

Design/methodology/approach

Constructs of VP, PA and prerequisites of successful mediation were first developed. Principal component factor analysis was performed on data collected from the construction dispute resolution community to explore the underlying structure of the constructs. The relationships between the constructs were tested by structural equation modelling.

Findings

VP is found to be an important attribute of successful mediation. PA is also found to be inherent in construction contracting. This study identified three forms of PA: Resource, Information and Expectation. Moreover, this study found no conclusive empirical evidence to support that PA would marginalize the value of VP in fostering an attempt to construction dispute mediation. It is suggested that VP shall remain one of characterizing features of mediation.

Practical implications

The users, mediators and the judiciary should be aware of the importance of VP in mediation, irrespective of the use of mediation is contractual or court-encouraged. Although the presence of PA between the disputing parties, through participating voluntarily and ensuring the mediation process is flexible and fair, the chance of achieving a settlement would be enhanced.

Originality/value

VP has been viewed as one of the fundamentals of mediation. This study empirically supported this design concept. Furthermore, PA in construction contracting can be expressed as disparities in resource, information and expectation. Their existence presents no significant barrier to attempt of mediation. The flexible approach of mediation has been instrumental in overcoming the paradox between VP and PA. This study affirms the positive value of VP in fostering the use of construction dispute mediation.
A critique of the national asset reconstruction company, India’s bad bank
Authors: Prasad Rohit
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to provide a critique of the institutional framework of the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), India’s “bad bank.”

Design/methodology/approach

The approach followed is the development of an economic model of the gains to trade of an Asset Reconstruction Company.

Findings

Using an economic model, the paper shows that the rules of the game create an uneven playing field and are likely to lead to a systematic overpricing of nonperforming loans (NPLs). While this might increase the upfront cash received by the bank, it will come at the cost of higher liabilities for the government on account of the sovereign guarantee that is part of the proposed structure. The overpricing is also likely to act as an obstacle to efforts aimed at the revival of the distressed company. The NARCL could become a warehouse for NPLs subverting the objective of reconstruction.

Practical implications

Solutions to create a vibrant market for NPLs are proposed.

Originality/value

The Indian case is unique in the sense that a bad bank backed by the government has been introduced after almost two decades of the existence of similar entities in the private sector. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first that addresses the design of such a market using economic modeling.
Does CSR reduce financial distress? Moderating effect of firm characteristics, auditor characteristics, and covid-19
Authors: Rahman Md Jahidur , Zhu Hongtao , Chen Sihe
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial distress and the moderating effect of firm characteristics, auditor characteristics and the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The research question is empirically examined on the basis of a data set of 1,257 Chinese-listed firms from 2011 to 2021. The dependent variable is financial distress risk, which is measured mainly by Z-score. CSR score is used as a proxy for CSR. Propensity score matching, two-stage least square and generalized method of moments are adopted to mitigate the potential endogeneity issue.

Findings

This study reveals that CSR can reduce financial distress. Specifically, results show an inverse relationship between CSR and financial distress, more significantly in non-state-owned enterprises, firms with non-BigN auditor and during Covid-19. The results are consistent and robust to endogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses.

Originality/value

This study enriches the literature on CSR and financial distress, resulting in a more attractive corporate environment, improved financial stability and more crisis-resistant economies in China.
Evaluation of the level of awareness of the inhabitants on the importance of the energy retrofitting of buildings: case study of Tlemcen (Algeria)
Authors: Djebbar Khadidja El-Bahdja , Mokhtari Abderahemane
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the awareness of the inhabitants regarding energy consumption in relation to comfort in Tlemcen and analyze the paths of influence and the effects of individual objective and subjective characteristic factors. This determines the factors' level of perception of the importance of energy retrofitting.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of an exploratory empirical study, this paper further discusses accompanied survey data from a sample of 208 properties, through a triangulation of in-depth qualitative studies and quantitative studies developed and analyzed by SPSS software (the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).

Findings

Analysis of the results of the survey shows that the respondents have a level of awareness on comfort linked to energy savings but they lack guidance and recourse to specialists. The conclusion is that resident awareness is crucial and beneficial and that the key socio-demographic characteristics to determine the perception factors are related to age, occupation, household size and time lived in the house.

Originality/value

By exploring some of the key insights from the survey, this research improves residents' perception of the importance of energy retrofitting in the residential sector, highlighting the importance of priorities. This influences public attitudes and contributes to raising awareness in order to provide useful results for developing, in future studies, motivational strategies for these inhabitants. The present research is expected to add value to existing studies academically and methodologically and provide policy guidance to policy makers and other energy efficiency (EE) practitioners in the Maghreb region and beyond.
Understanding consumers' upward blame attribution, revenge and reconciliation toward multinational versus domestic brand scandals
Authors: Yuan Shaofeng , Li Jinping , Gao Ying
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study investigated a new attributional phenomenon in a brand scandal setting in which consumers tend to blame the top management of a brand, even though it was the frontline parties that caused the scandal. The authors termed this phenomenon upward blame attribution (UBA), shedding light on whether consumers in a host country indicate a higher UBA for a multinational (vs domestic) brand scandal, which in turn reinforces their revenge and impairs their reconciliation reactions, and whether these effects are contingent on consumer animosity.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies were conducted with real and fictitious brand/product and country stimuli with 1,399 Chinese participants.

Findings

Both studies verified UBA and found that Chinese consumers' UBA is higher for multinational (vs domestic) brand scandals, which drives their stronger desire for revenge and weaker desire for reconciliation. Moreover, consumers with high (vs low) animosity toward a multinational brand's home country reported a higher UBA for the multinational (vs domestic) brand scandal, which in turn reinforces their desire for revenge and impairs their desire for reconciliation.

Practical implications

The study provides new insights into host-country consumers' more severe UBA and responses toward multinational versus domestic brand scandals and the amplifying role of consumer animosity in these processes. It also has implications for mitigating host-country consumers' UBA and negative responses to multinational brand scandals.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the blame attribution literature by verifying consumers' UBA and the country-of-origin (COO) literature by revealing host-country consumers' higher UBA, stronger revenge desire and weaker reconcile desire toward multinational (vs domestic) brand scandals. It extends the knowledge regarding consumers' blame attributions toward the top management of a multinational (vs domestic) brand in scandals and the impact of such attributions.
The quest for surviving COVID-19: adoption of online technologies by self-employed women in Mauritius
Authors: Kasseeah Harshana
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study sheds light on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on self-employed women in Mauritius and delves into their coping strategies amid unprecedented circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a comprehensive methodology encompassing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative analysis is conducted via interviews with self-employed women in Mauritius, capturing their experience with COVID-19. Quantitative analysis uses survey data from 732 firms to investigate factors affecting online sales, a major survival strategy adopted by businesses.

Findings

The study finds a notable trend wherein many interviewed women have transitioned their businesses online – a pivot that stands out as a common response within the sample. The quantitative analysis indicates the significance of a strong online presence, particularly on social media and web-based platforms designed for the sale of goods and services. These factors correlate with higher online sales, potentially enhancing resilience during pandemic-induced lockdown periods.

Originality/value

This study stands out for its originality, representing the first study investigating how women entrepreneurs in Mauritius have navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.
Measuring the causal effect of Panama Canal expansion on Latin America and the Caribbean's economic growth: a Bayesian structural time series approach
Authors: Miller Kahuina , Clayton Andrea
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study provides empirical evidence on the impact of the Panama Canal expansion (PCE) on the economies of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, particularly in light of the emergence of larger container ships such as neo-Panamax and post-Panamax vessels.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Bayesian structural time Series (BSTS) model to evaluate the economic effects of the PCE on 21 countries within the LAC region. It utilized the World Bank's gross domestic product (GDP) figures between 2000 and 2019 as the primary variable, alongside the human development index (HDI) (X1), container throughput (TEU) (X2) and unemployment rates (UNEMPL) (X3) covariates. This allowed a precise and robust approach to analyzing time series data while accounting for uncertainties and allowing the inclusion of various components and external factors.

Findings

The findings revealed that the PCE has a positive and statistically significant impact on most countries within the Caribbean Transshipment Triangle, ranging from 9.2% in Belize to 46% in Cuba. This suggests that the causal effect of the PCE on regional economies was not confined to any specific type of economy or geographical location within the LAC region. Where the growth rates were statistically insignificant, primarily in some Latin American countries, it coincided with countries that are primarily driven by exports and service industries, where bulk and oil tanker vessels are likely to be the main carriers for exports rather than container vessels.

Originality/value

The practical implications of this research are crucial for various stakeholders in the maritime industry and economic planning. The factors influencing economic growth resulting from investing in maritime activities are vital for decision-makers to create policies that lead to positive outcomes and sustainable development in regions and countries with flourishing maritime industries. The methodology and findings have significant implications for governments, managers, professionals, policy-makers and investors.
Financial risk-taking in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Hamurcu Çağrı , Hamurcu Hayriye Dilek Yalvac , Karakuş Merve
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the financial risk-taking behaviors of adult individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted with adults (n = 80) diagnosed with ADHD and healthy controls (n = 80). In order to measure risk-taking in the financial domain, the items in the investment and gambling sub-dimensions of the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale (DOSPERT) were applied.

Findings

Adults with ADHD had higher investment and gambling risk-taking and expected benefits scores than the control group, and there was no difference between the two groups in terms of risk perceptions. In the regression analysis, there was a positive linear relationship between the investment and gambling risk-taking scores and the expected benefits scores in both groups. There was a negative linear relationship between investment risk-taking and risk perceptions scores only in the control group.

Originality/value

In terms of investment and gambling, both risk-taking and expected benefits are greater in individuals with ADHD. It has been observed that while healthy individuals take investment risks, they evaluate according to the expected benefits and risk perceptions, while individuals with ADHD make evaluations only according to the expected benefits, risk perceptions do not predict financial risk-taking in individuals with ADHD. When it comes to risk-taking related to gambling, both groups take risks only according to their expectations of benefits, not their perceptions of risk. The study provides outputs that can contribute to the literature in terms of the effects of ADHD diagnosis on financial decision-making processes in the context of risk-taking.
Additively manufactured medical bone screws: an initial study to investigate the impact of lattice-based Voronoi structure on implant primary stability
Authors: Bregoli Chiara , Fiocchi Jacopo , Biffi Carlo Alberto , Tuissi Ausonio
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The present study investigates the mechanical properties of three types of Ti6Al4V ELI bone screws realized using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process: a fully threaded screw and two groups containing differently arranged sectors made of lattice-based Voronoi (LBV) structure in a longitudinal and transversal position, respectively. This study aims to explore the potentialities related to the introduction of LBV structure and assess its impact on the implant’s primary stability and mechanical performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimized bone screw designs were realized using the LPBF process. The quality and integrity of the specimens were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography. Primary stability was experimentally verified by the insertion and removal of the screws in standard polyurethane foam blocks. Finally, torsional tests were carried out to compare and assess the mechanical strength of the different designs.

Findings

The introduction of the LBV structure decreases the elastic modulus of the implant. Longitudinal LBV type screws demonstrated the lowest insertion torque (associated with lower bone damage) while still displaying promising torsional strength and removal force compared with full-thread screws. The use of LBV structure can promote improved functional performances with respect to the reference thread, enabling the use of lattice structures in the biomedical sector.

Originality/value

The paper fulfils an identified interest in designing customized implants with improved primary stability and promising features for secondary stability.
Design thinking for innovation in sustainable built environments: a systematic literature review
Authors: Tantiyaswasdikul Kallaya
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This systematic literature review investigates the contribution of design thinking (DT) as a process and tool to drive innovation in a sustainable built environment (SBE) and develops a new model for sustainability research integrating DT and future thinking approaches toward achieving a unified DT and foresight notion for future research and applications.

Design/methodology/approach

This review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Open-access English articles published between 2000 and 2022 identified using the EBSCOhost, Emerald Insight, DOJA, JSTOR, Scopus and Taylor and Francis database searches were reviewed. The review framework deploys a previously proposed modified Ansoff matrix with an integrated innovation matrix to identify and analyze the challenges and opportunities for innovation growth in SBE. Additionally, a citation analysis was conducted to explore the impact of DT for innovation in SBE, and a proposed framework based on design by drawing on foresight theory was developed.

Findings

Research on DT for innovation in SBE faces the challenge of unanticipated impacts. According to the average number of citations per document, innovation associated with new solutions within a new context seems to become highly influential. Additionally, research gaps exist in the integration of foresight and DT into sustainability research to identify new contexts and solutions to SBE. A model of foresight design thinking (FDT) is proposed to guide future research and support the practical application of DT in sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis was limited by the selection criteria as only certain keywords were used and English-only articles were selected. Future research should consider the use of DT for innovation in SBE using various important keywords, which would improve research findings and expand the contribution of DT to SBE.

Practical implications

The FDT model offers a new holistic framework for the iterative process of reframing and reperception, focusing on divergent and convergent thinking with the goal of contributing to SBE practices.

Social implications

The integrated framework of DT and foresight can contribute to the study and development of sustainable innovation and a strategic shift toward a sustainable society.

Originality/value

The integration of DT, foresight and sustainability can broaden the horizons of sustainability research by systematically addressing future challenges related to SBE, which can be translated into feasible and innovative solutions. Thus, the FDT model complements the application of DT in sustainable innovation in this research field.
Siderophore‐producing Pantoea ferrattrahens sp. nov. isolated from a clinical specimen and Pantoea ferramans sp. nov. isolated from soil at the bottom of a pond
Authors: Kutsuna Ryo , Miyoshi‐Akiyama Tohru , Muramatsu Yuki , Hamada Moriyuki , Tomida Junko , Kikuchi Ken , Kawamura Yoshiaki
Published: September 2023

Two Gram‐negative facultative anaerobes were isolated from a sepsis patient with pancreatic cancer (strain PAGU 2156T) and soil at the bottom of a pond (strain PAGU 2198T), respectively. These two strains formed haloes around the colonies on chrome azurol S agar plates, indicating the production of siderophores. Two isolates assigned to the genus Pantoea based on the 16S rRNA gene were differentiated from established species by using polymorphic taxonomies. Phylogenetic analysis using four housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoB, atpD, and infB) showed that strain PAGU 2156T is closely related to Pantoea cypripedii LMG 2657T (89.9%) or Pantoea septica LMG 5345T (95.7%). Meanwhile, strain PAGU 2198T formed a single clade with Pantoea rodasii DSM 26611T (93.6%) and Pantoea rwandensis DSM 105076T (93.3%). The average nucleotide identity values obtained from the draft genome assembly showed ≤90.2% between strain PAGU 2156T and closely related species and ≤81.5% between strain PAGU 2198T and closely related species. Based on various phenotypes, biochemical properties, and whole‐cell fatty acid composition compared with related species, it was concluded that each strain should be classified as a new species of the genus Pantoea. In this manuscript, Pantoea ferrattrahens sp. nov. and Pantoea ferramans sp. nov. with strain PAGU 2156T (=NBRC 115930T = CCUG 76757T) and strain PAGU 2198T (=NBRC 114265T = CCUG 75151T) are proposed as each type strain.
Assessing the sensitivity and resistance of communities in a changing environment
Authors: Sæther Bernt‐Erik , Engen Steinar , Solbu Erik Blystad
Published: September 2023

We propose that the ecological resilience of communities to permanent changes of the environment can be based on how variation in the overall abundance of individuals affects the number of species. Community sensitivity is defined as the ratio between the rate of change in the log expected number of species and the rate of change in the log expected number of individuals in the community. High community sensitivity means that small changes in the total abundance strongly impact the number of species. Community resistance is the proportional reduction in expected number of individuals that the community can sustain before expecting to lose one species. A small value of community resistance means that the community can only endure a small reduction in abundance before it is expected to lose one species.

Based on long‐term studies of four bird communities in European deciduous forests at different latitudes large differences were found in the resilience to environmental perturbations. Estimating the variance components of the species abundance distribution revealed how different processes contributed to the community sensitivity and resistance. Species heterogeneity in the population dynamics was the largest component, but its proportion varied among communities. Species‐specific response to environmental fluctuations was the second major component of the variation in abundance.

Estimates of community sensitivity and resistance based on data only from a single year were in general larger than those based on estimates from longer time series. Thus, our approach can provide rapid and conservative assessment of the resilience of communities to environmental changes also including only short‐term data.

This study shows that a general ecological mechanism, caused by increased strength of density dependence due to reduction in resource availability, can provide an intuitive measure of community resilience to environmental variation. Our analyses also illustrate the importance of including specific assumptions about how different processes affect community dynamics. For example, if stochastic fluctuations in the environment affect all species in a similar way, the sensitivity and resistance of the community to environmental changes will be different from communities in which all species show independent responses.
Genotypic variations and interspecific interactions modify gene expression and biofilm formation of Xanthomonas retroflexus
Authors: Jacquiod Samuel , Olsen Nanna Mee Coops , Blouin Manuel , Røder Henriette Lyng , Burmølle Mette
Published: September 2023

Multispecies biofilms are important models for studying the evolution of microbial interactions. Co‐cultivation of Xanthomonas retroflexus (XR) and Paenibacillus amylolyticus (PA) systemically leads to the appearance of an XR wrinkled mutant (XRW), increasing biofilm production. The nature of this new interaction and the role of each partner remain unclear. We tested the involvement of secreted molecular cues in this interaction by exposing XR and XRW to PA or its supernatant and analysing the response using RNA‐seq, colony‐forming unit (CFU) estimates, biofilm quantification, and microscopy. Compared to wild type, the mutations in XRW altered its gene expression and increased its CFU number. These changes matched the reported effects for one of the mutated genes: a response regulator part of a two‐component system involved in environmental sensing. When XRW was co‐cultured with PA or its supernatant, the mutations effects on XRW gene expression were masked, except for genes involved in sedentary lifestyle, being consistent with the higher biofilm production. It appears that the higher biofilm production was the result of the interaction between the genetic context (mutations) and the biotic environment (PA signals). Regulatory genes involved in environmental sensing need to be considered to shed further light on microbial interactions.
Countering ‘the moral science of biopolitics’: Understanding hepatitis C treatment ‘non‐compliance’ in the antiviral era
Authors: Moore David , Fraser Suzanne , Farrugia Adrian , Fomiatti Renae , Edwards Michael , Birbilis Elizabeth , Treloar Carla
Published: September 2023

Although new hepatitis C treatments are a vast improvement on older, interferon‐based regimens, there are those who have not taken up treatment, as well as those who have begun but not completed treatment. In this article, we analyse 50 interviews conducted for an Australian research project on treatment uptake. We draw on Berlant’s (2007, Critical Inquiry, 33) work on ‘slow death’ to analyse so‐called ‘non‐compliant’ cases, that is, those who begin but do not complete treatment or who do not take antiviral treatment as directed. Approached from a biomedical perspective, such activity does not align with the neoliberal values of progress, self‐improvement and rational accumulation that pervade health discourses. However, we argue that it is more illuminating to understand them as cases in which sovereignty and agency are neither simplistically individualised nor denied, and where ‘modes of incoherence, distractedness, and habituation’ are understood to co‐exist alongside ‘deliberate and deliberative activity […] in the reproduction of predictable life’ (Berlant, 2007, p. 754). The analysed accounts highlight multiple direct and indirect forces of attrition and powerfully demonstrate the socially produced character of agency, a capacity that takes shape through the constraining and exhausting dynamics of life in conditions of significant disadvantage.
Temporal lobe uncal herniation with contralateral superior cerebellar artery infarct
Authors: Chang Koping , Vincenti Donna M. , Troncoso Juan C.
Published: September 2023

Herniation of the temporal lobe uncus typically leads to the compression of the ipsilateral oculomotor nerve, resulting in ipsilateral mydriasis, as well as compression of the ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery, leading to infarction in the posterior inferior temporal lobe and medial occipital cortex. In this report, we present the case of a 45‐year‐old man with a large left subdural hematoma. At autopsy, we observed left cingulate and uncal herniations, along with the characteristic lesions of Kernohan notch phenomenon due to compression of the contralateral cerebral peduncle. Additionally, a hemorrhagic infarct was identified in the right cerebellar hemisphere in the distribution of the superior cerebellar artery (SCA). This case provides the first autopsy report of uncal herniation with contralateral SCA infarct, an extremely rare condition. Importantly, this vascular complication may often go unnoticed in patients with Kernohan notch phenomenon although it may carry a grave clinical prognosis.
A critical review on antiviral peptides derived from viral glycoproteins and host receptors to decoy herpes simplex virus
Authors: Rahangdale Rakesh , Tender Tenzin , Balireddy Sridevi , Goswami Kamini , Pasupuleti Mukesh , Hariharapura Raghu Chandrashekar
Published: September 2023

The health of the human population has been continuously challenged by viral infections. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the common causes of illness and can lead to death in immunocompromised patients. Existing anti‐HSV therapies are not completely successful in eliminating the infection due to anti‐viral drug resistance, ineffectiveness against the latent virus and high toxicity over prolonged use. There is a need to update our knowledge of the current challenges faced in anti‐HSV therapeutics and realize the necessity of developing alternative treatment approaches. Protein therapeutics are now being explored as a novel approach due to their high specificity and low toxicity. This review highlights the significance of HSV viral glycoproteins and host receptors in the pathogenesis of HSV infection. Proteins or peptides derived from HSV glycoproteins gC, gB, gD, gH and host cell receptors (HSPG, nectin and HVEM) that act as decoys to inhibit HSV attachment, entry, or fusion have been discussed. Few researchers have tried to improve the efficacy and stability of the identified peptides by modifying them using a peptidomimetic approach. With these efforts, we think developing an alternative treatment option for immunocompromised patients and drug‐resistant organisms is not far off.
Aging and urinary control: Alterations in the brain–bladder axis
Authors: Hardy Cara C. , Korstanje Ron
Published: September 2023

Age‐associated alterations in bladder control affect millions of older adults, with a heavy burden added to families both economically and in quality of life. Therapeutic options are limited with poor efficacy in older adults, lending to a growing need to address the gaps in our current understanding of urinary tract aging. This review summarizes the current knowledge of age‐associated alterations in the structure and function of the brain–bladder axis and identifies important gaps in the field that have yet to be addressed. Urinary aging is associated with decreased tissue responsiveness, decreased control over the voiding reflex, signaling dysfunction along the brain–bladder axis, and structural changes within the bladder wall. Studies are needed to improve our understanding of how age affects the brain–bladder axis and identify genetic targets that correlate with functional outcomes.