bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperinsulinemia promotes HMGB1 release leading to inflammation induced systemic insulin resistance: An interplay between pancreatic beta-cell and peripheral organs
Authors: Choubey Abhinav , Kar Aditya K , Girdhar Khyati , Chattopadhyay Tandrika , Dogra Surbhi , Kushwaha Shaivya , Medhi Bikash , Bhansali Anil , Mantri Chinmay Kumar , Kolthur-Seetharam Ullas , Ghosh Debabrata , Mondal Prosenjit
Published: July 2019

Insulin resistance results from several pathophysiologic mechanisms, including chronic tissue inflammation and defective insulin signaling. Pancreatic β-cells hypersecretion (hyperinsulinemia), is a central hallmark of peripheral insulin resistance. However, the underlying mechanism by which hyperinsulinemia perpetuates towards the development of insulin resistance remains unclear and is still a bigger therapeutic challenge. Here, we found hyperinsulinemia triggers inflammation and insulin resistance by stimulating TLR4-driven inflammatory cascades. We show that hyperinsulinemia activates the TLR4 signaling through HMGB1, an endogenous TLR4 ligand emanating from hyperinsulinemia exposed immune cells and peripheral organs like adipose tissue and liver. Further, our observation suggests hyperinsulinemia ensuring hyperacetylation, nuclear-to-cytoplasmic shuttling and release of HMGB1 into the extracellular space. HMGB1 was also found to be elevated in serum of T2DM patients. We found that extracellular HMGB1 plays a crucial role to promote proinflammatory responses and provokes systemic insulin resistance. Importantly, in-vitro and in-vivo treatment with naltrexone, a TLR4 antagonist led to an anti-inflammatory phenotype with protection from hyperinsulinemia mediated insulin resistance. In-vitro treatment with naltrexone directly enhanced SIRT1 activity, blocked the release of HMGB1 into extracellular milieu, suppressed release of proinflammatory cytokines and ultimately led to insulin-sensitizing effects. These observations elucidate a regulatory network between pancreatic β-cells, macrophage and hepatocytes and assign an unexpected role of TLR4 - HMGB1 signaling axis in hyperinsulinemia mediated systemic insulin resistance.

Graphical Abstract
The potential for gas-free measurements of absolute oxygen metabolism during both baseline and activation states in the human brain
Authors: Liu Eulanca Y. , Guo Jia , Simon Aaron B. , Haist Frank , Dubowitz David J. , Buxton Richard B.
Published: July 2019

Quantitative functional magnetic resonance imaging methods make it possible to measure cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2) in the human brain. Current methods require the subject to breathe special gas mixtures (hypercapnia and hyperoxia). We tested a noninvasive suite of methods to measure absolute CMRO2in both baseline and dynamic activation states without the use of special gases: arterial spin labeling (ASL) to measure baseline and activation cerebral blood flow (CBF), with concurrent measurement of the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal as a dynamic change in tissue R2*; VSEAN to estimate baseline O2extraction fraction (OEF) from a measurement of venous blood R2, which in combination with the baseline CBF measurement yields an estimate of baseline CMRO2; and FLAIR-GESSE to measure tissue R2′to estimate the scaling parameter needed for calculating the change in CMRO2in response to a stimulus with the calibrated BOLD method. Here we describe results for a study sample of 17 subjects (8 female, mean age=25.3 years, range 21-31 years). The primary findings were that OEF values measured with the VSEAN method were in good agreement with previous PET findings, while estimates of the dynamic change in CMRO2in response to a visual stimulus were in good agreement between the traditional hypercapnia calibration and calibration based on R2′. These results support the potential of gas-free methods for quantitative physiological measurements.

Synopsis

We tested noninvasive methods to measure absolute oxygen metabolism (CMRO2) in both baseline and activation states without the use of special gases: VSEAN to measure baseline O2extraction fraction (OEF), and FLAIR-GESSE to measure R2′to estimate the scaling parameterM. Primary findings were: CMRO2changes to visual stimulation derived from R2′were similar to estimates based on hypercapnia-derivedM; OEF values were in good agreement with previous PET findings; and, variation of baseline CBF/CMRO2coupling across subjects does not follow activation coupling, suggesting different mechanisms may be involved. These results support the potential of gas-free methods for quantitative physiological measurements.

Purpose

To demonstrate the potential for two non-invasive techniques, VSEAN and FLAIR-GESSE, for absolute measurements of CMRO2during both baseline and activation states.
Longitudinal single cell transcriptomics reveals Krt8+ alveolar epithelial progenitors in lung regeneration
Authors: Strunz Maximilian , Simon Lukas M. , Ansari Meshal , Mattner Laura F. , Angelidis Ilias , Mayr Christoph H. , Kathiriya Jaymin , Yee Min , Ogar Paulina , Sengupta Arunima , Kukhtevich Igor , Schneider Robert , Zhao Zhongming , Neumann Jens H.L. , Behr Jürgen , Voss Carola , Stöger Tobias , Lehmann Mareike , Königshoff Melanie , Burgstaller Gerald , O’Reilly Michael , Chapman Harold A. , Theis Fabian J. , Schiller Herbert B.
Published: July 2019

Lung injury activates quiescent stem and progenitor cells to regenerate alveolar structures. The sequence and coordination of transcriptional programs during this process has largely remained elusive. Using single cell RNA-seq, we first generated a whole-organ bird’s-eye view on cellular dynamics and cell-cell communication networks during mouse lung regeneration from ∼30,000 cells at six timepoints. We discovered an injury-specific progenitor cell state characterized by Krt8 in flat epithelial cells covering alveolar surfaces. The number of these cells peaked during fibrogenesis in independent mouse models, as well as in human acute lung injury and fibrosis. Krt8+ progenitors featured a highly distinct connectome of receptor-ligand pairs with endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages. To ‘sky dive’ into epithelial differentiation dynamics, we sequenced >30,000 sorted epithelial cells at 18 timepoints and computationally derived cell state trajectories that were validated by lineage tracing genetic reporter mice. Airway stem cells within the club cell lineage and alveolar type-2 cells underwent transcriptional convergence onto the same Krt8+ progenitor cell state, which later resolved by terminal differentiation into alveolar type-1 cells. We derived distinct transcriptional regulators as key switch points in this process and show that induction of TNF-alpha/NFkappaB, p53, and hypoxia driven gene expression programs precede a Sox4, Ctnnb1, and Wwtr1 driven switch towards alveolar type-1 cell fate. We show that epithelial cell plasticity can induce non-gradual transdifferentiation, involving intermediate progenitor cell states that may persist and promote disease if checkpoint signals for terminal differentiation are perturbed.
The functional connectivity of the human claustrum according to the Human Connectome Project database
Authors: Rodríguez-Vidal Lluviana , Alcauter Sarael , Barrios Fernando A
Published: July 2019

The claustrum is an irregular and fine sheet of grey matter in the basolateral telencephalon present in almost all mammals. The claustrum has been the object of several studies using animal models and more recently in human beings using neuroimaging. Believed to be involved in cognition and disease such as fear recognition, suppression of natural urges, multisensory integration, conceptual integration, seizures, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Nevertheless, the function of the claustrum still remains unclear. We present a functional connectivity study of the claustrum in order to identify its main networks. Resting state functional and anatomical MRI data from 100 healthy subjects were analyzed; taken from the Human Connectome Project (HCP, NIH Blueprint: The Human Connectome Project), with 2×2×2 mm3 voxel resolution. Positive functional connectivity was found (p<0.05, FDR corrected) between the claustrum and the insula, anterior cingulate cortex, pre-central and postcentral gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, and subcortical areas. Our findings coincide with the results previously reported in both animal models and studies with humans. Showing the claustrum as a well-connected structure not only structurally but also functionally. Evidencing the claustrum as a node participating in different neural networks.
Towards a state-space geometry of neural responses to natural scenes: A steady-state approach
Authors: Hansen Bruce C. , Field David J. , Greene Michelle R. , Olson Cassady , Miskovic Vladimir
Published: July 2019

Our understanding of information processing by the mammalian visual system has come through a variety of techniques ranging from psychophysics and fMRI to single unit recording and EEG. Each technique provides unique insights into the processing framework of the early visual system. Here, we focus on the nature of the information that is carried by steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs). To study the information provided by SSVEPs, we presented human participants with a population of natural scenes and measured the relative SSVEP response. Rather than focus on particular features of this signal, we focused on the full state-space of possible responses and investigated how the evoked responses are mapped onto this space. Our results show that it is possible to map the relatively high-dimensional signal carried by SSVEPs onto a 2-dimensional space with little loss. We also show that a simple biologically plausible model can account for a high proportion of the explainable variance (∼73%) in that space. Finally, we describe a technique for measuring the mutual information that is available about images from SSVEPs. The techniques introduced here represent a new approach to understanding the nature of the information carried by SSVEPs. Crucially, this approach is general and can provide a means of comparing results across different neural recording methods. Altogether, our study sheds light on the encoding principles of early vision and provides a much needed reference point for understanding subsequent transformations of the early visual response space to deeper knowledge structures that link different visual environments.
The double-edge sword of heterogeneous ripening pattern in winter wheat cultivar mixtures: A case study under post-anthesis water stress
Authors: Haghshenas Abbas , Emam Yahya , Sepaskhah Ali Reza , Edalat Mohsen
Published: July 2019

Wheat cultivar mixtures with heterogeneous phenology has a less-explored potential to improve crop diversity, yield stability, and agronomic features particularly in response to the currently increased environmental stresses and uncertainties. To investigate the option of using wheat cultivar mixtures with different ripening patterns for mitigating the adverse effects of post-anthesis water stress, a two-year field experiment was conducted during 2014-15 and 2015-16 growing seasons at the research field of School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran. The factorial experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replicates, in which 15 mixture treatments including monocultures and every 11 possible mixtures of four early- to middle-ripening wheat cultivars were grown under two normal and post-anthesis deficit-irrigation conditions. Measured traits and estimated indices included grain yield and its components, canopy temperature, soil water content, water productivity, susceptibility index, and water use efficiency. The results indicated that under the stressful condition of post-anthesis deficit-irrigation, heterogeneity in the ripening pattern of mixtures was declined. Consequently, dissimilarities in grain yields as well as various agronomic characters of mixture treatments were also lessened. This may be an evidence for the negative effect of water shortage stress on heterogeneity within agroecosystems. Although cultivar mixtures showed some casual advantages in some traits, such beneficial effects were not consistent across all conditions. Moreover, no cultivar mixture produced higher grain yield than the maximum monoculture. Despite the general expectation for beneficial ecological services from cultivar mixtures, in many cases disadvantageous blends were found which led to a considerable reduction in grain yield and water productivity. Therefore, it is suggested that unless the performance, and preferably the involved mechanisms, of cultivar mixtures are not fully understood, use of blends as an alternative for conventional high-input wheat cropping systems may lead to adverse results.
Dissecting the first phased dikaryotic genomes of the wheat rust pathogenPuccinia triticinareveals the mechanisms of somatic exchange in nature
Authors: Wu Jing Qin , Dong Chongmei , Song Long , Cuomo Christina A. , Park Robert F.
Published: July 2019

Although somatic hybridization (SH) has been proposed as a means of accelerating rust pathogen virulence evolution in the absence of sexual recombination, previous studies are limited to the laboratory and none have revealed how this process happens. Using long-read sequencing, we generated dikaryotic phased genomes and annotations for three Australian field-collected isolates of the wheat leaf rust pathogen (Puccinia triticina; Pt), including a putative asexual hybrid (Pt64) and two putative parental isolates (Pt104 and Pt53; 132-141 Mb,155-176 contigs, N50of 1.9-2.1 Mb). The genetic dissection based on the high-quality phased genomes including whole-genome alignments, phylogenetic and syntenic analyses along with short-read sequencing of 27 additionalPtisolates convergently demonstrated that Pt64, which rendered several commercial hybrid wheat cultivars susceptible to leaf rust, arose from SH between isolates within the Pt53 and Pt104 lineages. Parentage analysis demonstrated the role of mitotic crossover in the derivation of both nuclei of Pt64. Within HD mating type genes, the distinct specificity regions in Pt64 and the distinct phylogenetic pattern of the remaining admixed isolates suggested high genetic variation in specificity-related regions on theblocus intrinsically associated with the SH. This study not only provided a fundamental platform for investigating genomic variation underlying virulence evolution in one of the most devastating wheat pathogens, but also offered an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of naturally occurring SH. This asexual mechanism can be broadly exploited by any dikaryotic pathogen to accelerate virulence evolution, and understanding this process is both urgent and crucial for sustainable pathogen control.

Importance

Strategies to manage plant rust pathogens are challenged by the constant emergence of new virulence. Although somatic hybridization has been proposed as a means by which rusts could overcome host resistance rapidly and cause crop loss, there is very little evidence of this process in nature and the mechanisms underlying it are not known. This study generated and analysed the first dikaryotic phased genomes of the wheat leaf rust pathogen, identifying an isolate as a hybrid and for the first time unveiling parasexuality via mitotic crossover in a rust pathogen. The erosion of the resistance of several hybrid wheat cultivars in agriculture by the hybrid rust has important implications for breeding efforts targeting durable resistance and sustained rust control.
Reactive oxygen species prevent lysosome coalescence during PIKfyve inhibition
Authors: Saffi Golam T. , Tang Evan , Inpanathan Subothan , Mammad Sami , Fountain Aaron , Salmena Leonardo , Botelho Roberto J.
Published: July 2019

Lysosomes are terminal, degradative organelles of the endosomal pathway that undergo repeated fusion-fission cycles with themselves, endosomes, phagosomes, and autophagosomes. Lysosome number and size depends on balanced fusion and fission rates. Thus, conditions that favour fusion over fission can reduce lysosome numbers while enlarging their size. Conversely, favouring fission over fusion may cause lysosome fragmentation and increase their numbers. PIKfyve is a phosphoinositide kinase that generates phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate to modulate lysosomal functions. PIKfyve inhibition causes an increase in lysosome size and reduction in lysosome number, consistent with lysosome coalescence. This is thought to proceed through reduced lysosome reformation and/or fission after fusion with endosomes or other lysosomes. Previously, we observed that photo-damage during live-cell imaging prevented lysosome coalescence during PIKfyve inhibition. Thus, we postulated that lysosome fusion and/or fission dynamics are affected by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we show that ROS generated by various independent mechanisms all impaired lysosome coalescence during PIKfyve inhibition and accelerated lysosome fragmentation during re-activation. However, depending on the ROS species or mode of production, lysosome dynamics were affected distinctly. H2O2 impaired lysosome motility and reduced lysosome fusion with phagosomes, suggesting that H2O2 reduces lysosome fusogenecity. In comparison, inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, glutathione, and thioredoxin that produce superoxide, did not impair lysosome motility but instead promoted clearance of actin puncta on lysosomes formed during PIKfyve inhibition. Additionally, actin depolymerizing agents prevented lysosome coalescence during PIKfyve inhibition. Thus, we discovered that ROS can generally prevent lysosome coalescence during PIKfyve inhibition using distinct mechanisms depending on the type of ROS.
Membrane proximal F-actin restricts local membrane protrusions and directs cell migration
Authors: Bisaria Anjali , Hayer Arnold , Garbett Damien , Cohen Daniel , Meyer Tobias
Published: July 2019

A major component of cell migration is F-actin polymerization driven membrane protrusion in the front. However, F-actin proximal to the plasma membrane also has a scaffolding role to support and attach the membrane. Here we developed a fluorescent reporter to monitor changes in the density of membrane proximal F-actin during membrane protrusion and cell migration. Strikingly, unlike total F-actin concentration, which is high in the front of migrating cells, the density of membrane proximal F-actin is low in the front and high in the back. Furthermore, local membrane protrusions only form following local decreases in membrane proximal F-actin density. Our study suggests that low density of membrane proximal F-actin is a fundamental structural parameter that locally directs membrane protrusions and globally stabilizes cell polarization during cell migration.

One Sentence Summary

Membrane protrusion and cell migration are directed by local decreases in the density of membrane proximal F-actin
Evaluation of 21 Brassica microgreens growth and nutritional profile grown under diffrenet red, blue and green LEDs combination
Authors: Kamal Khaled Y. , El-Tantawy Ahmed A. , Moneim Diaa Abdel , Salam Asmaa Abdel , Qabil Naglaa , Ash-shormillesy Salwa M. A. I. , Attia Ahmed , Ali Mohamed A. S. , Herranz Raúl , El-Esawi Mohamed A. , Nassrallah Amr A.
Published: July 2019

Microgreens are rich functional crops with valuable nutritional elements that have health benefits when used as food supplants. Growth characterization, nutritional composition profile of 21 varieties representing 5 species of the Brassica genus as microgreens were assessed under light-emitting diodes (LEDs) conditions. Microgreens were grown under four different LEDs ratios (%) (R80:B20, R20:B80, R70:G10:B20, and R20:G10:B70). Results indicated that supplemental lighting with green LEDs (R70:G10:B20) enhanced vegetative growth and morphology, while blue LEDs (R20:B80) increased the mineral composition and vitamins content. Interestingly, combining the nutritional content with the growth yield to define the optimal LEDs setup, we found that the best lighting to promote the microgreen growth was supplying the green LEDs combination (R70:G10:B20). Remarkably, under this proper conditions, Kohlrabi purple, Cabbage red, Broccoli, Kale Tucsan, Komatsuna red, Tatsoi, and Cabbage green had the highest growth and nutritional content profile as microgreens which being a health-promoting in a diet support strategy required for the human health under certain isolated of limited food conditions.
Bilateral auditory processing studied by selective cold-deactivation of cricket hearing organs
Authors: Zhang Xinyang , Hedwig Berthold
Published: July 2019

We studied bilateral processing in the auditory ON neurons of crickets using reversible cold-deactivation of the hearing organs by means of Peltier elements. Intracellular recordings of the neurons’ activity in response to acoustic stimuli were obtained, while either the ipsilateral or the contralateral hearing organ was cold-deactivated. Afferent activity was abolished at a temperature of about 10°C. In ON1 contralateral inhibition has no effect on the latency and amplitude of the phasic onset activity, it enhances the decline of the onset activity and decreases the subsequent tonic spiking response to acoustic stimuli. As a consequence the phasic onset activity becomes more salient and reciprocal inhibition may support the detection of sound pulses. Contralateral inhibition had a significant impact on the tonic ON1 response, in line with its presumed function to enhance the bilateral auditory contrast. In ON2, experiments confirmed a bilateral excitatory input, with the ipsilateral input dominating the response, and no inhibitory coupling between the ON2 neurons.
Examining cultural impacts on consumers’ environmental CSR outcomes
Authors: Bhalla Nandini , Overton Holly K.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of cultural factors on environmental CSR attitudes and purchase intentions among publics in a developed (USA) country and a developing (India) country.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a 2 (location of the company: India vs USA) × 2 (location of the CSR activity: India vs USA) between-subjects experimental design, the study examines individuals’ attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a company’s environmental CSR activities in each respective country.

Findings

Two structural equation models were created for US publics and Indian publics. Results indicated that cultural factors, specifically the uncertainty avoidance dimension, play an important role among both Indian and US residents’ attitudes toward a company’s environmental CSR efforts and their intention to purchase its products/services. Among Indians, the power distance dimension acted as a mediating factor.

Originality/value

This study is novel in its examination of the impact of cultural factors among residents in India and the USA. This information can be utilized by multinational companies to implement effective CSR activities and enhancing their global CSR communication efforts.
Facilitating or inhibiting?
Authors: Chen Hui , Liang Qiao-zhuan , Zhang Yue
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The current research studies are inconclusive about the positive or negative effects of group faultlines, especially in the Chinese context. To address this issue, this study aims to adopt an interactive perspective to explore the group interaction process. Specifically, this study proposes a new construct “interactive faultlines” to integrate overall faultlines and separate faultlines, and based on categorization-elaboration model (CEM), develops an integrated moderated mediation model to examine when and how interactive faultlines facilitate or inhibit group creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests the model with the samples of 405 employees from 95 groups in China, carrying out confirmatory factor analysis, regression analysis and process.

Findings

This study finds that the indirect effect of informational faultlines on group creativity through information elaboration is positive when social faultlines are low, but negative when social faultlines are high.

Practical implications

This research provides some practical implications on how to manage group compositions and coordinate group interaction process to make full use of the potential benefits of diverse information and avoid the possible detriment from social categorization.

Originality/value

This study adopts an interactive perspective to consider informational faultlines and social faultlines simultaneously, and constructs a focal concept “interactive faultlines.” Based on CEM, it also offers a fine-grained picture of the double-edged relationship between informational faultlines and group creativity by identifying social faultlines as a moderator and information elaboration as a mediator, which advances knowledge about the linkages between interactive faultlines and group creativity. Particularly, this study is rooted in the Chinese context and brings in indigenous attributes derived from an analysis of Eastern cultures to elucidate the particular effect of informal social connections.
Site managers’ ICT tools for monitoring resources in refurbishment
Authors: Sezer Ahmet Anıl , Bröchner Jan
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse site managers’ ICT preferences for monitoring resource use in refurbishment projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Information and communication technologies (ICT) developments for the construction industry are increasing the scope for more efficient planning and monitoring of refurbishment projects. The analysis is based on the unified theory of acceptance and the use of technology model. After a short initial survey, a Swedish web/postal questionnaire has received 78 responses from refurbishment site managers, implying a 34 per cent response rate.

Findings

Managerial choices related to ICT depend more on perceived performance expectancy than on effort expectancy. Large projects and larger firms are associated with more extensive ICT use. Site managers see little need to link to refurbishment clients’ ICT systems. Performance expectancy and age are found to influence ICT choices.

Practical implications

Site managers play a crucial role in everyday use of ICT tools in the construction industry. The outcome of this investigation is useful for developing digital support, including applications of building information modelling, to improve refurbishment site practices.

Originality/value

Much has been written about ICT support for new construction practices, but not much attention has been paid to refurbishment site managers’ media choices.
Cultural orientation, perceived support and participation of female students in formal entrepreneurship in the sub-Saharan economy of Ghana
Authors: Anlesinya Alex , Adepoju Oluwayemisi Ajoke , Richter Ulf Henning
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to examine cultural orientations and intention of Ghanaian women to engage in entrepreneurship while assessing the role of perceived support system. The aim is to contribute to the literature in the sub-Saharan African context where women entrepreneurs are generally under-researched, despite their increasing significant roles in socio-economic development in the continent even in the face of huge cultural barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a hierarchical regression analysis and Hay’s PROCESS moderation technique to analyze survey data from 190 female students from Ghana, Africa.

Findings

The results indicate that uncertainty avoidance and power distance cultural orientations have significant positive and negative effects, respectively, on women’s participation in formal entrepreneurship. However, collectivism and masculine cultural orientations do not have any effect on their intention to engage in formal entrepreneurial activity. The study further shows that perceived support system has a buffering effect on the destructive consequences of power distance culture on formal entrepreneurship intentions. On the contrary, perceived support does not moderate the relationship between uncertainty avoidance, collectivism and masculine cultural and formal entrepreneurial intention.

Practical implications

Given the fact that most African governments are making efforts to accelerate the growth and development of their economies via entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, this study’s findings encourage stakeholders to implement measures to leverage on the positive dimensions of cultures to facilitate the development of formal entrepreneurship among Ghanaian women while mitigating the negative consequences of cultural practices. The findings further highlight the need to evaluate the current level of support given to women in Ghana. The study suggests that provision of sufficient level of support can make women more willing to challenge the status quo in power distance cultures and take personal initiatives, thereby leading to more formal entrepreneurial actions.

Originality/value

This study is a significant addition to women entrepreneurship literature because the role of culture in females’ intention to participate in entrepreneurship is generally an under-researched area. Besides, our examination of national cultural variation at the individual level on formal entrepreneurship intention in a heterogeneous setting is novel. The study also highlights the buffering roles of perceived support on the destructive consequences of power distance cultural orientation on formal entrepreneurial development among women.
Technology adoption and gender-inclusive entrepreneurship education and training
Authors: Orser Barbara , Riding Allan , Li Yanhong
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Drawing on social feminist theory, this paper aims to close gaps between knowledge about gender-related barriers to information, communication and technology (ICT) adoption and the provision of entrepreneurship education and training (EET) programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical findings are drawn from 21 semi-structured interviews (22 informants) possessing differing training expertise regarding digital technology among women entrepreneurs. An open-coding technique was adopted where descriptive codes were first assigned to meaningful statements. Interpretive and pattern codes were then assigned to indicate common themes and patterns, which were reduced to higher-order categories to inform the research questions.

Findings

The findings specify and validate further gender influences in the digital economy. Digital skills are identified, and strategies to close gender barriers to ICT adoption with EET are described. The findings are discussed in reference to a large-scale, Canadian ICT adoption program.

Research limitations/implications

Perceptual data may be idiosyncratic to the sample. The work did not control for type of technology. Gender influences may differ by type of technology.

Practical implications

Findings can be used to construct gender-inclusive ICT supports and inform ICT adoption policies. This includes program eligibility and evaluation criteria to measure the socio-economic impacts.

Originality/value

The study is among the first to examine the intersection between knowledge about gender-related barriers to ICT adoption and EET. The findings can be adopted to ICT support programs targeted at small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Lesson Study effectiveness for teachers’ professional learning: a best evidence synthesis
Authors: Willems Iris , Van den Bossche Piet
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gather evidence for the effectiveness of Lesson Study (LS) for teachers’ professional learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of relevant papers published between January 2010 and April 2018 was performed. To accomplish the best evidence synthesis, relevant studies were selected based upon well-chosen keywords and inclusion criteria. Afterwards, the quality of the remaining studies was assessed by using a critical appraisal checklist combined with a strength and weakness analysis. Data sources included relevant articles identified through digital searches on Education Research Information Centre and Web of Science, as well through snowball sampling and personal contacts. A total of five studies meeting inclusion criteria were retained for this review.

Findings

These five studies describe LS as a powerful professional development approach because of its positive impact on teachers’ professional learning. A significant improvement or change for knowledge, skills, behaviour and beliefs has been reported among teachers.

Originality/value

Only studies with a design that shows high effectiveness were selected. The sample of relevant studies is currently small. As a consequence more large-scale and long-term research which illustrates the short and long-term effects of the LS approach on teachers’ and students’ learning is desirable.
Finite element approaching analysis of load localization and identification for smart structures
Authors: Li Hua , Jia Lufeng
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a numerical approaching analysis method combining the sequential unconstrained minimization technique and finite element method to identify the loading condition and geometry of smart structures accurately.

Design/methodology/approach

A new load identification model is built and the finite element approaching method is proposed by the combination of finite element method and optimization technique.

Findings

The approaching algorithm has good convergence and fast approximation speed; the accuracy can meet the engineering requirements. The approaching model is simple, and the precision is controllable and it can be used to solve the load identification problem of the smart material structure.

Originality/value

In view of the cited papers, the information sensed by the smart structure is limited, discrete and contains certain errors. How to derive the cause from the limited, error-containing discrete information is an important problem that needs to be solved by the self-diagnosis function. A load identification model based on structural displacement response is established and a numerical approximation method is proposed by combining the finite element method with the optimization technique; the load magnitude and position of the structure are identified according to the displacement measurement values of the internal finite point in the structure under the load condition.
Analysis of loss in flexural stiffness of in-service prestressed hollow plate beam
Authors: Zhang Guanhua , Wang Jiawei , Liu Jinliang , Jia Yanmin , Han Jigang
Published: July 2019

Purpose

During service, cracks are caused in prestressed concrete beams owing to overload or other non-load factors. These cracks significantly affect the safety of bridge structures. The purpose of this paper is to carry out a non-linear iterative calculation for a section of a prestressed concrete beam and obtain the change in stiffness after the section cracks.

Design/methodology/approach

The existing stress of prestressed reinforcement was measured by performing a boring stress release test on two pieces of an in-service 16 m prestressed concrete hollow plate. Considering the non-linear effects of materials, the calculation model of the loss in the flexural stiffness of the prestressed concrete beam was established based on the existing prestress. The accuracy of the non-linear calculation method and the results obtained for the section were verified by conducting a bending destruction test on two pieces of the 16 m prestressed concrete hollow plate in the same batch and by utilising the measured strain and displacement data on the concrete at the top edge of the midspan section under all load levels.

Findings

The flexural stiffness of the section decreases rapidly at first and then gradually, and structural rigidity is sensitive to the initial cracking of the beam. The method for calculating the loss in the flexural stiffness of the section established with the existing stress of prestressed reinforcement as a parameter is accurate and feasible. It realizes the possibility of assessing the loss in the rigidity of a prestressed concrete structure by adopting the existing stress of prestressed reinforcement as a parameter.

Originality/value

A method for quickly determining the loss in the stiffness of structures using existing prestress is established. By employing this method, engineers can rapidly determine whether a bridge is dangerous or not without performing a loading test. Thus, this method not only ensures the safety of human life, but also reduces the cost of testing.
Contact modeling with a finite element model in piston ring‒liner conjunction under dry conditions
Authors: Nikolakopoulos Pantelis G. , Grigoriadis Kyriakos , Zavos Anastasios
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the creation of an isothermal elastic ring-liner model to highlight, through stresses, the occurrence of the plastic deformation in certain crank angles under extreme dry lubrication conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The stresses that are exported from this analysis are pointing out not only the necessity for an elastoplastic model to be created, but also the importance of predicting the correct friction coefficient, as pointed out by both the contact surface stress and that in depth of the two bodies in contact.

Findings

The comparison between the finite element model and the adhesion mathematical model of Johnson, Kendall and Roberts seals the importance to calculate the interaction forces, acting on the common solid surface, in the pursuit of defining a propriate contact patch. Additionally, a three-dimensional ring model is built, highlighting the importance of the modeling surface’s micro asperities for a solid stress analysis. Also, numerical experiments are conducted, in contact with the cylinder and a piston ring made of an iron alloy and of two different plating materials, such us Chromium (Cr) and Chromium‒Nickel Alloy (CrN). The ability to calculate the stress concentration factor is also described.

Originality/value

A three-dimensional ring model is built, highlighting the importance of the modeling surface’s micro asperities for a solid stress analysis. Also, numerical experiments are conducted, in contact with the cylinder and a piston ring made of an iron alloy and of two different plating materials, such us Chromium (Cr) and Chromium‒Nickel Alloy (CrN). The ability to calculate the stress concentration factor is also described.
System identification and a model-based control strategy of motor driven system with high order flexible manipulator
Authors: Ding Youshuang , Xiao Xi , Huang Xuanrui , Sun Jiexiang
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel system identification and resonance suppression strategy for motor-driven system with high-order flexible manipulator.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, first, a unified mathematical model is proposed to describe both the flexible joints and the flexible link system. Then to suppress the resonance brought by the system flexibility, a model based high-order notch filter controller is proposed. To get the true value of the parameters of the high-order flexible manipulator system, a fuzzy-Kalman filter-based two-step system identification algorithm is proposed.

Findings

Compared to the traditional system identification algorithm, the proposed two-step system identification algorithm can accurately identify the unknown parameters of the high order flexible manipulator system with high dynamic response. The performance of the two-step system identification algorithm and the model-based high-order notch filter is verified via simulation and experimental results.

Originality/value

The proposed system identification method can identify the system parameters with both high accuracy and high dynamic response. With the proposed system identification and model-based controller, the positioning accuracy of the flexible manipulator can be greatly improved.
The Pransky interview: Dr Howard Chizeck, founder, Olis Robotics; Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington
Authors: Pransky Joanne
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The following paper is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry PhD and innovator regarding his pioneering efforts and his personal journey of bringing a technological invention to market. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The interviewee is Dr Howard Chizeck, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington (UW). Professor Chizeck is a research testbed leader for the Center for Neurotechnology (a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center) and also co-director of the UW BioRobotics Laboratory. In this interview, Chizeck shares the details on his latest startup, Olis Robotics.

Findings

Howard Jay Chizeck received his BS and MS degrees from Case Western Reserve University and the ScD degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served as Chair of the Department of Systems, Control and Industrial Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and was also the Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Washington. His telerobotic research includes haptic navigation and control for telerobotic devices, including robotic surgery and underwater systems. His neural engineering work involves the design and security of brain-machine interfaces and the development of devices to control symptoms of essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease.

Originality/value

Professor Chizeck was elected as a Fellow of the IEEE in 1999 “for contributions to the use of control system theory in biomedical engineering” and he was elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows in 2011 for “contributions to the use of control system theory in functional electrical stimulation assisted walking.” From 2008 to 2012, he was a member of the Science Technology Advisory Panel of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Professor Chizeck currently serves on the Visiting Committee of the Case School of Engineering (Case Western Reserve University). He is a founder and advisor of Controlsoft Inc (Ohio) and also is a founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of Olis Robotics, Inc., which was established in 2013 (under the name of BluHaptics) to commercialize haptic rendering, haptic navigation and other UW telerobotic technologies. He holds approximately 20 patents, and he has published more than 250 scholarly papers.
What do first-year students need? Digital badges for academic support to enhance student retention
Authors: Mah Dana-Kristin , Ifenthaler Dirk
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse data on first-year students’ needs regarding academic support services and reasons for their intention to leave the institution prior to degree completion. On the basis of the findings, a digital badge outline is proposed which could contribute to improved communication of academic requirements in order to help students to better adapt to higher education demands. Digital badges might also serve as an indicator for students’ needing additional academic support services.

Design/methodology/approach

An online-questionnaire was conducted with 730 first-year students at a German university. Participants’ responses to open-ended questions were coded and categorised. On the basis on these findings, an outline for a digital badge programme is proposed.

Findings

Participants seek the most institutional support regarding research skills and organisational aspects. Main reasons for participants’ intention to withdraw from the institution include difficulties with their programme choice.

Practical implications

These findings may enable higher education institutions to provide targeted support services that meet first-year students’ needs. On the basis of the findings, higher education institutions can create digital badge programmes, which may improve communication of academic requirements and may also serve as a platform for a staff-student conversation about expectations and demands for a successful first-year experience. Besides, further research and discussion may address using digital badges for learning analytics algorithms to even better identify students’ strengths and needs for targeted academic support services and enhanced student success in higher education.

Originality/value

Little is known about first-year students’ needs for institutional support and reasons for thinking about dropout in Germany. Understanding the student perspective is crucial for enhancing student retention. Digital badges are an emerging educational technology in higher education and they have the potential to target academic requirements, which may guide first-year students and help them to better adjust to universities’ demands.
Series of successive B2B contracts: impact on contract length and rental rate
Authors: Feng Shanfei , Krishnan Trichy V.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Companies in the B2B service sector often sign a series of successive contracts instead of one long contract with their vendors. Economic researchers have shown how the lengths of stand-alone contracts are influenced by economic factors such as asset specificity and economic volatility, but have not researched into contracts that are part of a continuous series. The purpose of this study was to explore if being a part of a series of contracts influences the length of the focal contract and the rental rate.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data collected from the oil drilling industry to empirically test their hypotheses. The data set consists of 2,621 contracts involving jack-up rig hiring in the Gulf of Mexico region.

Findings

The authors empirically show that the series duration affects both the length and rental rate of each constituent contract, even after considering all other plausible economic factors. Specifically, the duration of a series has a positive effect on the length and a negative effect on the rental rate of the constituent contract.

Originality/value

Although contract length is as vital as the rent in B2B service transactions, it is rather unfortunate that marketing scholars have not researched much into this topic. The findings offer a new insight into the forces that shape the B2B service contracts and thus help the B2B managers make a better decision in service contracts.