bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHRFAM7Aoverexpression in human iPSC-derived Interneurons dysregulates α7- nAChR surface expression and alters response to oligomeric β-amyloid peptide
Authors: Llach Pou Maria , Thiberge Camille , Pons Stéphanie , Maskos Uwe , Cloëz-Tayarani Isabelle
Published: June 2024

The α7 neuronal nicotinic receptor (α7-nAChR) gene,CHRNA7, is widely expressed within the brain and at the periphery. It plays various important roles in cognition and immune functions. Decreased expression of α7-nAChR has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) triggered by the accumulation of the 42-amino acid beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ1-42). The interactions of this peptide with α7-nAChR may represent a pivotal mechanism that is involved in pathogenesis of AD. The regulation ofCHRNA7is a complex process. Normal function of α7-nAChR in mammalian cells requires the co-expression of chaperone proteins such as RIC3 and NACHO which facilitate the formation of cell surface receptors. In humans,CHRNA7regulation also involves the specific chimericCHRFAM7Agene product dupα7, which may assemble with α7 subunits and lead to dominant negative regulation of α7-nAChR function. To further elucidate the complex interplay betweenCHRFAM7Agene product (dupα7), α7-nAChRs and Aβ1-42, we used human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived interneurons (INs). Four iPSC lines were analyzed for the presence ofCHRFAM7Acopies. Among them, a cell line with a null genotype was selected for the lentiviral overexpression ofCHRFAM7A. Our data show that overexpression ofCHRFAM7Aled to a reduction in the surface detection of α7-nAChR ligand binding sites in iPSC-derived INs. INs expressing the α7-dupα7 subunit (α7-dupα7-INs) exhibited lower levels of RIC3 and NACHO. Upon agonist treatment by nicotine, an up-regulation of α7-nAChR ligand binding sites was observed in α7-dupα7-INs as compared to non-transduced INs (α7-INs). At low levels of Aβ treatment, α7-INs displayed a significant reduction in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), while high levels resulted in a slight increase. In contrast, α7-dupα7-INs exhibited lower baseline levels of ROS that remained unaltered by Aβ treatment. ROS are known to exacerbate AD pathogenesis. We hypothesize that such effects may also be triggered by α7-dupα7-INs in the brain of patients. Further investigations are currently undertaken to confirm this hypothesis.
Neuronal activity inhibits axonal mitochondrial transport in a region-specific manner
Authors: Tom Venneman , Vanden Berghe Pieter
Published: June 2024

Due to their large scale and uniquely branched architecture, neurons critically rely on active transport of mitochondria in order to match energy production and calcium buffering to local demand. Consequently, defective mitochondrial trafficking is implicated in various neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. A key signal regulating mitochondrial transport is intracellular calcium. Elevated Ca2+levels have been demonstrated to inhibit mitochondrial transport in many cell types, including neurons. However, it is currently unclear to what extent calcium-signaling regulates axonal mitochondrial transport during realistic neuronal activity patterns. We created a robust pipeline to quantify with high spatial resolution, absolute Ca2+concentrations. This allows us to monitor Ca2+dynamics with pixel precision in the axon and other neuronal compartments. We found that axonal calcium levels scale with firing frequency in the range of 0.1-1µM, whereas KCl-induced depolarization generated levels almost a magnitude higher. As expected, prolonged KCl-induced depolarization did inhibit axonal mitochondrial transport in primary hippocampal neurons. However, physiologically relevant neuronal activity patterns only inhibited mitochondrial transport in axonal segments which made connections to a target neuron. In ‘non-connecting’ axonal segments, we were unable to trigger this inhibitory mechanism using realistic firing patterns. Thus, we confirm that neuronal activity can indeed regulate axonal mitochondrial transport, and reveal a spatial pattern to this regulation which went previously undetected. Together, these findings indicate a potent, but localized role for activity-related calcium fluctuations in the regulation of axonal mitochondrial transport.
E cadherin appears to be an essential on/off switch for initiating bile canaliculi formation
Authors: Chevallet Mireille , Rabilloud Thierry , Diemer Hélène , Bertile Fabrice , Fuchs Alexandra , Deniaud Aurélien
Published: June 2024

The mechanisms underlying cell polarization are fundamental in biology, yet they are not fully understood. This is particularly true for hepatocytes, which exhibit a complex polarization, enabling the formation of the bile canaliculi (BCs) network that is essential for liver excretion functions. To identify key proteins involved in hepatocyte polarization and BC formation, we performed a proteomic approach to compare the human hepatocyte cell line HepG2 to its sub clone HepG2/C3A which shows much greater efficiency in forming mature BCs. We localized LimA1 and Espin to the BC for the first time, suggesting their important role there, and confirmed the presence of NHE-RF1. Using a protein repression strategy directed against selected proteins, we highlighted the essential role of E cadherin in the initiation of BC formation. Our data showed, for the first time, that in absence of E cadherin, hepatocytes lose their ability to form BCs.
At the onset of active whisking, the input layer of barrel cortex exhibits a 24 h window of increased excitability that depends on prior experience
Authors: Shallow Molly C. , Tian Lucy , Lin Hudson , Lefton Katheryn B , Chen Siyu , Dougherty Joseph D. , Culver Joe P. , Lambo Mary E. , Hengen Keith B.
Published: June 2024

The development of motor control over sensory organs is a critical milestone in sensory processing, enabling active exploration and shaping of the sensory environment. However, whether the onset of sensory organ motor control directly influences the development of corresponding sensory cortices remains unknown. Here, we exploit the late onset of whisking behavior in mice to address this question in the somatosensory system. Using ex vivo electrophysiology, we discovered a transient increase in the intrinsic excitability of excitatory neurons in layer IV of the barrel cortex, which processes whisker input, precisely coinciding with the onset of active whisking at postnatal day 14 (P14). This increase in neuronal gain was specific to layer IV, independent of changes in synaptic strength, and required prior sensory experience. Strikingly, the effect was not observed in layer II/III of the barrel cortex or in the visual cortex upon eye opening, suggesting a unique interaction between the development of active sensing and the thalamocortical input layer in the somatosensory system. Predictive modeling indicated that changes in active membrane conductances alone could reliably distinguish P14 neurons in control but not whisker-deprived hemispheres. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent, lamina-specific refinement of neuronal excitability tightly linked to the emergence of active whisking. This transient increase in the gain of the thalamic input layer coincides with a critical period for synaptic plasticity in downstream layers, suggesting a role in facilitating cortical maturation and sensory processing. Together, our results provide evidence for a direct interaction between the development of motor control and sensory cortex, offering new insights into the experience-dependent development and refinement of sensory systems. These findings have broad implications for understanding the interplay between motor and sensory development, and how the mechanisms of perception cooperate with behavior.
The synergy between cannabidiol and probiotics curtails the glycemic indicators, enhances insulin production, and alleviates the symptoms of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Naeini Sahar Emami , Bhandari Bidhan , Rogers Hannah M , Gouron Jules , Chagas Pablo Shimaoka , Maciel Lívia Maria , Shimaoka Chagas Henrique Izumi , Yu Jack C , Seyyedi Mohammad , Salles Évila Lopes , Fields Mark , Baban Babak , Wang Lei P
Published: June 2024

Diabetes continues to challenge healthcare system as one of the most growing epidemics with staggering economic burden. It is estimated that 783 million by 2045 will live with diabetes worldwide, 90% of those cases are type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D is a multifaceted disease, its treatment requires a holistic approach, beyond single target medications with high efficacy. There is a dire need to explore and invent new and effective therapeutic modalities for T2D.

In this study we tested whether a combined formulation of cannabidiol (CBD) and probiotics could control glycemic indices and alleviate symptoms of T2D. We used a mouse model of T2D, replaced their drinking water with a combination of CBD and probiotics formulated as a commercially available beverage.

Our findings demonstrated that combination of CBD and probiotics not only reduced the glycemic indices (HbA1c & FBG), but also altered the microbiome profile, promoted beneficial bacteria. Further, the CBD/probiotic combination reduced peripheral inflammatory cytokines and enhanced insulin production in pancreatic islets.

In conclusion, our results suggest that consumption of combined CBD and probiotics could be used as a natural, practical, affordable, and safe alternative and complementary therapeutic modality to treat T2D.
Diverse toxins exhibit a common binding mode to the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors revealing a new molecular determinant
Authors: Do Hung N. , Kubicek-Sutherland Jessica Z. , Gnanakaran S.
Published: June 2024

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are critical ligand-gated ion channels in the human nervous system. They are targets for various neurotoxins produced by algae, plants, and animals. While there have been many structures of nAChRs bound by neurotoxins published, the binding mechanism of toxins to the nAChRs remains uncleared. In this work, we have performed extensive Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulations on severalAplysia californica(AC) nAChRs in complex with α-conotoxins, strychnine, and pinnatoxins, as well as human nAChRs in complex with α-bungarotoxin and α-conotoxin for a total of 60 μs of simulation time to determine the binding and dissociation pathways of the toxins to the nAChRs and the associated effects. We uncovered two common binding and dissociation pathways shared by toxins and nAChRs. In the primary binding pathway, the toxins diffused from the bulk solvent to first bind a region near the extracellular pore before moving downwards along the nAChRs to the nAChR orthosteric pocket. The second binding pathway involved a direct diffusion of the toxins from the bulk solvent into the nAChR orthosteric pocket. The dissociation pathways were the reverse of the observed binding pathways. We also found that the toxins enacted their toxicity upon binding by restricting the necessary movements required by the nAChRs to open their extracellular and intracellular pores for the ions to pass through. Notably, the electrostatically bipolar interactions between nAChR orthosteric pocket and toxins provides a molecular level explanation for the common binding mode shared by diverse toxins and serve as a key determinant for toxicity.
Cooperation between Intrinsically Disordered Regions regulates CBP condensate behaviour
Authors: Gelder Katie L. , Carruthers Nicola A. , Ball Sophie , Dunning Mark , Craggs Timothy D. , Twelvetrees Alison E. , Bose Daniel A.
Published: June 2024

Creb binding protein(CBP) andEP300(p300) are transcription coactivators that bind atcis-regulatory elements and regulate gene expression in multicellular organisms. They contain large intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), and form biomolecular condensates that are important for transcription regulation. However, little is known about how different IDRs work together to contribute to the behaviour of CBP condensates, knowledge which is essential to fully understand their biological function. Here, we show that endogenous CBP forms fluid-like condensates in the nucleus, and that properties of CBP condensates depend on IDRs dispersed throughout its sequence. Adjacent IDRs in the C-terminus form a regulatory module that balances positive and negative contributions, to ensure that CBP condensates are responsive to other IDRs and to post translational lysine acetylation. These distinct behaviours also change the characteristics of endogenous CBP condensates, including changing patterns of chromatin localisation and altering behaviours in live cell imaging. Cooperation between different IDRs therefore ensures that CBP condensates are poised to respond to their environment, allowing CBP to effectively integrate signalling events and control diverse transcriptional outputs.
Tetra hydroxy ethyl disulfate disodium: a novel non-resistant antibacterial chelating agent
Authors: Audah KA , Jogia GE , Kustaryono D , Amsyir J , Amalda SA , Darmadi J , Himawan S , Saidin S , Tejo BA , Budiman C , Singh S K , Thekkiniath J
Published: June 2024

Discovery of novel antibacterial drugs is urgently required as common antibiotics have numerous side effects and are becoming less effective due to antibiotic resistance occurrences. Developing a novel class of antibacterial compounds without inducing the prevalence of resistance when used repeatedly against bacterial pathogens is presumably one of the best approaches to overcome this problem. Tetra hydroxy ethyl disulfate disodium (THES) is a novel antibacterial agent, capable of disrupting cell activity without any need for drug influx. In this study, the molecular interaction between THES, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria was investigated. It was suggested that THES possessed the desirable characteristics of a non-resistant bacterial agent with bactericidal properties. Additionally, the non-resistant characteristics of THES were validated as a novel antibacterial agent. The unique feature of THES was the property of chelation with its strong binding ability to target ligands. This binding played a major role in bacterial peptidoglycan porosity enlargement, resulting in lysis and cell death. The bacterial cell membrane porosity enlargement was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, as well as Atomic Force Microscopy. These findings were further supported by the results fromin silicoanalysis which showed that THES formed favorable interactions with peptidoglycan with a binding affinity of −4.7 kcal/mol. The minimum inhibitory concentration value against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria was notably low, between 0.05 - 0.1%. Furthermore, the analysis of resistance over a seven-month course showed thatStaphylococcus aureusdid not develop resistant characteristics to repeated treatment to THES treatment. This study has also shown that bactericidal characteristics can be easily manipulated and modified for more preferable antibacterial activities, whilst yielding desirable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) properties. There are several advantages of THES as compared to common antibiotics, including its flexibility in the killing capacity of different microbial strains. The simplicity, efficacy, and non-resistant properties of THES make it a promising drug candidate or compound to combat the outbreak of MDR bacteria in the future.
CD388: A universally protective Drug-Fc Conjugate that targets influenza virus neuraminidase
Authors: Döhrmann Simon , Levin James , Cole Jason N. , Borchardt Allen , Amundson Karin , Almaguer Amanda , Abelovski Elizabeth , Grewal Rajvir , Zuill Douglas , Dedeic Nicholas , Hough Grayson , Fortier Joanne , Donatelli Joanna , Lam Thanh , Chen Zhi-Yong , Jiang Wanlong , Haussener Travis , Noncovich Alain , Balkovec James M. , Bensen Daniel C. , Ong Voon , Brady Thomas P. , Locke Jeffrey , Stein Jeffrey L. , Tari Leslie W.
Published: June 2024

The ability of the influenza virus to elude humoral immunity by rapid antigenic shift presents a sustained and urgent threat to human health. Globally, seasonal influenza causes an estimated 3 - 5 million cases of severe disease and 300,000 - 500,000 deaths annually, with increased potential for mortality during pandemics1. The recent outbreaks of avian H5N1 in bird populations, subsequent spread to cattle and appearance in humans, highlight the need for effective broad-spectrum influenza antivirals for treatment, prophylaxis and pandemic preparedness. The narrow, strain-specific immunity induced by current seasonal vaccines and mismatches between vaccine strains and circulating viruses result in limited vaccine effectiveness (VE) rates2. Furthermore, VE is even lower in immune-compromised and - senescent populations3. Strategies that provide durable, universal influenza protection in healthy and high-risk populations are urgently needed. Here, we describe CD388, a first-in-class antiviral drug-Fc conjugate (DFC) in clinical trials for seasonal influenza prevention (NCT05285137andNCT05523089). CD388 comprises a multivalent small molecule inhibitor of influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) linked to a CH1-Fc hybrid domain of human IgG1 engineered for extended half-life. CD388 demonstrated potent, universal activity across influenza A and B viruses, including high pathogenicity and NA resistant strains, a low potential for resistance development, and efficacy in lethal mouse infection models. CD388 is the first therapeutic with the potential for universal prevention of influenza A and B in healthy and high-risk populations.
Investigating the impact of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on children’s health: cohort description and baseline data from the Children’s Health in London and Luton (CHILL) prospective parallel cohort study
Authors: Wood Helen E. , Kalsi Harpal , Cross Louise , Dove Rosamund E. , Scales James , Tsocheva Ivelina , Chavda Jasmine , Colligan Grainne , Lie Esther , Petrovic Kristian , Tomini Florian , Tofolutti Veronica , Day Bill , Keighley Amanda , Critchlow Cheryll , Beevers Sean , Fletcher Monica , Gauderman W. James , Grigg Jonathan , Mihaylova Borislava , Newby Chris , van Sluijs Esther , Kelly Frank , Sheikh Aziz , Randhawa Gurch , Mudway Ian S. , Griffiths Chris J.
Published: June 2024

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) poses significant health risks particularly for children, with adverse effects that may impact health in later life. Low emission zones are a public health policy designed to reduce TRAP in urban areas.

The CHILL (Children’s Health in London and Luton) Study will evaluate the impact of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on children’s health, using a prospective two-arm parallel longitudinal cohort design. CHILL will examine associations between air pollution metrics and lung function growth, plus secondary outcomes. Here we describe the characteristics of the CHILL cohort at baseline, prior to the introduction of the ULEZ.

We recruited 3414 children aged 6-9 years attending 84 schools (London – intervention site: 1664 children, 44 schools; Luton – comparator site: 1750 children, 40 schools). Baseline health assessments were conducted in 2018-2019 (before the introduction of the ULEZ in London). 97.0% of recruited children were assessed (London 96.5%, Luton 97.4%), with the primary outcome measure of post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second being successfully measured in 76.7% (London 76.9%, Luton 76.5%). 92.1% returned a completed parental questionnaire (London 89.3%, Luton 94.7%), including data for analysis of the secondary outcomes. Demographic characteristics and outcomes were similar across the two sites.

We established well-matched cohorts of school children, in our intervention (London) and comparator (Luton) sites. Data on primary and secondary outcomes have been successfully collected, which, combined with detailed air quality metrics, provides a robust platform for evaluating the impact of London’s ULEZ on children’s health and development.

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04695093(05/01/2021)
Temperature Dependence of the Mechanical Dissipation of Gallium Bonds for Use in Gravitational Wave Detectors
Authors: Haughian Karen , Murray Peter G. , Hill Stuart , Hough James , Lacaille Gregoire , Martin Iain W. , Rowan Sheila , Tait Simon , Bassiri Riccardo , Fejer Martin M. , Khadaka Sudiksha , Markosyan Ashot
Published: June 2024

The mirror suspensions in gravitational wave detectors demand low mechanical loss jointing to ensure good enough detector performance and to enable the detection of gravitational waves. Hydroxide catalysis bonds have been used in the fused silica suspensions of the GEO600, Advanced LIGO, and Advanced Virgo detectors. Future detectors may use cryogenic cooling of the mirror suspensions and this leads to a potential change of mirror material and suspension design. Other bonding techniques that could replace or be used alongside hydroxide catalysis bonding are of interest. A design that incorporates repair scenarios is highly desirable. Indeed, the mirror suspensions in KAGRA, which is made from sapphire and operated at cryogenic temperatures, have used a combination of hydroxide catalysis bonding and gallium bonding. This Letter presents the first measurements of the mechanical loss of a gallium bond measured between 10 K and 295 K. It is shown that the loss, which decreases with temperature down to the level of (1.8±0.3)×10−4 at 10 K, is comparable to that of a hydroxide catalysis bond.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Mental and institutional barriers to creating impact
Authors: van Dijk Hans
Published: June 2024

Purpose

In this impact paper, I outline how a new inclusion theory generated non-scholarly impact even before it was published and share my personal experiences with mental and institutional barriers to creating that impact. With this, I hope to (1) help readers relate to and understand the issues that they are facing in creating impact and (2) inspire academics and academic institutions to remove obstacles to creating impact.

Design/methodology/approach

After outlining the new theory and the impact it has generated, I autobiographically describe the barriers to impact that I experienced, split up into two categories: mental and institutional barriers.

Findings

I discerned six main barriers that I had to overcome. Three of these are mental obstacles: impact order beliefs, prioritizing impact and a lack of examples. The other three are institutional obstacles: a lack of incentives for doing impact work, a lack of resources and an incompatibility between the impact form and the institutional environment.

Originality/value

It can be daunting to hear about the impact that others are having when the journey to get there is being left out and success stories run the risk of pretending that there were no or only a few obstacles involved. In sharing the struggles involved with doing an impact in my particular case, I hope to provide a more realistic insight into the barriers that one is likely to face in doing impact and issue a wider call for removing barriers to making impact.
Re-place-ing space: utilization of public open space after land consolidation in Mojosongo Housing, Surakarta City
Authors: Sunarti S. , Damayanti Maya , Putri Kharunia
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Replacing space is a challenge in maintaining public open space after land consolidation. Mojosongo subdistrict, Indonesia, also experienced replacing space due to social, economic and physical changes after more 20 years of consolidation. This study aims to analyze the replacing space of public open spaces after land consolidation in the Mojosongo Berseri I Housing.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a qualitative method through a case study approach. Secondary data from document reviews land consolidation. Primary data were collected through observation and in-depth interviews using snowball sampling techniques with 35 informants. The analysis techniques used are qualitative descriptive, spatial analysis and pattern matching analysis through comparing empirical case studies with relevant literature.

Findings

Public open spaces have changed function and form. The “replacing space” carried out by the community involves converting public open spaces into built-up areas used for residential purposes and commercial activities. Driving factors for “replacing space” include increase in family members, economic pressures, inflexible building concepts, lack of meaning of space, no supervision/sanctions and not optimal space.

Originality/value

The meaning of replacing space does not only change “space” to “place,” but can also cause changes in the form and function of a place carried out by communities. Thus, space allocation is needed according to community needs, preferences and activities to create a sense of place that is supported by regulations and supervision.
Recalibrating originality for music in copyright law
Authors: Isaac Jithin Saji , Sundharam Asha
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Though originality is a requirement for copyright protection, the term is not defined, leaving room for differing interpretations. Over the years, there has been a shift in the yardstick for determining originality. The lack of definition gives room for ambiguity and creates hurdle for protection. The difficulty in assessment of originality is more felt in certain forms of work like music, which has its own theories and limitations. Absence of determining tests creates uncertainty for the authors to draw the line between inspiration and infringement. This paper aims to define originality as applicable to each subject matter.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is a qualitative analytical approach and draws from theories and relevant case laws.

Findings

The requirement of “originality” as laid down in the Copyright Act has to be defined with precision. The requirement of originality for different categories of subject matter encompassed within copyright law will differ and so the term should be redefined with respect to each subject matter.

Originality/value

This paper is an original work and canvasses for a definition of the term originality in the Copyright Act with reference to the various subject matter entitled to protection.
Thriving in a weak institutional environment: strategies for engaging with regulative institutions
Authors: Freitas Kenyth Alves de , Flynn Barbara Bechler , Paiva Ely Laureano
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper explores how a firm that is established in an environment characterized by uncertainty can engage with weak regulative institutions by developing operational and institutional capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

We employ a multiple case study approach with seven leading multinational firms in Brazil in industries that vary in industry concentration.

Findings

Firms choose among alternative strategies for engaging with regulative institutions as an ongoing process, based on their assessment of four characteristics of the uncertainty they face and their capabilities. Strategies that require a firm to exert greater effort to adapt to institutions or influence institutions have a greater potential to catalyze for developing operational capabilities. Although firms in industries with different concentrations behave similarly in individually adapting to regulative institutions, firms in decentralized industries are more likely to collaborate to influence institutions, which enables them to both access public agents through network partners and better negotiate their own interests.

Practical implications

This research guides managers in developing institutional engagement strategies to reduce the potential consequences of institutional uncertainty in their supply chain. It also suggests types of institutional capability aligned with decentralized vs concentrated industries.

Originality/value

We extend the construct of institutional engagement strategies from the context of entrance to a new international market to an ongoing process in firms that are established in an environment characterized by weak regulative institutions. We also examine the role of industry concentration in the application of institutional engagement strategies.
The potential impact of EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM): an Australia-China relationship perspective
Authors: Shi Xunpeng , Laurenceson James , Liu Yuanling
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the multifaced aspects and consequences of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from an Australia-China Relationship perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper leverages the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to examine both the internal and external factors that affect Australia and China in the context of the CBAM. In addition, we employ the PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technological) framework to identify effective strategies for Australia-China cooperation following the implementation of the CBAM.

Findings

Our analysis reveals numerous mutual interests and opportunities for bilateral collaboration, despite challenges and threats, positioning the CBAM as a potentially significant catalyst for joint initiatives.

Practical implications

This paper proposes 10 potential areas for Australia and China cooperation from the political economic social and technological PEST dimensions.

Originality/value

This paper makes a pioneering attempt to explore potential strategies, both individually, and together, that Australia and China can adopt to manage the impact and consequence of CBAM.
Can trust in government help to enhance Indonesian citizens' involvement in Al-based public service?
Authors: Mulyawan Rahman
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Given its ability to improve user interaction and labor productivity, ease human workloads and cut maintenance costs, public sectors are using AI-based robotic technology (AI-RT) at an accelerated rate. There is, however, little knowledge about the variables affecting citizens' participation when services backed by AI-RT are offered. In order to better understand the elements that influence AI-RT citizens' involvement and the moderating function of trusts in governmental organizations, this article draws on ideas from the Consumer Value Theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Out of 500 survey forms that were distributed to Indonesian people who had experience in using AI-RT devices in public service hall (e.g. airport’s Auto Gate), 367 returned the completed feedbacks. Data analysis used a step-by-step hierarchical moderated regression examination using SPSS 24 version.

Findings

Citizens’ involvement is positively correlated with esthetics and customization and adversely correlated with period expended using the AI-RT. Additionally, the findings imply that citizens who have greater levels of faith in governmental institutions are more likely to benefit favorably from the customization and esthetics of AI-RT.

Practical implications

The AI-RT must be capable of customizing the distribution of the appropriate materials to the appropriate individual at the appropriate moment, and public managers should guarantee that it is esthetically pleasing. Additionally, they ought to place a high priority on winning the trust of the populace in order to increase citizens’ involvement.

Originality/value

This paper was among the initial efforts that discover the determinants of citizens’ involvement in the AI-RT and the moderating effect of trusts in governmental organizations on the links between predictors and predicted variable, especially in an emerging country such as Indonesia.
Perceptions and motivational factors of Chinese coffee consumers towards robot baristas: a Technology Acceptance Model 2 perspective
Authors: Chong Ka Leong , Zhang Ge
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the attitudes and perceptions of Chinese coffee consumers towards robot baristas, considering the proliferation of automated entities within China's coffee sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing the extended Technology Acceptance Model 2 as its theoretical framework, this research conducts in-depth interviews with 30 Chinese coffee consumers. The laddering technique is utilized, supplemented by video simulation. Thematic analysis is subsequently employed to scrutinize the data.

Findings

The findings delineate six pivotal themes encapsulating Chinese coffee consumers' perceptions of robot baristas – Perceived Introvert Friendliness, Perceived Novelty, Perceived Intellectual Discrepancies, Perceived Efficiency and Reliability, Perceived Emotional Disconnection, and Perceived Labour Market Disruption. Moreover, six motivational themes are identified - Social Status Boosting, Openness to Experience, Ease of Use, Tech-Driven Affordability, Reliable and Uncompromising Quality, and Resistance to Overbearing Service.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by its focus on a specific cultural context. Future research could explore cross-cultural perspectives.

Practical implications

The findings of this study offer guidance on how to market and position robotic barista services to appeal to consumer preferences and drive adoption.

Social implications

Understanding consumer perceptions of robotic baristas has broader social implications, particularly in terms of labour market disruption and the potential impact on traditional coffee professions. Businesses can navigate the social implications of automation more effectively and foster greater acceptance of technological innovations within society.

Originality/value

This study offers insights into the inclinations of Chinese coffee consumers, thereby facilitating informed decision-making and the formulation of effective strategies to expedite the adoption of robotic service.
Managerial ability, political risk and political spending disclosure
Authors: Zhang Huilan , Wang Jing
Published: June 2024

Purpose

While the determinants of voluntary political spending disclosure have been extensively studied in the literature, there remains a lack of clear evidence regarding the specific impacts of managerial ability and political risk on such disclosure. Thus, the purpose of this study is to shed light on whether and how managerial ability and political risk influence firms’ political spending disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of 2,242 firm-year observations of S&P 500 companies between 2013 and 2021.

Findings

This study finds that firms with high-ability managers generally disclose more information about political spending. This positive relationship between managerial ability and political spending disclosure holds even after conducting additional tests to address potential endogeneity concerns. Furthermore, this study finds that firms operating in high-risk political environments also exhibit a greater propensity to disclose information regarding their political spending. The results remain robust to alternative measures of managerial ability and political risk.

Practical implications

This study suggests that when designing policy to motivate firms to disclose political spending information, policy makers need to be aware of the critical role of managerial ability and idiosyncratic political risk the firm faces. In addition, this study offers insights to shareholders, advocacy groups, regulators and academics interested in understanding the determinants of political spending disclosure.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to provide empirical evidence that political spending disclosure can be explained by managerial ability and political risk. In addition, this study complements the literature on the consequences of managerial ability and political risk. Focusing on voluntary political spending disclosure, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors shaping the overall corporate information environment.
Decentralised automated BIM collaboration: a blockchain and WBS integrated platform
Authors: Stas Stasia , Abrishami Sepehr
Published: June 2024

Purpose

In the current era of technological advancement, the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is undergoing a radical transformation, prompting researchers to explore new breakthroughs that can revolutionise the construction process. This paper delves into the use of cutting-edge technologies such as building information management (BIM), blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT), along with advanced management techniques such as work breakdown structure (WBS) and Agile thinking, to enhance the industry’s efficiency, productivity, quality and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, the pressing need for a sustainable, secure and transparent sector amplifies the significance of the proposed research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’s research approach comprises an intensive literature review to construct a conceptual framework, followed by an exploratory questionnaire to validate the framework.

Findings

This paper demonstrates how blockchain combined with a WBS and a BIM platform may boost collaboration in order to experience efficient and trusted workflow scenarios that can overcome many of the challenges given in a traditional building technique. The research findings emphasise the benefits of the proposed new mentality approach, which incorporates all of the previously described tools/techniques to the business.

Research limitations/implications

This paper highlights the advantages of leveraging a combination of blockchain, WBS and BIM platforms to boost collaboration and enable efficient and trustworthy workflow scenarios that can surmount the difficulties inherent in traditional AEC industry collaboration methods.

Originality/value

This study provides original insights into the challenges and opportunities of using blockchain for AEC collaboration, by exploring the potential of decentralised blockchain networks to improve the security, efficiency and transparency of collaborative data sharing and management.
Where has everyone gone? Depopulation and voting behaviour in Spain
Authors: SÁNCHEZ‐GARCÍA ÁLVARO , RODON TONI , DELGADO‐GARCÍA MARIA
Published: June 2024

In many European countries, people increasingly leave rural or small municipalities to live and work in urban or metropolitan environments. Although previous work on the ‘left behind’ places has examined the relationship between the rural–urban divide and vote choice, less is known about how depopulation affects electoral behaviour. Is there a relationship between experiencing a loss in population and support for the different parties? We investigate this question by examining the Spanish case, a country where the topic of depopulation has become a salient issue in political competition. Using a newly compiled dataset, we also explore whether the relationship between depopulation and electoral returns is moderated by municipality size, local compositional changes, the loss of public services and changes in amenities. Our findings show that depopulated municipalities give higher support to the main Conservative party, mainly in small municipalities. Yet, municipalities on the brink of disappearance are more likely to give larger support to the far‐right. Results overall show that the effect of depopulation seems to be driven by compositional changes, and not as a result of losing public services or a deterioration of the vibrancy of the town. Our findings have important implications for our understanding of the relationship between internal migration and electoral behaviour.
Post‐modification of azo dyes using an α‐phenyl diazo ester for improving the colour fixation properties of polyurethane fibre
Authors: Jiang Hua , Shi Lulu , Xie Xiaokang , Wang Ye
Published: June 2024

Colour fastness of polyurethane fibre dyed with conventional disperse dyes is always poor owing to the insufficient affinity between fibres and dyes. Thus, three novel azo dyes containing an α‐phenyl diazo ester moiety were designed in this study. The dyes were synthesised through two‐step post‐modification of a hydroxylated azo benzene chromophore. All three dyes were characterised using proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, high‐resolution mass spectrometry and infrared spectrometry. The ultraviolet‐visible absorption and thermal properties of the dyes were also studied. Fixation properties of these dyes on polyurethane fibre were examined using samples dyed using a non‐aqueous dyeing method. Practicality of these dyes, that is colour depth, fixation value, colour fastness and dye migration degree, was further verified on fibre dyed via an aqueous dyeing method. Finally, the mechanical properties of the dyed polyurethane fibre were explored.
Cardiac magnetic resonance in advanced heart failure
Authors: Coraducci Francesca , De Zan Giulia , Fedele Damiano , Costantini Pietro , Guaricci Andrea Igoren , Pavon Anna Giulia , Teske Arco , Cramer Maarten Jan , Broekhuizen Lysette , Van Osch Dirk , Danad Ibrahim , Velthuis Birgitta , Suchá Dominika , van der Bilt Ivo , Pizzi Carmine , Russo Antonio Dello , Oerlemans Marish I.F.J. , van Laake Linda W. , van der Harst Pim , Guglielmo Marco
Published: June 2024

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive disease that often progresses to an advanced stage where conventional therapy is insufficient to relieve patients' symptoms. Despite the availability of advanced therapies such as mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation, the complexity of defining advanced HF, which requires multiple parameters and multimodality assessment, often leads to delays in referral to dedicated specialists with the result of a worsening prognosis. In this review, we aim to explore the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in advanced HF by showing how CMR is useful at every step in managing these patients: from diagnosis to prognostic stratification, hemodynamic evaluation, follow‐up and advanced therapies such as heart transplantation. The technical challenges of scanning advanced HF patients, which often require troubleshooting of intracardiac devices and dedicated scans, will be also discussed.
The framing of educational digitalization: A scoping review of empirical studies
Authors: Høydal Øyunn Syrstad , Finne Joakim , Malmberg‐Heimonen Ira
Published: June 2024

The aim of this scoping review is to systematically investigate the framing of European empirical research on digitalization for teaching and learning in the classroom within primary and secondary school (K‐12/K‐13). We believe it is crucial to gain insight in the framing of the knowledge production taking place in the fast‐evolving field of educational digitalization. The framing will influence the research results and conclusions published as well as potentially impact on how policy and practices of educational digitalization evolve. Our findings reveal that the studies of educational digitalization are spread relatively thin over a wide variety of academic journals and fields, where journals within the edtech field dominate in numbers. The dominant technological framing could indicate research driven by technological perspectives rather than pedagogical interests. The research is unevenly geographically distributed. There is a lack of European comparative studies as well as studies framing digitalization as something else than a tool for making learning more effective.
Steven A. Brown and the synchronization of circadian rhythms by body temperature cycles
Authors: Schibler Ueli
Published: June 2024

The mammalian circadian timing system has a hierarchical architecture, with a central pacemaker located in the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus orchestrating rhythms in behaviour and physiology. In cooperation with environmental cycles, it synchronizes the phases of peripheral oscillators operating in most cells of the body. Even cells kept in tissue culture harbour self‐sustained and cell‐autonomous circadian clocks that keep ticking throughout their lifespan. The master pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus is synchronized primarily by light–dark cycles, whereas peripheral oscillators are phase entrained by a multitude of systemic signalling pathways. These include pathways depending on feeding–fasting cycles, cellular actin polymerization dynamics, endocrine rhythms and, surprisingly, body temperature oscillations. Using tissue culture and murine models, Steve Brown was the first one to demonstrate that shallow rhythms of mammalian body temperature are timing cues (zeitgebers) for peripheral circadian clocks.
Generalized hop‐based approaches for identifying influential nodes in social networks
Authors: Biswas Tarun Kumer , Abbasi Alireza , Chakrabortty Ripon Kumar
Published: June 2024

Locating a set of influential users within a social network, known as the Influence Maximization (IM) problem, can have significant implications for boosting the spread of positive information/news and curbing the spread of negative elements such as misinformation and disease. However, the traditional simulation‐based spread computations under conventional diffusion models render existing algorithms inefficient in finding optimal solutions. In recent years, hop and path‐based approaches have gained popularity, particularly under the cascade models to address the scalability issue. Nevertheless, these existing functions vary based on the considered hop‐distance and provide no guidance on capturing spread sizes beyond two‐hops. In this paper, we introduce Hop‐based Expected Influence Maximization (HEIM), an approach utilizing generalized functions to compute influence spread across varying hop‐distances in conventional diffusion models. We extend our investigation to the Linear Threshold (LT) model, in addition to the Independent Cascade (IC) and Weighted Cascade (WC) models, filling a gap in current literature. Our theoretical analysis shows that the proposed functions preserve both monotonicity and submodularity, and the proposed HEIM algorithm can achieve an approximation ratio of under a limited hop‐measures, whereas a multiplicative ‐approximation under global measures. Furthermore, we show that expected spread methods can serve as a better benchmark approach than existing simulation‐based methods. The performance of the HEIM algorithm is evaluated through experiments on three real‐world networks, and is compared to six other existing algorithms. Results demonstrate that the three‐hop based HEIM algorithm achieves superior solution quality, ranking first in statistical tests, and is notably faster than existing benchmark approaches. Conversely, the one‐hop‐based HEIM offers faster computation while still delivering competitive solutions, providing decision‐makers with flexibility based on application needs.
The process in‐between: Parents' perceptions about how practitioners promote the outcomes of the Incredible Years Basic program
Authors: Leitão Sara M. , Francisco Rita , Seabra‐Santos Maria João , Gaspar Maria Filomena
Published: June 2024

Practitioners are recognized as one of the key components that make parenting interventions meaningful and helpful to families, and the impact of practitioners' skills on the outcomes of parenting interventions has been consistently recognized in research. However, the mechanisms and ongoing processes through which the practitioners' actions and skills may impact parental engagement and other outcomes remain unknown. This qualitative study explored parents' perceptions about the processes through which specific practitioners' skills contribute to the outcomes of the Incredible Years Basic Parent Program (IYPP). Twenty‐four Portuguese parents who had completed the IYPP were interviewed in four focus groups, and the data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Practitioners' skills were perceived by parents as having an impact on their engagement in the program, their process of change, and their interpersonal relationships. Practitioners were perceived to demonstrate their influence in the intervention process through six different roles: the roles of a confidant, a positive coach, a partner, a maestro, a tailor, and a congruent person. This study reinforces the prominent role of practitioners in enabling parental outcomes of an evidence‐based parenting program and suggests that more attention should be paid to continuing supervision and other professional development processes.