bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active integrins regulate white adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and brown fat thermogenesis
Authors: Ruiz-Ojeda Francisco Javier , Wang Jiefu , Bäcker Theresa , Krueger Martin , Zamani Samira , Rosowski Simon , Gruber Tim , Feuchtinger Annette , Schulz Tim J. , Fässler Reinhard , Müller Timo D. , García-Cáceres Cristina , Meier Matthias , Blüher Matthias , Ussar Siegfried
Published: June 2020

Reorganization of the extracellular matrix is a prerequisite for healthy adipose tissue expansion, whereas fibrosis is a key feature of adipose dysfunction and inflammation. However, very little is known about the direct effects of impaired cell-matrix interaction in adipocyte function and insulin sensitivity. Using adipose selective deletion of β1 integrin (Itgb1adipo-cre) and Kindlin-2 (Kind2adipo-cre), we demonstrate here that active β1 and β3 integrins directly interact with the insulin receptor to regulate white adipocyte insulin action and systemic metabolism. Consequently, loss of adipose integrin activity, similar to loss of adipose insulin receptors, results in lipodystrophy and systemic insulin resistance. Conversely, we find that brown adipose tissue of Kind2adipo-creand Itgb1adipo-cremice is chronically hyperactivated, and has increased substrate delivery, reduced endothelial basement membrane thickness, and increased endothelial vesicular transport. Thus, we establish integrin-extracellular matrix interactions as key regulators of white and brown adipose tissue function and whole body metabolism.
Loss of endothelial glucocorticoid receptor accelerates diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Srivastava Swayam Prakash , Zhou Han , Setia Ocean , Dardik Alan , Fernandez-Hernando Carlos , Goodwin Julie
Published: June 2020

Endothelial cells play a key role in the regulation of disease and other developmental processes. Defective regulation of endothelial cell homeostasis may cause mesenchymal activation of other endothelial cells by autocrine effects or of neighboring cell types by paracrine effects, and in both cases contribute to organ fibrosis. However, regulatory control of endothelial cell homeostasis, is not well studied. Diabetes induced renal fibrosis in endothelial GR knock out mice (GRfl/fl;Tie 1 Cre; GRECKO) but not in control mice (GRfl/fl); hypercholesterolemia further enhanced severe renal fibrosis in diabeticGRECKO;Apoe−/−(DKO) but not in diabetic littermates (GRfl/fl;Apoe−/−). The fibrogenic phenotype in the kidneys of diabetic GRECKOand diabetic DKO were associated with aberrant cytokine and chemokine reprogramming. Canonical Wnt signaling was identified as new target for the action of endothelial GR. Wnt inhibiton improved kidney fibrosis by mitigating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT). Similarly, activation of fatty acid oxidation also suppressed kidney fibrosis. Conditioned media from endothelial cells from diabetic GRECKOstimulated Wnt signaling-dependent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in tubular epithelial cells from diabetic controls. These data demonstrate that endothelial GR is an essential antifibrotic core molecule in diabetes.
Angiotensin-(3–4) modulates angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) downregulation in proximal tubule cells due to overweight and undernutrition: implications regarding the severity of renal lesions in Covid-19 infection
Authors: Luzes Rafael , Muzi-Filho Humberto , Pereira-Acácio Amaury , Crisóstomo Thuany , Vieyra Adalberto
Published: June 2020

The renal lesions – including severe acute kidney injury – are severe outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infections. There are no reports regarding the influence of the nutritional status on the severity and progress of these lesions. Ageing is also an important risk factor. In the present communication we compare the influence of overweight and undernutrition in the levels of renal angiotensin converting enzymes 1 and 2. Since the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has been implicated in the progress of kidney failure during Covid-19, we also investigated the influence of Angiotensin-(3–4) (Ang-(3–4)) the shortest angiotensin-derived peptide, which is considered the physiological antagonist of several angiotensin II effects. We found that both overweight and undernutrition downregulate the levels of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) without influence on the levels of ACE1 in kidney rats. Administration of Ang-(3–4) recovers the control levels of ACE2 in overweight but not in undernourished rats. We conclude that chronic and opposite nutritional conditions play a central role in the pathophysiology of renal Covid-19 lesions, and that the role of RAAS is also different in overweight and undernutrition.
The silencing factor Sir3 is a molecular bridge that sticks together distant loci
Authors: Ruault Myriam , Scolari Vittore F. , Lazar-Stefanita Luciana , Hocher Antoine , Loïodice Isabelle , Noûs Camille , Koszul Romain , Taddei Angela
Published: June 2020

Physical contacts between distant loci contribute to regulate genome function. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for settling and maintaining such interactions remain poorly understood. Here we investigate the well conserved interactions between heterochromatin loci. In budding yeast, the 32 telomeres cluster in 3-5 foci in exponentially growing cells. This clustering is functionally linked to the formation of heterochromatin in subtelomeric regions through the recruitment of the silencing complex SIR composed of Sir2/3/4. Combining microscopy and Hi-C on strains expressing different alleles ofSIR3, we show that the binding of Sir3 directly promotes long range contacts between distant regions, including the rDNA, telomeres, and internal Sir3 bound sites. Furthermore, we unveil a new property of Sir3 in promoting rDNA compaction. Finally, using a synthetic approach we demonstrate that Sir3 can bond loci belonging to different chromosomes together, when targeted to these loci, independently of its interaction with its known partners (Rap1, and Sir4), Sir2 activity or chromosome context. Altogether these data suggest that Sir3 represents an uncommon example of protein able to bridge directly distant loci.
Implementation of PAR-CLIP to characterize RNA-protein interactions in prokaryotes at nucleotide resolution
Authors: Ojha Sandeep , Jain Chaitanya
Published: June 2020

The identification of RNAs that are recognized by RNA-binding proteins (RNA-BPs) using techniques such as “Crosslinking and Immunoprecipitation” (CLIP) has revolutionized the genome-wide discovery of RNA-BP RNA targets. Among the different versions of CLIP that have been developed, the use of photoactivable nucleoside analogs incorporated into cellular RNA has resulted in high efficiency photoactivable ribonucleoside-enhanced CLIP (PAR-CLIP). Nonetheless, PAR-CLIP has not yet been applied in prokaryotes. To determine if PAR-CLIP can be used in prokaryotes, we determined suitable conditions for the incorporation of 4-thiouridine (4SU), a photoactivable nucleoside, intoE. coliRNA, and for the isolation of crosslinked RNA. Applying this technique to Hfq, a well-characterized regulator of small RNA (sRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions, we showed that PAR-CLIP identified most of the known sRNA targets of Hfq, as well as functionally relevant sites of Hfq-mRNA interactions at nucleotide resolution. Based on our findings, PAR-CLIP represents an improved method to identify both the RNAs and the specific regulatory sites that are recognized by RNA-BPs in prokaryotes.
Immune Modulation of Allergic Asthma by Early Pharmacological Inhibition of RIP2
Authors: Miller Madelyn H. , Shehat Michael G. , Tigno-Aranjuez Justine T.
Published: June 2020

Exposure to house dust mite (HDM) is highly associated with the development of allergic asthma. The adaptive immune response to HDM is largely T helper cell type 2 (Th2) dominant and a number of innate immune receptors have been identified which recognize HDM to initiate a Th2 response. Nucleotide-binding Oligomerization Domain-containing Protein 2 (NOD2) is a cytosolic sensor of peptidoglycan which is important for Th2 polarization. NOD2 mediates its signaling through its downstream effector kinase, Receptor-interacting Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase 2 (RIP2). We have previously shown that RIP2 is important in promoting HDM-associated allergic airway inflammation and Th2 immunity. In particular, we demonstrated that the effects of RIP2 were important early in the HDM response, likely within airway epithelial cells. However, the consequences of inhibiting RIP2 during this critical period has not yet been examined. In this study, we pharmacologically inhibited RIP2 activity during the initial exposure to allergen in an acute HDM model of asthma and determined the effect on the subsequent development of allergic airway disease. We show that early inhibition of RIP2 was sufficient to reduce lung histopathology and local airway inflammation while skewing the immune response from Th2 towards Th1. Using a chronic HDM asthma model, we demonstrate that inhibition of RIP2, despite attenuating airway inflammation and airway remodeling, was insufficient to reduce airway hyperresponsiveness. These data demonstrate the potential of pharmacological targeting of this kinase in asthma and support further development and optimization of RIP2 targeted therapies.
Changes to zonular tension alters the subcellular distribution of AQP5 in regions of influx and efflux of water in the rat lens
Authors: Petrova Rosica S , Bavana Nandini , Zhao Rusin , Schey Kevin L , Donaldson Paul J
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The lens utilizes circulating fluxes of ions and water that enter the lens at both poles and exit at the equator to maintain its optical properties. We have mapped the subcellular distribution of the lens aquaporins (AQP0, 1, & 5) in these water influx and efflux zones and investigated how their membrane location is affected by changes in tension applied to the lens by the zonules.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry using AQP antibodies was performed on axial sections obtained from rat lenses that had been removed from the eye and then fixed, or were fixedin situto maintain zonular tension. Zonular tension was pharmacologically modulated by applying either tropicamide (increased), or pilocarpine (decreased). AQP labelling was visualized using confocal microscopy.

Results

Modulation of zonular tension had no effect on AQP1 or AQP0 labelling in either the water efflux, or influx zones. In contrast, AQP5 labelling changed from membranous to cytoplasmic in response to both mechanical and pharmacologically induced reductions in zonular tension in both the efflux zone, and anterior (but not posterior) influx zone associated with the lens sutures.

Conclusions

Altering zonular tension dynamically regulates the membrane trafficking of AQP5 in the efflux and anterior influx zones to potentially change the magnitude of circulating water fluxes in the lens.
HapSolo: An optimization approach for removing secondary haplotigs during diploid genome assembly and scaffolding
Authors: Solares Edwin A. , Tao Yuan , Long Anthony D. , Gaut Brandon S.
Published: June 2020

Background

Despite marked recent improvements in long-read sequencing technology, the assembly of diploid genomes remains a difficult task. A major obstacle is distinguishing between alternative contigs that represent highly heterozygous regions. If primary and secondary contigs are not properly identified, the primary assembly will overrepresent both the size and complexity of the genome, which complicates downstream analysis such as scaffolding.

Results

Here we illustrate a new method, which we call HapSolo, that identifies secondary contigs and defines a primary assembly based on multiple pairwise contig alignment metrics. HapSolo evaluates candidate primary assemblies using BUSCO scores and then distinguishes among candidate assemblies using a cost function. The cost function can be defined by the user but by default considers the number of missing, duplicated and single BUSCO genes within the assembly. HapSolo performs hill climbing to minimize cost over thousands of candidate assemblies. We illustrate the performance of HapSolo on genome data from three species: the Chardonnay grape (Vitis vinifera), with a genome of 490Mb, a mosquito (Anopheles funestus; 200Mb) and the Thorny Skate (Amblyraja radiata; 2,650 Mb).

Conclusions

HapSolo rapidly identified candidate assemblies that yield improvements in assembly metrics, including decreased genome size and improved N50 scores. Contig N50 scores improved by 35%, 9% and 9% for Chardonnay, mosquito and the thorny skate, respectively, relative to unreduced primary assemblies. The benefits of HapSolo were amplified by down-stream analyses, which we illustrated by scaffolding with Hi-C data. We found, for example, that prior to the application of HapSolo, only 52% of the Chardonnay genome was captured in the largest 19 scaffolds, corresponding to the number of chromosomes. After the application of HapSolo, this value increased to ~84%. The improvements for mosquito scaffolding were similar to that of Chardonnay (from 61% to 86%), but even more pronounced for thorny skate. We compared the scaffolding results to assemblies that were based on another published method for identifying secondary contigs, with generally superior results for HapSolo.
Depressive symptoms and single nucleotide polymorphisms predict clinical recurrence of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ulrich Jordi Sebastian Bruno , Lang Brian Matthew , Auschra Bianca , von Känel Roland , Biedermann Luc , Greuter Thomas , Schreiner Philipp , Rogler Gerhard , Krupka Niklas , Sulz Michael Christian , Misselwitz Benjamin , Begré Stefan
Published: June 2020

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at high risk for depression. We examined interrelations between genetic risk factors for depression, depressive symptoms and IBD flares.

Methods

In 1973 patients (1137 Crohn’s disease, 836 ulcerative colitis) of the Swiss IBD cohort study (SIBDC), 62 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) preselected for associations with depression, stress, pain and smoking were screened for cross-sectional associations with depression (hospital anxiety and depression subscale for depression, HADS-D≥11). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were built to test for effects of depressive symptoms on disease course and genetic risk factors on depression and disease course. As endpoints we used active disease (CDAI≥150 or MTWAI≥10) and two published composite flare definitions: FNCE: physician reported flare, non-response to therapy, new complication or extraintestinal manifestation and AFFSST: active disease, physician reported flare, fistula, stenosis and new systemic therapy.

Results

Depressive symptoms were a strong risk factor for disease related endpoints including active disease (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR: 3.25, p<0.001), AFFSST (aHR: 1.62, p<0.001) and FNCE (aHR: 1.35, p=0.019). Rs588765’s TC alleles and rs2522833’s C allele were associated with depressive symptoms at baseline (odds ratio, OR: 0.43, q=0.050 and OR: 1.73, q=0.059, respectively). Rs588765-TC remained protective regarding presence of depression (aHR: 0.67, p=0.035) and was associated with fewer active disease states (aHR: 0.72, p=0.045) during follow-up.

Conclusions

In IBD, genetics, depressive symptoms and inflammatory activity are intimately related: Depressive symptoms were a predictor of clinical deterioration and rs588765-TC was protective for depression and high IBD activity.

Funding

This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
Cochlear implant-related speech processing may diminish the advantage of exposure to infant-directed speech
Authors: Arjmandi Meisam K. , Houston Derek , Wang Yuanyuan , Dilley Laura C.
Published: June 2020

Caregivers modify their speech when talking to infants, a specific type of speech known as infant-directed speech (IDS). This speaking style facilitates language learning compared to adult-directed speech (ADS) in infants with normal hearing (NH). While infants with NH and those with cochlear implants (CIs) prefer listening to IDS over ADS, it is yet unknown how CI speech processing may affect the acoustic distinctiveness between ADS and IDS, as well as the degree of intelligibility of these. This study analyzed speech of seven female adult talkers to investigate the effects of simulated CI speech processing on (1) acoustic distinctiveness between ADS and IDS, (2) estimates of intelligibility of caregivers’ speech in ADS and IDS, and (3) individual differences in caregivers’ ADS-to-IDS modification and speech intelligibility. Results suggest that CI speech processing is substantially detrimental to the acoustic distinctiveness between ADS and IDS, as well as to the intelligibility benefit derived from ADS-to-IDS modifications. Moreover, the observed considerable variability across individual talkers in acoustic implementation of ADS-to-IDS modification and speech intelligibility was significantly reduced due to CI speech processing. The findings are discussed in the context of the link between IDS and language learning in infants with CIs.
A handheld point-of-care system for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in under 20 minutes
Authors: Rodriguez-Manzano Jesus , Malpartida-Cardenas Kenny , Moser Nicolas , Pennisi Ivana , Cavuto Matthew , Miglietta Luca , Moniri Ahmad , Penn Rebecca , Satta Giovanni , Randell Paul , Davies Frances , Bolt Frances , Barclay Wendy , Holmes Alison , Georgiou Pantelis
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health emergency characterized by the high rate of transmission and ongoing increase of cases globally. Rapid point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics to detect the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, are urgently needed to identify and isolate patients, contain its spread and guide clinical management. In this work, we report the development of a rapid PoC diagnostic test (< 20 min) based on reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and semiconductor technology for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from extracted RNA samples. The developed LAMP assay was tested on a real-time benchtop instrument (RT-qLAMP) showing a lower limit of detection of 10 RNA copies per reaction. It was validated against 183 clinical samples including 127 positive samples (screened by the CDC RT-qPCR assay). Results showed 90.55% sensitivity and 100% specificity when compared to RT-qPCR and average positive detection times of 15.45 ± 4.43 min. For validating the incorporation of the RT-LAMP assay onto our PoC platform (RT-eLAMP), a subset of samples was tested (n=40), showing average detection times of 12.89 ± 2.59 min for positive samples (n=34), demonstrating a comparable performance to a benchtop commercial instrument. Paired with a smartphone for results visualization and geo-localization, this portable diagnostic platform with secure cloud connectivity will enable real-time case identification and epidemiological surveillance.

One Sentence Summary

We demonstrate isothermal detection of SARS-CoV-2 in under 20 minutes from extracted RNA samples with a handheld Lab-on-Chip platform.
Using past and current data to estimate potential crisis service use in mental healthcare after the COVID-19 lockdown: South London and Maudsley data
Authors: Stewart Robert , Broadbent Matthew
Published: June 2020

The lockdown policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK has a potentially important impact on provision of mental healthcare with uncertain consequences over the 12 months ahead. Past activity may provide a means to predict future demand. Taking advantage of the Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) data resource at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM; a large mental health service provider for 1.2m residents in south London), we carried out a range of descriptive analyses to inform the Trust on patient groups who might be most likely to require inpatient and home treatment team (HTT) crisis care. We considered the 12 months following UK COVID-19 lockdown policy on 16th March, drawing on comparable findings from previous years, and quantified levels of change in service delivery to those most likely to receive crisis care. For 12-month crisis days from 16th March in 2015-19, we found that most (over 80%) were accounted for by inpatient care (rather than HTT), most (around 75%) were used by patients who were current or recent Trust patients at the commencement of follow-up, and highest numbers were used by patients with a previously recorded schizophreniform disorder diagnosis. For current/recent patients on 16th March there had been substantial reductions in use of inpatient care in the following 31 days in 2020, more than previous years; changes in total non-inpatient contact numbers did not differ in 2020 compared to previous years, although there had been a marked switch from face-to-face to virtual contacts.
Epidemiological investigation of the first 135 COVID-19 cases in Brunei: Implications for surveillance, control, and travel restrictions
Authors: Wong Justin , Chaw Liling , Koh Wee Chian , Alikhan Mohammad Fathi , Jamaludin Sirajul Adli , Wan Wen Patricia POH , Naing Lin
Published: June 2020

Background

Studies on the early introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in a naïve population have important epidemic control implications. We report findings from the epidemiological investigation of the initial 135 COVID-19 cases in Brunei and describe the impact of control measures and travel restrictions.

Methods

Epidemiological and clinical information were obtained for all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brunei, whose symptom onset was from March 9 to April 5, 2020 (covering the initial 5 weeks of the epidemic). Transmission-related measures such as reproduction number (R), incubation period, serial interval were estimated. Time-varying R was calculated to assess the effectiveness of control measures.

Results

A total of 135 cases were detected, of which 53 (39.3%) were imported. The median age was 36 years (range = 0.5 to 72). 41 (30.4%) and 13 (9.6%) were presymptomatic and asymptomatic cases respectively. The median incubation period was 5 days (IQR = 5, range = 1 to 11), and the mean serial interval was 5.39 days (sd = 4.47; 95% CI: 4.25, 6.53). R0 was between 3.88 and 5.96, and the doubling time was 1.3 days. By the 13th day of the epidemic, the Rt was under one (Rt = 0.91; 95% credible interval: 0.62, 1.32) and the epidemic was under control.

Conclusion

Epidemic control was achieved through a combination of public health measures, with emphasis on a test-isolate-trace approach supplemented by travel restrictions and moderate physical distancing measures but no actual lockdown. To maintain suppression, regular and ongoing testing of high-risk groups can supplement the existing surveillance program.
A global analysis of song frequency in passerines provides no support for the acoustic adaptation hypothesis but suggests a role for sexual selection
Authors: Mikula Peter , Valcu Mihai , Brumm Henrik , Bulla Martin , Forstmeier Wolfgang , Petrusková Tereza , Kempenaers Bart , Albrecht Tomáš
Published: June 2020

Many animals use acoustic signals for communication, implying that the properties of these signals can be under strong selection. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis predicts that species living in dense habitats emit lower-frequency sounds than those in open areas, because low-frequency sounds generally propagate further in denser vegetation. Signal frequency may also be under sexual selection, because it correlates with body size and lower-frequency sounds are perceived as more intimidating. Here, we evaluate these hypotheses by analysing variation in peak song frequency across 5,085 passerine species (Passeriformes). A phylogenetically-informed analysis revealed that song frequency decreases with increasing body mass and with male-biased sexual size dimorphism. However, we found no support for the predicted relationship between frequency and habitat. Our results suggest that the global variation in passerine song frequency is mostly driven by natural and sexual selection causing evolutionary shifts in body size rather than by habitat-related selection on sound propagation.

Statement of authorship

TA and PM conceived and designed the study with input from all authors. TA and BK coordinated the study. PM collected the song data. MV performed the statistical analyses with input from WF. MB made the figures with help from MV and PM. TP and HB provided bioacoustic expertise. PM drafted the first version of the manuscript. TA, BK and PM revised and finalized the manuscript with input from all authors.

Data availability statement

The data used in this study were collected from publicly available databases. All data and computer code used to generate the results, as well as supplementary figures and tables will be freely available athttps://osf.io/fa9ky/.
Investigations for partial denture casting by fused deposition modelling-assisted chemical vapour smoothing
Authors: Singh Gurpartap , Singh Rupinder , Bal S.S.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate dimensional accuracy (Δd), surface roughness (Ra) and micro hardness (HV) of partial dentures (PD) prepared with synergic combination of fused deposition modelling (FDM) assisted chemical vapour smoothing (CVS) patterns and conventional dental casting (DC) from multi-factor optimization view point.

Design/methodology/approach

The master pattern for PD was prepared with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) thermoplastic on FDM set-up (one of the low cost additive manufacturing process) followed by CVS process. The final PD as functional prototypes was casted with nickel–chromium-based (Ni-Cr) alloy by varying Ni% (Z). The other input parameters were powder to water ratio P/W (X) and pH value (Y) of water used.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that for controlling the Δd and Ra of the PD, most important factor is X, followed by Z. For hardness of PD, the most important factor is Z. But from overall optimization viewpoint, the best settings are X-100/12, Y-10 and Z-61% (in Ni-Cr alloy). Further, based upon X-bar chart (for HV), the FDM-assisted DC process used for preparation of PD is statistically controlled.

Originality/value

This study highlights that PD prepared with X-100/12, Y-10 and Z-61% gives overall better results from multi-factor optimization view point. Finally, X-bar chart has been plotted to understand the statistical nature of the synergic combination of FDM, CVS and DC.
Addressing treatment capacity of uninsured adults with co-occurring disorders
Authors: Gruber Kenneth J. , Poole Kelly Jay , Graves Kelly N. , Richburg Antonia Monk
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the success of an initiative involving the transformation of a group of small substance use treatment only or mental health treatment only provider agencies serving uninsured adults into providers of co-occurring disorder treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a case study narrative to describe the initiative and the transformation of the participant agencies from being providers of mental health or substance use treatment to providers of co-occurring disorders.

Findings

Six agencies serving uninsured adults expanded their scope of patient treatment services to include the capacity to treat adults with co-occurring disorders. This was achieved with modest support funding from a local foundation. The initiative has been ongoing for five years.

Practical implications

The outcome of this initiative demonstrates the financial and practical feasibility of improving and expanding treatment services to low-resourced patient populations. The participating agencies were able to improve their capacity to treat patients with substance use or mental health issues that previously they were not prepared to treat and thus increased their ability to provide integrated care.

Originality/value

The initiative described here shows that the treatment of concomitant substance use and mental health disorders is within the range of many small-scale treatment providers, if provided the leadership and support. Delivery of effective treatments to populations experiencing co-occurring disorders that are underserved and undertreated are achievable in community-based clinical practices. This has implications for developing treatment capacity outside of hospital settings to enable treatment of co-occurring disorders to become more accessible.
Green Banking: a road map for adoption
Authors: Bukhari Syed Asim Ali , Hashim Fathyah , Amran Azlan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose Green Banking best practices for the adoption of this business construct based on the dimensions of environment, social and governance (ESG). This paper proposes a number of green practices under the ESG dimensions that can be adopted by individual banks at any stage of Green Banking adoption. It provides tactics for implementing this business construct that can serve as a tool for regulatory authorities forming Green Banking guidelines or policies for adoption. Such research has not been undertaken up until now.

Design/methodology/approach

The Green Banking adoption model is based on the concept of human ecology in which the inter-dependency and inter-connectivity of the variables impacting the phenomenon of environmental sustainability. These influencing variables are, in turn, connected with the natural environment. In the proposed model, the variables of ESG are inter-connected and impacting the natural environment as well. The proposed best practices have been derived from the Green Banking practices of the global industry leaders and Green Banking regulations of developed and developing countries. It can be beneficial to the stakeholders, as it proposes a step-by-step guide to Green Banking adoption that can be followed either sequentially or in parallel by the banks.

Findings

Green Banking adoption can be achieved by banks through implementing certain practices in either sequential or parallel manner. The adoption process depends on the various external and internal environmental dependencies. The Green Banking adoption practices can be broken down in three areas, i.e. ESG, allowing the construct optimal depth of coverage and complexity.

Originality/value

The literature on Green Banking is steadily increasing but a lack of research exists in the area of Green Banking adoption. Currently, limited literature exists that can provide the banking industry or the regulatory authorities with a framework or guideline to adopt Green Banking.
Mental Health Act transfers from prison to psychiatric hospital over a six-year period in a region of England
Authors: Woods Laura , Craster Laura , Forrester Andrew
Published: June 2020

Purpose

There are high levels of psychiatric morbidity amongst people in prisons. In England and Wales, prisoners who present with the most acute mental health needs can be transferred to hospital urgently under part III of the Mental Health Act 1983. This project reviewed all such transfers within one region of England, with an emphasis on differences across levels of security.

Design/methodology/approach

Over a six-year period (2010–2016) within one region of England, 930 psychiatric referrals were received from seven male prisons. From these referrals, 173 (18.5%) secure hospital transfers were required. Diagnostic and basic demographic information were analysed, along with hospital security categorisation (high secure, medium secure, low secure, psychiatric intensive care unit and other) and total time to transfer in days.

Findings

There were substantial delays to urgent hospital transfer across all levels of hospital security. Prisoners were transferred to the following units: medium security (n = 98, 56.9%); psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) (n = 34, 19.7%); low secure conditions (n = 20, 11.6%); high secure conditions (n = 12, 6.9%); other (n = 9, 5.2%). Mean transfer times were as follows: high secure = 159.6 days; other = 68.8 days; medium secure = 58.6 days; low secure = 54.8 days; and psychiatric intensive care = 16.1 days.

Research limitations/implications

In keeping with the wider literature in this area, transfers of prisoners to hospital were very delayed across all levels of secure psychiatric hospital care. Mean transfer times were in breach of the national 14-day timescale, although transfers to PICUs were quicker than to other units. National work, including research and service pilots, is required to understand whether and how these transfer times might be improved.

Originality/value

This paper extends the available literature on the topic of transferring prisoners with mental illness who require compulsory treatment. There is a small but developing literature in this area, and this paper largely confirms that delays to hospital transfer remain a serious problem in England and Wales. National work, including research and service pilots, is required to understand whether and how these transfer times might be improved. This could include different referral and transfer models as a component of service-based and pathways research or combining referral pathways across units to improve their efficacy.
Religious entrepreneurial communities as a solution for socioeconomic injustice
Authors: Javaid Omar , Shamsi Aamir Feroz , Hyder Irfan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

There are many entrepreneurial communities in the Asian subcontinent, which are known for their economic resilience and religious orientation but have received limited attention in extant literature. These communities include Memon, Delhiwala, Chinioti, Ismaili and Bohri, which have been persistent in keeping their members economically stable, as many centuries, while also retaining their religio-sociocultural identity. This paper aims to add to the body of literature by documenting the possible factors, which contribute toward advancing socio-economic justice for the members of respective communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses Eisenhardth research strategy within a social constructivist paradigm to process data from in-depth interviews, memos and documentary sources to explore the internal dynamics of three most prominent of these communities (Memon, Delhiwala and Chinioti) in Pakistan.

Findings

The findings reveal that the secret to their resilience is, perhaps, rooted in their religio-sociocultural communal norms, which may not just ensure effective wealth redistribution among the deserving segments of the society but may also enable its deserving members to achieve self-reliance through community-supported–entrepreneurial–activity. This study proposes that a culture of community-based–family–entrepreneurship coupled with the spirit of cooperation, sacrifice and reciprocity may eliminate the possibility of socioeconomic injustice.

Social implications

The religious entrepreneurial communities may be seen as an alternate to free-market or state-driven methods to impart socioeconomic justice where needed. The voluntary inclination of entrepreneurs in such communities to facilitate those in need may, perhaps, reduce or even eliminate the need to involve state intervention to redistribute wealth through taxation, which may also eliminate the cost of the state bureaucracy, which is used for the collection and redistribution of taxes.

Originality/value

The findings add to the body of literature which could help similar communities to improve their socioeconomic stability in a just manner for all its members. Policymakers can also take notice of the religio-sociocultural norms at the source of socioeconomic justice within the respective communities to formulate policies conducive to sustaining such norms where necessary.
A necessary reform of agriculture market access rules
Authors: Eba Nguema Ismaelline
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate by text and empirical facts, the need to reform the rules in force.

Design/methodology/approach

This study confronts current standards with empirical facts. To do this, it is postulated that even though current market access standards are better that the Gatt 1947 rules, they leave the possibility for some members to hijack them to eventually increase their protection effective tariff.

Findings

Market access standards for agricultural products should be reformed because of their asymmetry. To put an end to this asymmetry, these standards should be rebalanced. This is precisely the challenge of the current multilateral negotiations.

Originality/value

Unlike the studies conducted on this subject (to my knowledge), which are mainly based on economic or political science methods, this analysis is essentially based on legal reasoning law.
Creativity and working knowledge: what healthcare managers can learn from architects
Authors: Cranfield Steven
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a qualitative observational study of how middle managers in healthcare in the UK on a work-based masters programme in leadership were introduced to foundational aspects of creativity and delivering innovation through an assignment on contemporary architectural design.

Design/methodology/approach

The assignment involved individual research of a recent architectural design followed by group poster presentations of findings and structured analysis. No prior knowledge of design was required. An activity theory approach was used to explore common principles of creativity and leading innovation, key features of design processes and tools for facilitating implementation.

Findings

A total of 89 managers in seven cohorts completed the assignment. Data from process records and group work, artefacts and follow-up evaluation questionnaires were analysed within an interpretive approach. Analysis of data lent support for the view that exploring architectural design as an activity system helped participants to develop conceptual and applied links between management performance, creative collaboration and delivering innovation in their own, different field of practice. Where participants expressed limited self-efficacy regarding the capacity for fostering creativity, this was usually ascribed to systemic inhibitors.

Practical implications

Exploring architectural design could provide a relatively low-cost, highly stimulating component of management development programmes seeking to harness the contribution of creative industries to foster work-based creativity and innovation.

Originality/value

This study explores a novel use of architectural design within the context of work-applied development programmes for healthcare managers.
Measuring project performance and dynamic risk management for engineering design alliance
Authors: Yan Min-Ren , Lee Yung-Heng
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to integrate modern decision sciences and develop a dynamic risk management model for international alliance engineering design projects.

Design/methodology/approach

To apply the model to real-world risk assessment and managerial decision-making, a mega project case study was conducted. System dynamics and computer simulations were used for improving quantitative analyses and scenario planning.

Findings

Based on the consideration and analyses of different cooperation risk factors, ripple effects of design error is found to be the key factor of subcontract management in international alliance projects in this study.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a rationale for dynamic risk management decisions and enables international alliance companies to systematically control the cooperation risks in the execution of projects.

Practical implications

In the dynamic project management process, a significant increase in the design error rate does not unilaterally occur but is caused by subcontract and other management errors as a system problem. Integrative solutions with systems thinking would help the management.

Originality/value

This study proposed a framework of measuring project performance and dynamic risk management. The benchmarked case study demonstrates the capability of the proposed model for the feedback learning of business lessons and knowledge accumulations.
Relationship between MDA and juvenile crime and its impact on socioeconomic development – a theoretical framework for business and economics
Authors: Forhad Md. Abdur Rahman , Alam Gazi Mahabubul
Published: June 2020

Purpose

A minimum dropout age (MDA) requires potential dropouts to stay in school until graduation. Most countries have an MDA at least 16. An MDA greater than 16 requires potential dropouts to stay in school for at least one more year, which immediately reduces their available time and opportunities to commit a crime in the community. This study aims to examine how a higher MDA reduces crime in the community. The authors then show a higher MDA helps potential dropouts to become an entrepreneur.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop an economic model of crime that shows how an MDA greater than 16 affects contemporaneous juvenile crime in the community. Considering an MDA of 16 as a benchmark MDA, a hypothetical example with simulated data on the USA is used. The authors then show how a higher MDA offers a financial opportunity for the professional development programs.

Findings

An MDA greater than 16 reduces crime in the community. Reducing crime allows preventing social and monetary cost on juvenile delinquency. This economic efficiency offers a financial ability for adolescent training and other development programs and thereby reduces unemployment and other adverse consequences of the society.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies, the authors develop an economic model of crime that shows a hypothetical relationship between an MDA and contemporaneous juvenile crime in the community. A higher MDA allows more financial ability for juvenile development programs in high school to improve the entrepreneurial skills.
Railway wagon flow routing locus pattern intelligent recognition algorithm based on SST
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Li Ping , Ma Xiaoning , Liu Yanjun
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The operating wagon records were produced from distinct railway information systems, which resulted in the wagon routing record with the same oriental destination (OD) was different. This phenomenon has brought considerable difficulties to the railway wagon flow forecast. Some were because of poor data quality, which misled the actual prediction, while others were because of the existence of another actual wagon routings. This paper aims at finding all the wagon routing locus patterns from the history records, and thus puts forward an intelligent recognition method for the actual routing locus pattern of railway wagon flow based on SST algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the big data of railway wagon flow records, the routing metadata model is constructed, and the historical data and real-time data are fused to improve the reliability of the path forecast results in the work of railway wagon flow forecast. Based on the division of spatial characteristics and the reduction of dimension in the distributary station, the improved Simhash algorithm is used to calculate the routing fingerprint. Combined with Squared Error Adjacency Matrix Clustering algorithm and Tarjan algorithm, the fingerprint similarity is calculated, the spatial characteristics are clustering and identified, the routing locus mode is formed and then the intelligent recognition of the actual wagon flow routing locus is realized.

Findings

This paper puts forward a more realistic method of railway wagon routing pattern recognition algorithm. The problem of traditional railway wagon routing planning is converted into the routing locus pattern recognition problem, and the wagon routing pattern of all OD streams is excavated from the historical data results. The analysis is carried out from three aspects: routing metadata, routing locus fingerprint and routing locus pattern. Then, the intelligent recognition SST-based algorithm of railway wagon routing locus pattern is proposed, which combines the history data and instant data to improve the reliability of the wagon routing selection result. Finally, railway wagon routing locus could be found out accurately, and the case study tests the validity of the algorithm.

Practical implications

Before the forecasting work of railway wagon flow, it needs to know how many kinds of wagon routing locus exist in a certain OD. Mining all the OD routing locus patterns from the railway wagon operating records is helpful to forecast the future routing combined with the wagon characteristics. The work of this paper is the basis of the railway wagon routing forecast.

Originality/value

As the basis of the railway wagon routing forecast, this research not only improves the accuracy and efficiency for the railway wagon routing forecast but also provides the further support of decision-making for the railway freight transportation organization.
Epidermal growth factor receptor deficiency: Expanding the phenotype beyond infancy
Authors: Earl Brian R. , Szybowska Marta , Marwaha Ashish , Belostotsky Vladimir , Lara‐Corrales Irene , Pope Elena , Kannu Peter
Published: June 2020

Transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors represent a fundamental mechanism for transducing extracellular signals into the activation of signaling cascades responsible for intercellular communication, embryogenesis and tissue integrity. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a canonical member of this family, regarded for its dysregulated function in various malignancies. Here, we describe a young female born prematurely with friable and immature skin who developed chronic diarrhea, recurrent gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, as well as an ichthyotic and inflammatory papulopustular rash accompanied by alopecia. Whole‐exome sequencing revealed a constitutional homozygous variant in EGFR (NM_005228.3:c1283G>A; p.[G428D]), identified as a pathogenic loss‐of‐function variant in three patients with EGFR deficiency. These patients succumbed to early mortality; however, the proposita’s condition has stabilized, despite only supportive interventions, with dermatological improvements and reduced frequency of infections at 8 years. This report provides a clinical phenotyping of the longest surviving individual with EGFR deficiency and substantiates our understanding of the natural history of this multisystemic dermatological disorder.
iPhone charger‐induced chemical burn from overnight contact with sweat: Two cases
Authors: Nakagawa Yuki , Uchida Takafumi , Morizane Shin
Published: June 2020

Smartphones have become essential devices in modern society. The coverage rate of smartphones in 2017 in Japan was 75% according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The iPhone is one of the most well‐known smartphone brands. According to the manufacturer of iPhones (Apple), more than 200 million iPhones had been sold worldwide by 2017. These devices are often charged at night‐time, especially while being used in bed. There are only three reports of smartphone charger‐induced skin damage. We present two new cases of skin ulcers induced by an iPhone charger. The iPhone’s “lightning cable” has electrodes outside, and we found that this can present a higher risk of causing a skin injury compared with other types of phone chargers. We also investigated the mechanism of the skin ulcers caused by the iPhone charger. The results indicated that these ulcers were chemical burns rather than an electrical injury or heat‐induced burn.