bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
B cell-derived anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I antibody contributes to hyperhomocysteinaemia-aggravated abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Shao Fangyu , Miao Yutong , Zhang Yan , Han Lulu , Ma Xiaolong , Deng Jiacheng , Jiang Changtao , Kong Wei , Xu Qingbo , Feng Juan , Wang Xian
Published: November 2019

Aims

Overactivated B cells secrete pathological antibodies, which in turn accelerate the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) aggravates AAA in mice; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. In this study, we further investigated whether homocysteine (Hcy)-activated B cells produce antigen-specific antibodies that ultimately contribute to AAA formation.

Methods and results

ELISA assays showed that HHcy induced the secretion of anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) antibody from B cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Hcy increased the accumulation of various lipid metabolites in B cells tested by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, which contributed to elevated anti-β2GPI IgG secretion. By using the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-specific inhibitor TAK-242 or TLR4-deficient macrophages, we found that culture supernatants from Hcy-activated B cells and HHcy plasma IgG polarized inflammatory macrophages in a TLR4-dependent manner. In addition, HHcy markedly increased the incidence of elastase- and CaPO4-induced AAA in male BALB/c mice, which was prevented in μMT mice. To further determine the importance of IgG in HHcy-aggravated AAA formation, we purified plasma IgG from HHcy or control mice and then transferred the IgG into μMT mice, which were subsequently subjected to elastase- or CaPO4-induced AAA. Compared with μMT mice that received plasma IgG from control mice, μMT mice that received HHcy plasma IgG developed significantly exacerbated elastase- or CaPO4-induced AAA accompanied by increased elastin degradation, MMP2/9 expression, and anti-β2GPI IgG deposition in vascular lesions, as shown by immunofluorescence histochemical staining.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which Hcy-induced B cell-derived pathogenic anti-β2GPI IgG might, at least in part, contribute to HHcy-aggravated chronic vascular inflammation and AAA formation.
Systematic review of microRNA biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome and stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Kaur Amanpreet , Mackin Sharon T , Schlosser Kenny , Wong Fui Lin , Elharram Malik , Delles Christian , Stewart Duncan J , Dayan Natalie , Landry Tara , Pilote Louise
Published: November 2019

The aim of this systematic review was to assess dysregulated miRNA biomarkers in coronary artery disease (CAD). Dysregulated microRNA (miRNAs) have been shown to be linked to cardiovascular pathologies including CAD and may have utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. We compared miRNAs identified in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with stable CAD and control populations. We conducted a systematic search of controlled vocabulary and free text terms related to ACS, stable CAD and miRNA in Biosis Previews (OvidSP), The Cochrane Library (Wiley), Embase (OvidSP), Global Health (OvidSP), Medline (PubMed and OvidSP), Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), and ClinicalTrials.gov which yielded 7370 articles. Of these, 140 original articles were appropriate for data extraction. The most frequently reported miRNAs in any CAD (miR-1, miR-133a, miR-208a/b, and miR-499) are expressed abundantly in the heart and play crucial roles in cardiac physiology. In studies comparing ACS cases with stable CAD patients, miR-21, miR-208a/b, miR-133a/b, miR-30 family, miR-19, and miR-20 were most frequently reported to be dysregulated in ACS. While a number of miRNAs feature consistently across studies in their expression in both ACS and stable CAD, when compared with controls, certain miRNAs were reported as biomarkers specifically in ACS (miR-499, miR-1, miR-133a/b, and miR-208a/b) and stable CAD (miR-215, miR-487a, and miR-502). Thus, miR-21, miR-133, and miR-499 appear to have the most potential as biomarkers to differentiate the diagnosis of ACS from stable CAD, especially miR-499 which showed a correlation between the level of their concentration gradient and myocardial damage. Although these miRNAs are potential diagnostic biomarkers, these findings should be interpreted with caution as the majority of studies conducted predefined candidate-driven assessments of a limited number of miRNAs (PROSPERO registration: CRD42017079744).
Ethnic enclaves and immigrant outcomes: Norwegian immigrants during the Age of Mass Migration
Authors: Eriksson Katherine
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the effect of ethnic enclaves on economic outcomes of Norwegian immigrants in 1910 and 1920, the later part of the Age of Mass Migration. Using various identification strategies, including county fixed effects and an instrumental variables strategy based on chain migration, I consistently find that Norwegians living in larger enclaves in the United States had lower occupational earnings, were more likely to be in farming occupations, and were less likely to be in white-collar occupations. Results are robust to matching method and choice of occupational score. This earnings disadvantage is partly passed on to the second generation.
Preclinical Model of Perianal Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Flacs Meredith , Collard Maxime , Doblas Sabrina , Zappa Magaly , Cazals-Hatem Dominique , Maggiori Léon , Panis Yves , Treton Xavier , Ogier-Denis Eric
Published: November 2019

Background

Fistulizing anoperineal lesions (FAPLs) are common and severe complications of Crohn’s disease (CD), exposing patients to the risk of anal sphincter alteration and permanent stoma. Due to the limited efficacy of current treatments, identifying new local therapies is mandatory. However, testing new treatments is currently limited because no relevant preclinical model of Crohn’s-like FAPL is available. Thus, a reliable and reproducible experimental model of FAPLs is needed to assess new therapeutic strategies.

Methods

Twenty-one rats received a rectal enema of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce proctitis. Seven days later, a transsphincteric fistula tract was created with a surgical thread, instilled with TNBS twice a week until its removal at day 7 (group 1), day 14 (group 2), or day 28 (group 3). In each rat, pelvic MRI was performed just before and 7 days after thread removal. Rats were sacrificed 7 days after thread removal for pathological assessment of the fistula tract.

Results

The optimal preclinical model was obtained in group 3. In this group, 7 days after thread removal, all animals (9 of 9) had a persistent fistula tract visible on MRI with T2-hypersignal (normalized T2 signal intensity: 2.36 ± 0.39 arbitrary units [a.u.] [2.08–2.81]) and elevation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (1.33 ± 0.16 10-3 millimeter squared per seconds [1.18–1.49]). The pathological examination of the fistula tract revealed acute and chronic inflammation, granulations, fibrosis, epithelialization, and proctitis in the adjacent rectum.

Conclusions

This reproducible preclinical model could be used to assess the effectiveness of innovative treatments in perianal fistulizing CD.
Minimal Newton Strata in Iwahori Double Cosets
Authors: Viehmann Eva
Published: November 2019

The set of Newton strata in a given Iwahori double coset in the loop group of a reductive group $G$ is indexed by a finite subset of the set $B(G)$ of Frobenius-conjugacy classes. For unramified $G$, we show that it has a unique minimal element and determine this element. Under a regularity assumption, we also compute the dimension of the corresponding Newton stratum. We derive corresponding results for affine Deligne–Lusztig varieties.
Role of the Gonococcal Neisserial Heparin Binding Antigen in Microcolony Formation, and Serum Resistance and Adherence to Epithelial Cells
Authors: Semchenko Evgeny A , Mubaiwa Tsitsi D , Day Christopher J , Seib Kate L
Published: November 2019

The sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea is on the rise worldwide and an increased understanding of the mechanisms of colonization and pathogenesis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is required to aid development of new treatment and prevention strategies. In the current study, we investigate the neisserial heparin-binding antigen (NHBA) of N. gonorrhoeae and confirm its role in binding to several glycans, including heparin, and identify interactions of NHBA with both gonococcal and host cells. Furthermore, we report that a gonococcal nhba mutant displays decreased cell aggregation and microcolony formation, as well as reduced survival in human serum and reduced adherence to human cervical and urethral epithelial cells, relative to the wild-type strain. These data indicate that the gonococcal NHBA contributes to several aspects of the colonization and survival of N. gonorrhoeae and may be a target for new antimicrobial or vaccines.
Substrate-Borne Vibrational Communication in the Vector of Apple Proliferation Disease Cacopsylla picta (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
Authors: Oppedisano Tiziana , Polajnar Jernej , Kostanjšek Rok , De Cristofaro Antonio , Ioriatti Claudio , Virant-Doberlet Meta , Mazzoni Valerio
Published: November 2019

Cacopsylla picta (Förster, 1848) (Hemiptera: Pysllidae) is the main vector of apple proliferation, a phytoplasma-caused disease. It represents one of the most severe problems in apple orchards, and therefore, there is a mandatory requirement to chemically treat against this pest in the European Union. Sexual communication using substrate-borne vibrations was demonstrated in several psyllid species. Here, we report the characteristics of the vibrational signals emitted by C. picta during courtship behavior. The pair formation process can be divided into two main phases: identification and courtship. Females initiate the communication on the host plant by emitting trains of vibrational pulses and, during courtship, if males reply, by emitting a signal consisting of a series of pre-pulses and a ‘buzz’, a duet is established. Moreover, a scanning electron microscopy investigation showed the presence of a stridulatory structure on the thorax and wings of both sexes, whereas the video recordings elucidated associated wing movement. The results provide new information about the biology of this phytoplasma vector and could form a basis of an environmentally friendly pest management strategy.
Volatility Prediction Using a Realized-Measure-Based Component Model
Authors: Noureldin Diaa
Published: November 2019

This article introduces a volatility model with a component structure allowing for a realized measure based on high-frequency data (e.g., realized variance) to drive the short-run volatility dynamics. In a joint model of the daily return and the realized measure, the conditional variance of the daily return has a multiplicative component structure: the first component traces long-run (secular) volatility trends, while the second component captures short-run (transitory) movements in volatility. Despite being a fixed-parameter model, its component structure implies time-varying parameters, which are “data-driven” to capture changing volatility regimes. We discuss the model dynamics and estimation by maximum likelihood. The empirical analysis reveals statistically significant out-of-sample gains compared to benchmark models, particularly for short forecast horizons and during the financial crisis.
Fasciculation and Elongation Protein Zeta-1 Expression in Reactive Astrocytes in a Rat Model of Frontal Lobe Injury
Authors: Zhang Ye , Shi Qing , Li Xiwen , Xia Chunlin
Published: November 2019

There are reports that depression induced by frontal lobe injury (FLI) has a devastating effect on human mental health. We previously reported that fasciculation and elongation protein zeta-1 (FEZ1) was essential for astrocytic protection of dopamine neurons. Studies of glutamate-glutamine cycle in mental illness have been reported, whereas not from the perspective of astrocytes. This study was designed to investigate the roles of astrocytic FEZ1 and glutamate-glutamine cycle after FLI. A model of FLI was established by inserting a blade into the right frontal lobe of rats. Behavioral tests were used to observe the behavioral changes of FLI rats. Neuropathologic examinations, including immunohistochemistry, were conducted. Behavioral tests showed that FLI decreased exploratory activity. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of astroglial proteins overall decreased in the initial injury stage, as well as FEZ1. Immunohistochemistry showed a shift of FEZ1 localization from neurons in sham-lesioned rats to astrocytes in FLI rats, and showed the expression profile of glutamate transporter 1 and glutamine synthetase (GS) was consistent with Western blot observation. Our results indicate that astrocytic FEZ1 and glutamate-glutamine cycle dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of depression after FLI.
Dependence, Transcendence, and Creaturely Freedom: On the Incompatibility of Three Theistic Doctrines
Authors: Segal Aaron
Published: November 2019

In this paper I argue for the incompatibility of three claims, each of them quite attractive to a theist. First, the doctrine of deep dependence: the universe depends for its existence, in a non-causal way, on God. Second, the doctrine of true transcendence: the universe is wholly distinct from God; God is separate and apart from the universe in respect of mereology, modes, and mentality. Third, the doctrine of robust creaturely freedom: some creature performs some act such that he could have done other than he in fact did. After laying out the claims, I show that their conjunction has its adherents—most clearly, the medieval Jewish philosopher, Maimonides. I then argue in detail that the claims are in fact incompatible. I conclude with a discussion of which of the claims is best jettisoned, drawing in part on the work of the Absolute Idealist, Mary Calkins.
Encephalitozoon intestinalis: A new target for auranofin in a mice model
Authors: Abou-El-Naga I F , Gaafar M R , Gomaa M M , Khedr S I , Achy S N El
Published: November 2019

Despite the fact that many approaches have been developed over years to find efficient and well-tolerated therapeutic regimens for microsporidiosis, the effectiveness of current drugs remains doubtful, and effective drugs against specific targets are still scarce. The present study is the first that was designed to evaluate the potency of auranofin, an anti-rheumatoid FDA approved drug, against intestinal Encephalitozoon intestinalis. Evaluation of the drug was achieved through counting of fecal and intestinal spores, studying the intestinal histopathological changes, measuring of intestinal hydrogen peroxide level, and post therapy follow-up of mice for 2 weeks for detection of relapse. Results showed that auranofin has promising anti-microsporidia potential. It showed a promising efficacy in mice experimentally infected with E. intestinalis. It has revealed an obvious reduction in fecal spore shedding and intestinal tissue spore load, amelioration of intestinal tissue pathological changes, and improvement of the local inflammatory infiltration without significant changes in hydrogen peroxide level. Interestingly, auranofin prevented the relapse of infection. Thus, considering the results of the present work, auranofin could be considered a therapeutic alternative for the gold standard drug ‘albendazole’ against the intestinal E. intestinalis infection especially in relapsing cases.
‘Loving Capitalism Disease’: Aids and Ideology in the People’s Republic of China, 1984–2000*
Authors: Gewirtz Julian
Published: November 2019

This article examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interpreted HIV/AIDS in the period from 1984, when the Chinese government first introduced policies reacting to the disease’s emergence, to 2000, when China’s devastating epidemic began to receive worldwide media attention. Important new sources show how the CCP cast HIV/AIDS as a staging ground for debates about the risks of liberalization and an evolving metaphor for deviance from socialism even in an era of capitalistic changes. Just as anti-capitalist ideology shaped official understandings of HIV/AIDS, so too did HIV/AIDS shape official views about the perils of China’s ‘reform and opening’ and the risks of capitalism to China. This two-way flow of meanings, which carried epidemiological and human consequences, illustrates the need for scholars of this period to foreground the evolving official ideology and forms of resistance to global capitalism — in politics, culture, society and even public health — rather than only the more common and sanguine narrative of rapid growth and economic development. Far more than previously understood, the interplay between AIDS and CCP ideology in this period reveals crucial dynamics in the evolution of China’s ongoing encounter with global capitalism.
The role of foundations in family governance
Authors: Jakob Dominique
Published: November 2019

Family businesses nowadays face numerous challenges caused by multinational family structures, the interplay of generations and inheritance law. This article deals with the role that foundations can play in safeguarding family governance within family businesses. It explains the various models of how foundations can be used as holding structures for businesses. However, as the force of law is limited, the article then focuses on how to integrate family values into the legal tools and attempts to identify the right questions that have to be addressed in order to successfully combine solid legal structures with sustainable family happiness.
The HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966 ameliorated ischemic brain damage by downregulating the AIM2 inflammasome
Authors: Zhang Mei‐Juan , Zhao Qiu‐Chen , Xia Ming‐Xu , Chen Jian , Chen Yan‐Ting , Cao Xiang , Liu Yi , Yuan Zeng‐Qiang , Wang Xiao‐Ying , Xu Yun
Published: November 2019

Histone deacetylases 3 (HDAC3) modulates the acetylation state of histone and non‐histone proteins and could be a powerful regulator of the inflammatory process in stroke. Inflammasome activation is a ubiquitous but poorly understood consequence of acute ischemic stroke. Here, we investigated the potential contributions of HDAC3 to inflammasome activation in primary cultured microglia and experimental stroke models. In this study, we documented that HDAC3 expression was increased in microglia of mouse experimental stroke model. Intraperitoneal injection of RGFP966 (a selective inhibitor of HDAC3) decreased infarct size and alleviated neurological deficits after the onset of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In vitro data indicated that LPS stimulation evoked a time‐dependent increase of HDAC3 and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome in primary cultured microglia. Interestingly, AIM2 was subjected to spatiotemporal regulation by RGFP966. The ability of RGFP966 to inhibit the AIM2 inflammasome was confirmed in an experimental mouse model of stroke. As expected, AIM2 knockout mice also demonstrated significant resistance to ischemia injury compared with their wild‐type littermates. RGFP966 failed to exhibit extra protective effects in AIM2−/− stroke mice. Furthermore, we found that RGFP966 enhanced STAT1 acetylation and subsequently attenuated STAT1 phosphorylation, which may at least partially contributed to the negative regulation of AIM2 by RGFP966. Together, we initially found that RGFP966 alleviated the inflammatory response and protected against ischemic stroke by regulating the AIM2 inflammasome.
Can the Misinterpretation Amendment Rate Be Used as a Measure of Interpretive Error in Anatomic Pathology?: Implications of a Survey of the Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology
Authors: Parkash Vinita , Fadare Oluwole , Dewar Rajan , Nakhleh Raouf , Cooper Kumarasen
Published: November 2019

A repeat survey of the Association of the Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology, done 10 years after the original was used to assess trends and variability in classifying scenarios as errors, and the preferred post signout report modification for correcting error by the membership of the Association of the Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology. The results were analyzed to inform on whether interpretive amendment rates might act as surrogate measures of interpretive error in pathology. An analyses of the responses indicated that primary level misinterpretations (benign to malignant and vice versa) were universally qualified as error; secondary-level misinterpretations or misclassifications were inconsistently labeled error. There was added variability in the preferred post signout report modification used to correct report alterations. The classification of a scenario as error appeared to correlate with severity of potential harm of the missed call, the perceived subjectivity of the diagnosis, and ambiguity of reporting terminology. Substantial differences in policies for error detection and optimal reporting format were documented between departments. In conclusion, the inconsistency in labeling scenarios as error, disagreement about the optimal post signout report modification for the correction of the error, and variability in error detection policies preclude the use of the misinterpretation amendment rate as a surrogate measure for error in anatomic pathology. There is little change in uniformity of definition, attitudes and perception of interpretive error in anatomic pathology in the last 10 years.
Intrinsic noise, Delta-Notch signalling and delayed reactions promote sustained, coherent, synchronized oscillations in the presomitic mesoderm
Authors: Baron Joseph W. , Galla Tobias
Published: November 2019

Using a stochastic individual-based modelling approach, we examine the role that Delta-Notch signalling plays in the regulation of a robust and reliable somite segmentation clock. We find that not only can Delta-Notch signalling synchronize noisy cycles of gene expression in adjacent cells in the presomitic mesoderm (as is known), but it can also amplify and increase the coherence of these cycles. We examine some of the shortcomings of deterministic approaches to modelling these cycles and demonstrate how intrinsic noise can play an active role in promoting sustained oscillations, giving rise to noise-induced quasi-cycles. Finally, we explore how translational/transcriptional delays can result in the cycles in neighbouring cells oscillating in anti-phase and we study how this effect relates to the propagation of noise-induced stochastic waves.
Bacillus cereus bacteraemia complicated by a brain abscess in a pre-term neonate
Authors: Samarasekara Harsha , Janto Catherine , Dasireddy Vishnu , Polkinghorne Adam , Branley James
Published: November 2019

Bacillus cereus

is a common laboratory and environmental contaminant. Reports of severe infections are mainly limited to immunocompromised individuals. In reported cases, the time interval between bacteraemia and neuro-invasion appears to be very short, highlighting the importance of rapid and definitive identification and susceptibility testing of invasive

B. cereus

. We report a case of a neonatal

B. cereus

bacteraemia complicated by a brain abscess from a neonatal intensive care unit. The neonate presented with bradycardia and desaturations with increased oxygen requirements. Initial blood culture detected

B. cereus

but was considered a contaminant. Repeated culturing of the Gram-positive rod was subsequently considered to be significant. Initial ultrasound head scans revealed echogenicity in the right posterior deep white matter. A large central cavity (5 mm diameter) could eventually be observed. The brain abscess resolved after surgical drainage and an extensive 6 weeks of antimicrobial therapy. This case study describes a rare event that illustrates the importance of rapid identification and susceptibility testing of invasive

B. cereus

isolates from immunocompromised patients.
Discordant evolution of mitochondrial and nuclear yeast genomes at population level
Authors: De Chiara Matteo , Friedrich Anne , Barré Benjamin , Breitenbach Michael , Schacherer Joseph , Liti Gianni
Published: November 2019

Mitochondria are essential organelles partially regulated by their own genomes. The mitochondrial genome maintenance and inheritance differ from nuclear genome, potentially uncoupling their evolutionary trajectories. Here, we analysed mitochondrial sequences obtained from the 1,011 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain collection and identified pronounced differences with their nuclear genome counterparts. In contrast with most fungal species, S. cerevisiae mitochondrial genomes show higher genetic diversity compared to the nuclear genomes. Strikingly, mitochondrial genomes appear to be highly admixed, resulting in a complex interconnected phylogeny with weak grouping of isolates, whereas interspecies introgressions are very rare. Complete genome assemblies revealed that structural rearrangements are nearly absent with rare inversions detected. We tracked introns variation in COX1 and COB to infer gain and loss events throughout the species evolutionary history. Mitochondrial genome copy number is connected with the nuclear genome and linearly scale up with ploidy. We observed rare cases of naturally occurring mitochondrial DNA loss, petite, with a subset of them that do not suffer fitness growth defects. Overall, our results illustrate how differences in the biology of two genomes coexisting in the same cells can lead to discordant evolutionary histories.
Selective attention to sound features mediates cross-modal activation of visual cortices
Authors: Retsa Chrysa , Matusz Pawel J. , Schnupp Jan W.H. , Murray Micah M.
Published: November 2019

Contemporary schemas of brain organization now include multisensory processes both in low-level cortices as well as at early stages of stimulus processing. Evidence has also accumulated showing that unisensory stimulus processing can result in cross-modal effects. For example, task-irrelevant and lateralized sounds can activate visual cortices; a phenomenon referred to as the auditory-evoked contralateral occipital positivity (ACOP). Some claim this is an example of automatic attentional capture in visual cortices. Other results, however, indicate that context may play a determinant role. Here, we investigated whether selective attention to spatial features of sounds is a determining factor in eliciting the ACOP. We recorded high-density auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) while participants selectively attended and discriminated sounds according to four possible stimulus attributes: location, pitch, speaker identity or syllable. Sound acoustics were held constant, and their location was always equiprobable (50% left, 50% right). The only manipulation was to which sound dimension participants attended. We analysed the AEP data from healthy participants within an electrical neuroimaging framework. The presence of sound-elicited activations of visual cortices depended on the to-be-discriminated, goal-based dimension. The ACOP was elicited only when participants were required to discriminate sound location, but not when they attended to any of the non-spatial features. These results provide a further indication that the ACOP is not automatic. Moreover, our findings showcase the interplay between task-relevance and spatial (un)predictability in determining the presence of the cross-modal activation of visual cortices.
Hierachical Resampling for Bagging in Multi-Study Prediction with Applications to Human Neurochemical Sensing
Authors: Loewinger Gabriel , Patil Prasad , Kishida Kenneth T. , Parmigiani Giovanni
Published: November 2019

We propose the “study strap ensemble,” which combines advantages of two common approaches to fitting prediction models when multiple training datasets (“studies”) are available: pooling studies and fitting one model versus averaging predictions from multiple models each fit to individual studies. The study strap ensemble fits models to bootstrapped datasets, or “pseudo-studies.” These are generated by resampling from multiple studies with a hierarchical resampling scheme that generalizes the randomized cluster bootstrap. The study strap is controlled by a tuning parameter that determines the proportion of observations to draw from each study. When the parameter is set to its lowest value, each pseudo-study is resampled from only a single study. When it is high, the study strap ignores the multi-study structure and generates pseudo-studies by merging the datasets and drawing observations like a standard bootstrap. We empirically show the optimal tuning value often lies in between, and prove that special cases of the study strap draw the merged dataset and the set of original studies as pseudo-studies. We extend the study strap approach with an ensemble weighting scheme that utilizes information in the distribution of the covariates of the test dataset.

Our work is motivated by neuroscience experiments using real-time neurochemical sensing during awake behavior in humans. Current techniques to perform this kind of research require measurements from an electrode placed in the brain during awake neurosurgery and rely on prediction models to estimate neurotransmitter concentrations from the electrical measurements recorded by the electrode. These models are trained by combining multiple datasets that are collectedin vitrounder heterogeneous conditions in order to promote accuracy of the models when applied to data collected in the brain. A prevailing challenge is deciding how to combine studies or ensemble models trained on different studies to enhance model generalizability.

Our methods produce marked improvements in simulations and in this application. All methods are available in thestudyStrapCRAN package.
X-ray fluorescence analysis of metal distributions in cryogenic biological samples using large-acceptance-angle SDD detection and continuous scanning at the Hard X-ray Micro/Nano-Probe beamline P06 at PETRA III
Authors: Rumancev C. , Gräfenstein A. , Vöpel T. , Stuhr S. , von Gundlach A. R. , Senkbeil T. , Garrevoet J. , Jolmes L. , König B. , Falkenberg G. , Ebbinghaus S. , Schroeder W. H. , Rosenhahn A.
Published: November 2019

A new Rococo 2 X-ray fluorescence detector was implemented into the cryogenic sample environment at the Hard X-ray Micro/Nano-Probe beamline P06 at PETRA III, DESY, Hamburg, Germany. A four sensor-field cloverleaf design is optimized for the investigation of planar samples and operates in a backscattering geometry resulting in a large solid angle of up to 1.1 steradian. The detector, coupled with the Xspress 3 pulse processor, enables measurements at high count rates of up to 106 counts per second per sensor. The measured energy resolution of ∼129 eV (Mn Kα at 10000 counts s−1) is only minimally impaired at the highest count rates. The resulting high detection sensitivity allows for an accurate determination of trace element distributions such as in thin frozen hydrated biological specimens. First proof-of-principle measurements using continuous-movement 2D scans of frozen hydrated HeLa cells as a model system are reported to demonstrate the potential of the new detection system.
Ground penetrating radar-based deterioration assessment of RC bridge decks
Authors: Alsharqawi Mohammed , Zayed Tarek , Shami Ahmad
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Although ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology is commonly used to assess the condition of reinforced-concrete (RC) bridge decks, the GPR data interpretation is not straightforward. Further, the thresholds that define the severity of deterioration are selected arbitrarily. This paper aims to solve a problem associated with GPR results generated by using a numerical amplitude method to assess corrosiveness of bridge decks.

Design/methodology/approach

Data, for more than 50 different bridge decks, were collected using a ground-coupled antenna. Depth-correction was performed for the collected data to normalize the reflected amplitude. Using k-means clustering technique, the amplitude values of each bridge deck were classified into four categories. Later, statistical analysis was performed where the threshold values of different categories of corrosion and deterioration are chosen. Monte-Carlo simulation technique was used to validate the value of these thresholds. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was performed to realize the effect of changing the thresholds in the areas of corrosion.

Findings

The final result of this research is a four-category (good, fair, poor and critical) GPR scale with three fixed numerical thresholds (−7.71 dB, −10.04 dB and −14.63 dB) that define these categories. Besides, deterioration curves have been modeled using Weibull function and based on GPR outputs and corrosion areas.

Originality/value

The developed numerical GPR-based scale and deterioration models are expected to help the decision-makers in assessing the corrosiveness of bridge decks accurately and objectively. Hence, they will be able to take the right intervention decision for managing these decks.
Using uniform magnetic field to obtain the constant output power and transfer efficiency for MCR-WPT
Authors: Liu Suqi , Tan Jianping
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to find an approach that achieves constant output power and transfer efficiency in an open space, such as charging pads.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a topology of the five-coil system including two transmitting coils is presented. Also, in a fixed-frequency mode and an open space, this study focuses on the two transmitting coils to achieve the uniform magnetic field and ultimately, attain the constant output power and transfer efficiency.

Findings

In a fixed-frequency mode and an open space, the constant output power and transfer efficiency is then achieved in experiments by inserting the relay loop into the uniform magnetic field.

Practical implications

An approach that achieves constant output power and transfer efficiency in an open space. The topology of the five-coil magnetically coupled resonant-wireless power transfer (MCR-WPT) system shows prospective value for various applications, which could be used at designing of wireless battery charger dedicated for cars or mobile phones.

Originality/value

By comparing the simulation and experimental results, the topology can be optimized in the transmission performance by itself. By doing so, the constant output power and transfer ef?ciency are achieved in the constant frequency mode.
Higher education space management through user-centric data analytics
Authors: Lavy Sarel , Daneshpour Elmira , Choi Kunhee
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate critical spatial factors that may affect the utilization rate of graduate student study space in higher education institutions (HEI). It is anticipated that the results of this study could promote research productivity by more effectively engaging research space dedicated to graduate students.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative quantitative analysis based on survey results was implemented. The quantitative study compares the results of Department A of the university under study with other departments on the same campus. Logistic regression is used for quantitative translation of the categorical data.

Findings

Noise level and furniture quality (both for comfort and layout design) are almost equally the most significant factors for attracting graduate students to study lounges. Based on the results from this study, with quality improvements of noise level or furniture, the probability of user occupancy rates in graduate lounges would triple.

Research limitations/implications

Being a case study, the quantitative results are only applicable to the one university studied. However, the significance of noise and furniture quality as the prime factors for successful graduate study lounges could be bolstered with findings from other case studies around the nation and the world.

Originality/value

This study attempts to pay close attention to graduate lounge spaces within HEI. With the rising pressure on universities to offer greater benefits with the same space assets, this study helps facility managers create more efficient spaces at universities tailored for the modern style of education.
Analyzing causal relationships of effective factors on the decision making of individual investors to purchase shares
Authors: Sayyadi Tooranloo Hossein , Azizi Pedram , Sayyahpoor Ali
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Changes in economic markets have made it necessary to understand the psychology of individual investors. Conducting effective studies on the decision of investors to buy stock in the stock market can be useful. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and prioritize the factors affecting the decision-making of investors to purchase shares of the stock exchange. The purpose of this study was to analyze causal relationships and to weight effective factors on individual investment to purchase shares of Tehran Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is applied research in the term of its purposes and a descriptive-survey one in the term of data gathering methods. The data required in this study was collected through library and field studies. The study population included 35 investment experts. In present study, multi-criteria decision-making techniques in type-2 fuzzy environments have been used to analyze the causal relationships and weighing the factors affecting individual investment in purchasing stock in the stock market.

Findings

In the study, 4 indicators and 20 sub-indicators influencing individual investors’ decision to purchase shares of Tehran Stock Exchange were selected based on the literature review in the field of investment in the stock exchange, as well as interviews with experts. Analyzing the opinions of experts showed that they have much paid attention to financial index compare to the economic, political and psychological indicators of the market in determining the priority of indicators. In analyzing sub-indicators, it was identified that Iranian investors pay special attention to economic and political developments, political news and international economic developments.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has been carried out in Iran, and therefore, is geographically limited to Iran. In thematic terms, it is limited to effective factors of individual investments in Tehran Stock Exchange. The statistical population of present study was limited to investing experts in Tehran Stock Exchange. The difference in financial, economic, social and political conditions of individuals was another limitation of present study. The main consequences of research were the explanation of causes of investors’ higher attention to financial factors than economic, political and mental factors of market in buying stocks.

Originality/value

Given the uncertainty in the market status, using multi-criteria decision-making techniques in financial analysis can help decision-makers to make better decisions. In addition, it would be possible to take into account many variables that do not have a mathematical aspect but are important in decision-making and lead to increased decision-making satisfaction. The research initially analyzed causal relationships of determinants of individual investment on stock exchange for buying stocks through a type-2 fuzzy approach.
Can sustainability audits provide effective, hands-on business sustainability learning, teaching and assessment for business management undergraduates?
Authors: Emblen-Perry Kay
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present a novel pedagogical approach to education for sustainability within the business curriculum that adopts a sustainability audit of a fictional company presented as a case study as the focus of learning, teaching and assessment. It evaluates the user’s ability to provide the active learning called for in education for sustainability literature and hands-on learning that business management students prefer.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores students’ qualitative and quantitative responses to pre- and post-module surveys and module evaluations to establish the effectiveness of focussing learning, teaching and assessment on a sustainability audit. The study, undertaken over a two-year period, adopts four indicators of learning and teaching effectiveness to synthesise, evaluate and present the findings as follows: development of sustainability knowledge and skill, employment skills, career and life skills and engagement.

Findings

The study finds that a sustainability audit can develop students’ knowledge and skills in all four indicators of learning and teaching effectiveness. In addition, the findings suggest it can raise students’ learning awareness and recognition of their role in the learning process.

Research limitations/implications

This paper reports the findings of a small scale, two-year study. As such, it presents indicative findings rather than generalised conclusions.

Practical implications

Designing a pedagogical approach to education for sustainability within the business curriculum around the completion of a sustainability audit can offer hands-on learning experiences that meet students’ preferences for interactive, experiential and collaborative learning within real-world environments, employers’ demands for employment-ready graduates and educators’ hopes for sustainability advocates.

Originality/value

This study builds on the existing pedagogic discourse of pedagogic means and methods for education for sustainability within the business curriculum. It provides insight into effective hands-on education for sustainability within the business curriculum and offers experience-based guidance to educators seeking to develop immersive, active and experiential, real-world pedagogical approaches.
The neighborhood effect of online reviews
Authors: Liang Dong , Wang Xia
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Online reviews have been indicated to play an important role in consumers’ decision-making process, as supported by numerous studies. However, none of them has considered the neighborhood effect of online reviews. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of neighbor store’s reviews on central store’s, along with the moderating effects of store density and product similarity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from dianping.com, this study conducts economic analysis accounting for endogeneity.

Findings

The results show that the neighbor store’s reviews exert a negative impact on that of central stores. Nevertheless, the relationship is moderated by store density and product similarity, such that the negative effect is stronger if there are a lot of stores around the central store, or if the neighbor store and central store provide similar products.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the neighborhood effect of online reviews.
The impact of the matching of innovative product category and presentation order on consumer’s purchasing intention
Authors: Lu Meng , Qiang Yang , Jiangang Du , Zerui Dong
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction effect of innovative product category and presentation order on consumer consumer’s purchasing intention and the mediating role of perceived novelty and risk perception.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examined the hypotheses in three experiment studies. In Study 1, the authors primed innovative product category and presentation order on consumer consumer’s purchasing intention. In Study 2, the authors measured the mediating role of perceived novelty and risk perception. In Study 3, they validated the moderating effect of picture and text consistency on the improvement of purchase preference.

Findings

The results reveal that RNP/INP and presentation order (from whole to part/from part to whole) could enhance consumers’ purchase intention and verify the mediating role of perceived novelty and risk perception, based on which a complete internal mechanism model is constructed. The third experiment shows the moderating effect of picture and text consistency on the improvement of purchase preference by matching the category and presentation order of innovative products.

Originality/value

Prior literature on the thinking mode of holistic and partial processing has been mostly applied to the cognitive field of reading and text labeling. In this study, using the holistic (local) processing thinking model and anchoring theory, eye movement experiments and situational experiments, the audience’s analysis framework of information processing mechanism is constructed. The unique phenomenon of product category and overall (local) presentation order coexisting in innovative product advertisement is considered comprehensively.
Place marketing and place based loyalty schemes
Authors: Rybaczewska Maria , Sparks Leigh
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate place-based loyalty schemes and place marketing. It focuses on the practical issues of implementation and use as perceived by place managers and businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation incorporated a three-stage procedure: focus group, quantitative data analysis and semi-structured interviews with place managers and business managers.

Findings

The study showed wide interest and potential for place based loyalty schemes, acknowledged by all stakeholder groups. The major concerns were practical issues such as complexity, security of data and costs of implementation (equally time/effort and money). The key finding is the need for simplicity to avoid competing desires and priorities.

Originality/value

Place marketing is claimed to be a priority for town and city managers. There is less agreement however on how to achieve effective place marketing. The authors show how different stakeholders have different views and how these need to be considered to obtain the benefits all agree are possible.
Entrepreneurial social identity and stakeholders: the socio-economic implications
Authors: Estrada-Cruz Marina , Verdú-Jover Antonio José , Gómez-Gras José Maria , Guaita Martinez Jose Manuel
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Entrepreneurial identity involves identifying and exploiting opportunities to create value and wealth. Entrepreneurship contributes mainly to a firm’s efforts be exploited in a marketplace. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the entrepreneurial social identities identified by Fauchart and Gruber (2011) and three primary stakeholders: investors, customers and employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through online questionnaires from entrepreneurs who had created their own new venture in Spain. The results were analysed using partial least squares technique (PLS-SEM) (Fornell and Cha, 1994) with Smart PLS 3.0 (Ringleet al., 2015).

Findings

The results show that the identities defined as Darwinian and Communitarian have a positive effect on profits and growth in sales, which serve to create value for investors and customers. The effect is not significant, however, when these identities are connected to job creation to create value for employees. Further, the multi-group analysis performed shows that this relationship differs significantly based on gender.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is that this research does not include relevant stakeholders like sponsors or project managers. The next step is to expand this research to this kind of stakeholders.

Practical implications

The research assists gender entrepreneurial social identity and business performance under the impact on primary stakeholders.

Social implications

This research has the potential to analyse the entrepreneurial social identities for their contribution to create value and wealth.

Originality/value

The authors’ main contributions are to have based the study on the relationship between entrepreneurial social identity and business performance and their impact on primary stakeholders and to have analysed the differences on gender entrepreneurial social identity and business performance and their impact on primary stakeholders.