bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IM30 IDPs form a membrane protective carpet upon super-complex disassembly
Authors: Junglas Benedikt , Orru Roberto , Axt Amelie , Siebenaller Carmen , Steinchen Wieland , Heidrich Jennifer , Hellmich Ute A. , Hellmann Nadja , Wolf Eva , Weber Stefan A. L. , Schneider Dirk
Published: September 2020

Members of thephage shock protein A(PspA) family, including theinner membrane-associated protein of 30 kDa(IM30), are suggested to stabilize stressed cellular membranes. Furthermore, IM30 is essential in thylakoid membrane-containing chloroplasts and cyanobacteria, where it is involved in membrane biogenesis and/or remodeling. While it is well known that PspA and IM30 bind to membranes, the mechanism of membrane stabilization is still enigmatic. Here we report that ring-shaped IM30 super-complexes disassemble on membranes, resulting in formation of a membrane-protecting protein carpet. Upon ring dissociation, the C-terminal domain of IM30 unfolds, and the protomers self-assemble on membranes. IM30 assemblies at membranes have been observed beforein vivoand were associated to stress response in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. These assemblies likely correspond to the here identified carpet structures. Our study defines the thus far enigmatic structural basis for the physiological function of IM30 and related proteins, including PspA, and highlights a hitherto unrecognized concept of membrane stabilization by intrinsically disordered proteins.
The RING domain of TRIM69 promotes higher-order assembly
Authors: Keown Jeremy R. , Yang Joy , Black Moyra M. , Goldstone David C.
Published: September 2020

Members of the TRIM protein family have been shown to inhibit a range of viral infections. Recently, TRIM69 was identified as a potent inhibitor of Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus infection, with its inhibition being dependent upon multimerization. Using SEC-MALLS analysis, it is demonstrated that the assembly of TRIM69 is mediated through the RING domain and not the Bbox domain as has been shown for other TRIM proteins. Using X-ray crystallography, the structure of the TRIM69 RING domain has been determined to a resolution of 2.1 Å, the oligomerization interface has been identified and regions outside the four-helix bundle have been observed to form interactions that are likely to support assembly.
Plasticity, ligand conformation and enzyme action of Mycobacterium smegmatis MutT1
Authors: Raj Prateek , Karthik S. , Arif S. M. , Varshney U. , Vijayan M.
Published: September 2020

Mycobacterium smegmatis MutT1 (MsMutT1) is a sanitation enzyme made up of an N-terminal Nudix hydrolase domain and a C-terminal domain resembling a histidine phosphatase. It has been established that the action of MutT1 on 8-oxo-dGTP, 8-oxo-GTP and diadenosine polyphosphates is modulated by intermolecular interactions. In order to further explore this and to elucidate the structural basis of its differential action on 8-oxo-NTPs and unsubstituted NTPs, the crystal structures of complexes of MsMutT1 with 8-oxo-dGTP, GMPPNP and GMPPCP have been determined. Replacement soaking was used in order to ensure that the complexes were isomorphous to one another. Analysis of the structural data led to the elucidation of a relationship between the arrangements of molecules observed in the crystals, molecular plasticity and the action of the enzyme on nucleotides. The dominant mode of arrangement involving a head-to-tail sequence predominantly leads to the generation of NDPs. The other mode of packing arrangement appears to preferentially generate NMPs. This work also provides interesting insights into the dependence of enzyme action on the conformation of the ligand. The possibility of modulating the enzyme action through differences in intermolecular interactions and ligand conformations makes MsMutT1 a versatile enzyme.
Displaced and vulnerable: a case study of “out of area” housing
Authors: Iafrati Steve
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of study is to explore how structural problems within housing supply and the marketisation of housing for the poorest and most vulnerable households affect households and can lead to negative outcomes for some households. The research highlights the experiences of out of area (OOA) households that can be below the radar in debates regarding housing crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The research features a case study approach focusing on the experiences of a single household, which is supplemented with an interview with the household’s local authority housing manager. Additionally, freedom of information data is used to analyse the local authority placing the household OOA. The case study is transferable and the additional evidence validates the household’s experiences.

Findings

The research finds that OOA housing can be disruptive for households and negatively affect well-being as well as facilitate social cleansing. The case study, while examining the lived experience of OOA housing, also recognises structural causes of the housing crisis within neoliberal housing policy. Furthermore, the case study recognises the positions of local authorities placing households OOA and receiving these households.

Originality/value

The research is original in using a case study to explore OOA housing. OOA housing is an under-researched area where households are not homeless but are housed in a manner detrimental to their well-being. The case study brings together interviews and freedom of information data to highlight findings currently missing in housing research.
Predicting the voluntary donation to online content creators
Authors: Zhao Futao , Yao Zhong
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact factors that might influence audiences' voluntary donation to content creators on the online platforms, and to build an effective prediction model by considering both content and creator-related features.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected the real-world data of content consumption from Xueqiu.com and extracted both content and creator characteristics from the data set. The best donation prediction model based on such features was determined by evaluating four prevalent classifiers with various performance metrics. Furthermore, three feature selection methods were applied to validate the robustness of the constructed model, and then the predictability of different feature groups was examined. Finally, we conducted an interpretive analysis to identify relatively important predictors.

Findings

The experimental results show that the random classifier with all extracted features outperformed other built models and achieved excellent performance, indicating the usefulness of these factors in predicting the donations. Moreover, the predictability of content features was demonstrated to be relatively better than that of creator ones. Finally, several particularly important predictors were identified such as the number of modal particles in the article.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate what factors might drive customers' voluntary donation to content contributors on social websites. Different from previous studies focusing on live video streaming, we expand the research vision by examining the donations to user-generated text content, calling for attention to other important topics in the burgeoning industry.
Forecasting Islamic equity indices alpha
Authors: Anjum Nadia , Rajput Suresh Kumar Oad
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether Islamic and conventional equity indices offer some alpha. These indices are expected to offer no alpha being value-weighted, passive and unmanaged.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used monthly data from 1996 to 2016 of four Dow Jones (DJ) and one financial times stock exchange (FTSE) Islamic equity indices and five conventional Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) equity indices. This study used a simple ordinary least square (OLS) rolling window regressions to generate the alphas and risk loadings when adjusting for prominent pricing factor models.

Findings

The findings from OLS regressions suggest that DJ Islamic indices of Japan, Europe and World generate significant alphas, whereas, MSCI conventional indices of Asia/Pacific, USA and World generate significant alpha when risk-adjusted for pricing factor models. However, in 36-month rolling window regressions, all Islamic indices generate significant alpha and factor loading. The magnitude of alpha and factor loading changes over time.

Research limitations/implications

The finding shows that the Shari’ah-compliant investment fund’s alpha must be adjusted with the respective benchmark index alpha to measure the fund manager’s skill performance quantitatively.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that investigates and compares the Islamic, as well as conventional indices for abnormal returns, which are adjusted for both Fama–French five and q-theory-based four assets pricing risk factors and as a benchmark for Shari’ah-compliant fund’s performance.
Diffusion simulation of innovative products based on Lotka-Volterra
Authors: Li Chunfa , Wang Shengkai , Tao Jianqiang
Published: September 2020

Purpose

In view of the particularity of innovative product diffusion under the background of market competition, this paper firstly uses consumer behavior theory to logically deduce the dynamic process of consumer behavior from the perspective of experience theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Bass and Lotka-Volterra model are used to describe and model the consumers' perceptual behavior in competitive environment. On this basis, interactive modeling technology is used to model and simulate the diffusion process of innovative products. Finally, the validity of the model is verified by comparing two scenarios with an example.

Findings

The research shows that the stronger the enterprise's competitiveness, the higher the market share of innovative products, and the positive impact on consumer perceived value, consumer perceived value can promote consumers' second purchase behavior. Positive word-of-mouth and advertising positively affect consumers' purchasing decisions; negative word-of-mouth negatively affects consumers' purchasing decisions.

Originality/value

The interaction modeling technology and AnyLogic software platform are used to simulate the complexity of consumers' experiential perception so as to build the interaction and competition mechanism among different Agent, which realizes the dynamic simulation of the diffusion process of innovative products. This study provides guidance for enterprises to formulate effective marketing strategies.
The social political role of Muslim scholars (ulamas) in the Acehnese society
Authors: Rasyidin Rasyidin
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to critically understand and to find out the social political role of the Acehnese ulamas (Muslim scholars) in solving and coping with social issues faced by contemporary Acehnese society.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, especially in the districts of Aceh Utara, Pidie, Aceh Besar, Aceh Selatan and Aceh Timur. The locations were chosen based on the consideration of the objective conditions that many ulamas are dwelling and easily be found within these areas. Besides, the locations are historically believed as the origins of the Acehnese that are so diverse. In addition, a large number of social problems frequently arose within those regions. The subjects of this research study were a number of community determined by purposive sampling technique. The instruments used for the data collection in this research were observation, in-depth interview and library study; and interpretative understanding was also used to analyze the data.

Findings

The existence of the Acehnese ulamas represents the government’s recognition to word the traditional institutional in Aceh. However, some people think that institutions are used by government to exploit ulama as the mediator between government and society. For the Acehnese ulamas, the presence of the institution could be used to consolidate their power for the benefit of the people.

Originality/value

The originality of this research can be seen from the effort to explain how contemporary Acehnese society views Theologian (ulama) in solving social problems, which were little studied by previous researchers. This question is important to examine, given the position of ulama in people’s lives since the pre-independence period and during the social revolution that had occurred in Aceh until the early 1970s was very dominant. That is, even the symbolic world of Acehnese society formed through the dominance of ulama discourse has structured how people’s responses typically must be expressed.
Engaging customers with hospitality brands in social commerce activities
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Jahromi Melissa F. , Hua Nan , Lu Lu
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Social commerce is relatively a nascent notion that highlights the transactions of e-commerce facilitated through social media. This study aims to investigate the motivational factors driving customer brand engagement in social commerce activities within the hospitality sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

Guided by self-determination theory, this research examined both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors by surveying 588 hospitality customers in a structured questionnaire.

Findings

The results showed that intrinsically customers were motivated by knowledge, accomplishment and stimulation; while extrinsically customers were motivated by external and introjected regulation to affect their cognitive, affectional and behavioral engagement with hospitality brands through social commerce activities.

Originality/value

Given the emerging trends in customer brand engagement practices within the context of social commerce, this study investigates an understudied phenomenon and its relational drivers, which reveals its theoretical significance.
Elderly customers’ reactions to service failures: the role of future time perspective, wisdom and emotional intelligence
Authors: Chaouali Walid , Souiden Nizar , Ringle Christian M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Considering the scant scholarly research on elderly customers’ behaviors, this study aims to investigate elderly customers’ reactions to service failure. Additionally, it takes into account customers’ emotions and abilities to cope with stressful situations and achieve successful problem-solving complaining. In particular, future time perspective, wisdom and emotional intelligence were examined to delineate their impacts on the elderly’s responses to service failures.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in a French city through mall-intercept interviewing. In total, 240 respondents participated, based on their retrospective service failure experience. PLS-SEM was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Both wisdom and emotional intelligence were found to directly and positively impact problem-solving complaining. Future time perspective, however, only had an indirect effect on problem-solving complaining through wisdom and emotional intelligence.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to shed some light on how elderly customers constructively react to service failures. To this end, it uses future time perspective, wisdom and emotional intelligence, as well as their interrelationships, to explain elderly customers’ problem-solving complaining.
Analogical reasoning guidelines: a review and application to sustainable supply chains
Authors: Gruner Richard L. , Power Damien
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to review analogical reasoning work to distil and apply procedural guidelines that aid theoreticians to develop novel analogies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed 189 studies from 1980 to 2020 to identify analogical reasoning guidelines.

Findings

Results revealed four procedural steps for the introduction of novel analogies: target and source domain selection; domain image mapping; relevance assessment; and proposition drafting. […] shallow lakes constitute the source domain and sustainable supply chain management represents the target domain.

Research limitations/implications

The identified procedural guidelines can help future scholars to develop novel analogies with rigor and structure. The paper provides an agenda for new research that addresses gaps in current studies that reason by analogy.

Originality/value

This paper distils and applies analogical reasoning guidelines for the development of novel analogies, extending and complementing much existing theorizing on reasoning by analogy. Additionally, disjointed and fragmented research findings are synthesized to yield a comprehensive understanding of analogical reasoning, which can serve as a foundation for future theorizing in sustainable supply chain management and beyond.
Affective actions recognition in dyadic interactions based on generative and discriminative models
Authors: Yang Ning , Wang Zhelong , Zhao Hongyu , Li Jie , Qiu Sen
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Dyadic interactions are significant for human life. Most body sensor networks-based research studies focus on daily actions, but few works have been done to recognize affective actions during interactions. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and recognize affective actions collected from dyadic interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework that combines hidden Markov models (HMMs) and k-nearest neighbor (kNN) using Fisher kernel learning is presented in this paper. Furthermore, different features are considered according to the interaction situations (positive situation and negative situation).

Findings

Three experiments are conducted in this paper. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed Fisher kernel learning-based framework outperforms methods using Fisher kernel-based approach, using only HMMs and kNN.

Practical implications

The research may help to facilitate nonverbal communication. Moreover, it is important to equip social robots and animated agents with affective communication abilities.

Originality/value

The presented framework may gain strengths from both generative and discriminative models. Further, different features are considered based on the interaction situations.
CSR Implementations in refugee education: the case of Syrians in Turkey
Authors: Sunata Ulaş , Özdemir Alper Cezmi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Global governmentality to deal with refugee crises and related cohesion problems suggests the private sector’s activation. The purpose of this study is to theoretically understand this preference together with the global increase of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and empirically access the CSR implementation in Turkey by focussing on government policy towards refugee education for Syrian children in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

This study offers insights into the picture of CSR implementation in Turkey deriving from an analysis of secondary data, obtained from multiple sources. This analysis is examined in the context of refugee education with the position of Turkish Government.

Findings

This study reveals an increase of the private sector’s role in refugee education at the global level by CSR implementations besides privatization of national education. It determines Turkish CSR picture is still developing, but bodies of Turkish government persisting its “soft power” are seen as CSR projects’ indispensable partner. It discusses the meaning of digital solutions in refugee education and attempts at using technological innovations to supply language training in the CSR context.

Originality/value

Although plenty of research has been conducted on the refugee education, CSR in the countries faced with large refugee influxes has not received enough attention in the literature. This study attempts to fill the gap in literature dealing with CSR implementations in refugee education. It also contributes to the understanding of the Turkish context of CSR.
On the correct mathematical derivation and ecological application of unbiased estimators in biodiversity research
Authors: Pillai Pradeep , Gouhier Tarik C.
Published: September 2020

Clark et al. (2019) sought to extend the Loreau–Hector partitioning scheme by showing how to estimate selection and complementarity effects from an incomplete sample of species. We demonstrate that their approach suffers from serious conceptual and mathematical errors. Instead of finding unbiased estimators for a finite population, they inserted ad hoc correction factors into unbiased parameter estimators for an infinite population without any mathematical justification in order to force the sample estimators of an infinite population to converge to the true finite population parameter values as sample size n approached population size N. In doing so, they confused the unbiasedness of a sample estimator with its equivalence to the true population parameter value when .

Additionally, we show that their estimators of complementarity, selection and the net biodiversity effect are incorrect. We then derive the correct unbiased estimators but caution that, contrary to what Clark et al. claim, these quantities will not approximate the corresponding population parameters without significant repeated random sampling, something that would likely be unfeasible in most if not all biodiversity experiments.

Clark et al. also state that their method can be used to compare distinct experiments characterized by different species and diversity levels, or extrapolate from biodiversity experiments to natural systems. This is incorrect because relative yields are not a property of individual species like monoculture yields but an emergent and specific feature of an experimental community. As such, two experimental communities, even when overlapping significantly in species, are incommensurable for the purpose of predicting relative yields. In other words, different experimental communities are not equivalent to different samples taken from the same statistical population.

Finally, Clark et al. incorrectly claim that both the original Loreau–Hector partitioning scheme and their extension work for any baseline despite the fact that recent research has shown that a nonlinear relationship between monoculture density and ecosystem functioning will likely inflate the net biodiversity effect in plant systems, and will always lead to spurious measurements of complementarity and selection.
Outcomes of heart transplantation in patients bridged with Impella 5.0: Comparison with native chest transplanted patients without preoperative mechanical circulatory support
Authors: Monteagudo‐Vela María , Panoulas Vasileios , García‐Saez Diana , de Robertis Fabio , Stock Ulrich , Simon Andre Rudiger
Published: September 2020

The Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) has become an important adjunct treatment modality in bridging patients with end‐stage heart failure to recovery or orthotopic heart transplantation (HTx). We compared the outcome of patients directly bridged to HTx with the Impella 5.0 versus patients without mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Patients with no previous sternotomy or MCS, who were transplanted between September 2014 and March 2019 were included in this retrospective analysis. Impella 5.0 was implanted using surgical access and transesophageal echocardiography guidance. Forty‐two out of 155 transplanted patients fulfilled the insertion criteria. Eight (19%) were bridged with Impella 5.0 to HTx. Recipient and donor baseline characteristics were comparable in both groups. There were no significant differences in survival between the groups at 30‐day (94% no MCS vs. 87.5% Impella group, P = .47) or 6 months (94% vs. 87.5%, P = .51). Patients on Impella 5.0 showed a significant recovery of hemodynamic parameters and end‐organ function. Average duration of support to HTx was 16 ± 17 days. Impella 5.0, when used in suitable patients in a timely fashion can be a good strategy for bridging patients to HTx. The axillary approach allows for early extubation and mobilization. Outcomes of patients bridged to HTx with Impella 5.0 in acute cardiogenic shock are comparable to those of patients with no MCS.
Adolescent Family Conflict as a Predictor of Relationship Quality in Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Heinze Justin E. , Hsieh Hsing‐Fang , Aiyer Sophie M. , Buu Anne , Zimmerman Marc A.
Published: September 2020

Objective

This research examines the influence of adolescent family conflict on relationship quality in early and later emerging adulthood, while considering the interpersonal resources that protect youth against the intergenerational transmission of negative relationship quality.

Background

Family conflict during adolescence can impede the development of skills needed to maintain future productive interpersonal relationships. Positive peer and romantic relationships in emerging adulthood may buffer the negative ramifications of earlier family conflict.

Method

A longitudinal design was used to follow a sample of 850 at‐risk adolescents (50% female, 50% male) who were predominantly (80%) African American. Binary logistic and ordinary least‐squares regressions were run to test hypotheses.

Results

Adolescents who reported higher levels of family conflict in adolescence were less likely to report closeness or support from both their parents and spouses or partners during both early and late emerging adulthood. These adolescents also reported higher levels of perceived daily stressors. Positive relationships in emerging adulthood did not affect the relationship between family conflict and later relationship outcomes.

Conclusion

Family conflict in adolescence is associated with unhealthy relationship patterns in emerging adulthood.

Implications

Adolescents from high‐conflict homes are unlikely to learn adaptive relationship strategies through natural maturation or exposure to positive interpersonal relationships in emerging adulthood. Direct intervention (e.g., conflict resolution skills) in emerging adulthood should be explored.
Dollar Dollar Bill Y'all: The Eradication of Historically Black Colleges & Universities by the Federal Government, One Dollar at a Time
Authors: Redd Alexis
Published: September 2020

Under current federal regulations, families are being financially burdened by the cost of college tuition at Historically Black Colleges and Universities due to the lack of federal funding allocated to these vital institutions. Historically Black Colleges & Universities are struggling to keep their doors open to educate many Black students from low‐income families and first‐generation college students – the same demographic they were created to educate. Over the years, the burden has greatly shifted from the government to the backs of families. This Note proposes a three‐part initiative that adequately distributes nonperformance‐based federal funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
For the Future of the Children? The Onward Migration of Italian Bangladeshis in Europe
Authors: Morad Mohammad , Sacchetto Devi
Published: September 2020

In this study, we analyse the reasons for the onward migration of Bangladeshis in Italy to the UK after they obtain Italian citizenship. The findings of 51 in‐depth interviews and participant observation with Bangladeshi migrants with Italian citizenship in three cities of north‐eastern Italy and two cities of the UK indicate that Italian Bangladeshis move to the UK, not only for economic reasons, but also, to better manage the cultural and social reproduction of their family, particularly the second generation. This is indicative of the centrality of colonial legacy from a cultural and economic point of view. Since the UK has the biggest Bangladeshi diaspora, there are more opportunities for reproducing Bengali traditions and religious upbringing for their children. Additionally, Italian Bangladeshis also mentioned that providing British education to the next generation can increase their social status in their home country.
Survey and electronic health record‐based medication use agreement in children with cystic fibrosis: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Banks Jordan T. , Rosenfeld Margaret , Mancl Lloyd , Chi Donald L.
Published: September 2020

Background

Medication use is important to collect accurately in medically complex patients in both clinical and research settings.

Aim

We assessed patient‐level agreement for medication use between self‐reported survey and electronic health record (EHR) for children with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods

Our retrospective cross‐sectional study focused on children with CF ages 6‐20 years from Seattle Children's Hospital in Washington state, USA (N = 85). A self‐ or parent‐reported survey included questions on current use of specific medications and antibiotic use in the past 2 months. We compared survey data with data abstracted from the individual's EHR and derived Cohen's Kappa statistics to estimate the level of agreement between the two methods.

Results

Self‐reported medication use was generally higher in the survey than in the EHR. The level of agreement ranged from slight for probiotics (74.1% agreement; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 64.6%‐83.6%; kappa: 0.07), pancreatic enzymes (80% agreement; 95% CI: 71.3%‐88.7%; kappa: 0.12), and vitamin D (55.3% agreement; 95% CI: 44.5%‐66.1%; kappa: 0.20) to moderate for chronic azithromycin (80% agreement; 95% CI: 7.13%‐88.7%; kappa: 0.50), proton pump inhibitors (76.5% agreement; 95% CI: 67.3%‐85.7%; kappa: 0.46), and oral antibiotics (70.6% agreement; 95% CI: 60.7%‐80.5%; kappa: 0.42).

Conclusion

There is considerable heterogeneity in level of agreement in medication use between self‐reported survey and EHR data for children with CF. Standardized approaches are needed to improve the accuracy of medication data collected in clinical practice and research.
Why We Should Avoid Artists Who Cause Harm: Support as Enabling Harm
Authors: Elicker Bradley
Published: September 2020

This article examines our ethical responsibility toward artists engaged in harmful behaviors. Specifically, I demonstrate when and why we are morally obligated to withdraw our public and financial support from Artists Who Cause Harm such as Louis C.K., Terry Richardson, and Ryan Adams. Using a moral distinction presented by Philippa Foot and others, I identify this support as enabling harm when the wealth and influence that we support removes typical barriers that protect victims from harm and interposes barriers that prevent victims from avoiding harm. I proceed to demonstrate that our personal support is morally significant, and we have a moral responsibility to make contributions to collective action when the cost is low or the degree of belief that others will contribute is high. Here we have both a strong belief that others will withdraw support and a relatively low cost to ourselves to do so. I acknowledge that enabling current harms is only a sufficient condition to withdrawing support from an artist and should not minimize other reasons for avoiding certain artists and their works. However, when we do believe that our support enables an artist engaged in harmful behaviors, we have an obligation to withdraw that support.
Enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration with neurotrophic factors and bioengineered scaffolds: A basic science and clinical perspective
Authors: Lien Brian V. , Brown Nolan J. , Ransom Seth C. , Lehrich Brandon M. , Shahrestani Shane , Tafreshi Ali R. , Ransom Ryan C. , Sahyouni Ronald
Published: September 2020

Despite the peripheral nervous systems (PNS) capacity to regenerate, functional restoration is highly variable following peripheral nerve injury (PNI), oftentimes leading to persistent functional deficits. In the preclinical arena, advances in the therapeutic use of exogenous neurotrophic factors and synthetic neural scaffold technology hold promise in augmenting endogenous PNS regeneration following PNI. Clinical trials utilizing neurotrophic factors for other indications (eg, peripheral neuropathy) may provide insight into their role in PNI. Here we provide an updated review of progress made toward enhancing regeneration after PNI with a focus on neurotrophic factors and bioengineered scaffolds.
Novel cannabidiol sunscreen protects keratinocytes and melanocytes against ultraviolet B radiation
Authors: Gohad Pranjal , McCoy John , Wambier Carlos , Kovacevic Maja , Situm Mirna , Stanimirovic Andrija , Goren Andy
Published: September 2020

Cannabidiol (CBD), a natural occurring phytocannabinoid, is used extensively in consumer products ranging from foods to shampoos, topical oils and lotions. Several studies demonstrated the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative properties of cannabidiol. Nevertheless, the role of cannabidiol use in sunscreens is largely unknown as no studies on its effect on keratinocytes or melanocytes exist. As such, we aimed to explore the effect of CBD on keratinocyte and melanocyte viability following ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. CBD exhibited a dose‐dependent protective effect on both keratinocytes and melanocyte viability. Further, since CBD does not demonstrate absorption in the UVB spectra, we speculate that the protective effect is due to reduction in reactive oxygen species. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the protective effect of CBD on keratinocytes and melanocytes irradiated with UVB.
Impact of Notch signalling molecules and bone resorption regulators on clinical parameters in periodontitis
Authors: Djinic Krasavcevic Ana , Nikolic Nadja , Mijailovic Iva , Carkic Jelena , Milinkovic Iva , Jankovic Sasha , Aleksic Zoran , Milasin Jelena
Published: September 2020

Background and objective

Notch signalling cascade has recently been connected to alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis. Hence, the present cross‐sectional study aimed to analyze the expression of Notch signalling pathway (Notch 1, Notch 2, Jagged 1, Hes 1, Hey 1) and periodontitis‐related (tumor necrosis factor alpha‐ TNF‐α, interleukin 17‐IL‐17, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand—RANKL, osteoprotegerin—OPG) molecules and correlate it with clinical parameters in aggressive (AP) and chronic (CP) periodontitis. Additionally, the aforementioned markers' expression was evaluated in periodontitis patients with different RANKL/OPG ratios.

Material and methods

Eighty patients were enrolled either in AP or CP group. Clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depth (PPD) and plaque index (PI) were recorded for each patient. Total RNA was extracted from gingival crevicular fluid samples. Relative gene expression of investigated markers was determined by reverse transcriptase‐real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Significantly higher values of PPD were observed in AP compared to CP (P = .010). Negative correlations between OPG and CAL, and OPG and PI, were found in AP (P = .045, P = .006, respectively), while Hey 1 and PI had a positive correlation (P = .049). In multivariate linear regression analysis, OPG and Notch 2 were predictors of CAL in AP group. TNF‐α and IL‐17 were higher in RANKL predominant than in OPG predominant cases (P = .007, P = .001, respectively). In RANKL predominant lesions Notch 1 and Jagged 1 were down‐regulated in AP compared to CP patients (P = .010, P = .025, respectively).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that changes in Notch 2 expression affected CAL in AP cases hence this molecule could be considered as a contributor to alveolar bone loss. In RANKL‐activated settings, the down‐regulation of Notch 1 might participate in more severe bone resorption in AP.
Binary funding impacts in derivative valuation
Authors: Lee Junbeom , Zhou Chao
Published: September 2020

We discuss the binary nature of funding impact in derivative valuation. Under some conditions, funding is either a cost or a benefit, that is, one of the lending/borrowing rates does not play a role in pricing derivatives. When derivatives are priced, considering different lending/borrowing rates leads to semilinear backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs) and partial differential equation (PDEs), and thus it is necessary to solve the equations numerically. However, once it can be guaranteed that only one of the rates affects pricing, linear equations can be recovered, and analytical formulae can be derived. Moreover, as a by‐product, our results explain how debt value adjustment (DVA) and funding benefits are dissimilar. It is often believed that considering both DVA and funding benefits results in a double‐counting issue but it will be shown that the two components are affected by different mathematical structures of derivative transactions. We find that funding benefit is related to the decreasing property of the payoff function, but this relationship decreases as the funding choices of underlying assets are transferred to repo markets.
Appearance and reality
Authors: Hill Christopher S.
Published: September 2020

There is tension between the appealing idea that visual experience puts us in touch with objective reality and the doctrine of perceptual relativity, the claim that experience varies with such factors as distance, lighting, and angle of view. In this paper I present arguments for relativity, and then go on to propose that in view of relativity, we should believe that the properties presented to us in perception are relational and viewpoint‐dependent. I conclude by sketching a theory of how we nonetheless manage to achieve contact with objective properties. According to the theory, such contact is best explained in terms of perceptual representations acting in concert with cognitive and motoric representations, not in terms of perceptual representations alone.
Three decades of research on corporate governance and R&D investments: a systematic review and research agenda
Authors: Miroshnychenko Ivan , De Massis Alfredo
Published: September 2020

This paper reviews and systematizes the empirical research on the nexus between corporate governance (CG) and investments in research and development (R&D) published in leading business, management, economics and finance journals over the past 30 years. We find that CG is key in shaping R&D investments. Moreover, the effects of both firm‐ and country‐level CG are important for both internal and external R&D investments. Drawing on our review, we welcome future studies to examine the effect of the interplay between various CG mechanisms and different types of R&D investments, and possibly identify mediating variables besides the moderating ones. Moreover, we highlight the need for future interdisciplinary studies, as well as investigations of private companies and across developing countries. Whenever causal interpretations are attempted, both sample selection and endogeneity problems should be addressed, along with testing the CG‐R&D investment nexus for nonlinear dynamics. The implications of the study for both theory and practice are also discussed.
Prolonging the duration of cooling does not enhance recovery following a marathon
Authors: Kwiecien Susan Y. , McHugh Malachy P. , Hicks Kirsty M. , Keane Karen M. , Howatson Glyn
Published: September 2020

Runners commonly utilize cryotherapy as part of their recovery strategy. Cryotherapy has been ineffective in mitigating signs and symptoms of muscle damage following marathon running and is limited by its duration of application. Phase change material (PCM) packs can prolong the duration of cooling. This study aimed to test the efficacy of prolonging the duration of cooling using PCM on perceptual recovery, neuromuscular function, and blood markers following a marathon run. Thirty participants completed a marathon run and were randomized to receive three hours of 15°C PCM treatment covering the quadriceps or recover without an intervention (control). Quadriceps soreness, strength, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, creatine kinase (CK), and high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the marathon. Following the marathon, strength decreased in both groups (P < .0001), with no difference between groups. Compared to baseline, strength was reduced 24 (P = .004) and 48 hours after the marathon (P = .008) in the control group, but only 24 hours (P = .028) in the PCM group. Soreness increased (P < .0001) and CMJ height decreased (P < .0001) in both groups, with no difference between groups. Compared to baseline, CMJ height was not reduced on any days in the PCM group but was reduced in the control group 24 (P < .0001) and 48 hours (P = .003) after the marathon. CK and hsCRP increased in both groups (P < .0001). Although the marathon run induced significant muscle damage, prolonging the duration of cooling using PCM did not accelerate the resolution of any dependent variables.
Antibiotic-induced changes in Tetranychus truncatus bacterial community alter fecundity, longevity and sex-ratio
Authors: Yang Kun , Chen Han , Bing Xiao-Li , Xia Xue , Zhu Yu-Xi , Hong Xiao-Yue
Published: September 2020

The bacterial communities of arthropods play important roles in the growth and development of their hosts, such as by providing nutrition or protecting against parasites and pathogens. However, for Tetranychus truncatus, a major crop pest, very little is known about its bacterial community. To understand the effects of the bacterial community on T. truncatus, mites were fed bean leaves that had been soaked in different concentrations of tetracycline hydrochloride (5 mg to 5 g per L).  Antibiotic treatment had a negative impact on the fitness of T. truncatus, decreasing their fecundity and longevity. However, we could not exclude the possibility that the decrease in fecundity was due to a toxic effect of the antibiotic. 16S rRNA analyses showed that the antibiotic treatment did not significantly affect the diversity of bacterial species, but it did significantly change their relative abundances. Furthermore, predicted functions of microbiota were also changed with antibiotic treatment. Our research revealed that the antibiotic induced change of bacterial communities mostly decreased the fecundity of T. truncatus, although we couldn’t totally exclude the direct toxin of antibiotics on spider mites.
Exploring design variations of the Titian Stradivari violin using a finite element model
Authors: Torres Jesús Alejandro , Soto Carlos A. , Torres-Torres David
Published: September 2020

Because violins are traditionally hand-crafted using wood, each one is unique. This makes the design of repeatable experiments studying some aspects of its dynamic behavior unfeasible. To tackle this problem, an adjustable finite element (FE) model of a violin soundbox using the geometry and behavior of the “Titian” Stradivari was developed in this paper. The model is parametric, so its design and material properties can be varied for before/after comparisons in both the frequency and time domains. Systematic simulations revealed that f-holes set lower in the top, as seen in some Stradivari violins (e.g., Hellier, Cremonese), raise the frequency of the Hill (a feature in the bridge mobility); conversely, the higher set f-holes seen in some Guarneri violins (e.g., Principe Doria) reduces such frequency. This agrees with the widespread belief that the high-frequency response of Stradivari violins is stronger than Guarneri violins. Changes in the response of the system were quantified once each part of the design was added, calling attention to the influence of the blocks on the behavior of signature modes, especially in the frequency and shape of B1+. A text file of the FE model is available in supplemental materials; it runs in ANSYS (free version), for which guides are included.
Evidence for extreme export of Arctic sea ice leading the abrupt onset of the Little Ice Age
Authors: Miles Martin W. , Andresen Camilla S. , Dylmer Christian V.
Published: September 2020

Century-long anomaly of Arctic sea-ice export leading the Little Ice Age may have arisen without external forcing.
Rainfall triggers more deep-seated landslides than Cascadia earthquakes in the Oregon Coast Range, USA
Authors: LaHusen S. R. , Duvall A. R. , Booth A. M. , Grant A. , Mishkin B. A. , Montgomery D. R. , Struble W. , Roering J. J. , Wartman J.
Published: September 2020

Deep-seated landslides in the central Oregon Coast Range are triggered mostly by rainfall, not large Cascadia earthquakes.
A V
H
1-69 antibody lineage from an infected Chinese donor potently neutralizes HIV-1 by targeting the V3 glycan supersite
Authors: Kumar Sonu , Ju Bin , Shapero Benjamin , Lin Xiaohe , Ren Li , Zhang Lei , Li Dan , Zhou Zehua , Feng Yi , Sou Cindy , Mann Colin J. , Hao Yanling , Sarkar Anita , Hou Jiali , Nunnally Christian , Hong Kunxue , Wang Shuo , Ge Xiangyang , Su Bin , Landais Elise , Sok Devin , Zwick Michael B. , He Linling , Zhu Jiang , Wilson Ian A. , Shao Yiming
Published: September 2020

BNAbs of V
H
1-69 germline origin from a Chinese patient recognize the V3 glycan supersite via a disulfide-locked long HCDR3 loop.
Air/water interfacial assembled rubbery semiconducting nanofilm for fully rubbery integrated electronics
Authors: Guan Ying-Shi , Thukral Anish , Zhang Shun , Sim Kyoseung , Wang Xu , Zhang Yongcao , Ershad Faheem , Rao Zhoulyu , Pan Fengjiao , Wang Peng , Xiao Jianliang , Yu Cunjiang
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate a binary-phased rubbery semiconducting composite nanofilm and its rubbery integrated electronics.
An elaborate sweep-stick code in rat barrel cortex
Authors: Harrell Evan R. , Goldin Matías A. , Bathellier Brice , Shulz Daniel E.
Published: September 2020

Improved stimulus sets unify feature encoding schemes from different empirical approaches in rat barrel cortex.
FUNDC1 interacts with FBXL2 to govern mitochondrial integrity and cardiac function through an IP3R3-dependent manner in obesity
Authors: Ren Jun , Sun Mingming , Zhou Hao , Ajoolabady Amir , Zhou Yuan , Tao Jun , Sowers James R. , Zhang Yingmei
Published: September 2020

The mitophagy receptor FUNDC1 interacts with FBXL2 to preserve mitochondrial Ca
2+
homeostasis and cardiac function in obesity.
ROR2 blockade as a therapy for osteoarthritis
Authors: Thorup Anne-Sophie , Strachan Danielle , Caxaria Sara , Poulet Blandine , Thomas Bethan L. , Eldridge Suzanne E. , Nalesso Giovanna , Whiteford James R. , Pitzalis Costantino , Aigner Thomas , Corder Roger , Bertrand Jessica , Dell’Accio Francesco
Published: September 2020

ROR2 blockade improves the functional and structural outcomes of osteoarthritis in preclinical animal models by inhibiting YAP signaling.
Exosomes secreted by hiPSC-derived cardiac cells improve recovery from myocardial infarction in swine
Authors: Gao Ling , Wang Lu , Wei Yuhua , Krishnamurthy Prasanna , Walcott Gregory P. , Menasché Philippe , Zhang Jianyi
Published: September 2020

Cardiac cells differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells produce exosomes that improve recovery from myocardial infarction in pigs.
Epigenetic markers associated with metformin response and intolerance in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: García-Calzón Sonia , Perfilyev Alexander , Martinell Mats , Ustinova Monta , Kalamajski Sebastian , Franks Paul W. , Bacos Karl , Elbere Ilze , Pihlajamäki Jussi , Volkov Petr , Vaag Allan , Groop Leif , Maziarz Marlena , Klovins Janis , Ahlqvist Emma , Ling Charlotte
Published: September 2020

Blood-based epigenetic markers differentiate metformin responsiveness and tolerance in patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Memory at the margins: Antipsychotic enhances the binding of fear memory with its context
Authors: Stevens Jennifer Strafford
Published: September 2020

A nontraditional antipsychotic medication enhances healthy memory function in a mouse model of fear conditioning.