bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Interactions between Cell Surface Proteins by Machine Learning
Authors: Su Zhaoqian , Griffin Brian , Emmons Scott , Wu Yinghao
Published: September 2023

Cells detect changes of external environments or communicate with each other through proteins on their surfaces. These cell surface proteins form a complicated network of interactions in order to fulfill their functions. The interactions between cell surface proteins are highly dynamic and thus challenging to detect using traditional experimental techniques. Here we tackle this challenge by a computational framework. The primary focus of the framework is to develop new tools to identify interactions between domains in immunoglobulin (Ig) fold, which is the most abundant domain family in cell surface proteins. These interactions could be formed between ligands and receptors from different cells, or between proteins on the same cell surface. In practice, we collected all structural data of Ig domain interactions and transformed them into an interface fragment pair library. A high dimensional profile can be then constructed from the library for a given pair of query protein sequences. Multiple machine learning models were used to read this profile, so that the probability of interaction between the query proteins can be predicted. We tested our models to an experimentally derived dataset which contains 564 cell surface proteins in human. The cross-validation results show that we can achieve higher than 70% accuracy in identifying the PPIs within this dataset. We then applied this method to a group of 46 cell surface proteins in C elegans. We screened every possible interaction between these proteins. Many interactions recognized by our machine learning classifiers have been experimentally confirmed in the literatures. In conclusion, our computational platform serves a useful tool to help identifying potential new interactions between cell surface proteins in addition to current state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The tool is freely accessible for use by the scientific community. Moreover, the general framework of the machine learning classification can also be extended to study interactions of proteins in other domain superfamilies.
The αC-β4 loop controls the allosteric cooperativity between nucleotide and substrate in the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A
Authors: Olivieri Cristina , Wang Yingjie , Walker Caitlin , Subrahmanian Manu V. , Ha Kim N. , Bernlohr David A. , Gao Jiali , Camilloni Carlo , Vendruscolo Michele , Taylor Susan S. , Veglia Gianluigi
Published: September 2023

Allosteric cooperativity between ATP and substrates is a prominent characteristic of the cAMP-dependent catalytic (C) subunit of protein kinase A (PKA). Not only this long-range synergistic action is involved in substrate recognition and fidelity, but it is likely to regulate PKA association with regulatory subunits and other binding partners. To date, a complete understanding of the molecular determinants for this intramolecular mechanism is still lacking.

Here, we used an integrated NMR-restrained molecular dynamics simulations and a Markov Model to characterize the free energy landscape and conformational transitions of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA-C). We found that the apo-enzyme populates a broad free energy basin featuring a conformational ensemble of the active state of PKA-C (ground state) and other basins with lower populations (excited states). The first excited state corresponds to a previously characterized inactive state of PKA-C with the αC helix swinging outward. The second excited state displays a disrupted hydrophobic packing around the regulatory (R) spine, with a flipped configuration of the F100 and F102 residues at the tip of the αC-β4 loop. To experimentally validate the second excited state, we mutated F100 into alanine and used NMR spectroscopy to characterize the binding thermodynamics and structural response of ATP and a prototypical peptide substrate. While the activity of PKA-CF100Atoward a prototypical peptide substrate is unaltered and the enzyme retains its affinity for ATP and substrate, this mutation rearranges the αC-β4 loop conformation interrupting the allosteric coupling between nucleotide and substrate. The highly conserved αC-β4 loop emerges as a pivotal element able to modulate the synergistic binding between nucleotide and substrate and may affect PKA signalosome. These results may explain how insertion mutations within this motif affect drug sensitivity in other homologous kinases.
Anti-inflammatory role of APRIL by modulating regulatory B cells in antigen-induced arthritis
Authors: Carvalho-Santos Adriana , Kuhnert Lia Rafaella Ballard , Hahne Michael , Vasconcellos Rita , Carvalho-Pinto Carla E. , Villa-Verde Déa M. S.
Published: September 2023

APRIL (A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand) acts as a secreted factor and plays important roles in B cell biology and chronic inflammation. The reported capacity of APRIL to stimulate B cellsin vitroraised the hypothesis that APRIL may be a disease promoter in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast, there is large evidence that B Lymphocyte Stimulator Factor (BAFF) can break B cell tolerance in mice and humans. This study was undertaken to examine the ability of APRIL to regulate B cell-mediated inflammatory response in a model of antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) in mice. AIA was induced by administration of antigen (mBSA) into the knee joints of previously immunized APRIL-transgenic (Tg) mice and their littermates. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the different inflammatory cell populations in spleen and draining lymph nodes in acute and chronic disease, while cytokine levels were assessed by ELISA. In the acute stage of disease APRIL-Tg mice displayed a decrease in joint swelling, disease score and inflammatory infiltrate in articular tissues, as compared with their littermates. In addition, we observed a decrease of cellularity in draining lymph nodes of APRIL-Tg mice. Flow cytometry analysis revealed an increase of CD19+IgM+CD5+cell population in draining lymph nodes and increase of CD19+CD21hiCD23hi(B regulatory) cells in APRIL-Tg mice with arthritis and, increase of IL-10 and CXCL13 productionin vitro.
The relationship between screen behaviors and adolescent mental health: a phenotypic and genetic analysis
Authors: Frei Evgeniia , Jaholkowski Piotr , Frei Oleksandr , Parekh Pravesh , Shadrin Alexey A. , Hagen Espen , Bakken Nora R. , Birkenæs Viktoria , Ask Helga , Andreassen Ole A. , Smeland Olav B.
Published: September 2023

Background

Technological advances have made screen devices readily available, with adolescents spending an increasing amount of time on screens. Despite rising concerns, evidence on the relationship between screen-based activities and adolescent mental health remains inconsistent.

Methods

Using self-reports from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study and ICD-10 codes for mental illness from health registries, we estimated the odds of psychiatric diagnoses among adolescents across different levels of screen usage (n= 25,079) performing logistic regression analysis. Additionally, we computed polygenic risk scores (PRS) for schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BP), major depressive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and alcohol use disorder (AUD) and evaluated their association with time spent on screen-based activities using linear regression models.

Results

We observed higher odds of psychiatric diagnoses among individuals with most time spent across all screen behaviors. However, the lowest social media usage was also associated with mental illness (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 2.10, 2.88), particularly with increased ASD occurrence. Minimum time spent on gaming was associated with lower odds of psychiatric diagnoses (OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.80). PRSADHDwas positively associated with time spent on social media and gaming, while PRSASDwas positively associated with gaming, but negatively – with social media usage. Additionally, social media usage was significantly associated with lower PRSSCZand PRSBP,but higher PRSAUD.

Conclusions

We show that screen behaviors are associated with mental illness among adolescents, which may partly reflect a shared genetic basis. However, to clarify the causality of genetic associations between mental illness and screen behaviors, further studies are warranted.
Investigating the sources of variable impact of pathogenic variants in monogenic metabolic conditions
Authors: Wei Angela , Border Richard , Fu Boyang , Cullina Sinéad , Brandes Nadav , Jang Seon-Kyeong , Sankararaman Sriram , Kenny Eimear E. , Udler Miriam S. , Ntranos Vasilis , Zaitlen Noah , Arboleda Valerie A.
Published: September 2023

Over three percent of people carry a dominant pathogenic variant, yet only a fraction of carriers develop disease. Disease phenotypes from carriers of variants in the same gene range from mild to severe. Here, we investigate underlying mechanisms for this heterogeneity: variable variant effect sizes, carrier polygenic backgrounds, and modulation of carrier effect by genetic background (marginal epistasis). We leveraged exomes and clinical phenotypes from the UK Biobank and the Mt. Sinai BioMeBiobank to identify carriers of pathogenic variants affecting cardiometabolic traits. We employed recently developed methods to study these cohorts, observing strong statistical support and clinical translational potential for all three mechanisms of variable carrier penetrance and disease severity. For example, scores from our recent model of variant pathogenicity were tightly correlated with phenotype amongst clinical variant carriers, they predicted effects of variants of unknown significance, and they distinguished gain-from loss-of-function variants. We also found that polygenic scores predicted phenotypes amongst pathogenic carriers and that epistatic effects can exceed main carrier effects by an order of magnitude.
Enhanced neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 XBB sub-lineages and BA.2.86 by a tetravalent COVID-19 vaccine booster
Authors: Wang Xun , Jiang Shujun , Ma Wentai , Li Xiangnan , Wei Kaifeng , Xie Faren , Zhao Chaoyue , Zhao Xiaoyu , Li Chen , Qiao Rui , Cui Yuchen , Chen Yanjia , Li Jiayan , Cai Guonan , Liu Changyi , Hu Zixin , Zhang Wenhong , Li Mingkun , Zhang Yanliang , Wang Pengfei
Published: September 2023

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve, novel XBB sub-lineages such as XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, EG.5, HK.3 (FLip), and XBB.2.3, as well as the most recent BA.2.86, have been identified and aroused global concern. Understanding the efficacy of current vaccines and the immune system’s response to these emerging variants is critical for global public health. In this study, we evaluated the neutralization activities of sera from participants who received COVID-19 inactivated vaccines, or a booster vaccination of the recently approved tetravalent protein vaccine in China (SCTV01E), or had contracted a breakthrough infection with BA.5/BF.7/XBB virus. Comparative analysis of their neutralization profiles against a broad panel of 30 SARS-CoV-2 sub-lineage viruses revealed that strains such as BQ.1.1, CH.1.1, and all the XBB sub-lineages exhibited heightened resistance to neutralization than previous variants, however, despite the extra mutations carried by emerging XBB sub-lineages and BA.2.86, they did not demonstrate significantly increased resistance to neutralization compared to XBB.1.5. Encouragingly, the SCTV01E booster vaccination consistently induced robust and considerably higher neutralizing titers against all these variants than breakthrough infection did. Cellular immunity assays also showed that the SCTV01E booster vaccination elicited a higher frequency of virus-specific memory B cells but not IFN-γ secreting T cells. Our findings underline the importance of developing novel multivalent vaccines to more effectively combat future viral variants.
Recombinant cyclin B-Cdk1-Suc1 capable of multi-site mitotic phosphorylationin vitro
Authors: Shintomi Keishi , Masahara-Negishi Yuki , Shima Masami , Tane Shoji , Hirano Tatsuya
Published: September 2023

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) complexed with cyclin B phosphorylates multiple sites on hundreds of proteins during mitosis. However, it is not fully understood how multi-site mitotic phosphorylation by cyclin B-Cdk1 controls the structures and functions of individual substrates. Here we develop an easy-to-use protocol to express recombinant vertebrate cyclin B and Cdk1 in insect cells from a single baculovirus vector and to purify their complexes with excellent homogeneity. A series ofin-vitroassays demonstrate that the recombinant cyclin B-Cdk1 can efficiently and specifically phosphorylate the SP and TP motifs in substrates. The addition of Suc1 (a Cks1 homolog in fission yeast) accelerates multi-site phosphorylation of an artificial substrate containing TP motifs. Importantly, we show that mitosis-specific multi-subunit and multi-site phosphorylation of the condensin I complex can be recapitulatedin vitrousing recombinant cyclin B-Cdk1-Suc1. The materials and protocols described here will pave the way for dissecting the biochemical basis of critical mitotic processes that accompany Cdk1-mediated large-scale phosphorylation.
A Chinese indicine pangenome reveals a wealth of novel structural variants introgressed from otherBosspecies
Authors: Dai Xuelei , Bian Peipei , Hu Dexiang , Luo Funong , Huang Yongzhen , Jiao Shaohua , Wang Xihong , Gong Mian , Li Ran , Cai Yudong , Wen Jiayue , Yang Qimeng , Deng Weidong , Nanaei Hojjat Asadollahpour , Wang Yu , Wang Fei , Zhang Zijing , Rosen Benjamin D. , Heller Rasmus , Jiang Yu
Published: September 2023

Chinese indicine cattle harbor a much higher genetic diversity compared with other domestic cattle, but their genome architecture remains uninvestigated. Using PacBio HiFi sequencing data from 10 Chinese indicine cattle across southern China, we assembled 20 high-quality partially phased genomes and integrated them into a multiassembly graph containing 148.5 Mb (5.6%) of novel sequence. We identified 156,009 high-confidence nonredundant structural variants (SVs) and 206 SV hotspots spanning ∼195 Mb of gene-rich sequence. We detected 34,249 archaic introgressed fragments in Chinese indicine cattle covering 1.93 Gb (73.3%) of the genome. We inferred an average of 3.8%, 3.2%, 1.4%, and 0.5% of introgressed sequence originating, respectively, from banteng-like, kouprey-like, gayal-like, and gaur-likeBosspecies, as well as 0.6% of unknown origin. Introgression from multiple donors might have contributed to the genetic diversity of Chinese indicine cattle. Altogether, this study highlights the contribution of interspecies introgression to the genomic architecture of an important livestock population and shows how exotic genomic elements can contribute to the genetic variation available for selection.
Transposable elements drive the evolution of metazoan zinc finger genes
Authors: Wells Jonathan N. , Chang Ni-Chen , McCormick John , Coleman Caitlyn , Ramos Nathalie , Jin Bozhou , Feschotte Cédric
Published: September 2023

Cys2-His2 zinc finger genes (ZNFs) form the largest family of transcription factors in metazoans. ZNF evolution is highly dynamic and characterized by the rapid expansion and contraction of numerous subfamilies across the animal phylogeny. The forces and mechanisms underlying rapid ZNF evolution remain poorly understood, but there is growing evidence that, in tetrapods, the targeting and repression of lineage-specific transposable elements (TEs) plays a critical role in the evolution of the Krüppel-associated box ZNF (KZNF) subfamily. Currently, it is unknown whether this function and coevolutionary relationship is unique to KZNFs or is a broader feature of metazoan ZNFs. Here, we present evidence that genomic conflict with TEs has been a central driver of the diversification of ZNFs in animals. Sampling from 3221 genome assemblies, we show that the copy number of retroelements correlates with that of ZNFs across at least 750 million years of metazoan evolution. Using computational predictions, we show that ZNFs preferentially bind TEs in diverse animal species. We further investigate the largest ZNF subfamily found in cyprinid fish, which is characterized by a conserved sequence we dubbed the fish N-terminal zinc finger–associated (FiNZ) domain. Zebrafish possess approximately 700 FiNZ-ZNFs, many of which are evolving adaptively under positive selection. Like mammalian KZNFs, most zebrafish FiNZ-ZNFs are expressed at the onset of zygotic genome activation, and blocking their translation using morpholinos during early embryogenesis results in derepression of transcriptionally active TEs. Together, these data suggest that ZNF diversification has been intimately connected to TE expansion throughout animal evolution.
Forecasting Bitcoin returns using machine learning algorithms: impact of investor sentiment
Authors: Ben Hamadou Fatma , Mezghani Taicir , Zouari Ramzi , Boujelbène-Abbes Mouna
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to assess the predictive performance of various factors on Bitcoin returns, used for the development of a robust forecasting support decision model using machine learning techniques, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, the authors investigate the impact of the investor's sentiment on forecasting the Bitcoin returns.

Design/methodology/approach

This method uses feature selection techniques to assess the predictive performance of the different factors on the Bitcoin returns. Subsequently, the authors developed a forecasting model for the Bitcoin returns by evaluating the accuracy of three machine learning models, namely the one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN), the bidirectional deep learning long short-term memory (BLSTM) neural networks and the support vector machine model.

Findings

The findings shed light on the importance of the investor's sentiment in enhancing the accuracy of the return forecasts. Furthermore, the investor's sentiment, the economic policy uncertainty (EPU), gold and the financial stress index (FSI) are the top best determinants before the COVID-19 outbreak. However, there was a significant decrease in the importance of financial uncertainty (FSI and EPU) during the COVID-19 pandemic, proving that investors attach much more importance to the sentimental side than to the traditional uncertainty factors. Regarding the forecasting model accuracy, the authors found that the 1D-CNN model showed the lowest prediction error before and during the COVID-19 and outperformed the other models. Therefore, it represents the best-performing algorithm among its tested counterparts, while the BLSTM is the least accurate model.

Practical implications

Moreover, this study contributes to a better understanding relevant for investors and policymakers to better forecast the returns based on a forecasting model, which can be used as a decision-making support tool. Therefore, the obtained results can drive the investors to uncover potential determinants, which forecast the Bitcoin returns. It actually gives more weight to the sentiment rather than financial uncertainties factors during the pandemic crisis.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to have attempted to construct a novel crypto sentiment measure and use it to develop a Bitcoin forecasting model. In fact, the development of a robust forecasting model, using machine learning techniques, offers a practical value as a decision-making support tool for investment strategies and policy formulation.
India’s entrepreneurial landscape: unpacking the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance
Authors: Singh Bedi Harpreet , Vij Sandeep , Farooq Rayees
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a unique perspective on entrepreneurship by examining how different ways of understanding entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affect business performance (BP). The study uses a five-dimensional approach to understand EO’s relationship with BP.

Design/methodology/approach

A personal survey of key informants (who have decision-making power in their firm), one each from 550 North Indian firms has been conducted. The hypotheses were tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO are equally valid and have a significant impact on BP. The study highlights the contextual nature of the relationship between EO and BP.

Practical implications

This study supports a comprehensive five-dimensional approach to EO, benefiting researchers and management practitioners. It validates an integrated measurement of BP and advances entrepreneurship theories, enabling broader generalizations for improved decision-making and strategy development.

Originality/value

The study is relevant for researchers and management practitioners. This study supports the five-dimensional conceptualization of EO and reveals the relevance of both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO. The study also lends support to the integrated approach of BP measurement. The results may also help to generalize entrepreneurship theories.
Design and preliminary evaluation of a lower limb exoskeleton based on hydraulic actuator
Authors: Han Yali , Liu Shunyu , Chang Jiachen , Sun Han , Li Shenyan , Gao Haitao , Jin Zhuangzhuang
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel system design and control algorithm of lower limb exoskeleton, which provides walking assistance and load sharing for the wearer.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the valve-controlled asymmetrical hydraulic cylinder is selected for driving the hip and knee joint of exoskeleton. Pressure shoe is developed that purpose on detecting changes in plantar force, and a fuzzy recognition algorithm using plantar pressure is proposed. Dynamic model of the exoskeleton is established, and the sliding mode control is developed to implement the position tracking of exoskeleton. A series of prototype experiments including benchtop test, full assistance, partial assistance and loaded walking experiments are set up to verify the tracking performance and power-assisted effect of the proposed exoskeleton.

Findings

The control performance of PID control and sliding mode control are compared. The experimental data shows the tracking trajectories and tracking errors of sliding mode control and demonstrate its good robustness to nonlinearities. sEMG of the gastrocnemius muscle tends to be significantly weakened during assisted walking.

Originality/value

In this paper, a structure that the knee joint and hip joint driven by the valve-controlled asymmetrical cylinder is used to provide walking assistance for the wearer. The sliding mode control is proposed to deal with the nonlinearities during joint rotation and fluids. It shows great robustness and frequency adaptability through experiments under different motion frequencies and assistance modes. The design and control method of exoskeleton is a good attempt, which takes positive impacts on the productivity or quality of the life of wearers.
Hosting an international conference on multiculturalism in an Arab Israeli teachers’ college: a reflection on personal and organizational learning
Authors: Khair Abbas Randa
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Conferences, while central to academic endeavors, are an understudied research site. This purpose of this study is to describe the experience of an Arab Israeli teachers’ college in hosting a large international academic conference on multiculturalism, conducted entirely in English. Most of the academic staff and all of the students are Arabic speakers. This added a layer of challenge for all our faculty and students.

Design/methodology/approach

This reflective, retroactive and descriptive case study builds on the above points. It is a reflective “case story” told by the college head.

Findings

This paper describes the benefits and growth experienced by each of the involved parties, which resulted in a changing academic culture and new academic self-confidence and vision for all concerned. This paper also details weaknesses and opportunities missed. Envisioning, planning and bringing to fruition this conference was a crucible experience for the college, enhancing our multicultural understanding, learning and commitment.

Originality/value

This reflective description offers an original perspective on multiculturalism through the lens of an international conference hosted by an academic institution where the native language is not English.
Cutting the clutter: how minimalism drives customer citizenship behaviour within the sharing economy-based services
Authors: Rasheed A.K. Fazeen , Balakrishnan Janarthanan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Using the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory, this study explores the effect of religiosity, resource sharing and environmental attitudes on minimalist behaviour in sharing economy-based services and its subsequent influence on customer citizenship behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employed a descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional design, examining data from 530 Indian tourists who used sharing economy-based services. The proposed conceptual model was evaluated through partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), and the impact of control variables was examined via PLS-multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA).

Findings

The study findings validated that religiosity, resource sharing and environmental attitudes significantly foster minimalist behaviour in sharing economy-based services. This minimalist behaviour, in turn, positively impacts customer citizenship behaviour, affecting aspects such as tolerance, feedback, advocacy and assistance to others. The model's outcomes also indicated the substantial moderating roles of age and gender.

Originality/value

This study is novel in its exploration of how religiosity, resource sharing and environmental attitudes as stimuli can shape minimalist behaviour within sharing economy-based services and further influence customer citizenship behaviour. By uncovering the significant roles of age and gender in this context, the research offers unique insights into understanding the dynamics of consumer behaviour within the burgeoning sharing economy. The findings provide valuable direction for stakeholders in the sharing economy and policymakers aiming to cultivate positive consumer behaviours and advance the sector's sustainability.
Development and characterization of composite materials with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets for powder bed fusion
Authors: Lopes Ana C. , Sampaio Álvaro M. , Pontes António J.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

With the technological progress, high-performance materials are emerging in the market of additive manufacturing to comply with the advanced requirements demanded for technical applications. In selective laser sintering (SLS), innovative powder materials integrating conductive reinforcements are attracting much interest within academic and industrial communities as promising alternatives to common engineering thermoplastics. However, the practical implementation of functional materials is limited by the extensive list of conditions required for a successful laser-sintering process, related to the morphology, powder size and shape, heat resistance, melt viscosity and others. The purpose of this study is to explore composite materials of polyamide 12 (PA12) incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), aiming to understand their suitability for advanced SLS applications.

Design/methodology/approach

PA12-MWCNT and PA12-GNP materials were blended through a pre-optimized process of mechanical mixing with various percentages of reinforcement between 0.50 wt.% and 3.00 wt.% and processed by SLS with appropriate volume energy density. Several test specimens were produced and characterized with regard to processability, thermal, mechanical, electrical and morphological properties. Finally, a comparative analysis of the performance of both carbon-based materials was performed.

Findings

The results of this research demonstrated easier processability and higher tensile strength and impact resistance for composites incorporating MWCNT but higher tensile elastic modulus, compressive strength and microstructural homogeneity for GNP-based materials. Despite the decrease in mechanical properties, valuable results of electrical conductivity were obtained with both carbon solutions until 10–6 S/cm.

Originality/value

The carbon-based composites developed in this research allow for the expansion of the applicability of laser-sintered parts to advanced fields, including electronics-related industries that require functional materials capable of protecting sensitive devices against electrostatic discharge.
A collective decision-making model of p2p lending platforms compared to bank lending
Authors: Ben-Yashar Ruth , Krausz Miriam
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a theoretical model that uses the decision-making theory in a financial intermediation setting to provide insights into the differences between the outcomes of the decision-making process for a bank and for a peer-to-peer (p2p) lending platform to explain the role of p2p lending versus bank lending in the credit market.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a novel approach to explaining the differences between p2p lending and bank lending by using the decision-making theory. In particular, it analyzes the likelihood of a risky borrower being able to obtain a loan from a p2p lending platform versus the likelihood of being able to obtain a loan from a bank. The results contribute a theoretical understanding of factors that can determine the role of p2p lending platforms versus that of banks in the credit market, with implications for recovery from an economic crisis.

Findings

p2p lending platforms have the potential for contributing to economic recovery when they are subject to less regulations and are able to offer a faster and less costly lending process than do banks and when they are used by a large number of lenders. However, the potential role of p2p lending platforms in recovery might be reduced when banks have access to anticyclical measures that reduce banks’ capital requirements or provide them with low-cost funds.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel approach to explaining the differences between p2p lending and bank lending by using the decision-making theory. The results contribute a theoretical understanding of factors that can determine the role of p2p lending platforms versus that of banks in the credit market.
The accessibility of beaches for blind people and their guide dogs: accessible tourism and inclusion in Spain
Authors: Florido-Benítez Lázaro
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyse the accessibility of Spanish beaches for blind people and their guide dogs as an inclusive tourist destination for national and international tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical research used a quantitative and qualitative methodology from public and private organizations, which intends to give voice to blind people to improve their quality of life.

Findings

This study presents a new and surprising contribution to the issue of accessibility of beaches for blind people and future studies related to this topic. Findings revealed that Spain has only nine adapted beaches for blind people, and most Spanish tourist destinations exclude blind people and its guide dogs from enjoying the beach and the sun and their facilities. In Spain there are in total 3,547 beaches; 10.3% of these are adapted beaches for people with reduced mobility, whereas only 0.25% are adapted beaches for blind people. Indeed, results also suggest that more efforts are required in response to the needs of blind people in tourism and transport activities by researchers, academics and government bodies.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is especially important for the management of the accessibility of Spanish beaches for blind people and their guide dogs by public and private organizations.
Neighbours matter and the weak succumb: Ash dieback infection is more severe in ash trees with fewer conspecific neighbours and lower prior growth rate
Authors: Cracknell David J. , Peterken George F. , Pommerening Arne , Lawrence Peter J. , Healey John R.
Published: September 2023

The epidemiology and severity of ash dieback (ADB), the disease caused by the ascomycete fungusHymenoscyphus fraxineus, has been linked to a variety of site conditions; however, there has been a lack of analysis at an individual tree scale.

Symptoms of ADB were scored on ca. 400 trees ofFraxinus excelsior(ash) in permanent sample plots during two successive years in a UK natural woodland reserve. Using comprehensive plot records maintained since 1945, and detailed spatial records updated since 1977, we assembled an array of potential explanatory variables, including site environment factors, ash tree density, previous and present tree condition and near neighbourhood summary statistics (NNSS), such as species mingling and size dominance. Their impact on the severity of ADB of focal ash trees was tested with generalised linear mixed effects models (GLMM).

The severity of ADB was much greater in the lower slope parts of the site with moister soils and least in a managed area subject to tree thinning in the previous 35 years. Severity of ADB had a negative association with focal ash tree prior relative growth rate over a period of a decade immediately before the disease was detected at the site. Greater ADB severity was also significantly associated with smaller diameter at breast height of ash trees. Additionally, ADB was significantly positively associated with a greater proportion of heterospecific trees amongst the six nearest neighbours of the focal tree.

Synthesis.The relationship of the severity of ADB disease with site environment, tree condition and neighbourhood is complex but nevertheless important in the progression of the disease. The findings suggest some silvicultural interventions, such as thinning to increase the vigour of retained ash trees, might reduce the impact of ADB.
Droplet‐based optical trapping for cell separation in mock forensic samples
Authors: Valle Michael , O'Brien Benjamin , Green Tracey Dawson , Reiner Joseph E. , Seashols‐Williams Sarah
Published: September 2023

Optical tweezers have a wide range of uses for mechanical manipulation of objects in the microscopic range. This includes both living and static cells in a variety of biomedical and research applications. Single‐focus optical tweezers, formed by focusing a laser beam through a high numerical aperture immersion objective, create a significant force, which enables controlled transport of a variety of different cell types and morphologies in three dimensions. Optical tweezers have been previously reported to capture and separate spermatozoa from a reconstituted simulated postcoital sample. We report herein the development of a simplified, more efficient cell transfer protocol that can separate and isolate both spermatozoa as well as leukocytes, with similar efficiencies as those previously reported. The new cell transfer method was used to separate sperm cells from a reconstituted mixture of spermatozoa and vaginal epithelial cells, with complete STR profiles developed from 50 cells with little evidence of contribution from the female contributor to the mixture. This modified protocol was then used to separate 21 samples of enriched leukocytes, with trapped cells ranging from 5 to 22 cells. Complete STR profiles were developed from as few as 10 leukocytes. Thus, with minimal sample preparation and a short trapping time, this method has the potential to provide an alternative to traditional differential extraction methods for separation of sperm:nonsperm mixtures while also providing versatility for separation of cells with differing morphologies.
Toward organizational integrity measurement: Developing a theoretical model of organizational integrity
Authors: Fuerst Madeleine J. , Luetge Christoph , Max Raphael , Kriebitz Alexander
Published: September 2023

Organizational integrity is a key concept with and through which a company can assume its responsibility for ethical and societal issues. It is a basic premise for sustainable corporate success, as ethical risks ultimately become economic risks for a company. Recent research shows the potential of integrity‐based governance models to reduce corporate risks and to improve business performance. However, companies are not yet able to assess nor evaluate their level of organizational integrity in a sound and systematic way. We aim to develop a theoretical model as a basis for the measurement of organizational integrity by conceptualizing the construct and sizing the theoretical model's scope. We suggest that the theoretical model follows a holistic approach and involves three types of dimensions: prerequisite dimensions, independent dimensions, and dependent dimensions. The organizational integrity triad—consisting of active commitments to self‐imposed norms and principles, their transparent institutionalization into corporate processes and structures, and their implementation into action—plays a key role in this context.
How does founders' religiosity affect the proactive environmental strategies in family firms? Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Xuelei , Shang Hangbiao , Lan Hailin , Li Weining
Published: September 2023

The current literature expands the existing knowledge of the antecedents of proactive environmental strategies (PES) in family firms from the perspectives of institutional, market and family involvement logics. However, scholars have not considered the influence of key family decision‐makers and their characteristics in this regard. Based on the ability and willingness framework, this study focuses on how founders' religiosity affects family firms' PES. Using data from the 2010 Chinese Private Enterprise Survey conducted by Chinese officials, we found that founders' religiosity drives family firms to implement PES. Altruistic and long‐term orientation are the internal mechanisms of this effect. Founders' political status enhances the positive impact of their religiosity on PES, whereas the founders' need for socioemotional wealth protection weakens the relationship between founders' religiosity and family firms' PES. We also found that Eastern and Western founders' religiosity has an asymmetric effect on family firms' PES. This study contributes to the literature on the PES of family firms, the family firm's ability and willingness framework, and family business heterogeneity.
Venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents in DDX41‐mutated acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: Mayo Clinic series on 12 patients
Authors: Nanaa Ahmad , He Rong , Foran James M. , Badar Talha , Gangat Naseema , Pardanani Animesh , Hogan William J. , Litzow Mark R. , Patnaik Mrinal , Al‐Kali Aref , Alkhateeb Hassan B.
Published: September 2023

Venetoclax (VEN) is an FDA‐approved selective inhibitor of B‐cell leukaemia/lymphoma‐2 (BCL‐2), used for treating elderly or unfit acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients unable to undergo intensive chemotherapy. Combining VEN with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) has shown impressive response rates in high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and relapsed/refractory AML. However, the efficacy of VEN and HMAs in treating DDX41‐mutated (mDDX41) MDS/AML patients remains uncertain. Despite the favourable prognostic nature of mDDX41 MDS/AML patients, there is a lack of clinical experience regarding their response to different treatment regimens, leading to an unknown optimal therapeutic approach.
Synthesis, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial studies of 2,4,5,6‐substituted hexahydro‐1H‐isoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione
Authors: Yetişkin Egehan , Gündoğdu Özlem , Mete Derya , Çelebioğlu Neslihan , Kara Yunus , Şanlı‐Mohamed Gülşah
Published: September 2023

In this study, synthesis of novel isoindole‐1,3‐dione analogues bearig halo, hydroxy, and acetoxy groups at the position 4,5,6 of the bicyclic imide ring was performed to examine their potential anticancer effects against some cell lines. A multistep chemical pathway was used to synthesize the derivatives. The cytotoxic effect of trisubstituted isoindole derivatives were evaluated by determining cellular viability using the MTT assay against A549, PC‐3, HeLa, Caco‐2, and MCF‐7 cell lines. The C‐2 selective ring‐opening products were obtained from the ring‐opening reaction of 5‐alkyl/aryl‐2‐hydroxyhexahydro‐4H‐oxireno[2,3‐e]isoindole‐4,6(5H)‐diones with nucleophiles such as chloride (Cl−) and bromide (Br−) ions. In addition, the ring‐opening products halodiols were converted to their related acetates. The anticancer activity of synthesized isoindole‐1,3‐dione derivatives was investigated against HeLa, A549, MCF‐7, PC3, and Caco‐2 cells in vitro and resulted in varies cytotoxic effect depend on the group attached to the isoindole molecule. Furthermore, the evaluation of the antimicrobial action of trisubstituted isoindole derivatives against Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria was assessed and found out selective inhibition of the both bacterial growth via different trisubstituted isoindole derivatives. The results of this work encourage further research on the potential utilization of trisubstituted isoindole derivatives as cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents.
Tandem bispecific CD123/CLL‐1 CAR‐T cells exhibit specific cytolytic effector functions against human acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Wang Xiang‐Yu , Bian Mei‐Ru , Lin Guo‐Qiang , Yu Lei , Zhang Yan‐Ming , Wu De‐Pei
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The treatment of refractory and recurrent acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is still a challenge with poor response rates and short survival times. In an attempt to solve this problem, we constructed a tandem bispecific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD123 and C‐type lectin‐like molecule 1 (CLL‐1), two different AML antigens, and verified its cytotoxic effects in vitro.

Methods

We established and cultured K562 cell lines expressing both CD123 and CLL1 antigens. Single‐target CAR‐T cells specific to CD123 and CLL1 were engineered, alongside tandem CD123/CLL1 bispecific CAR‐T cells. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell phenotypes, transfection efficiencies, cytokine release, and CAR‐T‐cell proliferation, and an lactate dehydrogenase assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of CD123/CLL‐1 bispecific tandem CAR‐T cells in vitro.

Results

Two types of tandem CAR‐T cells exhibited significant killing effects on CLL‐1 + CD123+ leukaemia cell lines and primary AML tumour cells. The killing efficiency of tandem CAR‐T cells in the case of single antigen expression is comparable to that of single target CAR‐T cells. When faced with dual target tumour cells, dual target CAR‐T cells significantly surpass single target CAR‐T cells. CD123/CLL‐1 CAR‐T cells in tandem targeted and killed CD123‐ and CLL‐1‐positive leukaemia cell lines and released a large number of cytokines.

Conclusions

CD123/CLL‐1 CAR‐T cells in tandem can simultaneously target CD123 and CLL‐1 on AML cells, demonstrating a significant ability to kill single antigens and multi‐target tumour cells. This suggests that CD123/CLL‐1 CAR‐T cells exhibit significant advantages in the expression of multiple antigens in a wide range of target cells, which may help overcome the challenges posed by tumour heterogeneity and evasion mechanisms.
Culturally humble and anti‐racist couple and family interventions for African Americans
Authors: Kaslow Nadine J. , Clarke Christina , Hampton‐Anderson Joya N.
Published: September 2023

Anti‐Black racism including structural racism and racism‐related disparities have come to the foreground in recent years with the increasingly frequent and brutal police killings of innocent African Americans, the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic on the Black community, and the effectiveness of the Black Lives Matter movement. There have been calls to action to ensure cultural effectiveness of couples and family therapy for African Americans. As one response to these calls, this article provides recommendations for culturally humble and anti‐racist couple and family interventions. These best practices focus on the necessity of embracing a systemic stance and a strengths‐based culturally responsive lens when assessing and intervening with African American couples and families. They focus on the need for therapists to be intentional about and consistent in engaging in self‐exploration and taking the necessary steps to be not just competent but also capable. The final set of best practices detailed relate to assessing and intervening using a strengths‐based approach in a culturally responsive, anti‐racist, and socially attuned fashion. The article concludes with recommendations for couple/family therapists to develop a critical consciousness, engage in anti‐racist practices, and address oppression while advancing healing and liberation, all of which are essential to ensuring the resilience and well‐being of African American couples and families.
An intergenerational study of parental bonding on perceptions of parental and spousal criticism and marital relationship quality in Singapore
Authors: Neoh Michelle Jin Yee , Lieu An An , Perinelli Enrico , Balagtas Jan Paolo Macapinlac , Nah Hilda , Ho Moon‐Ho Ringo , Esposito Gianluca
Published: September 2023

Criticism is a form of interpersonal social rejection and destructive conflict behavior which has been associated with poor relationship outcomes in both parent–child and marital relationships. However, the role of the individual's perceptions of parental and spousal criticism in influencing the perceptions of criticism of other members in the family unit has not been examined. This study investigated the associations between parental bonding and perceptions of parental and spousal criticism across generations in Singapore. In all, 134 Singaporean married parent dyads (G2) and one child (G3) of each dyad were recruited. G2 parent participants completed the Perceived Criticism measure for their parents (G1) and spouses, the Parental Bonding Instrument and the Quality of Marriage Index. G3 children participants completed the Perceived Criticism measure for their parents (G2). Path analysis found that G2 perceptions of parental bonding were significant predictors of G2's perceptions of G1 parental criticism, which significantly predicted both G2's perceptions of spousal criticism and G3's perceptions of G2 parental criticism. Perceptions of spousal criticism were also found to predict marital relationship quality in G2 participants. Findings highlight the intergenerational transmission of perceptions of criticism across relationships in the family unit, providing support that parenting practices and communication patterns in one generation can predict those in the next generation in the Singaporean context. Future studies can look to replicate the findings in other cultures and include further investigations into sibling relationships as well.