bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social media discussion forums, home country and immigrant consumer acculturation: the case of Iranian immigrants in Australia
Authors: Sepehr Sorush , Carlson Jamie , Rosenberger III Philip , Pandit Ameet
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Social media has transformed communication possibilities for immigrant consumers with their home country in their acculturation efforts. However, the acculturative outcomes of consumer interactions with the home country through social media are largely overlooked in previous research. This study aims to investigate the acculturative processes and outcomes resulting from interacting with the home country through social media.

Design/methodology/approach

A netnographic approach is used to collect data from a social media platform that provides an interactive social context in which Iranian immigrants in Australia share their experiences of immigration with non-immigrants who are considering and planning to migrate to Australia.

Findings

Findings show how both immigrants and non-immigrant users via social media reflexively contribute to the formation of two competing collective narratives, namely, the dominant, romanticizing narrative and counter, pragmatic narratives. Findings highlight how notions of the home and host countries, and the idea of migrating from home to host, are constructed as the result of the circulation of the dominant and counter narratives. Further findings include how these two collective narratives come into play in the formation of three acculturative outcomes, namely, self-validating, ordinary experts and wellbeing. These insights extend consumer acculturation theory through highlighting the acculturative processes and outcomes of interactions with the home country via a social media platform. This includes, for example, how interacting with the home culture can take on assimilationist properties through the construction of a romanticized representation of the hosting society (i.e. Australia) in the dominant collective narrative.

Practical implications

Implications for ethnic marketing practice, policymakers and non-governmental organisations are advanced, especially regarding using social media as a channel to communicate with current and potential immigrant consumers. Notably, policymakers can use social media to engage with immigrants before and after migration to reduce the potential for cognitive dissonance in recent arrivals. Managerially, brands can advertise on Web-based forums, independent websites and social media platforms to target potential immigrants to sell relevant products immigrants needs after migrating to the host country.

Social implications

Findings broaden the understanding of the potential acculturative outcomes on social media by moving away from the traditional outcomes, which are restricted to the dichotomy between the home and host cultures.

Originality/value

Scholarly attention is deficient on the role of direct interaction with the home country in immigrant consumer acculturation, especially through social media, which is the focus of this study.
Consideration of risk in the implementation of probabilistic prognostications of hotel revenues and expenses
Authors: O'Neill John , Bloom Barry , Tang Khoa
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to be the first empirical article to provide necessary standard deviation inputs for adoption in probabilistic prognostications of hotel revenues and expenses, i.e. prognostications that consider risk. Commonly accepted methodologies to develop hotel financial projections resulting in point estimates of upcoming performance have been perceived as egregiously insufficient because they do not consider risk in lodging investments. Previous research has recommended the use of probabilistic methodologies to address this concern, and it has been recommended that analysts use Monte Carlo simulation. This methodology requires the estimation of standard deviations of specific, future hotel revenue and expense items, and this paper provides such inputs based on a large sample of actual, recent data.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides actual standard deviations using a sample of recent hotel profit and loss (P&L) statements for over 3,000 hotels (Over 19,000 P&L statements) to provide analysts with empirically-supported standard deviations that may be applied to Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) hotel revenues and expenses in hotel financial (revenue and expense) prognostications.

Findings

Findings are presented for standard deviations based on typical line items as defined in the USALI, and these findings may be used by practitioners as inputs for hotel financial projections. Findings also include that hotel revenue items generally have higher standard deviations than expense items. Findings are presented in detail in the manuscript, including overall findings, as well as findings based on hotel class.

Practical implications

Rather than practitioners adopting standard deviations of hotel revenue and expense line items based on guesswork or judgment, which is the current “state of the art” in hotel financial projections, this paper provides practitioners with actual standard deviations which may be adopted in probabilistic prognostications of hotel revenues and expenses.

Originality/value

This paper may be the first to provide practitioners with actual standard deviations, based on typical USALI line items, for adoption in probabilistic prognostications of hotel revenues and expenses.
Does servant leadership predict innovative behaviour above and beyond transformational leadership? Examining the role of affective commitment and creative self-efficacy
Authors: Iqbal Amjad , Ahmad Muhammad Shakil , Nazir Tahira
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the comparative effect of transformational and servant leadership and to determine incremental variance that servant leadership can explain in employee innovative behaviour above and beyond transformational leadership. This research also examines the competing mechanisms by which transformational and servant leadership influence innovative behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered from 338 employees working in information technology firms of Pakistan and the proposed relationships were tested through partial least squares technique using SmartPLS software.

Findings

The results reveal that servant leadership not only exerts stronger influence on innovative behaviour, but also explains an incremental variance in innovative behaviour above and beyond transformational leadership. The findings further indicate that the impact of transformational leadership on innovative behaviour is better transmitted by affective commitment. On the contrary, the impact of servant leadership is better translated through creative self-efficacy.

Practical implications

This research unravels the role of transformational and servant leadership in fostering innovative behaviour in knowledge-intensive organizations. Findings of this investigation also suggest that by following a two-pronged leadership strategy, managers can augment innovative behaviour by enhancing employees' creative self-efficacy and affective commitment.

Originality/value

This research provides initial empirical evidence regarding the incremental variance that servant leadership can explain in innovative behaviour above and beyond transformational leadership. Moreover, this research adds to leadership and innovation literature by unravelling the comparative effects of these two forms of leadership on innovative behaviour through theory-driven competing mechanisms.
Entrepreneurial coaching mediating relationship between TQM soft practices and firm performance: cases of certified Tunisian companies
Authors: Ben Salem Anis
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study implicitly the mediating role of entrepreneurial coaching between TQM soft practice and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was gathered from 160 Tunisian-certified companies. The direct and indirect effect between TQM soft practice, entrepreneurial coaching and firm performance are shown using the structural equation modeling. It was performed using SPSS 20 software and AMOS 20 software.

Findings

First, TQM practices have a positive effect on entrepreneurial coaching. Second, entrepreneurial coaching has a positive effect on firm performance. Third, TQM soft practices have a positive effect on firm performance. So, entrepreneurial coaching may implicitly mediate the relationship between TQM soft practice and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper helps the practitioner to understand how entrepreneurial coaching ensure TQM soft practice implementation and how entrepreneurial coaching affects firm performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper presents an innovative approach since it is among the first research study that treats the relationship between entrepreneurial support and TQM soft practice implementation and especially the relationship between entrepreneurial coaching and the success of the TQM soft practices implementation.
Modelling and prediction of WEDM parameters for sustainable machining of titanium grade-2 alloy
Authors: Mussada Eswara Krishna
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to establish a predictive model for sustainable wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) by using adaptive neuro fuzzy interface system (ANFIS). Machining was done on Titanium grade 2 alloy, which is also nicknamed as workhorse of commercially pure titanium industry. ANFIS, being a state-of-the-art technology, is a highly sophisticated and reliable technique used for the prediction and decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

Keeping in the mind the complex nature of WEDM along with the goal of sustainable manufacturing process, ANFIS was chosen to construct predictive models for the material removal rate (MRR) and power consumption (Pc), which reflect environmental and economic aspects. The machining parameters chosen for the machining process are pulse on-time, wire feed, wire tension, servo voltage, servo feed and peak current.

Findings

The ANFIS predicted values were verified experimentally, which gave a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.329 for MRR and 0.805 for Pc. The significantly low RMSE verifies the accuracy of the process.

Originality/value

ANFIS has been there for quite a time, but it has not been used yet for its possible application in the field of sustainable WEDM of titanium grade-2 alloy with emphasis on MRR and Pc. The novelty of the work is that a predictive model for sustainable machining of titanium grade-2 alloy has been successfully developed using ANFIS, thereby showing the reliability of this technique for the development of predictive models and decision-making for sustainable manufacturing.
Anticipating fluctuations of bigeye tuna in the Pacific Ocean from three‐dimensional ocean biogeochemistry
Authors: Taboada Fernando G. , Park Jong‐Yeon , Muhling Barbara A. , Tommasi Desiree , Tanaka Kisei R. , Rykaczewski Ryan R. , Stock Charles A. , Sarmiento Jorge L.
Published: December 2022

Subseasonal to decadal ocean forecasting can make significant contributions to achieving effective management of living marine resources in a changing ocean. Most applications rely on indirect proxies, however, often measured at the ocean surface and lacking a direct mechanistic link to the dynamics of marine populations.

Here, we take advantage of three‐dimensional, dynamical reconstructions and forecasts of ocean biogeochemistry based on a global Earth system model to hindcast and assess the capacity to anticipate fluctuations in the dynamics of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus Lowe) in the Pacific Ocean during the last six decades. We reconstructed spatial patterns in catch per unit effort (CPUE) through the combination of physiological indices capturing both habitat preferences and physiological tolerance limits in bigeye tuna.

Our analyses revealed a sequence of four distinct regimes characterized by changes in the zonal distribution and average CPUE of bigeye tuna in the Pacific Ocean. Habitat models accounting for basin‐wide fluctuations in the thermal structure and oxygen concentration throughout the water column captured interannual fluctuations in CPUE and regime switches that models based solely on surface information were unable to reproduce. Decade‐long forecast experiments further suggested that forecasts of three‐dimensional biogeochemical information might enable anticipation of fluctuations in bigeye tuna several years ahead.

Synthesis and applications. Together, our results reveal the impact of variability of biogeochemical conditions in the ocean interior on the dynamics of bigeye tuna on the Pacific Ocean, raising concerns about the future impact of ocean warming and deoxygenation. The results also lend support to incorporating subsurface biogeochemical information into ecological forecasts to implement efficient dynamic management strategies and promote the sustainable use of marine living resources.
The Beauty of Being Involved: The Case of Cooperative Banks
Authors: Fiordelisi Franco , Grimaldi Stefano , Lopez Juan Sergio , Mazzilis Maria Carmela , Ricci Ornella
Published: December 2022

Is greater stakeholder engagement associated with greater stability? We provide readers with novel empirical evidence that this is indeed the case. Cooperative banks (where stakeholders are involved in the business by law) are an excellent case to study the association between stakeholder engagement and stability. Focusing on Italy, we show that cooperative banks differ substantially in risk‐taking from each other, and these differences are mostly related to the engagement of stakeholders. A greater overlap between shareholders, borrowers and depositors is associated with lower non‐performing loans, suggesting that greater stakeholder engagement reduces problems of asymmetric information and bank risk appetite.
Variation of six bioactive milk proteins from milk from Chinese commercial dairy farms: Effect of season, farm, breed and udder health status
Authors: Tang Shuo , Zhang Lijia , Duan Guoxia , Wu Lunwei , Chen Jing , Mo Nan , Zhang Zhiwei , Hu Wenhui , Lv Zhiyong , Li Cuizhi , Liu Lijun , Xu Hongyan , Hu Xue
Published: December 2022

The study investigated potential changes in bioactive milk proteins in relation to the season, breed, farm and udder health status. Nine hundred and sixty bulk milk samples from 12 commercial farms in northwest China were collected during 2020–2021. Six bioactive proteins including fraction of β‐casein proteins, α‐lactalbumin, β‐lactoglobulin, lactoferrin (Lf) and osteopontin were evaluated. It was found that most proteins (with exception of β‐casein A1) of Jersey cows are significantly higher than Holstein cows. Most bioactive proteins demonstrated seasonal variation, and some exhibited geographical variation (with exception of whey albumins). The milk somatic cell count showed a positive correlation with immune proteins such as Lf.
Visceral extra‐abdominal panniculitis after COVID19
Authors: Ausín‐García Cristina , Cervilla‐Muñoz Eva , Demelo‐Rodríguez Pablo , Villalba‐García María Victoria , Alvarez‐Sala Walther Luis A.
Published: December 2022

“Retractile mesenteritis” was the first name given to a rare, benign, inflammatory disease that affects the adipose tissue of the intestinal mesentery and less frequently other locations. Now labeled as mesenteric panniculitis, the pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. Several stimuli could be involved, and it is sometimes associated with other conditions such as malignancy or autoimmune diseases. We present a case of mesenteric panniculitis with extensive abdominal and extra‐abdominal involvement that developed a few months after SARS‐COV2 infection, raising the hypothesis of this virus as a potential trigger for autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Uniportal VATS lobectomy versus thoracotomy lobectomy for NSCLC larger than 5 cm: A propensity score‐matched study
Authors: Liu Jingwei , Zhang Xining , Li Jian
Published: December 2022

Background

The performance of uniportal VATS lobectomy (uVATS) for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) larger than 5 cm is uncertain due to a lack of evidence. Here, we present a retrospective, propensity‐score matched cohort study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of uVATS for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.

Methods

The data of patients with NSCLC larger than 5 cm diameter who underwent curative resection via uVATS or thoracotomy lobectomy between January 2015 and December 2020 was collected. Propensity‐score matching was utilized to control the observable biases.

Results

Seventy‐two patients underwent uVATS lobectomy, while 38 received thoracotomy lobectomy. No conversion to open surgery or perioperative death occurred. uVATS lobectomy achieved similar total lymph node dissection counts compared to thoracotomy and even yielded a higher amount of lymph node dissection in pTNM stage II patients. The long‐term overall and recurrence‐free survival rates were also similar between the two groups. Results from the propensity‐score matching generated cohort agreed with those from the full cohort.

Conclusions

uVATS lobectomy is feasible and effective for curative lobectomy for NSCLC larger than 5 cm in diameter in selected patients. Further validations from well‐designed prospective studies are required for uVATS lobectomy for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
P2Y6 receptor‐dependent microglial phagocytosis of synapses mediates synaptic and memory loss in aging
Authors: Dundee Jacob M. , Puigdellívol Mar , Butler Richard , Cockram Thomas O. J. , Brown Guy C.
Published: December 2022

Aging causes loss of brain synapses and memory, and microglial phagocytosis of synapses may contribute to this loss. Stressed neurons can release the nucleotide UTP, which is rapidly converted into UDP, that in turn activates the P2Y6 receptor (P2Y6R) on the surface of microglia, inducing microglial phagocytosis of neurons. However, whether the activation of P2Y6R affects microglial phagocytosis of synapses is unknown. We show here that inactivation of P2Y6R decreases microglial phagocytosis of isolated synapses (synaptosomes) and synaptic loss in neuronal–glial co‐cultures. In vivo, wild‐type mice aged from 4 to 17 months exhibited reduced synaptic density in cortical and hippocampal regions, which correlated with increased internalization of synaptic material within microglia. However, this aging‐induced synaptic loss and internalization were absent in P2Y6R knockout mice, and these mice also lacked any aging‐induced memory loss. Thus, P2Y6R appears to mediate aging‐induced loss of synapses and memory by increasing microglial phagocytosis of synapses. Consequently, blocking P2Y6R has the potential to prevent age‐associated memory impairment.
Risk assessment of the acute stroke diagnostic process using failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis
Authors: Liberman Ava L. , Holl Jane L. , Romo Elida , Maas Matthew , Song Sarah , Prabhakaran Shyam
Published: December 2022

Introduction

To date, many emergency department (ED)‐based quality improvement studies and interventions for acute stroke patients have focused on expediting time‐sensitive treatments, particularly reducing door‐to‐needle time. However, prior to treatment, a diagnosis of stroke must be reached. The ED‐based stroke diagnostic process has been understudied despite its importance in assuring high‐quality and safe care.

Methods

We used a learning collaborative to conduct a failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA) of the acute stroke diagnostic process at three health systems in Chicago, IL. Our FMECA was designed to prospectively identify, characterize, and rank order failures in the systems and processes of care that offer opportunities for redesign to improve stroke diagnostic accuracy. Multidisciplinary teams involved in stroke care at five different sites participated in moderated sessions to create an acute stroke diagnostic process map as well as identify failures and existing safeguards. For each failure, a risk priority number and criticality score were calculated. Failures were then ranked, with the highest scores representing the most critical failures to be targeted for redesign.

Results

A total of 28 steps were identified in the acute stroke diagnostic process. Iterative steps in the process include information gathering, clinical examination, interpretation of diagnostic test results, and reassessment. We found that failure to use existing screening scales to identify patients with large‐vessel occlusions early on in their ED course ranked highest. Failure to obtain an accurate history of the index event, failure to suspect acute stroke in triage, and failure to use established stroke screening tools at ED arrival to identify potential stroke patients were also highly ranked.

Conclusions

Our study results highlight the critical importance of upstream steps in the acute stroke diagnostic process, particularly the use of existing tools to identify stroke patients who may be eligible for time‐sensitive treatments.
Association between genetic risk of alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality under different alcohol policy conditions: Evidence from the Finnish alcohol price reduction of 2004
Authors: Lahtinen Hannu , Moustgaard Heta , Ripatti Samuli , Martikainen Pekka
Published: December 2022

Aims

Harmful alcohol consumption is influenced by both genetic susceptibility and the price of alcohol. Many previous studies have observed that genetic susceptibility to consumption of alcohol is more predictive in less restrictive drinking conditions. We assess whether such a pattern applies when the prices of alcoholic beverages are decreased.

Design

Data consist of genetically informed population‐representative surveys (FINRISK 1992, 1997, 2002 and Health 2000) linked to administrative registers. We analysed the interaction between a polygenic score (PGS) for alcoholic drinks per week consumed and price reduction in predicting the incidence of alcohol‐related hospitalizations and deaths in difference‐in‐difference and interrupted time‐series frameworks.

Setting

Individuals in Finland were followed quarter‐yearly from 1 March 2000 to 31 May 2008.

Participants

A total of 22 152 individuals (607 132‐person quarter‐years, 1399 outcome events) aged 30–79 years.

Intervention

A natural experiment stemming from the alcohol tax reduction in March 2004 and import deregulation in May 2004.

Measurements

Outcome was quarter‐yearly‐measured alcohol‐related death or hospitalization. The independent variables of main interest were PGS and a price reform indicator. We adjusted for gender, age, age squared, season, 10 first principal components of the genome, data collection round and genotyping batch.

Findings

Both alcohol price reduction and one standard deviation change in PGS were associated with alcohol‐related health outcomes; odds ratios (ORs) were 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13, 1.53 and 1.26, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.42 in the 8‐year follow‐up, respectively. The association between PGS and alcohol‐related morbidity was similar before and after the alcohol price reform (PGS × price reform interaction OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.14). These results were robust across different follow‐up periods and measurement and analysis strategies.

Conclusions

Although the decrease of alcohol price in Finland in 2004 substantially increased overall alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality, the genetic susceptibility to alcohol consumption did not become more manifest in predicting them.
The earned income tax credit and food insecurity
Authors: Lenhart Otto
Published: December 2022

Although previous work on the earned income tax credit (EITC) has established that the program improves health outcomes of people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, not much is known about the possible pathways through which higher EITC benefits affect health. This study contributes to the literature by evaluating the role of food insecurity as a mechanism underlying the relationship between the EITC and health. Using the 2009 federal EITC expansion, which increased benefit generosity for eligible families with three or more children, I estimate difference‐in‐differences (DD) and difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences (DDD) models to evaluate whether the policy change is associated with improvements in food security. My analysis finds that the program expansion, which increased predicted annual EITC benefits by $496, is associated with a reduction in the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity by 8.1% for low‐educated households with three children. The observed improvements in food security are larger for non‐married households, a group that has previously been shown to be strongly affected by EITC changes. An evaluation of variations in state‐level EITC laws provides further indication that more generous benefits reduce food insecurity. The results, which are robust to estimating several alternative specifications, provide evidence that higher EITC benefits improve the well‐being of low‐income households by reducing food insecurity.
Role of stem cells in regenerative treatment of dry eye disease caused by lacrimal gland dysfunction
Authors: Jackson Catherine J. , Naqvi Maria , Gundersen Kjell Gunnar , Utheim Tor Paaske
Published: December 2022

An ageing population and increased screen use in younger people have contributed to a rise in incidence of dry eye disease (DED). Quality of life can be significantly affected by DED, with patients experiencing eye dryness, burning, pain and sensitivity to light. If left untreated, DED may progress to cause lasting damage to the delicate cell layers of the ocular surface. The aqueous‐deficient form of DED is characterized by decreased tear volume. This can occur through underlying disease or damage to the lacrimal gland (LG), which results in increased inflammation at the ocular surface and decreased tear secretion. Regenerative therapy for treatment of aqueous‐deficient DED would ideally restore LG function without causing adverse side effects and be feasible in terms of cost, production and practical application in the clinic. In this review, we evaluate research directed at the development of clinical procedures for regeneration of the LG using various stem cell types and their products. We also discuss work identifying potential therapeutic targets that may alter pathways to effect healing and ameliorate development of DED. Finally, we discuss shortcomings and recommend future avenues for research. These include determination of the best tissue of origin for mesenchymal cells and transference of knowledge gleaned from animal studies to clinical investigations.
Letter: metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease increases risk of all‐cause mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Zhao Qianwen , Deng Yunlei
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Attia et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17233
Letter: hereditary role in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Chang Hui‐Chin , Gau Shuo‐Yan
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Park et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17257 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17342
Editorial: changes of health‐related quality of life associated with liver disease severity and its improvement after treatment in NAFLD
Authors: Sun Chao , Fan Jian‐Gao
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Yilmaz et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17301 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17325
Editorial: changes of health‐related quality of life associated with hepatic disease severity and its improvement after treatment in NAFLD—authorsʼ reply
Authors: Yilmaz Yusuf , Younossi Zobair
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Yilmaz et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17301 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17318
Editorial: routine use of intestinal ultrasound in ulcerative colitis—are we missing the appendix? Authors' reply
Authors: Reijntjes Maud A. , de Voogd Floris A. E. , Buskens Christianne J. , Gecse Krisztina B.
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Reijntjes et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17267 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17302
Dendritic spine loss in epileptogenic Type II focal cortical dysplasia: Role of enhanced classical complement pathway activation
Authors: Rossini Laura , De Santis Dalia , Cecchini Erica , Cagnoli Cinzia , Maderna Emanuela , Cartelli Daniele , Morgan Bryan Paul , Torvell Megan , Spreafico Roberto , di Giacomo Roberta , Tassi Laura , de Curtis Marco , Garbelli Rita
Published: December 2022

Dendritic spines are the postsynaptic sites for most excitatory glutamatergic synapses. We previously demonstrated a severe spine loss and synaptic reorganization in human neocortices presenting Type II focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), a developmental malformation and frequent cause of drug‐resistant focal epilepsy. We extend the findings, investigating the potential role of complement components C1q and C3 in synaptic pruning imbalance. Data from Type II FCD were compared with those obtained in focal epilepsies with different etiologies. Neocortical tissues were collected from 20 subjects, mainly adults with a mean age at surgery of 31 years, admitted to epilepsy surgery with a neuropathological diagnosis of: cryptogenic, temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis, and Type IIa/b FCD. Dendritic spine density quantitation, evaluated in a previous paper using Golgi impregnation, was available in a subgroup. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, electron microscopy, and organotypic cultures were utilized to study complement/microglial activation patterns. FCD Type II samples presenting dendritic spine loss were characterized by an activation of the classical complement pathway and microglial reactivity. In the same samples, a close relationship between microglial cells and dendritic segments/synapses was found. These features were consistently observed in Type IIb FCD and in 1 of 3 Type IIa cases. In other patient groups and in perilesional areas outside the dysplasia, not presenting spine loss, these features were not observed. In vitro treatment with complement proteins of organotypic slices of cortical tissue with no sign of FCD induced a reduction in dendritic spine density. These data suggest that dysregulation of the complement system plays a role in microglia‐mediated spine loss. This mechanism, known to be involved in the removal of redundant synapses during development, is likely reactivated in Type II FCD, particularly in Type IIb; local treatment with anticomplement drugs could in principle modify the course of disease in these patients.
Therapeutic potential of allosteric modulators for the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders
Authors: Saito Ayame , Alvi Sadia , Valant Celine , Christopoulos Arthur , Carbone Simona E. , Poole Daniel P.
Published: December 2022

Gastrointestinal motility is tightly regulated by the enteric nervous system (ENS). Disruption of coordinated enteric nervous system activity can result in dysmotility. Pharmacological treatment options for dysmotility include targeting of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed by neurons of the enteric nervous system. Current GPCR‐targeting drugs for motility disorders bind to the highly conserved endogenous ligand‐binding site and promote indiscriminate activation or inhibition of the target receptor throughout the body. This can be associated with significant side‐effect liability and a loss of physiological tone. Allosteric modulators of GPCRs bind to a distinct site from the endogenous ligand, which is typically less conserved across multiple receptor subtypes and can modulate endogenous ligand signalling. Allosteric modulation of GPCRs that are important for enteric nervous system function may provide effective relief from motility disorders while limiting side‐effects. This review will focus on how allosteric modulators of GPCRs may influence gastrointestinal motility, using 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), acetylcholine (ACh) and opioid receptors as examples.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue Therapeutic Targeting of G Protein‐Coupled Receptors: hot topics from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.14/issuetoc
‘Why blame the girls’?: Contextual factors enabling juvenile prostitution in a Ghanaian metropolis
Authors: Oduro Georgina Yaa , Amoah John Oti
Published: December 2022

Framed by Urie Bronfenbrenners' (1979) ecological systems theory, this paper analyses the contextual factors that facilitate commercial sex work among adolescent girls in a metropolis in Ghana. Focusing on contextual factors rather than individual perspectives, we examined the background of minors involved in sex trade by interviewing 15 juvenile prostitutes (aged 14–17) and several key stakeholders. We explored factors that cause them to engage in prostitution, such as dysfunctional family systems, peer and sibling influence, inadequate accommodation, media influence and fashionable trends, as well as poverty and survival dynamics. An innovative discovery presented in this paper is the strong presence of schools, and resultant young people, as well as tourist attractions and cultural celebrations such as festivals and funerals as drivers of juvenile prostitution in the study site. The paper concludes by recommending a multi‐sectoral approach to addressing juvenile prostitution challenges.
Effect of discontinuation of lemborexant following long‐term treatment of insomnia disorder: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Takaesu Yoshikazu , Suzuki Masahiro , Moline Margaret , Pinner Kate , Inabe Kanako , Nishi Yurie , Kuriyama Kenichi
Published: December 2022

Discontinuing long‐term pharmacotherapy for insomnia can result in rebound insomnia or withdrawal symptoms and suboptimal treatment. Post hoc analyses evaluated rebound insomnia and withdrawal symptoms among the subset of subjects from a phase III, 12‐month, global, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group study who completed 12 or 6 months of active treatment and follow‐up period. Study E2006‐G000‐303 (Study 303) included adults (N = 655) with subjective sleep‐onset latency ≥30 min and/or subjective wake‐after‐sleep onset ≥60 min at least three times weekly during the 4 weeks before enrollment. Subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to lemborexant 5 mg (LEM5) or 10 mg (LEM10) or placebo for 6 months. Thereafter, for an additional 6 months, LEM5‐ and LEM10‐treated subjects continued lemborexant and the placebo group was rerandomized 1:1 to LEM5 or LEM10. Month 12 was followed by abrupt discontinuation and a 2‐week end‐of‐study follow‐up. Using daily electronic sleep diaries, patients reported (subjective) sleep end points (sleep‐onset latency, wake‐after‐sleep onset, sleep efficiency, and total sleep time). Withdrawal symptoms were assessed using the Tyrer Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms Questionnaire (T‐BWSQ). Sleep outcome improvements with lemborexant at month 12 were generally maintained throughout the 2‐week off‐treatment period wherein <20% of subjects experienced significant worsening of insomnia symptoms versus screening. There was no evidence of withdrawal symptoms by T‐BWSQ following lemborexant discontinuation. This analysis demonstrates rebound insomnia is unlikely to occur with lemborexant, and its effectiveness is maintained after abrupt discontinuation without placebo replacement following 6–12 months of treatment.
A conceptual framework for trust in standardised assessments: Commercial, quasi‐market and national systems
Authors: Ehren Melanie
Published: December 2022

This article presents a conceptual framework for trust in standardised assessments. Standardised assessments play an important role in many education systems as they inform decisions about students' future schooling career or entry to the labour market. Also, standardised assessments are often used for teacher performance reviews and school accountability, or to monitor learning outcomes on the national level. Various stakeholders rely on the accuracy of assessment outcomes when making decisions about students' competences, or seek to improve the quality of education. Such reliance implies a need for trust in those who design and administer standardised assessments and make decisions on the basis of the outcomes. The framework presented in this article describes the type of relational and macro‐level trust that is relevant for three types of assessment systems: national, quasi‐market and commercial systems. Throughout the analysis presented, examples are provided to illustrate the ways in which relational and macro‐level trust can vary by who is tested and by whom they are assessed; and how trust in evaluations varies by the purpose and consequences of testing, as well as the individual agency of students, their teachers and school leaders.
Identification of molecular network of gut‐brain axis associated with neuroprotective effects of PPARδ‐ligand erucic acid in rotenone‐induced Parkinson's disease model in zebrafish
Authors: Ünal İsmail , Cansız Derya , Sürmen Mustafa Gani , Sürmen Saime , Sezer Zehra , Beler Merih , Üstündağ Ünsal Veli , Güzel Elif , Alturfan A. Ata , Emekli‐Alturfan Ebru
Published: December 2022

Disruption of the gut‐brain axis in Parkinson's disease (PD) may lead to motor symptoms and PD pathogenesis. Recently, the neuroprotective potential of different PPARδ‐agonists has been shown. We aimed to reveal the effects of erucic acid, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs)‐ligand in rotenone‐induced PD model in zebrafish, focusing on the gut‐brain axis. Adult zebrafish were exposed to rotenone and erucic acid for 30 days. Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis was performed. Raw files were analysed by Proteome Discoverer 2.4 software; peptide lists were searched against Danio rerio proteins. STRING database was used for protein annotations or interactions. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (No), alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S‐transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase and the expressions of PD‐related genes were determined. Immunohistochemical tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining was performed. LC–MS/MS analyses allowed identification of over 2000 proteins in each sample. The 2502 and 2707 proteins overlapped for intestine and brain. The 196 and 243 significantly dysregulated proteins in the brain and intestines were found in rotenone groups. Erucic acid treatment corrected the changes in the expression of proteins associated with cytoskeletal organisation, transport and localisation and improved locomotor activity, expressions of TH, PD‐related genes (lrrk2, park2, park7, pink1) and oxidant‐damage in brain and intestines in the rotenone group as evidenced by decreased LPO, No and increased GST. Our results showed beneficial effects of erucic acid as a PPARδ‐ligand in neurotoxin‐induced PD model in zebrafish. We believe that our study will shed light on the mechanism of the effects of PPARδ agonists and ω9‐fatty acids in the gut‐brain axis of PD.
Effects of family therapy for substance abuse: A systematic review of recent research
Authors: Esteban Jessica , Suárez‐Relinque Cristian , Jiménez Teresa I.
Published: December 2022

One of the most serious psychosocial problems worldwide is substance abuse because of its repercussions not only on the physical and psychological health of the abuser but also on their relational functioning. Among the well‐established therapeutic approaches for the treatment of substance abuse is family therapy, which, in addition to influencing personal variables, promotes changes in family dynamics. The main objective of this study is to review the scientific literature published from 2010 to the present on the efficacy and effectiveness shown by family‐based treatment approaches for substance use problems both in adolescent and adult samples. In addition, the effect on secondary variables such as family functioning and behavioral problems is evaluated. The empirical evidence accumulated in the last decade and reviewed in the present study indicates that the incorporation of family members in the treatment of substance abuse produces benefits by diminishing consumption and improving family functioning. Limitations of this study and of the research reviewed are discussed and directions for future research are provided.
A novel tdTomato transgenic mouse model to visualize FAP‐positive cancer‐associated fibroblasts
Authors: Wei Feng , Uchihara Tomoyuki , Yonemura Atsuko , Yasuda‐Yoshihara Noriko , Yasuda Tadahito , Semba Takashi , Fukuda Masahiro , Akiyama Takahiko , Kitamura Fumimasa , Bu Luke , Hu Xichen , Fu Lingfeng , Zhang Jun , Kariya Ryusho , Yamasaki Juntaro , Aihara Kazuki , Yamashita Kohei , Nagano Osamu , Okada Seiji , Baba Hideo , Ishimoto Takatsugu
Published: December 2022

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) generally shows low or undetectable expression in most normal tissues but is highly expressed in fibroblasts in almost all carcinomas. FAP is one of the potential molecules to detect activated fibroblasts and has multiple roles in tumour progression. We generated transgenic mice that specifically expressed tdTomato along with FAP promoter activity. Coculturing a mouse gastric cancer cell line and FAP‐tdTomato transgenic mouse‐derived fibroblasts showed that tdTomato expression was elevated in the cocultured fibroblasts. Moreover, stomach wall transplanted tumours in mice also showed FAP‐tdTomato expression in fibroblasts of the stomach and each metastatic legion. These results indicated that FAP‐tdTomato expression in fibroblasts was elevated by stimulation through the interaction with cancer cells. Functionally, collagen production was increased in FAP/tdTomato‐positive fibroblasts cocultured with mouse cancer cells. These FAP‐tdTomato transgenic mice have the potential to be used to investigate real‐time FAP dynamics and the importance of FAP expression in tumour development.
Fatigue life evaluation of automotive mechanical components by using smart design algorithm
Authors: Alberti Fabio , Foti Pietro , Berto Filippo , Risitano Giacomo , D'Andrea Danilo
Published: December 2022

The aim of this work is to develop a so‐called “smart design” in MATLAB™ environment. The design process consists of an innovative and automatic algorithm aimed at rapidly evaluating the fatigue damage of automotive mechanical components, starting from the load cycle that the component is subjected. In this work, the target component is the front halfshaft of a sport utility vehicle. The algorithm works as follows. A driving cycle has been acquired through an experimental setup consisting of a control unit, a GPS and an OBD port. A mathematical model of the vehicle, based on longitudinal vehicle dynamics, has been developed in Simulink™ environment to evaluate the traction torque at the wheel. A torsional fatigue tests campaign has been carried out on nine front halfshafts of the vehicle to evaluate the torque amplitude–number of cycles curve of the component. The output histories, computed with the rainflow method, have been referred to a load ratio R = −1, according to the experimental fatigue tests, by the application of three different mean stress fatigue criteria: Goodman, Gerber, and Morrow. At the end, cumulative fatigue damage on the component has been evaluated by the application of the Palmgren–Miner rules. The results show that the Goodman criteria, with a fatigue damage value of around 20%, represents the most precautionary criteria for the fatigue design of an automotive component.
A new unified creep‐plasticity constitutive model coupled with damage for viscoplastic materials subjected to fatigue loading
Authors: Long Xu , Guo Ying , Su Yutai , Siow Kim S. , Chen Chuantong
Published: December 2022

A new unified creep‐plasticity (UCP) constitutive model coupled with damage is proposed for Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu (SAC305), one of the most successfully commercialized Pb‐free solders. By calibrating the proposed damage model based on entropy generation, the fatigue issues are elucidated for SAC305 solder at different temperatures and strain rates. After implementing a user‐defined material subroutine, finite element simulations with the proposed UCP‐damage model are capable of predicting the strength deterioration as the macroscopic response in terms of load‐deformation curves. More importantly, the UCP‐damage model reveals the damage accumulation and evolution of viscoplastic materials sensitive to fatigue deformation at different temperatures and strain rates. By comparing the predictions with and without damage, the equivalent plastic strains are obviously different when evaluating the thermal cycling fatigue life of electronic packaging structures, which confirms the significance of the UCP model reasonably coupled with the intrinsic description of damage by the concept of entropy generation.
Resistance from a resident heterospecific affects establishment success of a globally invasive freshwater fish
Authors: Deacon Amy E. , Fraser Douglas F. , Farrell Aidan D.
Published: December 2022

The role of biotic resistance is a subject of debate in our understanding of invasions. We used a well‐known system in the Northern Range of Trinidad, where ephemeral conditions in small pool habitats lead to repeated colonisation by two native species (guppies, Poecilia reticulata, and killifish, Anablepsoides hartii), to ask questions about the role of biotic resistance and intraguild predation in natural, small‐water habitats.

Using horticultural containers under forest cover, alongside constructed bankside mesocosms, we established populations of each species to test hypotheses concerning the conditions under which the guppy, a globally successful invasive species with the potential to establish populations from a single female, could be excluded by a resident intraguild predator, the killifish.

Recruitment success of the guppy depended on founder numbers (propagule size) and introduction order (whether first or last to arrive in the habitat). Single founder guppies always failed to recruit in pools with resident killifish, which we posit is directly attributable to biotic resistance from the resident. However, increased propagule pressure (introduction attempts and propagule number) greatly increased the probability of successful invasion.

Our results have two main implications. The first is that guppies are capable of being successful colonisers even in the presence of a resident intraguild predator. The second is to highlight the role that biotic resistance can play in preventing establishment in small‐water habitats, especially under circumstances of low propagule pressure.

While previous studies have shown that guppies are strong colonisers outside of their native range, our findings suggest that this may not always be the case when there are other small‐bodied fish present. Accordingly, we argue that in small‐water habitats, biotic resistance and intraguild predation relationships should be important considerations when the ability to establish is being assessed for a taxon.