bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric representation of symmetric semantic information in the human brain
Authors: Wang Jiaxin , Kawahata Kiichi , Blanc Antoine , Maeda Naoya , Nishimoto Shinji , Nishida Satoshi
Published: February 2024

Specific pairs of semantic entities have symmetric relationships, such as word pairs with opposite meanings (e.g., “intelligent” and “stupid”; “human” and “mechanical”). Such semantic symmetry is a key feature of semantic information. However, the representation of symmetric semantic information in the brain is not yet understood. Additionally, it is unclear whether symmetric pairs of semantic information do have symmetric representations in the brain? We addressed this question in a data-driven manner by using the voxelwise modeling of movie-evoked cortical response measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this modeling, response in each voxel was predicted from semantic labels designated for each movie scene. The semantic labels consisted of 30 different items, including 15 pairs of semantically symmetric items. Each item was manually evaluated using a 5-point scale. By localizing the semantic representation associated with each item based on the voxelwise accuracy of brain-response predictions, we found that semantic representations of symmetric item pairs are broadly distributed but with little overlap in the cortex. Additionally, the weight of voxelwise models revealed highly complex, various patterns of cortical representations for each item pair. These results suggest that symmetric semantic information is rather asymmetric and heterogeneous representations in the human brain.

Significance statement

This study aimed to investigate if symmetric pairs of semantic information have symmetric representations in the human brain using statistical modeling of functional magnetic resonance imaging signals evoked by naturalistic movies. We built a model based on movie labeling of symmetric semantic items to quantify the cortical representations of symmetric semantic entities. These findings showed that symmetric pairs of semantic entities are represented in widespread cortical regions; however, still exhibit little overlap in localization and heterogeneous representations. These results offer significant insights into the cortical representations of semantic symmetry and advance the understanding of representational structure of semantic information in the human brain.
Dose escalation pre-clinical trial of novel DOK7-AAV in mouse model of DOK7 congenital myasthenia
Authors: Cossins Judith , Kozma Imre , Canzonetta Claudia , Hawkins Al , Beeson David , Sepulveda Patricio , Dong Yin
Published: February 2024

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of inherited disorders characterised by defective neuromuscular transmission and fatigable muscle weakness. Mutations inDOK7, a gene encoding a post-synaptic protein crucial in the formation and stabilisation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), rank among the leading three prevalent causes of CMS in diverse populations globally. The majority of DOK7 CMS patients experience varying degrees of disability despite receiving optimised treatment, necessitating the development of improved therapeutic approaches. Here we executed a dose escalation pre-clinical trial using a DOK7-CMS mouse model to assess the efficacy of Amp-101, an innovative AAV gene replacement therapy. Amp-101 is based on AAVrh74 and contains human DOK7 cDNA under the control of a muscle-restricted promoter. We show that at doses 6x1013vg/kg and 1x1014vg/kg, Amp-101 generated enlarged NMJs and rescued the very severe phenotype of the model. Treated mice became at least as strong as WT littermates and the diaphragm and tibialis anterior muscles displayed robust expression of DOK7. This data suggests that Amp-101 is a promising candidate to move forward to clinic trials.
Historic breeding practices contribute to germplasm divergence in leaf specialized metabolism and ecophysiology in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Authors: Dowell Jordan A. , Bowsher Alan W. , Jamshad Amna , Shah Rahul , Burke John M. , Donovan Lisa A. , Mason Chase M.
Published: February 2024

The use of hybrid breeding systems to increase crop yields has been the cornerstone of modern agriculture and is exemplified in the breeding and improvement of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus). However, it is poorly understood what effect supporting separate breeding pools in such systems, combined with continued selection for yield, may have on leaf ecophysiology and specialized metabolite variation. Here, we analyze 288 cultivatedH. annuuslines to examine the genomic basis of several specialized metabolites and agronomically important traits across major heterotic groups. Heterotic group identity supports phenotypic divergences between fertility restoring and cytoplasmic male-sterility maintainer lines in leaf ecophysiology and specialized metabolism. However, the divergence is not associated with physical linkage to nuclear genes that support current hybrid breeding systems in cultivatedH. annuus. Further, we identified four genomic regions associated with variation in leaf ecophysiology and specialized metabolism that co-localize with previously identified QTLs in cultivatedH. annuusfor quantitative self-compatibility traits and with SPH-proteins, a recently discovered family of proteins associated with self-incompatibility and self/nonself recognition inPapaver rhoeas(common poppy) with suggested conserved downstream mechanisms among eudicots. Self-compatibility is a derived trait in cultivatedH. annuuswith quantitative variation in selfing success, suggesting that trait linkage to divergent phenotypic traits may have partially arisen as a potential unintended consequence of historical breeding practices. Further work is necessary to confirm the self-incompatibility mechanisms in cultivatedH. annuusand their relationship to the integrative and polygenic architecture of leaf ecophysiology and specialized metabolism in cultivated sunflower.
Unleashing Precision and Freedom in Optical Manipulation: Software-Assisted Real-Time Precision Opto-Control of Intracellular Molecular Activities and Cell Functions
Authors: Dong Bin , Everly R. Mike , Mahapatra Shivam , Carlsen Mark S. , Ma Seohee , Zhang Chi
Published: February 2024

The traditional method in biological science to regulate cell functions often employs chemical interventions, which commonly lack precision in space and time. While optical manipulation offers superior spatial precision, existing technologies are constrained by limitations in flexibility, accuracy, and response time. Here, we present an adaptable and interactive optical manipulation platform that integrates laser scanning, chemical sensing, synchronized multi-laser control, adaptable target selection, flexible decision-making, and real-time monitoring of sample responses. This software-assisted real-time precision opto-control (S-RPOC) platform facilitates automatic target selection driven by optical signals while permitting user-defined manual delineation. It allows the treatment of mobile or stationary targets with varying laser dosages and wavelengths simultaneously at diffraction-limited spatial precision and optimal accuracy. Significantly, S-RPOC showcases versatile capabilities including adaptive photobleaching, comprehensive quantification of protein dynamics, selective organelle perturbation, control of cell division, and manipulation of individual cell behaviors within a population. With its unprecedented spatiotemporal precision and adaptable decision-making, S-RPOC holds the potential for extensive applications in biological science.
Tetrapod terrestrialisation: a weight-bearing potential already present in the humerus of the stem-tetrapod fishEusthenopteron foordi
Authors: Clarac François , Cornille Alexis , Bijl Sifra , Sanchez Sophie
Published: February 2024

Our study shows that the von Mises stress, induced by external load on the humerus of Eusthenopteron, dissipates through the cortex, trabeculae and the muscles of the pectoral appendage involved in elevation and protraction. As Eusthenopteron’s microanatomy is similar to that of Devonian tetrapods, we expect them to share the same process of load dissipation and energy absorption through 1) cortical stress distribution; and 2) longitudinal trabecular conduction. Our FE simulations in hypothetical terrestrial conditions demonstrate that this type of microanatomical architecture could withstand the weight of Tiktaalik proportionally to the size of Eusthenopteron in standing posture. This tubular arrangement, including marrow processes originally involved in long-bone elongation, would have acquired a key secondary biomechanical function to increase the resistance and strength of the cancellous bone to external compressive load. As an exaptation, this specific trabecular architecture may have played a major role in the tetrapod land exploration about 400 million years ago.
Evolutionary and biological mechanisms underpinning chitin degradation in aquatic fungi
Authors: Chrismas Nathan , Bird Kimberley , Laundon Davis , Hesketh-Best Poppy , Lieng Chloe , Cunliffe Michael
Published: February 2024

Fungal biology underpins major processes in ecosystems. The Chytridiomycota (chytrids) is a group of early-diverging fungi, many of which function in ecosystems as saprotrophs processing high molecular weight biopolymers, however the mechanisms underpinning chytrid saprotrophy are poorly understood. Genome sequences from representatives across the group and the use of model chytrids offers the potential to determine new insights into their evolution. In this study, we focused on the biology underpinning chitin saprotrophy, a common ecosystem function of aquatic chytrids. The genomes of chitinophilic chytrids have expanded inventories of glycoside hydrolase genes responsible for chitin processing, complemented with bacteria-like chitin-binding modules (CBMs) that are absent in other chytrids. In the model chitinophilic saprotrophRhizoclosmatium globosumJEL800, the expanded repertoire of chitinase genes is diverse and almost half were detected as proteins in the secretome when grown with chitin. Predicted models of the secreted chitinases indicate a range of active site sizes and domain configurations. We propose that increased diversity of secreted chitinases is an adaptive strategy that facilitates chitin degradation in the complex heterologous organic matrix of the arthropod exoskeleton. Free swimmingR. globosumJEL800 zoospores are chemotactic to the chitin monomer N-acetylglucosamine and accelerate zoospore development when grown with chitin. Our study sheds light on the underpinning biology and evolutionary mechanisms that have supported the saprotrophic niche expansion of some chytrids to utilise lucrative chitin-rich particles in aquatic ecosystems and is a demonstration of the adaptive capability of this successful fungal group.
Spatiotemporal regulation of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor MET activity by sorting nexins 1/2 in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Garcia Delgado Laiyen , Derome Amélie , Longpré Samantha , Giroux-Dansereau Marilyne , Basbous Ghenwa , Lavoie Christine L. , Saucier Caroline , Denault Jean-Bernard
Published: February 2024

Cumulative research findings support the idea that endocytic trafficking is crucial in regulating receptor signaling and associated diseases. Specifically, strong evidence points to the involvement of sorting nexins (SNXs), particularly SNX1 and SNX2, in the signaling and trafficking of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) MET in colorectal cancer (CRC). Activation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor MET is a key driver of CRC progression. In this study, we utilized human HCT116 CRC cells withSNX1andSNX2genes knocked out to demonstrate that their absence leads to a delay in MET entering early endosomes. This delay results in increased phosphorylation of both MET and AKT upon HGF stimulation, while ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2) phosphorylation remains unaffected. Despite these changes, HGF-induced cell proliferation, scattering, and migration remain similar between the parental and theSNX1/2knockout cells. However, in the absence of SNX1 and SNX2, these cells exhibit increased resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. This research underscores the intricate relationship between intracellular trafficking, receptor signaling, and cellular responses and demonstrates for the first time that the modulation of MET trafficking by SNX1 and SNX2 is critical for receptor signaling that may exacerbate the disease.
Dorsal Raphe to Basolateral Amygdala Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Circuit Regulates Cocaine-Memory Reconsolidation
Authors: Ritchie Jobe L. , Qi Shuyi , Soto David A. , Swatzell Sydney E. , Grenz Hope I. , Pruitt Avery Y. , Artimenia Lilia M. , Cooke Spencer K. , Berridge Craig W. , Fuchs Rita A.
Published: February 2024

Environmental stimuli elicit drug craving and relapse in cocaine users by triggering the retrieval of strong cocaine-related contextual memories. Retrieval can also destabilize drug memories, requiring reconsolidation, a protein synthesis-dependent storage process, to maintain memory strength. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is necessary for cocaine-memory reconsolidation. We have hypothesized that a critical source of CRF in the BLA is the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) based on its neurochemistry, anatomical connectivity, and requisite involvement in cocaine-memory reconsolidation. To test this hypothesis, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats received adeno-associated viruses to express Gi-coupled designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) selectively in CRF neurons of the DR and injection cannulae directed at the BLA. The rats were trained to self-administer cocaine in a distinct environmental context then received extinction training in a different context. They were then briefly re-exposed to the cocaine-predictive context to destabilize (reactivate) cocaine memories. Intra-BLA infusions of the DREADD agonist deschloroclozapine (DCZ; 0.1 mM, 0.5 μL/hemisphere) after memory reactivation attenuated cocaine-memory strength, relative to vehicle infusion. This was indicated by a selective, DCZ-induced and memory reactivation-dependent decrease in drug-seeking behavior in the cocaine-predictive context in DREADD-expressing males and females at test compared to respective controls. Notably, BLA-projecting DR CRF neurons that exhibited increased c-Fos expression during memory reconsolidation co-expressed glutamatergic and serotonergic neuronal markers. Together, these findings suggest that the DRCRF→ BLA circuit is engaged to maintain cocaine-memory strength after memory destabilization, and this phenomenon may be mediated by DR CRF, glutamate, and/or serotonin release in the BLA.
Scaffold-Lab: Critical Evaluation and Ranking of Protein Backbone Generation Methods in A Unified Framework
Authors: Zheng Zhuoqi , Zhang Bo , Zhong Bozitao , Liu Kexin , Li Zhengxin , Zhu Junjie , Yu Jinyu , Wei Ting , Chen Hai-Feng
Published: February 2024

De novoprotein design has undergone a rapid development in recent years, especially for backbone generation, which stands out as more challenging yet valuable, offering the ability to design novel protein folds with fewer constraints. However, a comprehensive delineation of its potential for practical application in protein engineering remains lacking, as does a standardized evaluation framework to accurately assess the diverse methodologies within this field. Here, we proposed Scaffold-Lab benchmark focusing on evaluating unconditional generation across metrics like designability, novelty, diversity, efficiency and structural properties. We also extrapolated our benchmark to include the motif-scaffolding problem, demonstrating the utility of these conditional generation models. Our findings reveal thatFrameFlowandRFdiffusionin unconditional generation along withRfdiffusionand GPDL in conditional generation showcased the most outstanding performances. Furthermore, we described a systematic study to investigate conditional generation and applied it to the motif-scaffolding task, offering a novel perspective for the analysis and development of conditional protein design methods. All data and scripts will be available athttps://github.com/Immortals-33/Scaffold-Lab.
Cell circuits underlying nanomaterial specific respiratory toxicology
Authors: Voss Carola , Han Lianyong , Ansari Meshal , Strunz Maximilian , Haefner Verena , Ballester-Lopez Carol , Angelidis Ilias , Mayr Christoph H. , Berthing Trine , Conlon Thomas , Liu Qiongliang , Ren Hongyu , Zhou Qiaoxia , Schmid Otmar , Yildirim Ali Önder , Rehberg Markus , Vogel Ulla , Gote-Schniering Janine , Theis Fabian J. , Schiller Herbert B. , Stoeger Tobias
Published: February 2024

Nanomaterials emerged as boundless resource of innovation, but their shape and biopersistence related to respiratory toxicology raise longstanding concerns. The development of predictive safety tests for inhaled nanomaterials, however, is hampered by limited understanding of cell type-specific responses. To advance this knowledge, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing to longitudinally analyze cellular perturbations in mice, caused by three carbonaceous nanomaterials of different shape and toxicity upon pulmonary delivery. Focusing on nanomaterial-specific dynamics of lung inflammation, we found persistent depletion of alveolar macrophages by fiber-shaped nanotubes. While only little involvement was observed for alveolar macrophages during the initiation phase, they emerged, together with infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages, as decisive factors in shifting inflammation towards resolution for spherical nanomaterials, or chronic inflammation for fibers. Fibroblasts, central for fibrosis, sensed macrophage and epithelial signals and emerged as orchestrators of nanomaterial-induced inflammation. Thus, the mode of actions identified in this study will significantly inspire the precision of futurein vitrotesting.

Graphical abstract
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Three ExtremophileBacillus sp. Strains Isolated from the Atacama Desert
Authors: Cavanaugh Nicole T , Kumar Girish , Frignani Matteo Couto , Thewedros Nathan , Twahirwa Marcello , Riquelme Carlos , Hudson André O , Chai Yunrong , Godoy-Carter Veronica
Published: February 2024

The Atacama Desert is home to bacteria that use biofilms as a means of protecting themselves against the harsh environment. We cultured and sequenced the genomes of threeBacillus sp. isolates from the soil of the Atacama Desert. This information will inform research in survival mechanisms of eubacteria in the Atacama Desert.
MR-SPLIT: a novel method to address selection and weak instrument bias in one-sample Mendelian randomization studies
Authors: Shi Ruxin , Wang Ling , Burgess Stephen , Cui Yuehua
Published: February 2024

Mendelian Randomization (MR) is a widely embraced approach to assess causality in epidemiological studies. Two-stage least squares (2SLS) method is a predominant technique in MR analysis. However, it can lead to biased estimates when instrumental variables (IVs) are weak. Moreover, the issue of the winner’s curse could emerge when utilizing the same dataset for both IV selection and causal effect estimation, leading to biased estimates of causal effects and high false positives. Focusing on one-sample MR analysis, this paper introduces a novel method termed as Mendelian Randomization with adaptive Sample-sPLitting with cross-fitting InstrumenTs (MR-SPLIT), designed to address bias issues due to IV selection and weak IVs, under the 2SLS IV regression framework. We show that the MR-SPLIT estimator is more efficient than its counterpart cross-fitting MR (CFMR) estimator. Additionally, we introduce a multiple sample-splitting technique to enhance the robustness of the method. We conduct extensive simulation studies to compare the performance of our method with its counterparts. The results underscored its superiority in bias reduction, effective type I error control, and increased power. We further demonstrate its utility through the application of a real-world dataset. Our study underscores the importance of addressing bias issues due to IV selection in high dimensions and weak IVs in one-sample MR analyses and provides a robust solution to the challenge.
Multi-sideband interference structures by high-order photon-induced continuum-continuum transitions in helium
Authors: Bharti D. , Srinivas H. , Shobeiry F. , Bondy A. T. , Saha S. , Hamilton K. R. , Moshammer R. , Pfeifer T. , Bartschat K. , Harth A.
Published: February 2024

Following up on a previous paper on two-color photoionization of Ar(3p) [D. Bharti , ], we present measurements and calculations for a modified three-sideband (3-SB) version of the reconstruction of attosecond beating by interference of two-photon transitions (RABBITT) configuration applied to He(1s). The 3-SB RABBITT approach allows us to explore interference effects between pathways involving different orders of transitions within the continuum. The relative differences in the retrieved oscillation phases of the three sidebands provide insights into the continuum-continuum transitions. The ground state of helium has zero orbital angular momentum, which simplifies the analysis of oscillation phases and their angle dependence within the three sidebands. We find qualitative agreement between our experimental results and the theoretical predictions for many cases but also observe some significant quantitative discrepancies.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Atomic excitation delocalization at the clean to disordered interface in a chirally-coupled atomic array
Authors: Wu C.-C. , Lin K.-T. , Handayana I. G. N. Y. , Chien C.-H. , Goswami S. , Lin G.-D. , Chen Y.-C. , Jen H. H.
Published: February 2024

In one-dimensional quantum emitter systems, the dynamics of atomic excitations are influenced by the collective coupling between emitters through photon-mediated dipole-dipole interactions. By introducing positional disorders in a portion of the atomic array, we investigate the delocalization phenomena at the interface between the disordered and clean zones. The excitation is initialized as symmetric Dicke states in the disordered zone, and several measures are used to quantify the excitation localization. We first use population imbalance and half-chain entropy to investigate the excitation dynamics under time evolutions, and further investigate the crossover of excitation localization to delocalization via the gap ratio from the eigenspectrum in the reciprocal coupling case. In particular, we study the participation ratio of the whole chain and the photon loss ratio between both ends of the atomic chain, which can be used to quantify the delocalization crossover in the nonreciprocal coupling cases. Furthermore, by increasing the overall size or the ratio of the disordered zone under a fixed number of the whole chain, we observe that excitation localization occurs at a smaller disorder strength in the former case, while in the latter, facilitation of the delocalization appears when a significant ratio of the clean zone to disordered zone is applied. Our results can reveal the competition between the clean zone and the disordered zone sizes on localization phenomenon, give insights to nonequilibrium dynamics in the emitter-waveguide interface, and provide potential applications in quantum information processing.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Crystal structure and elastic and phonon properties of realgar versus pressure
Authors: Ulian Gianfranco , Valdrè Giovanni
Published: February 2024

Realgar, α-As4S4 (space group P21/n), is one of the best-known arsenic sulfide minerals because of its extended use in the past as a red pigment and its employment in modern times for advanced optical and electronic technological applications. From a geological perspective, the main realgar deposits are hydrothermal and epithermal, but it is also a relevant phase found between the upper mantle and Earth's crust and therefore one of the main sources of arsenic. Despite this widespread use and interest, few experimental and theoretical studies have been focused on the characterization of the structural, elastic and vibrational properties of realgar, especially their variation with pressure. Some quantities, such as the cohesive energy between the As4S4 units and the elastic moduli, have never been reported in the scientific literature. The present work deals with a density functional theory investigation of the cited properties of realgar using the recently proposed PBEh-3c method, which was devised in particular to deal with crystalline solids characterized by weak van der Waals interactions. This approach is validated against the available crystal-chemical, mechanical and spectroscopic data from previous studies, finding a generally good agreement. The equation-of-state parameters of the energy versus unit-cell volume data were V
0 = 767.13 (9) Å3, B
0 = 15.73 (8) GPa and B′ = 9.1 (2), with the bulk modulus value (B
0) in good agreement with the value obtained from the elastic tensor analysis (B = 16.1 GPa). The cohesive energy was found to be about 146.1 kJ mol–1, a value that follows the typical ones of organic crystals. The present work provides new insights into this peculiar mineral that, from a mineralogical point of view, could be considered a prototype of a heterodesmic structure made by inorganic molecular clusters.
ThePixel Anomaly Detection Tool: a user-friendly GUI for classifying detector frames using machine-learning approaches
Authors: Ketawala Gihan , Reiter Caitlin M. , Fromme Petra , Botha Sabine
Published: February 2024

Data collection at X-ray free electron lasers has particular experimental challenges, such as continuous sample delivery or the use of novel ultrafast high-dynamic-range gain-switching X-ray detectors. This can result in a multitude of data artefacts, which can be detrimental to accurately determining structure-factor amplitudes for serial crystallography or single-particle imaging experiments. Here, a new data-classification tool is reported that offers a variety of machine-learning algorithms to sort data trained either on manual data sorting by the user or by profile fitting the intensity distribution on the detector based on the experiment. This is integrated into an easy-to-use graphical user interface, specifically designed to support the detectors, file formats and software available at most X-ray free electron laser facilities. The highly modular design makes the tool easily expandable to comply with other X-ray sources and detectors, and the supervised learning approach enables even the novice user to sort data containing unwanted artefacts or perform routine data-analysis tasks such as hit finding during an experiment, without needing to write code.
Visualizing the fibre texture of satin spar using laboratory 2D X-ray diffraction
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Schrank Christoph , Jones Michael
Published: February 2024

The suitability of point focus X-ray beam and area detector techniques for the determination of the uniaxial symmetry axis (fibre texture) of the natural mineral satin spar is demonstrated. Among the various diffraction techniques used in this report, including powder diffraction, 2D pole figures, rocking curves looped on φ and 2D X-ray diffraction, a single simple symmetric 2D scan collecting the reciprocal plane perpendicular to the apparent fibre axis provided sufficient information to determine the crystallographic orientation of the fibre axis. A geometrical explanation of the `wing' feature formed by diffraction spots from the fibre-textured satin spar in 2D scans is provided. The technique of wide-range reciprocal space mapping restores the `wing' featured diffraction spots on the 2D detector back to reciprocal space layers, revealing the nature of the fibre-textured samples.
A high-temperature high-pressure small-angle neutron scattering cell for studying hydrothermal reactions in supercritical water
Authors: Abe Jun , Arima-Osonoi Hiroshi , Iwase Hiroki , Takata Shin-ichi , Ohuchi Kei-ichi , Kasai Satoshi , Miyazaki Tsukasa , Morita Takeshi , Shibayama Mitsuhiro
Published: February 2024

A high-temperature high-pressure cell equipped with a metallic window was developed for small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The feasibility of a Ti alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) as a candidate window material was assessed, considering its mechanical strength and neutron characteristics. SANS experiments should be conducted using safe and reliable materials without risk of window damage or leakage of the activated samples due to window breakage. SANS profiles measured for supercritical heavy water showed maximum scattering intensity at temperatures and pressures near the critical density. Additionally, the utility of the cell for observations of the decomposition of plastic in supercritical water is presented. The cell facilitates analysis of reaction mechanisms under sub- and supercritical conditions, which could provide detailed information to aid efficient decomposition and recycling, contributing to a sustainable society.
Investigation of the factors driving engineering insurance consumption in China’s construction industry: a hybrid approach
Authors: Zhou Xiaowei , Wang Yousong , Gong Enqin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Given the increasing importance of engineering insurance, it is still unclear which specific factors can enhance the role of engineering insurance as a risk transfer tool. This study aims to propose a hybrid approach to identify and analyze the key determinants influencing the consumption of engineering insurance in mainland China.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis utilizes provincial data from mainland China from 2008 to 2019. The research framework is a novel amalgamation of the generalized method of moments (GMM) model, the quantile regression (QR) technique and the random forest (RF) algorithm. This innovative hybrid approach provides a comprehensive exploration of the driving factors while also allowing for an examination across different quantiles of insurance consumption.

Findings

The study identifies several driving factors that significantly impact engineering insurance consumption. Income, financial development, inflation, price, risk aversion, market structure and the social security system have a positive and significant influence on engineering insurance consumption. However, urbanization exhibits a negative and significant effect on the consumption of engineering insurance. QR techniques reveal variations in the effects of these driving factors across different levels of engineering insurance consumption.

Originality/value

This study extends the research on insurance consumption to the domain of the engineering business, making theoretical and practical contributions. The findings enrich the knowledge of insurance consumption by identifying the driving factors specific to engineering insurance for the first time. The research framework provides a novel and useful tool for examining the determinants of insurance consumption. Furthermore, the study offers insights into the engineering insurance market and its implications for policymakers and market participants.
Rethinking higher education in light of the sustainable development goals: results from a workshop and examples of implementation in a medical university
Authors: von Knorring Mia , Karlsson Hanna , Stenwall Elizabeth , Nikkola Matti Johannes , Niemi Maria
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyse student and teaching staff views on how higher education (HE) can contribute to sustainable development, and to provide examples of how a medical university has adopted the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as part of its institutional strategies and practises.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on participant views from a conference, which aimed to identify actions needed for HE to contribute to the SDGs. More than 500 students, teachers and academic leaders participated at workshops to discuss and reflect on the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in sustainable development. The discussion key points were recorded on flipcharts, and the analysis builds on all written statements from the nine workshops. Based on the findings from the workshop, steering documents and activities of a medical university were identified as examples of implementation.

Findings

Two overarching interdependent themes were identified and indicated a need to rethink the role not only of HE per se but also that of HEIs at large, to meet the challenges of sustainable development. The study also provides an example of how such organizational change can be practically implemented at a medical university, through the establishment of overarching institutional strategies, funding opportunities and external collaborations.

Practical implications

The findings reflect a “bottom-up” call from students and educational staff for HEIs to step up and contribute to systems change – both through a change in pedagogies, as well as through an institution-wide approach and a shift in the role of HEIs in society.

Originality/value

The study is unique in providing an exemplar of the implementation of sustainable development in HE at a specific medical university.
A re-examination of four decades’ deregulation effect on competition and productivity of the US freight rail transportation industry
Authors: Shin Seungjae
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the competition and productivity of the US freight rail transportation industry for the past 41 years (1980 ∼ 2020), which consists of the two periods, before and after the abolishment of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1995.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates any relationships between the market concentration index values and labor productivity values in the separate two periods, and how the existence of a regulatory body in the freight transportation market impacted the productivity of the freight rail transportation industry by using a Cobb–Douglas production function on annual financial statement data from the US stock exchange market.

Findings

This study found that, after the abolishment of the ICC: (1) the rail industry became less competitive, (2) even if the rail industry had an increasing labor productivity trend, there was a strong negative correlation between the market concentration index and labor productivity and (3) the rail industry’s total factor productivity was decreased.

Originality/value

This study is to find empirical evidence of the effect of the ICC abolishment on the competition and productivity levels in the US freight rail transportation industry using a continuous data set of 41-year financial statements, which is unique compared to previous studies.
Structure-conduct-performance (SCP) paradigm in digital platform competition: a conceptual framework
Authors: Bourai Shatakshi , Arora Rahul , Yadav Neetu
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The study aims to analyze factors impacting firms’ success and persistence in a digital platform competition using the structure-conduct-performance (SCP) framework. The study also includes real-life cases that are beneficial to academicians and practitioners to understand and develop strategies for success and persistence during uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review to identify the factors that impact success and persistence in a digital platform competition was conducted following Webster and Watson (2002). Findings were integrated into a SCP framework to examine and understand the identified factors’ relational impact.

Findings

While analyzing factors under the SCP framework, all factors were divided into three categories: those impacting positively, those impacting negatively and those with ambiguous impact on the success and persistence in digital platform competition. Digital platform firms can exploit the positively impacting factors to increase market share by being distinctive from other digital platform firms and becoming dominant by withstanding competition. On the other hand, negatively impacting factors increase barriers to entry, intensify competition and reduce the distinctiveness of digital platform firms. Lastly, a few factors may have either a positive or a negative impact depending upon the particular characteristics of the firm/industry.

Research limitations/implications

The study opens the scope for future research on empirically testing the developed conceptual framework and relationships by developing propositions to posit the possible impact of these factors on digital platforms’ success and persistence.

Originality/value

The study contributed to the existing literature by using SCP framework to analyze the factors affecting firm’s success and persistence in a digital platform competition. Also, the study has discussed the relational impact of factors rather than their impact in isolation.
The well-being of indigenous peoples in India and its alignment with the sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Authors: Kiran P. Ravi , Chaubey Akriti , Shastri Rajesh Kumar , Bedarkar Madhura
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study assesses the SDG-related well-being of indigenous communities in India using bibliometric analysis and the ADO-TCM framework. It provides insights into their alignment with sustainable development objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analysed 74 high-impact journals using bibliometric analysis to evaluate the well-being of India’s indigenous peoples about the SDGs.

Findings

This study analyses the well-being of tribal communities in India using existing scholarly articles and the ADO-TCM framework. It emphasises the importance of implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote the well-being of indigenous populations.

Originality/value

This study uses bibliometric analysis and the ADO-TCM framework to investigate factors impacting tribal community welfare. It proposes theoretical frameworks, contextual considerations and research methodologies to achieve objectives.
Indian women entrepreneurs: implications for personality characteristics
Authors: Kuhar Nupur , Shunmugasundaram V.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Personality characteristics have a significant impact on the economic segment of women entrepreneurs. Due to gender biases or other factors, women entrepreneurs are fewer in India than in other countries. The purpose of this study is to identify the personality factors and challenges that affect their growth and success.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regression was used to show the impact of personality characteristics and firm performance and the moderating effect of challenges between personality characteristics and firm performance.

Findings

The findings revealed a significant impact of personality factors on firm performance, the absence of moderating effects of challenges and the presence of a mediation effect of enterprise age and enterprise location.

Research limitations/implications

This research will help policymakers adopt policies and plans to reduce obstacles and challenges so that the economic conditions of women’s entrepreneurship can transform.

Social implications

Women in the 21st century still live in a male-dominated patriarchal society because they face the problem of financial capital.

Originality/value

The results show the impact of personality traits and challenges on the firm performance of women’s entrepreneurship.
Defend and remould–residents’ place identity construction in traditional villages in the rural tourism context: a case study of Cuandixia village, Beijing
Authors: Wang Jinwei , Lan Haoyang , Chen Jiafei
Published: February 2024

This study aims to elucidate the process and internal mechanism of place identity construction in traditional villages under the impact of tourism by taking Cuandixia village as a case. The research methods comprise participatory observation and in-depth interviews with the residents. The main results are as follows: the impact of tourism on traditional villages is mainly reflected in space reconstruction, livelihood change, social relations restructuring and culture change; under the impact of tourism, the representation of residents’ identity construction shows complexity, with positive and negative effects; and the place identity construction of residents affects their perception of and attitudes toward tourism. Moreover, self-esteem and self-efficacy principles play a key role in their perception of tourism. This study provides some reference for further investigation of the tourism development model and the mental mechanism of residents in traditional villages.
Automated mass screening and association rules analysis for comorbidities of psoriasis: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Kim Bo Ri , Lee Kun Hee , Paik Kyungho , Kim Minjae , Bae Jung Min , Choi Chong Won , Youn Sang Woong
Published: February 2024

Patients with psoriasis frequently have comorbidities, which are linked to higher mortality rates. An in‐depth investigation of comorbidities and their effects on health can help improve the management of patients with psoriasis. We conducted a comprehensive and unbiased investigation of comorbidities in patients with psoriasis and explored the pattern of association between comorbidities. A nationwide population‐based study included 384 914 patients with psoriasis and 384 914 matched controls between 2011 and 2021. We used automated mass screening of all diagnostic codes to identify psoriasis‐associated comorbidities and applied association rule analysis to explore the patterns of comorbidity associations in patients with psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis had an increased risk of autoimmunity‐related diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, Crohn's disease, type 1 diabetes, and acute myocardial infarction. The comorbidities of patients with psoriasis with a history of cardiovascular events demonstrated strong interrelationships with other cardiovascular risk factors including type 2 diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, and dyslipidemia. We also found comorbidities, such as malignant skin tumors and kidney and liver diseases, which could have adverse effects of anti‐psoriasis therapy. In contrast, patients with psoriasis showed a decreased association with upper respiratory tract infection. Our results imply that comorbidities in patients with psoriasis are associated with the systemic inflammation of psoriasis and the detrimental effects of its treatment. Furthermore, we found patterns of associations between the cardiovascular risk factors and psoriasis. Mass screening and association analyses using large‐scale databases can be used to investigate impartially the comorbidities of psoriasis and other diseases.
Risk of multiple sclerosis in patients with psoriasis receiving anti‐IL‐17 agents: A case‐based review
Authors: Tsiogkas Sotirios G. , Tsimourtou Vaia , Chaidaki Kleoniki , Dardiotis Efthymios , Roussaki‐Schulze Angeliki Victoria , Bogdanos Dimitrios P. , Zafiriou Efterpi
Published: February 2024

Biologics approved for psoriasis exhibit favorable safety profiles, and serious adverse events have rarely been reported. In this report, we present the case of a patient treated with ixekizumab, an anti‐interleukin (IL)‐17 agent, who 8 months later developed multiple sclerosis (MS). We also review the available literature regarding the use of anti‐IL‐17 agents in the context of psoriasis and pre‐existing or new‐onset demyelination. Eight case reports were evaluated as relevant and are presented in our report. In most of the cases secukinumab or ixekizumab administration adequately controlled both skin and pre‐existing neurological clinical manifestations. However, there has been a report of MS exacerbation under secukinumab treatment and the occurrence of myelitis in a patient receiving ixekizumab. While the anti‐IL‐17‐biologic‐mediated induction of inflammatory events in the central nervous system has not been proven and a causal relationship is lacking, such a probability should be considered in extremely rare cases.
Housing affordability stress and mental health: The role of financial wellbeing
Authors: Botha Ferdi , Bentley Rebecca , Li Ang , Wiesel Ilan
Published: February 2024

Using data from wave 20 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, we provide a descriptive examination of the relationship between housing affordability stress (HAS) and a multi‐item measure of financial wellbeing across tenure types and test whether good financial wellbeing is protective of the negative mental health effects of HAS. We find that HAS is associated with lower financial wellbeing and that this is differentially distributed by tenure, with renters who experience HAS reporting, on average, lower financial wellbeing than owners. This suggests that HAS, which focuses on income to define housing stress, is different to financial wellbeing. Being in control of finances and feeling financially secure are important components of the way in which financial hardship impacts mental health. Renters may be more likely to experience these issues than owners; hence, they fare worse in terms of their mental health when in HAS than owners do.
Jesuit Mission Funding and Legacy Donations: Revisiting the Belgian Controversy over the Disposition of the De Boey Estate, 1850–1868*
Authors: Friman H. Richard
Published: February 2024

During the mid‐1860s, the Belgian press and politics were riveted by legal proceedings alleging Jesuit financial predation against the estate of noted Antwerp businessman and donor to religious causes Guillaume‐Joseph De Boey. These controversies remain understudied in prominent scholarship on De Boey's extensive support for Jesuit missions in the United States. More recent scholarship on religious contestation in Belgian politics during the 1850s and 1860s explores the trials but focuses on their politicisation and prominence of anti‐Jesuit tropes more than the potential accuracy of the allegations of impropriety. Combining these literatures with trial transcripts and archival research, this article revisits the De Boey case to explore ways in which Jesuit funding for overseas missions navigated legal restrictions on private donations. The article reveals a pattern of proxies and regulatory evasion, but one conducted through donor complicity more than Jesuit predation. These findings add to the historiography of Jesuit funding networks and support for overseas missions.