bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiomyocyte-fibroblast interaction regulates ferroptosis and fibrosis after myocardial injury
Authors: Mohr Mary E. , Li Shuang , Trouten Allison M. , Stairley Rebecca A. , Roddy Patrick L. , Liu Chun , Zhang Min , Sucov Henry M. , Tao Ge
Published: February 2023

Neonatal mouse hearts have transient renewal capacity which is lost in juvenile and adult hearts. After myocardial infarction (MI) in neonatal hearts, an initial loss of cardiomyocytes occurs but it is unclear through which type of regulated cell death (RCD). In the current studies, we induced MI in neonatal and juvenile mouse hearts, and show that ischemic cardiomyocytes primarily undergo ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic and iron-dependent form of RCD. We demonstrate that cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) protect cardiomyocytes from ferroptosis through paracrine factors and direct cell-cell interaction. CFs show strong resistance to ferroptosis due to high ferritin expression. Meanwhile, the fibrogenic role of CFs, typically considered detrimental to heart function, is negatively regulated by paired-like homeodomain 2 (Pitx2) signaling from cardiomyocytes. In addition, Pitx2 prevents ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes by regulating ferroptotic genes. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of cardiomyocyte survival and death can identify potentially translatable therapeutic strategies for MI.
A PARP inhibitor, rucaparib, improves cardiac dysfunction inADP-ribose-acceptor hydrolase 3(Arh3) deficiency
Authors: Yamashita Sachiko , Bu Xiangning , Ishiwata-Endo Hiroko , Kato Jiro , Springer Danielle , Noguchi Audrey , Peiravi Morteza , Liu Chengyu , Zhang Fan , Yu Zu-Xi , Clevenger Randy , Keeran Karen , San Hong , Lizak Martin J. , Moss Joel
Published: February 2023

Aims

Patients withADP-ribose-acceptor hydrolase 3(ARH3) deficiency exhibit stress-induced childhood-onset neurodegeneration with ataxia and seizures (CONDSIAS). ARH3 degrades protein-linked poly(ADP- ribose) (PAR) synthesized by poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP)-1 during oxidative stress, leading to cleavage of the ADP-ribose linked to protein.ARH3deficiency leads to excess accumulation of PAR, resulting in PAR-dependent cell death or parthanatos. Approximately one-third of patients with homozygous mutantARH3die from cardiac arrest, which has been described as neurogenic, suggesting that ARH3 may play an important role in maintaining myocardial function. To address this question, cardiac function was monitored inArh3-knockout (KO) and - heterozygous (HT) mice.

Methods and results

Arh3-KO male mice displayed cardiac hypertrophy by histopathology and decreased cardiac contractility assessed by MRI. In addition, both genders ofArh3-KO and -HT mice showed decreased cardiac contractility by dobutamine stress test assessed by echocardiography. A direct role of ARH3 on myocardial function was seen with a Langendorff-perfused isolated heart model. Arh3-KO male mouse hearts showed decreased post-ischemic rate pressure products, increased size of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) infarcts, and elevated PAR levels. Consistently,in vivoIR injury showed enhanced infarct size inArh3-KO mice in both genders. In addition,Arh3-HT male mice showed increased size ofin vivoIR infarcts. Treatment with an FDA-approved PARP inhibitor, rucaparib, improved cardiac contractility during dobutamine-induced stress and exhibited reduced size ofin vivoIR infarcts. To understand better the role of ARH3, CRISPR-Cas9 was used to generate differentArh3genotypes of myoblasts and myotubes. Incubation with H2O2 decreased viability ofArh3-KO and -HT myoblasts and myotubes, resulting in PAR-dependent cell death that was reduced by PARP inhibitors or by transfection with theArh3gene.

Conclusion

ARH3 regulates PAR homeostasis in myocardium to preserve function and protect against oxidative stress; PARP inhibitors reduce the myocardial dysfunction seen withArh3mutations.

Graphical Abstract
Experience with mating receptivity cues affects sexual behaviour of male guppies, but not their strength of preference towards receptive females
Authors: Goberdhan Versara , Darolti Iulia , van der Bijl Wouter , Mank Judith E. , Corral-Lopez Alberto
Published: February 2023

Females are traditionally presented as the choosier sex, selecting males based on the quality of their traits. Yet, there is increasing evidence that male mate choice is also important, even in species without male parental care. Social environment and learning are key factors in determining mate preference, and animals are able to use the information they gather from previous experience to potentially increase their odds of obtaining a high-quality mate. We examined how the social environment affects male mate choice in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We evaluated whether male guppies with previous social experience of female receptivity cues learn to prefer and adapt their behavioural repertoire towards females with higher receptiveness levels, as this represents an optimal use of time and energy and is more likely to result in insemination. For this, we measured sexual preference and behaviour for receptive females in no-choice and dichotomous choice tests using guppy males experienced or naïve to female receptivity cues. Experience with receptivity cues did not change the strength of preference towards receptive females. However, male guppies that had previous experience with female receptivity cues adapted their mating tactic compared to naïve males. The change in mating tactics but lack of preference towards receptive females shows that the influence of social learning is present but might be weaker than predicted in this species. Furthermore, these results provide further support to studies of female mate choice suggesting mating status is not a key factor driving the strength of sexual preferences in natural populations.
Discovery of the gut microbial enzyme responsible for bilirubin reduction to urobilinogen
Authors: Hall Brantley , Levy Sophia , Dufault-Thompson Keith , Ndjite Glory Minabou , Weiss Ashley , Braccia Domenick , Jenkins Conor , Yang Yiyan , Arp Gabi , Abeysinghe Stephenie , Jermain Madison , Wu Chih Hao , Jiang Xiaofang
Published: February 2023

The degradation of heme and the interplay of its catabolic derivative, bilirubin, between humans and their gut microbiota is an essential facet of human health. However, the hypothesized bacterial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen, a key step that produces the excretable waste products of this pathway, has remained unidentified. In this study, we used a combination of biochemical analyses and comparative genomics to identify a novel enzyme, BilR, that can reduce bilirubin to urobilinogen. We delineated the BilR sequences from other members of the Old Yellow Enzyme family through the identification of key residues in the active site that are critical for bilirubin reduction and found that BilR is predominantly encoded by Firmicutes in the gut microbiome. Our analysis of human gut metagenomes showed that BilR is a common feature of a healthy adult human microbiome but has a decreased prevalence in neonates and IBD patients. This discovery sheds new light on the role of the gut microbiome in bilirubin metabolism and highlights the significance of the gut-liver axis in maintaining bilirubin homeostasis.
SorCS2 binds progranulin and regulates motor axon outgrowth
Authors: Thomasen PB , Salašová A , Login H , Beel S , Tranberg-Jensen J , Qvist P , Ovesen PL , Nolte S , Nejsum LN , Chao MV , Dasen J , Van Damme P , Kjaer-Sorensen K , Oxvig C , Nykjaer A
Published: February 2023

Motor neuron development requires an orchestrated action of trophic factors and guidance cues for axons to reach their targets. Here, we identify SorCS2 as a novel receptor for progranulin (PGRN) that is required for motor axon outgrowth in zebrafish and mice. In both species motor neurons express SorCS2, and PGRN is produced in cells juxta-positioned the projecting axon, but in mice the neurons also co-express PGRN. In zebrafish,sorcs2knockdown produces stunted and aberrantly branched motor axons, and inSorcs2-/-mice, forelimb innervation and motor neuron regeneration are substantially perturbed; phenotypes also observed in fish and mice lacking PGRN. SorCS2 binds PGRN and while motor neuron cultures from wildtype mice respond to exogenous PGRN by axon outgrowth, knockout neurons are unresponsive. Remarkably, when co-expressed in the same cells, SorCS2 controls secretion of PGRN. We conclude that SorCS2 navigates motor neuron development and enables axon regeneration through binding of PGRN.
Dissecting cell state transitions by causal inference
Authors: Xu Longchen , Cong TingTing , Xu Hengyi , Yang Naixue , Tian Chen , Yang Sijie , Zhu Ming , Sinha Rahul , Yamamoto Ryo , Zhang Wei , Wang Jianwei , Lan Xun
Published: February 2023

Trajectory inference methods are frequently used for cell fate analysis, however, most of them are similarity-based and lack an understanding of the causality underlying differentiation processes. Here, we present CIBER, aCausalInference–Based framework for theEvaluation of feature effects and theReconstruction of cellular differentiation networks. CIBER provides a novel paradigm for dissecting cell state transitions other than trajectory inference and differential analysis. It is a versatile framework that can be applied to various types of data, including transcriptomic, epigenomic and microarray data. It can identify both known and potential cell-lineage structures with minimal prior knowledge. By integrating the CIBER-learned network with structural causal model and applyingin silicoperturbation as inventions, we generated an effect matrix that quantifies the impact of different features on each differentiation branch. Using this effect matrix, CIBER can identify crucial features involved in haematopoiesis, even if these features show no significant difference in expression between lineages. Moreover, CIBER can predict novel regulation associations and provide insight into the potential mechanism underlying the influence of transcription factors on biological processes. To validate CIBER’s capabilities, we conductedin vivoexperiments onBcl11b, a non-differentially expressed transcription factor identified by CIBER. Our results demonstrate that dysfunction ofBcl11bleads to a bias towards myeloid lineage differentiation at the expense of lymphoid lineage, which is consistent with our predictions.
Evaluation ofCrenobia alpinaandCrenobia montenigrinafrom Parâng Mountains (Carpathians, Romania) according to the morphological and biological concepts of species
Authors: Felicia Babalean Anda
Published: February 2023

This paper assesses the taxonomic status - species or subspecies of the monopharyngeal and polypharyngealCrenobiain Parâng Mt. Romania. From the morphological point of view, the two forms belong toCrenobia alpina, respectively toCrenobia montenigrina. The analysis of the copulatory apparatus indicates a seasonal reproductive isolation (restriction from reproduction) of the two forms: the monopharyngealalpinabecome able to mate during the warm season while the polypharyngealmontenigrinabecome able to mate during the cold season. Data on the reproductive biology and peculiar morphological data are also given. The study concludes that the monopharyngeal and the polypharyngeal Crenobia from Parâng Mt. are good species according to both morphological and biological concepts.
An Unexpected Role of Neutrophils in Clearing Apoptotic HepatocytesIn Vivo
Authors: Cao Luyang , Ma Lixiang , Zhao Juan , Wang Xiangyu , Fan Xinzou , Li Wei , Qi Yawen , Tang Yingkui , Liu Jieya , Peng Shengxian , Yang Li , Zhou Liangxue , Li Li , Hu Xiaobo , Ji Yuan , Hou Yingyong , Zhao Yi , Zhang Xianming , Zhao Youyang , Zhao Yong , Wei Yuquan , Malik Asrar B. , Saiyin Hexige , Xu Jingsong
Published: February 2023

Billions of apoptotic cells are removed daily in a human adult by professional phagocytes (e.g. macrophages) and neighboring nonprofessional phagocytes (e.g. stromal cells). Despite being a type of professional phagocyte, neutrophils are thought to be excluded from apoptotic sites to avoid tissue inflammation. Here we report a fundamental and unexpected role of neutrophils as the predominant phagocyte responsible for the clearance of apoptotic hepatic cells in the steady state. In contrast to the engulfment of dead cells by macrophages, neutrophils burrowed directly into apoptotic hepatocytes, a process we termperforocytosis, and ingested the effete cells from the inside. The depletion of neutrophils caused defective removal of apoptotic bodies, induced tissue injury in the mouse liver and led to the generation of autoantibodies. Human autoimmune liver disease showed similar defects in the neutrophil-mediated clearance of apoptotic hepatic cells. Hence, neutrophils possess a specialized immunologically silent mechanism for the clearance of apoptotic hepatocytes through perforocytosis, and defects in this key housekeeping function of neutrophils contribute to the genesis of autoimmune liver disease.
Spanish validation of the Glasgow depression scale for people with intellectual disabilities (GDS-LD) and of the Glasgow depression care supplement scale (GDS-CS)
Authors: Nuñez-Polo Mercedes Hernandez , Lorenzo-Llamas Elena-María , Alonso-Rodriguez Maria-Concepcion , Ayuso-Mateos Jose-Luis , Martorell Almudena
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to validate a Spanish version of the Glasgow Depression Scale for Learning Disability (GDS-LD) and of the Glasgow Depression Care Supplement Scale (GDS-CS).

Design/methodology/approach

The GDS-LD was administered to 120 adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities and the GDS-CS to the staff from their occupational workshops (n = 120) to detect symptoms of depression. Internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, criterion validity, construct validity and the feasibility and applicability of both scales were analysed.

Findings

Both scales showed an adequate internal consistency (GDS-LD, a = 0.86) (GDS-CS, a = 0.88). Exploratory factor analysis revealed four well-defined factors in GDS-LD and three in GDS-CS. Pearson correlation analysis data has also been carried out with both tools for test-retest and inter-rater, showing good correlations.

Research limitations/implications

In terms, of limitations, the participants were recruited from the same centre, so this could be a problem in terms of generalisation. In addition, the GDS-LD and GDS-CS scales were developed for people with mild and moderate ID; it would be worth it to develop a version for people with severe and profound disabilities.

Practical implications

From its clinical perspective, it will be possible to have a specific tool that assesses the symptoms of depression in the Spanish population with ID. Furthermore, as it is a user-friendly scale; it can be administrated by both mental health and other professionals working in the field of disability.

Originality/value

The Spanish version of the GDS-LD and GDS-CS showed adequate rates of feasibility and reliability to assess symptoms depression among Spanish speaking adults with mild and moderate ID.
The 5G C-band auctions across Europe: an assessment
Authors: Curwen Peter , Whalley Jason
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how the licensing of 3.6 GHz (C-band) spectrum has progressed throughout Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

Original databases have been created by the authors covering every aspect of the C-band auctions in Europe, and these have been subjected to analysis to draw out the key themes.

Findings

Although there have been delays in licensing the C-band, the process is now largely complete and the first launches have taken place. However, there has been considerable diversity in the rules underpinning the licenses and considerable differences in the amounts raised measured in $/MHz/pop.

Research limitations/implications

It is difficult to make comparisons across a substantial sample of disparate countries because of the need to compare on a like-for-like basis – an issue that is generally glossed over in the literature. This has been addressed in this paper but some issues inevitably remain unresolved.

Practical implications

The development of 5G is highly contingent on the use of the C-band not just in Europe but elsewhere in the world where less-developed countries can learn from the European experience.

Originality/value

While the subject matter has received attention elsewhere, this represents the most up-to-date version with the largest sample of European countries.
How privacy concerns impact Swedish citizens’ willingness to report crimes: a quantitative mobile phone survey
Authors: Lindqvist Gunnar , Kävrestad Joakim
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify whether there is a lower willingness to report a crime if a victim must hand in their mobile phone as evidence. If that is the case, the research seeks to examine whether privacy concerns and lower willingness correlate with one another and thereby investigate whether privacy concerns could lead to fewer crimes being reported and resolved.

Design/methodology/approach

A mobile phone survey was distributed to 400 Swedish adults to identify their hypothetical willingness to report certain crimes with and without handing in their mobile phones as evidence. The results were then analysed using inferential statistics.

Findings

The result suggests that there is no meaningful correlation between privacy attitudes and willingness to report crime when the handover of a mobile phone is necessary. The results of this study however show a significant lower willingness to report crimes when the mobile phone must be handed in.

Research limitations/implications

Because the chosen target group were Swedish adults, the research results may lack generalisability for other demographics. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test other demographics.

Originality/value

This paper’s contribution is the novel exploration of attitudes and behaviours regarding the combination of privacy, digital forensics, mobile phones and crime reportage. This research effort examined the problematic situation that can arise for victims of crime, the invasion of privacy when providing evidence by handing in a mobile phone to the police’s forensic unit for examination.
The moderating role of financial managers’ honesty-humility on aggressive financial reporting: evidence from Iran
Authors: Taki Abdollah , Soroushyar Afsaneh
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the moderating role of honesty-humility of financial managers on aggressive financial reporting behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the research hypotheses, a scenario-based questionnaire taken from Brink et al. (2018) was used. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the authors collected primary data of 160 financial managers of firms in Iran using structured questionnaires. The research sample selected was based on Cohen et al.’s (2000) table. To test the research hypotheses, analysis of variance was used.

Findings

The results showed that increasing honesty-humility of financial managers decreases the impact of social pressure and risk appetite interaction on aggressive financial reporting. In addition, the results of further analysis showed that reducing the honesty-humility of financial managers increases the impact of risk appetite on aggressive financial reporting. Moreover, the results indicate that reducing the honesty-humility of financial managers increases the impact of social pressure on aggressive financial reporting.

Research limitations/implications

This finding provides significant evidence for auditor, managers and policymakers in Iran. Policymakers, auditor and company managers can emphasize compliance with the code of ethics, internal control and corporate governance to increase ethics and reduce negative economic consequences.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case in an emerging economy to survey the moderating role of honesty-humility of financial managers on aggressive financial reporting behavior. Also, this study contributes to understanding how factors at the individual, social and organizational level combine to influence financial managers’ aggressive financial reporting behavior.
Reframing Indigenous tourism entrepreneurial personality, experience, sense of community and challenges in community-based tourism-related business
Authors: Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz , Zamzuri Norol Hamiza , Sharif Tengku Intan Suzila Tengku , Chartrungruang Bung-on
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the Malaysian Mah Meri Indigenous tourism entrepreneur’s personality, experience, sense of community traits and current challenges in community-based tourism (CBT)-related businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data from 10 Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs. Data were analysed using the NVivo 11 software.

Findings

The qualitative content analysis found three broad themes. Firstly, the authors found that the Mah Meri community possesses unique self-efficacy personality characteristics, significantly predicting their unsustainable entrepreneurial behaviours. Secondly, they are willing to share their values, beliefs and interests in their business offerings, which reflect their sense of community. Even with considerable entrepreneurial experience through learning from local wisdom and upskilling efforts by the government, the authors found that the community limitation mainly concerns the lack of early education, uninventive entrepreneurship practices and financial assistance.

Practical implications

This study provides an improved understanding of the Indigenous business environment for policymakers and Indigenous entrepreneurs. We found entrepreneurial personality, experience, sense of community determine and structure their CBT entrepreneurial activities.

Originality/value

This study provides a new perspective on Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs’ personalities, experiences, sense of community traits and challenges. The study also suggests encouraging sustainable Indigenous entrepreneurship practices for economic development, self-determination and community sustainability.
Evolution in Islamic capital market: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Mohamad Shafi Roslina , Tan Yan-Ling
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the evolution of the Islamic capital market (ICM) from the perspective of research publications.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis was applied based on selected publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 2000 to 2021. The study adopted VOSviewer software which was developed by Leiden University.

Findings

This study has some implications that need urgent action. Firstly, there are some areas that have received little attention among researchers, although they are relevant to the industry, for instance, in fintech and blockchain in ICM. Secondly, the inconsistent frequency of publications in some niche areas may suggest that there are unprecedented events that hinder further research; probably, the researcher may anticipate more information and progress in the industry. Thirdly, the need to strengthen the collaboration between industry and academia to advance research.

Research limitations/implications

This study considered only the WoSCC database. The provider of WoSCC is Clarivate (formerly known as Thomson Reuters), where access to publications is limited to institutional subscribers. The implications of this study are to identify and propose future research trends in the field of ICM.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is among the pioneer studies in analysing bibliometric focusing on ICM. Previous research has focused on Islamic finance and banking, and not specifically on ICM. Accordingly, this study sheds light on research gaps in ICM.
Factors influencing the behavioural intention to accept benefidonor concept among stakeholders of Waqf
Authors: Haron Hasnah , Mat Nor Fauzias , Johari Fuadah , Misbah Hanim , Shafii Zurina
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The paper aims to examine whether attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (PBC) would influence the level of acceptance of the benefidonors concept amongst waqf stakeholders. In addition, antecedents to attitude, namely, religiosity, level of knowledge, perception of fairness and self- efficacy, were also examined, resulting in eight hypotheses of the study.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used an online survey questionnaire. Respondents are waqf stakeholders comprising of donors, beneficiaries, waqf managers, activists, volunteers and the community. A total of 198 usable responses were analysed using SmartPLS version 3.0.

Findings

The research model explains 57.5% of the intention to accept the benefidonors concept. Six hypotheses were accepted, which includes attitude, subjective norms and perceived behaviour control to accept the concept; perception of fairness to attitude; and self-efficacy and facilitating resources to PBC.

Research limitations/implications

The study looks at six groups of waqf stakeholders but could not distinctly categorize the stakeholders into groups because of their multiple roles. Future studies can examine each of the different group.

Practical implications

Waqf institutions should improve their efforts to encourage beneficiaries and donors to become benefidonors such as having an online platform and providing training for waqf stakeholders.

Social implications

Benefidonors can help uplift the poverty level of the less privileged, reduce cost of service and thus assist to reduce the gap of income inequality in the community.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study that examines the intention of Waqf stakeholders to accept the benefidonors concept.
“Flix rhymes with sh*t”. Exploring the potential for place stigmatization of media coverage of a declining industrial village in rural Spain
Authors: López Bernat , Casadó-Marín Lina
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze and assess 21 years of media coverage (2000–2020) of Flix, a small industrial village located in an rural area on north-eastern Spain, which has endured in these years a severe environmental and industrial crisis, with a strong potential for stigmatization of the place.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is conceptualized under the Social Amplification of Risk Framework, a theoretical/conceptual approach aimed at accounting for the huge gaps that often arise between public perception of technological or environmental risks of some technologies, products and places and the expert estimations of these risks. The authors studied the coverage on Flix by a local, a regional and a national newspaper through a content analysis where the corpus (1,524 news pieces) was coded for several variables, including tone, genre and thematic area.

Findings

The studied coverage was in general overwhelmingly negative and strongly focused on “bad news” relating to pollution and deindustrialization, although this was much less the case in the local newspaper than in the regional and, in particular, the national newspaper. Thus, a territorially escalated pattern clearly emerges from our research concerning the stigmatization potential of news media coverage for the specific case under scrutiny.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time such a longitudinal study of media coverage and its potential for place stigmatization is performed with this specific territorial perspective.
Evolution of discussion topics on an online depression self-help group
Authors: Sun Honglei Lia , Fichman Pnina
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the evolutionary pattern of discussion topics over time in an online depression self-help community.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) method, the authors analyzed 17,534 posts and 138,567 comments posted over 8 years on an online depression self-help group in China and identified the major discussion topics. Based on significant changes in the frequency of posts over time, the authors identified five stages of development. Through a comparative analysis of discussion topics in the five stages, the authors identified the changes in the extent and range of topics over time. The authors discuss the influence of socio-cultural factors on depressed individuals' health information behavior.

Findings

The results illustrate an evolutionary pattern of topics in users' discussion in the online depression self-help group, including five distinct stages with a sequence of topic changes. The discussion topics of the group included self-reflection, daily record, peer diagnosis, companionship support and instrumental support. While some prominent topics were discussed frequently in each stage, some topics were short-lived.

Originality/value

While most prior research has ignored topic changes over time, the study takes an evolutionary perspective of online discussion topics among depressed individuals. The authors provide a nuanced account of the progression of topics through five distinct stages, showing that the community experienced a sequence of changes as it developed. Identifying this evolutionary pattern extends the scope of research on depression therapy in China and offers a deeper understanding of the support that individuals with depression seek, receive and provide online.
Assembly precision design for parallel robotic mechanism based on uncertain hybrid tolerance allocation
Authors: Xu Jinghua , Tao Mingzhe , Gao Mingyu , Zhang Shuyou , Tan Jianrong , Xu Jingxuan , Wang Kang
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The coupling impact of hybrid uncertain errors on the machine precision is complex, as a result of which the designing method with multiple independent error sources under uncertainties remains a challenge. For the purpose of precision improvement, this paper focuses on the robot design and aims to present an assembly precision design method based on uncertain hybrid tolerance allocation (UHTA), to improve the positioning precision of the mechanized robot, as well as realize high precision positioning within the workspace.

Design/methodology/approach

The fundamentals of the parallel mechanism are introduced first to implement concept design of a 3-R(4S) &3-SS parallel robot. The kinematic modeling of the robot is carried out, and the performance indexes of the robot are calculated via Jacobian matrix, on the basis of which, the 3D spatial overall workspace can be quantified and visualized, under the constraints of limited rod, to avoid the singular position. The error of the robot is described, and a probabilistic error model is hereby developed to classify the hybrid error sensitivity of each independent uncertain error source by Monte Carlo stochastic method. Most innovatively, a methodology called UHTA is proposed to optimize the robot precision, and the tolerance allocation approach is conducted to reduce the overall error amplitude and improve the robotized positioning precision, on the premise of not increasing assembly cost.

Findings

The proposed approach is validated by digital simulation of medical puncture robot. The experiment highlights the mathematical findings that the horizontal plane positioning error of the parallel robotic mechanism can be effectively reduced after using UHTA, and the average precision can be improved by up to 39.54%.

Originality/value

The originality lies in UHTA-based precision design method for parallel robots. The proposed method has widely expanding application scenarios in industrial robots, biomedical robots and other assembly automation fields.
Re-planning a fundraising event during a global pandemic
Authors: Cholette Susan
Published: February 2023

Research methodology

The case recounts actual events and embeds information that has either been provided by the organization or that is publicly available from secondary sources, such as links to news articles, the organization’s financial report and videos. The protagonist is a real person, although identified only by first name, and she was interviewed extensively and provided planning documents.

Case overview/synopsis

The case addresses fundamental project management concepts via a nonprofit’s fundraising event that had to be shifted to online delivery during the early days of COVID. Students take the perspective of advising the protagonist, a key member of the event committee. As if this substantive re-plan during a pandemic was not challenging enough, the committee had the additional complication of integrating a fundraising management system into the organization in time to support the event. Students must work through detailed planning and calculations and also need to think more broadly about appropriate tradeoffs and justify them in their recommendations.

Complexity academic level

As this case has students work with concepts and skills central to project management and has involves a mix of applying, analyzing and evaluation outcomes, it can be used within operations management or project management courses for either undergraduate senior-level or early graduate-level business or engineering students. It has already been assigned in project management courses in two separate MBA programs. The case required no substantial revisions, and feedback from student evaluations show that it was perceived positively in both classes.
Bach1 modulates AKT3 transcription to participate in hyperglycaemia‐mediated EndMT in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Meng Zhipeng , Shen Wenchao , Yu Lang , Tong Fei , He Huanzhong , Hu Yonghe , Wu Weifei , Liu Jing
Published: February 2023

Hyperglycaemia‐mediated endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is involved in the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. Previous studies reported that AKT serine/threonine kinase 3 (AKT3) and Bric‐a‐brac/Tramtrack/Broad (BTB) and cap'n'collar (CNC) homology 1 (bach1) participates in endothelial injury and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. In the present study, we proposed that bach1 regulates AKT3 transcription, thus involved in hyperglycaemia‐mediated EndMT in vascular endothelium. Our results indicated that hyperglycaemia/high glucose increased AKT3 expression and induced EndMT in aorta of diabetic rats and hyperglycaemic human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, inhibition of AKT3 expression reversed high glucose‐mediated EndMT in HUVECs. Further, hyperglycaemia/high glucose augmented bach1 expression in aorta of diabetic rats and hyperglycaemic HUVECs. Furthermore, si‐bach1 countered high glucose‐induced AKT3 expression and EndMT in HUVECs. In addition, the effect of bach1 overexpression is similar to that of high glucose treatment, which was reversed by si‐AKT3. ChIP assays found bach1 enriched in the promoter region of AKT3. Bach1 overexpression augmented AKT3 promoter activity, which lost after specific binding site mutation. Bach1 was involved in hyperglycaemia‐induced EndMT via modulation of AKT3 transcription.
Assessing the Social Impact of Corporations: Evidence from Management Control Interventions in the Supply Chain to Increase Worker Wages
Authors: DISTELHORST GREGORY , SHIN JEE‐EUN
Published: February 2023

This study examines an initiative by a large multinational garment retailer (H&M Group) to increase wages at its supplier factories by intervening in their wage‐related management practices. Difference‐in‐differences estimates based on eight years of data from over 1,800 factories show that the interventions were associated with an average real wage increase of approximately 5% by the third year of implementation. Our estimates suggest that the intervention‐associated wage increase was many times greater than if the retailer's cost for the program was instead paid directly to affected workers. We find that the wage effects were driven by factories with relatively poorer supplier ratings and do not find significantly different wage effects depending on the presence of trade unions. We also examine several nonwage outcomes such as factory orders, supplier price competitiveness, overtime pay, and total employment to probe the mechanisms underlying the wage increases. These findings offer new evidence on corporate social impact in global supply chains.
Comment on the Marshall‐Hoare‐Henssge model for estimating the time since death
Authors: Wei Tie , Abraham John , Wang Yanxing
Published: February 2023

Timewise temperature variations in objects that are undergoing unsteady heating or cooling is a commonly encountered problem in the thermal sciences. One particular area of application is the cooling of a body post‐death and the use of body temperatures to estimate the time of death. Here, a new approach based on the theory of transient heat transfer is formulated to allow efficient calculation of unsteady conduction problems. The theoretically derived unsteady temperature models are compared with experimentally based correlations (the Marshall‐Hoare‐Henssge model). The two approaches are found to agree very well. With this new theoretically based approach, timewise temperature variation can be calculated for both large and small Biot number transient problems.
How many people in the world do research and development?
Authors: Ayan Davut Emrah , Haak Laurel L. , Ginther Donna K.
Published: February 2023

The traditional approach to comparing research and development (R&D) capacity across countries has been to compare Gross Domestic R&D expenditures (GERD). In this paper, we argue for an expansion of R&D capacity that includes people engaged in research and research and development activities (research human capital density, RHCD). To achieve this goal, we first discuss how to estimate counts of researchers and create a measure of researcher human capital density within a country. Next, we examine whether RHCD is a useful variable in models of innovation capacity. Finally, we consider whether RHCD has explanatory power for models of research outputs including patents and publications. We find that RHCD has more explanatory power than GERD in the production of patents and publications. We argue that surveys of individuals that include questions on R&D activities are useful for assessing innovation capacity, and, if adopted more broadly, can provide a strategic framework for countries and regions to develop human capital to support innovative activities.
Physical and mental health status of former smokers and non‐smokers patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Nobile Bénédicte , Godin Ophélia , Gard Sébastien , Samalin Ludovic , Brousse Georges , Loftus Joséphine , Aubin Valérie , Belzeaux Raoul , Dubertret Caroline , Le Strat Yann , Mazer Nicolas , de Prémorel Alix , Roux Paul , Polosan Mircea , Schwintzer Thomas , Llorca Pierre‐Michel ,   FondaMental Advanced Center of Expertise for Bipolar Disorders (FACE‐BD) collaborators, Biseul Isabelle , Etain Bruno , Moirand Remi , Olié Emilie , Haffen Emmanuel , Leboyer Marion , Courtet Philippe , Guillaume Sébastien , Icick Romain
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Up to 70% individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) are lifetime tobacco smokers, a major modifiable risk factor for morbidity. However, quitting smoking is rarely proposed to individuals with BD, mainly because of fear of unfavorable metabolic or psychiatric changes. Evaluating the physical and mental impact of tobacco cessation is primordial. The aim of this study was to characterize the psychiatric and nonpsychiatric correlates of tobacco smoking status (never‐ vs. current vs. former smokers) in individuals with BD.

Methods

3860 individuals with ascertained BD recruited in the network of Fondamental expert centers for BD between 2009 and 2020 were categorized into current, former, and never tobacco smokers. We compared the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics assessed by standard instruments (e.g., BD type, current symptoms load, and non‐psychiatric morbidity—including anthropometric and biological data) of the three groups using multinomial regression logistic models. Corrections for multiple testing were applied.

Results

Current smokers had higher depression, anxiety, and impulsivity levels than former and never‐smokers, and also higher risk of comorbid substance use disorders with a gradient from never to former to current smokers—suggesting shared liability. Current smokers were at higher risk to have a metabolic syndrome than never‐smokers, although this was only evidenced in cases, who were not using antipsychotics.

Conclusions

Tobacco smoking was associated with high morbidity level. Strikingly, as in the general population, quitting smoking seemed associated with their return to the never‐smokers' levels. Our findings strongly highlight the need to spread strategies to treat tobacco addiction in the BD population.
Risk factors for incident open‐angle glaucoma in clinical practice in Sweden: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Ekström Curt , Hårleman Karl
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To study predictors of open‐angle glaucoma (OAG) in newly diagnosed patients detected in clinical practice in a defined population and to estimate the frequency of normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG).

Methods

Predictors of OAG were analysed in a case–control study, nested in a cohort of 481 people, 55–84 years of age, in two rural districts in Sweden, examined at the Eye Department in Tierp from 1988 to 2003. To make the sample complete, 63 residents first examined at the Uppsala University Hospital (UUH), 60 of whom were identified with the help of registers, were invited to attend the study. In this way, the cohort included 544 individuals. Automated perimetry was used to find cases of OAG.

Results

In people first examined in Tierp, incident OAG was found in 99 subjects. Of these cases, six were diagnosed with NTG. Increased intraocular pressure (IOP), higher age, male sex, a positive family history, pseudoexfoliation (PEX), and haemorrhages of the optic disc were associated with OAG. In a logistic regression model including PEX, every increase in IOP by 5 mmHg increased the risk for OAG four‐fold (odds ratio 4.04; 95% confidence interval 2.91–5.62). The effect of PEX was essentially mediated by increased pressure. The inclusion of the 63 subjects first examined at the UUH had no impact on the results.

Conclusion

In this study on patients aged 55–84‐years old in clinical practice in Sweden, increased IOP was strongly associated with incident OAG, while NTG was a rare finding.
The adhesion G protein‐coupled receptor GPR56/ADGRG1 in cytotoxic lymphocytes
Authors: Hsiao Cheng‐Chih , Vos Els , van Gisbergen Klaas P. J. M. , Hamann Jörg
Published: February 2023

GPR56/ADGRG1 is an adhesion G protein‐coupled receptor connected to brain development, haematopoiesis, male fertility, and tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, expression of GPR56 is not restricted to developmental processes. Studies over the last years have demonstrated a marked presence of GPR56 in human cytotoxic NK and T cells. Expression of GPR56 in these cells is driven by the transcription factor HOBIT, corresponds with the production of cytolytic mediators and the presence of CX3CR1 and CD57, indicates a state of terminal differentiation and cellular exhaustion, and disappears upon cellular activation. Functional studies indicate that GPR56 regulates cell migration and effector functions and thereby acts as an inhibitory immune checkpoint. We here discuss the current state of knowledge regarding GPR56 in cytotoxic lymphocytes.
Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder and risk of diabetes mellitus: A nationwide study of 30,451 patients
Authors: Rohde Christopher , Köhler‐Forsberg Ole , Nierenberg Andrew A. , Østergaard Søren Dinesen
Published: February 2023

Objective

While treatment with antipsychotics and antiepileptics have been associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM), lithium may have the opposite effect via inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase‐3. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment of bipolar disorder with lithium, antipsychotics, or antiepileptics is associated with the risk of DM in a real‐world clinical setting.

Methods

Using nationwide registers, we identified all patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder in Danish Psychiatric Services from January 1, 1996, to January 1, 2019 (N = 30,451). The risk of developing DM was operationalized via hospital diagnoses and redeemed prescriptions for glucose‐lowering drugs. For lithium, antipsychotics, valproate, and lamotrigine, we calculated hazard rate ratios (HRR) for developing DM via adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Potential cumulative dose–response‐like associations were examined using the log‐rank test.

Results

During follow‐up (245,181 person‐years), 2107 (6.9%) patients developed DM. Compared with non‐users of the respective drugs, we found no clinically or statistically significant difference in the risk of developing DM among patients receiving lithium (n = 11,690; incidence rate of DM/1000 person‐years (IR) = 8.87, 95% CI: 8.02–9.90; HRR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.84–1.06) or lamotrigine (n = 11,785; IR = 7.58, 95% CI: 6.69–8.59; HRR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.77–1.02), respectively. Conversely, for patients receiving valproate (n = 5171; IR = 12.68, 95% CI: 10.87–14.80; HRR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.14–1.58) and antipsychotics (n = 22,719; IR = 12.00, 95% CI: 11.14–12.94; HRR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.45–1.88), respectively, there was increased risk of developing DM. For antipsychotics, we observed a clear cumulative dose–response‐like association with the risk of DM.

Conclusions

Treatment with valproate and antipsychotics—but not with lithium and lamotrigine—was associated with increased risk of DM in a real‐world cohort of patients with bipolar disorder.
Genomic profiling and prognostic factors of H3 K27M‐mutant spinal cord diffuse glioma
Authors: Chai Rui‐Chao , Yan Hao , An Song‐Yuan , Pang Bo , Chen Hui‐Yuan , Mu Quan‐Hua , Zhang Ke‐Nan , Zhang Yao‐Wu , Liu Yu‐Qing , Liu Xing , Zhao Zheng , Jiang Tao , Wang Yong‐Zhi , Jia Wen‐Qing
Published: February 2023

H3 K27‐altered diffuse midline glioma is a highly lethal pediatric‐type tumor without efficacious treatments. Recent findings have highlighted the heterogeneity among diffuse midline gliomas with different locations and ages. Compared to tumors located in the brain stem and thalamus, the molecular and clinicopathological features of H3 K27‐altered spinal cord glioma are still largely elusive, thus hindering the accurate management of patients. Here we aimed to characterize the clinicopathological and molecular features of H3 K27M‐mutant spinal cord glioma in 77 consecutive cases. We found that the H3 K27M‐mutant spinal cord glioma, with a median age of 35 years old, had a significantly better prognosis than H3 K27M‐mutant brain tumors. We noticed a molecular heterogeneity of H3 K27M‐mutant spinal cord astrocytoma via targeted sequencing with 34 cases. TP53 mutation which occurred in 58.8% of cases is mutually exclusive with PPM1D (26%) and NF1 (44%) mutations. The TP53‐mutant cases had a significantly higher number of copy number variants (CNV) and a marginally higher proportion of pediatric patients (age at diagnosis <18 years old, p = 0.056). Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier curve analysis showed that the higher number of CNV events (≥3), chromosome (Chr) 9p deletion, Chr 10p deletion, ATRX mutation, CDK6 amplification, and retinoblastoma protein (RB) pathway alteration are associated with worse survival. Cox regression analysis with clinicopathological features showed that glioblastoma histological type and a high Ki‐67 index (>10%) are associated with a worse prognosis. Interestingly, the histological type, an independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox regression, can also stratify molecular features of H3 K27M‐mutant spinal cord glioma, including the RB pathway, KRAS/PI3K pathway, and chromosome arms CNV. In conclusion, although all H3 K27M‐mutant spinal cord diffuse glioma were diagnosed as WHO Grade 4, the histological type, molecular features representing chromatin instability, and molecular alterations associated with accelerated cell proliferative activity should not be ignored in clinical management.