bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of odor enrichment on olfactory acuity: Olfactometric testing in mice using two mirror-molecular pairs
Authors: Blount Alyson , Coppola David M.
Published: May 2020

Intelligent systems in nature like the mammalian nervous system benefit from adaptable inputs that can tailor response profiles to their environment that varies in time and space. Study of such plasticity, in all its manifestations, forms a pillar of classical and modern neuroscience. This study is concerned with a novel form of plasticity in the olfactory system referred to as induction. In this process, subjects unable to smell a particular odor, or unable to differentiate similar odors, gain these abilities through mere exposure to the odor(s) over time without the need for attention or feedback (reward or punishment). However, few studies of induction have rigorously documented changes in olfactory threshold for the odor(s) used for “enrichment.” We trained 36 CD-1 mice in an operant-olfactometer (go/no go task) to discriminate a mixture of stereoisomers from a lone stereoisomer using two enantiomeric pairs: limonene and carvone. We also measured each subject’s ability to detect one of the stereoisomers of each odor. In order to assess the effect of odor enrichment on enantiomer discrimination and detection, mice were exposed to both stereoisomers of limonene or carvone for 2 to 12 weeks. Enrichment was effected by adulterating the subject’s food (passive enrichment) with one pair of enantiomers or by exposing them to the enantiomers in daily operant discrimination testing (active enrichment). We found that neither form of enrichment altered discrimination nor detection. And this result pertained using either within-subject or between-subject experimental designs. Unexpectedly, our threshold measurements were among the lowest ever recorded for any species, which we attributed to the relatively greater amount of practice (task replication) we allowed our mice compared to other reports. Interestingly, discrimination thresholds were no greater (limonene) or only modestly greater (carvone) from detection thresholds suggesting chiral-specific olfactory receptors determine thresholds for these compounds. The super-sensitivity of mice, shown in this study, to the limonene and carvone enantiomers, compared to the much lesser acuity of humans for these compounds, reported elsewhere, may resolve the mystery of why the former group with four-fold more olfactory receptors have tended, in previous studies, to have similar thresholds to the latter group. Finally, our results are consistent with the conclusion that supervised-perceptual learning i.e. that involving repeated feedback for correct and incorrect decisions, rather than induction, is the form of plasticity that allows animals to fully realize the capabilities of their olfactory system.
Ripasudil in a model of pigmentary glaucoma
Authors: Wang C , Dang Y , Waxman S , Hong Y , Shah P , Loewen RT , Xia X , Loewen NA
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To investigate the effects of Ripasudil (K-115), a Rho-kinase inhibitor, in a porcine model of pigmentary glaucoma.

Methods

Hallmark features of trabecular meshwork (TM), the principle structure of the outflow system affected in this model, were analyzed. In vitro TM cells and ex vivo perfused eyes were subjected to pigment dispersion followed by K-115 treatment (PK115). PK115 was compared to sham-treated controls (C) and pigment (P). Cytoskeletal alterations were assessed by F-actin labeling. TM cell phagocytosis of fluorescent targets was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell migration was studied with a wound-healing assay. Intraocular pressure was continuously monitored and compared to after the establishment of the pigmentary glaucoma model and after treatment with K-115.

Results

In vitro, the percentage of cells with stress fibers increased in response to pigment but declined sharply after treatment with K-115 (P: 32.8 +/- 2.9%; PK115: 11.6 +/- 3.3%, P < 0.001). Phagocytosis first declined but recovered after K-115 (P: 25.7+/-2.1%, PK115: 33.4+/-0.8%, P <0.01). Migration recuperated at 12h with K-115 treatment (P: 19.1+/-4.6 cells/high-power field, PK115: 42.5+/-1.6 cells/high-power field, P <0.001). Ex vivo, eyes became hypertensive from pigment dispersion but were normotensive after treatment with K-115 (P: 20.3 +/- 1.2 mmHg, PK115: 8.9 +/- 1.7 mmHg; P< 0.005).

Conclusion

In vitro, K-115 reduced TM stress fibers, restored phagocytosis, and restored migration of TM cells. Ex vivo, K-115 normalized intraocular pressure.
Punctuated Aneuploidization of the Budding Yeast Genome
Authors: Heasley Lydia R. , Watson Ruth A. , Argueso Juan Lucas
Published: May 2020

Remarkably complex patterns of aneuploidy have been observed in the genomes of many eukaryotic cell types, ranging from brewing yeasts to tumor cells (1, 2). Such aberrant karyotypes are generally thought to take shape progressively over many generations, but evidence also suggests that genomes may undergo faster modes of evolution (2, 3). Here, we used diploidSaccharomyces cerevisiaecells to investigate the dynamics with which aneuploidies arise. We found that cells selected for the loss of a single chromosome often acquired additional unselected aneuploidies concomitantly. The degrees to which these genomes were altered fell along a spectrum, ranging from simple events affecting just a single chromosome, to systemic events involving many. The striking complexity of karyotypes arising from systemic events, combined with the high frequency at which we detected them, demonstrates that cells can rapidly achieve highly altered genomic configurations during temporally restricted episodes of genomic instability.
Data-driven learning how oncogenic gene expression locally alters heterocellular networks
Authors: Klinke David J. , Fernandez Audry , Deng Wentao , Latifizadeh Habibolla , Pirkey Anika C.
Published: May 2020

Discovering and developing pharmaceutical drugs increasingly relies on mechanistic mathematical modeling and simulation. In immuno-oncology, models that capture causal relations among genetic drivers of oncogenesis, functional plasticity, and host immunity provide an important complement to wet experiments, given the cellular complexity and dynamics within tumors. Unfortunately, formulating such mechanistic cell-level models currently relies on hand curation by experts, which can bias how data is interpreted or the priority of drug targets. In modeling molecular-level networks, rules and algorithms have been developed to limit a priori biases in formulating mechanistic models. To realize an equivalent approach for cell-level networks, we combined digital cytometry with Bayesian network inference to generate causal models that link an increase in gene expression associated with onco-genesis with alterations in stromal and immune cell subsets directly from bulk transcriptomic datasets. To illustrate, we predicted how an increase in expression of Cell Communication Network factor 4 (CCN4/WISP1) altered the tumor microenvironment using data from patients diagnosed with breast cancer and melanoma. Digital cytometry and network inference predictions were then tested using two immunocompetent mouse models for melanoma, which provided consistent experimental results.
Yellow-Fruited Phenotype is Caused by an Insertion Event at 5’ UTR ofYFT1 Alleleinyft1Mutant Tomato1
Authors: Zhao Weihua , Gao Lei , Li Yuhang , Wang Minghui , Zhang Lida , Zhao Lingxia
Published: May 2020

Theyft1tomato mutant has a yellow-fruited phenotype controlled by a recessive gene (YFT1), which has been shown by map-based cloning to be a homolog ofETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 2(EIN2). The genetic lesion of theYFT1allele ofyft1is attributed to a 573 bp DNA fragment (IF573) insertion at 1,200 bp downstream of the transcription start site (TSS). Transcriptome analysis revealed that the mutation resulted in 5,053 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the fruit pericarp compared with the M82 wild type cultivar. These were annotated as being involved in ethylene synthesis, chromoplast development, and carotenoid synthesis. Genetic lesion inYFT1caused a reduction in its own transcript levels inyft1and impaired ethylene emission and signal transduction, delayed chromoplast development and decreased carotenoid accumulation. The molecular mechanism underlying the reduced expression ofYFT1inyft1was examined at both the RNA and DNA levels. The IF573event was shown to introduce two negative regulatory sequences located at -272 to -173 bp and -172 to -73 bp in theYFT1allele promoter, causing alterative splicing due to aberrant splicing sites, and also altering the structure of the open reading frame in the 5’-UTR. This study contributes to the understanding of color formation in tomato fruit.

One-sentence summary

Lesion happened in regulatory region impairs expression of a key gene of ethylene signal pathway, and alters fruit color in tomato due to effect of carotenoids accumulation and ethylene synthesis.
Delta-range coupling between prefrontal cortex and hippocampus supported by respiratory rhythmic input from the olfactory bulb in freely behaving rats
Authors: Mofleh Rola , Kocsis Bernat
Published: May 2020

An explosion of recent findings firmly demonstrated that brain activity and cognitive function in rodents and humans are modulated synchronously with nasal respiration. Rhythmic respiratory (RR) coupling of wide-spread forebrain activity was confirmed using advanced techniques, including current source density analysis, single unit firing, and phase modulation of local gamma activity, creating solid premise for investigating how higher networks use this mechanism in their communication. Here we show essential differences in the way prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC) process the RR signal from the olfactory bulb (OB) allowing dynamic PFC-HC coupling utilizing this input. We used inter-regional coherences and their correlations in rats, breathing at low rate (∼2 Hz) at rest, outside of the short sniffing bouts. We found strong and stable OB-PFC coherence, contrasting OB-HC coherence which was low but highly variable. PFC-HC coupling, however, primarily correlated with the latter, indicating that HC access to the PFC output is dynamically regulated by the responsiveness of HC to the common rhythmic drive. This pattern was present in both theta and non-theta states of waking, whereas PFC-HC communication appeared protected from RR synchronization in sleep states. The findings help to understand the mechanism of rhythmic modulation of non-olfactory cognitive processes by the on-going regular respiration, reported in rodents as well as humans. These mechanisms may be impaired when nasal breathing is limited or in OB-pathology, including malfunctions of the OB epithelium due to infections, such as in COVID-19.
Temporal signal and the phylodynamic threshold of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Duchene Sebastian , Featherstone Leo , Haritopoulou-Sinanidou Melina , Rambaut Andrew , Lemey Philippe , Baele Guy
Published: May 2020

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 outbreak marks the first time that large amounts of genome sequence data have been generated and made publicly available in near real-time. Early analyses of these data revealed low sequence variation, a finding that is consistent with a recently emerging outbreak, but which raises the question of whether such data are sufficiently informative for phylogenetic inferences of evolutionary rates and time scales. The phylodynamic threshold is a key concept that refers to the point in time at which sufficient molecular evolutionary change has accumulated in available genome samples to obtain robust phylodynamic estimates. For example, before the phylodynamic threshold is reached, genomic variation is so low that even large amounts of genome sequences may be insufficient to estimate the virus’s evolutionary rate and the time scale of an outbreak. We collected genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 from public databases at 8 different points in time and conducted a range of tests of temporal signal to determine if and when the phylodynamic threshold was reached, and the range of inferences that could be reliably drawn from these data. Our results indicate that by February 2nd2020, estimates of evolutionary rates and time scales had become possible. Analyses of subsequent data sets, that included between 47 to 122 genomes, converged at an evolutionary rate of about 1.1×10−3subs/site/year and a time of origin of around late November 2019. Our study provides guidelines to assess the phylodynamic threshold and demonstrates that establishing this threshold constitutes a fundamental step for understanding the power and limitations of early data in outbreak genome surveillance.
Retrograde labeling illuminates distinct topographical organization of D1 and D2 receptor-positive neurons in the prefrontal cortex of mice
Authors: Green Sara M. , Nathani Sanya , Zimmerman Joseph , Fireman David , Urs Nikhil M.
Published: May 2020

The cortex plays an important role in regulating motivation and cognition, and does so by regulating multiple subcortical brain circuits. Glutamatergic pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are topographically organized in different subregions such as the prelimbic, infralimbic and orbitofrontal, and project to topographically-organized subcortical target regions. Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are expressed on glutamatergic pyramidal neurons in the PFC. However, it is unclear whether D1 and D2 receptor-expressing pyramidal neurons in the PFC are also topographically organized. We used a retrograde adeno-associated virus (AAVRG)-based approach to illuminate the topographical organization of D1 and D2 receptor-expressing neurons, projecting to distinct striatal and midbrain subregions. Our experiments reveal that AAVRG injection in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) or dorsal striatum (dSTR) of D1Cre mice labeled distinct neuronal subpopulations in medial orbitofrontal or prelimbic PFC, respectively. However, AAVRG injection in NAcc or dSTR of D2Cre mice labeled medial orbitofrontal, but not medial prelimbic PFC, respectively. Additionally, D2R+ but not D1R+ PFC neurons were labeled upon injection of AAVRG in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Thus, our data are the first to highlight a unique dopamine receptor-specific topographical pattern in the PFC, which could have profound implications for corticostriatal signaling in the basal ganglia.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Corticostriatal connections play an important role in regulating goal-directed and habitual behavior, and neuromodulators such as cortical dopamine play an important role in behavioral flexibility. Dopamine receptor expressing D1R+ and D2R+ projection neurons in the cortex mediate the effects of cortical dopamine, but whether these neurons are anatomically organized in a manner that would explain how these neurons mediate these complex effects, is not clear. Our results show a distinct topographical organization of D1R+ and D2R+ PFC pyramidal neurons that project to distinct striatal and midbrain subregions. These results suggest that effects of cortical dopamine are mediated by anatomically localized distinct receptor- and target-defined subcircuits.
Sexually monomorphic wing pigmentation pattern does not contribute to mate choice inDrosophila guttifera
Authors: Niida Takuma , Koshikawa Shigeyuki
Published: May 2020

In many animal groups, sexually dimorphic ornaments are thought to be evolved by intraspecific competition or mate choice. Some researchers pointed out that sexually monomorphic ornaments could also be evolved by mate choice by both sexes or either sex. Many species of fruit fly have sexually monomorphic wing pigmentation. However, involvement of their sexually monomorphic ornaments in mate choice has not been tested. We aimed to examine whether the sexually monomorphic polka-dotted pattern on wings ofDrosophila guttiferacontributes to mate choice. BecauseD. guttiferadoes not mate in the dark condition at all and courtship sound was not observed, some visual information is likely to be used in mating behaviour. We compared the number of mates between individuals with and without wings, and found that presence of wings influenced mate choice in both sexes. We then compared the number of mates between individuals bearing replaced wings, one group for conspecificD. guttiferawings and another group for heterospecificD. melanogasterwings with no pigmentation pattern. The effect of conspecific/heterospecific wings was only detected in mate choice by females. By comparison between wild-type and black-painted wings, we found no evidence of contribution of wing pigmentation pattern to mate choice in either sex.
HGF-induced activation of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 serves as a novel mechanism for recovery of podocytes from injury
Authors: Solanki Ashish K. , Srivastava Pankaj , Arif Ehtesham , Furcht Christopher M. , Rahman Bushra , Wen Pei , Singh Avinash , Holzman Lawrence B , Fitzgibbon Wayne R. , Lobo Glenn , Lipschutz Joshua H. , Kwon Sang-Ho , Han Zhe , Lazzara Matthew J , Nihalani Deepak
Published: May 2020

When activated, slit diaphragm proteins NEPHRIN and NEPH1 enable signaling pathways leading to podocyte actin cytoskeleton reorganization, which is critical for podocyte recovery from injury. However, the mechanisms through which these proteins are activated remain unknown. This study presents a novel concept showing ligand-induced activation of NEPHRIN and NEPH1. We first identified phosphatase SHP-2, which directly dephosphorylated these proteins. We next identified HGF, a known SHP-2 modulator, as a rapid inducer of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 phosphorylation. Using baculovirus expressed recombinant purified proteins, SPR (surface plasma resonance), molecular modeling and peptide binding approaches, we show that HGF directly binds NEPHRIN and NEPH1 extracellular domains. Further, using cultured podocytes and Drosophila nephrocytes, we demonstrate that while HGF treatment repaired injured podocytes, the addition of inhibitory NEPH1 or NEPHRIN peptides blocked HGF-induced recovery. Overall, this study shows novel activation and deactivation mechanisms for NEPHRIN and NEPH1 that are required for their function.
ai-corona: Radiologist-Assistant Deep Learning Framework for COVID-19 Diagnosis in Chest CT Scans
Authors: Yousefzadeh M. , Esfahanian P. , Movahed S. M. S. , Gorgin S. , Rahmati D. , Kiani A. , Nadji S. A. , Haseli S. , Hoseinyazdi M. , Roshandel J. , Karam M. Bakhshayesh , Abedini A. , Lashgari R.
Published: May 2020

Generation of medical assisting tools using recent artificial intelligence advances is beneficial for the medical workers in the global fight against COVID-19 outbreak. In this article we introduceai-corona, a radiologist-assistant deep learning framework for COVID-19 infection diagnosis using the chest CT scans. Our framework incorporates an Efficient NetB3-based feature extractor. We employed three independent dataset in this work named: CC-CCII, MDH, and MosMedData; all includes 7184 scans from 5693 subjects which contained pneumonia, common pneumonia (CP), non-pneumonia, normal and COVID-19 classes. We evaluatedai-coronaon test sets from the CC-CCII set and MDH cohort and the entirety of the MosMedData cohort, for which it gained AUC score of 0.997, 0.989, and 0.954, respectively. We further compared our framework’s performance with other deep learning models developed on our employed data sets, as well as RT-PCR. Our results show thatai-coronaoutperforms all. Lastly, our framework’s diagnosis capabilities was evaluated as assistant to several experts. We demonstrated an increase in both speed and accuracy of expert diagnosis when incorporatingai-corona’s assistance.
High throughput mechanobiology: Force modulation of ensemble biochemical and cell-based assays
Authors: Santos Ália dos , Fili Natalia , Pearson David S. , Hari-Gupta Yukti , Toseland Christopher P.
Published: May 2020

Mechanobiology is focused on how the physical forces and the mechanical properties of proteins, cells and tissues contribute to physiology and disease. While the response of proteins and cells to mechanical stimuli is critical for function, the tools to probe these activities are typically restricted to single molecule manipulations. Here, we have developed a novel microplate reader assay to encompass mechanical measurements with ensemble biochemical and cellular assays, using a microplate lid modified with magnets. This configuration enables multiple static magnetic tweezers to function simultaneously across the microplate, thereby greatly increasing throughput. The broad applicability and versatility of our approach has been demonstrated through in vitro force-induced enzymatic activity and conformation changes, along with force-induced receptor activation and their downstream signalling pathways in live cells. Overall, our methodology allows for the first-time ensemble biochemical and cell-based assays to be performed under force, in high throughput format. This novel approach would substantially add to the mechano-biological toolbox and increase the availability of mechanobiology measurements.
Mechanism of non-blocking inhibition of sodium channels revealed by conformation-selective photolabeling
Authors: Földi Mátyás C. , Pesti Krisztina , Zboray Katalin , Hegedűs Tamás , Málnási-Csizmadia András , Lukács Peter , Mike Arpad
Published: May 2020

Sodium channel inhibitor drugs can exert their effect by either blocking, or modulating the channel. The extent of modulation versus channel block is crucial regarding the therapeutic potential of drug candidates. Modulation can be selective for pathological hyperactivity, while channel block affects vital physiological function as much as pathological activity. Previous results indicated that riluzole, a drug with neuroprotective and antiepileptic effects, may have a unique mechanism of action, where modulation is predominant, and channel block is negligible. We studied the effects of riluzole on rNaV1.4 channels expressed in HEK cells. We observed that inhibition by riluzole disappeared and reappeared at a rate that could not be explained by association/dissociation dynamics. In order to verify the mechanism of non-blocking modulation, we synchronized photolabeling with the voltage clamp protocol of patch-clamp experiments. Using this method, we could bind a photoreactive riluzole analog covalently to specific conformations of the channel. Photolabeling was ineffective at resting conformation, but effective at inactivated conformation, as judged from persisting modulated gating after removal of unbound photoactive drug from the solution. Mutation of the key residue of the local anesthetic binding site (F1579A) did not fully prevent ligand binding and inhibition, however, it eliminated most of the modulation caused by ligand binding. Our results indicate that riluzole binds with highest affinity to the local anesthetic binding site, which transmits inhibition by the unique non-blocking modulation mechanism. Our results also suggest the existence of one or more additional binding sites, with lower affinity, and different inhibition mechanism.
Vanishing White Matter Disease Expression of Truncated EIF2B5 Activates Induced Stress Response
Authors: Keefe Matthew D. , Soderholm Haille E. , Shih Hung-Yu , Stevenson Tamara J. , Glaittli Kathryn A. , Bowles D. Miranda , Scholl Erika , Colby Samuel , Merchant Samer , Hsu Edward W. , Bonkowsky Joshua L.
Published: May 2020

Vanishing White Matter disease (VWM) is a severe leukodystrophy of the central nervous system caused by mutations in subunits of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2B complex (eIF2B). Current models only partially recapitulate key disease features, and pathophysiology is poorly understood. Through development and validation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) models of VWM, we demonstrate that zebrafisheif2bmutants phenocopy VWM, including impaired somatic growth, early lethality, impaired myelination, loss of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, increased apoptosis in the CNS, and impaired motor swimming behavior. Expression of humanEIF2B2in the zebrafisheif2b2mutant rescues lethality and CNS apoptosis, demonstrating conservation of function between zebrafish and human. In the mutants, intron 12 retention leads to expression of a truncatedeif2b5transcript. Expression of the truncatedeif2b5in wild-type larva impairs motor behavior and activates the ISR, suggesting that a feed-forward mechanism in VWM is a significant component of disease pathophysiology.
Graph Drawing-based Dimensionality Reduction to Identify Hidden Communities in Single-Cell Sequencing Spatial Representation
Authors: Khodadadi-Jamayran Alireza , Tsirigos Aristotelis
Published: May 2020

With the rapid growth of single cell sequencing technologies, finding cell communities with high accuracy has become crucial for large scale projects. Employing the current commonly used dimensionality reduction techniques such as tSNE and UMAP, it is often difficult to clearly distinguish cell communities in high dimensional space. Usually cell communities with similar origin and trajectories cluster so closely to each that their subtle but important differences do not become readily apparent. This creates a problem for clustering, as clustering is also performed on dimensionality reduction results. In order to identify such communities, scientists either perform broad clustering and then extract each cluster and perform re-clustering to identify sub-populations or they over-cluster the data and then merging the clusters with similar gene expressions. This is an incredibly cumbersome and time-consuming process. To solve this problem, we propose K-nearest-neighbor-based Network graph drawing Layout (KNetL, pronounced like ‘nettle’) for dimensionality reduction. In our method, we use force-directed graph drawing, whereby the attractive force (analogous to a spring force) and the repulsive force (analogous to an electrical force in atomic particles) between the cells are evaluated, and the cell communities are organized in a structural visualization. The coordinates of the force-compacted nodes are then extracted, and we employ dimensionality reduction methods, such as tSNE and UMAP to unpack the nodes. The final plot, a KNetL map, shows a visually-appealing and distinctive separation between cell communities. Our results show that KNetL maps bring significant resolution to visualizing and identifying otherwise hidden cell communities. All the algorithms are implemented in the iCellR package and available through the CRAN repository. Single (i) Cell R package (iCellR) provides great flexibility at every step of the analysis pipeline, including normalization, clustering, dimensionality reduction, interactive 2D and 3D visualizations, batch alignment or data integration, imputation, and interactive cell gating tools, which allow users to manually gate around the cells.
Understanding diffusion of information systems-based services: evidence from mobile banking services
Authors: Saeed Khawaja A. , Xu Jingjun (David)
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The Bass model is widely used in the literature to capture the diffusion of innovations and shows excellent predictive power in the context of durable goods. However, the model's efficacy fades when services are the target of analysis. Services that users adopt and subsequently utilize regularly are regarded as a continuous process that entails the possibility of dis-adoption and re-adoption. These aspects are not accounted for in the traditional Bass model. Thus, this study extends the Bass model to information system (IS)-based services by taking into account the unique nature of service adoption: the possibility of dis-adoption and re-adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed hypotheses were empirically tested using a longitudinal study of mobile service usage over 18 months. The longitudinal design provides a stronger position than the typical cross-sectional survey to understand the dynamics and infer causality.

Findings

Results show that the inclusion of the dis-adoption and re-adoption rates in the Bass model significantly improves the explanatory power over the traditional Bass model.

Originality/value

Consumption of services delivered through IS has exponentially increased. However, understanding on the diffusion pattern of IS-based services is limited. Our study is the first to examine the effect of dis-adoption and re-adoption together in the innovation diffusion process. The study offers significant implications for researchers and practitioners. The extended Bass model can help service firms develop an accurate prediction about the number of adopters at different periods of time.
Project management processes in the adoption of smart building technologies: a systematic review of constraints
Authors: Ghansah Frank Ato , Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Ayarkwa Joshua
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The necessity for sustainable development and high building performance has led to the adoption of smart building technologies (SBTs) in the construction community. The SBTs adoption has been hindered in many different parts of the world due to several constraints underpinning the project management processes to help adopt SBTs. This paper presents a systematic review of relevant literature on barriers underpinning the project management processes on the adoption of SBTs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a systematic review of relevant literature on barriers to technology adoption published in academic peer-reviewed journals and conference papers. The study adopted a systematic review technique on 56 relevant articles and conference papers in relation to barriers to adoption of technology, and barrier frequency was employed to select the most reported barriers.

Findings

The study revealed the most reported barriers underpinning project management process towards SBTs adoption, which include lengthy approval process for new SBTs, structure and organization of the construction industry, higher cost for smart construction practices and materials, unfamiliarity with smart building technology and technical difficulty during construction process.

Practical implications

To both the industry practitioners and policymakers, this review provides a valuable reference during implementation. Also, to the academic scholars on embarking on further empirical studies, the developed checklist of SBTs barriers could be important and useful.

Originality/value

This study has contributed to the knowledge of barriers underpinning the project management processes on SBTs adoption by identifying the most reported barriers in literature.
Personality configurations in teams: a comparison of compilation and composition models
Authors: Ostermeier Kathryn , Davis Mark , Pavur Robert
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the facilitating and inhibiting influence of team-level negative affectivity and conscientiousness on a dyad of emergent states, adopting and comparing both the composition and compilation perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected over three time points from 410 undergraduate students nested within cross-functional project teams (N= 62). The data, including individual self-reports and judges’ ratings of team performance, were aggregated to the team-level using both composition (mean) and compilation (skewness) approaches.

Findings

The findings indicate that mean-levels of negative affectivity were associated with decreased psychological safety. The use of skewed conscientiousness counterintuitively suggests too many highly conscientious members can also be detrimental to psychological safety. Psychological safety influences team potency and ultimately performance.

Originality/value

The results of this study highlight that the aggregation approach used is important. For example, the use of skewed (but not mean-level) conscientiousness brought an undetected and counterintuitive relationship to light. Future research should use compilation approaches in addition to composition approaches.
From mass tourists to smart tourists: a perspective article
Authors: Gajdošík Tomáš , Maráková Vanda , Kučerová Jana
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to review the research on tourists and outlines future scenarios for its development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a critical and conceptual approach to this phenomenon and provides new perspectives for its future investigation.

Findings

This research on tourists might consider more aspects, such as the change from purely human-centred to a broader scope including non-human tourists, non-physical space and non-current time slots. This might provide the opportunity to engage more research disciplines into the research on tourists.

Originality/value

The past perspective includes the comparison of research on tourists in Western Europe and North America with an often-overlooked situation in Central and Eastern Europe. The future perspectives deal with challenges that might affect tourism research in the following years.
Social responsibility and the SDGs: vignettes of Caribbean tour operators
Authors: Milwood Pauline
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand how Caribbean tourism micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) perceive their corporate sustainability and social responsibility (CSSR) practices during design and implementation of new innovations. This knowledge helps our understanding of how the uniquely tourist-dependent region of the Caribbean can, through the social innovation practices of MSMEs, maximize its contribution to attainment of the 2030 sustainable development goals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a responsibility–sustainability framework premised on seven core subjects of the International Guidance (ISO 26000) for Social Responsibility and goals from the 2030 Agenda to analyze interview data from tour operators in five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) territories: Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia.

Findings

The results reveal that when designing new products and services, Caribbean tour operators contribute to sustainable development through social and economic change, responsible business model design, fair labor and operating practices, environmental sustainability and health and safety education. These behaviors do vary and are not consistent across the tour operators.

Research limitations/implications

Social and business planners and policymakers should create deliberate and purposeful mechanisms designed for Caribbean tourism MSMEs to have a fulsome understanding of how they might maximize contributions to the 2030 Agenda.

Originality/value

This work represents the first instance of use of the ISO 26000 Guidance in a Caribbean tourism context and provides insight into tour operators’ views toward corporate sustainability and CSSR.
Smart home autonomous water management system for agricultural applications
Authors: Manoharan Hariprasath , Basha Adam Raja , Teekaraman Yuvaraja , Manoharan Abirami
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In recent days, there is a huge loss in the income of farmers due to the reasons such as low water lever and increased pesticide attack. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to establish an efficient reliable low-cost information gathering Reliable Low-Cost Information Gathering Protocol (RLCIG) protocol for agricultural water irrigation using optimal clustering and path selection technique where the RCIG protocol wrinkles the expedient statistics about the moisture and temperature of the soil and it will be installed few inches below the pipeline. Thereafter, the congregated data will augment the irrigation of water by using a decision-making algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

The projected model has been inscribed mathematically by underlying the wireless sensor networks (WSN) framework with deliberation of contemporary challenges. Furthermore, the energy, cost and expanse optimization framework in the WSN framework is presented. The projected technique has been tested using network simulator and the results are also integrated MATLAB.

Findings

Recently, for efficacious management in the field of agriculture, the WSN has been successfully assimilated. This instigation accomplishes the irrigation management in terms of energy, cost and communication distance. The simulation result shows that the proposed model yields better results in terms of both the transmission range and cost with efficient lifetime improvement in comparisons with existing techniques.

Originality/value

Agriculture is the need of the time whatever invention happens in the scientific world without food production no lives survive on the earth, hence, the scientific invention should also focus on agriculture, in this contrast, the authors have proposed an efficient low-cost information gathering (RCIG) protocol for agricultural water irrigation using optimal clustering and path selection technique.
Animal personalities and seed dispersal: A conceptual review
Authors: Zwolak Rafał , Sih Andrew
Published: May 2020

Consistent individual tendencies in behaviour, or behavioural types, are likely to impact the dynamics and outcomes of animal‐mediated seed dispersal. We review the extant literature on this issue and outline a conceptual overview to guide this emerging field. We provide an overview of possible ways in which behavioural types can affect animal‐mediated seed dispersal. We summarize theoretical mechanisms linking behavioural types with seed dispersal outcomes and review how behavioural types might affect each stage of seed dispersal, beginning with fruit encounter and harvest, and ending with events that take place after seed deposition.

Since behavioural types involve correlations among different behaviours (i.e. behavioural syndromes), they can generate unexpected associations between different decisions that are involved in seed dispersal, with conflicting (or reinforcing) effects on different stages of seed dispersal. Thus, we draw particular attention to trade‐offs faced by seeds dispersed by individuals with different behavioural tendencies. We also note that since seed dispersal is a multiplicative process with different stages, disperser behavioural types that provide moderately efficient dispersal at each stage will be better for plants than behavioural types that are very efficient at some steps, but inefficient on others. Finally, we provide testable predictions on the links between behavioural types and characteristics of seed dispersal, including, for example, influences on the probability of seed harvest, dispersal distance, deposition sites and condition of dispersed seeds.

We argue that investigating the links between behavioural types and animal‐mediated seed dispersal will provide a better mechanistic understanding of seed dispersal and plant regeneration.

A free plain language summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Special educational needs and inclusion, moving forward but standing still? A critical reframing of some key issues
Authors: Hodkinson Alan
Published: May 2020

This article draws together my thinking in relation to special educational needs and inclusion that have dominated my practice. The article, through the concept of embodiment, revisits, reviews and reframes the key issues of the construction of special educational needs, inclusion and the ideology that binds them together. Through this exploration, I argue we often seem to move forward with policy while in reality standing still in ensuring the ‘success’ of all of our pupils. By critiquing and reframing taken‐for‐granted assumptions and the sacred words ‘success’ and ‘achievement’, this article maps out the future directions of inclusive education. It concludes with a reflection on my first days as a ‘teacher of special educational needs’ and my work to support Kenny, a student with cerebral palsy. This personal reflection maps out a different form of educational success that perhaps could provide a forward momentum to develop more successful inclusive education policy and practice.
The (Non‐)Existence of the Middle Voice in Gothic: In Search of a Mirage
Authors: Ratkus Artūras
Published: May 2020

Gothic is unique among the Germanic languages in that it alone preserves Indo‐European mediopassive morphology with which it realises the passive voice in part of its verb paradigm. In an effort to dispel any misconceptions regarding the existence of a middle value allegedly realised by these synthetic passive verbs in Gothic, in this article I re‐examine the evidence discussed by Kleyner (2019). By bringing together a consistent application of criteria to the discussion of voice as a syntactic category and a consideration of the broader context of the evidence in question, as well as examining the relevant contrasts in attested Gothic, I show that all of the alleged examples of the middle voice are simple passives. Additionally, I discuss the properties of Gothic periphrastic passives and argue that the Gothic translators' motivations for using passive constructions to render Greek actives oscillate between native linguistic constraints and the need to convey a transparent and intelligible message. More broadly, I address a range of problems within the domain of methodology in comparative Gothic studies.
Web‐based information on orthodontic clear aligners: a qualitative and readability assessment
Authors: Meade MJ , Dreyer CW
Published: May 2020

Background

Data regarding the quality of information (QOI) related to orthodontic clear aligners (OCAs) on the internet are lacking. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the quality and readability of websites providing information regarding OCAs to prospective patients.

Methods

Three search terms were entered separately into three search engines. Four validated QOI instruments were used to determine the QOI and readability of the content contained within the websites that satisfied predetermined criteria. Descriptive statistical analyses and intrarater testing for DISCERN scores were calculated.

Results

Forty‐nine websites satisfied inclusion/exclusion criteria. General dentists (44.9%) and specialist orthodontists (26.5%) authored the majority of websites. One website contained the Health on the Net (HON) code seal. Cohen’s kappa for DISCERN scores was good (0.87). The overall mean (SD) DISCERN score was 38.55 (8.00)/80, range 26–60. The websites authored by ‘Direct‐to‐consumer’ OCA providers recorded the lowest DISCERN mean score (33/80). One website contained all four Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks. The mean (SD) Flesch Reading Ease score was 53.92 (9.08), range 36–82.5.

Conclusions

The QOI of the website content related to OCAs is poor and is ‘fairly difficult’ to read. Website authors should consider using QOI instruments and readability tools to enable the delivery of evidence‐based and easily readable information regarding OCAs to prospective patients.
Follow‐up of chronic paediatric hepatitis C virus in a low‐/middle‐income country
Authors: El‐Shabrawi Mortada , Baroudy Sherif , Hassanin Fetouh , Behairy Ahmed Saed , Yakoot Mostafa , Ahmed Ayaat
Published: May 2020

Aim

Follow‐up of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following Interferon (IFN) plus Ribavirin (RBV) or direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) drug therapy in a cohort of paediatric outpatients as confirmed by a sustained virologic response (SVR).

Methods

This study included a cohort of 60 patients (6‐18 years), divided into 2 groups: Group 1:21 patients who completed treatment with IFN/RBV. Group 2:39 treated with dual DAA therapy: 19 with Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir (SOF/LED) and 20 with Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir (SOF/DCV).

Results

Group 1:12 (57.1%) were cured, six were IFN/RBV treatment failure then subsequently treated with DAAs successfully, and three had liver transplants. IFN/RBV side effects were reported in all patients; however, fibrosis regressed in two cured patients. Group 2: all were cured. HCV RNA became negative in all DAAs‐treated patients at weeks 2, 4 and 12 of treatment (100%) as well as SVR after 12 weeks (100%). Thirty patients reported no adverse side effects whereas only nine suffered minor side effects.

Conclusions

In our cohort, SOF/LED therapy and SOF/DCV therapy were extremely safe and effective with 100% SVR and negligible short‐term side effects. IFN/RBV therapy was much less effective (SVR 57.1%) and accompanied with short‐term side effects. Fibrosis might stop and even regress with successful treatment.
Passive exposure to heat improves glucose metabolism in overweight humans
Authors: Pallubinsky Hannah , Phielix Esther , Dautzenberg Bas , Schaart Gert , Connell Niels J. , de Wit‐Verheggen Vera , Havekes Bas , van Baak Marleen A. , Schrauwen Patrick , van Marken Lichtenbelt Wouter D.
Published: May 2020

Aim

Heat exposure has been indicated to positively affect glucose metabolism. An involvement of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) in the enhancement of insulin sensitivity upon heat exposure has been previously suggested. Here, we performed an intervention study exploring the effect of passive heat acclimation (PHA) on glucose metabolism and intracellular (a) HSP72 concentrations in overweight humans.

Methods

Eleven non‐diabetic overweight (BMI 27‐35 kg/m2) participants underwent 10 consecutive days of PHA (4‐6 h/day, 34.4 ± 0.2°C, 22.8 ± 2.7%RH). Before and after PHA, whole‐body insulin sensitivity was assessed using a one‐step hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamp, skeletal muscle biopsies were taken to measure intracellular iHSP72, energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured using indirect calorimetry and blood samples were drawn to assess markers of metabolic health. Thermophysiological adaptations were measured during a temperature ramp protocol before and after PHA.

Results

Despite a lack of change in iHSP72, 10 days of PHA reduced basal (9.7 ± 1.4 pre‐ vs 8.4 ± 2.1 μmol · kg–1 · min–1 post‐PHA, P = .038) and insulin‐stimulated (2.1 ± 0.9 pre‐ vs 1.5 ± 0.8 μmol · kg–1 · min–1 post‐PHA, P = .005) endogenous glucose production (EGP) and increased insulin suppression of EGP (78.5 ± 9.7% pre‐ vs 83.0 ± 7.9% post‐PHA, P = .028). Consistently, fasting plasma glucose (6.0 ± 0.5 pre‐ vs 5.8 ± 0.4 mmol/L post‐PHA, P = .013) and insulin concentrations (97 ± 55 pre‐ vs 84 ± 49 pmol/L post‐PHA, P = .026) decreased significantly. Moreover, fat oxidation increased, and free fatty acids as well as cholesterol concentrations and mean arterial pressure decreased after PHA.

Conclusion

Our results show that PHA for 10 days improves glucose metabolism and enhances fat metabolism, without changes in iHSP72. Further exploration of the therapeutic role of heat in cardio‐metabolic disorders should be considered.