bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual Cortical Area MT is Required for Development of the Dorsal Stream and Associated Visuomotor Behaviours
Authors: Kwan William C. , Chang Chia-Kang , Yu Hsin-Hao , Mundinano Inaki C. , Fox Dylan M. , Homman-Ludiye Jihane , Bourne James A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe middle temporal (MT) area of the extrastriate visual cortex has long been studied in adulthood for its distinctive physiological properties and function as a part of the dorsal stream, yet interestingly possesses a similar maturation profile as the primary visual cortex (V1). Here we examined whether an early-life lesion of MT altered the dorsal stream development and the behavioural precision of reaching to grasp sequences. We observed permanent changes in the anatomy of cortices associated with both reaching (PE and MIP) and grasping (AIP), as well as in reaching and grasping behaviours. In addition, we observed a significant impact on the anatomy of V1 and the direction sensitivity of V1 neurons in the lesion projection zone. These findings indicate that area MT is a crucial node for the development of the primate vision, impacting both V1 and areas in the dorsal visual pathway known to mediate visually guided manual behaviours.TeaserThe early life loss of visual area MT leads to significant anatomical, physiological and behavioural changes.
Human iPSC-derived renal cells change their immunogenic properties during maturation: Implications for regenerative therapies
Authors: Rossbach Bella , Hariharan Krithika , Mah Nancy , Oh Su-Jun , Volk Hans-Dieter , Reinke Petra , Kurtz Andreas 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTherapeutic success of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based therapies critically depends on immunological compatibility of the hiPSC-derived transplant. As grafted hiPSC-derived cells are often immature, we hypothesized that their immunologic properties may change due to post-grafting maturation. Subsequently, this will affect their interaction with the host immune system and may compromise graft tolerance. In the present study allogeneic and autologous cellular immunity of primary cells, therof reprogrammed hiPSC, hiPSC-derived progenitor and terminally differentiated cells was investigatedin vitroby using renal cells as a model system. In contrast to allogeneic primary cells, hiPSC-derived early renal progenitors and mature renal epithelial cells were both tolerated not only by autologous but also by allogeneic T cells. These immune-privileged properties resulted from active immune-modulation and low immune visibility, which declined during the process of cell maturation. However, autologous and allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell responses were not suppressed by hiPSC-derived renal cells and efficiently changed NK cell activation status. These findings clearly show a dynamic stage-specific dependency of autologous and allogeneic T- and NK cell responses to the hiPSC-derived renal cell lineage with consequences for effective cell therapies. The study suggests that hiPSC-derived early progenitors may provide advantageous immune suppressive properties when applied in cell therapy. The data furthermore indicate a need to suppress NK cell activation in allogeneic as well as autologous settings.
The establishment of variant surface glycoprotein monoallelic expression revealed by single-cell RNA-seq ofTrypanosoma bruceiin the tsetse fly salivary glands
Authors: Hutchinson Sebastian , Foulon Sophie , Crouzols Aline , Menafra Roberta , Rotureau Brice , Griffiths Andrew D. , Bastin Philippe 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe long and complexTrypanosoma bruceidevelopment in the tsetse fly vector culminates when parasites gain mammalian infectivity in the salivary glands. A key step in this process is the establishment of monoallelic variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) expression and the formation of the VSG coat. The establishment of VSG monoallelic expression is complex and poorly understood, due to the multiple parasite stages present in the salivary glands. Therefore, we sought to further our understanding of this phenomenon by performing single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) on these trypanosome populations. We were able to capture the developmental program of trypanosomes in the salivary glands, identifying populations of epimastigote, gamete, pre-metacyclic and metacyclic cells. Our results show that parasite metabolism is dramatically remodeled during development in the salivary glands, with a shift in transcript abundance from tricarboxylic acid metabolism to glycolytic metabolism. Analysis ofVSGgene expression in pre-metacyclic and metacyclic cells revealed a dynamicVSGgene activation program. Strikingly, we found that pre-metacyclic cells contain transcripts from multipleVSGgenes, which resolves to singularVSGgene expression in mature metacyclic cells. Single molecule RNA fluorescencein situhybridisation (smRNA-FISH) ofVSGgene expression followingin vitrometacyclogenesis confirmed this finding. Our data demonstrate that multipleVSGgenes are transcribed before a single gene is chosen. We propose a transcriptional race model governs the initiation of monoallelic expression.
Playing soft with cooperators emerges as a moral norm and promotes cooperation in evolutionary games
Authors: Salahshour Mohammad 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn many biological populations, individuals face a complex strategic setting, where they need to make strategic decisions over a diverse set of issues. To study evolution in such a complex strategic context, here we introduce evolutionary models where individuals play two games with different structures. Individuals decide upon their strategy in a second game based on their knowledge of their opponent’s strategy in the first game. By considering a case where the first game is a social dilemma, we show that, as long as the second game has an asymmetric Nash equilibrium, the system possesses a spontaneous symmetry-breaking phase transition above which the symmetry between cooperation and defection breaks. A set of cooperation supporting moral norms emerges according to which cooperation stands out as a valuable trait. Notably, the moral system also brings a more efficient allocation of resources in the second game. This observation suggests a moral system has two different roles: Promotion of cooperation, which is against individuals’ self-interest but beneficial for the population, and promotion of organization and order, which is at both the population’s and the individual’s self-interest. Interestingly, the latter acts like a Trojan horse: Once established out of individuals’ self-interest, it brings the former with itself. Furthermore, we show that in structured populations, recognition noise can have a surprisingly positive effect on the evolution of moral norms and facilitates cooperation in the Snow Drift game.
Managerial overconfidence and internal control weaknesses: evidence from Iranian firms
Authors: Safari Gerayli Mehdi , Abdoli Mohammadreza , Valiyan Hasan , Damavandi Ali 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
The characteristic of managers’ personality is a key factor in their decision-making. One of the most important personality characteristic of managers is overconfidence. Overconfident managers have false trust about their abilities and have a positive view of the firm’s future performance. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the association between managerial overconfidence and internal control weaknesses (ICW) of the firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).

Design/methodology/approach
Sample includes the 480 firm-year observations from companies listed on the TSE during the years 2013–2017, and the hypothesis is tested using multivariate regression model based on panel data analysis.

Findings
The authors found that managerial overconfidence increases the firms’ ICW. The findings are robust to alternative measure of managerial overconfidence, individual analysis of the research hypothesis for each year and endogeneity concern. Moreover, additional analysis reveals that the positive relationship between managerial overconfidence and ICW is less pronounced in larger firms.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the association between managerial overconfidence and ICW in emerging capital markets and, therefore, can contribute to extend the current literature on managerial overconfidence and ICW in developing countries, especially Iran’s emerging capital market.
Global integration of the Gulf cooperation council markets
Authors: Zhao Xiaobing 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThis paper investigates the global financial integration of the Gulf Cooperation Council markets, which is important for financial economists, global investors and policymakers.Design/methodology/approachThe first step is to estimate a benchmark one-factor model and multifactor models over the entire sample period to obtain the time-invariant global integration estimates for the Gulf Cooperation Council markets. Because the global integration of the Gulf Cooperation Council markets may be time varying, the second step is to use 24-month rolling regressions to estimate the time-varying integration estimates. To explicitly test for structural breaks in global integration, this study applies a supremum Wald test to endogenously search for structural breaks.FindingsEmpirically, consistent evidence suggests that the Gulf Cooperation Council markets are increasingly integrated with international equity markets at different levels of financial development and from different regions. However, compared to other emerging and frontier markets, the global integration of the Gulf Cooperation Council markets is still relatively low, suggesting that these markets still offer significant diversification benefits for global investors.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by systematically investigating the global integration of the Gulf Cooperation Council markets with monthly data (to account for the gradual information diffusion in international equity markets) and a longer sample period (to more robustly identify the trend in the global integration).
A novel cooperative model in the collection of infectious waste in COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Valizadeh Jaber , Mozafari Peyman 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
Production of waste has been increased exponentially due to world industrialization and urban and machine life expansion. On the other hand, the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus quickly became a global crisis. This crisis has added a large amount of waste to urban waste. The purpose of this study is to create cooperation between municipal waste collector contractors.

Design/methodology/approach
Thus, a mathematical model is proposed under uncertain conditions, which includes the volume of municipal waste and infectious waste including personal protective equipment and used equipment for patients. To reduce total costs, the results are evaluated with four cooperative game theory methods such as Shapley value, t value, core center and least core. Ultimately, the saved cost by cooperation in each coalition is allocated fairly among the contractors. Finally, a comparison was made between the solution methods based on the value of the objective function and the solution time.

Findings
The results indicate that the proposed cooperative method increases cost savings and reduces the fine of residual waste. Therefore, it can be mentioned that this kind of cooperation would finally result in more incentives for contractors to form larger coalitions. Genetic algorithms were used to solve the large-scale model.

Originality/value
The proposed model boosts the current understanding of waste management in the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper adds additional value by unveiling some key future research directions. This guidance may demonstrate possible existing and unexplored gaps so that researchers can direct future research to develop new processes.
Hybrid fuzzy MCDM and FMEA integrating with linear programming approach for the health and safety executive risks: a case study
Authors: Khalilzadeh Mohammad , Ghasemi Peiman , Afrasiabi Ahmadreza , Shakeri Hedieh 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present a new failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) approach based on fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods and multi-objective programming model for risk assessment in the planning phase of the oil and gas construction projects (OGCP) in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach
This research contains multiple steps. First, 19 major potential health and safety executive (HSE) risks in OGCP were classified into six categories with the Delphi method. These factors were distinguished by the review of project documentation, checklist analysis and consulting with experts. Then, using the fuzzy SWARA method, the authors calculated the weights of major HSE risks. Subsequently, FMEA and PROMETHEE approaches were used to identify the priority of main risk factors. Eventually, a binary multi-objective linear programming approach was developed to select the risk response strategies, and an augmented e-constraint method (AECM) was used.

Findings
Regarding the project triple well-known constraints of time, cost and quality, which organizations usually confront, the HSE risks of OGCP were identified and prioritized. Also, the appropriate risk response strategies were also suggested to the managers to be adopted regarding the situations.

Originality/value
The present research points at the HSE risks’ assessment integrating the fuzzy FMEA, step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis and PROMETHEE techniques with the AECM. Further to the authors’ knowledge, the quantitative assessment of the HSE risks of OGCP has not been done using the combination of the fuzzy FMEA, MCDM and AECMs.
Pursuing premium: comparing pre-owned versus new durable markets
Authors: Miller Chadwick J. , Brannon Daniel C. 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether consumers in pre-owned durable goods markets (such as pre-owned automobiles) purchase products with higher premium/luxury positioning in a vertical line-up compared to consumers in new durable goods markets. The moderating role of brand loyalty on choice is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
The hypotheses are tested using a data set that includes the sales of new and pre-owned vehicles from an independently owned automotive dealer in the Northwestern USA during the first nine months of 2017 (N = 200). An ordered logit regression is used to estimate the relationship between consumers’ purchase of pre-owned vs new vehicles and the premium-level of the model that they choose, while controlling for the vehicle price. Two experimental robustness tests are conducted to provide empirical evidence of the proposed theoretical process.

Findings
Consumers who purchased pre-owned vehicles chose models with higher premium/luxury positioning compared to consumers who purchased new vehicles, even when controlling for price. This effect was moderated by brand loyalty, such that consumers’ premium-level of purchase was magnified if they previously owned a vehicle of the same brand. The results of an experimental robustness test indicated that consumers’ preference for pre-owned vehicles with higher premium/luxury positioning was because of greater perceptions of the quality along the dimensions of versatility, performance and prestige.

Practical implications
Sellers of complex durable goods (e.g. automobiles) should consider segmenting their upselling strategies for pre-owned vs new products. They should specifically focus more effort on the upselling of pre-owned durables as buyers appear more likely to pursue premium/luxury alternatives compared to new durables. Further, they should focus upselling efforts for pre-owned durables on brand loyal consumers.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is the first to examine consumers’ desire for pre-owned durable goods with premium/luxury positioning in a vertical product line-up. Further, it is also the first to explore the role of brand loyalty in shaping consumer preferences for premium/luxury pre-owned durable goods. As such, it makes an important contribution to an emerging literature exploring the appeal of premium and luxury pre-owned goods. Much work in this area has focused on the motivations that consumers have for buying pre-owned premium and luxury nondurable goods, such as vintage clothing or accessories. By contrast, the present research investigates the appeal of premium/luxury positioning for complex, pre-owned durable goods (vehicles), which are more difficult for consumers to evaluate at the point-of-purchase.
Bioremediation of cardboard recycling industry effluents using mixed fungal culture
Authors: Hosseini Zeinab , Ghaneian Mohammad Taghi , Ghafourzade Mahin , Jafari Nodoushan Abbasali 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the bioremediation [chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal] of the effluent from the cardboard recycling industry in Yazd, central province of Iran, using mixed fungal culture.

Design/methodology/approach
First, the effluent samples from the cardboard recycling industry were cultured on potato dextrose agar medium to isolate native fungal colonies. The grown colonies were then identified using morphological macroscopic and microscopic characteristics to choose the dominant fungi for bioremediations. The mixed cultures of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium digitatum were finally used for bioremediation experiments of the cardboard recycling industry. A suspension containing 1 × 106 CFU/ml of fungal spores was prepared from each fungus, separately and their homogenous mixture. Sewage samples were prepared and sterilized and used at 25%, 50% and 90% dilutions and pH levels of 5, 7 and 8 for bioremediation tests using mixed fungal spores. Following that, 10 ml of the mixed fungal spores were inoculated into the samples for decolorization and COD removal and incubated for 10 days at 30°C. The amount of COD removal and decolorization were measured before incubation and after 3, 6 and 10 days of inoculation. In this research, the color was measured by American Dye Manufacturer Institute and COD by the closed reflux method. The results of the present study were analyzed using SPSS 21 statistical software and one-way ANOVA tests at p-value < 0.05.

Findings
The results of this research showed that the mean decolorization by mixed fungal culture over 10 days at pH levels of 5, 7 and 8 were 44.40%, 45.00% and 36.84%, respectively, and the mean COD removal efficiency was 71.59%, 73.54% and 16.55%, respectively. Moreover, the mean decolorization at dilutions of 25%, 50% and 90% were 45.00%, 31.93% and 30.53%, respectively, and the mean COD removal efficiency was 73.54%, 62.38% and 34.93%, respectively. Therefore, the maximal COD removal and decolorization efficiency was obtained at dilution of 25% and pH 7.

Originality/value
Given that limited studies have been conducted on bioremediation of the effluent from the cardboard recycling industry using fungal species, this research could provide useful information on the physicochemical properties of the effluent in this industry.
The canned food drive: What do students learn?
Authors: White Elizabeth S. 
Published: March 2021

PurposeNumerous studies have shown that community service during adolescence is associated with positive youth outcomes and future civic engagement (Reinders and Youniss, 2006; Yates and Youniss, 1996). However, less is known about the ways in which students participate in and perceive intermittent, noncurricular community service. The purpose of this study is to examine seventh and eighth grade students' (N = 22) experiences during a common school-wide community service event: the canned food drive.Design/methodology/approachData include students' journal responses to questions about the food drive including their feelings about the event, learning that took place, positive parts of the drive and challenges. An inductive qualitative analysis was used.FindingsAnalysis of students' responses revealed that most students perceived themselves and their classmates as being very helpful to the community and described feeling happiness and pride from the event, even when participation was minimal or nonexistent. While some students reported awareness of poverty and inequality after the food drive, many of their comments about those receiving the donations included deficit-oriented terminology and cognitive distancing by positioning those experiencing food insecurity as “the other” and different from themselves.Practical implicationsFindings highlight the benefits and shortcomings of community service, as class biases and surface-level ideas about helping may be unintentionally reinforced. Recommendations to address these issues are discussed.Originality/valueGiven the prevalence of community service in schools, qualitative research is needed to understand firsthand how students experience these events.
A Green's function approach to the study of effective anisotropic properties of the Barnett Shale
Authors: Ghosh Avradip , Morshed Sharif 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to derive the Green's function of an anisotropic elastic medium and validate it with the effective stiffness tensor of Barnett Shale. We have derived the frequency‐dependent Green's function by using the spectral theorem for matrices, thus simplifying the process of computing Green's function and obtaining analytical solutions. Evaluating the inverse of the Green–Christoffel tensor is an essential part of computing the Green's function. Based on the degeneracy of the eigenvalues of the Green–Christoffel tensor, the inverse of the Green–Christoffel tensor is expressed in the form of partial fractions. Consequently, the stiffness tensors from the measurement of core samples of Barnett Shale are used to validate the Green's function. We use the generalized singular approximation method of effective medium theory to model the effective stiffness of the core samples from microstructural properties. The generalized singular approximation method also allows us to compute the theoretical stiffness tensor of the Barnett Shale for porosity variations. The behaviour of the Green's function, which reflects the behaviour of the media, is studied in the static, low‐ and high‐frequency domains and under different physical parameters. It is observed that the variations of crack‐induced porosity produce different trends in Green's function for vertically transverse isotropic and horizontally transverse isotropic media. Thus, the variation of porosity is observed to be influential in differentiating between transverse isotropic media that have inclusions. The Green's function results presented in this paper have direct applications in the construction of synthetic seismograms for unbounded transversely isotropic media.