bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micro-CT analyses of the lung in mice: Parameters influencing the radiation dose and acquisition quality
Authors: Körner Sandrina , Körbel Christina , Dzierma Yvonne , Speicher Katharina , Laschke Matthias W. , Rübe Christian , Menger Michael D. , Linxweiler Maximilian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMicrocomputed tomography (micro-CT) is a frequently used imaging tool for a wide spectrum of in-vivo mouse models in basic and translational research. To allow an accurate interpretation of micro-CT images, high spatial resolution is necessary. However, this may also lead to a high radiation exposure of the animals. Therefore, animal welfare requires exact information about the expected radiation doses for experimental planning. To gain this, a mouse cadaver was herein used for micro-CT analyses under different conditions. For each radiation dose measurement, the cadaver was labeled with thermoluminescent dosimeter chips around the thoracic skin surface. Micro-CT scans of the thorax were performed with spatial resolutions of 35 µm, 18 µm and 9 µm in combination with Al0.5, Al1.0, CuAl and Cu filters. As a surrogate of image quality, the number of identifiable lung vessels was counted on a transversal micro-CT slice. Measured radiation doses varied from 0.09 Gy up to 5.18 Gy dependent on resolution and filter settings. A significant dose reduction of > 75% was achieved by a Cu filter when compared to an Al0.5 filter. However, this resulted in a markedly reduced image quality and interpretability of microstructures due to higher radiation shielding and lower spatial resolution. Thus, the right combination of distinct filters and several scan protocol settings adjusted to the individual requirements can significantly reduce the radiation dose of micro-CT leading to a higher animal welfare standard.
Testosterone eliminates strategic prosocial behavior through impacting choice consistency in healthy males
Authors: Kutlikova Hana H. , Zhang Lei , Eisenegger Christoph , van Honk Jack , Lamm Claus 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHumans are strategically more prosocial when their actions are being watched by others than when they act alone. Using a psychopharmacogenetic approach, we investigated the endocrinological and computational mechanisms of such audience-driven prosociality. 192 male participants received either a single dose of testosterone (150 mg) or a placebo and performed a prosocial and self-benefitting reinforcement learning task. Crucially, the task was performed either in private or when being watched. Rival theories suggest that the hormone might either diminish or strengthen audience-dependent prosociality. We show that exogenous testosterone fully eliminated strategic, i.e., feigned, prosociality and thus decreased submission to audience expectations. We next performed reinforcement-learning drift-diffusion computational modeling to elucidate which latent aspects of decision-making testosterone acted on. The modeling revealed that testosterone compared to placebo did not deteriorate reinforcement learning per se. Rather, when being watched, the hormone altered the degree to which the learned information on choice value translated to action selection. Taken together, our study provides novel evidence of testosterone’s effects on implicit reward processing, through which it counteracts conformity and deceptive reputation strategies.
Conformational fingerprinting of allosteric modulators in metabotropic glutamate receptor 2
Authors: Liauw Brandon Wey-Hung , Foroutan Arash , Schamber Michael , Lu Weifeng , Afsari Hamid Samareh , Vafabakhsh Reza 
Published: April 2022

AbstractActivation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is an allosteric process. It involves conformational coupling between the orthosteric ligand binding site and the G protein binding site. Factors that bind at sites other than the orthosteric ligand binding site and alter this allosteric activation process are allosteric modulators and are important class of therapeutics. For many receptors, how modulation of signaling is represented at the structural level is unclear. Here, we developed FRET sensors to quantify receptor modulation at each of the three structural domains of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2). We identified the conformational fingerprint for several allosteric modulators in live cells. This approach enabled us to derive a receptor-centric representation of allosteric modulation and to correlate structural modulation to the standard signaling modulation metrics. Single-molecule FRET analysis revealed that a NAM increases the occupancy of one of the intermediate states while a PAM increases the occupancy of the active state. Moreover, we found that the effect of allosteric modulators on the receptor dynamics is complex and depend on the orthosteric ligand. Collectively, our findings provide a structural mechanism of allosteric modulation in mGluR2 and suggest possible strategies for design of future modulators.
Metformin decreases Cyp26a1 to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis through down- regulating CD8+ T cells
Authors: He Weizhi , Chen Miaomiao , Li Chong , Wang Xicheng , Chen Wenjian , Pan Lili , Cui Yangyang , Yu Zhao , Wu Guoxiu , Yang Yang , Tang Qinghe , Wang Jinghan , He Zhiying 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer, which limits the selectivity of prevention and treatment. Preclinical and clinical studies suggested that in patients with diabetes, prolonged use of metformin, the AMPK activator, was associated with a reduction of HCC incidence. This association promotes us to investigate the possible functions and mechanisms of metformin in HCC without diabetes backgrounds. Here, we found that several unique pathways that changed during chronic liver injury of Fah-/- mice, including glucose metabolic process and retinol metabolism. Further, metformin suppressed the tumor formation in chronic liver injury of Fah-/- mice. RNA sequencing, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that metformin suppressed Cyp26a1 gene expression of hepatocyte. Moreover, the down-regulation of Cyp26a1 leads to the increased level of all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), which could suppress the tumor formation in our model. On the other hand, flow multicolor analysis showed that the cell number and proportion of cancer promoting (pro-tumor) CD8+ T cells increased significantly during chronic liver injury in Fah-/- mice, and both metformin and atRA treatment could reduce the number and proportion of pro-tumor CD8+ T cells. We also found metformin decreased the Cyp26a1 expression through the AMPK/JNK/c-Jun pathway. In short, the association between the metformin and atRA may explain the commonness of their anti-tumor activities. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting the precancerous microenvironment for the prognosis, prevention and treatment of HCC.
Domain motions, dimerization, and membrane interactions of the murine guanylate binding protein 2
Authors: Loschwitz Jennifer , Steffens Nora , Wang Xue , Schäffler Moritz , Pfeffer Klaus , Degrandi Daniel , Strodel Birgit 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTGuanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) are a group of GTPases that are induced by interferon-γ and are crucial components of cell-autonomous immunity against intracellular pathogens. Here, we examine murine GBP2 (mGBP2), which we have previously shown to be an essential effector protein for the control ofToxoplasma gondiireplication, with its recruitment through the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole and its involvement in the destruction of this membrane likely playing a role. The overall aim of our work is to provide a molecular-level understanding of the mutual influences of mGBP2 and the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. To this end, we performed lipid-binding assays which revealed that mGBP2 has a particular affinity for cardiolipin. This observation was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy using giant unilamellar vesicles of different lipid compositions. To obtain an understanding of the protein dynamics and how this is affected by GTP binding, mGBP2 dimerization, and membrane binding, assuming that each of these steps are relevant for the function of the protein, we carried out standard as well as replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations with an accumulated simulation time of more than 30μs. The main findings from these simulations are that mGBP2 features a large-scale hinge motion in its M/E domain, which is present in each of the studied protein states. When bound to a cardiolipin-containing membrane, this hinge motion is particularly pronounced, leading to an up and down motion of the M/E domain on the membrane, which did not occur on a membrane without cardiolipin. Our prognosis is that this up and down motion has the potential to destroy the membrane following the formation of supramolecular mGBP2 complexes on the membrane surface.
IgaA protein, GumB, has a global impact on the transcriptome and surface proteome of Serratia marcescens
Authors: Stella Nicholas A. , Romanowski Eric G. , Brothers Kimberly M. , Shanks Robert M. Q. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTBacterial stress response signaling systems, like the Rcs system, can be triggered by membrane and cell wall damaging compounds including antibiotics and innate immune system factors. These regulatory systems help bacteria survive envelope stress by altering the transcriptome resulting in protective phenotypic changes that may also the influence the virulence of the bacterium. This study investigated the role of the Rcs stress response system using a clinical keratitis isolate of S. marcescens with a mutation in the gumB gene. GumB, an IgaA ortholog, inhibits activation of the Rcs system, such that mutants have overactive Rcs signaling. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that approximately 15% of all S. marcescens genes were significantly altered with two-fold or greater changes in expression in the ΔgumB mutant compared to the wild type indicating a global transcriptional regulatory role for GumB. We further investigated the phenotypic consequences of two classes of genes with altered expression in the ΔgumB mutant expected to contribute to infections: serralysin metalloproteases PrtS, SlpB and SlpE, and type I pili coded by fimABCD. Secreted fractions from the ΔgumB mutant had reduced cytotoxicity to a corneal cell line, and could be complemented by induced expression of prtS, but not cytolysin shlBA, phospholipase phlAB, or flagellar master regulator flhDC operons. Proteomic analysis, qRT-PCR, and type I pili dependent yeast agglutination indicated an inhibitory role for the Rcs system in adhesin production. Together these data demonstrate that GumB and the Rcs stress response system control S. marcescens virulence factors beyond the ShlA cytolysin.IMPORTANCEPrevious studies indicate that the bacterial Rcs system is a key regulator of envelope stress. This study demonstrated that activation of the Rcs system had a global impact on the transcriptome of a clinical isolate of S. marcescens including decreased expression of cytotoxic serralysin metalloproteases and biofilm promoting type I pili. These results give mechanistic insight into how the Rcs system contributes to pathogenesis.
An Engineered Nanocomposite Copper Coating with Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy
Authors: Nakhaie Davood , Williams Teresa C. , Velapatino Billie , Bryce Elizabeth A. , Charles Marthe K. , Asselin Edouard , Clifford Amanda M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractContaminated surfaces are a major source of nosocomial infection. To reduce microbial bioburden and surface-based transmission of infectious disease, the use of antibacterial and self-sanitizing surfaces, such as copper (Cu), is being explored in clinical settings. Cu has long been known to have antimicrobial activity. However, Gram-positive microorganisms, a class that includes pathogens commonly responsible for hospital-acquired infection such as Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile, are more resilient to its biocidal effect. Inspired by inherently bactericidal nanostructured surfaces found in nature, we have developed an improved Cu coating, engineered to contain nanoscale surface features and thus increase its antibacterial activity against a broader range of organisms. In addition, we have established a new method for facilitating the rapid and continuous release of biocidal metal ions from the coating, through incorporation of an antibacterial metal salt (ZnCl2) with a lower reduction potential than Cu. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was used to fabricate our coatings, which serves as a low-cost and scalable route for modifying existing conductive surfaces with complex shape. By tuning both the surface morphology and chemistry, we were able to create a nanocomposite Cu coating that decreased the microbial bioburden of Gram-positive S.aureus by 94% compared to unmodified Cu.Table of ContentsAntimicrobial copper (Cu) products are being deployed in clinical settings to decrease microbial bioburden and prevent surface-based transmission of infectious disease. However, Gram-positive bacteria demonstrate increased resistance to Cu’s biocidal effects. To improve Cu’s antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria, we have developed a hydrophobic Cu coating with cytotoxic nanotopography that facilitates the rapid and continuous release of biocidal metal ions.
Study on vapor phase corrosion inhibitor for E36 ship steel in marine atmospheric environment
Authors: Ren Jie , Xu Weichen , Yang Lihui , Wang Zhengquan , Li YanTao 
Published: April 2022

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of vapor phase corrosion inhibitor (VCI) imidazoline, quinoline and urea on E36 ship steel in simulated marine atmospheric environment.

Design/methodology/approach
The inhibitive effect was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance and Raman spectroscopy.

Findings
The corrosion process was inhibited by adsorption of the three VCIs on the surface of ship steel. The corrosion inhibition mechanism is the adsorption film type. The corrosion inhibitor adsorbs on the metal surface to prevent Cl- from reaching the surface of the substrate, so as to achieve the corrosion inhibition effect.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the work described was original research that has not been published previously and not under consideration for publication elsewhere, in whole or in part.
Does corporate governance induce green innovation? An emerging market evidence
Authors: Asni Nur , Agustia Dian 
Published: April 2022

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of corporate governance (CG) mechanisms (board size, independent commissioner and ownership concentration) on green innovation (GI) in publicly traded companies of Indonesia as an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach
Archival data relating to CG and GI were collected for five years (2016–2020). A total of 640 observations were obtained and analyzed using a random effect model.

Findings
The results indicate that effective governance mechanisms can encourage GI implementation to promote company sustainability. Respectively, the board size, independent commissioner and ownership concentration positively and significantly affect GI. These results imply that the optimal board size will result in effective coordination and cooperation in making GI decisions. Likewise, the proportional independent commissioners in the board structure will serve an effective oversight function. And concentrated ownership can influence executives to prefer innovation policies, such as GI.

Research limitations/implications
First, only a few CG mechanisms were used in this investigation. Therefore, further research needs to consider other mechanisms such as the number of commissioners, internal and external commissioners. Second, this research focused solely on Indonesia as an emerging market. Future research can be expanded to include countries with other emerging market characteristics. Third, different GI measurements from this study should be considered in future studies.

Practical implications
Practically, the results of this study are expected to provide policy recommendations, including optimizing the CG mechanisms as a control tool to achieve organizational sustainability through GI according to stakeholder expectations. This can be achieved by optimizing the size of the board of directors. The low value of the board size coefficient implies that optimization of board size is needed to encourage GI. The company can gain directors’ competence, experience and skill to increase innovation performance. In addition, maximizing the role of independent commissioners in overseeing is required for continuous innovation activities. Finally, the control of large shareholders is also necessary to encourage the implementation of GI because they could influence management to make innovative decisions.

Originality/value
This study extends and contributes to the extant CG and GI literature. There is little evidence that reveals how CG mechanisms affect GI, particularly in emerging market settings. The findings offer some important evidence for improving CG in driving GI implementation.
Applicable areas of biomimicry principles for sustainable construction in Nigeria
Authors: Adekunye Olusegun Johnson , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel 
Published: April 2022

Purpose
With over three billion years of existence of the world, researchers have seen the need to turn to nature to solve most of the problems faced in not only construction industry but in other industries. The principles of biomimicry are natural laws that has helped nature maintain its self-regenerating status over this long period of time of the world’s existence. This study investigates the areas of construction projects to which biomimicry principles can be applied with a view to enhance the delivery of sustainable projects.

Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted the use of quantitative approach, and well-structured questionnaires were administered to professionals in the construction industry who are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. A total of 243 answered questionnaires were analysed for this study. The variables were analysed using both descriptive analysis and further grouped into components by using factor analysis.

Findings
Data analysis for this study revealed that the principles of biomimicry can be applied to all the stages of building projects development and operations; this implies that the principles of biomimicry can be adopted at both pre-construction (design) and construction phases of developmental projects.

Research limitations/implications
This study was limited to Nigeria, but the findings can be generalized for construction industry across the globe.

Originality/value
The study identified design stage of work, tiling and painting as the foremost aspects of construction projects where biomimicry principles are applicable. Furthermore, biomimicry principles are applicable to four major areas of construction, namely, early construction stage, finishing and services stage, foundation and frame stage and project planning stage.
An integrated duality theory framework (IDTF): marking pathways for consumer decision-making researchers in the hospitality and tourism industry
Authors: Stylos Nikolaos 
Published: April 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to critically review the underlying assumptions and theoretical conceptualizations of duality theories in general. In particular, the paper seeks to augment McCabe et al.’s (2016) reconceptualization of consumer decision-making in tourism. Additionally, the paper offers an integrated duality theory model.

Design/methodology/approach
A critical discussion of the basic assumptions, recent advances and constructive criticism of duality theories found in the extant literature prefaces a detailed account of McCabe et al.’s (2016) new general tourist choice model. The author enriches and expands the conceptualization of this model and offers an advanced dual-process theoretical framework for decision-making with a broader range of variables, greater versatility, and suggestions for future research.

Findings
The findings indicate mental processes with broader external inputs (stimuli) with possible outputs (decisions/behaviors) warrant inclusion and expansion in a fulsome dual-systems model of tourist decision-making.

Research limitations/implications
This research study adds to the literature of duality theories in consumer decision-making. While factors, contexts, personal preferences and other dimensions in the tourism industry are and will continue to be fluid over time, this study offers an integrated decision-making framework that provides clear linkages that mark pathways for new developments, future research and practitioner applications.

Originality/value
The integrated duality theory framework enables researchers and destination management organizations managers to acquire enhanced explanatory and predictive value of tourism decision-making, which can lead to offering improved products/services. The model’s emphasis on simultaneous engagement of both heuristic and analytic dual processes reflects fundamental human nature; decision-making can be “both/and” as well as “either/or” with heuristic and analytic processes.
Quality 4.0 – an evolution of Six Sigma DMAIC
Authors: Escobar Carlos Alberto , Macias Daniela , McGovern Megan , Hernandez-de-Menendez Marcela , Morales-Menendez Ruben 
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Manufacturing companies can competitively be recognized among the most advanced and influential companies in the world by successfully implementing Quality 4.0. However, its successful implementation poses one of the most relevant challenges to the Industry 4.0. According to recent surveys, 80%–87% of data science projects never make it to production. Regardless of the low deployment success rate, more than 75% of investors are maintaining or increasing their investments in artificial intelligence (AI). To help quality decision-makers improve the current situation, this paper aims to review Process Monitoring for Quality (PMQ), a Quality 4.0 initiative, along with its practical and managerial implications. Furthermore, a real case study is presented to demonstrate its application.

Design/methodology/approach
The proposed Quality 4.0 initiative improves conventional quality control methods by monitoring a process and detecting defective items in real time. Defect detection is formulated as a binary classification problem. Using the same path of Six Sigma define, measure, analyze, improve, control, Quality 4.0-based innovation is guided by Identify, Acsensorize, Discover, Learn, Predict, Redesign and Relearn (IADLPR2) – an ad hoc seven-step problem-solving approach.

Findings
The IADLPR2 approach has the ability to identify and solve engineering intractable problems using AI. This is especially intriguing because numerous quality-driven manufacturing decision-makers consistently cite difficulties in developing a business vision for this technology.

Practical implications
From the proposed method, quality-driven decision-makers will learn how to launch a Quality 4.0 initiative, while quality-driven engineers will learn how to systematically solve intractable problems through AI.

Originality/value
An anthology of the own projects enables the presentation of a comprehensive Quality 4.0 initiative and reports the approach’s first case study IADLPR2. Each of the steps is used to solve a real General Motors’ case study.