In crowdfunding we trust : a trust-building model in lending crowdfunding

Trust critically affects the perceived probability of receiving expected returns on investment. Crowdfunding differs in many ways from traditional forms of investing. We have to ask what builds trust in this particular context. Based on literature regarding the formation of initial trust, we developed a model to explain which factors lead to crowdfunders’ trust in a crowdfunding project. We tested it on data collected from actual investors in a real project on a crowdlending platform. Our results show that trust in the crowdfunding platform and the information quality are more important factors of project trust than trust in the creator

Advances in modelling the human microbiome-gut-brain axis in vitro.

The human gut microbiome has emerged as a key player in the bidirectional communication of the gut-brain axis, affecting various aspects of homeostasis and pathophysiology. Until recently, the majority of studies that seek to explore the mechanisms underlying the microbiome-gut-brain axis cross-talk, relied almost exclusively on animal models, and particularly gnotobiotic mice. Despite the great progress made with these models, various limitations, including ethical considerations and interspecies differences that limit the translatability of data to human systems, pushed researchers to seek for alternatives. Over the past decades, the field of in vitro modelling of tissues has experienced tremendous growth, thanks to advances in 3D cell biology, materials, science and bioengineering, pushing further the borders of our ability to more faithfully emulate the in vivo situation. The discovery of stem cells has offered a new source of cells, while their use in generating gastrointestinal and brain organoids, among other tissues, has enabled the development of novel 3D tissues that better mimic the native tissue structure and function, compared with traditional assays. In parallel, organs-on-chips technology and bioengineered tissues have emerged as highly promising alternatives to animal models for a wide range of applications. Here, we discuss how recent advances and trends in this area can be applied in host-microbe and host-pathogen interaction studies. In addition, we highlight paradigm shifts in engineering more robust human microbiome-gut-brain axis models and their potential to expand our understanding of this complex system and hence explore novel, microbiome-based therapeutic approaches

Constructing the moral framework of hospitality in non-commercial homestays

In the past few years there has been a rise in people trying to find more meaningful ways to experience a country and its local culture when travelling, such as non-commercial homestays. Non-commercial homestays refer to the encounters where food and accommodation are offered by the host in exchange for a few hours of daily work by the guest. Due to the complicated nature of this encounter where the private and the public arena overlap, with the host simultaneously being an employer and the guest being an employee, the rules of the exchange are often unclear. This study explores the ways in which the two sides of non-commercial homestays construct the moral framework of the encounter by reacting to micro-ethical dilemmas they are faced with throughout their experience. To that end, a combination of an autoethnographic account and in-depth semistructured interviews were employed. For the former, I participated in a Workaway an exchange as a guest to sensitise myself as a researcher to the experience. The autoethnography was followed by 50 interviews with hosts and guests in this setting, participating in au pairing and exchanges facilitated by organisations such as WWOOF, Workaway and HelpX. The findings suggest that the main aspects of the exchange were the work offered by the guest, the hospitality offered by the host as well as the interpersonal relationship, education and cultural exchange that take place. Each side enters the encounter with their own perceptions of fairness in relation to these aspects and is often faced with micro-ethical dilemmas; situations where they were uncertain of what the moral framework dictates. Their reactions to these dilemmas communicate their viewpoint to the other side explicitly or implicitly- and, in turn, feed into the moral framework of the encounter according to which they will act for the duration of the experience. In terms of theoretical contributions, the study offers an insight into the host-guest relationship, the resulting power dynamic, as well as the negotiation that takes place between the two throughout the encounter. In terms of practical contributions, the findings of this research can be used by both organisations and their members that participate in such encounters to secure better host-guest matches and ensure a positive experience for both sides

Targeted Therapies for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A Critical Appraisal

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by a wide range of manifestations from mild to life-threatening. Prognosis has markedly improved in the last decades due to earlier diagnosis, prevention of comorbidities, and the use of more intensive treatment regimens. However, the high rates of morbidity, despite treatment, reflect the presence of numerous unmet medical needs in patients with SLE, calling for new, treat-to-target strategies. To date, only two biological agents, belimumab and recently anifrolumab, have been approved in patients with SLE with several others showing promising results. In this review, we critically review the data, with emphasis on the approved biologics

3D Bioelectronic Model of the Human Intestine

Organ on chip (OoC) technologies have the potential to improve the translation of promising therapies currently failing in clinical trials at great expense and time due to dissimilarities between animal and human biology. Successful OoC models integrate human cells within 3D tissues with surrounding biomolecular components, and have benefited from the use of inert 3D gels and scaffolds used as templates, prompting tissue formation. However, monitoring technologies used to assess tissue integrity and drug effects are ill adapted to 3D biology. Here, a tubular electroactive scaffold serves as a template for a 3D human intestine, and enables dynamic electrical monitoring of tissue formation over 1 month. Cell- and extracellular matrix component-invoked changes in the properties of the scaffold alleviate the need for posthoc placement of invasive metallic electrodes or downstream analyses. Formation of in vivo-like stratified and polarized intestinal tissue compete with lumen contrasts with other quasi3D models of the intestine using rigid porous membrane to separate cell types. These results provide unprecedented real-time information on tissue formation with highly sensitive multimodal operation, thanks to dual electrode and transistor operation. This device and the methodology for tissue growth within it represents a paradigm shift for disease modeling and drug discover

Advances in Engineering Human Tissue Models

Research in cell biology greatly relies on cell-based in vitro assays and models that facilitate the investigation and understanding of specific biological events and processes under different conditions. The quality of such experimental models and particularly the level at which they represent cell behavior in the native tissue, is of critical importance for our understanding of cell interactions within tissues and organs. Conventionally, in vitro models are based on experimental manipulation of mammalian cells, grown as monolayers on flat, two-dimensional (2D) substrates. Despite the amazing progress and discoveries achieved with flat biology models, our ability to translate biological insights has been limited, since the 2D environment does not reflect the physiological behavior of cells in real tissues. Advances in 3D cell biology and engineering have led to the development of a new generation of cell culture formats that can better recapitulate the in vivo microenvironment, allowing us to examine cells and their interactions in a more biomimetic context. Modern biomedical research has at its disposal novel technological approaches that promote development of more sophisticated and robust tissue engineering in vitro models, including scaffold- or hydrogel-based formats, organotypic cultures, and organs-on-chips. Even though such systems are necessarily simplified to capture a particular range of physiology, their ability to model specific processes of human biology is greatly valued for their potential to close the gap between conventional animal studies and human (patho-) physiology. Here, we review recent advances in 3D biomimetic cultures, focusing on the technological bricks available to develop more physiologically relevant in vitro models of human tissues. By highlighting applications and examples of several physiological and disease models, we identify the limitations and challenges which the field needs to address in order to more effectively incorporate synthetic biomimetic culture platforms into biomedical research