bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Slavery and Britain in the 19th century
Authors: McEnery Tony , Baker Helen , Brezina Vaclav
Published: August 2021

This study uses a corpus of just under two billion words from one historic British newspaper, the Liverpool
Mercury, to explore shifting attitudes to slavery in Britain in the nineteenth century in the context of a port
city that benefitted from the trade. In doing so, we explore three methodological issues – how to explore concepts in
large corpora, how to do this over time and how to deal with poor quality data. Our approach to the study of concepts through
time uses a new approach to looking at word usage change over time, Usage Fluctuation Analysis (McEnery, Brezina & Baker 2019). Our exploration of the issue of poor quality data is motivated
by the variable quality of the OCR texts which constitute our nineteenth-century newspaper corpus data. Problems in data
quality bedevil work on large-scale text collections of historic material. In this paper we will show that collocation, the
core technique of UFA, can be used on such data if appropriate settings are chosen that minimise the problems arising from
poor quality electronic text, permitting the exploration of corpus data at scale.
Then and now in English and French
Authors: Lewis Diana M.
Published: August 2021

English now and then and French maintenant and alors all
exemplify the cross-linguistic tendency for temporal adverbs to grammaticalize into markers of rhetorical relations. This
paper analyses the polysemy of these adverbs in a comparable corpus of written-to-be-spoken speeches and unscripted spoken
interviews. For now and maintenant, while the discourse patterns and the direction of change
are remarkably similar, French and English seem to be at different points in the grammaticalization cycle, with
maintenant being less grammaticalized than now. In the case of alors
and then, it is the French lexeme that appears to be more bleached, occurring in a wider range of rhetorical
contexts and in different discourse patterns from English then.
Time adverbials in English and Norwegian news discourse
Authors: Hasselgård Hilde
Published: August 2021

This chapter examines time adverbials in English and Norwegian as evidenced in two corpora of news articles. The adverbials are
identified through a manual, bottom-up procedure, and their syntactic realizations, semantic types and positions are analysed.
The comparison includes the lexical realizations of time adverbials in both languages, partly through the lens of lexical
priming. Similarities between the languages include the distribution of syntactic and semantic types of time adverbials.
Cross-linguistic differences in adverbial placement are evident in clause-medial position, where English is more restrictive
than Norwegian. The lexical comparison shows that the languages may differ in how similar meanings are realized. Furthermore,
the lexical priming of some frequent lexical items reveals lexeme-specific and possibly register-specific patterns.
An ultrasonic shear wave viscometer for low viscosity Newtonian liquids
Authors: Mastromarino S , Rook R , De Haas D , Verschuur E D J , Rohde M , Kloosterman J L
Published: August 2021

A method based on ultrasonic wave propagation is applied for the determination of the viscosity of low viscous liquids. A waveguide is used to remotely transmit the ultrasonic waves from a shear piezoelectric transducer into the liquid. At the solid–liquid interface, a guided wave mode, the shear mode, is used to extract the liquid viscosity. The energy of the reflected ultrasonic wave depends upon its operating frequency, the physical properties of the liquid (viscosity and density), and the waveguide (density and shear modulus). The results show that the attenuation of the waves, and thus the viscosity of the liquid, can be retrieved using this method. Measurements on water, ethanol, and mixtures of water/glycerol illustrate that the method can monitor changes in attenuation due to the viscosity of the liquid. The range of viscosities measured was between 0.8 and 60 mPa s. Compared to literature values, the relative error for these measurements was lower than 12% while the uncertainty in the measurements was lower than 5%. Besides its ability to measure low viscosities, this method offers advantages such as the capability to perform in-situ measurements of liquids in harsh environments, the omission of mechanical parts, and the possibility to handle small volumes of liquid. These features make this method suitable for low viscous liquids that are radioactive, corrosive and at high temperature.
Symmetries and criticality of generalised van der Waals models
Authors: Giglio Francesco , Landolfi Giulio , Martina Luigi , Moro Antonio
Published: August 2021

We consider a family of thermodynamic models such that the energy density can be expressed as an asymptotic expansion in the scale formal parameter and whose terms are suitable functions of the volume density. We examine the possibility to construct solutions for the Maxwell thermodynamic relations relying on their symmetry properties and deduce the critical properties implied in terms of the dynamics of coexistence curves in the space of thermodynamic variables.
(English) Dreams Versus (Hebrew) Reality: Henry Roth’s Call it Sleep as ‘Jewish-American Minor Literature’
Authors: Zuckerstatter Shiri
Published: August 2021

This article examines Henry Roth’s Call It Sleep as a particular example of minor literature written in America while suggesting a new term: ‘Jewish-American minor literature’. It has been argued that Jewish-American literature is not minor literature in Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s terms mainly due to the openness of American English to other ethnic languages such as Yiddish.1 However, this article shows that it is Hebrew, and not Yiddish, that functions as ‘minor language’ in the text—both as a language spoken by a minority and according to Deleuze and Guattari’s concept, as it undermines the theme of linguistic assimilation governing the surface structure of the book. Yet this ‘subversive’ Hebrew is neither transcribed/transliterated in the text, nor is it referred to or talked about in the novel. Rather, it is ‘hidden’ behind the English lines of the book. In fact, it is the emerging of such ‘concealed’ Hebrew hollowing out the idea of Americanisation in the text that turns Call It Sleep into what I call ‘Jewish-American minor literature’.2 Inviting further research, this article may open the door for a new research field investigating (whether there are any) other appearances of covert Hebrew words in additional Jewish-American works written exclusively in English and whether these works too can be considered as ‘Jewish-American minor literature’.
The Effect of Preoperative Methylprednisolone on Postoperative Delirium in Older Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Xiang Xiao-bing , Chen Hao , Wu Ying-li , Wang Ke , Yue Xiang , Cheng Xin-qi
Published: August 2021

Background

Preoperative administration of methylprednisolone reduced circulating markers of endothelial activation. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate whether a single preoperative dose of methylprednisolone reduced the rate of postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery and its association with the shedding of endothelial glycocalyx markers.

Methods

About 168 patients, aged 65–80 years and scheduled for laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery, were randomized to 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone (Group M, n = 84) or equivalent dose of placebo (Group C, n = 84). The primary outcome was the incidence of delirium during the first 5 days after surgery, assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). POD severity was rated daily using CAM-Severity (CAM-S). Levels of syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured at baseline, 1 day, and 3 days after surgery.

Results

Compared with placebo, methylprednisolone greatly reduced the incidence of delirium at 72 hours following surgery (9 [10.7%] vs 20 [23.8%], p = .03, OR = 2.22 [95% CI 1.05–4.59]). No between-group difference was found in the cumulative CAM-S score (p = .14). The levels of heparan sulfate, syndecan-1, and TNF-α in Group M were lower than that in Group C (p < .05 and p < .01), while the level of BDNF in Group M was higher than that in Group C (p < .01).

Conclusions

Preoperative administration of methylprednisolone does not reduce the severity of POD, but may reduce the incidence of delirium after gastrointestinal surgery in older patients, which may be related to a reduction in circulating markers of endothelial degradation, followed by the increase of BDNF level.

Clinical Trials Registration Number

Chinese Clinical Trial.gov, ChiCTR2000028792. Registered January 4, 2020. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=47807
Potential Value of Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Symptoms of COVID-19
Authors: Yu Xianqiang
Published: August 2021

Lay Summary

This letter elucidates the potential novel therapeutic value of electroacupuncture in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. As a classic treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, electroacupuncture has outstanding effects in the conditioning of gastrointestinal functions for COVID-19 gastrointestinal symptoms.
Increasing treatment enrollment among smokers who are not motivated to quit: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Vinci Christine , Lam Cho , Schlechter Chelsey R , Shono Yusuke , Vidrine Jennifer I , Wetter David W
Published: August 2021

There is a significant research-to-practice gap with respect to reaching underserved populations with evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Increasing enrollment in evidence-based treatments is necessary to reduce tobacco use and tobacco-related health inequities. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether Motivation And Problem Solving (MAPS), a flexible, holistic counseling/navigation approach delivered via phone, and proactive provision of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) would improve Quitline enrollment among a sample of low SES smokers who were not motivated to quit. In a 3×2 factorial design, cigarette smokers (N = 603) were randomized to one of six treatment conditions (Standard Treatment, MAPS-6, or MAPS-12 by NRT or no NRT). Results indicated that both MAPS-6 and MAPS-12 increased Quitline enrollment compared to Standard Treatment (ps < .03). There were no differences between MAPS conditions. NRT did not increase Quitline enrollment. MAPS is an effective intervention with the potential to be disseminated and implemented in healthcare and community settings to increase the reach of evidence-based interventions for tobacco cessation.
Effect of Alfalfa Cultivars and Ages on the Occurrence of Verticillium Wilt Caused by Verticillium alfalfae
Authors: Li Fang , Li Yanzhong
Published: August 2021

In August 2019, Verticillium wilt was observed in commercial alfalfa fields in Jinta County, Jiuquan, located to the west of Gansu, China, where Verticillium wilt of alfalfa was first observed in this region. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of alfalfa cultivars (Galaxie Max, Liangmu No. 2, and Danon VNS, planted in 2017) and ages (cultivar Adrenalin, planted in 2014, 2015, and 2016) on the occurrence of Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium alfalfae. The results showed that V. alfalfae was successfully isolated from both symptomatic and asymptomatic plants. The percentage of V. alfalfae colonization ranged from 22 to 83% in symptomatic plants and 19 to 31% in asymptomatic plants. Among the three cultivars tested, the lowest incidence of disease symptoms was observed in the plants of cultivar Galaxie Max, In addition, the plants of Galaxie Max had a lower rate of infection with V. alfalfae in the field than the cultivar Danon VNS. Moreover, the diseased plants of Galaxie Max had a higher shoot dry weight and levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), starch, sucrose, and chlorophyll than the diseased plants of Liangmu No. 2 and Danon VNS. This demonstrated that Galaxie Max has higher resistance/tolerance to Verticillium wilt than Danon VNS. An examination of the different ages of Adrenalin indicated that the plants in 2014 had a higher incidence of disease and rate of infection in the field than the plants in 2016. In addition, the diseased plants in 2016 had a higher shoot dry weight and contents of N, P, sucrose, and starch than the diseased plants in 2014 and 2015. This result indicated that an increase in the age of alfalfa plants contributes to the occurrence and development of Verticillium wilt. The infection of V. alfalfae significantly decreased the shoot dry weights and the contents of chlorophyll, N, P, and starch of alfalfa plants. These results provide a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms of the response of alfalfa plants to Verticillium wilt caused by V. alfalfae.
“Built‐in” PD‐1 blocker to rescue NK‐92 activity from PD‐L1–mediated tumor escape mechanisms
Authors: Mensali Nadia , Dillard Pierre , Fayzullin Artem , Köksal Hakan , Gaudernack Gustav , Kvalheim Gunnar , Inderberg Else Marit , Wälchli Sébastien
Published: August 2021

Success of adoptive cell therapy mainly depends on the ability of immune cells to persist and function optimally in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Although present at the cancer site, immune cells become exhausted and/or inhibited, due to the presence of inhibitory receptors such as PD‐L1 on malignant cells. Novel genetic strategies to manipulate the PD1/PD‐L1 axis comprise (i) PD‐1 reversion where the receptor intracellular domain is replaced with an activating unit, (ii) the use of anti‐PD‐L1 CAR or (iii) the disruption of the PD‐1 gene. We here present an alternative strategy to equip therapeutic cells with a truncated PD‐1 (tPD‐1) to abrogate PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibition. We show that engagement of tPD‐1 with PD‐L1‐positive tumor unleashes NK‐92 activity in vitro. Furthermore, this binding was sufficiently strong to induce killing of targets otherwise not recognized by NK‐92, thus increasing the range of targets. In vivo treatment with NK‐92 tPD‐1 cells led to reduced tumor growth and improved survival. Importantly, tPD‐1 did not interfere with tumor recognition in PD‐L1 negative conditions. Thus, tPD‐1 represents a straightforward method for improving antitumor immunity and revealing new targets through PD‐L1 positivity.
Antihypertensive therapy in patients with moderate to severe aortic stenosis
Authors: El Hussein Mohamed Toufic , Harvey Giuliana , Bueckert Alexi
Published: August 2021

Patients with aortic stenosis are at risk for developing hypertension. The selection of antihypertensives is a topic of debate due to a lack of consensus regarding their safety. This article provides an overview of antihypertensives used in patients with aortic stenosis, focusing on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and vasodilators.
Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation after Microtia Reconstruction Surgery
Authors: Takada Goro , Asato Hirotaka , Umekawa Kouhei , Kurabayashi Takashi , Sasaki Shoichi , Kaji Noriyuki
Published: August 2021

Background:

Nontraumatic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation after microtia reconstruction surgery is a rare complication. Intraoperative cervical hyperextension and/or excessive rotation and postoperative inflammation have been reported as causes of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. We herein describe cases of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation after microtia reconstruction surgery.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study of 80 patients (165 surgeries) who underwent microtia reconstruction surgery in Dokkyo Medical University Hospital between April 2006 and December 2012. The patient- and operation-related variables were obtained from medical charts. Neck radiographs and computed tomography scans of patients with atlantoaxial rotatory fixation were evaluated to check for cervical spine abnormalities.

Results:

Five cases of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation after microtia reconstruction surgery were recorded. Three of these five cases were diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome after the onset of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. No significant difference was found in the operative duration and other variables between patients with atlantoaxial rotatory fixation and those without. All patients immediately underwent conservative treatment and showed complete recovery and no recurrences.

Conclusions:

Although atlantoaxial rotatory fixation is a rare complication, surgeons should consider it in patients with neck problems following microtia reconstruction surgery. A patient with microtia may have unrecognized Klippel-Feil syndrome. Patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome are more likely to develop atlantoaxial rotatory fixation, which may have severe consequences. Thus, it is crucial to preoperatively identify Klippel-Feil syndrome with neck radiography and to detect atlantoaxial rotatory fixation at the earliest.
Are US Plastic Surgery Residents Equipped to Face the Opioid Epidemic? A National Survey
Authors: Sharif-Askary Banafsheh , Abdou Salma A. , Singh Tanvee , Song David H.
Published: August 2021

The United States opioid epidemic is among this century’s most profound threats to public health and demands that all physicians consider their role in reversing its trajectory. Previous literature demonstrated that plastic surgery trainees lack vital practices that promote opioid stewardship. However, it is not understood why this practice gap exists. This is a national survey-based study evaluating the availability and effectiveness of opioid education in US plastic surgery programs. A total of 91 residents completed the survey. Our study found that there is an unmet need for practical and comprehensive training regarding safe opioid prescribing among plastic surgery trainees. “Informal training,” defined as the “learn as you go” method, was found to be more common than formal training and considerably more valuable according to trainees. Trainees cited real-world applicability of informal training and that it comes from teachers whom they know and trust as valuable attributes of this type of education. Furthermore, the severity of the opioid epidemic has not translated into improved trainee education, as there was no significant difference in knowledge on safe opioid prescribing practices between junior and senior residents. To change the course of the epidemic, plastic surgery programs need to better train younger generations who believe they are critical stakeholders. This study lays the framework for the “formalization of informal training,” and the creation of practical and efficacious educational initiatives.
Aestuariisphingobium litorale Li et al. 2020 is a later heterotypic synonym of Chakrabartia godavariana Jani et al. 2019
Authors: Wang Peng , Gao Yuxin
Published: August 2021

Chakrabartia godavariana

PRB40T was compared with

Aestuariisphingobium litorale

SYSU M10002T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two type strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of

C. godavariana

PRB40T had high similarity (99.8 %) to that of

A. litorale

SYSU M10002T. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a tight cluster within the genus

Chakrabartia

. A draft genomic comparison between the two strains revealed an average nucleotide identity of 97.3 % and a digital DNA–DNA hybridization estimate of 79.5±2.9 %, strongly indicating that the two strains represented a single species. In addition, neither strain displayed any striking differences in metabolic, physiological or chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, we propose that

Aestuariisphingobium litorale

is a later heterotypic synonym of

Chakrabartia godavariana

.
Analysis of the avian coronavirus spike protein reveals heterogeneity in the glycans present
Authors: Stevenson-Leggett Phoebe , Armstrong Stuart , Keep Sarah , Britton Paul , Bickerton Erica
Published: August 2021

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is an economically important coronavirus, causing damaging losses to the poultry industry worldwide as the causative agent of infectious bronchitis. The coronavirus spike (S) glycoprotein is a large type I membrane protein protruding from the surface of the virion, which facilitates attachment and entry into host cells. The IBV S protein is cleaved into two subunits, S1 and S2, the latter of which has been identified as a determinant of cellular tropism. Recent studies expressing coronavirus S proteins in mammalian and insect cells have identified a high level of glycosylation on the protein’s surface. Here we used IBV propagated in embryonated hens’ eggs to explore the glycan profile of viruses derived from infection in cells of the natural host, chickens. We identified multiple glycan types on the surface of the protein and found a strain-specific dependence on complex glycans for recognition of the S2 subunit by a monoclonal antibody in vitro, with no effect on viral replication following the chemical inhibition of complex glycosylation. Virus neutralization by monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies was not affected. Following analysis of predicted glycosylation sites for the S protein of four IBV strains, we confirmed glycosylation at 18 sites by mass spectrometry for the pathogenic laboratory strain M41-CK. Further characterization revealed heterogeneity among the glycans present at six of these sites, indicating a difference in the glycan profile of individual S proteins on the IBV virion. These results demonstrate a non-specific role for complex glycans in IBV replication, with an indication of an involvement in antibody recognition but not neutralisation.
Reduced T cell and antibody responses to inactivated coronavirus vaccine among males and individuals above 55 years old
Authors: Medeiros G.X. , Sasahara G.L. , Magawa J.Y , Nunes JPS , Bruno F.R. , Kuramoto A. , Almeida R.R. , Ferreira M.A. , Scagion G.P. , Candido E.D. , Leal F.B. , Oliveira D.B.L. , Durigon E.L. , Silva R.C.V. , Rosa D.S. , Boscardin S.B. , Coelho V.P.C. , Kalil J , Santos K.S. , Cunha-Neto E.
Published: August 2021

Background

CoronaVac is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that has been rolled out in several low and middle-income countries including Brazil, where it was the mainstay of the first wave of immunization of health care workers and the elderly population. We aimed to assess the T cell and antibody responses of vaccinees as compared to convalescent subjects.

Methods

We detected IgG against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, neutralizing antibodies against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, and used SARS-CoV-2 peptides to detect IFN-g and IL-2 specific T cell responses in a cohort of CoronaVac vaccinees (N=101) and convalescent (N=72) individuals.

Findings

Among vaccinees, 95% displayed T cell or antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 as compared to 99% convalescent individuals. However, we observed that among vaccinees, males and individuals 55 years or older developed significantly lower anti-RBD, anti-NP and neutralizing antibody responses as well as antigen-induced IL-2 production by T cells.

Interpretation

Even though some studies indicated Coronavac helped reduce mortality among elderly people, considering the current dominance of the gamma variant of concern (VOC) and potential increase of the delta VOC, in Brazil, our data support that Coronavac vaccinees above 55 years old Coronavac vaccinees above 55 years old could benefit from a heterologous third dose/booster vaccine to improve immune response and protection.

Funding

Brazilian Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation, Sao Paulo State Foundation for Scientific research (FAPESP), JBS S.A.
“The idea is to help people achieve greater success and liberty”: a qualitative study of expanded methadone take-home access in opioid use disorder treatment
Authors: Suen Leslie W. , Castellanos Stacy , Joshi Neena , Satterwhite Shannon , Knight Kelly R.
Published: August 2021

Background

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States (US) was already facing an epidemic of opioid overdose deaths. Overdose deaths continued to surge during the pandemic. To limit COVID-19 spread and to avoid disruptions in access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine and methadone, US federal and state agencies granted unprecedented exemptions to existing MOUD guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), including loosening criteria for unsupervised take-home doses. We conducted a qualitative study to evaluate the impact of these policy changes on MOUD treatment experiences for providers and patients at an OTP in California.

Methods

We interviewed 10 providers and 20 patients receiving MOUD. We transcribed, coded, and analyzed all interviews to identify emergent themes.

Results

Providers discussed clinical decision-making processes and experiences providing take-homes. Implementation of expanded take-home policies was cautious. Providers reported making individualized decisions, using patient factors to decide if benefits outweighed risks of overdose and misuse. Decision-making factors included patient drug use, overdose risk, housing status, and vulnerability to COVID-19. New patient groups started receiving take-homes and providers noted few adverse events. Patients who received take-homes reported increased autonomy and treatment flexibility, which in turn increased likelihood of treatment stabilization and engagement. Patients who remained ineligible for take-homes, usually due to ongoing non-prescribed opioid or benzodiazepine use, desired greater transparency and shared decision-making.

Conclusion

Federal exemptions in response to COVID-19 led to the unprecedented expansion of access to MOUD take-homes within OTPs. Providers and patients perceived benefits to expanding access to take-homes and experienced few adverse outcomes, suggesting expanded take-home policies should remain post-COVID-19. Future studies should explore whether these findings are generalizable to other OTPs and assess larger samples to quantify patient-level outcomes resulting from expanded take-home policies.
Loops, TADs, Compartments, and Territories are Elastic and Robust to Dramatic Nuclear Volume Swelling
Authors: Sanders Jacob T. , Golloshi Rosela , Terry Peyton H. , Nash Darrian G. , Xu Yang , Dekker Job , McCord Rachel Patton
Published: August 2021

Layers of genome organization are becoming increasingly better characterized, but less is known about how these structures respond to perturbation or shape changes. Low-salt swelling of isolated chromatin fibers or nuclei has been used for decades to investigate the structural properties of chromatin. But, visible changes in chromatin appearance have not been linked to known building blocks of genome structure or features along the genome sequence. We combine low-salt swelling of isolated nuclei with genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and imaging approaches to probe the effects of chromatin extension genome-wide. Photoconverted patterns on nuclei during expansion and contraction indicate that global genome structure is preserved after dramatic nuclear volume swelling, suggesting a highly elastic chromosome topology. Hi-C experiments before, during, and after nuclear swelling show changes in average contact probabilities at short length scales, reflecting the extension of the local chromatin fiber. But, surprisingly, during this large increase in nuclear volume, there is a striking maintenance of loops, TADs, active and inactive compartments, and chromosome territories. Subtle differences after expansion are observed, suggesting that the local chromatin state, protein interactions, and location in the nucleus can affect how strongly a given structure is maintained under stress. From these observations, we propose that genome topology is robust to extension of the chromatin fiber and isotropic shape change, and that this elasticity may be beneficial in physiological circumstances of changes in nuclear size and volume.
An inexpensive setup for robust activity tracking in small animals: Portable Locomotion Activity Monitor (pLAM)
Authors: Sondhi Yash , Jo Nicolas J. , Alpizar Britney , Markee Amanda , Dansby Hailey E. , Currea J. P. , Fabian Samuel T. , Ruiz Carlos , Barredo Elina , Degennaro Matthew , Kawahara Akito Y. , Theobald Jamie C.
Published: August 2021

Advances in computer vision and deep learning have automated animal behaviour studies that previously required tedious manual input. However, tracking activity of small and fast flying animals remains a hurdle, especially in a field setting with variable light conditions. Commercial locomotor activity monitors (LAMs) can be expensive, closed source, and generally limited to laboratory settings.

Here, we present a portable locomotion activity monitor (pLAM), a mobile activity detector to quantify small animal circadian activity. Our setup uses inexpensive components, is based on open-source motion tracking software, and is easy to assemble and use in the field. It runs off-grid, supports low-light tracking with infrared lights, and can implement arbitrary light cycle colours and brightnesses with programmable LEDs. We provide a user-friendly guide to assembling pLAM hardware and accessing its pre-configured software and guidelines for using it in other systems.

We benchmarked pLAM for insects under various lab and field conditions, then compared results to a commercial activity detector. They offer broadly similar activity measures, but our setup captures flight and bouts of motion that are often missed by beam-breaking activity detection.

pLAM will enable high-throughput quantification of small animal location and activity in a low-cost and accessible manner, crucial to studying behaviour that can help inform conservation and management decisions.
RNA-Seq is not required to determine stable reference genes for qPCR normalization
Authors: Sampathkumar Nirmal Kumar , Sundaram Venkat Krishnan , Danthi Prakroothi S , Barakat Rasha , Solomon Shiden , Mondal Mrityunjoy , Carre Ivo , El Jalkh Tatiana , Padilla-Ferrer Aïda , Grenier Julien , Massaad Charbel , Mitchell Jacqueline C
Published: August 2021

Assessment of differential gene expression by qPCR is heavily influenced by the choice of reference genes. Although numerous statistical approaches have been proposed to determine the best reference genes, they can give rise to conflicting results depending on experimental conditions. Hence, recent studies propose the use of RNA-Seq to identify stable genes followed by the application of different statistical approaches to determine the best set of reference genes for qPCR data normalization. In this study, we demonstrate that the statistical approach to determine the best reference genes from randomly selected candidates is more important than the preselection of ‘stable’ candidates from RNA-Seq data. Using a qPCR data normalization workflow that we have previously established; we show that qPCR data normalization using randomly chosen conventional reference genes renders the same results as stable reference genes selected from RNA-Seq data. We validated these observations in two distinct cross-sectional experimental conditions involving human iPSC derived microglial cells and mouse sciatic nerves. These results taken together show that given a robust statistical approach for reference gene selection, stable genes selected from RNA-Seq data do not offer any significant advantage over commonly used reference genes for normalizing qPCR assays.
Rational Exploration of Fold Atlas for Human Solute Carrier Proteins
Authors: Xie Tengyu , Chi Ximin , Huang Bangdong , Ye Fangfei , Zhou Qiang , Huang Jing
Published: August 2021

Solute carrier (SLC) superfamily is the largest group responsible for transmembrane transport of substances in human cells. It includes more than 400 members which are organized into 65 families according to their physiological function and sequence similarity. Different families of solute transporters can adopt the same or different folds that determine the working mechanism and reflect the evolutionary relationship between SLC members. Analysis of structural data in literatures shows that there are 13 different folds in the solute carrier superfamily covering 40 families and 343 members. To further study their working mechanism, we systematically explored the SLC superfamily to look for more folds. Based on our results, at least three new folds were found for SLC superfamily, and one was experimentally verified in the SLC44 family. Our work has laid a foundation and provided important insights for the systematic and comprehensive study on the structure and function of solute carriers.
Frequency-dependent hybridization contributes to habitat segregation in monkeyflowers
Authors: Toll Katherine , Lowry David B.
Published: August 2021

Spatial segregation of closely related species is usually attributed to differences in stress tolerance and competitive ability. For both animals and plants, reproductive interactions between close relatives can impose a fitness cost that is more detrimental to the rarer species. Frequencydependent mating interactions may thus prevent the establishment of immigrants within heterospecific populations, maintaining spatial segregation of species. Despite strong spatial segregation in natural populations, two sympatric California monkeyflowers(Mimulus nudatusandM. guttatus) survive and reproduce in the other’s habitat when transplanted reciprocally. We hypothesized that a frequency-dependent mating disadvantage maintains spatial segregation of these monkeyflowers during natural immigration. To evaluate this hypothesis, we performed two field experiments. First, we experimentally added immigrants in varying numbers to sites dominated by heterospecifics. Second, we reciprocally transplanted arrays of varying resident and immigrant frequencies. Immigrant seed viability decreased with conspecific rarity forM. guttatus, but notM. nudatus. We observed immigrant minority disadvantage for both species, but driven by different factors– frequency-dependent hybridization forM. guttatus, and competition for resources and/or pollinators forM. nudatus.Overall, our results suggest a major role for reproductive interference in spatial segregation that should be evaluated along with stress tolerance and competitive ability.
Nucleoside antibiochemotherapy repressed the growth, chemoresistance, survival, and metastatic potentials of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells
Authors: Oseni Saheed Oluwasina , Laguer Genesis Acosta , Ambrin Faika , Philemy Magdalah , Betty Javoncia , Kumi-Diaka James
Published: August 2021

There is currently no definitive cure for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), therefore justifying the incessant need for more investigative studies to either repurpose old drugs or identify novel and effective therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the possible anticancer effects of two nucleoside antibiotics: puromycin and blasticidin. We hypothesized that the two antibiotics alone or combined with other drugs will inhibit prostate cancer (PCa) cell proliferation and metastasis and induce cell death via apoptosis. mCRPC cell lines (PC3 and DU145) with different p53-gene statuses were cultured and seeded in 96 well-plates, and thereafter treated with varying concentrations of puromycin and blasticidin (1 ng/mL - 100 μg/mL) for 24 - 48 hours. Resazurin reduction and/or MTT assays were done to evaluate the treatment-induced effects on mCRPC cell viability and proliferation. The colony-forming assay measured the cell survival rate following treatment nucleoside antibiotics while scratch migration assay and dual-fluorescent microscopy assessed the effects on metastatic potential and cell death, respectively. The two antibiotics were combined with either paclitaxel, docetaxel, or cabazitaxel to check for synergism. Our results indicate that both antibiotics exhibit dose- and time-dependent anticancer effects on growth, survival, and metastasis of mCRPCs. PC3 cells were significantly more susceptible to both antibiotics compared to DU145 cells. Both cell lines were more susceptible to puromycin compared to blasticidin. Synergism was observed when each antibiotic compound was combined with any of the three taxanes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that both puromycin and blasticidin could be explored for the treatment of mCRPC.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Quantitative live-cell imaging of GPCR downstream signaling dynamics
Authors: Tany Ryosuke , Goto Yuhei , Kondo Yohei , Aoki Kazuhiro
Published: August 2021

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play an important role in sensing various extracellular stimuli, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and tastants, and transducing the input information into the cell. While the human genome encodes more than 800 GPCR genes, only four Gα-proteins (Gαs, Gαi/o, Gαq/11, and Gα12/13) are known to couple with GPCRs. It remains unclear how such divergent GPCR information is translated into the downstream G-protein signaling dynamics. To answer this question, we report a live-cell fluorescence imaging system for monitoring GPCR downstream signaling dynamics at the single-cell level. Genetically encoded biosensors for cAMP, Ca2+, RhoA, and ERK were selected as markers for GPCR downstream signaling, and were stably expressed in HeLa cells. GPCR was further transiently overexpressed in the cells. As a proof-of-concept, we visualized GPCR signaling dynamics of 5 dopamine receptors and 12 serotonin receptors, and found heterogeneity between GPCRs and between cells. Even when the same Gα proteins were known to be coupled, the patterns of dynamics in GPCR downstream signaling, including the signal strength and duration, were substantially distinct among GPCRs. These results suggest the importance of dynamical encoding in GPCR signaling.
Emergence and Enhancement of Ultrasensitivity through Posttranslational Modulation of Protein Stability
Authors: Kumbale Carla M. , Voit Eberhard O. , Zhang Qiang
Published: August 2021

Signal amplification converts a linear input to a steeply sigmoid output and is central to cellular functions. One canonical signal amplifying motif is zero-order ultrasensitivity through the posttranslational modification (PTM) cycle signaling proteins. The functionality of this signaling motif has been examined conventionally by supposing that the total amount of the protein substrates remains constant. However, covalent modification of signaling proteins often results in changes in their stability, which affects the abundance of the protein substrates. Here we use a mathematical model to explore the signal amplification properties in such scenarios. Our simulations indicate that PTM-induced protein stabilization brings the enzymes closer to saturation, and as a result, ultrasensitivity may emerge or is greatly enhanced, with a steeper sigmoidal response of higher magnitude and generally longer response time. In cases where PTM destabilizes the protein, ultrasensitivity can be regained through changes in the activities of the involved enzymes or from increased protein synthesis. Interestingly, ultrasensitivity is not limited to modified or unmodified protein substrates; the total protein substrate can also exhibit ultrasensitivity. It is conceivable that cells use inducible protein stabilization as a way to boost signal amplification while saving energy by keeping the protein substrate at low basal conditions.
Flexibility and job stress in the accounting profession
Authors: Mnif Yosra , Rebai Emna
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of flexibility as a coping mechanism for reducing the negative impact of job stress on the accounting profession.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a survey questionnaire sent by mail to accounting professionals in Tunisia. A total of 200 responses were examined using a structural equations modeling procedure.

Findings

The results indicate that flexibility attenuates the negative effects of job stress by improving job performance and job satisfaction among accounting professionals. Also, flexibility has a significant and positive association with psychological well-being. The results demonstrate that role ambiguity and overload have a positive influence on job burnout, which supports the argument that role stressors are antecedents of burnout in the accounting profession.

Practical implications

This study’s results help the accounting firms to reduce job stress by offering work flexibility to employees. Also, the results have significant implications for accounting professionals who are concerned with the consequences of job stress and the coping mechanisms that can diminish these consequences.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the behavioral accounting literature by examining flexibility as a coping strategy within the job stress model in an emerging country (Tunisia).
Key competencies for critical infrastructure cyber-security: a systematic literature review
Authors: Chowdhury Nabin , Gkioulos Vasileios
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper can be encapsulated in the following points: identify the research papers published on the topic: competencies and skills necessary for critical infrastructure (CI) cyber-security (CS) protection; determine main focus areas within the identified literature and evaluate the dependency or lack thereof between them: make recommendations for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a systematic literature review conducted to identify scientific papers discussing and evaluating competencies, skills and essential attributes needed by the CI workforce for CS and preparedness to attacks and incidents.

Findings

After a comparative analysis of the articles reviewed in this study, a variety of skills and competencies was found to be necessary for CS assurance in CIs. These skills have been grouped into four categories, namely, technical, managerial, implementation and soft skills. Nonetheless, there is still a lack of agreement on which skills are the most critical and further research should be conducted on the relation between specific soft skills and CS assurance.

Research limitations/implications

Investigation of which skills are required by industry for specific CS roles, by conducting interviews and sending questionnaire\surveys, would allow consolidating whether literature and industry requirements are equivalent.

Practical implications

Findings from this literature review suggest that more effort should be taken to conciliate current CS curricula in academia with the skills and competencies required for CS roles in the industry.

Originality/value

This study provides a previously lacking current mapping and review of literature discussing skills and competencies evidenced as critical for CS assurance for CI. The findings of this research are useful for the development of comprehensive solutions for CS awareness and training.
Modification optimization-based fatigue life analysis and improvement of EMU gear
Authors: Li Yong-Hua , Zhang Chi , Yin Hao , Cao Yang , Bai Xiaoning
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper proposes an improved fatigue life analysis method for optimal design of electric multiple units (EMU) gear, which aims at defects of traditional Miner fatigue cumulative damage theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A fatigue life analysis method by modifying S–N curve and considering material difference is presented, which improves the fatigue life of EMU gear based on shape modification optimization. A corrected method for stress amplitude, average stress and S–N curve is proposed, which considers low stress cycle, material difference and other factors. The fatigue life prediction of EMU gear is carried out by corrected S–N curve and transient dynamic analysis. Moreover, the gear modification technology combined with intelligent optimization method is adopted to investigate the approach of fatigue life analysis and improvement.

Findings

The results show that it is more corresponded to engineering practice by using the improved fatigue life analysis method than the traditional method. The function of stress and modification amount established by response surface method meets the requirement of precision. The fatigue life of EMU gear based on the intelligent algorithm for seeking the optimal modification amount is significantly improved compared with that before the modification.

Originality/value

The traditional fatigue life analysis method does not consider the influence of working condition and material. The life prediction results by using the method proposed in this paper are more accurate and ensure the safety of the people in the EMU. At the same time, the combination of intelligent algorithm and gear modification can improve the fatigue life of gear on the basis of accurate prediction, which is of great significance to the portability of EMU maintenance.
Salesperson attributes that influence consumer perceptions of sales interactions
Authors: Fergurson J. Ricky , Gironda John T. , Petrescu Maria
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how modern, digital era customers in a business-to-consumer (B2C) setting prioritize salesperson-customer orientation attributes when evaluating their expectations regarding interactions with salespeople, as well as their impact on positive and negative word-of-mouth. In addition, the research further investigates which negative salesperson attributes have an impact on overall customer experience and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Role theory and expectancy-disconfirmation theory form the theoretical foundation for two mixed-method studies. Study 1 is an exploratory content analysis of online consumer reviews and social media word-of-mouth related to consumer experiences with salespeople. Study 2 is a three-round Delphi study investigating which salesperson orientation attributes are most important to the customer in B2C interactions.

Findings

The results uncover which salesperson customer orientation attributes are essential for modern consumers and how they differ as a function of context (retail, direct-selling and follow-up) and how they contribute to the generation of digital word-of-mouth.

Originality/value

This paper expands B2C sales interaction literature by exploring the need for differing sales attributes based on the differential function of the shopping environment.
The anatomy of a rivalry: the role of resentment in the development of brand attitudes
Authors: Alvarado-Karste Diego , Kidwell Blair
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate that feelings of resentment, fueled by perceptions of injustice, underlie the formation of rivalries. Further, this study analyzes how consumers evaluate the two brands that participate in a rivalry relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses four experiments. Study 1 uses two conditions to test whether injustice predicts inter-personal rivalries through resentment. Study 2 uses a one-factor design with three levels (resentment vs contempt vs control) to examine the underlying mechanism of resentment on the formation of a rivalry. Study 3 analyzes the effect of brand rivalries on consumers’ brand attitudes. Study 4 uses a 2 (Temporal-focus: past vs future) × 2 (competitive relationship: resentment vs control) between-subjects experimental design, to test the moderating effects of temporal-focus on consumer brand rivalry perceptions. This experiment replicates the effects of brand rivalries on consumer brand attitudes.

Findings

Rivalries have an essential emotional component – resentment – that is fueled by injustice and leads consumers to form more favorable attitudes toward the brand that consumers perceive is treated unfairly (target brand) and more unfavorable attitudes toward the brand that is perceived to treat the other brand unfairly (the rival brand). A future-focused mindset attenuates consumer perceptions of brand rivalries, whereas a past-focused mindset enhances these effects.

Originality/value

Prior research has failed to identify the emotional components of rivalries and their effects on consumer choices. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that reveals how attitudes change when consumers are exposed to a brand rivalry.