bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatic Steatosis in Infancy: The Beginning of Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Authors: McNelis Kera , Yodoshi Toshifumi , Divanovic Senad , Gandhi Chandrashekhar , Kim Jae H. , Anton Christopher G. , Trout Andrew T. , Mouzaki Marialena
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is clinically silent and the age of its onset is unknown. Fatty liver can occur as early as in utero in the context of an unfavorable maternal metabolic environment. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in a cohort of previously healthy infants less than 3 months of age.

Methods:

Retrospective study of all abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans performed from 2009 to 2019 for the investigation of trauma. Two independent reviewers applied published criteria to determine the presence of hepatic steatosis. Descriptive statistics were used. The groups with and without steatosis were compared using Wilcoxon-Mann Whitney or Fisher exact test.

Results:

Of 119 CT scans available in infants younger than 3 months of age, 65 were performed in previously healthy infants for the investigation of trauma. The included population was predominantly male, non-Hispanic, with a median age of 60 days (interquartile range, 34–73 d). Depending on the criteria used, 23% or 26% of infants had evidence of fatty liver. The prevalence of maternal obesity and/or diabetes was 11% (of the 65 pregnancies) but there was no significant difference in maternal risk factors between infants with and without evidence of steatosis.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest CT evidence of hepatic steatosis in up to a quarter of otherwise healthy infants ≤3 months of age. This may represent early manifestation of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The natural history and pathophysiology of this condition need to be studied to determine optimal detection, prevention and early intervention strategies.
Efficacy of an opioid-sparing analgesic protocol in pain control after less invasive cranial neurosurgery
Authors: Ahmad Shahjehan , Khanna Ryan , Onyewuenyi Alvin Chidozie , Panos Nicholas , Breslin Rory , Sani Sepehr
Published: August 2021

Introduction:

Opioid overuse in postoperative patients is a worrisome trend, and potential alternatives exist which warrant investigation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in treating postoperative cranial surgery pain has been hampered by concern for inadequate pain control and increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. A safe and effective alternative to opioid-based pain management is critical to improving postoperative care.

Objective:

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine whether an NSAID-based opioid-sparing pain management protocol (OSP) is effective in analgesic control of less invasive cranial surgery patients at 6-, 12-, and 24-hour postoperatively. Secondary aims included investigating differences in hemorrhagic complications.

Methods:

Five hundred sixty-six consecutive patients who underwent cranial surgery before and after implementation of the celecoxib-based OSP were eligible. Propensity score matching was used to match patients in each cohort.

Results:

The opioid-sparing cohort had lower pain scores at 6 hours (3.45 vs 4.19, P = 0.036), 12 hours (3.21 vs 4.00, P = 0.006), and 24 hours (2.90 vs 3.59, P = 0.010). Rates of postoperative hemorrhage were not significantly different (5% intervention vs 8% control, P = 0.527). The opioid-sparing pain management protocol provided comparable or better pain control in the first 24 hours after less invasive cranial surgery. Hemorrhage rates did not change with the use of an NSAID-based OSP.

Conclusion:

An effective alternative to the current standard opioid-based pain management is feasible for less invasive cranial surgery. Determinations of hemorrhage risk and more complex cranial surgery will require larger prospective randomized trials.
Public attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in children: A qualitative study
Authors: Williams Simon N
Published: August 2021

Background

COVID-19 vaccinations in children remains controversial. In the UK, as of August 2021, they have not been approved, except in a few limited circumstances. To date, little qualitative research exists to explain the reasons and nuances behind public attitudes on this issue.

Methods

Qualitative group and one-to-one online interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 24 adults to explore their views on the issue of COVID-19 vaccination in children.

Results

COVID-19 vaccination in children was framed as a complex problem (a “minefield”). Six themes emerged to explain participants views: (1) Uncertainty over whether children can catch, transmit or be severely harmed by COVID-19; (2) Lower risk tolerance for unknown longer-term effects of the vaccine in children; (3) Association of the vaccine program with government’s handling of the pandemic; (4) Local social norms as a driver of hesitancy; (5) Vaccinating children as a way to protect vulnerable adults; (6) Children’s vaccination as parental choice.

Conclusions

Public attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination in children are likely to be met with more hesitancy compared to adult vaccinations. Public health communications will need to combat this hesitancy if vaccine uptake for children is to be pursued as a public health policy.
COVID-ONE-humoral immune: The One-stop Database for COVID-19-specific Antibody Responses and Clinical Parameters
Authors: Xu Zhaowei , Li Yang , Lei Qing , Huang Likun , Lai Dan-yun , Guo Shu-juan , Jiang He-wei , Hou Hongyan , Zheng Yun-xiao , Wang Xue-ning , Wu Jiaoxiang , Ma Ming-liang , Zhang Bo , Chen Hong , Yu Caizheng , Xue Jun-biao , Zhang Hai-nan , Qi Huan , Yu Siqi , Lin Mingxi , Zhang Yandi , Lin Xiaosong , Yao Zongjie , Sheng Huiming , Sun Ziyong , Wang Feng , Fan Xionglin , Tao Sheng-ce
Published: August 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by SARS-CoV-2, varies with regard to symptoms and mortality rates among populations. Humoral immunity plays critical roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection and recovery from COVID-19. However, differences in immune responses and clinical features among COVID-19 patients remain largely unknown. Here, we report a database for COVID-19-specific IgG/IgM immune responses and clinical parameters (COVID-ONE humoral immune). COVID-ONE humoral immunity is based on a dataset that contains the IgG/IgM responses to 21 of 28 known SARS-CoV-2 proteins and 197 spike protein peptides against 2,360 COVID-19 samples collected from 783 patients. In addition, 96 clinical parameters for the 2,360 samples and information for the 783 patients are integrated into the database. Furthermore, COVID-ONE humoral immune provides a dashboard for defining samples and a one-click analysis pipeline for a single group or paired groups. A set of samples of interest is easily defined by adjusting the scale bars of a variety of parameters. After the “START” button is clicked, one can readily obtain a comprehensive analysis report for further interpretation. COVID-ONE-humoral immune is freely available at www.COVID-ONE.cn.
Premature Atrial Stimulation Accentuates Conduction Abnormalities in Cardiac Surgery Patients that Develop Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Khan Muhammad S. , Lange Matthias , Ranjan Ravi , Sharma Vikas , Glotzbach Jason P. , Selzman Craig , Dosdall Derek J.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common cardiac surgery complication that is associated with increased complications and negative outcomes, but the association between presurgical atrial conduction abnormalities and POAF has not been investigated clinically during premature atrial S1S2 stimulation. This clinical study sought to examine whether intraoperative premature atrial stimulation reveals increased areas of slowed and/or blocked conduction in patients that develop POAF.

METHODS

High-density intraoperative epicardial left atrial mapping was conducted in 20 cardiac surgery patients with no prior history of atrial fibrillation (AF). In 20 patients, 6 (30%) developed POAF. A flexible-array of 240-electrodes was placed on the posterior left atrial wall in between the pulmonary veins. Activation maps were generated for sinus and premature atrial S1S2 stimulated beats. The area of conduction block (CB), conduction delay (CD) and the combination of both (CDCB) for conduction velocity <0.1, 0.1≤x<0.2 and <0.2 m/s, respectively were quantified.

RESULTS

For a premature atrial S2 beat with shortest cycle length captured, conduction velocity maps revealed a significantly higher area for CD (13.19±6.59 versus 6.06±4.22 mm2, p=0.028) and CDCB (17.36±8.75 versus 7.41±6.39 mm2, p=0.034), and a trend toward a larger area for CB (4.17±3.66 versus 1.34±2.86 mm2, p=0.063) in patients who developed POAF in comparison to those that remained in the sinus. Sinus and S1 paced beats did not show substantial differences in abnormal conduction areas between patients with and without POAF.

CONCLUSION

In comparison to sinus and S1 beats, premature atrial S2 beats accentuate conduction abnormalities in cardiac surgery patients that developed POAF.
COVID-19 Infection risk posed by drinking alcohol at restaurants or bars in Japan
Authors: Kurita Junko , Sugawara Tamie , Ohkusa Yasushi
Published: August 2021

Background

On April 25, 2021, the third state of emergency was declared in Japan. Drinking alcohol at restaurants and bars was banned.

Object

We used published data to evaluate drinking ban effects.

Method

We bootstrapped the data and evaluated the risk ratio for drinking compared with non-drinking during group dining with similar frequency and numbers of participants.

Results

The 99% lower bound of the bootstrapped distribution of the risk ratio was less than one. Therefore the null hypothesis, that incidence in the two styles of group dining were the same, cannot be rejected.

Discussion and Conclusion

Results constitute no clear evidence indicating a risk of drinking alcohol in groups. However, further analyses using collected data are necessary. Moreover, risks posed by the number of group diners or their dining frequency must be evaluated.
The Effect of Image Resolution on Automated Classification of Chest X-rays
Authors: Haque Md Inzamam Ul , Dubey Abhishek K. , Hinkle Jacob D.
Published: August 2021

Deep learning models have received much attention lately for their ability to achieve expert-level performance on the accurate automated analysis of chest X-rays. Although publicly available chest X-ray datasets include high resolution images, most models are trained on reduced size images due to limitations on GPU memory and training time. As compute capability continues to advance, it will become feasible to train large convolutional neural networks on high-resolution images. To verify that this will lead to increased performance, we perform a systematic evaluation to measure the effect of input chest X-ray image resolution on accuracy. This study is based on the publicly available MIMIC-CXR-JPG dataset, comprising 377,110 high resolution chest X-ray images, and provided with 14 labels to the corresponding free-text radiology reports. Our original hypothesis that increased resolution would lead to higher accuracy held true for some but not all of the tasks. We find, interestingly, that tasks that require a large receptive field are better suited to downscaled input images, and we verify this qualitatively by inspecting effective receptive fields and class activation maps of trained models. Finally, we show that stacking an ensemble across resolutions outperforms each individual learner at all input resolutions while providing interpretable scale weights, suggesting that multi-scale features are crucially important to information extraction from high-resolution chest X-rays.
Wastewater based surveillance system to detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material for countries with on-site sanitation facilities: an experience from Bangladesh
Authors: Jakariya Md. , Ahmed Firoz , Islam Md. Aminul , Ahmed Tanvir , Marzan Abdullah Al , Hossain Maqsud , Reza Hasan Mahmud , Bhattacharya Prosun , Hossain Ahmed , Nahla Turasa , Bahadur Newaz Mohammed , Hasan Mohammad Nayeem , Islam Md. Tahmidul , Hossen Md. Foysal , Didar-ul-Alam Md. , Mow Nowrin , Jahan Hasin
Published: August 2021

The presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic materials in wastewater has become a matter of grave for many countries of the world. Wastewater based epidemiology, in this context, emerged as an important tool in developed countries where proper sewage system is available. Due to the recent shift in the spread of the infection from urban to rural areas, it is now equally important to develop a similar mechanism for rural areas as well. Considering the urgency of the issue a study was conducted in 14 districts of Bangladesh and a total of 238 sewage samples were collected in two different periods from December 2020 to January 2021. We are the first to propose a surveillance system for both urban and rural areas where a proper sewage system is absent. Based on RT-PCR analysis of the water samples, in more than 92% of cases, we found the presence of the SARS-COV-2 gene (ORF1ab, N, and Internal Control-IC). The trend of Ct value varies for different study locations. The spread of genetic material for on-site (Δm = 0.0749) sanitation system was found more prominent than that of off-site sewage system (Δm = 0.0219); which indicated the shift of genetic material from urban to rural areas. Wastewater samples were also measured for physicochemical parameters, including pH (6.30 - 12.50) and temperature (22.10 - 32.60) ºC. The highest viral titer of 1975 copy/mL in sewage sample was observed in a sample collected from the isolation ward of the SARS-COV-2 hospital. Additionally, a correlation was found between bacterial load and SARS-CoV-2 genetic materials. The results indicated the association of increased Ct values with decreasing number of patients and vice versa. The findings reported in this paper contributed to the field of wastewater-based epidemiology dealing with SARS-COV-2 surveillance for developing countries where proper sewage system is absent and highlighting some of the challenges associated with this approach in such settings.

Highlights

Development of wastewater-based surveillance system based on on-site sanitation system for developing countries.

Association of different environmental parameters with the presence of SARS CoV-2 genetic material in wastewater.

Prediction of the viral concentration of sewage system using viral load and copy number parameter.

Graphical Abstract
Assessment of label-free quantification and missing value imputation for proteomics in non-human primates
Authors: Hamid Zeeshan , Zimmerman Kip D. , Guillen-Ahlers Hector , Li Cun , Nathanielsz Peter , Cox Laura A. , Olivier Michael
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Reliable and effective label-free quantification (LFQ) analyses are dependent not only on the method of data acquisition in the mass spectrometer, but also on the downstream data processing, including software tools, query database, data normalization and imputation. In non-human primates (NHP), LFQ is challenging because the query databases for NHP are limited since the genomes of these species are not comprehensively annotated. This invariably results in limited discovery of proteins and associated Post Translational Modifications (PTMs) and a higher fraction of missing data points. While identification of fewer proteins and PTMs due to database limitations can negatively impact uncovering important and meaningful biological information, missing data also limits downstream analyses (e.g., multivariate analyses), decreases statistical power, biases statistical inference, and makes biological interpretation of the data more challenging. In this study we attempted to address both issues: first, we used the MetaMorphues proteomics search engine to counter the limits of NHP query databases and maximize the discovery of proteins and associated PTMs, and second, we evaluated different imputation methods for accurate data inference.

Results

Using the MetaMorpheus proteomics search engine we obtained quantitative data for 1,622 proteins and 10,634 peptides including 58 different PTMs (biological, metal and artifacts) across a diverse age range of NHP brain frontal cortex. However, among the 1,622 proteins identified, only 293 proteins were quantified across all samples with no missing values, emphasizing the importance of implementing an accurate and statiscaly valid imputation method to fill in missing data. In our imputation analysis we demonstrate that Single Imputation methods that borrow information from correlated proteins such as Generalized Ridge Regression (GRR), Random Forest (RF), local least squares (LLS), and a Bayesian Principal Component Analysis methods (BPCA), are able to estimate missing protein abundance values with great accuracy.

Conclusions

Overall, this study offers a detailed comparative analysis of LFQ data generated in NHP and proposes strategies for improved LFQ in NHP proteomics data.
Species hybridisation and clonal expansion as a new fungicide resistance evolutionary mechanism in Pyrenophora teres spp
Authors: Turo Chala , Mair Wesley , Martin Anke , Ellwood Simon , Oliver Richard , Lopez-Ruiz Francisco
Published: August 2021

The barley net blotch diseases are caused by two fungal species of the Pyrenophora genus. Specifically, spot form net blotch is caused by P. teres f. sp. maculata (Ptm) whereas net form net blotch is caused by P. teres f. sp. teres (Ptt). Ptt and Ptm show high genetic diversity in the field due to intraspecific sexual recombination and hybridisation of the two species although the latter is considered rare. Here we present occurrence of a natural Ptt/Ptm hybrid with azole fungicides resistance and its implication to barley disease management in Australia. We collected and sequenced a hybrid, 3 Ptm and 10 Ptt isolates and performed recombination analyses in the intergenic and whole genome level. Eleven out of 12 chromosomes showed significant (P < 0.05) recombination events in the intergenic regions while variable recombination rate showed significant recombination across all the chromosomes. Locus specific analyses of Cyp51A1 gene showed at least four recombination breakpoints including a point mutation that alter target protein function. This point mutation did not found in Ptt and Ptm collected prior to 2013 and 2017, respectively. Further genotyping of fourteen Ptt, 48 HR Ptm, fifteen Ptm and two P. teres isolates from barley grass using Diversity Arrays Technology markers showed that all HR Ptm isolates were clonal and not clustered with Ptt or Ptm. The result confirms occurrence of natural recombination between Ptt and Ptm in Western Australia and the HR Ptm is likely acquired azole fungicide resistance through recombination and underwent recent rapid selective sweep likely within the last decade. The use of available fungicide resistance management tactics are essential to minimise and restrict further dissemination of these adaptive HR Ptm isolates.
Non-linear frequency-dependence of neurovascular coupling in the cerebellar cortex implies vasodilation-vasoconstriction competition
Authors: Gagliano Giuseppe , Monteverdi Anita , Casali Stefano , Laforenza Umberto , Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia A.M. , D’Angelo Egidio , Mapelli Lisa
Published: August 2021

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the process associating local cerebral blood flow (CBF) to neuronal activity (NA). Although NVC provides the basis for the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) effect used in functional MRI (fMRI), the relationship between NVC and NA is still unclear. Since recent studies reported cerebellar non-linearities in BOLD signals during motor tasks execution, we investigated the NVC/NA relationship using a range of input frequencies in acute mouse cerebellar slices of vermis and hemisphere. The capillary diameter increased in response to mossy fiber activation in the 6-300Hz range, with a marked inflection around 50Hz (vermis) and 100Hz (hemisphere). The corresponding NA was recorded using high-density multi-electrode arrays and correlated to capillary dynamics through a computational model dissecting the main components of granular layer activity. Here, NVC is known to involve a balance between the NMDAR-NO pathway driving vasodilation and the mGluRs-20HETE pathway driving vasoconstriction. Simulations showed that the NMDAR-mediated component of NA was sufficient to explain the time-course of the capillary dilation but not its non-linear frequency-dependence, suggesting that the mGluRs-20HETE pathway plays a role at intermediate frequencies. These parallel control pathways imply a vasodilation-vasoconstriction competition hypothesis that could adapt local hemodynamics at the microscale bearing implications for fMRI signals interpretation.
Engineering adoptive T cell therapy to co-opt Fas ligand-mediated death signaling in ovarian cancer enhances therapeutic efficacy
Authors: Anderson Kristin G. , Oda Shannon K. , Bates Breanna M. , Burnett Madison G. , Suarez Magdalia Rodgers , Ruskin Susan L. , Greenberg Philip D.
Published: August 2021

Background

In the U.S., more than 50% of ovarian cancer patients die within 5 years of diagnosis, highlighting the need for innovations such as engineered T cell therapies. Mesothelin (Msln) is an attractive immunotherapy target for this cancer, as it is overexpressed by the tumor and contributes to malignant and invasive phenotypes, making antigen loss disadvantageous to the tumor. We previously showed that adoptively transferred T cells engineered to be Msln-specific (TCR1045) preferentially accumulate within established ovarian tumors, delay tumor growth and significantly prolong survival in the ID8VEGF mouse model. However, T cell persistence and anti-tumor activity were not sustained, and we and others have previously detected FasL in the tumor vasculature and the tumor microenvironment (TME) of human and murine ovarian cancers, which can induce apoptosis in infiltrating lymphocytes expressing Fas receptor (Fas).

Methods

To concurrently overcome this mechanism for potential immune evasion and enhance T cell responses, we generated an immunomodulatory fusion protein (IFP) containing the Fas extracellular binding domain fused to a 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain, rather than the natural death domain. T cells engineered to express TCR1045 alone or in combination with the IFP were transferred into ID8VEGF-tumor bearing mice and evaluated for persistence, proliferation, anti-tumor cytokine production, and therapeutic efficacy.

Results

Relative to T cells modified only to express TCR1045, T cells engineered to express both TCR1045 and a Fas IFP preferentially persisted in the TME of tumor-bearing mice due to improved T cell proliferation and survival. Moreover, adoptive immunotherapy with IFP+ T cells significantly prolonged survival in tumor-bearing mice, relative to TCR1045 T cells lacking the IFP.

Conclusions

Fas/FasL signaling can mediate T cell death in the ovarian cancer microenvironment, as well as induce activation-induced cell death, an apoptotic mechanism responsible for regulating T cell expansion. Upregulation of FasL by tumor cells and tumor vasculature represents a mechanism for protecting growing tumors from attack by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. As many solid tumors overexpress FasL, an IFP that converts the Fas-mediated death signal into pro-survival and proliferative signals may provide an opportunity to enhance engineered adoptive T cell therapy against many malignancies.
Intraspecific interaction of host plant influences local distribution of specialist herbivores through metabolic alterations in leaves
Authors: Ohsaki Haruna , Miyagi Atsuko , Kawai-Yamada Maki , Yamawo Akira
Published: August 2021

Recent studies suggest that changes in leaf traits due to interactions between plants affect the resource utilisation and distribution of herbivores. However, this has not yet been confirmed experimentally. Here, we investigated the effects of phenotypic plasticity in leaf traits of Rumex obtusifolius (host plant) in response to the intra- and interspecific interaction on distribution of two leaf beetles, Gastrophysa atrocyanea (specialist herbivore) and Galerucella grisescens (generalist herbivore).

We investigated the local population density of R. obtusifolius plants and the presence of leaf beetles on the plants at five study sites. Leaf chemicals (condensed tannins and total phenolics) were compared between aggregated and solitary R. obtusifolius plants. To clarify the effects of the interaction environment of R. obtusifolius plants on their leaf traits and resource utilisation by leaf beetles, we conducted cultivation and preference experiments. Leaf chemicals (chlorophylls, organic acids, primary metabolites, condensed tannins and total phenolics) and preferences of adult leaf beetles were compared between intraspecific, interspecific plant interaction, or no-interaction treatments. Finally, we evaluated the effects of interaction between R. obtusifolius on leaf beetle distribution in mesocosm experiments.

In the field, the presence of the specialist leaf beetle, G. atrocyanea, was positively correlated with the local population density (rosette overlap ratio) of R. obtusifolius plants; however, no correlation was observed in the case of the generalist leaf beetle, G. grisescens. In the cultivation experiment, plants in the intraspecific interaction treatment increased their leaf contents of condensed tannins and total phenolics, and G. atrocyanea consumed more of these leaves than leaves in other treatments. Similar results were observed in the field. In the mesocosm experiment, larger numbers of G. atrocyanea were distributed on R. obtusifolius plants exposed to below-ground intraspecific interaction than on plants not exposed to intraspecific interaction.

Our results provide experimental evidence that leaf-trait changes in response to intraspecific interaction between host plants influence specialist herbivore distribution. This highlights the need to integrate plant–plant interactions into our understanding of plant–animal interactions.
Unique signals of clinal and seasonal allele frequency change at eQTLs in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Yu Yang , Bergland Alan O.
Published: August 2021

Populations of short-lived organisms can respond to spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity through local adaptation. Local adaptation can be reflected on both phenotypic and genetic levels, and it has been documented in many organisms. Although some complex fitness-related phenotypes have been shown to vary across latitudinal clines and seasons in similar ways in Drosophila melanogaster populations, we lack a general understanding of the genetic architecture of local adaptation across space and time. To address this problem, we examined patterns of allele frequency change across latitudinal clines and between seasons at previously reported expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). We divided eQTLs into groups by utilizing differential expression profiles of fly populations collected across a latitudinal cline or exposed to different environmental conditions. We also examined clinal and seasonal patterns of allele frequency change at eQTLs grouped by tissues. In general, we find that clinally varying polymorphisms are enriched for eQTLs, and that these eQTLs change in frequency in predictable ways across the cline and in response to starvation tolerance. The enrichment of eQTL among seasonally varying polymorphisms is more subtle, and the direction of allele frequency change at eQTL appears to be somewhat idiosyncratic. Taken together, we suggest that clinal adaptation at eQTLs is distinct than that of seasonal adaptation.
NusG links transcription and translation in Escherichia coli extracts
Authors: Bailey Elizabeth J. , Gottesman Max E. , Gonzalez Ruben L.
Published: August 2021

In bacteria, transcription is coupled to, and can be regulated by, translation. Although recent structural studies suggest that the N-utilization substance G (NusG) transcription factor can serve as a direct, physical link between the transcribing RNA polymerase (RNAP) and the lead ribosome, mechanistic studies investigating the potential role of NusG in mediating transcription-translation coupling are lacking. Here, we report development of a cellular extract- and reporter gene-based, in vitro biochemical system that supports transcription-translation coupling as well as the use of this system to study the role of NusG in coupling. Our findings show that NusG is required for coupling and that the enhanced gene expression that results from coupling is dependent on the ability of NusG to directly interact with the lead ribosome. Moreover, we provide strong evidence that NusG-dependent coupling enhances gene expression through a mechanism in which the lead ribosome that is tethered to the RNAP by NusG suppresses spontaneous backtracking of the RNAP on its DNA template that would otherwise inhibit transcription.
The human TRPA1 intrinsic cold and heat sensitivity involves separate channel structures beyond the N-ARD domain
Authors: Moparthi Lavanya , Sinica Viktor , Filipovic Milos , Vlachova Viktorie , Zygmunt Peter M.
Published: August 2021

The human TRPA1 (hTRPA1) is an intrinsic thermosensitive ion channel responding to both cold and heat, depending on the redox environment. Here, we have studied purified hTRPA1 truncated proteins to gain further insight into the temperature gating of hTRPA1. We found in patch-clamp bilayer recordings that Δ1-688 hTRPA1, without the N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain (N-ARD), was more sensitive to cold and heat, whereas Δ1-854 hTRPA1 that is also lacking the S1-S4 voltage sensing-like domain (VSLD) gained sensitivity to cold but lost its heat sensitivity. The thiol reducing agent TCEP abolished the temperature sensitivity of both Δ1-688 hTRPA1 and Δ1-854 hTRPA1. Cold and heat activity of Δ1-688 hTRPA1 and Δ1-854 hTRPA1 were associated with different structural conformational changes as revealed by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence measurements. Heat evoked major structural rearrangement of the VSLD as well as the C-terminus domain distal to the transmembrane pore domain S5-S6 (CTD), whereas cold only caused minor conformational changes. As shown for Δ1-854 hTRPA1, a sudden drop in tryptophan fluorescence occurred within 25-20°C indicating a transition between heat and cold conformations of the CTD, and thus it is proposed that the CTD contains a bidirectional temperature switch priming hTRPA1 for either cold or heat. In whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology experiments, replacement of the cysteines 865, 1021 and 1025 with alanine modulated the cold sensitivity of hTRPA1 when heterologously expressed in HEK293T cells. It is proposed that the hTRPA1 CTD harbors cold and heat sensitive domains allosterically coupled to the S5-S6 pore region and the VSLD, respectively.
Comparative proteomic analysis of vancomycin-sensitive and vancomycin-intermediate resistant S. aureus
Authors: Xu Jia , Han Xin Jun , Yang Ya Li , Peng Pei Lan , Hou Yong Zhi , Yu Zhao , Han Pei Ru , Hu Jian , Ma Xiao Xue
Published: August 2021

The extensive use of vancomycin has led to the development of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) strains with varying degrees of resistance to vancomycin. Accumulation of surplus cell wall material, decreased cross-linking of peptidoglycan, and/ or other cell wall alterations has been put forward to explain the VISA phenotype. To our knowledge, the protein profiles of hVISA and VISA strains are rarely analyzed via quantitative comparative proteomics. In this study, we subjected subcellular fractions isolated from two isogenic S. aureus strains (vancomycin-intermediate resistant S. aureus) to proteomic analysis, using an integrated quantitative proteomic approach assisted by bioinformatic analysis. In total,128 up-regulated proteins (mainly AhpC, Adh, ArgF et al.) were identified,21 down-regulated proteins (mainly LtaS, SdrD, MsrR, MsrB, OatA et al.) were obtained. The largest group of differentially expressed proteins is composed of enzymic proteins associated with metabolic and catalytic activity, which accounts for 50% and 51% of the total proteins, respectively.Some proteins which take an indispensable part in the regulatory networks of S. aureus with vancomycin treatment are related to Cell wall metabolism ( MurA ), Cell adhesion ( SdrC, SdrD, ClfA, ClfB ), Proteolysis ( Atl, LytM, SceD ) and Pressure response ( MsrA, MsrB, AhpC ) process.In conclusion, our proteomic study revealed regulatory proteins associated with vancomycin resistance in S. aureus, and some of these proteins are involved in the regulation of cell metabolism and function, providing protential targets for further development of drug resistance strategies.
A simulation of the thermal environment of a plastic body of a new type of launch vehicle at the atmospheric phase of the trajectory
Authors: Dreus Andrii , Yemets Vitaly , Dron Mykola , Yemets Mykhailo , Golubek Aleksandr
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Leading developers and providers in the modern space launch market note a splash in the development of ultralight launch vehicle (LV), driven by the growing demand for small satellites for large constellations in low Earth orbits. One of the promising ways to solve the problem of the quick launch of such satellites is to use a new type of ultralight launch vehicle with a plastic body. The project of such a launch vehicle was proposed by Oles Honchar Dnipro National University (Ukraine). Along with that, there is a need for appropriate research studies on the thermal resistance of the plastic shell, as the physical, mechanical and thermophysical characteristics of polymers significantly differ from traditional aerospace materials. The purpose of this study is to validate the design and ballistic parameters of such a launch vehicle in terms of providing an acceptable thermal environment at the atmospheric phase of the trajectory.

Design/methodology/approach

The workability of a new type of propulsion system is being investigated experimentally in bench conditions. To study the process of aerodynamic heating of a plastic shell, numerical modeling based on the integration of the flight dynamics and heat transfer equations is used.

Findings

Brief information about the design of a new type of ultra-light autophage launch vehicle with a plastic body is presented. A mathematical model for the movement of the launch vehicle at the atmospheric phase of the trajectory, and for the heating of the polyethylene body of the launch vehicle, taking into account the dynamic change in the atmospheric parameters is proposed. The influence of the motion trajectory on the thermal environment of the rocket body is investigated, rational motion trajectories and corresponding permissible g-loads are determined.

Originality/value

The fundamental possibility of using plastic (polyethylene) as a structural material and fuel for bodies of a new type of ultralight launch vehicles has been substantiated. It is shown that to ensure acceptable thermal conditions of a plastic body, it is necessary to use thermal insulation. It is proposed to use a polymeric Teflon coating as such thermal insulation. The results are important for the development of technologies for launching small satellites into orbit, as the use of plastic as the main structural material of the rocket body will significantly reduce the launch cost.
How do search-based and experience-based information matter in the evaluation of user satisfaction? The case of TripAdvisor
Authors: Liu Wuqiang , Shih Hung-Pin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In the context of multi-sided platforms (MSPs), the authors address the evaluation of search- and experience-based information and the effect on different components of user satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument was developed by either modifying previous measures or developing new scales. The authors collected the sample of experienced 300 TripAdvisor users via online questionnaire survey of a customer panel. The structural equation modeling (SEM) package (AMOS) with the maximum likelihood estimation method was used to test the sample data.

Findings

Attitudes toward search-based information can foster user satisfaction with information interaction rather than user satisfaction with social interaction. Attitudes toward experience-based information can foster user satisfaction with information interaction and user satisfaction with social interaction. The motivation for information interaction is stronger than the motivation for social interaction to enhance user satisfaction with information quality.

Research limitations/implications

The distinction between search- and experience-based information provides different route messages to develop the attitude-driven framework of platform-enabled interactions.

Practical implications

The support for platform-enabled interactions to enhance the motivation for information and social interactions should be aligned with the evaluation of information quality.

Originality/value

The satisfaction-driven framework has been widely used to examine the post-adoption of information technologies (IT). In contrast, the attitude-driven framework was less examined in the literature. The authors develop a research model based on the attitude-driven framework to examine the platform-enabled interactions that can foster repeated intention.
Reduction of power loss by Henry's law-based soluble gas, mobula alfredi and balanced condition optimization algorithms
Authors: Kanagasabai Lenin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Purpose of this paper are Real power loss reduction, voltage stability enhancement and minimization of Voltage deviation.

Design/methodology/approach

In HLG approach as per Henry gas law sum of gas dissolved in the liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure on above the liquid. Gas dissolving in the liquid which based on Henry gas law is main concept to formulate the proposed algorithm. Populations are divided into groups and all the groups possess the similar Henry constant value. Exploration and exploitation has been balanced effectively. Ranking and position of the worst agents is done in order to avoid the local optima. Then in this work Mobula alfredi optimization (MAO) algorithm is projected to solve optimal reactive power problem. Foraging actions of Mobula alfredi has been imitated to design the algorithm. String foraging, twister foraging and backward roll foraging are mathematically formulated to solve the problem. In the entire exploration space the Mobula alfredi has been forced to discover new regions by assigning capricious position. Through this approach, exploration competence of the algorithm has been improved. In all iterations, the position of the Mobula alfredi has been updated and replaced with the most excellent solution found so far. Exploration and exploitation capabilities have been maintained sequentially. Then in this work balanced condition algorithm (BCA) is projected to solve optimal reactive power problem. Proposed BCA approach based on the conception in physics- on the subject of the mass; incoming, exit and producing in the control volume. Preliminary population has been created based on the dimensions and number of particles and it initialized capriciously in the exploration space with minimum and maximum concentration. Production control parameter and Production probability utilized to control the exploration and exploitation.

Findings

Proposed Henry's Law based -soluble gas optimization (HLG) algorithm, Mobula alfredi optimization (MAO) algorithm and BCA are evaluated in IEEE 30 bus system with L-index (Voltage stability) and also tested in standard IEEE 14, 30, 57, 118, 300 bus test systems without L- index. Real power loss minimization, voltage deviation minimization, and voltage stability index enhancement has been attained.

Originality/value

For the first time Henry's Law based -soluble gas optimization (HLG) algorithm, Mobula alfredi optimization (MAO) algorithm and BCA is projected to solve the power loss reduction problem.
Is a new office a blessing in disguise? The strategic importance of relocation
Authors: Tuomala Essi , Danivska Vitalija , Gustafsson Robin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Corporate relocation is a rare event in the history of an individual company. The choices related to location, building and workplace constitute major long-term strategic decisions that determine the company’s future operating environment. However, business decision-makers often do not evaluate all the aspects of relocation before making relocation decisions. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to systemise the knowledge behind corporate relocation and the strategic qualities and impacts of these choices.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper is based on a comprehensive literature review of 74 articles on the strategic qualities of short-distance corporate relocation of knowledge-intensive firms. Based on the review insights, a conceptual model of the strategic operational qualities for work environment selection is developed.

Findings

This paper identifies three strategic layers of physical environment change, namely, location, building and physical work environment, which need to be considered when deciding to relocate. Corporate relocation affects a company through five operational qualities, namely, staff productivity, costs, employee retention and availability, operational changes and organisational culture.

Practical implications

Relocation is a complex process for an individual company. Justifying choices based on direct costs can lead to unexpected changes in indirect costs for the company. This paper helps decision-makers understand the strategic importance of corporate relocation, identify relocation goals and plan successful relocation.

Originality/value

This paper uses a strategy and organisation lens to provide a systematic overview and synthesis of the strategic qualities of short-distance corporate relocation of knowledge-intensive firms.
Effects of activity-based workspaces on employee belongingness
Authors: Gao Shang , Low Sui Pheng , Gong Hua Qian
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the activity-based workspace (ABW) on employee belonging. Place attachment theory (PAT) is used as a proxy to understand and measure the belongingness of employees to their physical workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a bank’s newly retrofitted ABW office is conducted, providing fresh perspectives on the effect of ABW on employee belonging. A questionnaire survey was used to understand employee belongingness. Surveys are conducted with employees of the bank (n = 100) who experienced the transition from the conventional open-plan office with designated seats to an ABW, to understand and compare the change in employee belonging after the transition, by studying the level of belonging achieved in the space before and after.

Findings

The results showed that there was a positive sense of belongingness amongst employees working in the ABW space, as per the PAT framework and an increased sense of belongingness compared with the previous conventional open-plan office. However, ABWs were found to also have a negative effect on employees’ sense of control and security.

Originality/value

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs indicates that a feeling of belonging is fundamental to humans. The need for belonging is also applicable in the workplaces of today’s progressive corporate organisations, where there is increased pressure and incentive to appeal to and retain talent. This research was conducted in response to the huge growth in interest in activity-based working across the corporate real estate community. As there has been no prior research done in the area of the emotional need for belongingness in ABW.
Stakeholders’ perceptions of book piracy’s benefits to society in Lithuania
Authors: Grigas Vincas , Gudinavičius Arūnas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Book piracy represents a threat to the publishing industry, while for the society, book piracy provides some benefits. The purpose of this study is to examine views of readers, authors and publishers in Lithuania on book piracy’s benefits to society.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses phenomenography to examine readers’, authors’ and publishers’ reflections on book piracy’s potential social benefits. The authors collected research data via semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 10 participants from each group (readers, authors and publishers – a total of 30 interviews).

Findings

Six qualitatively different categories of attitudes were revealed, namely, that book piracy provides easier and more convenient access to books, helps readers save money, pushes readers to read more, helps for authors to gain more popularity, provides wider access to books and provides consumers with moral satisfaction. The similarities between readers’, authors’ and publishers’ views on benefits of book piracy outweigh the differences.

Practical implications

Theoretical background indicates that stakeholders’ explicitly stated attitudes towards book piracy contribute to their book piracy intentions. This study hopes to help publishers in Lithuania confront the challenge of book piracy and develop effective strategies to attenuate a normative framework with four actionable recommendations to help professionals in the publishing industry to better address book piracy.

Originality/value

Book piracy continues to perplex publishers, in part because they lack a clear understanding of the social and psychological underpinnings of book piracy. This study aims to develop such an understanding by filling gap in the literature on book piracy: the lack of work on readers’, authors’ and publishers’ perceptions of book piracy’s individual and social benefits.
The prohibition of speculation in Islamic finance: fairness and framing
Authors: Kanwal Aneeka
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present a simple behavioural explanation of the prohibition of speculation in Islamic finance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a theoretical model that describes how investors from low income strata of the society may be prone to make sub-optimal decisions when they compare their outcome from a speculative trading activity to that of the counterparty to the trade and perceive inequity to exist.

Findings

When individuals from low income strata of the society compare their current situation with the average income of the society, they perceive themselves to be in a loss. This creates a loss frame within which they then evaluate all future outcomes. When such individuals invest in speculative trading activities and incur a loss, they compare their outcome from the trade to that of the counterparty to the trade. As speculative trades are a zero sum game, the counterparty makes an equivalent gain from the trade. Thus, the comparison leads to a perception of inequity. This perception of inequity is aggravated by the loss frame within which the investor is operating. The aggravated inequity aversion may then motivate the investor to make further sub-optimal decisions like repeated speculative trading activities. The Islamic prohibition on speculative trading activities may serve to protect low income investors from entering into such cycles of sub-optimal decisions.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique explanation of why day trading and short selling may be prohibited in Islamic capital markets.