bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monolingual and bilingual infants rely on the same brain networks: Evidence from resting-state functional connectivity
Authors: Blanco Borja , Molnar Monika , Carreiras Manuel , Collins-Jones Liam H. , Vidal Ernesto , Cooper Robert J. , Caballero-Gaudes César 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis study examines whether bilingual exposure has a profound effect on the functional organization of the developing human brain during infancy. Recent behavioural research attests that monolingual vs. bilingual experience affects cognitive and linguistic processes already during the first months of life. However, to what extent the intrinsic organization of the infant human brain adapts to monolingual vs. bilingual environments is unclear. We measured spontaneous hemodynamic brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in a large cohort (N=99) of 4-month-old monolingual and bilingual infants. We implemented well-established analysis approaches of functional brain imaging that enabled us to reveal the functional organization of the infant brain in large-scale cortical networks, and to perform group-level comparisons (i.e., monolingual vs. bilingual groups) in a reliable manner. Our results revealed no differences between the intrinsic functional organization of the developing monolingual and bilingual infant brain at 4 months of age.
Host Adaptation PredisposesPseudomonas aeruginosato Type VI Secretion System-Mediated Predation by theBurkholderia cepaciaComplex
Authors: Perault Andrew I , Chandler Courtney E , Rasko David A , Ernst Robert K , Wolfgang Matthew C , Cotter Peggy A 
Published: April 2020

SUMMARYPseudomonas aeruginosa(Pa) andBurkholderia cepaciacomplex (Bcc) species are opportunistic lung pathogens of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). WhilePacan initiate long-term infections in younger CF patients, Bcc infections only arise in teenagers and adults. BothPaand Bcc use type VI secretion systems (T6SS) to mediate interbacterial competition. Here, we show thatPaisolates from teenage/adult CF patients, but not those from young CF patients, are outcompeted by the epidemic Bcc isolateBurkholderia cenocepaciastrain AU1054 (BcAU1054) in a T6SS-dependent manner. The genomes of susceptiblePaisolates harbor T6SS-abrogating mutations, the repair of which, in some cases, rendered the isolates resistant. Moreover, seven of eight Bcc strains outcompetedPastrains isolated from the same patients. Our findings suggest that certain mutations that arise asPaadapts to the CF lung abrogate T6SS activity, makingPaand its human host susceptible to potentially fatal Bcc superinfection.
Pioneer factor Foxa2 enables ligand-dependent activation of LXRα
Authors: Kain Jessica , Wei Xiaolong , Price Andrew J. , Woods Claire , Bochkis Irina M. 
Published: April 2020

SummaryType II nuclear hormone receptors, such as FXR, LXR, and PPAR, which function in glucose and lipid metabolism and serve as drug targets for metabolic diseases, are permanently positioned in the nucleus regardless of the ligand status. Ligand activation of these receptors is thought to occur by co-repressor/co-activator exchange, followed by initiation of transcription. However, recent genome-wide location analysis showed that LXRα and PPARα binding in the liver is largely ligand-dependent. We hypothesized that pioneer factor Foxa2 evicts nucleosomes to enable ligand-dependent receptor binding. We show that chromatin accessibility, LXRα occupancy, and LXRα-dependent gene expression upon ligand activation require Foxa2. Unexpectedly, Foxa2 occupancy is drastically increased when LXRα is bound by an agonist. Our results suggest that Foxa2 and LXRα bind DNA as an interdependent complex during ligand activation. Our model requiring pioneering activity for ligand activation challenges the existing co-factor exchange mechanism and expands current understanding of nuclear receptor biology, suggesting that chromatin accessibility needs to be considered in design of drugs targeting nuclear receptors.
Identification of Functional Noncoding RNA-encoded Proteins on Lipid Droplets
Authors: Huang Ting , Bamigbade Adekunle T. , Xu Shimeng , Deng Yaqin , Xie Kang , Ogunsade Ololade O. , Mirza Ahmed Hammad , Wang Jifeng , Liu Pingsheng , Zhang Shuyan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOver the past decade, great progress in sequencing technologies and computational biology has revealed that the majority of the mammalian genome considered to be noncoding is rich in functional elements able to produce proteins. Many RNA molecules, mis-annotated as noncoding, actually harbor small open reading frames that are predicted to code for proteins. Some of those proteins have been verified to play critical roles in multiple biological processes. The lipid droplet (LD) is a unique cellular organelle, conserved from bacteria to humans, and is closely associated with cellular lipid metabolism and metabolic disorders. No noncoding RNA-coded proteins have been identified on LDs. Here, for the first time, we searched the organelle for their presence. After the enrichment of small proteins of LDs isolated from myoblasts, we used mass spectrometry coupled with our lab made protein database to identify LD-associated noncoding RNA-encoded proteins (LDANPs). A total of 15 new proteins were identified. One of them was studied further and termed LDANP1. LDANP1 was localized on LDs by imaging, cell fractionation, and immunogold labeling. Like LD resident proteins, LDANP1 was degraded by the proteasome. Using the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technique, the endogenous expression of LDANP1 was validated. The stable expression of LDANP1 suppressed the accumulation of triacylglycerol in oleic acid treated myoblasts and inhibited the rescue of palmitate-inhibited insulin sensitivity by oleic acid. In summary, we report for the first time that translatable, nominally noncoding RNA-derived proteins, which are new and cannot be identified using current research methods, were associated with LDs and that among these, LDANP1 modulated lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The discovery of noncoding RNA-encoded proteins on LDs paves a new way for the research of LDs and lipid metabolism.
Morphological integration between seeds and seedlings ofHymenaea courbaril
Authors: Regnier Leonardo de Lima Pereira 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTMorphological integrations are unknown to forestry seeds. Understanding if seed measurements could predict its future seedlings features is a central question in seedling production.Hymenaea courbarilis an important species in this context and to the applied forestry. Thus, this study aimed to understand how some seedling features, could be related to the seed weight, and be affected by the population origin. The measurements consisted of seedling collar diameter, weight, protophilus area, central and lateral vein. Seed weight consistently varied between the populations in the study. Both populations had higher weight ranges than mentioned in the literature. There was no strong evidence that greater seed weight requires lesser time to germinate, conflicting with previous information. All the measurements presented enough shreds of evidence to be considered different when comparing the populations, except for the protophilus area and lateral vein length. All the studied measurements presented low correlation indexes to seed weight, except for seedling collar diameter, and seedling weight, which presented a moderate correlation. Protophilus elongation pattern was strongly associated with the leaf width when compared to midvein.
Immune factor of bacterial origin protects ticks against host skin microbes
Authors: Hayes Beth M. , Radkov Atanas D. , Yarza Fauna , Flores Sebastian , Kim Jungyun , Zhao Ziyi , Lexa Katrina W. , Marnin Liron , Biboy Jacob , Bowcut Victoria , Vollmer Waldemar , Pedra Joao H. F. , Chou Seemay 
Published: April 2020

SummaryHard ticks are blood-feeding arthropods that carry and transmit microbes to their vertebrate hosts1. Tick-borne disease cases have been on the rise over the last several decades, drawing much-needed attention to the molecular interplay between transmitted pathogens and their human hosts. However, far less is known about how ticks control their own microbes, which is critical for understanding how zoonotic transmission cycles persist. We previously found that ticks horizontally acquired an antimicrobial toxin gene from bacteria known asdomesticatedamidaseeffector 2(dae2)2. Here we show that this effector from the tick vectorIxodes scapularis(Dae2Is) has structurally and biochemically diverged from ancestral bacterial representatives, expanding its antibacterial targeting range to include host skin microbes. Disruption ofdae2Isincreases the burden of skin-associated staphylococci withinI. scapularisand adversely affects tick fitness, suggesting resistance of host microbes may be important for the parasitic blood-feeding lifestyle. In contrast, Dae2Ishas no intrinsic ability to killBorrelia burgdorferi, the tick-borne bacterium of Lyme disease. Our observations suggest that ticks have evolved to tolerate their own symbionts while resisting host skin commensals, which we discover are natural opportunistic pathogens of ticks. This work moves our understanding of vector biology beyond a human-centric view: just as tick commensals are pathogenic to humans, so too do our commensals pose a threat to ticks. These observations illuminate how a complex and mirrored set of interkingdom interactions between blood-feeding vectors, their hosts, and associated microbes can ultimately lead to disease.
Changes to the resistome ofPseudomonas aeruginosaclone ST308 associated with corneal infection over time
Authors: Khan Mahjabeen , Willcox Mark D P , Rice Scott A , Sharma Savitri , Stapleton Fiona 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesThis study compared the resistomes of isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosaclone ST308 from 2018 and 1997 from India.MethodsTwo ocular clonal type ST308 isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosa(198 and 219) isolated in 2018 and five historical isolates (31, 32, 33, 35 and 37) isolated in 1997 at the LV Prasad Eye Institute in India were analysed for their susceptibilities to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, piperacillin, imipenem, ceftazidime and polymyxin B. DNA was extracted using the DNeasy® Blood and Tissue. Paired-end library was prepared using Nextera XT DNA library preparation kit. Libraries were sequenced on Illumina® MiSeq bench top sequencer generating 300 bp paired-end reads. Spades v3.12.0 was used for assembly, Resfinder v3.1. for acquired resistance genes and Snippy V2 for variants calling. Integron finder v1.5.1 was used to identify the integrons present in the genomes.ResultsThe recent isolate 219 was resistant to all tested antibiotics except polymyxin while isolate 198 was resistant to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin and tobramycin. Among historical isolates five were resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin and ciprofloxacin, four were resistant to levofloxacin while two were resistant to polymyxin. Twenty-four acquired resistance genes were present in the 2018 isolates compared to 11 in the historical isolates. All isolates contained the following genes encoding for aminoglycosideaph(6)-Id,aph(3′)-lIb, aph(3″)-Ib), beta-lactam (blaPAO), tetracycline (tet(G)), fosfomycin(fosA), chloramphenicol (catB7), sulphonamide (sul1), quaternary ammonium (qacEdelta1)and fluoroquinolone (crpP)resistance. Isolate 198 possessedaph(3′)-VI,rmtD2, qnrVC1, blaOXA-488, blaPME-1, while 219 possessedaadA1, rmtB, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, blaTEM-1B, blaVIM-2, mph(E), mph(A), msr(E). In the isolate 219 genesblaTEM-1b,blaVIM-2,sul1,qnrvc1,rmtBandaadA1were carried on class 1 integron. While an incomplete class 1 integron was also found in isolate 198 which was located on the genome where genermtB,blaPME-1,qnrVC1andsul1genes were positioned. There were no notable differences in the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms, but recent isolates carried more insertions and deletions in their genes.ConclusionP. aeruginosaocular clonal isolates have changed over time, with strains acquiring genes and having more insertions and deletions in their chromosomal genes that confirm resistance to antibiotics.HighlightsRecent clonal ocular isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosafrom India have acquired a number of resistance genes compared to historical clonesConsequently, resistance to antibiotics particularly fluoroquinolones in recent clones ofP. aeruginosaappears to have increased.The acquired resistance genes found in the recentP. aeruginosaisolates were related to mobile genetic elements.
Homologous protein domains in SARS-CoV-2 and measles, mumps and rubella viruses: preliminary evidence that MMR vaccine might provide protection against COVID-19
Authors: Young Adam , Neumann Bjoern , Mendez Rocio Fernandez , Reyahi Amir , Joannides Alexis , Modis Yorgo , Franklin Robin JM 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 disease is one of worst pandemics to sweep the globe in recent times. It is noteworthy that the disease has its greatest impact on the elderly. Herein, we investigated the potential of childhood vaccination, specifically against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), to identify if this could potentially confer acquired protection over SARS-CoV-2. We identified sequence homology between the fusion proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and measles and mumps viruses. Moreover, we also identified a 29% amino acid sequence homology between the Macro (ADP-ribose-1’’-phosphatase) domains of SARS-CoV-2 and rubella virus. The rubella Macro domain has surface-exposed conserved residues and is present in the attenuated rubella virus in MMR. Hence, we hypothesize that MMR could protect against poor outcome in COVID-19 infection. As an initial test of this hypothesis, we identified that 1) age groups that most likely lack of MMR vaccine-induced immunity had the poorest outcome in COVID-19, and 2) COVID-19 disease burden correlates with rubella antibody titres, potentially induced by SARS-CoV2 homologous sequences. We therefore propose that vaccination of ‘at risk’ age groups with an MMR vaccination merits further consideration as a time appropriate and safe intervention.
Functional Features of TREHALOSE-6-PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE1, an Essential Enzyme in Arabidopsis[OPEN]
Authors: Fichtner Franziska , Olas Justyna J. , Feil Regina , Watanabe Mutsumi , Krause Ursula , Hoefgen Rainer , Stitt Mark , Lunn John E. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), TREHALOSE-6-PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE1 (TPS1) catalyzes the synthesis of the sucrose-signaling metabolite trehalose 6-phosphate (Tre6P) and is essential for embryogenesis and normal postembryonic growth and development. To understand its molecular functions, we transformed the embryo-lethal tps1-1 null mutant with various forms of TPS1 and with a heterologous TPS (OtsA) from Escherichia coli, under the control of the TPS1 promoter, and tested for complementation. TPS1 protein localized predominantly in the phloem-loading zone and guard cells in leaves, root vasculature, and shoot apical meristem, implicating it in both local and systemic signaling of Suc status. The protein is targeted mainly to the nucleus. Restoring Tre6P synthesis was both necessary and sufficient to rescue the tps1-1 mutant through embryogenesis. However, postembryonic growth and the sucrose-Tre6P relationship were disrupted in some complementation lines. A point mutation (A119W) in the catalytic domain or truncating the C-terminal domain of TPS1 severely compromised growth. Despite having high Tre6P levels, these plants never flowered, possibly because Tre6P signaling was disrupted by two unidentified disaccharide-monophosphates that appeared in these plants. The noncatalytic domains of TPS1 ensure its targeting to the correct subcellular compartment and its catalytic fidelity and are required for appropriate signaling of Suc status by Tre6P.
Investigating the appeal of a visitor guide: a triangulated approach
Authors: Shen Ye (Sandy) , Lever Michael , Joppe Marion 
Published: April 2020

PurposeDestination management organizations deliver travel-related information through visitor guides to build destination awareness and attract potential tourists. Therefore, this research aims to investigate how people read such a guide, understand their attitudes and to provide recommendations on enhancing its design.Design/methodology/approachThis research used eye-tracking technology in tandem with surveys and in-depth interviews. Eye-tracking technology uncovered the elements of a visitor guide that attracted particular attention, whereas surveys and interviews provided deeper insights into people’s attitudes toward them.FindingsPeople do not spend attention equally on each page of a visitor guide. Instead, they look at the reference points (i.e. photo credits, photos, headings and bolded words) and then read the adjacent areas if the information triggers their interest. The characteristics of the attractive components of a visitor guide were discussed and suggestions on designing a more appealing guide were provided.Research limitations/implicationsThe triangulated approach not only generated objective and insightful results but also enhanced research validity. This exploratory sequential mixed method can usefully be applied to test other stimuli and assess attention.Practical implicationsTo be deemed appealing, a visitor guide should avoid ads unrelated to the destination, include more photos, use the list format and bolded words, add stories or selected comments from social media and provide well-designed maps.Originality/valueThis research fills a gap in the literature by using a triangulated approach including eye-tracking, survey and interviews to examine a 68-page visitor guide. The concept of reference-point reading behavior is proposed. Practical implications are discussed to improve the design of a visitor guide.
Authentic leadership towards sustainability in higher education – an integrated green model
Authors: Srivastava Anugamini Priya , Mani Venkatesh , Yadav Mohit , Joshi Yatish 
Published: April 2020

PurposeSustainability in higher education has drawn the attention of various scholars. However, to date, very few studies have examined the human side of green employee behaviour towards sustainability. Thus, to address this gap, this study aims to analyse the effect of green authentic leadership towards sustainability in higher education, with the intervening impact of green internal branding and green training.Design/methodology/approachThe study examined the data collected from faculty and their immediate heads from private higher education institutions. Tests for reliability, validity and internal consistency of measures followed by exploratory factor analysis were conducted for each measure. The hypotheses were tested through hierarchical regression analysis while confirmatory factor analysis was done to test the fit of the model.FindingsThe results supported the fit of the proposed model and showed positive and significant effect of green authentic leadership on the sustainability in higher education. Further, green internal branding had a mediating effect between green authentic leadership and sustainability and green training showed a significant moderating role between green authentic leadership and sustainability relationship.Originality/valueThe study contributes to ongoing research in the field of green employee behaviour, green HRM practices and sustainability in higher education. Further, the study provides practical implications to enable higher education institution to work towards sustenance effectively.
Up‐regulation of miR‐135b expression induced by oxidative stress promotes the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells under high glucose condition
Authors: Xiao Ling , Luo Dan , Pi Pei , Hu Man‐li , Li Xiang‐you , Yin Qing‐qiao 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of miR‐135b in high glucose‐induced oxidative stress of renal tubular epithelial cells. Here, in vivo experiments found that compared to the control group, miR‐135b expression was significantly up‐regulated in the diabetes group, whereas BMP7 mRNA and protein levels were down‐regulated. In high glucose‐treated renal tubular epithelial cells (HK‐2) in vitro, oxidative stress was induced, which up‐regulated miR‐135b expression. In addition, the regulation of miR‐135b on BMP7 expression was confirmed in HK‐2 cells. Under high glucose conditions, oxidative stress promoted the apoptosis of HK‐2 cells through the up‐regulation of miR‐135b expression. In vivo experiments indicated that interference with miR‐135b improved renal function in mice with diabetic nephropathy. In conclusion, these results indicated that the up‐regulation of miR‐135b expression induced by oxidative stress promotes the apoptosis of HK‐2 cells under high glucose conditions.
Tying the Acquirer's Human Resource Management Quality to Cross‐Border Acquisition Divestment Probability: Curvilinear Connection with Slacklining
Authors: Avetisyan Emma , Baruch Yehuda , Meschi Pierre‐Xavier , Metais Emmanuel , Norheim‐Hansen Anne 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCross‐border acquisitions are growing in volume and global economic importance, yet a considerable number end in failure. Many of these failures may be linked to people management‐related issues. We extend this stream of research by investigating the impact of the acquirer's aggregate human resource management (HRM) quality on cross‐border acquisition divestment. Our empirical analysis uses a panel database of 4128 cross‐border acquisition/year observations and an event history design. The findings confirm a curvilinear relationship and suggest that acquisition failures are not merely associated with poor HRM quality, but also with very high levels of HRM quality, that is, with both extremes. Moreover, our results show that financial slack has a significant moderating effect on the curvilinear relationship between HRM quality and the likelihood of acquisition divestment. Overall, our study reveals boundary conditions for the widely demonstrated positive relationship between HRM quality and organizational performance in an acquisition context.
Accelerating down a Road to Nowhere: On Inventing the Future by Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams
Authors: Gildea Florence 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn Inventing the Future, Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams implore those on the left not to fear automation but rather to harness it in order to overturn neoliberalism. However, their argument is built upon a controversial philosophy which goes unnamed in the body of the text: accelerationism, the first principles of which would overthrow the very understanding of human nature on which Western democracy has operated for centuries. Their vision also entails a way of doing politics and designing policy which radically differs from representative democracy and grassroots movements as they seek to engineer consent and to form a revolutionary vanguard—not just to overthrow capitalism, but to embark on a journey of continually re‐engineering humanity itself.