bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P2X-GCaMPs as versatile tools for imaging extracellular ATP signaling
Authors: Ollivier Matthias , Beudez Juline , Linck Nathalie , Grutter Thomas , Compan Vincent , Rassendren Francois 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAdenosine 5’ triphosphate (ATP) is an extracellular signaling molecule involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Yet,in situcharacterization of the spatiotemporal dynamic of extracellular ATP is still challenging due to the lack of sensor with appropriate specificity, sensitivity and kinetics. Here we report the development of biosensors based on the fusion of cation permeable ATP receptors (P2X) to genetically encoded calcium sensors (GECI). By combining the features of P2X receptors with the high signal to noise ratio of GECIs, we generated ultrasensitive green and red fluorescent sniffers that detect nanomolar ATP concentrationsin situand also enable the tracking of P2X receptor activity. We provide the proof of concept that these sensors can dynamically track ATP release evoked by neuronal depolarization or by extracellular hypotonicity. Targeting these P2X-based biosensors to diverse cell types should advance our knowledge of extracellular ATP dynamicsin vivo.
Susceptibility of novel Italian rice varieties to panicle blast under field conditions
Authors: Mongiano Gabriele , Titone Patrizia , Bregaglio Simone , Tamborini Luigi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA panel of 48 of Italian rice varieties recently included in the Common Catalogue of Agricultural Species was evaluated for susceptibility to rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzaeB. Couch) in open field conditions. Trials were performed under highly favourable conditions for the pathogen, and visual assessments focused on the severity and incidence of panicle blast symptoms. Only 8% of newly released varieties were classified as resistant, whereas 40% were highly susceptible. Our results confirmed that a fungicide treatment with tricyclazole reduces the disease incidence and severity and that the effect is measurable up to six weeks after treatment. A double application of tricyclazole at stem elongation and booting stage was more effective than the single application at booting. This study provides ready-to-use information to support rice growers in variety choice and planning of plant protection strategies, as well as public institutions in the emanation of guidelines for integrated pest management.
Locally-invasive, castrate-resistant prostate cancer in a Pten/Trp53 double knockout mouse model of prostate cancer monitored with non-invasive bioluminescent imaging
Authors: Yong Courtney , Moose Devon L. , Bannick Nadine , Vanneste Marion , Svensson Robert , Breheny Patrick , Brown James A. , Cohen Michael B. , Henry Michael D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHere we have improved an existing mouse model of prostate cancer based on prostate-specific deletion ofPtenandTrp53by incorporating a Cre-activatable luciferase reporter. By coupling the deletion of those genes to the activation of a luciferase reporter, we were able to monitor tumor burden non-invasively over time. We show that, consistent with previous reports, deletion of bothPtenandTrp53on a C57BL/6 background accelerates tumor growth and results in both the loss of androgen receptor expression and castrate resistant tumors as compared with loss ofPtenalone. Loss ofTrp53results in the development of sarcomatoid histology and the expression of markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition Zeb1 and vimentin, with kinetics and penetrance dependent on whether one or both alleles ofTrp53were deleted. Homozygous deletion ofTrp53andPtenresulted in uniformly lethal disease by 25 weeks. While we were able to detect locally invasive disease in the peritoneal cavity in aggressive tumors from the double knockout mice, we were unable to detect lymphatic or hematogenous metastatic disease in lymph nodes or at distant sites.
Clinical factors affecting evoked magnetic fields in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Naganuma Ryoji , Yabe Ichiro , Takeuchi Megumi , Morishita Kirari , Nakane Shingo , Takase Ryoken , Takahashi-Iwata Ikuko , Matsushima Masaaki , Otsuki Mika , Shiraishi Hideaki , Sasaki Hidenao 
Published: April 2020

AbstractStudies on evoked responses in Parkinson’s disease (PD) may be useful for elucidating the etiology and quantitative evaluation of PD. However, in previous studies, the association between evoked responses and detailed motor symptoms or cognitive functions has not been clear. This study investigated the characteristics of the visual (VEF), auditory (AEF), and somatosensory (SEF) evoked magnetic fields in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and the correlations between evoked fields and the patient’s clinical characteristics, motor symptoms, and cognitive functions. Twenty patients with PD and 10 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited as participants. We recorded VEF, AEF, and SEF, collected clinical characteristics, performed physical examinations, and administered 10 cognitive tests. We investigated differences in the latencies of the evoked fields between patients with PD and HCs. We also evaluated the correlation of the latencies with motor symptoms and cognitive functioning. There were significant differences between the two groups in 6 of the cognitive tests, all of which suggested mild cognitive impairment in patients with PD. The latencies of the VEF N75m, P100m, N145m, AEF P50m, P100m, and SEF P60m components were greater in the patients with PD than in the HCs. The latencies mainly correlated with medication and motor symptoms, less so with cognitive tests, with some elements of the correlations remaining significant after Bonferroni correction. In conclusion, the latencies of the VEF, AEF, and SEF were greater in PD patients than in HCs and were mainly correlated with medication and motor symptoms rather than cognitive functioning. Findings from this study suggest that evoked fields may reflect basal ganglia functioning and are candidates for assessing motor symptoms or the therapeutic effects of medication in patients with PD.
Cell-free prototyping of limonene biosynthesis using cell-free protein synthesis
Authors: Dudley Quentin M. , Karim Ashty S. , Nash Connor J. , Jewett Michael C. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMetabolic engineering of microorganisms to produce sustainable chemicals has emerged as an important part of the global bioeconomy. Unfortunately, efforts to design and engineer microbial cell factories are challenging because design-built-test cycles, iterations of re-engineering organisms to test and optimize new sets of enzymes, are slow. To alleviate this challenge, we demonstrate a cell-free approach termedin vitroPrototyping and Rapid Optimization of Biosynthetic Enzymes (or iPROBE). In iPROBE, a large number of pathway combinations can be rapidly built and optimized. The key idea is to use cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) to manufacture pathway enzymes in separate reactions that are then mixed to modularly assemble multiple, distinct biosynthetic pathways. As a model, we apply our approach to the 9-step heterologous enzyme pathway to limonene in extracts fromEscherichia coli. In iterative cycles of design, we studied the impact of 54 enzyme homologs, multiple enzyme levels, and cofactor concentrations on pathway performance. In total, we screened over 150 unique sets of enzymes in 580 unique pathway conditions to increase limonene production in 24 hours from 0.2 to 4.5 mM (23 to 610 mg/L). Finally, to demonstrate the modularity of this pathway, we also synthesized the biofuel precursors pinene and bisabolene. We anticipate that iPROBE will accelerate design-build-test cycles for metabolic engineering, enabling data-driven multiplexed cell-free methods for testing large combinations of biosynthetic enzymes to inform cellular design.TOC FigureHighlightsApplied the iPROBE framework to build the nine-enzyme pathway to produce limoneneAssessed the impact of cofactors and 54 enzyme homologs on cell-free enzyme performanceIteratively optimized the cell-free production of limonene by exploring more than 580 unique reactionsExtended pathway to biofuel precursors pinene and bisabolene
Membrane voltage dysregulation driven by metabolic dysfunction underlies bactericidal activity of aminoglycosides
Authors: Bruni Giancarlo N. , Kralj Joel M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics whose mechanism of bactericidal activity has been under debate. It is widely accepted, however, that membrane voltage potentiates aminoglycoside activity, which is ascribed to voltage dependent drug uptake. In this paper, we measured the single cell response ofEscherichia colitreated with aminoglycosides and discovered that the bactericidal action arises not from the downstream effects of voltage dependent drug uptake, but rather directly from dysregulated membrane potential. In the absence of voltage, aminoglycosides are taken into cells and exert bacteriostatic effects by inhibiting translation. However, cell killing was immediate upon re-polarization. The hyperpolarization arose from altered ATP flux, which induced a reversal of the F1Fo-ATPase to hydrolyze ATP and generated the deleterious voltage. Heterologous expression of an ATPase inhibitor fromSalmonellacompletely eliminated bactericidal activity, while loss of the F-ATPase significantly reduced the electrophysiological response to aminoglycosides. Our data support a model of voltage induced death, which could be resolved in real-time at the single cell level, and separates the mechanisms of aminoglycoside bacteriostasis and bactericide inE. coli.
C-terminal HA tags compromise function and exacerbate phenotypes ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeBloom’s helicase homolog Sgs1 SUMOylation-associated mutants
Authors: Cohen Matan , Lichten Michael 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe Sgs1 helicase and Top3-Rmi1 decatenase form a complex that affects homologous recombination outcomes during the mitotic cell cycle and during meiosis. Previous studies have reported that Sgs1-Top3-Rmi1 function is regulated by SUMOylation that is catalyzed by the Smc5-Smc6-Mms21 complex. These studies used strains in whichSGS1was C-terminally tagged with three or six copies of a human influenza hemagglutinin-derived epitope tag (3HA and 6HA). They identifiedSGS1mutants that affect its SUMOylation, which we will refer to asSGS1SUMO-site mutants. In previous work, these mutants showed phenotypes consistent with substantial loss of Sgs1-Top3-Rmi1 function during the mitotic cell cycle. We find that the reported phenotypes are largely due to the presence of the HA epitope tags. UntaggedSGS1SUMO-site mutants show either wild-type or weak hypomorphic phenotypes, depending on the assay. These phenotypes are exacerbated by both 6HA and 3HA epitope tags in two differentS. cerevisiaestrain backgrounds. Importantly, a C-terminal 6HA tag confers strong hypomorphic or null phenotypes on an otherwise wild-type Sgs1 protein. Taken together, these results suggest that the HA epitope tags used in previous studies seriously compromise Sgs1 function. Furthermore, they raise the possibilities either that sufficient SUMOylation of the Sgs1-Top3-Rmi1 complex might still occur in the SUMO-site mutants isolated, or that Smc5-Smc6-Mms21-mediated SUMOylation plays a minor role in the regulation of Sgs1-Top3-Rmi1 during recombination.
Destination food research: a bibliometric citation review (2000–2018)
Authors: Lyu Venessa Chan , Lai Ivan K.W. , Ting Hiram , Zhang Hongfeng 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the knowledge infrastructure of destination food research based on a systematic literature review. This bibliometric analysis involves authors, institutions, countries and co-citation networks and discloses trending developments in the field.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on 176 articles published in hospitality and tourism journals during the period 2000–2018 and bibliometric data downloaded from the ISI Web of Science. This review applies bibliometric analysis, citation network analysis and content analysis to examine the structure and networks of destination food knowledge so as to provide destination food researchers with a reference guide to the context, methods and focus of previous studies.FindingsThe findings demonstrate the development and trends of destination food research. This is the first study to address the limitations of prior systematic literature reviews by applying network analysis to reveal the interrelated structures and properties of the destination food research domain.Practical implicationsPractitioners can also discover trends in the design of development strategies, as well as identify extended themes that may be integrated with research in the field of destination food at present.Originality/valueAs a summary of key characteristics, this report is a useful reference guide to previous studies for researchers. This study presents core content about the destination food field and identifies development trends within destination food research. Based on the results, further research directions are provided.
Development of virtual reality and stereo-panoramic environments for construction safety training
Authors: Jeelani Idris , Han Kevin , Albert Alex 
Published: April 2020

PurposeWorkers and construction professionals are generally not proficient in recognizing and managing safety hazards. Although valuable, traditional training experiences have not sufficiently addressed the issue of poor hazard recognition and management in construction. Since hazard recognition and management are cognitive skills that depend on attention, visual examination and decision-making, performance assessment and feedback in an environment that is realistic and representative of actual working conditions are important. The purpose of this paper is to propose a personalized safety training protocol that is delivered using robust, realistic and immersive environments.Design/methodology/approachTwo types of virtual environments were developed: (1) Stereo-panoramic environments using real construction scenes that were used to evaluate the performance of trainees accurately and (2) A virtual construction site, which was used to deliver various elements of instructional training. A training protocol was then designed that was aimed at improving the hazard recognition and management performance of trainees. It was delivered using the developed virtual environments. The effectiveness of the training protocol was experimentally tested with 53 participants using a before–after study.FindingsThe results present a 39% improvement in hazard recognition and a 44% improvement in hazard management performance.Originality/valueThis study combines the benefits of using a virtual environment for providing instructional training along with realistic environments (stereo-panoramic scenes) for performance assessment and feedback. The training protocol includes several new and innovative training elements that are designed to improve the hazard recognition and hazard management abilities of the trainees. Moreover, the effectiveness of training in improving hazard recognition and hazard management is measured using specific outcome variables.
Dynamic performance incentive model with supervision mechanism for PPP projects
Authors: Zhang Hong , Yu Lu , Zhang Wenyu 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThis study is aimed to explore the dynamic performance incentive model for a flexible PPP contract to handle uncertainties based on supervision during the long-time concession period, so as to ensure operation performance and benefits of the public sector while protecting the economic benefit of the private sector, thus avoiding unnecessary renegotiation.Design/methodology/approachThe microeconomic and principal–agent theories and relevant studies on the basic incentive model and flexible contract are fully utilized. The procedure for developing the dynamic incentive model and the assumptions about the quantitative relationships among fundamental variables or factors are first proposed. The static incentive model without incentive parameter adjustment and then the dynamic incentive model allowing incentive parameter adjustment are successively developed. Finally, the propositions regarding the valid adjustment ranges of the incentive parameter with respect to the economic, social and hybrid benefits of the public sector and the economic benefit of the private sector are suggested.FindingsThe dynamic incentive model enables to achieve a flexible contract to handle uncertainties on the PPP project to ensure the benefits of the public sector while protecting the benefit of the private sector. The economic, social and hybrid benefits of the public sector and the economic benefit of the private sectors can be respectively realized through adjusting the reward–punishment coefficient under different adjustment ranges and different importance. The incentive model is able to ensure the benefits of the public sector while protecting the benefit of the private sector by controlling the private sector's effort level unknown to the public sector.Originality/valueThe dynamic incentive model helps implement a flexible PPP contract to handle uncertainties during the operation period, thus controlling the effort level of the private sector and ensuring the benefits of the public sector while protecting the economic benefit of the sector. It enables to clarify the quantitative relationships between the operation performance, the benefits of the stakeholders, the effort level of the private sector and the reward–punishment coefficient. This study contributes to the domain knowledge of the incomplete contract theory for designing a flexible PPP contract with dynamic incentive and supervision mechanism by applying the microeconomic and principal–agent theories.
Planning, management and administration of HS contents with BIM and VR in construction: an implementation protocol
Authors: Getuli Vito , Capone Pietro , Bruttini Alessandro 
Published: April 2020

PurposeBuilding construction is considered a complex, dynamic and highly hazardous process, which embraces many factors that are potentially dangerous to workers. Many studies proved that the improvement of preventive and proactive measures – dynamically included in the building design, planning and construction – could reduce site accidents as well as increase the site productivity. In this context, process management models and information visualization techniques such as building information modeling (BIM) and virtual reality (VR) seem to be devoted to strongly contribute to the advancement of the current safety management practices. For these reasons, the presented contribution is based on the assumption that a more nuanced approach for construction worker's safety training is warranted and the authors propose a safety training protocol based on BIM-enabled VR activity simulations.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology comprised a safety training protocol based on BIM-enabled VR activity simulations. The protocol addresses three methodological issues: (1) Planning in terms of training typologies and related health and safety contents to be implemented in the VR construction site scenarios; (2) Management regarding the solution to integrate BIM and game technologies to deliver VR training experiences; (3) Administration in terms of definition of standardized rules to define a safety training schedule in a given construction project.FindingsThis work contributes to provide a standardized protocol for a viable integration of BIM and VR technologies for construction safety training in real projects.Practical implicationsThe VR training protocol was applied to a construction project based in Italy that served as case study for the development of the training sessions' contents and their implementation. This case demonstrated the feasibility of the protocol's implementation and pointed out the drawbacks and limitations on which further efforts need to be spent in order to take the proposed protocol from a prototypical stage to a maturity for its larger-scale adoption from the practitioners involved in construction safety training.Originality/valueThe research gives a contribution to reduce the currently existing knowledge gap regarding how BIM and VR can be simultaneously integrated in real projects for construction safety training by using standardized rules to be extensively reproduced in different construction projects. It uses a customized toolkit with a mobile smartphone solution to administer Safety Training Scenarios which increases its portability in construction site compared to PC-based VR solutions.
Organizational diversity and inclusive boundary-work: the case of Israeli hospitals
Authors: Keshet Yael 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe theoretical conceptualization of boundaries is proposed as a useful approach to study diversity in organizations.Design/methodology/approachTwo types of diversity in health-care organizations – functional diversity and social category diversity – are compared, drawing on two extensive studies of Israeli hospitals. One study addresses the boundary between the medical professions and complementary medicine and the other examines the boundary between Israel's Jewish ethnic majority and the Arab minority.FindingsWith regard to functional diversity, boundary-work is used to draw, redraw, and maintain the boundary between biomedicine professionals and complementary medicine practitioners. With respect to social category diversity, boundary-work is employed to blur the boundary between Jewish and Arab professionals working within the organization and the ideal of professionalism is used as a boundary object to blur this ethno-national boundary.Originality/valueThis typology is offered in the hope of providing greater theoretical insight into the study of organizational diversity in the context of power relations.
A novel synthetic index of two counts and mathematical model for researcher evaluation
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Li Qi , Yang Yingjie 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a novel synthetic index of two counts and mathematical model for researcher evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA synthetic indexLfor researcher evaluation considering both the total number of other citations (C) and nonacademic impact (I) and a synthetic evaluation model are proposed in this paper.CandIare verified impact indexes. According to investigation by Delphi method, researchers are divided into five different classes of “below average,” “average,” “good,” “excellent” and “stellar.” The threshold values for countsCof grey class “stellar” are determined by deep investigation. The possibility functions of the two countsCandIon four grey classes of “below average,” “average,” “good” and “excellent” are built.FindingsThe novel synthetic index of two counts and mathematical model for researcher evaluation provide a better way to conduct researcher assessment.Practical implicationsThe synthetic indexLpresented in this paper can be used to evaluate a researcher. It's more reasonable than the current research assessment indexes such as the number of publications and the numbers of so-called high-quality journal publications and the amount of granted funds and so on. The synthetic indexLreflects the actual value created by a researcher. No artificial maneuver can change them significantly.Originality/valueA synthetic indexLfor researcher evaluation considering both the total number of other citations (C) and nonacademic impact (I) and a synthetic evaluation model are proposed in this paper.