bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exposure to the predator odor TMT induces early and late differential gene expression related to stress and excitatory synaptic function throughout the brain in male rats
Authors: Tyler Ryan E. , Weinberg Ben , Lovelock Dennis , Ornelas Laura , Besheer Joyce 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPersistent changes in brain stress and glutamatergic function are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rodent exposure to the predator odor trimethylthiazoline (TMT) is an innate stressor that produces lasting behavioral consequences relevant to PTSD. As such, the goal of the present study was to assess early (6 hours and 2 days) and late (4 weeks) changes to gene expression (RT-PCR) related to stress and excitatory function following TMT exposure in male, Long-Evans rats. During TMT exposure, rats engaged in stress reactive behaviors, including digging and immobility. Further, the TMT group displayed enhanced exploration and mobility in the TMT-paired context one week after exposure, suggesting a lasting contextual reactivity. Gene expression analyses revealed upregulatedFKBP56 hours post-TMT in the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus. Two days after TMT,GRM3was downregulated in the prelimbic cortex and dorsal hippocampus, but upregulated in the nucleus accumbens. This may reflect an early stress response (FKBP5) that resulted in later glutamatergic adaptation (GRM3). Finally, four weeks after TMT exposure, several differentially expressed genes known to mediate excitatory tripartite synaptic function were observed. Specifically in the prelimbic cortex (GRM5, DLG4andSLC1A3upregulated), infralimbic cortex (GRM2downregulated,Homer1upregulated), nucleus accumbens (GRM7andSLC1A3downregulated), dorsal hippocampus (FKBP5andNR3C2upregulated,SHANK3downregulated) and ventral hippocampus (CNR1, GRM7, GRM5, SHANK3, andHomer1downregulated). These data demonstrate that TMT exposure stress induces early and late stress and excitatory molecular adaptations, which may help us understand the persistent glutamatergic dysfunction observed in PTSD.
Comparison of the NeuMoDX, Diasorin Simplexa, Cepheid and Roche CDC SARS-CoV 2 EUA assays using nasopharyngeal/nasal swabs in universal transport media (UTM) and sputum and tracheal aspirates
Authors: Tibbetts Robert , Callahan Kathy , Rofoo Kareem , Zarbo Richard J. , Samuel Linoj 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn March 2019 the outbreak of SARS-CoV 2 was officially defined as a pandemic by the World Health Organization and shortly after, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) molecular testing for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from NP swabs. Since then, EUA with relaxed regulations were granted to numerous manufacturers and clinical microbiology laboratories to implement in-house testing assays with nasopharyngeal swabs (NP) and subsequently additional specimen types. Because of supply chain shortages leading to competition for reagents, sustaining any significant volume of testing soon became problematic. As a countermeasure, within several weeks the Henry Ford Microbiology Laboratory validated 4 different rtPCR assays and multiple specimen types using NeuMoDX, Diasorin Simplexa, Cepheid and Roche platforms. The purpose of this study was to analyze the analytic sensitivity of these rtPCR assays with NP/nasal swabs and sputum/tracheal aspirates. Qualitative analytic agreement between the 4 platforms for NP/nasal swabs ranged 95% - 100% overall with no statistically significant difference in threshold cT values. Similar results were obtained with the sputum/tracheal aspirates. These data demonstrate the high accuracy and reproducibility in detection of SARS-CoV 2 between the rtPCR assays performed on 4 different platforms with numerous specimen types.
Modelling Capacity on London Underground Carriages in Light of UK Government Mandated Social Distancing Rules in Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Marley Justin 
Published: May 2020

ConsultantThe UK has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and London in particular has experienced a large number of cases. The London Underground is a key part of the transport for London. The UK Government has implemented social distancing rules meaning that people should be 2 metres from each other. The current paper models the impact of the social distancing on the carrying capacity of 10 different underground and overground carriages. The model determines the optimal standing and seating capacity for the different carriages and identifies logistical approaches to the seating and standing arrangements.
Extensive Healthy Donor Age/Gender Adjustments and Propensity Score Matching Reveal Physiology of Multiple Sclerosis through Immunophenotyping
Authors: Hannikainen Paavali A. , Kosa Peter , Barbour Christopher , Bielekova Bibiana 
Published: May 2020

AbstractQuantifying cell subpopulations in biological fluids aids in diagnosis and understanding of the mechanisms of injury. Although much has been learned from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow cytometry in neuroimmunological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), previous studies did not contain enough healthy donors (HD) to derive age- and gender-related normative data and sufficient heterogeneity of other inflammatory neurological diseases (OIND) controls to identify MS specific changes.The goals of this blinded, training and validation study of MS patients and embedded controls, representing 1240 prospectively-acquired paired CSF/blood samples from 588 subjects was: 1. To define physiological age/gender-related changes in CSF cells; 2. To define/validate cellular abnormalities in blood and CSF of untreated MS through disease duration (DD) and determine which are MS-specific; 3. To compare effect(s) of low-efficacy (i.e., interferon-beta [IFN-beta] and glatiramer acetate [GA]) and high-efficacy drugs (i.e., natalizumab, daclizumab and ocrelizumab) on MS-related cellular abnormalities using propensity score matching.Physiological gender differences are less pronounced in the CSF compared to blood, while age- related changes suggest decreased immunosurveillance of CNS by activated, HLA-DR+ T cells associated with natural aging. Results from patient samples support concept of MS being immunologically single disease evolving in time. Initially, peripherally activated innate and adaptive immune cells migrate into CSF to form MS lesions. With progression, T cells (CD8+ > CD4+), NK cells and myeloid dendritic cells are depleted from blood as they continue to accumulate, together with B cells, in the CSF and migrate to CNS tissue forming compartmentalized inflammation. All MS drugs inhibit non-physiological accumulation of immune cells in the CSF. While low efficacy drugs tend to normalize it, high efficacy drugs overshoot some aspects of CSF physiology suggesting impairment of CNS immunosurveillance. Comparable inhibition of MS-related CSF abnormalities advocates changes within CNS parenchyma responsible for differences in drug’s efficacy on MS disability progression.Video summarizing all results may become useful educational tool.
COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Risk Factors for Severe Infection
Authors: Chaudhry Farhan , Bulka Helena , Rathnam Anirudha S. , Said Omar M , Lin Jia , Lorigan Holly , Bernitsas Eva , Rube Jacob , Korzeniewski Steven J , Memon Anza B , Levy Phillip D. , Javed Adil , Lisak Robert , Cerghet Mirela 
Published: May 2020

AbstractImportanceMultiple sclerosis patients have been considered a higher-risk population for COVID-19 due to the high prevalence of disability and disease-modifying therapy use; however, no study has identified clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes.ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis, including staging, degree of disability, and disease-modifying therapy use that are associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19.DesignProspective cohort study looking at the outcomes of multiple sclerosis patients with COVID-19 between March 1stand May 18th2020.SettingThis is a multicenter study of three distinct hospital systems within the U.S.ParticipantsThe study included 40 consecutive patients with nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection.ExposuresMultiple sclerosis staging, severe disability (based on baseline-extended disability status scale equal to or greater than 6.0) and disease-modifying therapy.Main Outcomes and MeasureSeverity of COVID-19 infection was based on hospital course, where a mild course was defined as the patient not requiring hospital admission, moderate severity was defined as the patient requiring hospital admission to the general floor only, and most severe was defined as requiring intensive care unit admission and/or death.ResultsFor the 40 patients, the median age was 52(45.5-61) years, 16/40(40%) were male, and 21/40(52.5%) were African American. 19/40(47.5%) had mild courses, 15/40(37.5%) had moderate courses, and 6/40(15%) had severe courses. Patients with moderate and severe courses were significantly older than those with a mild course (57[50-63] years old and 66[58.8-69.5] years old vs 48[40-51.5] years old, P=0.0121, P=0.0373). There was differing prevalence of progressive multiple sclerosis staging in those with more severe courses (severe:2/6[33.3%]primary-progressing and 0/6[0%]secondary-progressing, moderate:1/14[7.14%] and 5/14[35.7%] vs mild:0/19[0%] and 1/19[5.26%], P=0.0075, 1 unknown). Significant disability was found in 1/19(5.26%) mild course-patients, but was in 9/15(60%, P=0.00435) of moderate course-patients and 2/6(33.3%, P=0.200) of severe course-patients. Disease-modifying therapy prevalence did not differ among courses (mild:17/19[89.5%], moderate:12/15[80%] and severe:3/6[50%], P=0.123).Conclusions and RelevanceMultiple sclerosis patients with more severe COVID-19 courses tended to be older, were more likely to suffer from progressive staging, and had a higher degree of disability. However, disease-modifying therapy use was not different among courses.
Non-Invasive Single-Cell Morphometry in Living Bacterial Biofilms
Authors: Zhang Mingxing , Zhang Ji , Wang Yibo , Wang Jie , Achimovich Alecia M. , Acton Scott T. , Gahlmann Andreas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFluorescence microscopy enables spatial and temporal measurements of live cells and cellular communities. However, this potential has not yet been fully realized for investigations of individual cell behaviors and phenotypic changes in dense, three-dimensional (3D) bacterial biofilms. Accurate cell detection and cellular shape measurement in densely packed biofilms are challenging because of the limited resolution and low signal to background ratios (SBRs) in fluorescence microscopy images. In this work, we present Bacterial Cell Morphometry 3D (BCM3D), an image analysis workflow that combines deep learning with mathematical image analysis to accurately segment and classify single bacterial cells in 3D fluorescence images. InBCM3D, deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are trained using simulated biofilm images with experimentally realistic SBRs, cell densities, labeling methods, and cell shapes. We systematically evaluate the segmentation accuracy ofBCM3Dusing both simulated and experimental images. Compared to state-of-the-art bacterial cell segmentation approaches,BCM3Dconsistently achieves higher segmentation accuracy and further enables automated morphometric cell classifications in multi-population biofilms.
“Monoclonal-type” plastic antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
Authors: Parisi Ortensia Ilaria , Dattilo Marco , Patitucci Francesco , Malivindi Rocco , Pezzi Vincenzo , Perrotta Ida , Ruffo Mariarosa , Amone Fabio , Puoci Francesco 
Published: May 2020

Summary of the ideaOur idea is focused on the development of “monoclonal-type” plastic antibodies based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) able to selectively bind a portion of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to block its function and, thus, the infection process. Molecular Imprinting, indeed, represents a very promising and attractive technology for the synthesis of MIPs characterized by specific recognition abilities for a target molecule. Given these characteristics, MIPs can be considered tailor-made synthetic antibodies obtained by a templating process.In the present study, the developed imprinted polymeric nanoparticles were characterized in terms of particles size and distribution by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the imprinting effect and selectivity were investigated by performing binding experiments using the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the novel coronavirus and the RBD of SARS-CoV spike protein, respectively. Finally, the hemocompatibility of the prepared MIP-based plastic antibodies was also evaluated.
Neurobiological underpinnings of rapid white matter plasticity during intensive reading instruction
Authors: Huber Elizabeth , Mezer Aviv , Yeatman Jason D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDiffusion MRI is a powerful tool for imaging brain structure, but it is challenging to discern the biological underpinnings of plasticity inferred from these and other non-invasive MR measurements. Biophysical modeling of the diffusion signal aims to render a more biologically rich image of tissue microstructure, but the application of these models comes with important caveats. A separate approach for gaining biological specificity has been to seek converging evidence from multi-modal datasets. Here we use metrics derived from diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and the white matter tract integrity (WMTI) model along with quantitative MRI measurements of T1 relaxation to characterize changes throughout the white matter during an 8-week, intensive reading intervention (160 total hours of instruction). Behavioral measures, multi-shell diffusion MRI data, and quantitative T1 data were collected at regular intervals during the intervention in a group of 33 children with reading difficulties (7-12 years old), and over the same period in an age-matched non-intervention control group. Throughout the white matter, mean ‘extra-axonal’ diffusivity was inversely related to intervention time. In contrast, model estimated axonal water fraction (AWF), overall diffusion kurtosis, and T1 relaxation time showed no significant change over the intervention period. Both diffusion and quantitative T1 based metrics were correlated with pre-intervention reading performance, albeit with distinct anatomical distributions. These results are consistent with the view that rapid changes in diffusion properties reflect phenomena other than widespread changes in myelin density. We discuss this result in light of recent work highlighting non-axonal factors in experience-dependent plasticity and learning.HighlightsDiffusion MRI measurements in white matter show changes linked to an educational intervention.Tissue modeling results point to changes within the extra-axonal space.Complementary MRI measurements fail to suggest a widespread change in white matter in myelination over the intervention period.Both diffusion and quantitative T1 measures correlate with pre-intervention reading skill.
Enhanced X-ray diffraction of in vivo-grown μNS crystals by viscous jets at XFELs
Authors: Nagaratnam Nirupa , Tang Yanyang , Botha Sabine , Saul Justin , Li Chufeng , Hu Hao , Zaare Sahba , Hunter Mark , Lowry David , Weierstall Uwe , Zatsepin Nadia , Spence John C. H. , Qiu Ji , LaBaer Joshua , Fromme Petra , Martin-Garcia Jose M. 
Published: May 2020

μNS is a 70 kDa major nonstructural protein of avian reoviruses, which cause significant economic losses in the poultry industry. They replicate inside viral factories in host cells, and the μNS protein has been suggested to be the minimal viral factor required for factory formation. Thus, determining the structure of μNS is of great importance for understanding its role in viral infection. In the study presented here, a fragment consisting of residues 448–605 of μNS was expressed as an EGFP fusion protein in Sf9 insect cells. EGFP-μNS(448–605) crystallization in Sf9 cells was monitored and verified by several imaging techniques. Cells infected with the EGFP-μNS(448–605) baculovirus formed rod-shaped microcrystals (5–15 µm in length) which were reconstituted in high-viscosity media (LCP and agarose) and investigated by serial femtosecond X-ray diffraction using viscous jets at an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL). The crystals diffracted to 4.5 Å resolution. A total of 4227 diffraction snapshots were successfully indexed into a hexagonal lattice with unit-cell parameters a = 109.29, b = 110.29, c = 324.97 Å. The final data set was merged and refined to 7.0 Å resolution. Preliminary electron-density maps were obtained. While more diffraction data are required to solve the structure of μNS(448–605), the current experimental strategy, which couples high-viscosity crystal delivery at an XFEL with in cellulo crystallization, paves the way towards structure determination of the μNS protein.
Examining the effectiveness of compensatory adaptation from a consumer's perspective in evaluating products online
Authors: Lim Jaejoo , Wollscheid Jim R. , Ayyagari Ramakrishna 
Published: May 2020

PurposeConsumers often encounter issues of perceived ambiguity and performance risk when attempting to evaluate experience goods being offered online. Sellers try to alleviate this knowledge gap often seen in a medium of low naturalness by engaging in effective compensatory adaptation. This research theoretically looks into three primary aspects of compensatory adaption and their potential in securing communication of high-quality information between the online seller and consumer.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing survey data and structural equation modeling, this study tests the effectiveness of different aspects of compensatory adaption to alleviate the knowledge gap in a medium of low naturalness.FindingsDrawing on media naturalness theory and the tripartite model of attitude, this paper identifies three theoretical components that significantly affect the effectiveness of compensatory adaption. They are information retrieval capability from the cognitive/logical aspect, information richness from the affective/audiovisual aspect and interactivity from the behavioral aspect. The effectiveness of compensatory adaptation proves to have a positive impact on perceived information quality.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper in the information systems literature to examine the compensatory adaptation tools for effective transfer of information. This study contributes to the academics by providing three handles to improve effectiveness of compensatory adaptation toward information quality. We focus on three compensatory adaptation tools in cognitive/logical, affective/audiovisual and behavioral aspects, and this compensation perspective leads to three practical factors that affect effective transfer of information between online sellers and consumers. The result of this study complements the nomological network of the enablers and impediments of e-commerce.
Accounting graduate readiness for work: a case study of South East Asia
Authors: Phan Duc , Yapa Prem , Nguyen Ha Thanh 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis paper compares and contrasts graduate accountant skills and employers' expectations in South East Asia (SEA).Design/methodology/approachWe analyse the employers' expectation performance gap (EPG) in three countries – Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam – to provide a reflection on current professional accounting development in SEA. The study relies on data derived from multiple sources including job advertisements, CIMA “ready for business” project, Glassdoor website and other secondary data sources.FindingsThe findings indicate that over recent decades, the changing nature of the economy, state, and interest of the business sector (including the “Big Four”) have led to the wider adoption of professional accountancy qualifications. The findings suggest that graduates should be equipped with active learning activities such as project-based and work-integrated training to fill the expectation gaps between local university educators and employers.Research limitations/implicationsDrawing upon a literature review of professional accounting education, we use the results of the documentations and secondary analysis to describe the performance expectation gap of accounting education in SEA.Originality/valueThe study indicates a large discrepancy between the teachings in accounting education and employer requirements in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia and propose different methods to fill this employability gap in South East Asia.
Role of learning agility and learning culture on turnover intention: an empirical study
Authors: Tripathi Aastha , Srivastava Rajlaxmi , Sankaran Raja 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effect of learning culture (LC) and learning agility (LA) on employee’s turnover intention (TI) in connection to information technology (IT) industries in India.Design/methodology/approachThis research study analysed 258 samples of entry-level and middle-level executives working in IT software companies constituted in Southern India. Data was collected both electronically and in hard-copy. The research model was tested by structural equation modeling technique with the aid of AMOS software.FindingsThe findings illustrate the indirect effect of LC on TI while a direct effect on LA and also a positive and significant effect of LA on TI.Research limitations/implicationsThe first limitation is that this study does not cover top-level executives, therefore, it has limited implications and the second is that the respondents filled the questionnaire voluntarily by their beliefs.Originality/valueThis study contributes towards the development of LC, which will help in building LA in employees thereby reduce the employee’s TI.
Do equity incentives for the managements have impact on stock-pricing efficiency? Evidence from China
Authors: Long Yue-e , Huang Xinyi 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of equity incentive on stock pricing efficiency, as well as the institutional investors’ response to equity incentive and its role in stock pricing efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 1,842 companies that announce implementing equity incentive schemes during the period 2009-2018, the authors compare the pricing efficiency between the firms with equity incentive and those without equity incentive, and companies that implement equity incentive before and after the implementation of equity incentive by using multiple regression and propensity score matching -DID (difference in difference) method. In addition, the multiple regression model is built to test the response of institutional investors to equity incentive and its role in the efficiency of stock pricing.

Findings
The empirical results indicate that a company’s stock price is influenced more by firm-specific information than systematic factors after it announces a stock-based compensation scheme. Institutional investors respond positively to companies that implement equity incentives. Among the companies that have implement equity incentive, the higher the shareholding ratio of institutional investors, the higher the efficiency of stock pricing.

Originality/value
The authors innovatively establish a connection between the implementation of equity incentive and the operation of stock market. The results imply that besides alleviating the agency problem, equity incentives can also improve the efficiency of stock pricing, which provide empirical evidence to support the positive effect of equity incentive.