bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis and Structural Dynamics of the Emergence of Genetic Variants of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Castonguay Nicolas , Zhang Wandong , Langlois Marc-Andre 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTThe novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and is the causative agent for the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the betacoronavirus genus. Due to the error-prone nature of the viral RNA-dependent polymerase complex, coronaviruses are known to acquire new mutations at each cycle of genome replication. This constitutes one of the main factors driving the evolution of its relatively large genome and the emergence of new genetic variants. In the past few months, the identification of new B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (South Africa) and P.1 (Brazil) variants of concern (VOC) have highlighted the importance of tracking the emergence of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that impact transmissibility, virulence, and immune and neutralizing antibody escape. Here we analyzed the appearance and prevalence trajectory over time of mutations that appeared in all SARS-CoV-2 genes from December, 2019 to April, 2021. The goal of the study was to identify which genetic modifications are the most frequent and study the dynamics of their propagation, their incorporation into the consensus sequence, and their impact on virus biology. We also analyzed the structural properties of the spike glycoprotein of the B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 variants for its binding to the host receptor ACE2. This study offers an integrative view of the emergence, disappearance, and consensus sequence integration of successful mutations that constitute new SARS-CoV-2 variants and their impact on neutralizing antibody therapeutics and vaccines.IMPORTANCESARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of COVID-19, which has caused > 3.4 million deaths worldwide as of April, 2021. Mutations occur in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 during viral replication and affect viral infectivity, transmissibility, and virulence. In early March 2020, the D614G mutation in the spike protein emerged, which increased viral transmissibility and is now found in over 90% of all SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences in GISAID database. Between October and December 2020, B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (South Africa) and P.1 (Brazil) variants of concern (VOCs) emerged, which have increased neutralizing antibody escape capabilities because of mutations in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein. Characterizing mutations in these variants is crucial because of their effect on adaptive immune responses, neutralizing antibody therapy, and their impact on vaccine efficacy. Here we tracked and analyzed mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genes since the beginning of the pandemic and investigated their functional impact on the spike of these three VOCs.Graphical Abstract
Public Awareness of Mask Usage in 29 Countries
Authors: Annaka Susumu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study analyzed the determinants of people wearing masks in 29 countries in 2020 using over 400,000 survey responses. The results showed that there is considerable variance in the awareness of mask usage across countries. People in Asian countries tend to wear masks whereas citizens in Scandinavian countries are less likely to wear them. This study also found that citizens in more democratic and more prosperous countries are less likely to wear masks. Furthermore, females are more likely to wear them. This paper contributes to the literature as it re-examines anecdotes and previous research by using statistical methods to analyze over 400,000 survey responses.
Innovating Pathology Learning via Kahoot! Game-based Tool: A Quantitative Study of Students’ Perceptions and Academic Performance
Authors: Abdelsalam Elkhamisy Fatma Alzahraa , Wassef Rita Maher 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionPathology teaching for medical undergraduate students linking basic and clinical sciences together is a challenging task. Kahoot! is a game-based online digital formative assessment tool that can engage students in its learning. This study analyzed the effect of Kahoot! use on studentś learning of Pathology.MethodsThe study was carried out on the first-year Pathology students at Helwan University, Faculty of Medicine, after ending a basic Pathology course. The study is a retrospective quasi-experimental quantitative study. Academic performance of students in Pathology was compared between Kahoot! and non-Kahoot! users (55 students each). In addition, an online survey was introduced to the 55 Kahoot! user students to investigate their perceptions on Kahoot!. Survey and test score data were analyzed by appropriate tests using IBM-SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 21.0. The level of significance was P <0.05.ResultsKahoot! enhanced Pathology understanding (83.6%), retaining knowledge (87.3%), made learning fun and motivating (89.1%). Other mentioned advantages of Kahoot! were practicing for the exam (40%), simple and easy to use (36.4%), competitive (18.2%), self-confidence booster (10.9%), forming a comprehensive image of the lecture (9%), quick (9%), and imagining skills booster (5.5%). Mentioned disadvantages included no explanation for the answers to the questions (20%). A quarter of the students stated that the time limit for the questions was short (27.3%). Kahoot! use was significantly associated with better Pathology academic performance (P=0.001), and it was not related to the general academic performance of the students (P=0.06). The majority of users (85.4%) recommended its continuous future use.ConclusionsThe study offers an endorsement to the use of Kahoot! for gamifying formative assessment of Pathology and can provide a basis for the design of an online Kahoot!-based continuous formative assessment plans implemented outside-classroom in the Pathology curricula.
SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG HIV INFECTED INDIVIDUALS IN UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Innocent-Adiele Hope C. , Michael Baah B. T. , Okonko Iheanyi O. , Ogbu Ogbonnaya 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTAimHepatitis B and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are highly endemic in Nigeria and are important causes of death and disability. Co-infection between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) commonly occur as both viruses share a common mode of transmission. This leads to fulminant hepatitis and liver cirrhosis depending on the stages of infection which are acute and chronic stages respectively. This study was carried to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among HIV-infected individuals in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.MethodsIn this study 176 HIV-infected individuals were recruited comprising 67 males and 109 females. These subjects were screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsFrom those tested, 11 were positive for HBsAg giving an overall prevalence rate of 6.3%. Co-infection rate of males (8.5%) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from that of females (6.4%). Co-infection was highest in age group 6-30 years (28.2%). In relation to marital status, singles had the higher co-infection rates (10.5%) than married subjects (4.7%). Among the different occupational groups, students had the highest co-infection rate (22.2%) and was closely followed by business (16.7%). Higher HIV/HBV co-infection was observed among those with CD4 cell count <200 cells/μl (15.4%) and those with plasma viral loads (PVL)>5001 copies/mL (13.6%).ConclusionThis study confirms the high HIV/HBV co-infection rate (6.3%) and thus, there is a need to screen all HIV-positive individuals for HBV infection. A high seroprevalence of HBV among this cohort of HIV-infected individuals contributes to the calls for pre-ART screening for HBV and the necessary paradigm shift in the ART nucleoside backbone to include agent(s) more dually effective against HIV and HBV.
Development of potency, breadth and resilience to viral escape mutations in SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Muecksch Frauke , Weisblum Yiska , Barnes Christopher O. , Schmidt Fabian , Schaefer-Babajew Dennis , Lorenzi Julio C C , Flyak Andrew I , DeLaitsch Andrew T , Huey-Tubman Kathryn E , Hou Shurong , Schiffer Celia A. , Gaebler Christian , Wang Zijun , Da Silva Justin , Poston Daniel , Finkin Shlomo , Cho Alice , Cipolla Melissa , Oliveira Thiago Y. , Millard Katrina G. , Ramos Victor , Gazumyan Anna , Rutkowska Magdalena , Caskey Marina , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Bjorkman Pamela J. , Hatziioannou Theodora , Bieniasz Paul D. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryAntibodies elicited in response to infection undergo somatic mutation in germinal centers that can result in higher affinity for the cognate antigen. To determine the effects of somatic mutation on the properties of SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific antibodies, we analyzed six independent antibody lineages. As well as increased neutralization potency, antibody evolution changed pathways for acquisition of resistance and, in some cases, restricted the range of neutralization escape options. For some antibodies, maturation apparently imposed a requirement for multiple spike mutations to enable escape. For certain antibody lineages, maturation enabled neutralization of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and heterologous sarbecoviruses. Antibody-antigen structures revealed that these properties resulted from substitutions that allowed additional variability at the interface with the RBD. These findings suggest that increasing antibody diversity through prolonged or repeated antigen exposure may improve protection against diversifying SARS-CoV-2 populations, and perhaps against other pandemic threat coronaviruses.
Medulla glutamatergic neurons control wake-sleep transitions
Authors: Teng Sasa , Zhen Fenghua , Schalchli Jose Canovas , Chen Xinyue , Jin Hao , Wang Li , Peng Yueqing 
Published: March 2021

SUMMARYSleep is a ubiquitous behavior in animal species. Yet, brain circuits controlling sleep remain poorly understood. Previous studies have identified several brain structures that promote sleep, but whether these structures are involved in sleep initiation or sleep maintenance remains largely unknown. Here we identified a population of glutamatergic neurons in the medulla that project to the preoptic area (POA), a prominent sleep-promoting region. Chemogenetic silencing of POA-projecting medulla neurons disrupts the transitions from wakefulness to Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep, whereas chemogenetic activation of these neurons promotes NREM sleep. Moreover, we show that optogenetic activation of medulla glutamatergic neurons or their projections in the POA reliably initiates long-lasting NREM sleep in awake mice. Together, our findings uncover a novel excitatory brainstem-hypothalamic circuit that controls the wake-sleep transitions.
Alternating lysis and lysogeny is a winning strategy in bacteriophages due to Parrondo’s Paradox
Authors: Cheong Kang Hao , Wen Tao , Benler Sean , Koonin Eugene V. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTemperate bacteriophages lyse or lysogenize the host cells depending on various parameters of infection, a key one being the host population density. However, the effect of different propensities of phages for lysis and lysogeny on phage fitness is an open problem. We explore a nonlinear dynamic evolution model of competition between two phages, one of which is disadvantaged in both the lytic and lysogenic phases. We show that the disadvantaged phage can win the competition by alternating between the lytic and lysogenic phases, each of which individually is a “loser”. This counter-intuitive result recapitulates Parrondo’s paradox in game theory, whereby individually losing strategies can combine to produce a winning outcome. The results suggest that evolution of phages optimizes the ratio between the lysis and lysogeny propensities rather than the phage reproduction rate in any individual phase. These findings are expected to broadly apply to the evolution of host-parasite interactions.
Diet’s impact dictated by synonymous mitochondrial SNP interacting with nucleotype
Authors: Dobson Adam J. , Voigt Susanne , Kumpitsch Luisa , Langer Lucas , Voigt Emmely , Ibrahim Rita , Dowling Damian K. , Reinhardt Klaus 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTEpistasis between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes can modulate fitness effects of nutrition. Are these “mitonuclear” effects deterministic with regard to optimal nutrition? Which nutrients and genetic loci participate? Here, in fruitflies, we show that mitonuclear epistasis repeatably dictates fitness effects of dietary lipids and amino acids, with a tripartite interaction emerging as an unprecedented source of quantitative variation. We also observed diet-dependent developmental lethality and parental effects, but only in specific mitonucleotypes. Associating phenotype to mtDNA variation implicated a non-coding RNA (mt:lrRNA), suggesting a novel mechanism, with epistasis between mitochondria-derived regulatory factors and the nuclear genome producing qualitative differences in how diet impacts fitness.SUMMARYCombined action of nuclear genotype and regulatory loci on mtDNA produces major differences in fitness impacts of nutrition.
The effects of insecticide seed treatments on green peach aphidMyzus persicae(Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) parasitism byAphidius colemaniViereck (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) and predation byMallada signatus(Schneider) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Authors: Ward Samantha , Hoffmann Ary A. , Van Helden Maarten , Umina Paul A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe green peach aphid,Myzus persicae(Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae), is a major pest ofBrassicaL. species in Australia, where it can transmit >100 viruses. Globally, this species has evolved resistance to 74 insecticides from numerous chemical groups. Although Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are being implemented, chemical treatment remains the predominant method used to control aphids. Insecticide seed treatments are viewed as a softer alternative to chemical sprays and are widely used in Australian canola fields. The effects of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and a mixture of thiamethoxam & lambda-cyhalothrin canola seed treatments were investigated on the parasitoid,Aphidius colemaniViereck (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) and the predator, the green lacewingMallada signatus(Schneider) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae); both important natural enemies ofM. persicae. The number of mummies formed byA. colemanion the untreated plants was lower than those formed on the thiamethoxam & lambda-cyhalothrin and imidacloprid treated plants. The number ofA. colemanireared from mummies on thiamethoxam & lambda-cyhalothrin plants was higher than those reared from thiamethoxam and untreated plants. Significant effects of insecticide seed treatments were only noted for mummies produced while the parent parasitoids were on the plants, not for those mummies produced after their removal. This suggests seed treatment effects were immediate but not long lasting. Based on cumulative parasitoid survival days for two generations,A. colemaniexposed to thiamethoxam & lambda-cyhalothrin and imidacloprid treatments had a greater fitness than those exposed to the thiamethoxam and untreated controls, possibly due to the phenomenon of insecticide hormoligosis. Despite the treatment effects observed, we did not detect any behavioural differences inM. persicaeorA. colemani. Mallada signatuswere not negatively affected by feeding onM. persicaeon insecticide seed treated plants, suggesting they are more tolerant of seed treatments thanA. colemani. The findings from this study provide a useful platform for further experimentation on the effects of seed treatments on natural enemies ofM. persicae.
In search of an honest butterfly: sexually selected wing coloration and reproductive traits from wild populations of the cabbage white butterfly
Authors: Espeset Anne E. , Forister Matthew L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSexual selection is central to many theories on mate selection and individual behavior. Relatively little is known, however, about the impacts that human-induced rapid environmental change are having on secondary sexually selected characteristics. Honest signals function as an indicator of mate quality when there are differences in nutrient acquisition and are thus potentially sensitive to anthropogenically-altered nutrient inputs. We used the cabbage white butterfly,Pieris rapae(L.), to investigate differences in color and testes size in a system that is often exposed to agricultural landscapes with nitrogen addition. We collected individuals from four sites in California and Nevada to investigate variation in key traits and the possibility that any relationship between wing color and a reproductive trait (testes size) could vary among locations in the focal butterfly. Coloration variables and testes size were positively albeit weakly associated across sites, consistent with the hypothesis that females could use nitrogen-based coloration in the cabbage white as an indicator for a male mating trait that has the potential to confer elevated mating success in progeny. However, variation in testes size and in the relationship between testes size and wing color suggest complexities that need exploration, including the possibility that the signal is not of equal value in all populations. Thus these results advance our understanding of complex relationships among environmental change and sexual selection in the wild.
Accounting for modern slavery risk in the time of COVID-19: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Christ Katherine Leanne , Burritt Roger Leonard 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects corporate modern slavery accounting, auditing and accountability, and how a business can take advantage of this situation to ensure a more robust and effective modern slavery response in the long-term.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on recent literature and available statistics about modern slavery in the context of COVID-19 comment is provided on the challenges and opportunities for researchers and business.FindingsGiven the additional invisibility of modern slavery in a COVID-19 environment as victims move into unemployment and back into vulnerable positions where they are exploited the challenge is how accounting, auditing and accountability can help business break this cycle. Capabilities for business to track and trace victims of modern slavery will be reduced because of the pandemic. Opportunities exist for gathering data and building internal awareness about the problem of modern slavery in supply chains and to reassess operational risk and investment in modern slavery reduction. With the pause in external reporting opportunity exists to obtain views of external stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the relatively short period of the COVID-19 pandemic to date, numeric data on impacts are largely unavailable.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to consider the challenges and opportunities of COVID-19 on accounting for modern slavery in business. Directions for future research are also considered.
Mathematical framework for three cross-over memristor and its realization employing OTAs
Authors: Bhardwaj Kapil , Srivastava Mayank 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to report an emulation configuration of a three pinch-off memristor (TPM), whose transient characteristics consist three cross-over points on the voltage-current plane, which is dissimilar to a conventional memristor. These characteristics can be very useful in memristor-based multi-bit memory devices and hyperchaotic oscillators.

Design/methodology/approach
The work describes the Mathematical framework for TPM and a circuit emulator based on the derived conditions. The configuration is based on five operational transconductance amplifier (OTAs) and four grounded passive elements. After which, we have verified its operation using personal simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis simulation environment. Finally, the implementation of OTA-based TPM using commercial integrated circuit (IC) LM13700 has also been presented.

Findings
It has been shown that a flux-dependent memductance expression of cubic order can show three intersections on the VI contour under certain parameter related constraints. Moreover, the OTA-based emulator reported in the work is very compact in nature because of the no use of external multiplier IC/circuitry, which has been popular in previous emulators.

Originality/value
For the first time, a multiple cross-over memristor emulator has been reported which can operate under practical operating conditions such as at practical operating frequencies and sinusoidal excitation.
Exploring the relations between the physiological factors and the likelihood of accidents on construction sites
Authors: Kazar Gökhan , Comu Semra 
Published: March 2021

PurposeConstruction work involves high-risk activities and requires intense focus and physical exertion. Accordingly, working conditions at construction sites contribute to physical fatigue and mental stress in workers, which is the primary cause of accidents. This study aims to examine the relation between construction accidents and physiological variables, indicative of physical fatigue and mental stress.Design/methodology/approachFour different real-time physiological values of the construction workers were measured including blood sugar level (BSL), electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate (HR) and skin temperature (ST). The data were collected from 21 different workers during the summer and winter seasons. Both seasonal and hourly correlation analyses were performed between the construction accidents and the four physiological variables gathered.FindingsThe analysis results demonstrate that BSL values of the workers are correlated inversely with construction accidents taking place before lunch break. In addition, except BSL a significant seasonal association between the physiological variables and construction accidents was found.Originality/valueIt is disclosed that variations in physiological risk factors at certain working periods pose a high risk for construction workers. Therefore, efficient work-cycle rests can be arranged to provide frequent but short breaks for workers to overcome such issues. Besides, an early warning system could be introduced to monitor the real-time physiological values of the workers.