bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged Lifespan, Ameliorated Cognition, and Improved Host Defense ofCaenorhabditis elegansbyLactococcus lactissubsp.cremoris
Authors: Komura Tomomi , Takemoto Asami , Kosaka Hideki , Suzuki Toshio , Nishikawa Yoshikazu 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated whether the lactic acid bacteriaLactococcus lactissubsp.cremorisstrain FC (FC) could ameliorate host defenses and cognitive ability and extend the lifespan ofCaenorhabditis elegans, a model of senescence. The lifespan and resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stressors were compared betweenC. elegansfed FC and those fedEscherichia coliOP50 (OP), an international standard food forC. elegans. Living FC successfully extended the health span, enhanced host defense, and ameliorated the cognitive ability of the nematodes; even the exopolysaccharides (EPSes) of FC could extend the lifespan ofC. elegans. The chemotaxis index, which was used to evaluate the senescence of sensory neurons, tended to decrease with aging; however, it was more stable in worms fed FC and was significantly higher than that of the control worms at 7 days of age. The worms fed FC were tolerant toSalmonella entericaserovar Enteritidis orStaphylococcus aureusinfection and had better survival than the control worms fed OP. FC showed beneficial effects inC. elegans daf-16andpmk-1mutants, but not inskn-1mutants. Since SKN-1 is theC. elegansortholog of Nrf2, we measured the transcription of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is regulated by Nrf2, in murine macrophages and found that HO-1 mRNA expression was increased >5 times by inoculation with either FC cells or heat-killed bacteria with EPSes. Thus, both FC and the EPSes can affect longevityviathe SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway in both nematodes and mammalian cells.IMPORTANCEAgeing is one of our greatest challenges. The World Health Organization proposed the concept of “Active Ageing” might encourage people to continue to work according to their capacities and preferences as they grow old and would prevent or delay disabilities and chronic diseases that are costly to both individuals and the society, considering that disease prevention is more economical than treatment. Probiotic bacteria such as lactobacilli are living microorganisms that exert beneficial effects on human health when ingested in sufficient amounts and can promote longevity. The significance of this study is that it revealed the anti-senescence and various beneficial effects of the probiotic representative bacteriumLactococcus lactissubsp.cremorisstrain FC and its exopolysaccharides in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans.
MicroRNA-202 safeguards meiotic progression by preventing premature degradation of REC8 mediated by separase
Authors: Chen Jian , Gao Chenxu , Zheng Chunwei , Lin Xiwen , Ning Yan , Ma Longfei , He Wei , Xie Dan , Liu Kui , Han Chunsheng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are believed to play important roles in mammalian spermatogenesis but thein vivofunctions of single miRNAs in this highly complex developmental process remain unclear. Here, we reported thatmiR-202, a member of thelet-7family, played an important role in mouse spermatogenesis by phenotypic evaluation ofmiR-202knockout (KO) mice. InmiR-202KO mice, germ cells underwent apoptosis. Multiple processes in meiosis I including synapsis and crossover formation were disrupted, and inter-sister chromatid synapses were detected. More importantly, we found that uponmiR-202KO, meiotic-specific cohesin protein REC8 was prematurely cleaved by precociously activated separase, whose mRNA was a direct target ofmiR-202-3p. Our findings identifymiR-202as a novel regulator of meiosis and contribute to the list of miRNAs that play specific and important roles in developmental processes.
Latent functional diversity may accelerate microbial community responses to temperature fluctuations
Authors: Smith Thomas P. , Mombrikotb Shorok , Ransome Emma , Kontopoulos Dimitrios-Georgios , Pawar Samraat , Bell Thomas 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHow complex microbial communities respond to climatic fluctuations remains an open question. Due to their relatively short generation times and high functional diversity, microbial populations harbor great potential to respond as a community through a combination of strain-level phenotypic plasticity, adaptation, and species sorting. However, the relative importance of these mechanisms remains unclear. We conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the degree to which bacterial communities can respond to changes in environmental temperature through a combination of phenotypic plasticity and species sorting alone. We grew replicate soil communities from a single location at six temperatures between 4°C and 50°C. We found that phylogenetically- and functionally-distinct communities emerge at each of these temperatures, with K-strategist taxa favoured under cooler conditions, and r-strategist taxa under warmer conditions. We show that this dynamic emergence of distinct communities across a wide range of temperatures (in essence, community-level adaptation), is driven by the resuscitation of latent functional diversity: the parent community harbors multiple strains pre-adapted to different temperatures that are able to “switch on” at their preferred temperature without immigration or adaptation. Our findings suggest that microbial community function in nature is likely to respond rapidly to climatic temperature fluctuations through shifts in species composition by resuscitation of latent functional diversity.
Automated Analysis of Bacterial Flow Cytometry Data with FlowGateNIST
Authors: Ross David 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFlow cytometry is commonly used to evaluate the performance of engineered bacteria. With increasing use of high-throughput experimental methods, there is a need for automated analysis methods for flow cytometry data. Here, we describe FlowGateNIST, a Python package for automated analysis of bacterial flow cytometry data. The main components of FlowGateNIST perform automatic gating to differentiate between cells and background events and then between singlet and multiplet events. FlowGateNIST also includes a method for automatic calibration of fluorescence signals using fluorescence calibration beads. FlowGateNIST is open source and freely available with tutorials and example data to facilitate adoption by users with minimal programming experience.
Simple amplicon sequencing library preparation for plant root microbial community profiling
Authors: Kumaishi Kie , Usui Erika , Suzuki Kenta , Kobori Shungo , Sato Takumi , Toda Yusuke , Takanashi Hideki , Shinozaki Satoshi , Noda Munehiro , Takakura Akiko , Matsumoto Kayoko , Yamasaki Yuji , Tsujimoto Hisashi , Iwata Hiroyoshi , Ichihashi Yasunori 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMicrobiota are a major component of agroecosystems. Root microbiota, which inhabit the inside and surface of plant roots, play a significant role in plant growth and health. As next-generation sequencing technology allows the capture of microbial profiles without culturing the microbes, profiling of plant microbiota has become a staple tool in plant science and agriculture. Here, we have developed a novel high-throughput method based on a two-step PCR amplification protocol, involving DNA extraction using magnetic beads and PCR purification using exonuclease, for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of plant root microbiota. This method reduces sample handling and captures microbial diversity comparable to that obtained by the standard method. We found that using a buffer with magnetic beads enabled efficient extraction of microbial DNA directly from plant roots. In addition, we demonstrated that purification using exonuclease before the second PCR step enabled the capture of higher degrees of microbial diversity, thus allowing for the detection of minor bacteria compared with the purification using magnetic beads in this step. Our method offers a simple and high-throughput solution for maintaining the quality of plant root microbial community profiling.
Measuring Transcription Factor Binding and Gene Expression using Barcoded Self-Reporting Transposon Calling Cards and Transcriptomes
Authors: Lalli Matthew , Yen Allen , Thopte Urvashi , Dong Fengping , Moudgil Arnav , Chen Xuhua , Milbrandt Jeffrey , Dougherty Joseph D. , Mitra Robi D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCalling cards technology using self-reporting transposons enables the identification of DNA-protein interactions through RNA sequencing. Although immensely powerful, current implementations of calling cards in bulk experiments on populations of cells are technically cumbersome and require many replicates to identify independent insertions into the same genomic locus. Here, we have drastically reduced the cost and labor requirements of calling card experiments in bulk populations of cells by introducing a DNA barcode into the calling card itself. An additional barcode incorporated during reverse transcription enables simultaneous transcriptome measurement in a facile and affordable protocol. We demonstrate that barcoded self-reporting transposons recoverin vitrobinding sites for four basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors with important roles in cell fate specification: ASCL1, MYOD1, NEUROD2, and NGN1. Further, simultaneous calling cards and transcriptional profiling during transcription factor overexpression identified both binding sites and gene expression changes for two of these factors. Lastly, we demonstrated barcoded calling cards can record bindingin vivoin the mouse brain. In sum, RNA-based identification of transcription factor binding sites and gene expression through barcoded self-reporting transposon calling cards and transcriptomes is an efficient and powerful method to infer gene regulatory networks in a population of cells.
Appraisal overvaluation: Evidence of price adjustment bias in sales Comparisons
Authors: Mayer Yanling G. , Nothaft Frank E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHome appraisal came under scrutiny for contributing to the home‐price bubble and enabling the origination of risky mortgages that led to the post‐2006 foreclosure crisis. Subsequent regulations tried to minimize or eliminate conflicts of interest and improve valuations. Nonetheless, our study of appraisals completed in 2015 and 2016 find that appraisal bias still occurred. Our analysis delves into the underlying appraisal development to identify causes of appraisal bias. Contributing factors are that comps are generally higher valued than the subject property, and appraisers are more likely to comparatively adjust upward lower priced comps but less likely to adjust downward higher priced comps.
Refugee employment support: The HRM–CSR nexus and stakeholder co‐dependency
Authors: Lee Eun Su , Szkudlarek Betina 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecent research suggests that human resource management (HRM) can play a crucial role in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and in addressing grand challenges, such as refugee workforce integration. This paper investigates how employers carry out their CSR goals through HRM practices, while working closely with non‐profit organisations (NPOs) that facilitate refugee employment support programmes. Using qualitative semi‐structured interviews with employers and NPOs in Australia, we highlight their co‐dependent relationship in addressing the challenge of refugee workforce integration. We demonstrate how the achievement of both CSR goals and social impact is enhanced in this co‐dependent relationship, where each stakeholder's unique expertise and access to resources are shared and leveraged. Our research findings advance the current understanding of the HRM–CSR literature on external stakeholder engagement by suggesting that a co‐dependent, rather than just a collaborative, relationship can underpin the effective execution of HRM practices with CSR goals.
TYK2 is a prognostic biomarker and associated with immune infiltration in the lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment
Authors: He Aoxiao , Zhang Rongguiyi , Wang Jiakun , Huang Zhihao , Liao Wenjun , Li Yong , Wang Cong , Yang Jun , Feng Qian , Wu Linquan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundLung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a major disease with high morbidity and mortality. The Janus kinases (JAKs) play a significant part in cellular biological process, inflammation and immunity. The role of JAK family in LUAD is still ambiguous.MethodsVarious bioinformatics web portals were applied to explore the prognostic value of JAK family and their correlation with immune infiltration in LUAD.ResultsJAK1/2 was downregulated, whereas JAK3/TYK2 was upregulated in patients with LUAD compared with the healthy controls in subgroup analyses based on gender, age, smoking habits, cancer stage, TP53 mutation status, and nodal metastasis status. Drug sensitivity indicated that low expression of JAK3 and TYK2 were resistant to most of the small molecules or drugs. High TYK2 expression was associated with favorable overall survival and relapse free survival in LUAD. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that clinical stage, lymphatic node metastasis and TYK2 expression were the independent factors affecting the prognosis of LUAD patients. TYK2 expression in LUAD patients was positively associated with the abundance of immune cells (B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, neutrophils, and dendritic cells) and immune biomarker sets. Moreover, TYK2 was mainly involved in RNA binding, transcriptional mis‐regulation in cancer and cell cycles. We also identified several TYK2‐associated miRNA or transcription factor targets in LUAD.ConclusionOur results indicated that TYK2 was a biomarker and associated with prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD, laying a foundation for further study about the role of TYK2 in the carcinogenesis and progression of LUAD.
It won't happen to me! Psychosocial factors influencing risk perception for respiratory infectious diseases: A scoping review
Authors: Tagini Sofia , Brugnera Agostino , Ferrucci Roberta , Mazzocco Ketti , Compare Angelo , Silani Vincenzo , Pravettoni Gabriella , Poletti Barbara 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the determinants of risk perception for COVID‐19 might help to promote self‐preventive behaviours. This scoping review aimed to map the extent, variety and characteristics of the evidence on the possible determinants of risk perception for COVID‐like diseases. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for original, peer‐reviewed English‐written articles published up to March 2020 and investigating risk perception determinants for respiratory infectious diseases in adults. Titles and abstracts were screened, and full texts were analysed by the first author; when unsure, eligibility was discussed with the last author. Data were collected according to an extraction sheet developed by the first and last authors. The cross‐sectional evidence covers a variety of diseases, countries and timings of testing. Mostly, questionnaires recorded socio‐demographics, media exposure, trust in institutions, disease proximity and knowledge; psychological variables, including personality traits, distress and self‐efficacy, were less investigated. A miscellaneous operationalization of risk perception emerged, including the likelihood of getting sick, perceived dangerousness, concerns or a combination of them. A comprehensive understanding of the substantial amount of evidence may be challenging due to methodological heterogeneity. Referring to uniform theoretical frameworks is recommended; also, longitudinal research may be implemented to probe causal relationships.
Global Value Chains and Intermediaries in Multi‐stakeholder Initiatives in Pakistan and India
Authors: Lund‐Thomsen Peter , Riisgaard Lone , Singh Sukhpal , Ghori Shakil , Coe Neil M. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTIn this article, we analyse the role of regulatory intermediaries of the Better Cotton Initiative, a multi‐stakeholder initiative (MSI) in the global cotton value chain, with a regional focus on India and Pakistan. We conceptualize how the key roles of regulatory intermediaries — translating and verifying compliance with abstract rules in ways that make these rules practical and intelligible for target audiences (in this case, cotton farmers) — may be compromised by global value chain pressures and contradictory MSI requirements, thereby undermining the aim of mainstreaming sustainability standard systems. In other words, we theorize how MSIs can become subject to regulatory capture, serving the needs of global brands (for rapid upscaling, price minimization and verification) and sustainability standard bodies (contradictory demands for capacity building and compliance) at the expense of the intended beneficiaries — farmers at the base of global value chains. Based on an empirical analysis of the Better Cotton Initiative's implementing partners in Pakistan and India, we conclude that such weaknesses in standard implementation are likely to translate into poorer field‐level results in terms of ensuring the large‐scale, global mainstreaming of more sustainable commodity production sought by MSI practitioners.
Interfacial fracture toughness measurement of welded Babbitt alloy SnSb11Cu6/20Steel
Authors: Gao Yuepeng , Wang Jianmei , Liu Yuyang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe interface fracture toughness of SnSb11Cu6/20steel was measured by calculating the critical energy release rate and stress phase angle of the interface crack. A three‐point bending test was used to introduce cracks into the bonding interface, and the cohesion model of the bonding interface was established through experimental data. Through finite element analysis of load‐deflection curves with and without interface crack propagation, the crack initiation point is found. Then the energy calculation model of crack propagation is established, and the critical energy release rate is obtained using the virtual crack growth criterion. The calculation results of the stress phase angle show that the crack propagation is greatly affected by the normal stress after the babbitt alloy layer fractures. If the strength of the substrate material is weaker, the crack will continue to expand in the tangent perpendicular to the crack tip.
Self‐study in language learning: Relationships among time, activities, and learning outcomes
Authors: Bonilla Carrie , Hughes Meredith M. , Tare Medha , Vatz Karen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWhile much second language acquisition research has focused on characteristics of in‐class language study, little is known about the characteristics and effectiveness of out‐of‐class language study. This exploratory study addresses this gap by analyzing questionnaire data from 707 adult students enrolled in intensive (6–16 months) language study regarding preferred out‐of‐class activities and time spent on these activities in relation to language outcome scores (e.g., Defense Language Proficiency Test [DLPT] and Oral Proficiency Interview [OPI] scores), while also controlling for background variables such as language aptitude. Regarding time spent on out‐of‐class activities, mixed‐effects linear regression modeling (approximately 400 students) showed that more time spent on assigned and unassigned course study was associated with lower end‐of‐course language outcomes, and less time spent was associated with higher language outcomes. Engagement in some target‐language activities, however, such as using social media to interact in the target language (e.g., chat) showed positive relationships with achieving overall language proficiency. The findings offer important insight into the complex relationships between time spent on out‐of‐class study, target language activities, background variables, and course outcomes.
Maximizing the effectiveness of national commitments to protected area expansion for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem carbon under climate change
Authors: Carroll Carlos , Ray Justina C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGlobal commitments to protected area expansion should prioritize opportunities to protect climate refugia and ecosystems which store high levels of irrecoverable carbon, as key components of an effective response to biodiversity loss and climate change. The United States and Canada are responsible for one‐sixth of global greenhouse gas emissions but hold extensive natural ecosystems that store globally significant above‐ and below‐ground carbon. Canada has initiated a process of protected area network expansion in concert with efforts at reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and acknowledged nature‐based solutions as a key aspect of climate change mitigation. The US, although not a party to global biodiversity conventions, has recently committed to protecting 30% of its extent by 2030 and achieving the UNFCCC Paris Agreement's mitigation targets. The opportunities afforded by these dual biodiversity conservation and climate commitments require coordinated national and regional policies to ensure that new protected areas maximize biodiversity‐focused adaptation and nature‐based mitigation opportunities. We address how global commitments can best inform national policy initiatives which build on existing agency mandates for regional planning and species conservation. Previous analyses of global conservation priorities under climate change have been tenuously linked to policy contexts of individual nations and have lacked information on refugia due to limitations of globally available datasets. Comparison and synthesis of predictions from a range of recently developed refugia metrics allow such data to inform planning despite substantial uncertainty arising from contrasting model assumptions and inputs. A case study for endangered species planning for old‐forest‐associated species in the US Pacific Northwest demonstrates how regional planning can be nested hierarchically within national biodiversity‐focused adaptation and nature‐based mitigation strategies which integrate refugia, connectivity, and ecosystem carbon metrics to holistically evaluate the role of different land designations and where carbon mitigation and protection of biodiversity's resilience to climate change can be aligned.
Prison is power: Federal correctional officers, gender, and professional identity work
Authors: Compton Cristin A. , Brandhorst Jaclyn K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFederal correctional officers (COs) face a compelling amount of professional stress and rigid professional expectations. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP), in an effort to improve employee wellness, has instituted a number of policies and programs addressing gender, sexual harassment, the treatment of inmates, and the role of the BOP in rehabilitation efforts. As a result, COs are navigating how they see themselves and their role within the BOP. Using interviews with 26 federal COs, we use the communication theory of identity (CTI) to explore how correctional workers are communicatively managing their professional identities as the BOP's policies shift. Officers described idealized professional identities in oppositional gendered terms (e.g., masculinity is privileged; femininity derided). Female‐identifying officers described being unable to meet professional ideals, and some male‐identifying officers struggled enacting their masculinity. However, COs described managing gaps between their personal and professional identities in ways that elucidated connections, rather than separation, between officers. We provide theoretical and practical implications from participant voices, including the use of CTI to better understand identity work processes in workplace contexts.