bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unbiased screen of RNA tailing enzymes at single-nucleotide resolution reveals a poly(UG) polymerase required for genome integrity and RNA silencing
Authors: Preston Melanie A. , Porter Douglas F. , Chen Fan , Buter Natascha , Lapointe Christopher P. , Keles Sunduz , Kimble Judith , Wickens Marvin 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTRibonucleotidyl transferases (rNTases) add non-templated ribonucleotides to diverse RNAs. We developed a screening strategy inS. cerevisiaeto identify sequences added by candidate enzymes from different organisms at single-nucleotide resolution. The rNTase activities of 19 previously unexplored enzymes were determined. In addition to poly(A)- and poly(U)-adding enzymes, we identified a C-adding enzyme that is likely part of a two-enzyme system that adds CCA to tRNAs in a eukaryote; a nucleotidyl transferase that adds nucleotides to RNA without apparent nucleotide preference; and a poly(UG) polymerase,C. elegansMUT-2, which adds alternating U and G nucleotides to form poly(UG) tails. MUT-2 is known to be required for certain forms of RNA silencing, and mutations in the enzyme that are defective in silencing also fail to add poly(UG) tails in our assay. We propose that MUT-2 poly(UG) polymerase activity is required to promote genome integrity and RNA silencing.
Short exon prediction based on multiscale products of a genomic-inspired multiscale bilateral filtering
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Pan Weijun 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTMultiscale signal processing techniques such as wavelet filtering have proved to be particularly successful in predicting exon sequences. Traditional wavelet predictor is domain filtering, and enforces exon features by weighting nucleotide values with coefficients. Such a measure performs linear filtering and is not suitable for preserving the short coding exons and the exon-intron boundaries. This paper describes a short exon prediction framework that is capable of non-linearly processing DNA sequences while achieving high prediction rates. There are two key contributions. The first is the introduction of a genomic-inspired multiscale bilateral filtering (MSBF) which exploits both weighting coefficients in the spatial domain and nucleotide similarity in the range. Similarly to wavelet transform, the MSBF is also defined as a weighted sum of nucleotides. The difference is that the MSBF takes into account the variation of nucleotides at a specific codon position. The second contribution is the exploitation of inter-scale correlation in MSBF domain to find the inter-scale dependency on the differences between the exon signal and the background noise. This favourite property is used to sharp the important structures while weakening noise. Three benchmark data sets have been used in the evaluation of considered methods. By comparison with two existing techniques, the prediction results demonstrate that: the proposed method reveals at least improvement of 50.5%, 36.7%, 12.8%, 17.8%, 17.7%, 11.5% and 12.2% on the exons length of 1-49, 50-74, 75-99, 100-124, 125-149, 150-174 and 175-199, respectively. The MSBF of its nonlinear nature is good at energy compaction, which makes it capable of locating the sharp variations around short exons. The direct scale multiplication of coefficients at several adjacent scales obviously enhanced exon features while the noise contents were suppressed. We show that the non-linear nature and correlation-based property achieved in proposed predictor is greater than that for traditional filtering, which leads to better exon prediction performance. There are some possible applications of this predictor. Its good localization and protection of sharp variations will make the predictor be suitable to perform fault diagnosis of aero-engine.
Estimating the current burden of Chagas disease in Mexico: a systematic review of epidemiological surveys from 2006 to 2017
Authors: Arnal Audrey , Waleckx Etienne , Herrera Claudia , Dumonteil Eric 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn Mexico, estimates of Chagas disease prevalence and burden vary widely. Updating surveillance data is therefore an important priority to ensure that Chagas disease does not remain a barrier to the development of Mexico’s most vulnerable populations.Methodology/Principal FindingsThe aim of this systematic review was to analyze the literature on epidemiological surveys to estimate Chagas disease prevalence and burden in Mexico, during the period 2006 to 2017. A total of 2,764 articles were screened and 38 were retained for the final analysis. Epidemiological surveys have been performed in most of Mexico, but with variable geographic coverage. Based on studies reporting confirmed cases, i.e. using at least 2 serological tests, the national seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection was 2.26% [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.12-2.41], suggesting that there are 2.71 million cases in Mexico. Studies focused on pregnant women, which may transmit the parasite to their newborn during pregnancy, reported a seroprevalence of 1.00% [95% CI 0.87-1.14], suggesting that there are 22,930 births from T. cruzi infected pregnant women per year, and 1,445 cases of congenitally infected newborns per year. Children under 18 years had a seropositivity rate of 1.49% [95% CI 1.20-1.85], which indicate ongoing transmission. Finally, cases of T. cruzi infection in blood donors have also been reported in most states, with a national seroprevalence of 0.51% [95% CI 0.49-0.53].Conclusions/SignificanceOur analysis suggests a disease burden for T. cruzi infection higher than previously recognized, highlighting the urgency of establishing Chagas disease surveillance and control as a key national public health priority in Mexico, to ensure that it does not remain a major barrier to the economic and social development of the country’s most vulnerable populations.Author summaryIn Mexico, estimates of Chagas disease prevalence and burden vary widely due to the ecology and epidemiology of this disease resulting of many geographical, ecological, biological, and social interactions. Better data are thus urgently needed to help develop appropriate public health programs for disease control and patient care. In this study we analyzed published data on T. cruzi seroprevalence infection in Mexico between 2006 and 2017. This systematic review shows a national seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection of 2.26% [95%CI 2.12-2.41], with over 2.71 million cases in Mexico, which is higher than previously recognized. The presence of T. cruzi infection in specific subpopulations such as pregnant women, children and blood donors also informs on specific risks of infection and call for the implementation of well-established control interventions. This work confirms the place of Mexico as the country with the largest number of cases, highlighting the urgency of establishing Chagas disease control as a key national public health priority.
HBx enhances CPAP expression via interacting with CREB to promote hepatocarcinogenesis in HBV-associated HCC
Authors: Yen Chia-Jui , Yang Shu-Ting , Chen Ruo-Yu , Huang Wenya , Chayama Kazuaki , Lee Ming-Hao , Yang Shiang-Jie , Hsiao Yu-Wei , Wang Ju-Ming , Lin Yih-Jyh , Hung Liang-Yi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) encoded non-structure protein X (HBx) can promote cell proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis via activating several transcription factors and increasing their downstream gene expression in HBV-infected liver cells. Our previous report suggested that centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) is required for HBx-mediated NF-κB activation. Here, we found that, upon HBV infection, overexpressed HBx can transcriptionally up-regulateCPAPvia interacting with CREB. CPAP can directly interact with HBx to promote HBx-mediated cell proliferation and migration; and SUMO modification of CPAP is involved in interacting with HBx. Interestingly, CPAP can increase the HBx protein stability in an NF-κB-dependent manner; and overexpressed CPAP and HBx is positively correlated with the activation status of NF-κB in HCC. Increased expression ofCREBandCPAPmRNAs exists in the high-risk group with a lower survival rate in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These results suggest that the reciprocal regulation between CPAP and HBx may provide a microenvironment to facilitate HCC development via enhancing NF-κB activation, inflammatory cytokine production, and cancer maligancies. The findings of this study not only shed light on the role of CPAP in HBV-associated HCC, but also provide CPAP as a potential target for HBV-related HCC therapy.Author SummaryIn this study, we address a novel molecular mechanism for the collaboration between overexpressed HBx and CPAP in promoting hepatocarcinogenesis in HBV-associated HCC. Upon HBV infection, HBx is overexpressed and interacts with CREB to transcriptionally activate CPAP; the HBx/CPAP interaction promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. Clinical analysis found that co-overexpressed CPAP and CREB exist in the high-risk group with a lower survival rate in HCC. Additionally, overexpressed CPAP contributes to HBx protein stability in a NF-κB-dependent pathway. Our study provides a potential translational application in targeting CREB-CPAP axis in HBV-associated HCC.
Urbanization plays a minor role in the flooding and surface water chemistry of Puerto Rico’s mangroves
Authors: Branoff Benjamin L. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTAlthough hydrology and water chemistry are known to change in proximity to cities, there remains little empirical evidence connecting specific components of urban landscapes to mangrove flooding dynamics or surface water chemistry. This study constructs five-year water level models from tidal harmonics and precipitation inputs to characterize mangrove flooding across urban gradients in three watersheds of Puerto Rico. There was some evidence for an influence of urbanization on both flooding and water chemistry, but this depended on the definition of urbanness, and points instead to geomorphology as the primary culprit. Urban sites exhibited 46% longer hydroperiods and 450% lower depths than non-urban sites. Rainfall importance was explained more by geomorphology than by urbanization and suggested systems with limited tidal connectivity are four times more sensitive to rainfall than systems with full tidal connectivity. There was also evidence for changes in tidal amplitudes along the urban gradient, which may explain the observed differences in flooding. Relationships between surface water chemical metrics and land cover contradicted previous studies by suggesting lower nutrients and biochemical oxygen demand with increasing urbanization. These results reinforce the understanding that the most important drivers of urban mangrove hydrology and water quality in Puerto Rico are likely geomorphology and tidal connectivity, with little but not zero influence from surrounding land cover. Results should be considered alongside the reported errors stemming from inaccuracies in digital elevation and rainfall response models, and will be useful in understanding future ecological censuses on the island.
A Multi-Domain Task Battery Reveals Functional Boundaries in the Human Cerebellum
Authors: King Maedbh , Hernandez-Castillo Carlos R. , Poldrack Russell A. , Ivry Richard B. , Diedrichsen Jörn 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThere is compelling evidence that the human cerebellum is engaged in a wide array of motor and cognitive tasks. A fundamental question centers on whether the cerebellum is organized into distinct functional sub-regions. To address this question, we employed a rich task battery, designed to tap into a broad range of cognitive processes. During four functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions, participants performed a battery of 26 diverse tasks comprising 47 unique conditions. Using the data from this multi-domain task battery (MDTB), we derived a comprehensive functional parcellation of the cerebellar cortex and evaluated it by predicting functional boundaries in a novel set of tasks. The new parcellation successfully identified distinct functional sub-regions, providing significant improvements over existing parcellations derived from task-free data. Lobular boundaries, commonly used to summarize functional data, did not coincide with functional subdivisions. This multi-domain task approach offers novel insights into the functional heterogeneity of the cerebellar cortex.
The bunyavirus nonstructural protein NSs suppresses plant immunity to facilitate its own transmission by improving vector insect performance
Authors: Wu Xiujuan , Xu Shuang , Zhao Pingzhi , Yao Xiangmei , Sun Yanwei , Fang Rongxiang , Ye Jian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPandemics of vector-borne human and plant pathogens often rely on the behaviors of their arthropod vectors. Arboviruses, including many bunyaviruses, manipulate vector behavior to accelerate their own transmission to vertebrates, birds, insects, and plants. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this manipulation remains elusive. Here, we report that the non-structural protein NSs of orthotospovirus (order Bunyavirales, family Tospoviridae), is a key viral factor that indirectly modifies vector preference and increases vector performance. NSs suppresses the biosynthesis of volatile monoterpenes, which serve as repellents of the vector Western flower thrips (WFT, Frankliniella occidentalis) instead of using its known silencing suppressor activity. NSs directly interacts with and relocalizes the jasmonate (JA) signaling master regulator MYC2 and its two close homologs, MYC3 and MYC4, to disable JA-mediated activation of terpene synthase genes. The dysfunction of the MYCs subsequently attenuates host defenses, increases the attraction of thrips, and improves thrips fitness. These findings elucidate the molecular mechanism through which a bunyavirus manipulates vector behaviors and therefore facilitate disease transmission. Our results provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms by which tospoviruses NSs counteracts host immunity for pathogen transmission.Author summaryMost bunyaviruses are transmitted by insect vectors, and some of them can modify the behaviors of their arthropod vectors to increase transmission to mammals, birds, and plants. NSs is a non-structural bunyavirus protein with multiple functions that acts as an avirulence determinant and silencing suppressor. In this study, we identified a new function of NSs as a manipulator of vector behavior, independent of its silencing suppressor activity. NSs manipulates jasmonate-mediated immunity against thrips by directly interacting with several homologs of MYC transcription factors, the core regulators of the jasmonate-signaling pathway. This hijacking by NSs enhances thrips preference and performance. Many human- and animal-infecting members of the Bunyaviridales also encode NSs and could manipulate vector behavior to accelerate their own transmission. Therefore, our data support the hypothesis that the NSs protein may play conserved roles among various members of the Bunyaviridales in the modification of vector feeding behavior that evolved as a mechanism to enhance virus transmission.
Influence of phytic acid on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel with different surface treatments
Authors: Zhang Yingjun , Dou Baojie , Shao Yawei , Cui Xue-Jun , Wang Yanqiu , Meng Guozhe , Lin Xiu-Zhou 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This paper aim to investigate the influence of PA on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel with blast cleaned or pre-rusted treatments, and interpret the inhibition mechanism of PA on the steel with different surface treatments.

Design/methodology/approach
The influence of PA on the corrosion behavior of blast cleaned or rusty steel was investigated by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS data were analyzed using the @ZsimpWin commercial software. The morphology and component of steel after immersion were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD).

Findings
EIS analysis results indicated that PA had good corrosion inhibition for blast cleaned or rusty steel. SEM, EDS, FTIR and XRD further indicated that PA had two main corrosion inhibition processes for the corrosion inhibition of blast cleaned or rusty steel: corrosion dissolution and formation of protective barrier layers.

Originality/value
Most published works focus the attention only toward the effect of corrosion inhibitor for the clean metal surfaces. However, the surface condition of metal sometimes is unsatisfactory in the practical application of corrosion inhibitor, such as existing residual rust. Some studies also have shown that several corrosion inhibitors could be applied on partially rusted substrates. These inhibitors mainly include tannins and phosphoric acid, but not PA. Therefore, the authors investigated the influence of PA on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel with blast cleaned or pre-rusted treatments in this paper.
Examining public perceptions of CSR in sport
Authors: Kim Joon Kyoung , Overton Holly , Hull Kevin , Choi Minhee 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how the public views two corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives practiced by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. This study examined the role of perceived fit between an MLB team and its two CSR initiatives in shaping consumers’ intentions to support the team’s CSR efforts.Design/methodology/approachA between-subjects experiment (n=207) was conducted using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to examine the impact of CSR fit on consumers’ patronage intentions.FindingsThe results of this study showed that consumers’ perceived fit between sports teams and their CSR has a positive impact on consumers’ patronage intentions. The values-driven and strategic-driven attributions of the team’s CSR initiatives were positively associated with their patronage intentions.Research limitations/implicationsBoth the values-driven and strategic-driven attributions were positively associated with consumers’ patronage intentions, while previous studies suggested negative association between strategic-driven attributions and consumer behaviors. The findings indicate that consumers do not view professional sports teams’ strategic-driven CSR initiatives to be negative business practices. This could result from the fact that CSR initiatives have become a prevalent and expected organizational practice.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature of CSR within the context of professional sports teams as corporations. The findings of this study suggest that professional sports teams could benefit from CSR initiatives when the teams select social causes with which consumers could infer values-driven and strategic-driven attributions.
Sensor-less control of a novel axial flux-switching permanent-magnet motor
Authors: Rahmani Fard Javad , Ardebili Mohammad 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to suggest a novel current sensor-less drive system for a novel axial flux-switching permanent-magnet motor drive to reduce the costs and avoid problems caused by faults of the current sensors.

Design/methodology/approach
Commonly, a conventional controller needs at least two current sensors; in this paper, the current sensors are removed by replacing estimated stator current with the extended Kalman filter.

Findings
A prototype of the novel axial flux-switching permanent-magnet motor is fabricated and tested. It is found that the experimental results confirm the proposed method and show that the control has almost the same performance and ability as the conventional control.

Originality/value
The axial flux-switching permanent-magnet motor is one of the most efficient motors, but current sensor-less control of an axial flux-switching permanent-magnet motor with a sandwiched permanent magnet and a unity displacement winding factor has not been specially reported to date. Thus, in this paper, the authors report on current sensor-less control based on the extended Kalman filter for electric vehicles.
More than clothes hangers: cultural intermediaries in the field of fashion
Authors: Lonergan Patrick P. , Patterson Maurice , Lichrou Maria 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to elucidate how cultural intermediaries shape the subjectivity of other marketplace actors in fashion, thus preserving the illusio underpinning this field of cultural production.

Design/methodology/approach
Narrative interviews were conducted with cultural intermediaries in the fashion industry. These were supplemented with non-participant observations, carried out simultaneously during the research process. Interview transcripts and field notes were analysed using a combination of holistic-content and categorical-content analysis.

Findings
As the fashion field is constructed around beliefs as to what constitutes value, the empirical data demonstrate how fashion models’ embody the illusio of the field and authenticate the values, meanings and identities inherent in it through aestheticised and rarefied styles of performance. These activities seduce other market actors and engender a willing suspension of disbelief that in turn mobilises affective intensities resulting in perceptions of legitimacy.

Research limitations/implications
This research adds greater clarity to what cultural intermediaries do when they mediate between economy and culture. To do this, our research is analysed in terms of the ritual performance, the sensibility of the model, the use of the body and the performative fusion.

Practical implications
The paper offers practical implications insofar as it deconstructs the two core ritualistic aspects of the fashion industry which each season yields significant tangible outputs in various forms. The combination of narrative inquiry with observation allows for a better understanding of how these events can be best channelled to mediate the illusio of this cultural field.

Originality/value
To date, there has been very little consumer research that explores cultural intermediaries and less still that offers an empirical glimpse of their performance. This research adds greater clarity to these embodied performances that legitimate other market actors’ suspension of disbelief while also demystifying the ambiguity with which cultural intermediaries are discussed in consumer research.