bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The phage L capsid decoration protein has a novel OB-fold and an unusual capsid binding strategy
Authors: Newcomer Rebecca L. , Schrad Jason R. , Gilcrease Eddie B. , Casjens Sherwood R. , Feig Michael , Teschke Carolyn M. , Alexandrescu Andrei T. , Parent Kristin N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe major coat proteins of dsDNA tailed phages and herpesviruses form capsids by a mechanism that includes active packaging of the dsDNA genome into a precursor procapsid, followed by expansion and stabilization of the capsid. These viruses have evolved diverse strategies to fortify their capsids, such as non-covalent binding of auxiliary “decoration” (Dec) proteins. The Dec protein from the P22-like phage L has a highly unusual binding strategy that precisely distinguishes between nearly identical three-fold and quasi-three-fold sites of the icosahedral capsid. Cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction were employed to determine the structure of native phage L particles. NMR was used to determine the structure/dynamics of Dec in solution. Lastly, the NMR structure and the cryo-EM density envelope were combined to build a model of the capsid-bound Dec trimer. Key regions that modulate the binding interface were verified by site-directed mutagenesis.
Incentive salience attribution, “sensation-seeking” and “novelty-seeking” are independent traits in a large sample of male and female heterogeneous stock rats
Authors: Hughson Alesa R. , Horvath Aidan P. , Holl Katie , Palmer Abraham A. , Woods Leah C. Solberg , Robinson Terry E. , Flagel Shelly B. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThere are a number of traits that are thought to increase susceptibility to addiction, and some of these are modeled in preclinical studies. For example, “sensation-seeking” is predictive of the initial propensity to take drugs; whereas “novelty-seeking” predicts compulsive drug-seeking behavior. In addition, the propensity to attribute incentive salience to reward cues can predict the propensity to approach drug cues, and reinstatement or relapse, even after relatively brief periods of drug exposure. The question addressed here is the extent to which these three ‘vulnerability factors’ are related; that is, predictive of one another. Some relationships have been reported in small samples, but here a large sample of 1,598 outbred male and female heterogeneous stock rats were screened for Pavlovian conditioned approach behavior (to obtain an index of incentive salience attribution; ‘sign-tracking’), and subsequently tested for sensation-seeking and novelty-seeking. Despite the large N there were no significant correlations between these traits, in either males or females. There were, however, novel relationships between multiple measures of incentive salience attribution and, based on these findings, we generated a new metric that captures “incentive value”. Furthermore, there were sex differences on measures of incentive salience attribution and sensation-seeking behavior that were not previously apparent.
Do mechanical strain magnitude and rate drive bone adaptation in adult women? A 12-month prospective randomized trial
Authors: Troy Karen L. , Mancuso Megan E. , Johnson Joshua E. , Wu Zheyang , Schnitzer Thomas J. , Butler Tiffiny A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAlthough there is strong evidence that certain activities can increase bone density and structure in some individuals, it is unclear what specific mechanical factors govern the response. This is important because understanding the effect of mechanical signals on bone could contribute to more effective osteoporosis prevention methods and efficient clinical trial design. The degree to which strain rate and magnitude govern bone adaptation in humans has never been prospectively tested. Here, we studied the effects of a voluntary upper extremity compressive loading task in healthy adult women during a twelve month prospective period. One hundred and two women age 21-40 participated in one of two experiments. (1): low (n=21) and high (n=24) strain magnitude. (2): low (n=21) and high (n=20) strain rate. Control: (n=16): no intervention. Strains were assigned using subject-specific finite element models. Load cycles were recorded digitally. The primary outcome was change in ultradistal integral bone mineral content (iBMC), assessed with QCT. Interim timepoints and secondary outcomes were assessed with high resolution pQCT (HRpQCT). Sixty-six subjects completed the intervention, and interim data were analyzed for 77 subjects. Both the low and high strain rate groups had significant 12-month increases to ultradistal iBMC (change in control: -1.3±2.7%, low strain rate: 2.7±2.1%, high strain rate: 3.4±2.2%), total iBMC, and other measures. “Loading dose” was positively related to 12-month change in ultradistal iBMC, and interim changes to total BMD, cortical thickness and inner trabecular BMD. Subjects who gained the most bone completed, on average, 130 loading bouts of (mean strain) 550 με at 1805 με/s. Those with the greatest gains had the highest loading dose. We conclude that signals related to strain magnitude, rate, and number of loading bouts contribute to bone adaptation in healthy adult women, but only explain a small amount of variance in bone changes.
Effects of dietary replacement of broiler litter withMucuna pruriens utilisforage and seed meal on performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical and physiological parameters in indigenous goats
Authors: Mthiyane Doctor M.N. , Gamedze Nozipho P. , Dlamini Abednego M. , Hugo Arno , Nsahlai Ignatius V. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe productivity of indigenous goats in Africa is constrained by shortage of protein-rich feed especially in winter. This study investigated the nutritional value of mucuna forage (MF) and seed meal (MSM) as alternative protein sources for indigenous goats. Mucuna was planted in 3 parallel and adjacent fields and its foliage nutritional composition determined at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after planting (WAP). MF was harvested at 14 WAP whilst mucuna pods were harvested at 28 – 30 WAP, shelled and the MSM chemically analysed. In a completely randomised design (CRD), 20 indigenous goats were randomly offered 5 treatment diets with, respectively, 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% MF and 100% MSM replacing broiler litter (BL), each with 4 replicates, for 82 days. Both mucuna foliage DM and CF contents increased (P < 0.001) whilst foliage CP, EE and ash contents decreased (P<0.001) with maturity. On the other hand, MSM contained high DM (90.7%), EE (3.7% DM) and CP (26.0% DM) but low CF (9.7% DM) and ash (5.5% DM) contents. Both body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were not influenced by dietary mucuna incorporation (P > 0.05). However, dietary MF, particularly at the 100% level, decreased goat feed intake (FI) (P < 0.001) whilst 100% MSM increased (P < 0.001) this parameter. Mucuna had no effect on all carcass characteristics (P > 0.05) but increased (P < 0.05), particularly at the 100% MSM level, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage. There were no effects of mucuna on all biochemical and haematological indices (P > 0.05), except for the increase in serum glucose (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the optimal stage for harvesting and utilisation of MF is between 12 and 16 WAP and both MF and MSM, particularly the latter, are rich alternative protein sources for indigenous goats.
Engineered variants provide new insight into the structural properties important for activity of the highly dynamic, trimeric protein disulfide isomerase, PmScsC
Authors: Furlong Emily J. , Kurth Fabian , Premkumar Lakshmanane , Whitten Andrew E. , Martin Jennifer L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSuppressor of copper sensitivity protein C from Proteus mirabilis (PmScsC) is a homotrimeric disulfide isomerase that plays a role in copper tolerance – a key virulence trait of the uropathogen. Each protomer of the enzyme has an N-terminal trimerisation stem (59 residues) containing a flexible linker (11 residues) connected to a thioredoxin-fold-containing catalytic domain (163 residues). Here, we characterise two PmScsC variants, PmScsCΔN and PmScsCΔLinker. PmScsCΔN, is an N-terminally truncated form of the protomer with two helices of the trimerisation stem removed, generating a protein with dithiol oxidase rather than disulfide isomerase activity. The crystal structure of PmScsCΔN reported here reveals – as expected – a monomer that is structurally similar to the catalytic domain of native PmScsC. The second variant PmScsCΔLinker was designed to remove the 11 amino acid linker and we show that it generates a protein that has neither disulfide isomerase nor dithiol oxidase activity. The crystal structure of PmScsCΔLinker reveals a trimeric arrangement, with the catalytic domains packed together very closely. Small angle X-ray scattering analysis found that native PmScsC is predominantly trimeric in solution even at low concentration, whereas PmScsCΔLinker exists as an equilibrium between monomeric, dimeric and trimeric states, with the monomeric form dominating at low concentrations. These findings increase our understanding of disulfide isomerase activity, showing how (i) oligomerisation, (ii) spacing between, and (iii) dynamic motion of, catalytic domains in PmScsC all contribute to its native function.
Identification of traits and functional connectivity-based neuropsychotypes of chronic pain
Authors: Vachon-Presseau Etienne , Berger Sara E. , Abdullah Taha B. , Griffith James W. , Schnitzer Thomas J. , Apkarian A. Vania 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPsychological and personality factors, socioeconomic status, and brain properties all contribute to chronic pain but have essentially been studied independently. Here, we administered a broad battery of questionnaires to patients with chronic back pain (CBP). Clustering and network analyses revealed four orthogonal dimensions accounting for 60% of the variance, and defining chronic pain traits. Two of these traits – Pain-trait and Emote-trait - were related to back pain characteristics and could be predicted from distinct distributed functional networks in a cross-validation procedure, identifying neurotraits. These neurotraits were relatively stable in time and segregated CBP patients into subtypes showing distinct traits, pain affect, pain qualities, and socioeconomic status (neuropsychotypes). The results unravel the trait space of chronic pain leading to reliable categorization of patients into distinct types. The approach provides metrics aiming at unifying the psychology and the neurophysiology of chronic pain across diverse clinical conditions, and promotes prognostics and individualized therapeutics.
Integrin-mediated attachment of the blastoderm to the vitelline envelope impacts gastrulation of insects
Authors: Münster Stefan , Jain Akanksha , Mietke Alexander , Pavlopoulos Anastasios , Grill Stephan W. , Tomancak Pavel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDuring gastrulation, physical forces reshape the simple embryonic tissue to form a complex body plan of multicellular organisms1. These forces often cause large-scale asymmetric movements of the embryonic tissue2,3. In many embryos, the tissue undergoing gastrulation movements is surrounded by a rigid protective shell4,5. While it is well recognized that gastrulation movements depend on forces generated by tissue-intrinsic contractility6,7, it is not known if interactions between the tissue and the protective shell provide additional forces that impact gastrulation. Here we show that a particular part of the blastoderm tissue of the red flour beetleTribolium castaneumtightly adheres in a temporally coordinated manner to the vitelline envelope surrounding the embryo. This attachment generates an additional force that counteracts the tissue-intrinsic contractile forces to create asymmetric tissue movements. Furthermore, this localized attachment is mediated by a specific integrin, and its knock-down leads to a gastrulation phenotype consistent with complete loss of attachment. Moreover, analysis of another integrin in the fruit flyDrosophila melanogastersuggests that gastrulation in this organism also relies on adhesion between the blastoderm and the vitelline. Together, our findings reveal a conserved mechanism whereby the spatiotemporal pattern of tissue adhesion to the vitelline envelope provides controllable counter-forces that shape gastrulation movements in insects.
The effect of stimulus choice on an EEG-based objective measure of speech intelligibility
Authors: Verschueren Eline , Vanthornhout Jonas , Francart Tom 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivesRecently an objective measure of speech intelligibility, based on brain responses derived from the electroencephalogram (EEG), has been developed using isolated Matrix sentences as a stimulus. We investigated whether this objective measure of speech intelligibility can also be used with natural speech as a stimulus, as this would be beneficial for clinical applications.DesignWe recorded the EEG in 19 normal-hearing participants while they listened to two types of stimuli: Matrix sentences and a natural story. Each stimulus was presented at different levels of speech intelligibility by adding speech weighted noise. Speech intelligibility was assessed in two ways for both stimuli: (1) behaviorally and (2) objectively by reconstructing the speech envelope from the EEG using a linear decoder and correlating it with the acoustic envelope. We also calculated temporal response functions (TRFs) to investigate the temporal characteristics of the brain responses in the EEG channels covering different brain areas.ResultsFor both stimulus types the correlation between the speech envelope and the reconstructed envelope increased with increasing speech intelligibility. In addition, correlations were higher for the natural story than for the Matrix sentences. Similar to the linear decoder analysis, TRF amplitudes increased with increasing speech intelligibility for both stimuli. Remarkable is that although speech intelligibility remained unchanged in the no noise and +2.5 dB SNR condition, neural speech processing was affected by the addition of this small amount of noise: TRF amplitudes across the entire scalp decreased between 0 to 150 ms, while amplitudes between 150 to 200 ms increased in the presence of noise. TRF latency changes in function of speech intelligibility appeared to be stimulus specific: The latency of the prominent negative peak in the early responses (50-300 ms) increased with increasing speech intelligibility for the Matrix sentences, but remained unchanged for the natural story.ConclusionsThese results show (1) the feasibility of natural speech as a stimulus for the objective measure of speech intelligibility, (2) that neural tracking of speech is enhanced using a natural story compared to Matrix sentences and (3) that noise and the stimulus type can change the temporal characteristics of the brain responses. These results might reflect the integration of incoming acoustic features and top-down information, suggesting that the choice of the stimulus has to be considered based on the intended purpose of the measurement.
Evaluation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression in mice genetically heterozygous in Cx43 (Cx43 + / - mice)
Authors: Obaalologhi Wilfred 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTGap junctions are proteins made of connexins which are involved in the regulation of vascular function. Deletion of connexins 43 (Cx43) modifies expression of genes known to be involved in the regulation of the vasculature, differentiation and function of vascular cells. Interestingly, mutant mice lacking endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene have been shown to be hypertensive, suggesting that nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in the physiological control of blood pressure. It was therefore hypothesised that the endothelial deletion of Cx43 in the pulmonary vasculature induces endothelial dysfunction and causes eNOS impairment thereby reducing NO biosynthesis, thus leading to vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling which subsequently leads to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This project was aimed at evaluating eNOS gene expression in mice genetically heterozygous (HET) in Cx43 (Cx43 +/- mice). This was achieved by using lung tissues from four groups of wild type (W/T) and Cx43 +/- (male and female) mice. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was isolated from the lung tissues using RNA II isolation system and was reverse transcribed to complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA). End – point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real time PCR were used to measure the expression of eNOS gene. eNOS gene expression levels were found to be the same in all four groups of mice tested, with no significant difference. The result therefore suggests that eNOS gene is expressed in mice genetically heterozygous in Cx43 (Cx43 + / -).
Adopting Literature-based Discovery on Rehabilitation Therapy Repositioning for Stroke
Authors: Meng Guilin , Huang Yong , Yu Qi , Ding Ying , Wild David , Zhao Yanxin , Liu Xueyuan , Song Min 
Published: September 2018

AbstractStroke is a common disabling disease severely affecting the daily life of the patients. There is evidence that rehabilitation therapy can improve the movement function. However, there are no clear guidelines that identify specific, effective rehabilitation therapy schemes, and the development of new rehabilitation techniques has been fairly slow. One informatics translational approach, called ABC model in Literature-based Discovery, was used to mine an existing rehabilitation candidate which is most likely to be repositioned for stroke. As in the classic ABC model originated from Don Swanson, we built the internal links of stroke (A), assessment scales (B), rehabilitation therapies (C) in PubMed relating to upper limb function measurements for stroke patients. In the first step, with E-utility we retrieved both stroke related assessment scales and rehabilitation therapies records, and complied two datasets called Stroke_Scales and Stroke_Therapies, respectively. In the next step, we crawled all rehabilitation therapies co-occurred with the Stroke_Theapies, named as All_Therapies. Therapies that were already included in Stroke_Therapies were deleted from All_Therapies, so that the remaining therapies were the potential rehabilitation therapies, which could be repositioned for stroke after subsequent filtration by manual check. We identified the top ranked repositioning rehabilitation therapy following by subsequent clinical validation. Hand-arm bimanual intensive training (HABIT) ranked the first in our repositioning rehabilitation therapies list, with the most interaction links with Stroke_Scales. HABIT showed a significant improvement in clinical scores on assessment scales of Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Action Research Arm Test in the clinical validation on upper limb function for acute stroke patients. Based on the ABC model and clinical validation of the results, we put forward that HABIT as a promising rehabilitation therapy for stroke, which shows that the ABC model is an effective text mining approach for rehabilitation therapy repositioning. The results seem to be promoted in clinical knowledge discovery.Author SummaryIn the present study, we proposed a text mining approach to mining terms related to disease, rehabilitation therapy, and assessment scale from literature, with a subsequent ABC inference analysis to identify relationships of these terms across publications. The clinical validation demonstrated that our approach can be used to identify potential repositioning rehabilitation therapy strategies for stroke. Specifically, we identified a promising rehabilitation method called HABIT previously used in pediatric congenital hemiplegia. A subsequent clinical trial confirmed this as a highly promising rehabilitation therapy for stroke.
Accountability practices in microfinance: cultural translation and the role of intermediaries
Authors: Marini Lisa , Andrew Jane , van der Laan Sandra 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how accountability practices are affected and potentially transformed when mediated by translation. Adopting a postcolonial lens, the authors consider the ways in which translation functions and how intermediaries act as cultural translators in the context of microfinance.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors take a qualitative approach to a case study of a microfinance organization based in South Africa. Fieldwork allowed for the collection of data by means of direct observations, interviews, documents and a fieldwork diary.

Findings
The study demonstrates the presence of spaces of hybridity that co-exist within the same organizational context (Bhabha, 1994). Two spaces of hybridity are highlighted, in which translation processes were possible because of the proximity between borrowers and fieldworkers. The first space of hybridity was found locally and here translation shaped an accountability that aimed at leveraging local cultures and favoring cultural framing. The second space of hybridity was characterized by the interaction between oral and written cultures and the translation of responsibilities and expectations was predominantly unidirectional, prioritizing accountability practices consistent with organizational requirements.

Originality/value
This research offers in-depth insights into the links between intermediation, translation and accountability practices. It differs from prior research in considering intermediaries as active translators of accountability practices who act in-between cultures. The authors contend that the translation process reinscribes culture allowing dominant accountability practices to prevail and local cultural traditions to merely contextualize accountability practices.
Innovation and internationalization on the competitiveness of exporting firms
Authors: Pino Soto César Gustavo 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to build a new theoretical model from the interaction between two theoretical approaches. This model can explain the development of organizational innovations from a specific type of knowledge that the firm generate when they face internationalization process. Also, the model shows the effects of the innovations on the performance and competitiveness of the firm.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review, this study connects empirical evidence in two aspects. First, the development of institutional knowledge from experiential learning of the firm in foreign markets. Second, the influence of organizational innovations on the market performance in exporting firms from South American emerging economies.FindingsThe main finding of this study is that the connection between two theoretical perspectives, internationalization process and innovation, it is possible by the international entrepreneurship (IE) field, because IE establishes that the opportunities are in international borders and the firms exploit these opportunities when they build new experiential knowledge associated with institutional conditions in foreign markets. And then, the firms are able to create product innovations and services innovations from this knowledge.Originality/valueThis study shows the theoretical base for explaining that in South American emerging economies the exporting firms can build their competitive advantages based on innovations that arise when they do business in foreign markets.