bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lysogenization of Staphylococcus aureus RN450 by phages ϕ11 and ϕ80α leads to the activation of the SigB regulon
Authors: Fernández Lucía , González Silvia , Quiles-Puchalt Nuria , Gutiérrez Diana , Penadés José R. , García Pilar , Rodríguez Ana 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStaphylococcus aureusis a major opportunistic pathogen that commonly forms biofilms on various biotic and abiotic surfaces. Also, most isolates are known to carry prophages in their genomes. With this in mind, it seems that acquiring a better knowledge of the impact of prophages on the physiology ofS.aureusbiofilm cells would be useful for developing strategies to eliminate this pathogen. Here, we performed RNA-seq analysis of biofilm cells formed byS.aureusRN450 and two derived strains carrying prophages ϕ11 and ϕ80α. The lysogenic strains displayed increased biofilm formation and production of the carotenoid pigment staphyloxanthin. These phenotypes could be partly explained by the differences in gene expression displayed by prophage-harboring strains, namely an activation of the alternative sigma factor (SigB) regulon and downregulation of genes controlled by the Agr quorum-sensing system, especially the decreased transcription of genes encoding dispersion factors like proteases. Nonetheless, spontaneous lysis of part of the population could also contribute to the increased attached biomass. Interestingly, it appears that the phage CI protein plays a role in orchestrating these phage-host interactions, although more research is needed to confirm this possibility. Likewise, future studies should examine the impact of these two prophages during the infection.
Prediction of electro-anatomical substrate and arrhythmia recurrences using APPLE, DR-FLASH and MB-LATER scores in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation
Authors: Kornej Jelena , Schumacher Katja , Dinov Borislav , Kosich Falco , Sommer Philipp , Arya Arash , Husser Daniela , Bollmann Andreas , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Hindricks Gerhard 
Published: August 2018

AbstractArrhythmia recurrences after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) cause intensive treatment costs. Left atrial electro-anatomical remodeling measured as low voltage areas (LVA) during catheter ablation indicates advanced disease stage and is associated with poor ablation success. The aim of this study was to analyze the prediction of LVA and arrhythmia recurrences using APPLE, DR-FLASH and MB-LATER scores. APPLE, DR-FLASH scores were calculated at baseline and MB-LATER at 3 months post-ablation in AF patients undergoing first catheter ablation. LVA was determined using high-density maps and defined as <0.5 mV. Early (ERAF, <3 months) and late (LRAF, 3–12 months) were analyzed during follow-up. The study population included 241 patients (age 64 ± 11 years, 59% males, 59% persistent AF, 27% LVA, 27% LRAF). LVA were significantly associated with recurrences (OR 2.081, p = 0.026). While on univariable analysis, all scores were significantly associated with LVA, on multivariable analysis only APPLE (OR 1.789, p < 0.001) and DR-FLASH (OR 2.144, p < 0.001) remained significant predictors. However, MB-LATER (OR 1.445, p = 0.034) and ERAF (OR 5.078, p < 0.001) remained associated with LRAF on the multivariable analysis. These results were validated in a subgroup of 873 patients (age 61 ± 10, 63% males, 39% persistent AF, 34% LRAF, 27% LVA) from The Leipzig Heart Center AF Ablation Registry. All scores were significantly associated with recurrences. However, ERAF was the most powerful predictor for later rhythm outcomes. Summarizing, a clinical score useful for prediction for both LVA and rhythm outcomes in AF patients remains a clinical unmet need.
In Vitro Modulation of Redox and Metabolism Interplay at the Brain Vascular Endothelium: Genomic and Proteomic Profiles of Sulforaphane Activity
Authors: Sajja Ravi K. , Kaisar Mohammad A. , Vijay Vikrant , Desai Varsha G. , Prasad Shikha , Cucullo Luca 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSulforaphane (SFN) has been shown to protect the brain vascular system and effectively reduce ischemic injuries and cognitive deficits. Given the robust cerebrovascular protection afforded by SFN, the objective of this study was to profile these effects in vitro using primary mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells and focusing on cellular redox, metabolism and detoxification functions. We used a mouse MitoChip array developed and validated at the FDA National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) to profile a host of genes encoded by nuclear and mt-DNA following SFN treatment (0–5 µM). Corresponding protein expression levels were assessed (ad hoc) by qRT-PCR, immunoblots and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Gene ontology clustering revealed that SFN treatment (24 h) significantly up-regulated ~50 key genes (>1.5 fold, adjusted p < 0.0001) and repressed 20 genes (<0.7 fold, adjusted p < 0.0001) belonging to oxidative stress, phase 1 & 2 drug metabolism enzymes (glutathione system), iron transporters, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. Our results show that SFN stimulated the production of ATP by promoting the expression and activity of glucose transporter-1, and glycolysis. In addition, SFN upregulated anti-oxidative stress responses, redox signaling and phase 2 drug metabolism/detoxification functions, thus elucidating further the previously observed neurovascular protective effects of this compound.
Identification and characterization of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by an integrated whole-cell target-based approach
Authors: Soto Ramón , Perez-Herran Esther , Rodriguez Beatriz , Duma Bogdan M. , Cacho-Izquierdo Monica , Mendoza-Losana Alfonso , Lelievre Joel , Aguirre David Barros , Ballell Lluis , Cox Liam R. , Alderwick Luke J. , Besra Gurdyal S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, has surpassed HIV as the leading cause of death due to an infectious disease worldwide, being responsible for more than 1.5 million deaths in low-income countries. In response to a pandemic threat by drug resistant strains, the tuberculosis research community is searching for new chemical entities with novel mechanisms of action to avoid drug resistance and shorten treatment regimens using combinatorial chemotherapy. Herein, we have identified several novel chemical scaffolds, GSK97C (spiro-oxazolidin-2-one), GSK93A (2-amino-1,3-thiazole, GSK85A and GSK92A (enamides), which target M. tuberculosis aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (Mt-AspRS), an essential component of the protein synthesis machinery of tuberculosis, using a whole-cell target-based screening strategy against a genetically modified Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain. We also provide further evidence of protein inhibition and inhibitor profiling through a classical aminoacylation reaction and a tRNA-independent assay, respectively. Altogether, our results have identified a number of hit new molecules with novel mechanism of action for further development through medicinal chemistry as hits and leads.
Consistent visuomotor adaptations and generalizations can be achieved through different rotations of robust motor modules
Authors: De Marchis Cristiano , Di Somma Jacopo , Zych Magdalena , Conforto Silvia , Severini Giacomo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHumans can adapt their motor commands in response to alterations in the movement environment. This is achieved by tuning different motor primitives, generating adaptations that can be generalized also to relevant untrained scenarios. A theory of motor primitives has shown that natural movements can be described as combinations of muscle synergies. Previous studies have shown that motor adaptations are achieved by tuning the recruitment of robust synergy modules. Here we tested if: 1) different synergistic tunings can be achieved in response to the same perturbations applied with different orders of exposure; 2) different synergistic tunings can explain different patterns of generalization of adaptation. We found that exposing healthy individuals to two visuomotor rotation perturbations covering different parts of the same workspace in a different order resulted in different tunings of the activation of the same set of synergies. Nevertheless, these tunings resulted in the same net biomechanical adaptation patterns. We also show that the characteristics of the different tunings correlate with the presence and extent of generalization of adaptation to untrained portions of the workspace. Our results confirm synergies as invariant motor primitives whose recruitment is dynamically tuned during motor adaptations.
Synthesis of Sn‐doped ZnO hierarchical particles and their gas‐sensing properties
Authors: Qin Xi , Wang Xu , Gu Dawei , Shen Linjiang 
Published: August 2018

In this work, un‐doped and Sn‐doped hierarchical ZnO particles with high dispersity were successfully fabricated by a facile liquid reaction. The prepared samples are characterised by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The as‐synthesised hierarchical ZnO particles with a diameter of ∼1.5 μm were obtained by considerably intersecting thin nanosheets of ∼20 nm thickness. The morphology of ZnO structures can be varied by adjusting reaction parameters, e.g. reaction temperature, calcination temperature, and dopant concentration. On the basis of experimental results, the gas‐sensing measurement displays that the sensor based on Sn‐doped ZnO microstructures have a low detection of 10 ppm ethanol at an operational temperature of 250°C, demonstrating its outstanding gas‐sensing performance. Therefore, the flower‐like Sn‐doped ZnO have prospective applications in a multifunction ethanol sensor. Moreover, the fabrication method reported in the work is facile, flexible and operable, it is possible to extend to synthesise other types of metal oxide‐based applications in various fields.
DEGEA-Curriculum für Refresherkurs Sedierung und Notfallmanagement in der Endoskopie für Endoskopiepflege- und -assistenzpersonal – Update 2018
Authors: Beilenhoff Ulrike , Engelke Monika , Kern-Waechter Elisabeth , Maeting Silvia , Pfeifer Ute , Riphaus Andrea , Wietfeld Kornelia 
Published: August 2018

ZusammenfassungDas DEGEA-Refresher-Curriculum baut auf dem Curriculum zum 3-Tages-Grundkurs auf. Es bietet die Möglichkeit, Endoskopiefachpersonal periodisch in Sedierung und Notfallmanagement zu schulen und das eigene Handeln zu reflektieren.
The effect of playing status, maturity status, and playing position on the development of match skills in elite youth football players aged 11–18 years: A mixed‐longitudinal study
Authors: Saward Chris , Morris John G. , Nevill Mary E. , Sunderland Caroline 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis mixed‐longitudinal study examined the development of match skills in elite male youth footballers (aged 11–18 years), while considering the effect of playing status, maturity status, and playing position. Across two seasons, 126 elite male youth footballers were assessed in 1–10 competitive matches (401 player‐matches). For each match, the on‐the‐ball actions of each player were recorded using a notation system. The match skills observed were frequencies of successful passes, on‐target shots, dribbles, crosses, clearances, and tackles/blocks/interceptions. Multilevel Poisson analysis was used to model the development of players, with regard to each match skill. Modelling revealed significant (p < .05) age‐related changes in the frequency of several match skills. That is, dribbles increased, on‐target shots, crosses and tackles/blocks/interceptions decreased, whereas changes in successful passes were position‐specific. Players retained by an academy performed more dribbles compared to released players (p < .05) (e.g. retained vs. released 18‐year‐old centre forward = 4.1 vs. 2.0 dribbles per hour), and retained defenders performed more tackles/blocks/interceptions than released defenders (p < .05) (e.g. retained vs. released 18‐year‐old, on‐time maturing centre back = 12.5 vs. 10.2 tackles/blocks/interceptions per hour). Moreover, compared to on‐time maturing players, early maturing players performed more tackles/blocks/interceptions (p < .05) (e.g. on‐time vs. early maturing retained 18‐year‐old centre back = 12.5 vs. 15.2 tackles/blocks/interceptions per hour). Playing position affected all match skills (p < .05). The developmental profiles of match skills presented here may support experts in identifying and developing talented footballers across a wide age range, while considering the influence of maturity status and playing position.
Effects of low volume isometric leg press complex training at two knee angles on force‐angle relationship and rate of force development
Authors: Bogdanis Gregory C. , Tsoukos Athanasios , Methenitis Spyridon K. , Selima Elisavet , Veligekas Panagiotis , Terzis Gerasimos 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study compared knee angle‐specific neuromuscular adaptations after two low‐volume isometric leg press complex training programmes performed at different muscle lengths. Fifteen young males were divided into two groups and trained three times per week for 6 weeks. One group (n = 8) performed 5–7 sets of 3 s maximum isometric leg press exercise, with 4 min recovery, with knee angle at 85° ± 2° (longer muscle‐tendon unit length; L‐MTU). The other group (n = 7) performed the same isometric training at a knee angle of 145° ± 2° (180° = full extension; shorter muscle‐tendon unit length; S‐MTU). During the recovery after each set of isometric exercise, participants performed two CMJ every minute, as a form of complex training. Maximum isometric force (MIF) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured over a wide range of knee angles. Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and maximum half‐squat strength (1RM) were also assessed. Training at S‐MTU induced a large increase of MIF (22–58%, p < 0.02) and RFD (18–43%, p < 0.05 to 0.001) at knee angles close to the training angle and resulted in a 14° ± 9° shift of the force vs. knee joint angle relationship towards extended knee joint angles (p = 0.001). In contrast, training at L‐MTU, resulted in a moderate and similar (≈12.3%, p = 0.028) improvement of force at all knee angles. CMJ performance and 1RM were equally increased in both groups after training by 10.4% ± 8.3% and 7.8% ± 4.7% (p < 0.001), respectively. Low‐volume maximal isometric leg‐press complex training at S‐MTU causes angle‐specific adaptations in isometric strength and RFD, while dynamic muscle performance is independent of muscle length during training.
TRCirc: a resource for transcriptional regulation information of circRNAs
Authors: Tang Zhidong , Li Xuecang , Zhao Jianmei , Qian Fengcui , Feng Chenchen , Li Yanyu , Zhang Jian , Jiang Yong , Yang Yongsan , Wang Qiuyu , Li Chunquan 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
In recent years, high-throughput genomic technologies like chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIp-seq) and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) have been becoming both more refined and less expensive, making them more accessible. Many circular RNAs (circRNAs) that originate from back-spliced exons have been identified in various cell lines across different species. However, the regulatory mechanism for transcription of circRNAs remains unclear. Therefore, there is an urgent need to construct a database detailing the transcriptional regulation of circRNAs. TRCirc (http://www.licpathway.net/TRCirc) provides a resource for efficient retrieval, browsing and visualization of transcriptional regulation information of circRNAs. The current version of TRCirc documents 92 375 circRNAs and 161 transcription factors (TFs) from more than 100 cell types and together represent more than 765 000 TF–circRNA regulatory relationships. Furthermore, TRCirc provides other regulatory information about transcription of circRNAs, including their expression, methylation levels, H3K27ac signals in regulation regions and super-enhancers associated with circRNAs. TRCirc provides a convenient, user-friendly interface to search, browse and visualize detailed information about these circRNAs.
Corruption and Contractors in the Atlantic World, 1754–1763
Authors: Graham Aaron 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
This article examines the reality of corruption among contractors in North America during the French and Indian War (1754–63), one of the key grievances in the prologue to the Revolution, and argues that contemporaries were mistaken about its ubiquity. The letters of financial contractors remitting money to their agents show that they saw it as a patriotic duty rather than just a commercial transaction, and frequently went beyond the letter of the contract in order to maintain the flow of money to the British army in North America. Why did corruption therefore appear so dangerously prevalent? Military finance was inherently complex and opaque, and open to misinterpretation. Although shared political loyalties held together the contractors and their agents and helped to police their behaviour, other imperial and colonial components of the British state had different priorities and therefore saw the public service in different ways. Disagreements over military finance were misconstrued by both sides as obstruction, and as evidence of outright corruption, which served as a polemical tool to discredit alternative views of the public interest. Corruption therefore appeared so prevalent, and obtained such political power, because of misunderstandings and contests within the fabric of the British state about the best direction for public policy.
Alliance management knowledge and alliance performance: unveiling the moderating role of the dedicated alliance function
Authors: Russo Angeloantonio , Vurro Clodia 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study attempts to increase the understanding of how different solutions to build alliance management capability influence alliance performance. We propose that both reliance on the informal accumulation of alliance experience (i.e., tacit alliance management knowledge, AMK) and articulation of alliance know-how in the form of usable guidelines, checklists, or manuals (i.e., codified AMK) have an inverted U-shaped influence on alliance performance. Additionally, we investigate the moderating role of having the dedicated alliance function (DAF) on the curvilinear relationships between reliance on AMK and performance. Based on a sample of 113 large firms involved in strategic alliances, we find support for the inverted U-shaped relationship between reliance on tacit and codified AMK and alliance performance. Moreover, our results indicate that the DAF has a positive impact on the deployment of AMK. The DAF turns into improved performance when the reliance on experiential learning and the codification of AMK are both limited. Moreover, the DAF also reduces the potential downside effects of relying on higher levels of both types of AMK. Finally, DAF diversity, in terms of educational, functional, and tenure heterogeneity of its members, emerges as relevant to achieve effective alliance know-how collection and deployment for superior alliance performance.
Comparison of Six Artificial Diets for Western Corn Rootworm Bioassays and Rearing
Authors: Meihls Lisa N , Huynh Man P , Ludwick Dalton C , Coudron Thomas A , French B Wade , Shelby Kent S , Hitchon Andrea J , Smith Jocelyn L , Schaafsma Art W , Pereira Adriano E , Hibbard Bruce E 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is considered the most important maize (Zea mays L.) pest in the U.S. Corn Belt. Bioassays testing susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) and other toxins of corn rootworm larvae often rely on artificial diet formulations. Successful bioassays on artificial diet for corn rootworm have sometimes been challenging because of microbial contamination. Toward the long-term goal of developing a universal artificial diet for western corn rootworm larvae, we compared larval survival, dry weight, and percentage of molt in 10-d bioassays from six current diets of which we were aware. In addition, as part of longer term rearing efforts, we recorded molting over an extended period of development (60 d). Six different artificial diets, including four proprietary industry diets (A, B, C, and D), the first published artificial diet for western corn rootworm (Pleau), and a new diet (WCRMO-1) were evaluated. Western corn rootworm larval survival was above 90% and contamination was 0% on all diets for 10 d. Diet D resulted in the greatest dry weight and percentage molting when compared with the other diets. Although fourth-instar western corn rootworm larvae have not been documented previously (only three instars have been previously documented), as many as 10% of the larvae from Diet B molted into a fourth instar prior to pupating. Overall, significant differences were found among artificial diets currently used to screen western corn rootworm. In order for data from differing toxins to be compared, a single, reliable and high-quality western corn rootworm artificial diet should eventually be chosen by industry, academia, and the public as a standard for bioassays.
The first photometric investigation and period study of two W UMa-type binary systems: EF CVn and EH CVn
Authors: Xia Qi-Qi , Li Kai , Chen Xu , Guo Di-Fu , Gao Dong-Yang 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
By analyzing the V, Rc, and Ic light curves of the two neglected W UMa-type binaries EF CVn and EH CVn using the Wilson–Devinney code, we have discovered that EF CVn is a median contact binary while EH CVn is a shallow contact binary, and they are both W-subtype binary systems. The mass ratio and fillout factor of EF CVn are q = 3.493 ± 0.063 and f = 32.0% ± 12.9%, respectively. Those of EH CVn are q = 3.331 ± 0.052 and f = 19.2% ± 10.9%, respectively. The addition of a dark spot on the secondary star is used to interpret the asymmetric light curves of EF CVn. An orbital period analysis of EF CVn indicates that there is a cyclic oscillation with an amplitude of 0.0064 d and a period of 15.65 yr, accompanied by a continuous increase at a rate of dp/dt = 4.52 × 10−7 d yr−1. The periodic oscillation can reasonably be explained by the light travel-time effect of an additional component. The secular increase is probably generated by conservative mass transfer from the primary star to the secondary star. Meanwhile, an analysis of the orbital period of EH CVn was also performed. A long-term period decrease at a rate of dp/dt = −5.20 × 10−8 d yr−1 was discovered; this is possibly interpreted as caused by mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive component.
Barriers and facilitators of access to biological material for international research: The role of institutions and networks
Authors: Fusi Federica , Welch Eric W , Siciliano Michael 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
In recent years, international and national policies have intensified monitoring and control over the access, exchange, and use of biological materials. New regulative institutions addressing concerns about ownership and safety, as well as fairness and equity, are increasingly intermingled with informal practices and norms of exchange, raising the barriers to access biological materials that scientists face. Drawing from unique survey-based ego-centric network data collected from US and non-US scientists engaged in international collaborative research at the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Labs, this article investigates how regulative institutions, organizational and regional norms (meso-level institutions), and interpersonal networks facilitate or challenge access to biological materials for research. Our results show that while regulative institutions hinder access, meso-level institutions are important access facilitators in an international context. Network ties reduce the delays and blockages to access of biological material, but they do not eliminate them.