bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel ex vivo bovine corneal infection and clearance model for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ukachukwu Faith Uche , Alany Raid , Snyder Lori A.S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractOcular infections caused by bacterial pathogens may damage the cornea and rapidly progress to permanent blindness. Topical application of an ophthalmic formulation is often used to treat corneal infections. The animal models used in many preclinical studies frequently involve expensivein vivoexperiments that compromises the corneal epithelium to mimic real life conditions such as during contact lens wear, but these do not consider other instances where infection occurs in intact corneas such as in ophthalmia neonatorum. To develop anex vivomodel of infection, bovine eyes from human food chain waste were processed and the corneas inoculated withNeisseria gonorrhoeaestrain NCCP 11945, Staphylococcus aureusstrain 6571, andPseudomonas aeruginosastrain ATCC 15442 for 1 hour, 4 hours, and 6 hours, respectively. Inoculation included intact bovine corneas and those compromised with scalpel, needle, and blot methods. Recovery ofN. gonorrhoeae,S. aureus,andP. aeruginosacolonies demonstrated that infection of bovine corneas was achieved with intact and compromised corneas using this model. In addition, corneas inoculated with the bacteria were treated with a suitable antibiotic, demonstrating clearance of the bacterial infections with at least 5 log10reduction. This model is appropriate for both establishing infection and testing the ability of antimicrobial agents to clear bacterial eye infections. The bovineex vivomodel is reliable, cost-effective, suitable for different bacteria species, and reduces the need for further animal exploitation in laboratory research.Author SummaryBacterial pathogens such asNeisseria gonorrhoeae,Staphylococcus aureus,andPseudomonas aeruginosainfect the eyes, damage the clear transparent cornea and may eventually cause blindness. Severalin vivoanimal models that have been used to investigate corneal infections in preclinical studies involve compromising the integrity of the corneal epithelium, which predisposes the eye to infection and simulates conditions of corneal abrasion suggested to be seen during contact lens wear. However, corneal infection in infants during ophthalmia neonatorum occurs with intact corneal epithelium and as such may not be explained by abrasion simulating models. Also,in vivoexperiments are expensive, involve invasive corneal procedures despite efforts at ethical compliance, and may be time consuming. Reliable models that are quicker, cost effective, cause less (or no) discomfort to animals, and simulate a wide range of corneal infection scenarios need to be explored. Here, we demonstrate the use of a novelex vivobovine eye model to establish bacterial infection of the cornea, with and without compromising the corneal epithelium, and clearance of the infection with selected antimicrobial agents. The optimisation of theex vivobovine corneal infection model may serve as a bridge betweenin vitroandin vivomodels of corneal infection.
Previous motor task performance impacts phase-based EEG resting-state connectivity states
Authors: Rosjat Nils , Hommelsen Maximilian , Fink Gereon R. , Daun Silvia 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe resting human brain cycles through distinct states that can be analyzed using microstate analysis and electroencephalography (EEG) data. This approach classifies, multichannel EEG data into spontaneously interchanging microstates based on topographic features. These microstates may be valuable biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases since they reflect the resting brain’s state. However, microstates do not provide information about the active neural networks during the resting-state.This article presents an alternative and complementary method for analyzing resting-state EEG data and demonstrates its reproducibility and reliability. This method considers cerebral connectivity states defined by phase synchronization and measured using the corrected imaginary phase-locking value (ciPLV) based on source-reconstructed EEG recordings. We analyzed resting-state EEG data from young, healthy participants acquired on five consecutive days before and after a motor task. We show that our data reproduce microstates previously reported. Further, we reveal four stable topographic patterns over the multiple recording sessions in the source connectivity space. While the classical microstates were unaffected by a preceding motor task, the connectivity states were altered, reflecting the suppression of frontal activity in the post-movement resting-state.
Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) cross-species infection and transmission in pigs
Authors: Yadav Kush K. , Boley Patricia A , Lee Carolyn M , Khatiwada Saroj , Jung Kwonil , Laocharoensuk Thamonpan , Hofstetter Jake , Wood Ronna , Hanson Juliette , Kenney Scott P. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRocahepevirus ratti, an emerging hepatitis E virus (HEV), has recently been found to be infectious to humans. Rats are a primary reservoir of the virus; thus, it is referred to as “rat HEV”. Rats are often found on swine farms in close contact with pigs. Our goal was to determine whether swine may serve as a transmission host for rat HEV by characterizing an infectious cDNA clone of a zoonotic rat HEV, strain LCK-3110, in vitro and in vivo. RNA transcripts of LCK-3110 were constructed and assessed for their replicative capacity in cell culture and in gnotobiotic pigs. Fecal suspension from rat HEV-positive gnotobiotic pigs was inoculated into conventional pigs cohoused with naïve pigs. Our results demonstrated that capped RNA transcripts of LCK-3110 rat HEV replicated in vitro and successfully infected conventional pigs that transmit the virus to cohoused animals. The infectious clone of rat HEV may afford an opportunity to study the genetic mechanisms of rat HEV cross-species infection and tissue tropism.Significance StatementNew zoonotic strains of Rocahepevirus ratti (rat HEV) have emerged infecting both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed people through unknown transmission sources. Pigs are a primary source of transmission for human HEV strains and could be serving a similar role for rat HEV transmission as rats are a common pest found on swine farms worldwide. Rats could be transmitting rat HEV to pigs which could then be transmitted to humans. Determining susceptibility of pigs to emerging zoonotic rat HEV strains can define potentially new transmission routes to inform public health policy and could provide pathology models for rat HEV disease.
Accurate quantification of lysyl oxidase concentration in human tissue
Authors: Yao Yimin , Perryman Lara , Zahoor Amna , Hamilton Ross , Stolp Jessica , Jarolimek Wolfgang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe family of Lysyl oxidase enzymes play fundamental roles in the formation of the extracellular matrix, through catalyzing the crosslinking of collagen and elastin fibers. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) — one of the 5 family members (LOX, LOXL1-4), is a disease biomarker, with blood concentration positively correlating with progression of fibrosis or cancer. An accurate quantification of LOX concentration can support diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression or treatment success. However, reported LOX concentrations in human blood are inconsistent. Therefore, a novel, high-throughput and sensitive digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed using two validated and selective human anti-LOX antibodies and single molecule array technology. Both, the 56 kDa pro-form and the 32 kDa active form can be accurately measured from recombinant and native protein. The serum LOX concentration correlated with LOX activity measured in the same platform using a bio-probe. The usefulness of this technology was demonstrated in serum from bladder cancer patients wherein LOX concentration was significantly higher compared to the healthy subjects. This study demonstrates the validation and use of a sensitive and accurate method for measuring LOX concentration in human samples. This novel method may be superior than some commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for accurate measurement of LOX concentrations in clinical settings.
Antigenic variation impacts gonococcal lifestyle and antibiotic tolerance by modulating interbacterial forces
Authors: Wielert Isabelle , Kraus-Römer Sebastian , Volkmann Thorsten E. , Craig Lisa , Higgins Paul G. , Maier Berenike 
Published: July 2023

AbstractType 4 pili (T4P) are multifunctional filaments involved in adhesion, surface motility, colony formation, and horizontal gene transfer. These extracellular polymers are surface-exposed and, therefore, act as antigens. The human pathogenNeisseria gonorrhoeaeuses pilin antigenic variation to escape immune surveillance, yet it is unclear how antigenic variation impacts other functions of T4P. Here, we addressed this question by replacing the major pilin of a laboratory strain ofN. gonorrhoeaewith pilins from clinical isolates. Structural predictions reveal filament features that vary from one strain to the next, with the potential to impact pilus:pilus interactions. Using a combination of laser tweezers, electron microscopy, and advanced image analysis, we explore the phenotypic consequences of these structural changes. We reveal that strains differing only in their major pilin sequence vary substantially in their attractive forces, which we attribute to variations in the stereochemistry of the T4P filament. In liquid culture, strongly interacting bacteria form colonies while weakly interacting bacteria retain a planktonic lifestyle. We show that lifestyle strongly affects growth kinetics and antibiotic tolerance. In the absence of external stresses, planktonic bacteria grow faster than colony-forming bacteria. In the presence of the antibiotics ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, the killing kinetics indicate strongly increased tolerance of colony-forming strains. We propose that pilin antigenic variation produces a mixed population containing variants optimized for growth, colonization, or survivability under external stress. Different environments select different variants, ensuring the survival and reproduction of the population as a whole.Significance statementNeisseriaare highly successful human pathogens that continuously vary their surface structures to escape immune surveillance. Antigenic variation of the major pilin subunit causes variations of the structure of the Type 4 pilus, a surface exposed virulence factor. Here, we investigate the effect of pilin antigenic variation on bacterial lifestyle and tolerance against antibiotics. We find that pilin antigenic variation causes changes in the physical interactions between the bacteria, resulting in distinct aggregating and planktonic phenotypes. During treatment with antibiotics, aggregating strains are more tolerant than planktonic strains by an order of magnitude. Since tolerance tends to facilitate resistance development, pilin antigenic variation reduces the efficiency of antibiotic treatment.
Cell-type specific optogenetic fMRI on basal forebrain reveals functional network basis of behavioral preference
Authors: Zou Yijuan , Tong Chuanjun , Peng Wanling , Qiu Yue , Li Jiangxue , Xia Ying , Pei Mengchao , Zhang Kaiwei , Li Weishuai , Xu Min , Liang Zhifeng 
Published: July 2023

SummaryThe basal forebrain (BF) is a complex structure that plays key roles in regulating various brain functions. However, it remains unclear how cholinergic and non-cholinergic BF neurons modulate large-scale functional networks and their relevance in intrinsic and extrinsic behaviors. With optimized awake mouse optogenetic fMRI approach, we revealed optogenetic stimulations of four BF neuron types evoked distinct cell-type specific whole-brain BOLD activations, which could attribute to BF-originated low dimensional structural networks. Additionally, optogenetic activation of VGLUT2, ChAT and PV neurons in BF modulated the preference of locomotion, exploration and grooming, respectively. Furthermore, we uncovered the functional network basis of the above BF-modulated behavioral preference, through a decoding model linking the BF-modulated BOLD activations, low dimensional structural networks, and behavioral preference. To summarize, we decoded functional network basis of differential behavioral preference with cell-type specific optogenetic fMRI on BF, and provided an avenue for investigating mouse behaviors from a whole-brain view.
Towards a dynamic conceptual model for understanding the impact of social isolation on SIE women's adjustment and career development
Authors: Schreuders Riana , Carita Andreia , van Aswegen Suzanne 
Published: July 2023

PurposeSelf-initiated expatriates (SIE) women's career decisions are often based on the establishment of close personal relationships in various spheres of life. This paper aims to explore the effects of social isolation in times of crisis on SIE women's work, psychological and general adjustment.Design/methodology/approachThe model of expatriate women's adjustment by Caligiuri and Lazarova (2002) is reviewed and adapted to account for the impact of social isolation and loneliness on SIE women's adjustment and professional development in a crisis context. The interplay between duration and intensity of crisis and acculturative stress over time is highlighted; danger zones for potential maladjustment are identified, and adjustment-as-a-crisis context are incorporated into the model.FindingsThe spillover effects between different life spaces in times of isolation have a negative impact on SIE women's ability to develop supportive relationships in different life spaces. The organization becomes the main point of contact with the host culture, but pressure to perform, uncertain contracts, gendered role division and the experience of a double crisis add to the existing acculturative stress which may lead to maladjustment or further fit-dependent crisis over time.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the theoretical understanding of the impact of social isolation on a single, vulnerable acculturating group, by expanding on an existing static model of adjustment, to account for the temporal (time) and spatial (multi-dimensional crisis context) constraints faced by SIE women which has not been done before.
How do entrepreneurial activities at different levels promote business growth: a review and research agenda
Authors: Wei Wu , Duan Jia 
Published: July 2023

Purpose
This study aims to solve the realistic dilemma between the importance of entrepreneurship and the high rate of entrepreneurial failure, and to point out the direction of subsequent research.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper takes the form of a literature review.

Findings
Entrepreneurial activities involve multiple dimensions. Entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial teams will be affected by multiple factors when starting a business, and sufficient attention should be paid to both the factors within the group and the factors outside the group such as institutional quality and market competition. High entrepreneurial failure rate is an essential characteristic of entrepreneurial activities, while solving this problem requires entrepreneurs to maintain passion, clarify their own motivation, improve their learning abilities and adopt appropriate entrepreneurial strategies to improve entrepreneurial performance. Meanwhile, it also urgent to build entrepreneurial teams with common goals, heterogeneous knowledge structure, outstanding learning ability, solid mutual trust, strong social influence and social capital. Successful entrepreneurship should adhere to the perspective of openness and cooperation. It should not only actively strengthen international cooperation but also fully adapt to the country’s system and culture. Sustainable growth of entrepreneurial enterprises requires not only stable commercial revenue but also responsibility to society, which in turn leads to a good reputation and high social recognition.

Practical implications
The authors hope this review can provide some insightful viewpoints for deepening the theoretical system of entrepreneurship, improving the success rate of entrepreneurship and promoting the sustainable growth of enterprises.

Originality/value
Further research can be carried out on the promotion of business growth by entrepreneurship at the micro level in the following aspects: analyze functional mechanism between innovation and entrepreneurship; entrepreneurship research by integrating multiple institutional contexts and cultural traditions; consider the changes in emerging technologies on entrepreneurial activities; diversified mechanism between entrepreneurship education and business growth.
Are library professionals overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in the current reality?
Authors: Begum Syeda Mukta , Habiba Umme 
Published: July 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on library and information services (LIS) and how library professionals overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic in the current reality.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladesh’s LIS professionals. A structured online questionnaire was designed for the purpose of a quantitative survey. The respondents of this study were LIS professionals in all categories of libraries (e.g. academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries and national library) in Bangladesh. A total of 106 responses from LIS professionals in Bangladesh were received. This study analyzed qualitative data using Braun and Clark’s technique for thematic coding. Researchers interviewed librarians in two phases (during the COVID-19 pandemic and after COVID-19) about how libraries cope up with the COVID crisis. The descriptive findings were examined using diverse descriptive statistics (i.e. frequency numbers and percentages), and for examining the significant differences among demographics’ information regarding challenges faced by LIS professionals, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted. The qualitative responses were carefully analyzed for familiarizing, coding and theme generation.

Findings
The result showed that most LIS professionals (i.e. 46.2% and 43.4%) had faced difficulties in accessing e-resources from home and had failed to maintain balance between work and personal life and to offer remote library services. The LIS professionals mostly used Facebook Messenger and Zoom to communicate with their colleagues and users. Furthermore, many LIS professionals (50.0%) secured their health and safety, adopted hygienic procedures at their workstations and provided virtual reference services. The qualitative findings show that though some libraries have faced challenges in providing online sources and services due to the absence of authority interest, budget scarcity and inadequate information and communication technology infrastructure, some libraries took the initiative to establish library institutional repository and make it available for users from home.

Research limitations/implications
The present study only concentrated on the staff and their actions during and after the pandemic, which was mentioned as a limitation. It would be more effective if the study also considered the user’s viewpoint. The researchers hope that this study will help LIS professionals to support and provide digital and innovative service initiatives in their organization.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first of its kind study in Bangladesh where the staff of all types of libraries expressed their views on the problems they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps they took recently to overcome them.
A tragedy of intersectionality: a study of Fauzia Rafique's Skeena
Authors: Bhola Mehak 
Published: July 2023

PurposeThe papers explores the emergence of an ideological consolidation amidst the theory of intersectionality put forth by Crenshaw and Mohanty's transnational feminist thought vis-à-vis the thematic concerns of Punjabi immigrant fiction.Design/methodology/approachThe paper attempts to follow a qualitative approach in terms of uncovering the various facets of Punjabi Diasporic Fiction vis-à-vis reflecting how intersectionality defines the diasporic condition of third-world immigrant women through contextualizing Fauzia Rafique's text, Skeena.FindingsThe performed study depicts the intellectual consonance between Crenshaw and Mohanty's theories and how immigrant literature aids Crenshaw and Mohanty's hypothesis into praxis.Research limitations/implicationsThe research majorly focuses upon the works of the Punjabi diaspora and studies the diaspora's implications while analyzing how the diaspora contributes in rupturing contemporary hegemonic structures.Originality/valueThe paper has been originally drafted through the honest research performed by the author.
NEET in Turkey: a typology including jobless youths, parental education and employment status as determinants
Authors: Yi̇ği̇t Büşra , Çakmak B. Yasin , Çakmak Eyüp Ensar 
Published: July 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to improve understanding of the role of the family as NEET determinants in a country with free education in a Mediterranean or Southern European welfare state, so that the authors can contribute to policy recommendations and offer suggestions for future studies.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used TurkStat (2021) household workforce statistics microdata (TurkStat permit number 10484) for multinomial logistic regression. These microdata are the most detailed data representation of all households in Turkey in 2021, representing all household members (n = 635.159) and young people aged 15–24 years (n = 88.974) in Turkey. Of the data on youth, those not in education or employment constituted the NEET sample (n = 21,729). The authors also used the 2014–2020 household workforce statistics microdata (TurkStat permit number 3188) to explain the proportional changes between the status of NEETs in past years and today.FindingsThe age factor (20–24) and long-term unemployment in men and marital status (for married and divorced) in women are of critical importance for the risk of being NEET. Compulsory education is the most influential factor in reducing the risk of NEET for both genders. The estimations of logistic regression models showed significantly that the increase in the education level of parents decreased the probability of NEET in the household. In particular, the gains of mothers after compulsory education (university, postgraduate education) increased the probability of young people in the household being NEET compared to the education levels of fathers.Originality/valueThe authors make two contributions with this study. First, the authors discuss current microdata and NEET determinants in Turkey, which is the subject of limited research and has one of the highest rates of NEET in the 15–29-years age category (28.7%) in the OECD (2021). Second, the authors are the first to examine parental education or employment for NEETs in Turkey. Findings from the study allow comparison of Turkey and southern European welfare regime countries and fill the gap in the literature on NEET and parent relationship in Turkey with a strong and up-to-date dataset.