bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PspA-mediated aggregation protectsStreptococcus pneumoniaeagainst desiccation on fomites
Authors: Lane Jessica R. , Tata Muralidhar , Yasmin Rahena , Im Hansol , Briles David E. , Orihuela Carlos J. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniae(Spn) resides in the nasopharynx where it can disseminate to cause disease. One keySpnvirulence factor is pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which promotes survival by blocking the antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin. PspA has also been shown to mediate attachment to dying epithelial cells in the lower airway due to its binding of cell surface-bound mammalian (m)GAPDH. Importantly, the role of PspA during colonization is not well understood. WildtypeSpnwas present in nasal lavage elutes collected from asymptomatically colonized mice at levels ∼10-fold higher that its isogenic PspA-deficient mutant (ΔpspA). WildtypeSpnalso formed aggregates in mucosal secretions composed of sloughed epithelial cells and hundreds of pneumococci, whereas ΔpspAdid not.Spnwithin the center of these aggregates better survived prolonged desiccation on fomites than individual pneumococci and were capable of infecting naïve mice, indicating PspA-mediated aggregation conferred a survival/transmission advantage. Incubation ofSpnin saline containing mGAPDH also enhanced tolerance to desiccation, but only for wildtypeSpn. mGAPDH was sufficient to cause low-level aggregation of wildtypeSpnbut not ΔpspA. In strain WU2, the subdomain of PspA responsible for binding GAPDH (aa230-281) is ensconced within the lactoferrin (LF)-binding domain (aa167-288). We observed that LF inhibited GAPDH-mediated aggregation and desiccation tolerance. Using surface plasmon resonance, we determined thatSpnforms multimeric complexes of PspA-GAPDH-LF on its surface and that LF dislodges GAPDH. Our findings have important implications regarding pneumococcal colonization/transmission processes and ongoing PspA-focused immunization efforts for this deadly pathogen.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pneumoniae(Spn) is a dangerous human pathogen capable of causing pneumonia and invasive disease. The virulence factor pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) has been studied for nearly four decades with well-established roles in pneumococcal evasion of C-reactive protein and neutralization of lactoferricin. Herein, we show that mammalian (m)GAPDH in mucosal secretions promotes aggregation of pneumococci in a PspA-dependent fashion, whereas lactoferrin counters this effect. PspA-mediated GAPDH-dependent bacterial aggregation protectedSpnin nasal lavage elutes and grownin vitrofrom desiccation on fomites. Furthermore, surviving pneumococci within these aggregates retained their ability to colonize naïve hosts after desiccation. We report thatSpnbinds to and forms protein complexes on its surface composed of PspA, mGAPDH, and lactoferrin. Changes in the levels of these proteins therefore most likely have critical implications onSpncolonization, survival on fomites, and transmission.
Analysis of nasopharyngeal microbiome patterns in Zambian infants with fatal acute febrile illness
Authors: Odom Aubrey R. , McClintock Jessica , Gill Christopher J. , Pieciak Rachel , Ismail Arshad , MacLeod William B. , Johnson W. Evan , Lapidot Rotem 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIntroductionAssociative connections have previously been identified between nasopharyngeal infections and infant mortality. The nasopharyngeal microbiome may potentially influence the severity of these infections.MethodsWe conducted an analysis of a longitudinal prospective cohort study of 1,981 infants who underwent nasopharyngeal sampling from 1 week through 14 weeks of age at 2–3-week intervals. In all, 27 microbiome samples from 9 of the infants in the cohort who developed fatal acute febrile illness (fAFI) were analyzed in pooled comparisons with 69 samples from 10 healthy comparator infants. We completed 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing all infant NP samples and characterized the maturation of the infant NP microbiome among the fAFI(+) and fAFI(-) infant cohorts.ResultsBeta diversity measures of fAFI(-) infants were markedly higher than those of fAFI(+) infants. The fAFI(+) infant NP microbiome was marked by higher abundances ofEscherichia, Pseudomonas, Leuconostoc, andWeissella, with low relative presence ofAlkalibacterium, Dolosigranulum, Moraxella, andStreptococcus.ConclusionsOur results suggest that nasopharyngeal microbiome dysbiosis precedes fAFI in young infants. Early dysbiosis, involving microbes such asEscherichia, may play a role in the causal pathway leading to fAFI or could be a marker of other pathogenic forces that directly lead to fAFI.
Variable and reversible opacification process on IOLs for cataract simulation
Authors: Akyazi Deniz , Zolfaghari Parviz , Sahin Afsun , Urey Hakan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractUnderstanding vision through mild and dense cataracts is important for vision scientists and IOL developers. There have been virtual simulators using VR headsets for subjective evaluation of cataractous vision. However, a physical intraocular lens with variable cataracts for objective evaluation is not available. In this study, we developed a reversible process that can be selectively applied to the whole or parts of an IOL to affect the opacification level. We used our eye model and developed a cataractous lens simulator for progressive levels of opacification, which is achieved by applying a reversible chemical procedure on the intraocular lens surfaces. After the lens is fully or partially immersed in acetone, subsequent testing of the lens in distilled water results in a progressive change in opacification level within minutes. We measured the quality of vision by obtaining modulation transfer function curves, transmission, and spectroscopic measurements at different opacification levels. By simulating variable opacification across the IOLs, we tested how vision changes from less dense to more dense cataractous regions in a holographic display system with programmable small exit pupils. All results were consistent with the expected vision degradation caused by natural opacification.
Evolution of gene expression across brain regions in behaviorally divergent deer mice
Authors: Kautt Andreas F. , Chen Jenny , Lewarch Caitlin L. , Hu Caroline , Turner Kyle , Lassance Jean-Marc , Baier Felix , Bedford Nicole L. , Bendesky Andres , Hoekstra Hopi E. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe evolution of innate behaviors is ultimately due to genetic variation likely acting in the nervous system. Gene regulation may be particularly important because it can evolve in a modular brain-region specific fashion through the concerted action ofcis- andtrans-regulatory changes. Here, to investigate transcriptional variation and its regulatory basis across the brain, we perform RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on ten brain subregions in two sister species of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatusandP. polionotus) – which differ in a range of innate behaviors, including their social system – and their F1hybrids. We find that most of the variation in gene expression distinguishes subregions, followed by species. Interspecific differential expression (DE) is pervasive (52–59% of expressed genes), whereas the number of DE genes between sexes is modest overall (∼3%). Interestingly, the identity of DE genes varies considerably across brain regions. Much of this modularity is due tocis-regulatory divergence, and while 43% of genes were consistently assigned to the same gene regulatory class across subregions (e.g., conserved,cis-, ortrans-regulatory divergence), a similar number were assigned to two or more different gene regulatory classes. Together, these results highlight the modularity of gene expression differences and divergence in the brain, which may be key to explain how the evolution of brain gene expression can contribute to the astonishing diversity of animal behaviors.
Migration distance and mating system are not associated with genetic diversity and differentiation among bats (Chiroptera)
Authors: Thorstensen Matt J. , Korpach Alicia M. , de Greef Evelien , Newediuk Levi , Schmidt Chloé , Garroway Colin J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGenetic variation is critical for evolutionary responses to environmental change. Links between genetic variation and behavioural or life history traits may reveal how varied strategies influence evolutionary trends in speciation and adaptation. Traits associated with movement typically correlate with population genetic structure and could help predict populations’ vulnerability to geographic processes such as habitat fragmentation and disease spread. With their wide diversity in behaviours and ecologies, bats provide a useful testing ground for hypotheses about population structure related to species-specific movement patterns. We used a global sample of microsatellite data (n=233 sites from 17 bat species) associated with published studies to examine potential links between genetic variation and migration and mating strategies. The genetic measures we tested were population-specific differentiation, gene diversity, and allelic richness. Using Bayesian models that accounted for phylogenetic distances among species, we identified no correlations between migration or mating strategy and genetic variation. Our results do not support long-standing hypotheses about dispersal-mediated genetic structure, and contrast with prior studies on bat genetic diversity and differentiation. We discuss the need for continued research into the complex association of ecological, biogeographical, and behavioural factors that facilitate gene flow among populations, especially in species with diverse movement patterns.
Identification of a link between splicing and endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis
Authors: Zahoor Muhammad , Dong Yanchen , Preussner Marco , Shameen Alam Sabrina , Hajdu Renata , Reiterer Veronika , Geley Stephan , Cormier-Daire Valerie , Heyd Florian , Jerome-Majewska Loydie A. , Farhan Hesso 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe role of general splicing in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-proteostasis remains poorly understood. Here, we identify SNRPB, a component of the spliceosome, as a novel regulator of export from the ER. Mechanistically, SNRPB regulates the splicing of components of the ER export machinery, including Sec16A, a regulator of ER exit sites. Loss of function of SNRPB is causally linked to cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome (CCMS), a genetic disease characterized by bone defects. We show that heterozygous deletion of SNRPB in mice resulted in intracellular accumulation of type-1 collagen as well as bone defects reminiscent of CCMS. Silencing SNRPB inhibited osteogenesis in vitro, which could be rescued by overexpression of Sec16A. This indicates that the role of SNRPB in osteogenesis is linked to its effects on ER export. Finally, we show that SNRPB is a target for the unfolded protein response (UPR), which supports a mechanistic link between the spliceosome and ER-proteostasis. Our work highlights SNRPB as a novel node in the proteostasis network, shedding light on CCMS pathophysiology.
Caspase-1 activates gasdermin A in non-mammals
Authors: Billman Zachary P. , Kovacs Stephen B. , Wei Bo , Kang Kidong , Cissé Ousmane H. , Miao Edward A. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGasdermins oligomerize to form pores in the cell membrane, causing regulated lytic cell death called pyroptosis. Mammals encode five gasdermins that can trigger pyroptosis: GSDMA, B, C, D, and E. Caspase and granzyme proteases cleave the linker regions of and activate GSDMB, C, D, and E, but no endogenous activation pathways are yet known for GSDMA. Here, we perform a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the gasdermin family. A gene duplication of GSDMA in the common ancestor of caecilian amphibians, reptiles and birds gave rise to GSDMA-D in mammals. Uniquely in our tree, amphibian, reptile and bird GSDMA group in a separate clade than mammal GSDMA. Remarkably, GSDMA in numerous bird species contain caspase-1 cleavage sites like YVAD or FASD in the linker. We show that GSDMA from birds, amphibians, and reptiles are all cleaved by caspase-1. Thus, GSDMA was originally cleaved by the host-encoded protease caspase-1. In mammals the caspase-1 cleavage site in GSDMA is disrupted; instead, a new protein, GSDMD, is the target of caspase-1. Mammal caspase-1 uses exosite interactions with the GSDMD C-terminal domain to confer the specificity of this interaction, whereas we show that bird caspase-1 uses a stereotypical tetrapeptide sequence to confer specificity for bird GSDMA. Our results reveal an evolutionarily stable association between caspase-1 and the gasdermin family, albeit a shifting one. Caspase-1 repeatedly changes its target gasdermin over evolutionary time at speciation junctures, initially cleaving GSDME in fish, then GSDMA in amphibians/reptiles/birds, and finally GSDMD in mammals.One Sentence SummaryWe demonstrate that amphibians, reptiles and birds engage pyroptosis using caspase-1 and GS-DMA, filling an evolutionary gap in which caspase-1 cleaves GSDME in fish and GSDMD in mammals.
A direct solution to linear constraints in the finite element analysis and its application illustrations
Authors: Zhang Ning , Zheng Hong , Yuan Chi , Wu Wenan 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis article aims to present a direct solution to handle linear constraints in finite element (FE) analysis without penalties or the Lagrange multipliers introduced.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the system of linear equations corresponding to the linear constraints is solved for the leading variables in terms of the free variables and the constants. Then, the reduced system of equilibrium equations with respect to the free variables is derived from the finite-dimensional virtual work equation. Finally, the algorithm is designed.FindingsThe proposed procedure is promising in three typical cases: (1) to enforce displacement constraints in any direction; (2) to implement local refinements by allowing hanging nodes from element subdivision and (3) to treat non-matching grids of distinct parts of the problem domain. The procedure is general and suitable for 3D non-linear analyses.Research limitations/implicationsThe algorithm is fitted only to the Galerkin-based numerical methods.Originality/valueThe proposed procedure does not need Lagrange multipliers or penalties. The tangential stiffness matrix of the reduced system of equilibrium equations reserves positive definiteness and symmetry. Besides, many contemporary Galerkin-based numerical methods need to tackle the enforcement of the essential conditions, whose weak forms reduce to linear constraints. As a result, the proposed procedure is quite promising.
Brand community formation in service management: lessons from the sport industry
Authors: Heere Bob , Lock Daniel , Cooper Danielle 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to propose an overall framework for brand community formation that separates antecedents that lead to the formation of a brand community from those outcomes that are associated with established communities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors approached this review through an interdisciplinary literature review that delineated psychological, structural and behavioral processes that underline the formation of the brand community, often illustrated by contemporary cases in the sport industry.FindingsThe findings outline 18 different constructs, categorized in three overarching dimensions, separating structural, behavioral and psychological constructs. The authors posit these 18 constructs are at the heart of brand community formation. These constructs provide managers with a guide to inform their efforts to form a new brand community.Originality/valueIt is emphasized that brand community formation is a complex process that is paradoxical in nature and requires organizations to balance a non-interventionist approach that would allow for consumer empowerment, with a pro-active approach that creates conditions for a successful brand community formation process.
Feedback digitalization preferences in online and hybrid classroom: Experiences from lockdown and implications for post-pandemic education
Authors: Sedrakyan Gayane , Borsci Simone , Abdi Asad , van den Berg Stéphanie M. , Veldkamp Bernard P. , van Hillegersberg Jos 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis research aims to explore digital feedback needs/preferences in online education during lockdown and the implications for post-pandemic education.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study approach was used to explore feedback needs and experiences from educational institutions in the Netherlands and Germany (N = 247) using a survey method.FindingsThe results showed that instruments supporting features for effortless interactivity are among the highly preferred options for giving/receiving feedback in online/hybrid classrooms, which are in addition also opted for post-pandemic education. The analysis also showed that, when communicating feedback digitally, more inclusive formats are preferred, e.g. informing learners about how they perform compared to peers. The increased need for comparative performance-oriented feedback, however, may affect students' goal orientations. In general, the results of this study suggest that while interactivity features of online instruments are key to ensuring social presence when using digital forms of feedback, balancing online with offline approaches should be recommended.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the gap in the scientific literature on feedback digitalization. Most of the existing research are in the domain of automated feedback generated by various learning environments, while literature on digital feedback in online classrooms, e.g. empirical studies on preferences for typology, formats and communication channels for digital feedback, to the best of the authors’ knowledge is largely lacking. The findings and recommendations of this study extend their relevance to post-pandemic education for which hybrid classroom is opted among the highly preferred formats by survey respondents.
Review of bargaining and transaction prices: future avenues for shipping studies
Authors: Sahoo Satya , Jiang Liping , Song Dong-Wook 
Published: September 2023

PurposeIn the shipping industry, both sales and purchases of second-hand ships and freight transport services are prevalently tailormade and traded with intense bilateral negotiations. Price bargaining is the key step of this negotiation process and plays a crucial role in determining mutually agreed prices. Despite its cruciality and applicability, the price bargaining has yet received due conceptual and/or theoretical attention in the shipping literature. This paper attempts to conceptually examine the role of bargaining in shipping transaction prices and subsequently puts forward directions for future research. In doing so, the paper focuses on two types of transactions taking place in shipping markets: asset market trading of second-hand vessels and service market trading shipping freights.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a systematic literature review of price bargaining in the field of economics and management disciplines from a game-theoretic perspective. This approach does logically lead to the establishment of a conceptual framework for price bargaining in shipping sub-markets as a step toward having taken into consideration a variety of heterogeneities commonly present in trading activities and market dynamics.FindingsA set of research areas has been consequently identified where price bargaining and mechanisms for the shipping freight and asset markets could be further explored and analyzed in a way to make better pricing decisions under a more tangible framework.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the critical challenges when using bargaining mechanisms to make a decision on pricing shipping services and assets is how to operationalize the study for empirical investigation as some of the factors are internal information of the players and are not adequately revealed to externals: that is, an imperfect information sharing case. The current study aims, however, not to conduct an empirical analysis but to initiate a conversation among maritime economists by bringing their attention to this not-yet fully explored and potentially impactful field of research and by asking them to treat bargaining from a perspective for pricing shipping assets and services. It is claimed that, by doing so, one could better understand price differences between individual contracts.Originality/valueThis study would be considered the first of its kind to provide a detailed survey of the bargaining theory and models from a game theoretical perspective as a theoretical lens to understand its importance and relevance in pricing shipping assets and services. It also provides a simplified operational case on utilizing bargaining in practically pricing freight services.
Preference for teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: an exploratory study
Authors: Peñarroja Vicente 
Published: September 2023

Purpose
While teleworking has become widespread during COVID-19, there is still little understanding of teleworking preferences. This study aims to explore how teleworking during the pandemic influences employees’ preference for teleworking in the future.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used secondary survey data collected by the centro de investigaciones sociológicas (CIS) in Spain, from a sample of 430 individuals. The study used regression analysis to test how effort expectancy and perceived usefulness impact preference for teleworking through satisfaction with teleworking.

Findings
Results showed the importance of satisfaction with teleworking in explaining preference for teleworking. Moreover, satisfaction with teleworking was influenced by both effort expectancy and perceived usefulness. Specifically, individuals who perceived teleworking as useful and were more satisfied were also more likely to prefer teleworking after the pandemic, whereas individuals were less likely to prefer teleworking if it required more effort.

Originality/value
This study makes a significant contribution to the current literature by providing a new perspective on the topic of teleworking. This study focuses on exploring teleworking preferences during the pandemic from a post-adoption approach.