bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protocol for a scoping review of the impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia
Authors: Schneider Charlotte , Kowatsch Tobias , Vinay Rasita 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionDigital assistive technologies (e.g., applications, wearables, and robots) have emerged as promising tools for managing various aspects of daily life, such as basic assistance, encompassing social interaction, memory support, leisure activities, location tracking and health monitoring. In order to understand how these technologies can be utilized for people living with dementia, their impacts must first be reviewed. Currently, there is limited literature available on the topic, usually only focusing on a particular kind of digital assistive technology. Therefore, this paper presents a protocol for a scoping review that aims to provide a general overview of the impact digital assistive technologies can have on the quality of life for people living with dementia.Methods and analysisWe will follow the scoping review framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. A comprehensive search will be performed to identify original research articles or clinical trials published between 2013 and 2023 across online databases. The review will encompass both qualitative and quantitative themes derived from the literature. Relevant studies will be identified through a comprehensive search using specific search terms related to the population (people with dementia), intervention (digital assistive technologies), and outcome (quality of life). The screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts will be performed to select eligible studies based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data will be extracted using a standardized form, and the findings will be synthesized and reported qualitatively and quantitatively.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required because this study is a scoping review based on published data. We intend to publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.OSF Registrationhttps://osf.io/zcnx8/Strengths and limitations of this studyThis scoping review represents the first attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of digital assistive technologies and their impact on quality of life for PWDAn extensive search strategy will be implemented, covering five electronic databases, spanning a period of ten years.However, given the rapidly expanding field of digital health technologies, it is possible that this systematic review may overlook ongoing or planned studies.
First genome-based characterization ofListeria monocytogenesin Costa Rica
Authors: Giralt-Zúñiga María , Redondo-Solano Mauricio , Moura Alexandra , Tessaud-Rita Nathalie , Bracq-Dieye Hélène , Vales Guillaume , Thouvenot Pierre , Leclercq Alexandre , Chaves-Ulate Carolina , Núñez-Montero Kattia , Guillén-Watson Rossy , Rivas-Solano Olga , Chanto-Chacón Grettel , Duarte-Martínez Francisco , Soto-Blanco Vanessa , Pizarro-Cerdá Javier , Lecuit Marc 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACTGenomic data on the foodborne pathogenListeria monocytogenesfrom Central America are scarse. We analysed 92 isolates collected in Costa Rica over a decade from different regions, compared them to publicly available genomes and identified unnoticed outbreaks. This study calls for mandatory reporting of listeriosis to improve pathogen surveillance.
Microplastics may reduce the efficiency of the biological carbon pump by decreasing the settling velocity and carbon content of marine snow
Authors: Roberts Cordelia , Flintrop Clara M. , Khachikyan Alexander , Milucka Jana , Munn Colin B. , Iversen Morten H. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPlastics are pervasive in marine ecosystems and ubiquitous in both shallow and deep oceans. Microfibers, amongst other microscopic plastics, accumulate in deep sea sediments at concentrations up to four orders of magnitude higher than in surface waters. This is at odds with the fact that most microfibers are positively buoyant; therefore, it is hypothesized that settling aggregates are vectors for downward transport of microfibers in the ocean. However, little is known about the impact of microfibers on carbon export. We formed diatom aggregates with differing concentrations of microfibers using roller tanks and observed that microfiber addition stimulated aggregate formation, but decreased their structural cohesion and caused them to break apart more readily, resulting in smaller average sizes. Incorporation of positively buoyant microfibers into settling aggregates reduced their size-specific sinking velocities proportional to the microfiber concentration. Slower sinking may extend aggregate retention time in the upper ocean, thereby increasing the time available for organic matter remineralization in the upper water column. Here, we show that microfiber concentrations typical of those in the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean decrease potential export flux by 15-50%. Present day microfiber concentrations in surface waters may therefore be substantially reducing the efficiency of the biological carbon pump relative to the pre-plastic era.
Quantifying the proportion of different cell types in the human cortex using DNA methylation profiles
Authors: Hannon Eilis , Dempster Emma L , Chioza Barry , Davies Jonathan P , Blake Georgina ET , Burrage Joe , Policicchio Stefania , Franklin Alice , Walker Emma M , Bamford Rosemary A , Schalkwyk Leonard C , Mill Jonathan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundDue to inter-individual variation in the cellular composition of the human cortex, it is essential that covariates that capture these differences are included in epigenome-wide association studies using bulk tissue. As experimentally derived cell counts are often unavailable, computational solutions have been adopted to estimate the proportion of different cell-types using DNA methylation data. Here, we validate and profile the use of an expanded reference DNA methylation dataset incorporating two neuronal- and three glial-cell subtypes for quantifying the cellular composition of the human cortex.ResultsWe tested eight reference panels containing different combinations of neuronal- and glial-cell types and characterized their performance in deconvoluting cell proportions from computationally reconstructed or empirically-derived human cortex DNA methylation data. Our analyses demonstrate that these novel brain deconvolution models produce accurate estimates of cellular proportions from profiles generated on postnatal human cortex samples, they are not appropriate for the use in prenatal cortex or cerebellum tissue samples. Applying our models to an extensive collection of empirical datasets, we show that glial cells are twice as abundant as neuronal cells in the human cortex and identify significant associations between increased Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology and the proportion of specific cell types including a decrease in NeuNNeg/SOX10Neg nuclei and an increase of NeuNNeg/SOX10Pos nuclei.ConclusionsOur novel deconvolution models produce accurate estimates for cell proportions in the human cortex. These models are available as a resource to the community enabling the control of cellular heterogeneity in epigenetic studies of brain disorders performed on bulk cortex tissue.
PCR data accurately predict infectious virus: a characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates
Authors: Snedden Celine E. , Lloyd-Smith James O. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractResearchers and clinicians often rely on molecular assays like PCR to identify and monitor viral infections instead of the resource-prohibitive gold standard of viral culture. However, it remains unclear when (if ever) PCR measurements of viral load are reliable indicators of replicating or infectious virus. Here, we compare total RNA, subgenomic RNA, and viral culture results from 24 studies of SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates using bespoke statistical models. On out-of-sample data, our best models predict subgenomic RNA from total RNA with 91% accuracy, and they predict culture positivity with 85% accuracy. Total RNA and subgenomic RNA showed equivalent performance as predictors of culture positivity. Multiple cofactors, including exposure conditions and host traits, influence culture predictions for total RNA quantities spanning twelve orders of magnitude. Our model framework can be adapted to compare any assays, in any host species, and for any virus, to support laboratory analyses, medical decisions, and public health guidelines.
The unique microbial diversity, community composition and networks of Pacific Islander endocervical and vaginal microbiomes in the presence or absence ofChlamydia trachomatisinfection using metagenomic shotgun sequencing
Authors: Bommana Sankhya , Hu Yi-Juan , Kama Mike , Wang Ruohong , Kodimerla Reshma , Jijakli Kenan , Read Timothy D. , Dean Deborah 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundPacific Islanders are a vulnerable population with a high prevalence ofChlamydia trachomatis(Ct) sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and remain underrepresented in research. Here, 258 vaginal and 92 paired endocervical samples from women of diverse ethnicities in Fiji were evaluated using metagenomics to characterize microbial relative abundance, composition and networks including associations withNeisseria gonorrhoeae, human papilloma virus (HPV),Mycoplasma genitalium,Candidaand bacterial vaginosis (BV).ResultsPacific Islander ethnicities and age <25 years were significantly associated withCtinfection. Using VALENCIA, a sub-community state type (subCST) classifier, 93 (36.04%) vaginal and 38 (41.30%) endocervical microbiomes did not match reference subCSTs. Four unique subCSTs were developed to better classify Pacific Islander microbiomes: IV-D0, dominated byGardnerella vaginalis; IV-D1, high/moderateG. vaginalisrelative abundance withPrevotellaspp.; IV-D2, high/moderateG. vaginaliswithLactobacillus iners; and IV-E, moderatePrevotellaspp. Ctpositive endocervical and paired vaginal microbiomes were significantly more likely to have differential species relative abundance (81.58%) thanCtnegative pairs (35.84%; AOR: 7.93; 95% CI: 2.93-21.93;P<0.0001). A significantly higher alpha diversity was found for iTaukei ethnicity, all subCST-IV types, BV, andCtfor vaginal microbiomes. For endocervical microbiomes, higher diversity was significant for subCST-IV-A, subCST-IV-D1, and subCST-IV-E, and high-risk HPV types. Overall, there was a significantly higher diversity for the endocervix in paired microbiomes. Vaginal microbiomes showed significant divergence in community composition as above and forCandida.Endocervical composition varied significantly by subCST type andCtstatus. Gut and BV-associated bacterial clusters were present inCtpositive and negative paired endocervical and vaginal microbiome networks but were smaller with fewer bacterial and noLactobacillusspp. interactions inCt-infected endocervical networks whereG. vaginalisgenerated polymicrobial biofilms along withCtlikely influence pathogenicity.ConclusionsFijian endocervical and vaginal microbiomes represent divergent microbial abundance and compositions, especially for Pacific Islander ethnicities, with distinct subCSTs compared to other global populations. The higher microbial diversity of the endocervix with prevalentG. vaginalis,L. inersandPrevotellaspp. suggest that these microbiomes/networks may predispose to and/or promote chlamydial and HPV pathogenesis. Prospective studies are needed to further define causal associations to develop successful interventions.
4-Thiaproline accelerates the slow folding phase of proteins containingcisprolines in the native state by two orders of magnitude
Authors: O’ Loughlin Jennie , Zinovjev Kirill , Napolitano Silvia , van der Kamp Marc , Rubini Marina 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThecis/transisomerization of peptidyl-prolyl peptide bonds is often the bottleneck of the refolding reaction for proteins containingcisproline residues in the native state. Proline (Pro) analogues, especially C4-substituted fluoroprolines, have been widely used in protein engineering to enhance the thermodynamic stability of peptides and proteins and to investigate folding kinetics. 4-thiaproline (Thp) has been shown to bias the ring pucker of Pro, to increase thecispopulation percentage of model peptides in comparison to Pro, and to diminish the activation energy barrier for thecis/transisomerization reaction. Despite its intriguing properties, Thp has been seldom incorporated into proteins. Moreover, the impact of Thp on the folding kinetics of globular proteins has never been reported. In this study, we show that upon incorporation of Thp atcisPro76 into the thioredoxin variant Trx1P the half-life of the refolding reaction decreased from ∼2 hours to ∼35 seconds. A dramatic acceleration of the refolding rate could be observed also for the protein pseudo wild-type barstar upon replacement ofcisPro48 with Thp. Quantum chemical calculations revealed that the replacement of the CγH2group by a sulfur atom in the pyrrolidine ring, lowers the barrier forcis/transrotation due to a weakened peptide bond. The protein variants retained their thermodynamic stability upon incorporation of Thp, while the catalytic and enzymatic activities of the modified Trx1P remained unchanged. Our results show that the Pro isostere Thp might eliminate the bottleneck of the refolding reaction of proteins containingcisproline residues in the native state, independent from the local structural environment.
Type III-B CRISPR-Cas signaling-based cascade of proteolytic cleavages
Authors: Steens Jurre A. , Bravo Jack P.K. , Salazar Carl Raymund P. , Yildiz Caglar , Amieiro Afonso M. , Köstlbacher Stephan , Prinsen Stijn H.P. , Patinios Constantinos , Bardis Andreas , Barendregt Arjan , Scheltema Richard A. , Ettema Thijs J.G. , van der Oost John , Taylor David W. , Staals Raymond H.J. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractType III CRISPR-Cas systems provide a sequence-specific adaptive immune response that protects prokaryotic hosts against viruses and other foreign genetic invaders. These crRNA-guided Cas effector complexes bind and cleave complementary RNA targets. Specific target binding stimulates the Cas10 subunit to generate cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) signaling molecules, that in turn allosterically activate proteins carrying cognate sensory domains: CARF or SAVED. Here, we characterize an elaborate set of genes associated with the type III-B CRISPR-Cas system fromHaliangium ochraceum, which includes a signal transduction module of a CBASS defense system with two caspase-like proteases, SAVED-CHAT and PCaspase (Prokaryotic Caspase). We show that binding of a 3-nucleotide cOA (cA3) to the SAVED domain of SAVED-CHAT induces its oligomerization into long filaments that activate the proteolytic activity of the CHAT domain. Surprisingly, we find that activated SAVED-CHAT specifically cleaves and activates the second protease, PCaspase. In turn, activated PCaspase cleaves a multitude of other proteins, including a putative sigma factor and a PCaspase-inhibitor. We expressed the type III-B system and its associated genes inE. coliand observed a strong abortive phenotype when offering a complementary target RNA, but only in the presence of both SAVED-CHAT and PCaspase. Together, our findings show an intriguing cascade of proteolytic activities (conceptually similar to eukaryotic caspases) in this bacterial immune system that reveals yet another strategy to effectively defend against mobile genetic elements.
The contribution of abortive infection to preventing populations ofLactococcus lactisfrom succumbing to infections with bacteriophage
Authors: Rodríguez-Román Eduardo , Manuel Joshua A. , Goldberg David , Levin Bruce R. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn the dairy industry bacteriophage (phage) contamination significantly impairs the production and quality of products like yogurt and cheese. To combat this issue, the strains of bacteria used as starter cultures possess mechanisms that make them resistant to phage infection, such as envelope resistance, or processes that render them immune to phage infection, such as restriction-modification and CRISPR-Cas.Lactococcus lactis, used to manufacture cheese and other dairy products, can also block the reproduction of infecting phages by abortive infection (Abi), a process in which phage-infected cells die before the phage replicate. We employ mathematical-computer simulation models and experiments with twoLactococcus lactisstrains and two lytic phages to investigate the conditions under which Abi can limit the proliferation of phages inL. lactispopulations and prevent the extinction of their populations by these viruses. According to our model, if Abi is almost perfect and there are no other populations of bacteria capable of supporting the replication of theL. lactisphages, Abi can protect bacterial populations from succumbing to infections with these viruses. This prediction is supported by the results of our experiment, which indicate that Abi can help protectL. lactispopulations from extinction by lytic phage infections. However, our results also predict abortive infection is only one element ofL. lactisdefenses against phage infection. Mutant phages that can circumvent the Abi systems of these bacteria emerge. The survival ofL. lactispopulations then depends on the evolution of envelope mutants that are resistant to the evolved host-range phage.
Gren “fuelled” by fire: lessons for project management
Authors: Sreram Prashanth Kumar , Chilakamarri Savitha 
Published: June 2023

Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this study are as follows:
1) illustrate the project management failures that contributed to the fire accident at Grenfell using a fishbone diagram;
2) identify and classify the power and influence of various stakeholders involved in a brownfield project using a relevant framework; and
3) elaborate the need for following effective stakeholder management processes and project leadership, especially in the context of a refurbishment/renovation project.

Case overview/synopsis
On 14th June 2017, the Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, West London, UK, caught fire. The fire raged for 60 h and around 72 people lost their lives. Many criticized the response of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and their lack of preparedness to respond to such an emergency. There were calls for Dany Cotton, the Chief of LFB, to resign. However, there had been a major cladding-related refurbishment at Grenfell, and subsequent investigations revealed that the use of combustible materials, a lack of compliance with the fire-safety norms and a blatant disregard for resident safety had contributed to the fire. The tragedy was a cumulative outcome of failure on two counts: effective project management and stakeholder management during the process of refurbishment, especially in the context of a low-cost housing project. Given this situation, this case considers whether Dany Cotton should own up to her responsibility and resign from her position. In the process, the case considers Grenfell refurbishment from the theoretical lens of project management in the construction management scenario to understand the factors that could have led to an “avoidable” tragedy.

Complexity academic level
Postgraduate students of construction management; final year undergraduate engineering students who have a foundational course on project management; and architects.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 2: Built environment.
The impact of disruptive events on built environment degree apprenticeship delivery – a case study of COVID-19
Authors: Oloke David , Gyoh Louis , Daniel Emmanuel Itodo , Oladinrin Olugbenga , Abdallah Nagwan 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThis study aims to understand the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic disruptive event on delivery of the built environment degree apprentice programme in higher education in the UK and identify the key strategies to minimise the effect.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse data from a sample set of built environment degree apprenticeship stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 key stakeholders to collate emerging themes on their perceptions of the impacts of the pandemic and strategies to adopted to minimise it.FindingsThe investigation reveals that the core impacts of Covid-19 on the apprentices training programme are lack of access to the site, furlough, limited access to off the job training, limited interaction with tutors and peers, too much time on the screen, limited pastoral care and lack of contact with a mentor. The census from the research participants is that despite the development and gain with the various virtual platform used during pandemic physical meetings with their mentor remain pivotal to the built environment apprentices learning and training.Practical implicationsThe results provide relevant stakeholders and actors supporting degree apprentices training programmes (training providers and employers, among others) with the information needed to improve the delivery of built environment degree apprenticeship training programmes during a disruptive event Covid-19. The study identifies various strategies to minimise the impact of disruptive events on the apprentices training, including technology, regular meeting with mentors online, and personal and pastoral care.Originality/valueThe study is the first to document the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on degree apprenticeship programs in the built environment. This study provides an in-depth understanding of how these programs have been affected and offers potential solutions to reduce or mitigate potential damage. The research will inform future policy decisions related to degree apprenticeship programs in the built environment.
Visitor emotional solidarity, segmentation and revisit intentions amidst COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Panafest and emancipation festivals in Ghana
Authors: Asimah Vincent , Hurriyati Ratih , Gaffar Vanessa , Wibowo Lili Adi 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThis study examines the effect of festival visitors' emotional solidarity and segmentation on revisiting intentions to Ghana for the Panafest/Emancipation festivals during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilised data from a self-completed survey administered to festival-goers who attended the Panafest and Emancipation festivals in 2019 and 2021. In 2019, 782 questionnaires were sent to participants out of which 446 responded to the questionnaires. However, in 2021, 567 questionnaires were administered to the festival participants out of which 296 responded to the questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was performed using the ordinary least square (OLS) estimation technique.FindingsThe study found that emotional solidarity, gender, age, educational background and place of residence are important factors in predicting whether festival visitors will revisit Ghana for the Panafest and Emancipation festivals or not. Emotional solidarity was a positive predictor of revisit intentions, while gender and age also played a role with male and older visitors being more inclined to revisit Ghana for the festivals. The educational background had a positive and significant effect in 2021 but was insignificant in 2019. Place of residence had a significant but negative effect in 2021 due to the emergence of COVID-19.Practical implicationsThe study's findings suggest that stakeholders in Ghana's tourism industry, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Tourist Authority, hotels and other hospitality services, should consider emotional solidarity and visitor segmentation when developing marketing strategies. Additionally, strategies to address the impact of COVID-19 on revisit intentions and spending should be considered.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the understanding of the factors that influence festival visitors' revisit intentions in Ghana and how the emergence of COVID-19 affects these intentions. The study's focus on emotional solidarity and visitor segmentation provides insights into developing effective marketing strategies in the tourism industry.