bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergy between c-di-GMP and quorum-sensing signaling in Vibrio cholerae biofilm morphogenesis
Authors: Prentice Jojo A. , Bridges Andrew A. , Bassler Bonnie L. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTransitions between individual and communal lifestyles allow bacteria to adapt to changing environments. Bacteria must integrate information encoded in multiple sensory cues to appropriately undertake these transitions. Here, we investigate how two prevalent sensory inputs converge on biofilm morphogenesis: quorum sensing, which endows bacteria with the ability to communicate and coordinate group behaviors, and second messenger c-di-GMP signaling, which allows bacteria to detect and respond to environmental stimuli. We use Vibrio cholerae as our model system, the autoinducer AI-2 to modulate quorum sensing, and the polyamine norspermidine to modulate NspS-MbaA-mediated c-di-GMP production. Individually, AI-2 and norspermidine drive opposing biofilm phenotypes, with AI-2 repressing and norspermidine inducing biofilm formation. Surprisingly, however, when AI-2 and norspermidine are simultaneously detected, they act synergistically to elevate biofilm formation. We show that this effect is caused by quorum-sensing-mediated activation of nspS-mbaA expression, which increases the levels of NspS and MbaA, and in turn, c-di-GMP biosynthesis, in response to norspermidine. Increased MbaA-synthesized c-di-GMP activates the VpsR transcription factor, driving elevated expression of genes encoding key biofilm matrix components. Thus, in the context of biofilm formation in V. cholerae, quorum-sensing regulation of c-di-GMP-metabolizing receptor levels connects changes in cell population density to detection of environmental stimuli.ImportanceThe development of multicellular communities, known as biofilms, facilitates beneficial functions of gut microbiome bacteria and makes bacterial pathogens recalcitrant to treatment. Understanding how bacteria regulate the biofilm lifecycle is fundamental to biofilm control in industrial processes and in medicine. Here, we demonstrate how two major sensory inputs – quorum-sensing communication and second messenger c-di-GMP signaling – jointly regulate biofilm morphogenesis in the global pathogen Vibrio cholerae. We characterize the mechanism underlying a surprising synergy between quorum-sensing and c-di-GMP signaling in controlling biofilm development. Thus, the work connects changes in cell population density to detection of environmental stimuli in a pathogen of clinical significance.
The Staphylococcus aureus iron-regulated surface determinant A (IsdA) increases SARS CoV-2 replication by modulating JAK-STAT signaling
Authors: Goncheva Mariya I. , Gibson Richard M. , Shouldice Ainslie C. , Dikeakos Jimmy D. , Heinrichs David E. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe emergence and spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) and the associated Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have affected millions globally. Like other respiratory viruses, a significant complication of COVID-19 infection is secondary bacterial co-infection, which is seen in approximately 25% of severe cases. The most common organism isolated from co-infection is the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we developed an in vitro co-infection model where both CoV-2 and S. aureus replication kinetics can be examined. We demonstrate CoV-2 infection does not alter how S. aureus attaches to or grows in host epithelial cells. In contrast, the presence of replicating S. aureus enhances the replication of CoV-2 by 10-15-fold. We identify this pro-viral activity is due to the S. aureus iron-regulated surface determinant A (IsdA) and this effect is mimicked across different SARS CoV-2 permissive cell lines infected with multiple viral variants. Analysis of co-infected cells demonstrated an IsdA dependent modification of host transcription. Using chemical inhibition, we determined S. aureus IsdA modifies host Janus Kinase – Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK-STAT) signalling, ultimately leading to increased viral replication. These findings provide key insight into the molecular interactions that occur between host cells, CoV-2 and S. aureus during co-infection.ImportanceBacterial co-infection is a common and significant complication of respiratory viral infection, including in patients with COVID-19, and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. The relationship between virus, bacteria and host is largely unknown, which makes it difficult to design effective treatment strategies. In the present study we created a model of co-infection between SARS CoV-2 and Staphylococcus aureus, the most common species identified in COVID-19 patients with co-infection. We demonstrate that the S. aureus protein IsdA enhances the replication of SARS CoV-2 in vitro by modulating host cell signal transduction pathways. The significance of this finding is in identifying a bacterial component that enhances CoV-2 pathogenesis, which could be a target for the development of co-infection specific therapy in the future. In addition, this protein can be used as a tool to decipher the mechanisms by which CoV-2 manipulates the host cell, providing a better understanding of COVID-19 virulence.
HPV self-sampling among long-term non-attenders to cervical cancer screening in Norway: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Aasbø Gunvor , Tropè Ameli , Nygård Mari , Christiansen Irene Kraus , Baasland Ingrid , Iversen Grete Alrek , Munk Ane Cecilie , Christiansen Marit Halonen , Presthus Gro Kummeneje , Undem Karina , Bjørge Tone , Castle Philip E. , Hansen Bo Terning 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe main aim of the present study is to assess whether human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling may increase cervical cancer screening participation among long-term non-attenders in Norway.MethodsA pragmatic randomized controlled trial was initiated in the national cervical screening programme in March 2019. A random sample of 6000 women aged 35-69 years who had not attended screening for at least 10 years were randomized 1:1:1 to receive either (i) a reminder to attend regular screening (control arm), (ii) an offer to order a self-sampling kit (opt-in arm), or (iii) a self-sampling kit unsolicited (opt-out arm).ResultsTotal screening participation during 6 months following study invitation was 4.8%, 17.0% and 27.7% among women who received a standard reminder letter (controls), women who could order a self-sample kit (opt-in) and women who received a self-sample kit unsolicited (opt-out), respectively (P<0.0001). High-risk HPV was detected in 11.5% of the self-samples and in 9.2% of the clinician-collected samples (P = 0.40). Most women (92.5%) who returned a positive self-sample attended triage. Of 933 women screened in the study (by a clinician or HPV self-sampling), 33 (3.5%) had CIN2+, 31 (3.3%) had CIN3+, and 11 (1.2%) had cervical cancer.ConclusionWe conclude that opt-in and opt-out self-sampling increased screening participation among long-term non-attenders.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.govNCT03873376
Wastewater surveillance of influenza activity: Early detection, surveillance, and subtyping in city and neighbourhood communities
Authors: Mercier Elisabeth , D’ Aoust Patrick M. , Thakali Ocean , Hegazy Nada , Jia Jian-Jun , Zhang Zhihao , Eid Walaa , Plaza-Diaz Julio , Kabir Pervez , Fang Wanting , Cowan Aaron , Stephenson Sean E. , Pisharody Lakshmi , MacKenzie Alex E. , Graber Tyson E. , Wan Shen , Delatolla Robert 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRecurrent epidemics of influenza infection and its pandemic potential present a significant risk to global population health. To mitigate hospitalizations and death, local public health relies on clinical surveillance to locate and monitor influenza-like illnesses and/or influenza cases and outbreaks. At an international level, the global integration of clinical surveillance networks is the only reliable method to report influenza types and subtypes and warn of an emergent pandemic strain. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demonstrated utility of wastewater surveillance (WWS) in complementing or even replacing clinical surveillance, the latter a resource-intensive enterprise, was predicated on the presence of stable viral fragments in wastewater. We show that influenza virus targets are stable in wastewaters and partitions to the solids fraction. We subsequently quantify, type, and subtype influenza virus in municipal wastewater and primary sludge throughout the course of a community outbreak. This research demonstrates the feasibility of applying influenza virus WWS to city and neighbourhood levels; showing a 17-day lead time in forecasting a citywide flu outbreak and providing population-level viral subtyping in near real-time using minimal resources and infrastructure.
Molecular genetic study on HAND2 gene promoter in ventricular septal defect
Authors: Li Meikun , Cai Yahui , Pang Shuchao , Yan Bo 
Published: June 2022

AbstractVentricular septal defect (VSD), as the most common type of congenital heart disease (CHD), is mainly caused by cardiac dysplasia. Heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2 (HAND2), as a member of the basic helix-loop-Helix (bHLH) gene family, participates in the development of the right heart. And the loss of HAND2 expression in humans is closely connected with ventricular septal defects. However, no studies have hitherto examined the association between VSD and HAND2 gene promoter. We used a case-control study to analyze the genetic variations of the HAND2 gene promoter region in VSD patients and controls. Using a variety of statistical analysis methods to analyze the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with VSD. The dual luciferase reporter assay was used to conduct functional analysis of genetic variations. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to examine DNA-protein interactions. Through sequencing, we identified nine genetic variants in patients with VSD. The SNP rs2276940 G>T and rs2276941 G>A were revealed to have associations with an increased risk of VSD. The dual luciferase reporter assay showed that the SNP rs2276940 G>T and rs138531627 C>G decreased the transcriptional activity of the HADN2 gene promoter. Transcription factors (TFs) predicting suggested that all three above SNPs may change the binding of the TFs. The result of EMSA showed that rs138531627 C>G may create a new binding site for TFs while rs2276940 G>T enhanced the binding affinity for TFs. All these results indicated that genetic variants of the HAND2 gene promoter increase VSD risk by reducing HAND2 expression, and the molecular mechanism may be the change of the binding affinity of TFs.
Five-footways: the generator of public realm in Malaysian historical urban centre
Authors: Kusumo Camelia May Li , Cho Ken Ying , Powell Robert 
Published: June 2022

PurposeFive-footways are an important feature in historical urban centres of tropical South East Asian cities. These colonnades along the rows of commercial shop houses provide comfortable pedestrian walkways. In spite of the decline of the liveability in many historical urban centres, the “kaki-lima” or five-footways in Klang Valley Malaysia are bustling and alive. Many studies have been done on kaki-lima, however it focuses mostly on historical and cultural context. There is lack of understanding on how the physical attributes of kaki-lima facilitate the liveliness of urban life. The paper aims to investigate the five-footway as the generator of public realm and to analyse the physical attributes of the five-footways that contribute to the “stickiness” of the public space.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized behaviour mapping to identify the sticky activity, then subsequently used Roger Barker's theory of Behaviour Settings to observe different stationary activities along the five-footways of the historical centres of Kuala Lumpur and Klang.FindingsThe findings show that all the identified behaviour settings along the five-footways are strongly characterised by tropical climate and local diverse culture. Additionally, the small architectural detail provides an important physical setting for informal activities to take a place in the five-footways.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited only to two urban heritage districts in Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur and Klang.Practical implicationsThe findings have the implication for the public space policy of the local municipalities, specifically for urban design policy of the five-footways. Firstly, the inclusion of five-footways should be encouraged in any new shophouse development and secondly, the policy maker should consider to retain certain physical features of the five-footways that support not only the informal economy activities but also the creation of third places in the neighbourhoods.Originality/valueThis study will contribute to the discourse of urbanism, especially in understanding the public realm in South East Asian cities. Additionally, the outcomes will assist the local municipality in developing urban design policy of the five-footways.
Influence of ground granulated blast furnace slag on the tribological characteristics of automotive brake friction materials
Authors: M. Kanagaraj , S. Babu , Raj Sudhan , N. Jonah , Fekete Gusztáv , T.V. Christy 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
The main purpose of this study in the field of automotive brake friction material is to find an effective material to replace the environmentally hazardous copper in the brake pad formulation.

Design/methodology/approach
Cu is used as functional filler in various forms in the friction material formulation. Because of its hazardous impact to the aquatic life, a suitable replacement of Cu is the main focus of this research. Three novel friction composite materials using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as a suitable alternative for Cu were developed by increasing its Wt.% from 5% to 15% in the step of 5%.

Findings
The physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the developed friction composites were tested as per the industrial standards. The tribological properties were analyzed as per SAE J661 standard using the chase test rig. Initial studies revealed that the friction composite having 5% GGBFS exhibited better physical, mechanical and chemical properties with excellent frictional performance having minimal fluctuations even at higher temperatures. Nonetheless, the results showed that the friction composite containing 15 Wt.% GGBFS revealed a better wear resistance property compared with the other two composites due to the tribo lubricating layer formation at the frictional interface. Scanning electron microscope analysis was performed to understand the wear mechanism and tribo layer formations through topography studies.

Originality/value
This paper explains the influence of GGBFS as a replacement of barytes in brake pads formulation to enhance the tribological performance.
Investigating safety and liability of autonomous vehicles: Bayesian random parameter ordered probit model analysis
Authors: Yuan Quan , Xu Xuecai , Wang Tao , Chen Yuzhi 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the safety and liability of autonomous vehicles (AVs), and identify the contributing factors quantitatively so as to provide potential insights on safety and liability of AVs.

Design/methodology/approach
The actual crash data were obtained from California DMV and Sohu websites involved in collisions of AVs from 2015 to 2021 with 210 observations. The Bayesian random parameter ordered probit model was proposed to reflect the safety and liability of AVs, respectively, as well as accommodating the heterogeneity issue simultaneously.

Findings
The findings show that day, location and crash type were significant factors of injury severity while location and crash reason were significant influencing the liability.

Originality/value
The results provide meaningful countermeasures to support the policymakers or practitioners making strategies or regulations about AV safety and liability.
Virtual study abroad: is there life after the pandemic?
Authors: Upson John W. , Bergiel Erich B. 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the potential for virtual study abroad (VSA) programs to exist in a post-pandemic world. VSAs quickly grew in popularity when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancelation of traditional study abroad programs. Now that a return to travel appears imminent, it is uncertain whether VSAs hold sufficient value to continue as legitimate study abroad programs or whether they will be shelved until the next pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach
This study compares VSAs to short-term study abroad (STSA) programs. Drawing on extant literature, an STSA profile, based on five best practices, sets the legitimacy standard to which VSAs must rise. Based on the authors’ experience, consultations with two additional study abroad leaders and one VSA firm, VSAs are defined, and a sample profile is developed. VSAs are compared and contrasted with STSAs. Program attributes in which VSAs fall short, meet and exceed those of STSAs are identified.

Findings
VSAs meet all five study abroad best practices. Although VSAs are incapable of providing benefits specifically related to travel, VSAs meet or exceed benefits provided by STSAs in all other areas. VSAs have advantages in cost, risk, flexibility and inclusion. VSAs are legitimate substitutions to STSAs for first-year students, students who cannot travel and student types currently under-represented in study abroad programs.

Practical implications
Practical advice on managing VSAs is offered through a sample VSA program profile. Target student types are identified, program positioning is discussed and implications to universities are offered.

Originality/value
Literature on VSA is essentially non-existent. This study introduces VSA programs as an option to gain not only academic knowledge but also many of the experiential benefits of typical study abroad programs.
Robotic role theory: an integrative review of human–robot service interaction to advance role theory in the age of social robots
Authors: Blaurock Marah , Čaić Martina , Okan Mehmet , Henkel Alexander P. 
Published: June 2022

PurposeSocial robots increasingly adopt service roles in the marketplace. While service research is beginning to unravel the implications for theory and practice, other scientific disciplines have amassed a wealth of empirical data of robots assuming such service roles. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize these findings from a role theory perspective with the aim of advancing role theory for human–robot service interaction (HRSI).Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of more than 10,000 articles revealed 149 empirical HRSI-related papers across scientific disciplines. The respective articles are analyzed employing qualitative content analysis through the lens of role theory.FindingsThis review develops an organizing structure of the HRSI literature across disciplines, delineates implications for role theory development in the age of social robots, and advances robotic role theory by providing an overarching framework and corresponding propositions. Finally, this review introduces avenues for future research.Originality/valueThis study pioneers a comprehensive review of empirical HRSI literature across disciplines adopting the lens of role theory. The study structures the body of HRSI literature, adapts traditional and derives novel propositions for role theory (i.e. robotic role theory), and delineates promising future research opportunities.
Investigation of the effects of a pre-deposition heating system on the interfacial temperature and interlayer bonding strength for fused filament fabrication
Authors: Mundada Piyush Suresh , Yang Che-Hao , Chen Roland K. 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to propose the use of a pre-deposition heating system for fused filament fabrication (FFF) as a means to enhance interlayer bonding by elevating the substrate temperature. The effects of the heating on thermal profile at the bonding interface and the mechanical properties of three-dimensional printed parts are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
A 12-W laser head is integrated to a commercial printer as the pre-deposition heating system. The laser beam heats up substate before the deposition of a fresh filament. Effects of laser powers are investigated and the thermal profile is measured with thermocouple, infrared camera and finite element model. The correlation between the temperature at the bonding interface and the bonding quality is investigated by conducting tensile testing and neck width measurement with microscope.

Findings
The pre-deposition heating system is proven to be effective in enhancing the inter-layer strength in FFF parts. Tensile testing of specimens along build direction (Z) shows an increase of around 50% in ultimate strength. A linear relationship is observed between the pre-deposition temperature at bond interface and bonding strength. It is evident that elevating the pre-deposition temperature promotes interlayer polymer diffusion as shown by the increased neck width between layers.

Originality/value
Thermocouples that are sandwiched between layers are used to achieve accurate measurement of the interfacial temperature. The temperature profiles under pre-deposition heating are analyzed and correlated to the interlayer bonding strengths.
Forage provision is more affected by droughts in arid and semi‐arid than in mesic rangelands
Authors: Bondaruk Viviana F. , Oñatibia Gastón R. , Fernández Roberto J. , Agüero Walter , Blanco Lisandro , Bruschetti Martín , Kröpfl Alicia , Loydi Alejandro , Pascual Jesús , Peri Pablo , Peter Guadalupe , Quiroga R. Emiliano , Yahdjian Laura 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Droughts are projected to increase in magnitude, frequency and duration in the near future. In rangelands, the provision of valuable ecosystem services such as forage supply for livestock productivity is intimately linked to rainfall patterns, which makes it particularly vulnerable to droughts. Nonetheless, rangelands can differ in their sensitivity to droughts as shown by strong differences in the impacts of inter‐annual precipitation changes on vegetation productivity in different sites. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity to droughts of nine rangelands located across a broad aridity gradient in Argentina, South America.

We experimentally imposed comparable droughts under field conditions by reducing a fixed proportion of each incoming precipitation event within‐year during three consecutive years and tracked changes in total aboveground and forage productivity.

We found that arid and semi‐arid rangelands were more severely impaired in their forage provision by drought than mesic rangelands, that is that sensitivity to drought declined as aridity decreased. Forage productivity decreased on average by c. 50%, in arid and semi‐arid rangelands, whereas mesic sites did not exhibit significant changes between drought and control treatments. The negative impact in forage productivity of arid and semi‐arid rangelands was mainly driven by the productivity reduction of few key plant species at each site. In seven of the nine rangelands, we found detrimental effects of drought on forage productivity during the first experimental‐drought year, and in five of them the impact was further accentuated until the end of the experiment, which indicates how serious can these events be.

Synthesis and applications. Our main findings indicate that the drought‐induced impacts on forage provision are higher as aridity increases. This pattern highlights the urgent need to implement strategies to mitigate the detrimental consequences of drought, particularly in arid and semiarid rangelands, where forage provision is strongly associated with human well‐being. Management approaches focused on key forage species, such as reducing the grazing pressure during drought periods according to these species' productivity dynamics can attenuate impacts on vulnerable ecosystems, preserving the rangelands' integrity while maintaining high long‐term productivity levels.