bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wastewater Surveillance of U.S. Coast Guard Installations and Seagoing Military Vessels to Mitigate the Risk of COVID-19 Outbreaks
Authors: Hall Gregory J. , Page Eric J. , Rhee Min , Hay Clara , Krause Amelia , Langenbacher Emma , Ruth Allison , Grenier Steve , Duran Alexander P. , Kamara Ibrahim , Iskander John K. , Thomas Dana L. , Bock Edward , Porta Nicholas , Pharo Jessica , Osterink Beth A. , Zelmanowitz Sharon , Fleischmann Corinna M. , Liyanage Dilhara , Gray Joshua P. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMilitary training centers may be high risk environments for the spread of disease such as COVID-19. Individuals arrive after traveling from many parts of the country, live in communal settings, and undergo high-interaction training. A pilot study of wastewater testing was initiated in February, 2021 to determine its feasibility as a sentinel surveillance tool in the U.S. Coast Guard for SARS-CoV-2. Wastewater was analyzed for the presence of two viral genes, N and E, and quantified relative to levels of a fecal indicator virus, Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV). A stability control, Bovine Syncytial Respiratory Virus vaccine, was added to samples to assess sample stability and degradation. Wastewater data was validated by comparison with concomitant screening and surveillance programs that identified asymptomatic individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 by diagnostic testing at on site medical clinics using PCR. Elevated levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater were frequently associated with diagnosed cases, and in several instances, led to screenings of asymptomatic individuals that identified infected personnel, mitigating the risk of spread of disease. Wastewater screening also successfully indicated the presence of breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals. A method for assessing blackwater from Coast Guard vessels was also developed, allowing detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in shipboard populations. In one instance, virus was detected in the blackwater four weeks following the diagnosis of a single person on a Coast Guard cutter. These data show that wastewater testing is an effective tool for measuring the presence and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in military populations so that mitigation can occur and suggest other diseases may be assessed similarly. As a result, the Coast Guard has established three laboratories with wastewater testing capability at strategic locations and is actively continuing its wastewater testing program.
Rtt105 configurationally staples RPA and blocks facilitated exchange and interactions with RPA-interacting proteins
Authors: Kuppa Sahiti , Deveryshetty Jaigeeth , Chadda Rahul , Mattice Jenna , Pokhrel Nilisha , Kaushik Vikas , Patterson Angela , Dhingra Nalini , Pangeni Sushil , Sadauskas Marisa K. , Shiekh Sajad , Balci Hamza , Ha Taekjip , Zhao Xiaolan , Bothner Brian , Antony Edwin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractReplication Protein A (RPA) binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and recruits over three dozen RPA-interacting proteins (RIPs) to coordinate multiple aspects of DNA metabolism including DNA replication, repair, and recombination. Rtt105 is a molecular chaperone that regulates nuclear localization of RPA. Whether and how Rtt105 regulates the activities of RPA is poorly understood. Here, we show that Rtt105 binds to multiple DNA binding and protein-interaction domains of RPA and configurationally staples the complex. In the absence of ssDNA, Rtt105 inhibits RPA binding to Rad52, thus preventing spurious binding to RPA-interacting proteins (RIPs). When ssDNA is available, Rtt105 promotes formation of high-density RPA nucleoprotein filaments and dissociates during this process. Free Rtt105 further stabilizes the RPA-ssDNA filaments by inhibiting RPA facilitated exchange. Collectively, our data suggest that Rtt105 sequesters free RPA in the nucleus to prevent untimely RIP interaction, while stabilizing RPA-ssDNA filaments at DNA lesion sites.
Profiling Unbinding Events to Identify Near-Native RNA-Ligand Poses
Authors: Liu Yichen , Frank Aaron T. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTPredicting the structure (or pose) of RNA-ligand complexes is an important problem in RNA structural biology and drug discovery. Although one could use molecular docking procedures to rapidly sample putative poses of RNA-ligand complexes, accurately dis-criminating the native-like poses from non-native, decoy structures remains a formidable challenge. Here, we started from the assumption that native-like RNA-ligand poses are less likely to dissociate during molecular dynamics simulations, and then we used enhanced simulations to promote ligand for diverse poses of a handful of RNA-ligand complexes. By fitting unbinding profiles obtained from the simulations to a single-exponential, we identified the characteristic decay time (τ) as particularly effective at resolving native poses from decoys. Remarkably, a simple regression model trained to predict the simulation-derived parameters directly from structure could also discriminate poses. As such, when molecular dynamics simulations are feasible, one could use them to simulate ligand unbinding to aid in the identification of near-native poses. On the other hand, when speed is more important, one could use a simple structure-based regression model, like the ones described in this study, to analyze and filter RNA-ligand poses.
The conserved Pelado/ZSWIM8 protein regulates actin dynamics by promoting linear actin filament polymerization
Authors: Pelayo Claudia Molina , Olguin Patricio , Mlodzik Marek , Glavic Alvaro 
Published: February 2022

AbstractActin filament polymerization can be branched or linear, which depends on the associated regulatory proteins. Competition for Actin monomers occurs between proteins that induce branched or linear actin polymerization. Cell specialization requires the regulation of actin filaments to allow the formation of cell-type specific structures, like cuticular hairs inDrosophila, formed by linear actin filaments. Here, we report the functional analysis of CG34401/pelado, a gene encoding a SWIM domain containing protein, conserved throughout the animal kingdom. Mutantpeladoepithelial cells display actin hair elongation defects. This phenotype is reversed by increasing Actin monomer levels or by either pushing linear actin polymerization or reducing branched actin polymerization. The same behavior occurs in hemocytes, where Pelado is essential to induce filopodia, a linear actin-based structure. We further show that this function of Pelado, ZSWIM8 in mammals, is conserved in human cells, where Pelado inhibits branched actin polymerization in a cell migration context. In summary, our data indicate that the function of Pelado/ZSWIM8 in regulating actin cytoskeletal dynamics is conserved, favoring linear actin polymerization at the expense of branched filaments.
IS SHORT-TERM ACYCLOVIR TREATMENT RELATED WITH MORE UNFAVOURABLE OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH HSV-1 ENCEPHALITIS?
Authors: Arslan Ferhat , Akgündüz Ravza , Ermiş Abdülkadir , Bektaş Begüm , Erbayat Ebru , Vahaboğlu Haluk 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundHerpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is the most common form of sporadic encephalitis which is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Current guidelines recommend intravenous Acyclovir for 14–21 days in cases of HSE.ObjectivesOptimizing the Acyclovir treatment duration is important in regards to preventing Acyclovir-related neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.Study designWe retrospectively evaluated 13 patients, who were diagnosed with HSE by molecular testing (HSV-1 PCR positivity in cerebrospinal fluid), in two university hospitals in Istanbul, between 2010 and 2021. The patients were treated either 10 days or less as a short-term treatment regimen of Acyclovir or for 14 days or more as long-term treatment regimenResultsThe median age was 58 years (range 24–82 years) and 54% of them were male. The median follow-up time was 79 days (range 20-670 days) after discharge. Long-term treatment was used in 6 and a short-term treatment regimen was used in 7 cases. One of the patients died on the 4th day of Acyclovir treatment. One patient never received Acyclovir treatment. Of the 5 patients who received long-term treatment, 3 (21-28 days) had amnesia and orientation-cooperation restriction, one (21 days) died on the 2nd day of treatment, while the other (14 days) had no sequelae. There were no sequelae in three out of 5 patients who received short-term treatment.ConclusionsWe believe that it is necessary to determine the optimal Acyclovir therapy duration should be evaluated in a prospective randomized clinical trial in large patient population.
A phasevarion controls multiple virulence traits, including expression of vaccine candidates, in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Phillips Zachary N. , Trappetti Claudia , Van Den Bergh Annelies , Martin Gael , Calcutt Ainslie , Ozberk Victoria , Guillon Patrice , Pandey Manisha , von Itzstein Mark , Swords W. Edward , Paton James C. , Jennings Michael P. , Atack John M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial illness worldwide. Current vaccines based on the polysaccharide capsule (PCV-13 and PPSV-23) are only effective against a limited number of the >100 capsular serotypes. A universal vaccine based on conserved protein antigens requires a thorough understanding of gene expression in S. pneumoniae. Restriction-Modification (R-M) systems, classically described as a defence against bacteriophage, are almost ubiquitous in the bacterial domain, and roles other than phage defence. All S. pneumoniae strains encode the SpnIII R-M system. This system contains a phase-variable methyltransferase that randomly switches specificity, and controls expression of multiple genes; a phasevarion. We aimed to determine the role of the SpnIII phasevarion during pneumococcal pathobiology and determine if phase-variation resulted in differences in expression of protein antigens that are being investigated as vaccine candidates. Using ‘locked’ S. pneumoniae strains that express a single SpnIII methyltransferase specificity, we found significant differences in clinically relevant traits, including survival in blood, and adherence to and invasion of human cells. Crucially, we also observed differences in expression of numerous proteinaceous vaccine candidates, which complicates selection of protein antigens for inclusion in a universal protein-based pneumococcal vaccine. This study will inform future vaccine design against S. pneumoniae by ensuring only stably expressed candidates are included in a rationally designed vaccine.Significance StatementS. pneumoniae is the world’s foremost bacterial pathogen. S. pneumoniae encodes a randomly expressed epigenetic regulator, a phasevarion (phase-variable regulon), that results in random expression of multiple genes. Previous work demonstrated that the pneumococcal SpnIII phasevarion switches between six different expression states, generating six unique phenotypic variants in a pneumococcal population. Here, we show that this phasevarion generates multiple phenotypic differences relevant to pathobiology. Importantly, expression of conserved protein antigens varies with phasevarion switching. As capsule expression, a major pneumococcal virulence factor, is also controlled by the phasevarion, our work will inform the selection of the best candidates to include in a rationally designed, universal pneumococcal vaccine.
Awareness of the LEED requirements for green housing development among built-environment professionals in Nigeria
Authors: Ade-Ojo Olubunmi Comfort 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe study aims to assess the gap in the awareness of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements for green housing development among built-environment professionals in meeting the housing need in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study is a cross-sectional survey of built-environment professionals in the Physical Planning Units (PPUs) of Federal Tertiary Educational Institutions in South-Western Nigeria. The LEED v4 scoring system for New Construction and Renovation was adopted for the survey questionnaire on five point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using the MIS and Kruskal–Wallis Rank sum Test.FindingsAwareness of the LEED requirements varies across the categories. Sustainable site is ranked first while innovation and regional priority ranked from the rear. There is variation in awareness among the professionals. The Land Surveyors are followed by the Architects while the Builders ranked last.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of the study is limited to the professionals in the PPUs in the study area. However, the findings are indicative. The low level of awareness of some of the requirements and the extent of variation among the professionals will negatively impact the integrated design approach and collaborative effort needed for green housing to meet the housing deficit in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThe study is limited in scope. The low level of awareness of the requirements coupled with the extent of variation among the professionals will negatively impact the integrated design approach and collaborative effort needed for green housing to meet the huge housing deficit in Nigeria.Originality/valueThe study takes the lead to assess the awareness of the requirements for green housing development based on the LEED impact categories. Improving the awareness of these requirements will enhance their implementation and consequently impact the quality of housing provision. The professionals need to bridge the knowledge gap to enhance collaboration and productivity for green housing development.
Managing intragroup conflicts within project design teams during pre-contract stage that effect the project deliverables in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gunasekara D.M.H. , Indikatiya I.H.P.R. , Perera B.A.K.S. , Senaratne Sepani 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the management of intragroup conflicts occurring in project design teams during pre-contract stages that affect the project deliverables of construction projects implemented in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach with a case study research strategy was used in the study. The required empirical data were collected by conducting expert interviews and reviewing the documents used in four selected projects implemented in Sri Lanka. All the projects used traditional separated procurement systems and had re-measurement contracts. Manual content analysis was used to analyze the collected data.

Findings
The study findings revealed the different types of intragroup conflicts that arise during the pre-contract stages of projects within project design teams of construction projects implemented in Sri Lanka and the causes and effects of those conflicts on project deliverables. The study recommends proactive strategies that can be adopted to manage those conflicts.

Originality/value
A dearth of literature on the association between the intragroup conflicts that arise during the design stages of construction projects and project deliverables exists. This study bridged this research gap. It is novel because it reveals the impact of intragroup conflicts that occur during the pre-contract stages of construction projects on project deliverables and identifies several proactive strategies that will assist in managing those intragroup conflicts.
Indigenous knowledge and innovative practices to cope with impacts of climate change on small-scale farming in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Rankoana Sejabaledi Agnes 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to describe the indigenous and innovative practices adopted by the small-scale farmers to cope with the impacts of climate change hazards on subsistence farming.

Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through focus group discussions with 72 small-scale farmers from a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The discussions were analysed through verbatim transcripts and content analysis.

Findings
The study results show the farmers’ understanding of climate change variability and its hazards in the form of rainfall scarcity and excessively increased temperature, which are responsible for a declining production of indigenous crops. It has also been found that in the face of these hazards, the farmers experience low crop yields, which cannot provide the household food requirements. However, the small-scale farmers use a combination of local and innovative knowledge and skills to improve their crop production. They have adopted the indigenous adaptation mechanisms, which include rainfall prediction, preparation of the gardens, change of crops and the planting season to ensure better crop yields. The farmers also adopted innovative adaptation practices such as the use of fertilisers, growing of exotic crops and use of extension officers’ guidance and skills to minimise the risks and maximise the chances of resilient crop production.

Research limitations/implications
This paper describes the farmers’ ability to use the indigenous and innovative adaptation practices. It is only focused on the farmers’ knowledge and skills other than the extension officers’ skills.

Originality/value
The adaptation practices reported in the study fall within the adaptation and mitigation systems stipulated in the South African National Climate Change Strategy to assist the small-scale farmers grow and maintain the crops to improve production and minimise the risks, thus ensuring food security under observable harsh climate hazards.
FDI and inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa: does democracy matter?
Authors: Gossel Sean 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis paper investigates whether democracy plays a mediating role in the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis is conducted using fixed effects and system GMM (Generalised Method of Moments) on a panel of 38 Sub-Saharan African countries covering the period of 1990–2018.FindingsThe results find that FDI has no direct effect on inequality whereas democracy reduces inequality directly in both the short run and the long run. The sensitivity analyses find that democracy improves equality regardless of the magnitude of FDI, resource endowment or democratic deepening whereas FDI only reduces inequality once a moderate level of democracy has been achieved.Social implicationsThe results discussed above thus have four policy implications. First, these results show that although democracy has inequality reducing benefits, SSA is unlikely to significantly reduce inequality unless the region purposefully diversifies its trade and FDI away from natural resources. Second, the region should continue to expand credit access to reduce inequality and attract FDI. Third, policymakers should undertake reforms that will reduce youth inequality. Lastly, the region should focus on long-run democratic reforms rather than on short-run democratization to improve governance and investor confidence.Originality/valueAlthough there are existing studies that examine the association between FDI and inequality, FDI and democracy and democracy and inequality, this is the first study to explicitly examine the effect of democracy on the association between FDI and inequality in SSA, and the first study to separately consider the possible varied effects of contemporaneous democratization versus the long-run accumulation of democratic capital. In addition, rather than measure inequality by income alone, this study uses the more appropriate Human Development Index to account for SSA's sociological, education and income disparities.
Work alienation as a mediator between work from home-related isolation, loss of task identity and job insecurity amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mehta Prashant 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis sudden disruption of work in the world due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unravelling situations hitherto unknown to researchers and therefore requires careful and thorough investigation. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between work from home (WFH) isolation, WFH loss of task identity and job insecurity amid COVID-19 pandemic WFH arrangements by focusing on information technology/information technology-enabled services (IT/ITES) sector employees in India. The study also investigated the mediating role of work alienation.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from IT/ITES sector employees who were working from home. The sample size was 312, with 71.8% males and 28.2% females. The study used a descriptive research design. Analysis of the data was carried out using partial least square structural equation modeling. All constructs–independent and dependent–were reflectively measured. The evaluated quality parameters (discriminant validity, reliability, collinearity, common method bias) for all the constructs were found to be within acceptable limits.FindingsFindings from the study indicate that WFH-related isolation and loss of task identity have a significant direct impact on job insecurity. These, along with the mediating construct of work alienation, predicted a 35.8% variance in job insecurity. The study found that work alienation provided complementary mediation between the independent constructs evaluated.Originality/valueThis study attempts to scrape the surface and gain insight into the problems that may arise in the new world of work. This paper presents an attempt to explain some of the psychological pitfalls associated with WFH during the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand their impact on job insecurity.
Key audit matters and big4 auditors in Oman: a quantile approach analysis
Authors: Baatwah Saeed Rabea 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
In response to the users of financial statements’ need for better communication value from audit reports, auditors are required to expand the format and content of their reports. This paper aims to investigate the heterogeneity of key audit matters (KAM) for big4 audit firms.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a pool of 273 year-observations from the Omani capital market for the period 2016–2019, a quantile regression approach is adopted to achieve this purpose because it can provide a broader picture of this heterogeneity.

Findings
The results indicate that all types of big4 audit firms are associated with lower numbers of KAM. However, each big4 audit firm reports these KAM differently. Also, the results indicate heterogeneity in the number of KAM among the partners of each firm. Specifically, partners in some big4 audit firms show a significant association with fewer KAM while others are insignificant. Some partners of Ernst and Young show a positive association with a higher number of KAM. Overall, the results confirm the heterogeneity among auditors in styling their KAM disclosure.

Originality/value
There are crucial implications for various policymakers. This paper is the first to analyse KAM aspects at the partner level and use quantile regression to detect the effect of audit firms on KAM.