bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Clostridioides difficile S-Layer Protein A (SlpA) serves as a general phage receptor
Authors: Royer Alexia L.M. , Umansky Andrew A. , Allen Marie-Maude , Garneau Julian R. , Ospina-Bedoya Maicol , Kirk Joseph A. , Govoni Gregory , Fagan Robert P. , Soutourina Olga , Fortier Louis-Charles 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTTherapeutic bacteriophages (phages) are being considered as alternatives in the fight against Clostridioides difficile infections. To be efficient, phages should have a wide host range, but the lack of knowledge about the cell receptor used by C. difficile phages hampers the rational design of phage cocktails. Recent reports suggested that the C. difficile surface layer protein A (SlpA) is an important phage receptor, but clear and unambiguous experimental evidence is lacking. Here, using the epidemic R20291 strain and its FM2.5 mutant derivative lacking a functional S-layer, we show that the absence of SlpA renders cells completely resistant to infection by phiCD38-2, phiCDIII and phiCD146, which normally infect the parental strain. Complementation assays with 12 different Slayer Cassette Types (SLCTs) expressed from a plasmid revealed that SLCT-6 also allowed infection by phiCD111, and SLCT-11 enabled infection by phiCD38-2 and phiCD146. Of note, expression of SLCTs 1, 6, 8, 9, 10 or 12 conferred susceptibility to infection by 5 myophages that normally do not infect the R20291 strain, namely phiMMP02, phiMMP03, phiMMP04, phiCD506 and phiCD508. Adsorption assays showed that >50% adsorption was required for productive phage infection. Altogether, our data suggest that many phages use SlpA as their receptor and most importantly, morphologically distinct phages of the Siphoviridae and Myoviridae families target SlpA despite major differences in their tail structures. Our study therefore represents an important breakthrough in our understanding of the molecular interaction between C. difficile and its phages.IMPORTANCEPhage therapy represents an interesting alternative to treat Clostridioides difficile infections because contrary to antibiotics, most phages are highly species-specific, thereby sparing the beneficial gut microbes that protect from infection. However, currently available phages against C. difficile have a narrow host range and target members from only one or a few PCR ribotypes. Without a clear comprehension of the factors that define host specificity, and in particular the host receptor recognized by phages, it is hard to develop therapeutic cocktails in a rational manner. In our study, we provide clear and unambiguous experimental evidence that SlpA is a common receptor used by many siphophages and myophages. Although work is still needed to define how a particular phage RBP binds to a specific SLCT, identification of SlpA as a common receptor is a major keystone that will facilitate the rational design of therapeutic phage cocktails against clinically important strains.
Getting Smaller by Denaturation: Acid-Induced Compaction of Antibodies
Authors: Imamura Hiroshi , Ooishi Ayako , Honda Shinya 
Published: September 2022

AbstractProtein denaturation is a ubiquitous process that occurs bothin vitroandin vivo. While the molecular understanding of the denatured structures of proteins is limited, it is commonly accepted that the loss of unique intramolecular contacts makes proteins larger. Herein, we report compaction of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) protein upon acid denaturation. Small-angle X-ray scattering coupled with size exclusion chromatography revealed that IgG1 radii of gyration at pH 2 were ∼75% of those at a neutral pH. Scattering profiles showed a compact globular shape, supported by analytical ultracentrifugation. The acid denaturation of proteins with size reduction is energetically costly, and acid-induced compaction requires an attractive force for domain reorientation. Such intramolecular aggregation may be widespread in immunoglobulin proteins as non-canonical structures. Herein, we discuss the potential biological significance of these non-canonical structures of antibodies.
Functional conservation of Anopheline linalool receptors through 100 million years of evolution
Authors: Huff Robert M. , Pitts R. Jason 
Published: September 2022

AbstractInsects rely on olfactory receptors to detect and respond to diverse environmental chemical cues. Detection of semiochemicals by these receptors modulates insect behavior and has a direct impact on species fitness. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released by animals and plants and can provide contextual cues that a blood meal host or nectar source is present. One such VOC is linalool, an enantiomeric monoterpene, that is emitted from plants and bacteria species. This compound exists in nature as one of two possible stereoisomers, (R)-(–)-linalool or (S)-(+)-linalool. In this study, we use a heterologous expression system to demonstrate differential responsiveness of a pair of Anopheline odorant receptors (Ors) to enantiomers of linalool. The mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi encode single copies of Or29 and Or53, which are expressed in the labella of An. gambiae. (S)-(+)-linalool activates Or29 orthologs with a higher potency than (R)-(–)-linalool, while the converse is observed for Or53 orthologs. The conservation of these receptors across a broad range of Anopheline species suggests they may function in the discrimination of linalool stereoisomers, thereby influencing the chemical ecology of mosquitoes. One potential application of this knowledge would be in the design of novel attractants or repellents to be used in integrated pest management practices.
PrimedSherlock: A tool for rapid design of highly specific CRISPR-Cas12 crRNAs
Authors: Mann James G. , Pitts R. Jason 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundCRISPR-Cas based diagnostic assays provide a portable solution which bridges the benefits of qRT-PCR and serological assays in terms of portability, specificity and ease of use. CRISPR-Cas assays are rapidly fieldable, specific and have been rigorously validated against a number of targets, including HIV and vector-borne pathogens. Recently, CRISPR-Cas12 and CRISPR-Cas13 diagnostic assays have been granted FDA approval for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. A critical step in utilizing this technology requires the design of highly-specific and efficient CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) and isothermal primers. This process involves intensive manual curation and stringent parameters for design in order to minimize off-target detection while also preserving detection across divergent strains. As such, a single, streamlined bioinformatics platform for rapidly designing crRNAs for use with the CRISPR-Cas12 platform is needed. Here we offer PrimedSherlock, an automated, computer guided process for selecting highly-specific crRNAs and primers for targets of interest.ResultsUtilizing PrimedSherlock and publicly available databases, crRNAs were designed against a selection of Flavivirus genomes, including West Nile, Zika and all four serotypes of Dengue. Using outputs from PrimedSherlock in concert with both wildtype A.s Cas12a and Alt-R Cas12a Ultra nucleases, we demonstrated sensitive detection of nucleic acids of each respective arbovirus in in-vitro fluorescence assays. Moreover, primer and crRNA combinations facilitated the detection of their intended targets with minimal off-target background noise.ConclusionsPrimedSherlock is a novel crRNA design tool, specific for CRISPR-Cas12 diagnostic platforms. It allows for the rapid identification of highly conserved crRNA targets from user-provided primer pairs or PrimedRPA output files. Initial testing of crRNAs against arboviruses of medical importance demonstrated a robust ability to distinguish multiple strains by exploiting polymorphisms within otherwise highly conserved genomic regions. As a freely-accessible software package, PrimedSherlock could significantly increase the efficiency of CRISPR-Cas12 diagnostics. Conceptually, the portability of detection kits could also be enhanced when coupled with isothermal amplification technologies.
Comparing Narrative Storytelling Ability in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Pham Linh N. H. , Lee Adrian KC , Estes Annette , Dager Stephen , Hemingway Susan J. (Astley) , Thorne John C. , Lau Bonnie K. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPurposeNarrative discourse, or storytelling, is used in daily conversational interaction and reveals higher level language skills that may not be well captured by standardized assessments of language. Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) show difficulty with pragmatic language skills and narrative production offers one method of assessing expressive and pragmatic language skills in an ecologically relevant manner. This study investigated narrative abilities on both local and global levels of adolescent/young adults with ASD and FASD, and their age- and sex-matched comparison group.MethodNarratives from forty-five adolescents/young adults, 11 with ASD, 11 with FASD, 23 age- and sex-matched neurotypical comparison group, were elicited using a wordless storybook. They were then transcribed orthographically, formatted to the Systematic Analyses of Language Transcript (SALT) convention, and scored based on the narrative scoring scheme (NSS).Additional analyses investigated local language measures such as the number of mental state and temporal relation terms produced, as well as global language measures including the mean length of utterance, total number of different words, total number of words, total number of utterances, rate of speech, and the narrative scoring scheme total score.ResultsOn local language measures, no significant group differences were found. On global language measures, many aspects of narrative production in the ASD and FASD groups were comparable to each other and to the comparison group, although important differences were observed for the total number of words produced and rate of speech.ConclusionsGiven significant variability observed within groups, these findings suggest that language abilities should be assessed at an individual level. Future research should also consider additional variables that influence narrative production such as motivation, distractibility, or decision-making of individual subjects.
Application of RGB trichrome staining to the study of human parasites
Authors: González-Luna Juan Diego , Gaytán Francisco 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHuman parasitic infections are major contributors to global disease load, compromising the human life and resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, many parasitic diseases have been neglected and little investigated in western medicine. Although recently developed molecular techniques have revolutionized the taxonomy of parasites and the parasitic disease diagnosis, histopathology still remains a powerfull tool for the analysis of parasitic diseases, allowing direct observation of the parasite thus providing information about the morphological features of the parasite ifself, and revealing tissue alterations at the parasite-host interface. The recently developed RGB trichrome (acronym for the primary dye components, picrosirius Red, fast Green, and alcian Blue) stains the main components of the extracellular matrix, specifically collagens and proteoglycans. We have applied the RGB tricrome staining to human tissues infected by the main three classes of human parasites: Protozoa (Leishmania donovanii and Toxoplasma gondii), helminths (Trichinella spiralis, Enterobius vermicularis, Dirofilaria spp. and Echinococcus granulosus) and ectoparasites (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis). Trichrome stain results in detailed staining of the parasite microanatomical structure, and highlights host tissue alterations such as granulomatous inflammation, immune cell infiltrate, or increased amount of collagen as a sign of parasite-induced fibrosis. Yet, the use of RGB trichrome, as a complement of hematoxylin and eosin staining, provides additional valuable information to assess parasitic infection histopathology.
Talent management strategies and functions: a systematic review
Authors: Yildiz Ramazan Ozkan , Esmer Soner 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
The primary purpose of this study was to identify and conceptualize talent management (TM) functions by combining management and human resources functions, based on a rigorous, in-depth literature review. The secondary purpose was to identify the most common TM strategies and classify them in terms of TM functions to provide a more systematic foundation for the concept of TM.

Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review supported by qualitative content analysis was used to determine the main TM strategies in the current literature and to classify them under basic TM functions.

Findings
This study identified seven core TM functions that were previously addressed in the TM literature but not labeled and conceptualized as TM functions. These seven core functions (talent planning, talent identification, talent attraction, talent acquisition, talent development, talent deployment and talent retention) structure the TM system, influence each other and operate as a cycle through their respective strategies in identifying, formulating and achieving business objectives (e.g. enhanced firm performance and sustainable competitive advantage). The findings also indicate that talent retention strategies were the most discussed topic within this field between 2006 and July 2022, followed by talent planning and talent development strategies.

Originality/value
TM is still a young and developing field that needs more conceptual work for its development and recognition as a discipline. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this unique study is one of the first attempts to comprehensively define TM functions and offer a framework for the detailed and systematic classification of TM strategies under seven core TM functions. This framework makes clear the multidimensional concept and system of TM and reveals, through the notion of TM functions, the main lines and structural factors necessary to implement the strategies effectively. Based on the strategies presented in this study, TM is an important source of ideas for organizations that want to implement TM and provides a bench-marking tool for organizations that are currently implementing TM.
Gig workers’ self-protective behaviour against legal risks: an application of protection motivation theory
Authors: Au Wai Ching Wilson , Tsang Nelson K.F. 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Given the illegal nature of the gig economy in some cities, this study aims to draw on protection motivation theory to examine the formation of Uber drivers’ self-protective behaviour against legal risks.

Design/methodology/approach
In-depth interviews with 10 Uber drivers in Hong Kong were conducted to yield eight maladaptive perceptions, which were then validated using online surveys completed by 232 Uber drivers. These results were then used to examine a mechanism through which threat appraisal, coping appraisal and maladaptive perceptions influence drivers’ unwillingness to work and weekly working hours.

Findings
Eight maladaptive perceptions were found to empirically fit a bidimensional conceptualization of cognitive and affective components that significantly reduce workers’ unwillingness to work illegally in the gig economy. The effects on Uber drivers’ unwillingness to work and weekly working hours varied across threat appraisal, coping appraisal and maladaptive perceptions.

Practical implications
Platform companies should find the results insightful because they demonstrate ways of negotiating with governments about its legality of the gig economy. The findings can also assist governments with policy development to make sense of illegal gig work or to legalize the gig economy.

Originality/value
This study complements the overoptimistic discussion of the gig economy to investigate why people engage in illegal work in this context. Protection motivation theory is applied to a new domain to explore gig workers’ maladaptive perceptions of illegal working.
Asymmetric effect of remittances and financial development on carbon emissions in sub-Saharan Africa: an application of panel NARDL approach
Authors: Mensah Barbara Deladem , Abdul-Mumuni Abdallah 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
While several existing panel studies have focused on the linear specifications of the effect of remittances and financial development on carbon emissions, nonlinear panel studies on this subject remain thin on the ground. The purpose of this paper is to examine the asymmetric effect of remittances and financial development on carbon emissions in 31 selected sub-Saharan African countries for the period spanning from 1996 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach
The Kao, Pedroni and Johansen–Fisher co-integration tests were conducted to ascertain a long-run relationship among the studied variables, whereas the nonlinear panel autoregressive distributed lag approach was applied to account for asymmetries.

Findings
The study revealed, among other things, that remittances and financial development asymmetrically influence carbon emissions in the selected panel of sub-Saharan African countries. In the long run, the positive shock in remittances on carbon emissions is greater than in the negative shock in remittances. Additionally, both positive and negative shocks in financial development mitigate carbon emissions.

Research limitations/implications
The implications of this study include the need to provide tax incentives to remitters and encourage them to invest in clean technologies so as to maintain sustainable development and low carbon emissions in the environment. There is also the need for governments and policymakers to formulate policies aimed at improving the functioning of the financial sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.

Originality/value
The positive and negative shocks of remittances and financial development on carbon emissions are examined to ascertain their asymmetric relationships.
Learning to teach: cross-cultural internship teaching of a mainland Chinese Master's student in a Macao university
Authors: Luo Lin , Shao Yanju 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis paper examines the cross-cultural internship teaching experience of a mainland Chinese student of a Master's program on adult education in a Macao university.Design/methodology/approachUsing autobiography, the data were collected from the teaching journals, biographical notes, and deep reflections of the student teacher, tracking the whole process of cross-cultural internship teaching. The data were analyzed in a grounded way, by scrutinizing the process to overcome the difficulties and challenges encountered in the two-month internship teaching period.FindingsThree key themes were identified: (a) constructing relationship with mentor teacher as the key condition; (b) classroom interaction as an important influencing factor; (c) professional identity as the result of the learning-to-teach process. Furthermore, this paper reveals an adaptation process during the internship, where the student teacher went through three phases, namely, novice anxiety, adjustment, and ability acquisition.Originality/valueThis paper’s analysis on the internship teaching experience reflecting practical issues in the process has extended the literature of academic adaptation in internship learning of non-local students. Based on this cross-cultural student case under the unique mainland China-Macao cross-border context, some suggestions are provided for university policy makers and educators in Macao.
Effect of using mobile translation applications for translating collocations
Authors: Mahdi Hassan Saleh , Alotaibi Hind , AlFadda Hind 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effects of using mobile translation applications for translating collocations.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed an experimental design where 47 students of English as foreign language in a Saudi university were randomly categorized into two groups. Both the groups were given a translation task consisting of 30 sentences with fixed, medium-strength and weak collocations. The participants in the experimental group (n 23) were asked to use a mobile App (Reverso) to translate the sentences, while the control group (n 24) was allowed to use only paper-based dictionaries. The translations were scored and analyzed to measure if there was any significant difference between the two groups.FindingsThe results indicated that the mobile translation application was more effective in translating fixed and medium-strength collocations than weak collocations, and in translating collocations in both translation directions (i.e. from Arabic into English or vice-versa).Originality/valueThe findings suggest that integrating translation technologies in general and mobile translation applications in particular in translation can enhance the translation process. Students can utilize mobile translation applications to enhance their translation skills, especially for translating collocations.
Effect of high hydrostatic pressure processing on the structure, functionality, and nutritional properties of food proteins: A review
Authors: Wang Wenxin , Yang Peiqing , Rao Lei , Zhao Liang , Wu Xiaomeng , Wang Yongtao , Liao Xiaojun 
Published: September 2022

AbstractProteins are important food ingredients that possess both functional and nutritional properties. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is an emerging nonthermal food processing technology that has been subject to great advancements in the last two decades. It is well established that pressure can induce changes in protein folding and oligomerization, and consequently, HHP has the potential to modify the desired protein properties. In this review article, the research progress over the last 15 years regarding the effect of HHP on protein structures, as well as the applications of HHP in modifying protein functionalities (i.e., solubility, water/oil holding capacity, emulsification, foaming and gelation) and nutritional properties (i.e., digestibility and bioactivity) are systematically discussed. Protein unfolding generally occurs during HHP treatment, which can result in increased conformational flexibility and the exposure of interior residues. Through the optimization of HHP and environmental conditions, a balance in protein hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity may be obtained, and therefore, the desired protein functionality can be improved. Moreover, after HHP treatment, there might be greater accessibility of the interior residues to digestive enzymes or the altered conformation of specific active sites, which may lead to modified nutritional properties. However, the practical applications of HHP in developing functional protein ingredients are underutilized and require more research concerning the impact of other food components or additives during HHP treatment. Furthermore, possible negative impacts on nutritional properties of proteins and other compounds must be also considered.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis: Common and uncommon presentations
Authors: Tee Qiao Xin , Wong Aaron , Nambiar Mithun , Lau Kenneth K 
Published: September 2022

SummaryGranulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a multisystemic autoimmune small vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting the respiratory and renal systems. Other systems such as the central nervous system, orbital, cardiac and gastrointestinal systems may also be involved to a lesser degree. Although there are no imaging features that are pathognomonic for GPA, there are known radiological patterns suggestive of the disease and imaging plays an important role in diagnosis, assessment and monitoring of disease activity. This is more evident when combined with clinical features, biochemical values and histopathology results. This pictorial review aims to present both common and uncommon radiological features of GPA.