bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endogenous variation in ventromedial prefrontal cortex state dynamics during naturalistic viewing reflects affective experience
Authors: Chang Luke J. , Jolly Eshin , Cheong Jin Hyun , Rapuano Kristina M. , Greenstein Nathan , Chen Pin-Hao A. , Manning Jeremy R.
Published: December 2018

How we process ongoing experiences is shaped by our personal history, current needs, and future goals. Consequently, brain regions involved in generating these subjective appraisals, such as the vmPFC, often appear to be heterogeneous across individuals even in response to the same external information. To elucidate the role of the vmPFC in processing our ongoing experiences, we developed a computational framework and analysis pipeline to characterize the spatiotemporal dynamics of individual vmPFC responses as participants viewed a 45-minute television drama. Through a combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging, facial expression tracking, and self-reported emotional experiences across four studies, our data suggest that the vmPFC slowly transitions through a series of discretized states that broadly map onto affective experiences. Although these transitions typically occur at idiosyncratic times across people, participants exhibited a marked increase in state alignment during high affectively valenced events in the show. Our work suggests that the vmPFC ascribes affective meaning to our ongoing experiences.
Homeostatic and tumourigenic activity of SOX2+ pituitary stem cells is controlled by the LATS/YAP/TAZ cascade
Authors: Lodge Emily J , Santambrogio Alice , Russell John P , Xekouki Paraskevi , Jacques Thomas , Johnson Randy , Thavaraj Selvam , Bornstein Stefan R , Andoniadou Cynthia Lilian
Published: December 2018

SOX2+ pituitary stem cells (PSCs) are specified embryonically and persist throughout life, giving rise to all pituitary endocrine lineages. We have previously shown activation of the MST/LATS/YAP/TAZ signalling cascade in the developing and postnatal mammalian pituitary. Here, we investigate function of this pathway during pituitary development and in the regulation of SOX2+ PSCs. Through loss- and gain-of-function genetic approaches, we reveal that restricting YAP/TAZ activation during development is essential for normal organ size and specification from SOX2+ PSCs. Postnatal deletion of LATS kinases and subsequent upregulation of YAP/TAZ leads to uncontrolled clonal expansion of SOX2+ PSCs and disruption of their differentiation, causing the formation of non-secreting, aggressive pituitary tumours. In contrast, sustained expression of YAP alone results in expansion of SOX2+ PSCs capable of differentiation and devoid of tumourigenic potential. Our findings identify the LATS/YAP/TAZ signalling cascade as an essential component of PSC regulation in normal pituitary physiology and tumourigenesis.
Actimetry in infant sleep research: an approach to facilitate comparability
Authors: Schoch Sarah F. , Jenni Oskar G. , Kohler Malcolm , Kurth Salome
Published: December 2018

Study Objectives

Only standardized objective assessments reliably capture the large variability of sleep behavior in infancy, which is the most pronounced during the human lifespan. This is important for clinical as well as basic research. Actimetry is a cost-efficient method to objectively track infant sleep/wake behavior by assessing limb movements. Nevertheless, the standardization of actimetry-based sleep/wake measures is limited by two factors: the use of different computational approaches and the bias towards measuring only nighttime sleep - neglecting ∼20 % of sleep infants obtain during daytime.

Methods

We used actimetry in 50 infants for 10 continuous days at ages 3, 6 and 12 mo in a longitudinal approach. We analyzed the infants’ sleep/wake behaviors applying with two commonly used algorithms: Sadeh and Oakley/Respironics. We compared minute-by-minute agreement and Kappa between the two algorithms, as well as the algorithms with sleep/wake measures from a comprehensive 24-hour, parent-reported diary.

Results

Agreement between uncorrected algorithms was moderate (77 – 84%). By introducing a 6-step adjustment, we increased agreement between algorithms (96 – 97%) and with the diary. This decreased the difference between the two algorithms in e.g. Total Sleep Duration from 4.5 h to 0.2 h.

Conclusions

This computational pipeline enhances comparability between infant actimetry studies and the inclusion of parent-reported diaries allows the integration of daytime sleep. Objectively assessed infant sleep that is comparable across different studies supports the establishment of normative developmental trajectories and clinical cutoffs.
Oxytocin involves in chronic stress-evoked melanoma metastasis via β-arrestin 2 mediated-pathways
Authors: Ji Haoyi , Liu Na , Li Jing , Chen Dawei , Luo Dan , Sun Qian , Yin Yingchun , Liu Yanli , Bu Bing , Chen Xiaoyang , Li Jingxin
Published: December 2018

Stress is associated with an increased risk of lung metastasis in melanoma. However, the underlying mechanism is elusive. Oxytocin (OXT), a neurohormone produced by the hypothalamus, plays a vital role in laboring induction and lactation. Emerging evidence suggests that OXT also regulates human emotions, social cognition, social behaviors and stress-related disorders. Here, we reported that a significant up-regulation of oxytocin receptors (OXTRs) was observed in malignant melanoma. The activation of oxytocin receptors (OXTRs) dramatically promoted migration, invasion and angiogenesis but not the proliferation of melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo via β-arrestin 2-dependent ERK-VEGF/ MMP-2 pathway. Next, chronic restraint stress significantly elevated the plasma level of OXT. Notably, 21 days chronic restraint stress facilitated lung metastasis of melanoma and reduced overall survival in mice, which were largely abrogated by knocking down either OXTR or β-arrestin 2. These findings provide evidence that chronic stress hormone-OXT promotes lung metastasis of melanoma via a β-arrestin 2-dependent mechanism and suggest that OXT, a novel pro-metastasis factor, is a potential therapeutic target for melanoma.
Lipid interactions enhance activation and potentiation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)
Authors: Chin Stephanie , Ramjeesingh Mohabir , Hung Maurita , Ereño-Oreba June , Ing Christopher E , Zeng Zhi W. , Cui Hong , Julien Jean-Philippe , Pomès Régis , Bear Christine
Published: December 2018

The recent cryo-electron microscopy structures of phosphorylated, ATP-bound CFTR in detergent micelles failed to reveal an open anion conduction pathway as expected on the basis of previous functional studies in biological membranes. We tested the hypothesis that interaction of CFTR with lipids is important for opening of its channel. Interestingly, molecular dynamics studies revealed that phospholipids associate with regions of CFTR proposed to contribute to its channel activity. More directly, we found that CFTR purified together with associated lipids using the amphipol: A8-35, exhibited higher rates of catalytic activity, channel activation and potentiation using ivacaftor, than did CFTR purified in detergent. Catalytic activity in CFTR detergent micelles was partially rescued by addition of phospholipids plus cholesterol, arguing that these lipids contribute directly to its modulation. In summary, these studies highlight the importance of lipids in regulated CFTR channel activation and potentiation.
A mechatronic system for studying energy optimization during walking.
Authors: Simha Surabhi N , Donelan J. Maxwell
Published: December 2018

A general principle of human movement is that our nervous system is able to learn optimal coordination strategies. However, how our nervous system performs this optimization is not well understood. Here we design, build, and test a mechatronic system to probe the algorithms underlying optimization of energetic cost in walking. The system applies controlled fore-aft forces to a hip-belt worn by a user, decreasing their energetic cost by pulling forward or increasing it by pulling backward. The system controls the forces, and thus energetic cost, as a function of how the user is moving. In testing, we found that the system can quickly, accurately, and precisely apply target forces within a walking step. We next controlled the forces as a function of the user's step frequency and found that we could predictably reshape their energetic cost landscape. Finally, we tested whether users adapted their walking in response to the new cost landscapes created by our system, and found that users shifted their step frequency towards the new energetic minima. Our system design appears to be effective for reshaping energetic cost landscapes in human walking to study how the nervous system optimizes movement.
Nanopore metagenomic sequencing of full length human metapneumovirus (HMPV) within a unique sub-lineage
Authors: Xu Yifei , Lewandowski Kuiama , Lumley Sheila , Sanderson Nicholas D , Vaughan Alison , Vipond Richard T , Carroll Miles W , Jeffery Katie , Foster Dona , Walker A Sarah , Peto Timothy E. A. , Crook Derrick W , Pullan Steven T , Matthews Philippa C.
Published: December 2018

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been recognized as an important pathogen which can cause a spectrum of respiratory tract disease. Here, we report Nanopore metagenomic sequencing of the first full length HMPV genome directly from a throat swab from a UK patient with complex lung disease and immunocompromise. We found a predominance (26.4%) of HMPV reads in the metagenomic sequencing data and consequently assembled the full genome at a high depth of coverage (mean 4,786). Through phylogenetic analyses, we identified this HMPV strain to originate from a unique genetic group in A2b, showing the presence of this group in the UK. Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of Nanopore metagenomic sequencing for diagnosing infectious diseases and recovering complete sequences for genomic characterization, highlighting the applicability of Nanopore sequencing in clinical settings.
Empirical examination of the replicability of associations between brain structure and psychological variables
Authors: Masouleh Shahrzad Kharabian , Eickhoff Simon B. , Hoffstaedter Felix , Genon Sarah
Published: December 2018

Linking interindividual differences in psychological phenotype to variations in brain structure is an old dream for psychology and a crucial question for cognitive neurosciences. Yet, replicability of the previously-reported “structural brain behavior” (SBB)-associations has been questioned, recently. Here, we conducted an empirical investigation, assessing replicability of SBB among heathy adults. For a wide range of psychological measures, the replicability of associations with gray matter volume was assessed. Our results revealed that among healthy individuals 1) finding an association between performance at standard psychological tests and brain morphology is relatively unlikely 2) significant associations, found using an exploratory approach, have overestimated effect sizes and 3) can hardly be replicated in an independent sample. After considering factors such as sample size and comparing our findings with more replicable SBB-associations in a clinical cohort and replicable associations between brain structure and non-psychological phenotype, we discuss the potential causes and consequences of these findings.
Sexual selection drives the evolution of wing interference patterns
Authors: Hawkes MF , Duffy E , Joag R , Skeats A , Radwan J , Wedell N , Sharma MD , Hosken DJ , Troscianko J
Published: December 2018

The seemingly transparent wings of many insects have recently been found to display dramatic structural coloration. These structural colours (wing interference patterns: WIPs) may be involved in species recognition and mate choice, yet little is known about the evolutionary processes that shape them. Additionally, existing research has been restricted by analysing WIPs without due consideration of how they are actually perceived by the viewers’ colour vision. Here, we use multispectral digital imaging and a model ofDrosophilavision to compare WIPs of male and femaleDrosophila simulansfrom replicate populations forced to evolve with or without sexual selection for 68 generations. We show for the first time that WIPs modelled inDrosophilavision evolve in response to sexual selection, and confirm that WIPs correlate with male sexual attractiveness. These findings add a new element to the otherwise well describedDrosophilacourtship display and confirm that wing colours evolve through sexual selection.
Rats exhibit similar biases in foraging and intertemporal choice tasks
Authors: Kane Gary A. , Bornstein Aaron M. , Shenhav Amitai , Wilson Robert C. , Daw Nathaniel D. , Cohen Jonathan D.
Published: December 2018

Animals, including humans, consistently exhibit myopia in two different contexts: foraging, in which they harvest locally beyond what is predicted by optimal foraging theory, and intertemporal choice, in which they exhibit a preference for immediate vs. delayed rewards beyond what is predicted by rational (exponential) discounting. Despite the similarity in behavior between these two contexts, previous efforts to reconcile these observations in terms of a consistent pattern of time preferences have failed. Here, via extensive behavioral testing and quantitative modeling, we show that rats exhibit similar time preferences in both contexts: they prefer immediate vs. delayed rewards and they are sensitive to opportunity costs — delays to future decisions. Further, a quasi-hyperbolic discounting model, a form of hyperbolic discounting with separate components for short-and long-term rewards, explains individual rats’ time preferences across both contexts, providing evidence for a common mechanism for myopic behavior in foraging and intertemporal choice.
A framework for genomics-informed ecophysiological modeling in plants
Authors: Wang Diane R , Guadagno Carmela R , Mao Xiaowei , Mackay D. Scott , Pleban Jonathan R , Baker Robert L , Weinig Cynthia , Jannink Jean-Luc , Ewers Brent E
Published: December 2018

Dynamic process-based plant models capture complex physiological response across time, carrying the potential to extend simulations out to novel environments and lend mechanistic insight to observed phenotypes. Despite the translational opportunities for varietal crop improvement that could be unlocked by linking natural genetic variation to first-principles based modeling, these models are challenging to apply to large populations of related individuals. Here we use a combination of model development, experimental evaluation, and genomic prediction in Brassica rapa L. to set the stage for future large-scale process-based modeling of intra-specific variation. We develop a new canopy growth sub-model for B. rapa within the process-based model Terrestrial Regional Ecosystem Exchange Simulator (TREES), test input parameters for feasibility of direct estimation with observed phenotypes across cultivated morphotypes and indirect estimation using genomic prediction on a Recombinant Inbred Line population, and explore model performance on an in silico population under non-stressed and mild water stressed conditions. We find evidence that the updated whole plant model has capacity to distill genotype by environment interaction (G x E) into tractable components. The framework presented offers a means to link genetic variation with environment-modulated plant response and serves as a stepping stone towards large-scale prediction of un-phenotyped, genetically-related individuals under un-tested environmental scenarios.
Molecular determinants of metazoan tricRNA biogenesis
Authors: Schmidt Casey A. , Giusto Joseph D. , Gregory Matera A.
Published: December 2018

Mature tRNAs are generated by multiple post-transcriptional processing steps, which can include intron removal. Recently, our laboratory discovered a new class of metazoan circular RNAs formed by ligation of excised tRNA introns; we termed these molecules tRNA intronic circular (tric)RNAs. To investigate the mechanism of tricRNA biogenesis, we generated constructs that replace the native introns of twoDrosophilatRNA genes with the Broccoli fluorescent RNA aptamer. Using these reporters, we identifiedcis-acting elements required for tricRNA formation in both human and fly cells. We observed that disrupting the conserved anticodon-intron base pair dramatically reduces tricRNA levels. Although the integrity of this base pair is necessary for proper splicing, it is not sufficient. Furthermore, we found that strengthening weak base pairs in the pre-tRNA also impairs tricRNA production. We also used the reporters to identifytrans-acting tricRNA processing factors. We found that several known tRNA processing factors, such as RtcB ligase and components of the TSEN endonuclease complex, are involved in tricRNA biogenesis. Depletion of these factors inhibits tRNA intron circularization. Furthermore, we observed that depletion of Clipper endonuclease results in increased tricRNA levels. In summary, our work characterizes the major players inDrosophilatricRNA biogenesis.
Motor properties of PilT-independent type 4 pilus retraction in gonococci
Authors: Zöllner Robert , Cronenberg Tom , Maier Berenike
Published: December 2018

Bacterial type 4 pili (T4P) belong to the strongest molecular machines. The gonococcal T4P retraction ATPase PilT supports forces exceeding 100 pN during T4P retraction. Here, we address the question whether gonococcal T4P retract in the absence of PilT. We show that pilT deletion strains indeed retract their T4P but the maximum force is reduced to 5 pN. Similarly, the speed of T4P retraction is lower by orders of magnitude compared to T4P retraction driven by PilT. Deleting the pilT paralogues pilU and pilT2 in the DpilT background did not inhibit T4P retraction, indicating that the PilT-like proteins do not compensate for PilT. Furthermore, we show that depletion of proton motive force did not inhibit pilT-independent T4P retraction. We conclude that the retraction ATPase is not essential for gonococcal T4P retraction. However, the force generated in the absence of PilT is too low to support important functions of T4P including twitching motility, fluidization of colonies, or induction of host cell response.
The implied motion aftereffect changes decisions, but not confidence
Authors: Gallagher Regan , Suddendorf Thomas , Arnold Derek H.
Published: December 2018

Viewing static images depicting movement can result in a motion aftereffect: people tend to categorise direction signals as moving in the opposite direction to the implied motion of still photographs. This finding could indicate that inferred motion direction can penetrate sensory processing and impact perception. Equally possible, however, is that inferred motion impacts decision processes, but not perception. Here we test these two possibilities. Since both categorical decisions and subjective confidence are informed by sensory information, confidence can be informative about whether an aftereffect likely results from changes to perceptual or decision processes. We therefore leveraged subjective confidence as an additional measure of the implied motion aftereffect. In Experiment 1 (implied motion), we find support for decision-level changes only, with no change in subjective confidence. In Experiment 2 (real motion), we find equal changes to decisions and confidence. Our results suggest the implied motion aftereffect produces a bias in decision-making, but leaves perceptual processing unchanged.
Structural neuroimaging signatures of anorexia nervosa features in a mixed sample enriched for disease vulnerability
Authors: Miles Amy E. , Kaplan Allan S. , Nikolova Yuliya S. , Voineskos Aristotle N.
Published: December 2018

Brain-behavior relationships that could provide insight into risk-associated pathophysiology have not been thoroughly assessed in anorexia nervosa (AN). Therefore, we sought to identify grey and white matter signatures of AN symptoms and risk factors (trait anxiety, set-shifting impairment) in a sample enriched for AN vulnerability, including acute and remitted AN patients and their unaffected sisters (n = 72, aged 18 – 48 years). MRI/DTI data were acquired on a 3T scanner and processed with Freesurfer and FSL TBSS. Relationships between clinical variables of interest and regional subcortical volume, vertex-wise cortical surface architecture (thickness, surface area, local gyrification), and voxel-wise white matter microstructure (FA, MD) were tested with separate linear regressions, including age, BMI, lifetime AN diagnosis, and intracranial volume as covariates, where appropriate. Significance was determined using a Bonferroni-corrected threshold, p(t) ≤ 0.001. We detected distinct associations linking AN symptoms to lateral occipital cortical thickness and insular/cingulate gyrification and trait anxiety to lingual cortical thickness and superior parietal gyrification, and we detected overlapping associations linking AN symptoms and set-shifting impairment to frontoparietal gyrification. No other brain-behavior relationships emerged. Our findings suggest that variations in site-specific cortical morphology could give rise to core features of AN and shared temperamental and cognitive-behavioral risk factors for AN.
Microsecond Interaural Time Difference Discrimination Restored by Cochlear Implants After Neonatal Deafness
Authors: Rosskothen-Kuhl Nicole , Buck Alexa N , Li Kongyan , Schnupp Jan W H
Published: December 2018

Cochlear implants (CIs) can restore a high degree of functional hearing in deaf patients however spatial hearing remains poor, with many early deaf CI users reported to have no measurable sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITDs) at all. Deprivation of binaural experience during an early critical period is often blamed for this shortcoming. However, we show that neonatally deafened rats provided with precisely synchronized CI stimulation in adulthood can be trained to localize ITDs with essentially normal behavioral thresholds near 50 μs. Furthermore, neonatally deaf rats show high physiological sensitivity to ITDs immediately after binaural implantation in adulthood. The fact that our neonatally deaf CI rats achieved very good behavioral ITD thresholds while prelingually deaf human CI patients usually fail to develop a useful sensitivity to ITD raises urgent questions about whether shortcomings in technology or treatment may be behind the usually poor binaural outcomes for current binaural CI patients.
Data-Driven Analysis of Age, Sex, and Tissue Effects on Gene Expression Variability in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Brooks Lavida R.K. , Mias George I.
Published: December 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been categorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the 6thleading cause of death in the United States. AD is a significant health-care burden because of its increased occurrence (specifically in the elderly population) and the lack of effective treatments and preventive methods. With an increase in life expectancy, the CDC expects AD cases to rise to 15 million by 2060. Aging has been previously associated with susceptibility to AD, and there are ongoing efforts to effectively differentiate between normal and AD age-related brain degeneration and memory loss. AD targets neuronal function and can cause neuronal loss due to the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.

Our study aims to identify temporal changes within gene expression profiles of healthy controls and AD subjects. We conducted a meta-analysis using publicly available microarray expression data from AD and healthy cohorts. For our meta-analysis, we selected datasets that reported donor age and gender, and used Affymetrix and Illumina microarray platforms (8 datasets, 2,088 samples). Raw microarray expression data were re-analyzed, and normalized across arrays. We then performed an analysis of variance, using a linear model that incorporated age, tissue type, sex, and disease state as effects, as well as study to account for batch effects, and including binary interaction between factors. Our results identified 3,735 statistically significant (Bonferroni adjusted p<0.05) gene expression differences between AD and healthy controls, which we filtered for biological effect (10% two-tailed quantiles of mean differences between groups) to obtain 352 genes. Interesting pathways identified as enriched comprised of neurodegenerative diseases pathways (including AD), and also mitochondrial translation and dysfunction, synaptic vesicle cycle and GABAergic synapse, and gene ontology terms enrichment in neuronal system, transmission across chemical synapses and mitochondrial translation.

Overall our approach allowed us to effectively combine multiple available microarray datasets and identify gene expression differences between AD and healthy individuals including full age and tissue type considerations. Our findings provide potential gene and pathway associations that can be targeted to improve AD diagnostics and potentially treatment or prevention. (US).
Mitofusin 1 is required for the oocyte-granulosa cell communication that regulates oogenesis
Authors: Machado Thiago S. , Carvalho Karen F. , Garcia Bruna M. , Zangirolamo Amanda F. , Macabelli Carolina H. , Sugiyama Fabrícia H. C. , Grejo Mateus P. , Neto J. Djaci Augusto , Ribeiro Fernanda K. S. , Sarapião Fabiana D. , Meirelles Flávio V. , Guimarães Francisco E. G. , Pernas Lena , Seneda Marcelo M. , Chiaratti Marcos R.
Published: December 2018

Mitochondrial function, largely regulated by the dynamics of this organelle, is inextricably linked to oocyte health. While the proteins that modulate mitochondrial fusion, Mitofusin 1 (MFN1) and 2 (MFN2), are required for embryogenesis, their role in oocyte development remains unclear. Here we show that the oocyte-specific deletion ofMfn1, but notMfn2, results in a complete loss of oocyte growth and ovulation due to a block in folliculogenesis at the preantral-to-antral follicle transition. We pinpoint the loss of oocyte ovulation to disrupted oocyte-somatic cell communication –Mfn1-null oocytes are deficient for the production of the important somatic cell signaling factor GDF9. Unexpectedly, the double loss ofMfn1andMfn2mitigates the effects on oocyte growth and ovulation, which is explained by a partial rescue of oocyte-somatic cell communication and folliculogenesis. Together, this work demonstrates that mitochondrial function influences communication of oocyte with follicular somatic cells and suggests that the balanced expression of modulators of mitochondrial dynamics is critical for proper oocyte development.
Control of noncoding RNA production and histone levels by a 5′ tRNA fragment
Authors: Boskovic Ana , Bing Xin Yang , Kaymak Ebru , Rando Oliver J
Published: December 2018

Small RNAs derived from mature tRNAs, referred to as tRNA fragments or "tRFs", are an emerging class of regulatory RNAs with poorly understood functions in cellular regulation. We recently identified a role for one specific tRF - 5′ tRF-Gly-GCC, or tRF-GG - in repression of genes associated with the endogenous retroelement MERVL, but the mechanistic basis for this regulation was unknown. Here, we show that tRF-GG plays a role in production of a wide variety of noncoding RNAs normally synthesized in Cajal bodies. Among these noncoding RNAs, tRF-GG regulation of the U7 snRNA modulates heterochromatin-mediated transcriptional repression of MERVL elements by supporting an adequate supply of histone proteins. Importantly, the effects of inhibiting tRF-GG on histone mRNA levels, activity of a histone 3′ UTR reporter, and ultimately on MERVL regulation could all be suppressed by the U7 RNA. We show that the related RNA-binding proteins hnRNPF and H bind directly to tRF-GG, and are required for Cajal body biogenesis. Together, our data reveal a conserved mechanism for 5′ tRNA fragment control of noncoding RNA biogenesis and, consequently, in global chromatin organization.
Functional network interactions at rest underlie individual differences in memory ability
Authors: van Buuren Mariët , Wagner Isabella C. , Fernández Guillén
Published: December 2018

Intrinsic network interactions may underlie individual differences in the ability to remember. The default mode network (DMN) comprises subnetworks implicated in memory, and interactions between the DMN and frontoparietal network (FPN) were shown to support mnemonic processing. However, it is unclear if such interactions during resting-state predict episodic memory ability. We investigated whether intrinsic network interactions within and between the DMN and FPN are related to individual differences in memory performance. Resting-state activity was measured using functional MRI in healthy young adults followed by a memory test for object–location associations that were studied 3 d earlier. We identified two subnetworks within the DMN, the main-DMN and the medial temporal lobe, retrosplenial cortex (MTL_RSC)-DMN. Further, we found regions forming the FPN. Memory performance was associated with lower connectivity within the MTL_RSC-DMN, and stronger connectivity between the main-DMN and FPN. Exploratory whole-brain analysis revealed stronger MTL connectivity with the left posterior parietal cortex that was related to better memory performance. Furthermore, we found increased task-evoked activation during successful retrieval within the main-DMN and FPN, but not within the MTL_RSC-DMN. In sum, lower intrinsic connectivity within the MTL_RSC-DMN, combined with stronger connectivity between the main-DMN and FPN, explain individual differences in memory ability.
A novel multichoice touchscreen paradigm for assessing cognitive flexibility in mice
Authors: Piantadosi Patrick T. , Lieberman Abby G. , Pickens Charles L. , Bergstrom Hadley C. , Holmes Andrew
Published: December 2018

Cognitive flexibility refers to various processes which enable behaviors to be modified on the basis of a change in the contingencies between stimuli or responses and their associated outcomes. Reversal learning is a form of cognitive flexibility which measures the ability to adjust responding based on a switch in the stimulus–outcome contingencies of, typically two, perceptually distinct stimuli. Reversal tasks have provided valuable insight into the neural basis of cognitive flexibility, implicating brain regions including the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). However, with two-stimulus reversal, it is difficult to determine whether response errors are due excessive perseveration, deficient learning, or other problems with updating. To address this limitation, we developed a mouse three-choice touchscreen-based visual reversal task, in which the contingencies of two stimuli were switched on reversal but a third, simultaneously presented, stimulus was never reinforced. We found that, in male C57BL/6J mice, responding at the previously rewarded stimulus predominated over the newly and never-reinforced stimuli during early reversal. Next, we showed that acute pharmacological inhibition of lOFC, but not dmPFC, impaired early reversal performance, relative to noninactivated controls. Interestingly, however, lOFC inactivation deficits were characterized by increased choice of the never-reinforced stimulus and a decrease in (perseverative-like) responding at the previously rewarded stimulus. These effects are inconsistent with the historical notion of lOFC mediating response inhibition and closer to recent views of the lOFC's role in response/outcome tracking. Overall, these findings provide initial support the utility of this novel paradigm for studying cognitive flexibility and its underlying neural substrates.
Spatial memory ability during middle age may depend on level of spatial similarity
Authors: Williams McKenna E. , Graves Lisa V. , DeJesus Shannon Yandall , Holden Heather M. , DeFord Nicole E. , Gilbert Paul E.
Published: December 2018

Spatial memory impairment is well documented in old age; however, less is known about spatial memory during middle age. We examined the performance of healthy young, middle-aged, and older adults on a spatial memory task with varying levels of spatial similarity (distance). On low similarity trials, young adults significantly outperformed middle-aged adults, who significantly outperformed older adults (Ps < 0.05). On high similarity trials, young adults significantly outperformed middle-aged and older adults (Ps < 0.05); however, middle-aged and older adults did not differ. Subtle age-related changes in spatial memory may emerge during middle age, particularly when spatial similarity is high.
Two myeloid leukemia cases with rare FLT3 fusions
Authors: Zhang Haijiao , Paliga Aleksandra , Hobbs Evie , Moore Stephen , Olson Susan , Long Nicola , Dao Kim-Hien T. , Tyner Jeffrey W.
Published: December 2018

Genetic rearrangements involving FLT3 are rare and only recently have been detected in myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms associated with eosinophilia (MLN-eos) and chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Here we report two cases with FLT3 fusions in patients demonstrating mixed features of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms. In the first case, FLT3 was fused with a new fusion partner MYO18A in a patient with marrow features most consistent with atypical chronic myeloid leukemia; the second case involving ETV6-FLT3 fusion was observed in a case with bone marrow features most consistent with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Notably, we observed that samples from both patients demonstrated FLT3 inhibitor (quizartinib and sorafenib) sensitivity in ex vivo drug screening assay.
Crystal structure of (RS)-4-(3-carboxy-1-ethyl-6,8-difluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinolin-7-yl)-2-methylpiperazin-1-ium 3-carboxy-5-fluorobenzoate
Authors: Feng Sheng , Zhu Gui-Liang , Sun Jia-Jia , Chen Chen , Zhang Zhi-Hui
Published: December 2018

In the title organic salt, C17H20F2N3O3
+·C8H4FO4
−, proton transfer leads to one protonated lomefloxacin molecule (HLf+) and one 3-carboxy-5-fluorobenzoate (5-F-Hip−) anion in the asymmetric unit. The HLf+ cation is bent, with a dihedral angle of 38.3 (1)° between the quinoline ring and the piperazinium moiety. In the crystal, two kinds of N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen-bonded chains cross-link each other to produce a three-dimensional network structure that is additionally stabilized by weak C—H...O and C—H...F hydrogen bonds, as well as π–π interactions. The methyl group attached to the piperazinium ring is disordered over two sets of sites [refined ratio: 0.645 (5):0.335 (5)], indicating the presence of both enantiomers of the cation in the structure.
Conformational dimorphism of 2,2′-methylenebis(isoindoline-1,3-dione)
Authors: Chia Tze Shyang , Kwong Huey Chong , Sim Ai Jia , Ng Weng Zhun , Wong Qin Ai , Chidan Kumar C. S. , Quah Ching Kheng , Arafath Md. Azharul
Published: December 2018

In this study, a new monoclinic polymorph (space group C2/c) of 2,2′-methylenebis(isoindoline-1,3-dione), C17H10N2O4, is reported and compared to the previously reported triclinic polymorph (space group P\overline{1}). Similarly, both polymorphs consist of a unique molecule in the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 1). The molecular conformations of the two polymorphs are very similar, as shown by the r.m.s. deviation of 0.368 Å (excluding all H atoms). The intermolecular interactions of both polymorphs are described along with the Hirshfeld surface analysis, and the lattice energies are calculated.
Social representations of polydrug use in a Finnish newspaper 1990–2016
Authors: Savonen Jenni , Hakkarainen Pekka , Kataja Kati , Sakki Inari , Tigerstedt Christoffer
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the social representations of polydrug use in the Finnish mainstream media. Social representations are shared ways of talking about socially relevant issues and have ramifications on both individual and socio-political levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The social representations theory and the “What’s the problem represented to be?” analysis provided the theoretical framework. In total, 405 newspaper articles were used as data and analysed by content analysis and thematic analysis. The key tenets of the social representations theory, anchoring, objectifying and naturalisation, were used in data analysis.

Findings

The study found that polydrug use was written about differently in articles over the study period from 1990 to 2016. Three social representations were introduced: first, polydrug use as a concept was used to refer to the co-use of alcohol and medical drugs. This was seen as a problem for young people, which could easily lead to illicit drug use. Second, illicit drugs were included in the definitions of polydrug use, which made the social representation more serious than before. The typical polydrug user was portrayed as a person who was addicted to substances, could not quite control his/her use and was a threat to others in society. Third, the concepts were naturalised as parts of common language and even used as prototypes and metaphors.

Originality/value

The study provides a look at how the phenomenon of polydrug use is conceptualised in everyday language as previous research has concentrated on its scientific definitions. It also adds to the research of media representations of different substances.
Evaluating the impact of digital library database resources on the productivity of academic research
Authors: Rafi Muhammad , JianMing Zheng , Ahmad Khurshid
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Digital library database resources have a significant impact on stimulating the research culture in higher education. The use of digital databases makes it possible to understand intellectual growth, research productivity, planning and identification of user information needs. Evaluating the effectiveness of user database resource utilization and research, the purpose of this study is to assist management in developing an excellent academic policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study establishes a quantitative method to analyze the productivity of academic research using digital databases. The secondary data extracted from the databases of 52 universities provided by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the literature published on the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science. The statistical technique simple linear regression was used to analyze the data for understanding the impact of independent variables the “digital databases” on the dependent variable “research productivity”.

Findings

The result of the coefficient of multiple determination,R-squared,R20.679, indicated 67 per cent impact of the predictor on the outcome variable. However, the standardized coefficient Beta 0.824 revealed 82 per cent impact of the individual predictor on the outcome variable. Overall, the result of linear regression showed a significant effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Besides, the result of correlation and the strength of association between the database resources and the academic publication was significant (p< 0.005).

Practical implications

This research work is a supportive tool for managing gaps and promoting the development of necessary measures to develop strategies and solutions to create a better academic environment. The ultimate use of standard database resources can foster higher academic research to develop innovative ideas and improve researchers’ cognitive abilities.

Originality/value

From Pakistan’s point of view, this study is the first one that gives insight into the intellectual growth of young researchers in higher education. The study provides first-hand information on the use of database resources and their significant impact on the productivity of academic research.
Prescience evidence of the housing market and production sector performance nexus
Authors: Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Observation of misalignment of the house prices with fundamentals in Malta was recently investigated (Vakili-Zad and Hoekstra, 2011; Micallef, 2018). As such, this study aims to investigate nexus evidence of the housing market and production sector performance in Malta by using quarterly data spanning from 2005Q1 to 2016Q4.

Design/methodology/approach

Industrial expansion and development indicator-producer price index (ppi) and unemployment (uem) are used along with volatility index (vix) and fertility rate (frate) as control variables in a multivariate autoregressive distributed lag approach.

Findings

Precisely, the investigation reveals that any disequilibrium in the long-run equilibrium among these variables is subsequently corrected by the movement in the housing market vis-à-vis real residential property price. As the system is observed to adjust with a speed of 39.7 per cent in a situation of economic disequilibrium, the long-run impacts on the housing market are positive for ppi and vix but negative for frate and eum. The observed direction of the impacts in the short-run are the same as in the long-run for all variables. A reported sensitivity test indicates a very minimal differential impact for each variable in the long-run but with a significantly different adjustment parameter of 81.9 per cent. Also, the estimated system posits a very stable model that is void of serial correlation and heteroskedasticity.

Research limitations/implications

In view of the vibrant nature of the real estate and the housing sector of the country, consideration of the effective policy instruments provided by this study is strongly encouraged. On a wider note, these practicable tools could further be recommended to other regional countries.

Originality/value

The research presents a novel perspective of the real estate and housing sector of Malta, specifically in the light of economic diversification. The country’s housing sector is studied in relation with the performance of other sectors for the first time.
Determinants of information quality in dyadic supply chain relationships
Authors: Myrelid Paulina , Jonsson Patrik
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how different determinants impact specific information quality (IQ) dimensions of shared demand-related information in dyadic supply chain relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a qualitative case study of three manufacturer–supplier dyads in the European automotive industry, a range of methods are used to collect data about 168 possible IQ deficiency situations. IQ deficiencies are identified in 50 situations and determinants thereof are explored.

Findings

Findings show how inter-organisational collaboration, intra-organisational process support and composite information sharing directly impact five pragmatic IQ dimensions (relevance, accessibility, credibility, understandability and ease of operation) – at times beneficially, detrimentally, varyingly and conflictingly. Furthermore, the findings show how the determinant impact on ease of use-related IQ dimensions is moderated by information sharing facets.

Research limitations/implications

The paper extends previous research by showing how information sharing acts as both a determinant and moderator of pragmatic IQ. It furthermore details previous research by showing how previously examined determinants of IQ impact specific IQ dimensions.

Practical implications

The generated propositions of how determinants impact pragmatic IQ can guide managers to identify key drivers of successful information sharing.

Originality/value

Since IQ mediates the linkage between information sharing and performance, this research helps explaining conflicting results regarding the value of information sharing. It also guides several strands of future research, such as hypothesis testing and exploratory and conceptualising studies.
Disguise mechanisms in regulation definitions: the private health system
Authors: Ryngelblum Arnaldo L. , Giglio Ernesto M. , Silva Corrêa Victor
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Studies of institutional logics have emphasized two fundamental conceptions: first, that there is continuous competition between the various logics embedded in any context and, second, that certain mechanisms influence the promotion or modification of existing logics. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to these studies by broadening the propositions on the mechanisms used by the actors to disguise the fact that they are not prioritizing non-prevailing logics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the disguise mechanisms used in the regulation of the private health field in Brazil, which has still been rarely explored in the literature on the theme. The research strategy was qualitative, involving documentary research that provided information to create a script for interviewing different actors in this field, such as health plan companies, service providers, medical associations, trade unions, regulatory agency, consumer defense organizations and the judiciary, lending credibility to the study.

Findings

The field data suggest important findings. Field actors pursue exerting influence in defining the outcomes of the institutional logics prevailing at each event. In this pursuit, they work to keep representative parts of prescribed practices non-transparent to allow them a margin in which to maneuver when confronted with a non-prevailing logic.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes that, in any context, actors, while following the prescriptions of a prevailing logic, might have to disguise not following the prescriptions of other logics; thus, they will have to seek for mechanisms to do so. This paper, by identifying disguise mechanisms that operate in the specific field of private health in Brazil, finally sheds light on disguise mechanisms, contributing to the general literature on institutionalism.
See it and believe it? Conceptual model for exploring the recall and recognition of embedded advertisements of sponsors
Authors: Maricic Milica , Kostic-Stankovic Milica , Bulajic Milica , Jeremic Veljko
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model for exploring the recall and recognition of embedded advertisements of sponsors.

Design/methodology/approach

To verify the proposed conceptual model on a particular sports competition, a questionnaire related to the UEFA Champions League sponsors in the season 2016/2017 was designed. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results provided support to the claim that higher involvement in a sport and higher exposure to a sponsored event lead to higher recall and recognition of embedded advertisements. Conversely, the same two factors alongside sponsor awareness do not affect the attitude towards sponsors. On the other hand, sponsor awareness and attitude towards sponsors have a direct positive role on the future purchase intention of sponsor products/services.

Practical implications

The findings illustrate that to maximise the effectiveness of their embedded advertisements, sponsors should not merely concentrate on brand awareness, but should go beyond and attempt to improve the consumers’ positive perception of their products and services. Moreover, by sponsoring a sport event, the sponsors can be sure that their message will be effectively transmitted to the ones who are fans of the sport and the sponsored competition.

Originality/value

The present study empirically explores the factors which influence the recall and recognition of embedded advertisements and how the achieved level of sponsorship awareness impacts purchase intentions.