bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The left posterior angular gyrus is engaged by autobiographical recall not object-semantics, or event-semantics: Evidence from contrastive propositional speech production
Authors: Humphreys Gina F. , Ajay D. Halai , Francesca M. Branzi , Lambon Ralph Matthew A.
Published: April 2022

The angular gyrus (AG) has been implicated in a myriad of cognitive functions. Using the previously under-studied naturalistic task of propositional speech production, we investigated the engagement of the left posterior AG (pAG) by three forms of memory: 1) episodic/autobiographical memory, 2) object semantic-memory, and 3) event-semantic knowledge. We conducted an ALE meta-analysis, followed by an fMRI study. The meta-analysis showed that pAG is only engaged as part of the propositional speech network when the task carries an autobiographical component. This finding was supported by the fMRI results, which also showed that: 1) pAG was positively engaged during autobiographical memory retrieval; 2) pAG was strongly deactivated for definitions of object semantics and non-propositional speech; 3) pAG activation increased with the degree to which the event descriptions relied on autobiographical information; 4) critically, the pAG showed a different pattern to known semantic representation regions (e.g., ventral anterior temporal lobe (vATL)) thereby providing clear evidence that the pAG is not acting as a semantic hub. Instead, the pAG activation profile directly mirrored that found in the wider autobiographical retrieval network. We propose that information stored elsewhere in the episodic system is temporally buffered online in the pAG during autobiographical retrieval/memory construction.
Sub-type selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptors modulation for the treatment of parkinsonian tremor
Authors: Bickham Kinsey , Withers C. Price , Diedrich Augusto , Moehle Mark Stephen
Published: April 2022

Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by hallmark motor symptoms including resting tremor, akinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. In patient surveys of Parkinson’s Disease symptoms and quality of life, tremor consistently ranks among the top concerns of patients with disease. However, the gold standard of treatment, levodopa, has inconsistent or incomplete anti-tremor effects in patients, necessitating new therapeutic strategies to help relieve this burden. Non-selective anti-muscarinic acetylcholine receptor therapeutic agents which target each of the 5 muscarinic receptor subtypes have been used as an adjunct therapy in this disease, as well as other movement disorders, and have been shown to have anti-tremor efficacy. Despite this, anti-muscarinic therapy is poorly tolerated due to adverse effects. Recent pharmacological advances have led to the discovery of muscarinic subtype selective antagonists that may keep the anti-tremor efficacy of non-selective compounds, while reducing or eliminating adverse effects. Here, we directly test this hypothesis using pharmacological models of parkinsonian tremor combined with recently discovered selective positive allosteric modulators and antagonists of the predominant brain expressed muscarinic receptors M1, M4, and M5. Surprisingly, we find that selective modulation of M1, M4, or M5 does not reduce tremor in these pre-clinical models, suggesting that central or peripheral M2 or M3 receptors may be responsible for the anti-tremor efficacy of non-selective anti-muscarinic therapies currently used in the clinic.
Learning in chunks: A model of hippocampal representations for processing temporal regularities in statistical learning
Authors: Tang Wei , Christiansen Morten H. , Qi Zhenghan
Published: April 2022

We investigated the neural basis of chunking during statistical learning (SL). Behavioral evidence suggests that a common mechanism in learning and memory can serve to combine smaller units into larger ones to facilitate sensory and higher-level processing. And yet, the neural underpinnings of this mechanism remain unclear. Drawing insights from previous findings of neural codes in the hippocampus, we propose a computational model to account for the temporal chunking process in SL for sequential inputs. We operationalize chunking into a hidden Markov model (HMM) that incorporates two core principles: (1) the hidden states represent serial order rather than specific visual features, and (2) the formation of temporal chunks leads to autocorrelated brain activity. We show with numeric simulations that the HMM can decode embedded triplet representations when both assumptions hold. Applying the HMM to functional neuroimaging data from subjects performing a visual SL task, we show that decoding was successful (1) for triplet sequences but not random sequences, (2) at the later stage but not earlier stage of learning, and (3) in the hippocampus but not in the early visual cortex. These results provide evidence for a hippocampal representation of generalized temporal structure emerged from sequential visual input, shedding light on the chunking mechanism for SL.

Significance

In statistical learning (SL), individuals develop internal representations of patterns after brief exposure to structured stimuli. People tend to recognize frequently co-occurring items as a single unit. This process, known as “chunking”, is understood to play an important role in facilitating sensory processing for learning. However, its neural underpinnings remain unclear. In this study we draw insights from hippocampal coding theories and introduce a chunking model focusing on generalized presentations for SL. With functional neuroimaging data from human subjects performing a visual learning task, the chunking model successfully decoded the temporal regularities embedded in the sequential inputs. This model and related findings provide critical evidence for a chunking process underlying SL as well as its representation in the human hippocampus.
Neural systems underlying RDoC social constructs: An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis
Authors: Lobo Rosario Pintos , Bottenhorn Katherine L. , Riedel Michael C. , Toma Afra I. , Hare Megan M. , Smith Donisha D. , Moor Alexandra C. , Cowan Isis K. , Valdes Javier A. , Bartley Jessica E. , Salo Taylor , Boeving Emily R. , Pankey Brianna , Sutherland Matthew T. , Musser Erica D. , Laird Angela R.
Published: April 2022

Neuroscientists have sought to identify the underlying neural systems supporting social processing that allow interaction and communication, forming social relationships, and navigating the social world. Through the use of NIMH’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework, we evaluated consensus among studies that examined brain activity during social tasks to elucidate regions comprising the “social brain”. We examined convergence across tasks corresponding to the four RDoC social constructs, including Affiliation and Attachment, Social Communication, Perception and Understanding of Self, and Perception and Understanding of Others. We performed a series of coordinate-based meta-analyses using the activation likelihood estimate (ALE) method. Meta-analysis was performed on whole-brain coordinates reported from 864 fMRI contrasts using the NiMARE Python package, revealing convergence in medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, temporoparietal junction, bilateral insula, amygdala, fusiform gyrus, precuneus, and thalamus. Additionally, four separate RDoC-based meta-analyses revealed differential convergence associated with the four social constructs. These outcomes highlight the neural support underlying these social constructs and inform future research on alterations among neurotypical and atypical populations.
Chronic hM3Dq-DREADD mediated chemogenetic activation of parvalbumin-positive inhibitory interneurons in postnatal life alters anxiety and despair-like behavior in adulthood in a task and sex-dependent manner
Authors: Banerjee Toshali , Pati Sthitapranjya , Tiwari Praachi , Vaidya Vidita A.
Published: April 2022

Animal models of early adversity or neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with altered parvalbumin (PV)-positive inhibitory interneuron number and function, correlated with a dysregulated excitation-inhibition (E/I) balance that is implicated in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. We sought to address whether altering neuronal activity of PV-positive interneurons during the postnatal developmental window influences the emergence of anxio-depressive behaviors in adulthood, which are known to be perturbed in models of early adversity and neurodevelopmental disorders. We used a PV-Cre::hM3Dq-DREADD bigenic mouse line that selectively expresses the hM3Dq-DREADD receptor in PV-positive interneurons, and chemogenetically enhanced Gq signaling in PV-positive interneurons during the postnatal window via administration of the DREADD agonist, clozapine-N-oxide. Immunofluorescence studies indicated the selective expression of hM3Dq-DREADD in PV-positive interneurons in limbic circuits, and revealed a reduction in expression of the neuronal activity marker, c-Fos, in these circuits, following chemogenetic hM3Dq-DREADD mediated activation of PV-positive inhibitory interneurons. We noted no change in either growth or sensorimotor reflex milestones following chronic hM3Dq-DREADD mediated chemogenetic activation of PV-positive inhibitory interneurons in postnatal life. Adult male and female PV-Cre::hM3Dq-DREADD bigenic mice with a history of postnatal chemogenetic activation of PV-positive interneurons exhibited a reduction in anxiety and despair-like behavior in adulthood, which was noted in both a behavioral task and sex-dependent manner. These results indicate that altering neuronal activity within PV-positive interneurons during the critical postnatal developmental window can shape the emergence of anxio-depressive behaviors in adulthood, and suggest that interactions with sex as a variable play a key role in determining behavioral outcomes.
Evidence linking APOBEC3B genesis and evolution of innate immune antagonism by gamma-herpesvirus ribonucleotide reductases
Authors: Moraes Sofia N. , Becker Jordan T. , Moghadasi Seyed Arad , Shaban Nadine M. , Auerbach Ashley A. , Cheng Adam Z. , Harris Reuben S.
Published: April 2022

Viruses have evolved diverse mechanisms to antagonize host immunity such as direct inhibition and relocalization of cellular APOBEC3B (A3B) by the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) of Epstein-Barr virus. Here, we investigate the mechanistic conservation and evolutionary origin of this innate immune counteraction strategy. First, we find that human gamma-herpesvirus RNRs engage A3B via largely distinct surfaces. Second, we show that RNR-mediated enzymatic inhibition and relocalization of A3B depend upon binding to different regions of the catalytic domain. Third, we show that the capability of viral RNRs to antagonize A3B is conserved among gamma-herpesviruses that infect humans and Old World monkeys that encode this enzyme but absent in homologous viruses that infect New World monkeys that naturally lack theA3Bgene. Finally, we reconstruct the ancestral primate A3B protein and demonstrate that it is active and similarly engaged by the RNRs from viruses that infect humans and Old World monkeys but not by the RNRs from viruses that infect New World monkeys. These results combine to indicate that the birth ofA3Bat a critical branchpoint in primate evolution may have been a driving force in selecting for an ancestral gamma-herpesvirus with an expanded RNR functionality through counteraction of this antiviral enzyme.
Delay-related activity in marmoset prefrontal cortex
Authors: Wong Raymond Ka , Selvanayagam Janahan , Johnston Kevin , Everling Stefan
Published: April 2022

Persistent delay-period activity in prefrontal cortex (PFC) has long been regarded as a neural signature of working memory (WM). Electrophysiological investigations in macaque PFC have provided much insight into WM mechanisms, however a barrier to understanding is the fact that a portion of PFC lies buried within the principal sulcus in this species and is inaccessible for laminar electrophysiology or optical imaging. The relatively lissencephalic cortex of the New World common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) circumvents such limitations. It remains unknown however, whether marmoset PFC neurons exhibit persistent activity. Here, we addressed this gap by conducting wireless electrophysiological recordings in PFC of marmosets performing a delayed-match-to-location task on a home cage-based touchscreen system. As in macaques, marmoset PFC neurons exhibited sample, delay, and response-related activity that was directionally tuned and linked to correct task performance. Models constructed from population activity consistently and accurately predicted stimulus location throughout the delay period, supporting a framework of delay activity in which mnemonic representations are relatively stable in time. Taken together, our findings support the existence of common neural mechanisms underlying WM performance in PFC of macaques and marmosets, and thus validate the marmoset as a suitable model animal for investigating the microcircuitry underlying WM.
Lumbar time-varying muscle synergies in trunk flexion and bending movements at different velocities
Authors: Rouchi Mahdi Bagheri , Davoudi Mehrdad , Meftahi Narges , Parnianpour Mohamad , Khalaf Kinda , Rashedi Ehsan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Although the extent of which the central nervous system uses muscle synergies as a movement control strategy remains an open area of research, it is widely agreed that synergies facilitate the robustness of the neuromuscular system, allowing for effective postural control and flexible movement. This work aimed to investigate the muscle activation patterns of the trunk and time-varying muscle synergies using a novel 18-muscle 3-DOF, 3-D musculoskeletal model of the lumbar spine developed by the authors.

Methods

24 different biaxial trunk movements were simulated via the optimization of kinetic and kinematic measures towards obtaining the corresponding muscle activation patterns at 3 different velocities. These patterns were subsequently used to extract the principal (phasic and tonic) spatiotemporal synergies associated with the observed muscle activation patterns in the range of simulated movements.

Results

Four dominant synergies were able to explain a considerable percent (about 75%) of the variance of the simulated muscle activities. The extracted synergies were spatially tuned in the direction of the main simulated movements (flexion/extension and right/left lateral bending). The temporal patterns demonstrated gradual monotonic shifts in tonic synergies and biphasic modulatory components in phasic synergies with spatially tuned time-delays. The increase in velocity resulted in an elevated amplitude coefficient and accelerated activation of phasic synergies.

Conclusion

Our results suggest the plausibility of a time-varying synergies strategy in the dynamic control of trunk movement. Further work is needed to explore leveraging these concepts in various applications, such as rehabilitation and musculoskeletal biomechanics, towards providing more insight into the mechanisms underlying trunk stability and flexibility.
Nuclease proteins CifA and CifB promote spermatid DNA damage associated with symbiont-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility
Authors: Kaur Rupinder , Shropshire J. Dylan , Leigh Brittany A. , Bordenstein Seth R.
Published: April 2022

The worldwide endosymbiosis between arthropods and Wolbachia bacteria is an archetype for reproductive parasitism. This parasitic strategy rapidly increases the proportion of symbiont-transmitting mothers, and the most common form, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), impacts insect evolution and arboviral control strategies. During CI, sperms from symbiotic males kill embryos of aposymbiotic females via two nuclear-targeting proteins, CifA and CifB, that alter sperm chromatin organization in Drosophila melanogaster. Here we hypothesize that Cif proteins metabolize nucleic acids of developing sperm to initiate genome integrity changes. Using in vitro and in situ transgenic, mutant, enzymatic, and cytochemical assays, we show that CifA is a previously-unrecognized DNase and RNase, and CifB is a DNase. Notably, in vitro nuclease activity translates to in situ spermatid DNA damage at the canoe stage of spermiogenesis. Evolution-guided mutations ablate Cif enzymatic activity. Nucleic acid metabolism by Cif enzymes expands a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of symbiont-mediated reproductive parasitism.
ASTF1, an AP2/ERF-family transcription factor and ortholog of cultivated tomato LEAFLESS, is required for acylsugar biosynthesis
Authors: Mandal Sabyasachi , Rezenom Yohannes H. , McKnight Thomas D.
Published: April 2022

Acylsugars, specialized metabolites produced by solanaceous trichomes, provide protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we report ACYLSUGAR TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1 (ASTF1/Sopen05g008450; AP2/ERF-family member) positively regulates acylsugar biosynthesis. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of ASTF1 in Solanum pennellii reduced acylsugar production by 65%. Most acylsugar (and several flavonoid) metabolic genes were downregulated in ASTF1-silenced plants, and these genes showed strong co-expression with ASTF1. In promoters of potential ASTF1-targets, we identified three enriched motifs, and one motif showed similarity with binding sites of other AP2/ERFs. Phylogenetic analysis and data mining indicated trichome-enriched expression of ASTF1 orthologs in several acylsugar-producing solanaceous species, suggesting a conserved role in acylsugar biosynthesis. This was supported by VIGS of ASTF1 orthologs in Nicotiana benthamiana. Broader phylogenetic analysis revealed relationships among specialized metabolic AP2/ERFs in several asterid species and provided clues about evolutionary emergence of acylsugar phenotype. Cultivated tomato ortholog (LEAFLESS/Solyc05g013540) has been reported to coordinate leaf initiation with transient expression at incipient primordia, and data mining revealed downregulation of trichome-preferentially-expressed genes, including acylsugar (and flavonoid) metabolic genes, in leafless mutants’ shoot apices, indicating remarkable spatiotemporal functional diversity. Our work will pave a way to disentangle acylsugar regulatory network and holds promise for future metabolic engineering of acylsugar production.
3’UTR-dependent dynamic changes in TP53 mRNA localization regulate p53 tumor suppressor activity
Authors: Hu Linshan , Misra Sweta , Karim Baktiar , Kuhn Skyler , Salotti Jacqueline , Basu Srikanta , Martin Nancy , Saylor Karen , Johnson Peter F.
Published: April 2022

The tumor suppressor p53 triggers senescence in response to oncogenic stress in primary cells. However, the mechanisms by which tumor cells retaining p53 bypass senescence are not fully understood. Here we report that p53 cytostatic activity is inhibited in tumor cells by the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of its mRNA, without altering p53 levels. 3’UTR inhibition requires a long U-rich element (URE) and its binding protein, HuR. The 3’UTR excluded TP53 mRNAs from a perinuclear compartment containing the CK2 kinase, suppressing p53 phosphorylation on an activating CK2 site, Ser392. In primary cells undergoing oncogene-induced senescence and tumor cells treated with genotoxic agents, TP53 mRNAs became concentrated in the perinuclear cytoplasm, coinciding with p53 phosphorylation and activation by CK2. In both cases, perinuclear re-localization of TP53 transcripts required AMPKα2-dependent HuR nuclear translocation. ATM kinase activity was essential for DNA damage-induced spatial reprogramming of TP53 mRNAs, likely through phosphorylation and inactivation of MDM2. MDM2 was required for peripheral localization of TP53 transcripts and negatively regulated levels of the AMPKα2 activating kinase, CaMKKβ. Our findings reveal a critical role for 3’UTR sequences in suppressing p53 protein activity and provide a new mechanistic framework for p53 activation by DNA damaging agents.
Unbreakable DNA tension probes show that cell adhesion receptors detect the molecular force-extension curve of their ligands
Authors: Bender Rachel L. , Ogasawara Hiroaki , Kellner Anna V. , Velusamy Arventh , Salaita Khalid
Published: April 2022

Integrin receptors transduce the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix. Past studies using DNA probes showed that integrins sense the magnitude of ligand forces with pN resolution. An open question is whether integrin receptors also sense the force-extension trajectory of their ligands. The challenge in addressing this question pertains to the lack of molecular probes that can control force-extension trajectories independently of force magnitude. To address this limitation, we synthesized two reversible DNA probes that fold with identical self-complementary domains but with different topologies. Thus, these probes unfold at the same steady-state force magnitude but following different kinetic pathways to reach the fully extended ssDNA state. Hairpin-like probes unzip with a low barrier of 14 pN while the pseudo-knot-like probes shear at 59 pN. Confirming that we had created probes with different barriers of unfolding, we quantified platelet integrin forces and measured 50-fold more tension signal with the unzipping probes over the shearing probes. In contrast, fibroblasts opened both probes to similar levels indicating more static forces. Surprisingly, fibroblast mechanotransduction markers, such as YAP levels, fibronectin production, actin organization, and integrin activation were significantly elevated on unzipping probes. This demonstrates that integrin receptors within focal adhesions sense the molecular force-extension profile of their ligands and not only the magnitude of equilibrium mechanical resistance.
A Python Package for the Localization of Protein Modifications in Mass Spectrometry Data
Authors: Barente Anthony S. , Villén Judit
Published: April 2022

Determining the correct localization of post-translational modifications (PTMs) on peptides aids in interpreting their effect on protein function. While most algorithms for this task are available as standalone applications or incorporated into software suites, improving their versatility through access from popular scripting languages facilitates experimentation and incorporation into novel workflows. Here we describe pyAscore, an efficient and versatile implementation of the Ascore algorithm in Python for scoring the localization of user defined PTMs in data dependent mass spectrometry. pyAscore can be used from the command line or imported into Python scripts and accepts standard file formats from popular software tools used in bottom-up proteomics. Access to internal objects for scoring and working with modified peptides adds to the toolbox for working with PTMs in Python. pyAscore and is available as an open source package for Python 3.6+ on all major operating systems and can be found at pyascore.readthedocs.io.
The heptaprenyl diphosphate synthase (Coq1) is the target of a lipophilic bisphosphonate that protects mice against Toxoplasma gondii infection
Authors: Sleda Melissa A. , Li Zhu-Hong , Behera Ranjan , Baierna Baihetiya , Li Catherine , Jumpathong Jomkwan , Malwal Satish R. , Kawamukai Makoto , Oldfield Eric , Moreno Silvia N. J.
Published: April 2022

Prenyldiphosphate synthases catalyze the reaction of allylic diphosphates with one or more isopentenyl diphosphate molecules to form compounds such as farnesyl diphosphate, used in e.g. sterol biosynthesis and protein prenylation, as well as longer “polyprenyl” diphosphates, used in ubiquinone and menaquinone biosynthesis. Quinones play an essential role in electron transport and are associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane due to the presence of the polyprenyl group. In this work, we investigated the synthesis of the polyprenyl diphosphate that alkylates the ubiquinone ring precursor in Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic pathogen that causes serious disease in immunocompromised patients and the unborn fetus. The enzyme that catalyzes this early step of the ubiquinone synthesis is Coq1 (TgCoq1), and we show that it produces the C35 species, heptaprenyl diphosphate. TgCoq1 localizes to the mitochondrion, and is essential for in vitro T. gondii growth. We demonstrate that the growth defect of a T. gondii TgCoq1 mutant is rescued by complementation with a homologous TgCoq1 gene or with a (C45) solanesyl diphosphate synthase from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcSPPS). We find that a lipophilic bisphosphonate (BPH-1218) inhibits T. gondii growth at low nM concentrations, while overexpression of the TgCoq1 enzyme dramatically reduced growth inhibition by the bisphosphonate. Both the severe growth defect of the mutant and the inhibition by BPH-1218 were rescued by supplementation with a long chain (C30) ubiquinone (UQ6). Importantly, BPH-1218 also protected mice against a lethal T. gondii infection. TgCoq1 thus represents a potential drug target that could be exploited for improved chemotherapy of toxoplasmosis.

Importance

Millions of people are infected with Toxoplasma gondii and the available treatment for toxoplasmosis is not ideal. Most of the drugs currently used are only effective for the acute infection and treatment can trigger serious side-effects requiring changes in the therapeutic approach. There is, therefore, a compelling need for safe and effective treatments for toxoplasmosis. In this work, we characterize an enzyme of the mitochondrion of T. gondii that can be inhibited by an isoprenoid pathway inhibitor. We present evidence that demonstrate that inhibition of the enzyme is linked to parasite death. In addition, the drug is able to protect mice against a lethal dose of T. gondii. Our results thus reveal a promising chemotherapeutic target for the development of new medicines for toxoplasmosis.
Comprehensive Structural Variant Detection: From Mosaic to Population-Level
Authors: Smolka Moritz , Paulin Luis F. , Grochowski Christopher M. , Horner Dominic W. , Mahmoud Medhat , Behera Sairam , Kalef-Ezra Ester , Gandhi Mira , Hong Karl , Pehlivan Davut , Scholz Sonja W. , Carvalho Claudia M.B. , Proukakis Christos , Sedlazeck Fritz J
Published: April 2022

Long-read Structural Variation (SV) calling remains a challenging but highly accurate way to identify complex genomic alterations. Here, we present Sniffles2, which is faster and more accurate than state-of-the-art SV caller across different coverages, sequencing technologies, and SV types. Furthermore, Sniffles2 solves the problem of family- to population-level SV calling to produce fully genotyped VCF files by introducing a gVCF file concept. Across 11 probands, we accurately identified causative SVs aroundMECP2, including highly complex alleles with three overlapping SVs. Sniffles2 also enables the detection of mosaic SVs in bulk long-read data. As a result, we successfully identified multiple mosaic SVs across a multiple system atrophy patient brain. The identified SV showed a remarkable diversity within the cingulate cortex, impacting both genes involved in neuron function and repetitive elements. In summary, we demonstrate the utility and versatility of Sniffles2 to identify SVs from the mosaic to population levels.
In Utero Activation of NK Cells in Congenital CMV Infection
Authors: Vaaben Anna V , Levan Justine , Nguyen Catherine B T , Callaway Perri C , Prahl Mary , Warrier Lakshmi , Nankya Felistas , Musinguzi Kenneth , Kakuru Abel , Muhindo Mary K , Dorsey Grant , Kamya Moses R. , Feeney Margaret E.
Published: April 2022

Background

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common infectious cause of birth defects and neurological damage in newborns. Despite a well-established role for NK cells in control of CMV infection in older children and adults, it remains unknown whether fetal NK cells can sense and respond to CMV infection acquired in utero.

Methods

Here, we investigate the impact of congenital CMV infection on the neonatal NK cell repertoire by assessing the frequency, phenotype, and functional profile of NK cells in cord blood samples from newborns with congenital CMV and from uninfected controls enrolled in a birth cohort of Ugandan mothers and infants.

Results

We find that neonatal NK cells from congenitally CMV infected newborns show increased expression of cytotoxic mediators, signs of maturation and activation, and an expansion of mature CD56-negative NK cells, an NK cell subset associated with chronic viral infections in adults. Activation was particularly prominent in NK cell subsets expressing the Fcγ receptor CD16, indicating a role for antibody-mediated immunity against CMV in utero.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that NK cells can be activated in utero and suggest that NK cells may be an important component of the fetal and infant immune response against CMV.
Crystal structure of bis(ammonium) bis[pentaaqua(dimethylformamide)zinc(II)] decavanadate tetrahydrate
Authors: Ebrahimi Arash , Gyepes Róbert , Bujdoš Marek , Krivosudský Lukáš
Published: April 2022

The crystalline product (NH4)2[Zn(C3H7NO)(H2O)5]2[V10O28]·4H2O was successfully isolated from an H2O/DMF solvent combination by evaporation at ambient temperature. The salt crystallizes in the P21/n space group. Imidazole, initially used in the synthesis but not present in the product, and DMF solvent appear to affect the synthesis and crystallization as structural-directing agents. In the title compound, the complex cation [Zn(H2O)5(DMF)]2+ acts as a counter-ion without being directly coordinated to the decavanadate anion. An extensive framework of hydrogen bonds integrates the whole architecture as evidenced by X-ray crystallography. The polyoxometalate [V10O28]6– lies on a center of symmetry while the complex cation [Zn(H2O)5(DMF)]2+ links three adjacent anions through a set of 2 + 2 + 3 hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure of di-μ-chlorido-bis{chlorido[(−)-5,6-pinenebipyridine]cobalt(II)} aquadichlorido[(−)-5,6-pinenebipyridine]cobalt(II)
Authors: Varisco Massimo , Crochet Aurelien , Mamula Steiner Olimpia
Published: April 2022

The crystal structure of [Co2Cl4(C17H18N2)2][CoCl2(C17H18N2)(H2O)] or [Co(L)Cl(μ-Cl)]2[Co(L)(Cl)2(OH2)], where L is the enantiopure bidentate ligand (−)-5,6-pinenebipyridine (C17H18N2), has been determined. Crystals suitable for X-ray structure analysis were obtained by slow evaporation of an ethanolic solution containing equimolar amounts of L and CoCl2·6H2O. The CoII cations all have a coordination number of five, and in each case the coordination polyhedron is a trigonal bipyramid. The Co—N bonds lengths range from 2.037 (7) to 2.195 (7) Å, and Co—Cl bonds lengths range from 2.284 (2) to 2.509 (2) Å. The asymmetric unit contains two discrete complexes, one dinuclear and the other mononuclear. Between the two molecules, two types of intermolecular interactions have been evidenced: π–π stackings involving the bipyridine units, and O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen atoms of the aqua ligand coordinating to the mononuclear complex and the non-bridging chlorido ligand coordinating to the dinuclear molecule. These interactions lead to a two-dimensional supramolecular arrangement parallel to the ab plane.
A novel industrial AGV control strategy based on dual-wheel chassis model
Authors: Ding Hua , Huang Yanhong , Shi Jianqi , Shi Qi , Yang Yang
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) are widely used in industrial fields. But most control strategies merely take the lateral force into consideration. This will reduce the accuracy, stability and robustness and will pay additional costs. Therefore, this paper aims to design a control strategy that initially considers lateral force. Thereby, it will improve the accuracy, stability and robustness and reduce the overall cost of AGV.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the goal of comprehensively improving AGV operating performance, this paper presents a new scheme, combining the dual-wheeled chassis model (DCM) using proportional–integral–differential (PID) control and a supporting quick response (QR) code navigation technology. DCM is the core, which analyzes the deviation caused by lateral force. Then, DCM with PID control by the control law is combined to suppress the errors. Meanwhile, QR code navigation technology provides effective data support for the control strategy.

Findings

Most AGV experiments are carried out in a standard environment. However, this study prepares unfavorable scenarios and operating conditions for the experiments that generate detailed data to demonstrate this study’s strategy, which can make an accurate, stable and robust operation process of AGV under various adverse environmental and mechanical factors.

Originality/value

This study proposed DCM, fully considering lateral force and converting the force into velocity. Subsequently, PID controls the speed of two wheels to reduce the error. QR code provides an efficient and low – cost way to obtain information. The three are cleverly combined as a novel industrial AGV control strategy, which can comprehensively improve the operating performance while reducing overall costs.
The values in action character strengths model in addiction recovery: a case study
Authors: Ogilvie Lisa
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how the values in action (VIA) character strengths model can be applied as a resource to support people in addiction recovery. The purpose of this is to appreciate the positive outcomes seen in other areas of research, applied to addiction recovery. To achieve this, a character strengths intervention has been designed and delivered as a case study. The objective of the intervention is to identify some of the strengths described by an individual in their account of recovery, ascertain their signature strengths through validated assessment and, based on the exploration of this information, support the individual in a reflective exercise to consider how their character strengths have positively affected their recovery to date and the effect this new knowledge could have on their ongoing recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The VIA character strengths model has identified 24 positive qualities that are present in the human condition. In this case study, the VIA model is used to identify strengths from a first-hand account of the recovery process; the VIA character strengths survey is used to ascertain the signature strengths of the participant who is also the author of the account. Information from the strengths identification and VIA survey is explored, and a follow-up e-interview is conducted using questions designed to encourage the participant to reflect on the use of strengths in their present and ongoing recovery.

Findings

This case study shows that the VIA model of character strengths can be applied in addiction recovery to help people appreciate how they have used their character strengths in the recovery process, what their signature strengths are and how they can be used with good effect to improve their well-being and future recovery.

Originality/value

In this work, a new broad-spectrum approach using the VIA model of character strengths has been proposed to help people in addiction recovery use their own resources to improve their function, well-being and thus recovery.
Can organization team culture benchmark effective teams – performance management concerns, insights and HR implications
Authors: Shah Hardik , Jain Shilpa , Jain Vipul
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Teams have become the dominant mode of work in contemporary organizations and critical for successful completion of various tasks, projects and overall organizational effectiveness. Organizational factors such as organizational culture have often been investigated as contributing to team performance since it is difficult to develop and engage teams. But the effect of (organizational) team culture on team effectiveness (TE) has received less support. Therefore, this paper examines how factors such as organization team culture (OTC) affect different dimensions of TE in a power sector organization which has undergone a business transformation resulting in adoption of team-based work structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey instrument capturing the variables of organizational team culture and TE was administered to mid-level managers in a power sector organization in India. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the model fit for the proposed model.

Findings

A key finding of the research was that team culture (OTC dimensions) (i.e. participation, communication, trust, training inputs and support and support for teamwork) contribute to TE.

Originality/value

OTC and its impact on creating effective teams, particularly in the power sector, is an original contribution of this research. The OTC and TE framework may be used to diagnose team weaknesses and concerns and to design effective HR interventions.
The effect of digital accounting systems on the decision-making quality in the banking industry sector: a mediated-moderated model
Authors: Al-Okaily Manaf , Alghazzawi Rasha , Alkhwaldi Abeer F. , Al-Okaily Aws
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Recently, the increasing development of digital accounting systems has raised their effects on the quality of decision-making. Consequently, this research aims to evaluate the effects of digital accounting systems success factors on the advancement of decision-making quality in Jordanian banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaires were sent to 187 decision-makers who are actual users of digital accounting systems in Jordanian banks. A quantitative research approach was adopted to test the proposed research model based on the partial least squares-structural equation modeling method.

Findings

The empirical results of the current research revealed that data and information quality had a significant impact on the overall decision-making quality with the digital accounting systems, whereas system quality had an insignificant impact on it. The results empirical also confirmed that information quality has mediated the relationship between data and system quality and decision-making quality. Eventually, analytical decision-making culture has moderated the relationship between information quality and decision-making quality.

Originality/value

The current research will provide attractive implications and recommendations for practitioners, accounting managers and decision-makers about evaluating the effect of digital accounting systems on improving the decision-making quality in Jordanian banks.
An improved evaporation rate water cycle algorithm for energy-efficient routing protocol in WSNs
Authors: Dayalan Vimala , Kuppusamy Manikandan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to introduce an efficient routing algorithm for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It proposes an improved evaporation rate water cycle (improved ER-WC) algorithm and outlining the systems performance in improving the energy efficiency of WSNs. The proposed technique mainly analyzes the clustering problem of WSNs when huge tasks are performed.

Design/methodology/approach

This proposed improved ER-WC algorithm is used for analyzing various factors such as network cluster-head (CH) energy, CH location and CH density in improved ER-WCA. The proposed study will solve the energy efficiency and improve network throughput in WSNs.

Findings

This proposed work provides optimal clustering method for Fuzzy C-means (FCM) where efficiency is improved in WSNs. Empirical evaluations are conducted to find network lifespan, network throughput, total network residual energy and network stabilization.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed improved ER-WC algorithm has some implications when different energy levels of node are used in WSNs.

Practical implications

This research work analyzes the nodes’ energy and throughput by selecting correct CHs in intra-cluster communication. It can possibly analyze the factors such as CH location, network CH energy and CH density.

Originality/value

This proposed research work proves to be performing better for improving the network throughput and increases energy efficiency for WSNs.
Do stock markets value green operations? Evidence from India
Authors: Jadiyappa Nemiraja , Krishnankutty Raveesh
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of green operation (measured using the energy intensity of its operations) on the value of corporate firms in stock markets. The authors also examine the channel of such an impact and its implication on a firm's financing choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct various univariate and multivariate regression analyses on a panel of all non-financial Indian firms listed on the National Stock Exchange from 2010 through 2018. The authors use the sensitivity of investments to the cash flows model to test the financial constraints hypothesis.

Findings

The authors’ analysis shows a positive relationship between energy efficiency (firms that consume a lesser amount of energy per unit of sale) and the value of firms in the stock market. The authors empirically attribute this greater valuation to the lesser volatility of stock returns, measured by the standard deviation of daily stock returns. Finally, the authors observe that investments in energy-efficient firms are less sensitive to their internal cash flows.

Practical implications

The results suggest that less green firms face greater constraints in accessing finance from external sources and, therefore, depend more on internal than external capital to finance their investments. Hence, managers of such firms can ease their financing pressures by making their operations greener.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors examine the implications of green operations on the financing choices of firms. This aspect of going green is important because managers will have enough incentives to invest in green technologies as that would increase their access to external finance and, hence, decrease their financial constraints.
Peasants, agriculture and organizations
Authors: Mutch Alistair
Published: April 2022

Purpose

It has been argued that scholars in management and organization studies (MOS) need to take the peasantry into account in their work. This study aims to address the complexity revealed by these arguments, suggesting that one needs clearer definitions and an appreciation of the complexities of historical development if one is to gain appreciation of the impaction of agriculture more generally on MOS.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses historical material to develop a conceptual argument that challenges the homogenous nature of the peasantry. It uses a detailed contrast between two peasant groups in 19th and early 20th century Scotland to suggest divergent patterns of development.

Findings

Paying closer attention to definitions and historical development indicates that, as well as the survival of so-called archaic practices alongside highly developed agriculture, the main impact of agriculture on MOS might be the legitimacy it accords, as a cultural resource, to particular forms of organizing. While the issues outlined by previous authors are significant, they need to be discussed with more care to avoid a scattergun approach to analysis.

Originality/value

This study points to the neglect of agriculture more broadly and not just the peasantry, in MOS. It suggests the need to look at not only the economic impact but also the cultural resonance of agriculture in ideas about legitimate forms of organization. It also demonstrates the value and necessity of paying close attention to history in the analyses.
How household consumption has changed after an economic crisis
Authors: Martínez Miguel A. , Camara Angeles
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This work analyzes the economic impact of an economic crisis on consumption in Spanish households, detecting inequalities in household consumption according to the age of the main breadwinner and changes in consumption patterns. In particular, the effects of the financial crisis of 2008 on household consumption are studied and divided according to the main breadwinner's age group to obtain the economic impact of the fall in consumption in young households.

Design/methodology/approach

The input–output tables of the Spanish economy during the years 2005 and 2015 and data on household consumption based on age group have been used. Economic impact is estimated through multisector modeling, specifically a demand model expressed in monetary terms. This model allows us to obtain the direct impact on the sectors offering the demanded services and the indirect impact due to increase in intermediate demand from these sectors on the rest of them.

Findings

The results obtained show the changes in household consumption and its effects on different productive sectors, highlighting the following sectors: real estate activities, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, accommodation and food service activities and manufacturing.

Originality/value

This study measures the impact of an economic crisis on the consumption of young households, analyzing all groups of households according to the main breadwinner's age, with the added value of studying the impact of this variation on household consumption and quantifying the positive and negative impact on the different sectors of activity of the Spanish economy.
Do European quality assurance frameworks support integration of transformative learning for sustainable development in higher education?
Authors: Janssens Lise , Kuppens Tom , Mulà Ingrid , Staniskiene Egle , Zimmermann Anne B.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

A transition toward sustainable development requires engagement of university students in transformative learning. Therefore, quality frameworks and processes should support deep approaches to sustainable development in higher education. Research and initiatives that connect sustainable development, higher education and quality assurance (QA) are lacking. This study aims to explore to what extent quality assurance agencies in Europe support transformative learning for sustainable development in their frameworks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative analysis of national QA frameworks in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to assess whether they support transformative learning for sustainable development. First, frequency analysis was undertaken; second, a blended coding approach was used to investigate whether and how transformative learning for sustainable development is addressed.

Findings

Overall, the authors found little support for transformative learning for sustainable development in most QA frameworks. One exception is the framework of the United Kingdom, which includes a specific guide on education for sustainable development wherein transformative learning is prominently mentioned. To a lesser extent, some support exists in the frameworks of Estonia, Holy See, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine. Although the transformative learning for sustainable development approach is not explicitly mentioned in most QA frameworks, many of them contain opportunities to highlight it. France and The Netherlands offer guidelines and criteria for acquiring a sustainable development label, while Andorra suggests including the sustainable development goals in institutional quality assessment.

Originality/value

The research provides the first map of how countries within the EHEA support transformative learning for sustainable development in national QA systems.