bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergence of preference coding in the macaque lateral prefrontal cortex by neurofeedback of unit activity related to working memory
Authors: Noritake Atsushi , Samejima Kazuyuki , Watanabe Masataka , Sakagami Masamichi
Published: December 2023

Techniques utilizing neurofeedback, a form of biofeedback using neural signals from the brain, have been applied lately to higher association areas such as the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC); however, it remains unexplored how well neurofeedback using unit activity in the LPFC modulates its working memory-related activity and performance. To address this issue, we provided neurofeedback of LPFC unit activity during a delay period to two monkeys while they performed a delayed matching-to-paired-sample task. In the task, neurofeedback allowed the animals to shorten the delay length by increasing delay activity and make an earlier choice. Neurofeedback significantly increased delay activity in two-thirds of task-related neurons. Notably, in 16% of these neurons, a preference for delay activity and performance dependent on the stimulus emerged. Although neurofeedback decreased performance primarily due to choice errors, the disassociation of neurofeedback linkage rescued performance. Further, the neuronal activity of simultaneously recorded neurons without neurofeedback linkage suggests that neurofeedback reconfigured the net activity of the LPFC to adapt to new situations. These findings indicate that LPFC neurons can dynamically multiplex different types of information to adapt to environmental changes. Thus, we demonstrated the significant potential of neurofeedback using unit activity to investigate information processing in the brain.
AutoGVP: a dockerized workflow integrating ClinVar and InterVar germline sequence variant classification
Authors: Kim Jung , Naqvi Ammar S. , Corbett Ryan J. , Kaufman Rebecca S. , Vaksman Zalman , Brown Miguel A. , Miller Daniel P. , Phul Saksham , Geng Zhuangzhuang , Storm Phillip B. , Resnick Adam C. , Stewart Douglas R. , Rokita Jo Lynne , Diskin Sharon J.
Published: December 2023

With the increasing rates of exome and whole genome sequencing, the ability to classify large sets of germline sequencing variants using up-to-date American College of Medical Genetics – Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG-AMP) criteria is crucial. Here, we present Automated Germline Variant Pathogenicity (AutoGVP), a tool that integrates germline variant pathogenicity annotations from ClinVar and sequence variant classifications from a modified version of InterVar (PVS1 strength adjustments, removal of PP5/BP6). This tool facilitates large-scale, clinically-focused classification of germline sequence variants in a research setting.

Availability and Implementation

AutoGVP is an open-source dockerized workflow implemented in R and freely available on GitHub athttps://github.com/diskin-lab-chop/AutoGVP.
A novel “ceasefire” model to explain efficient seed transmission ofXanthomonas citripv.fuscansto common bean
Authors: Darrasse Armelle , Tarkowski Łukasz Paweł , Briand Martial , Lalanne David , Chen Nicolas W.G. , Barret Matthieu , Verdier Jerome
Published: December 2023

Although seed represents an important means of plant pathogen dispersion, the seed-pathogen dialogue remains largely unexplored.

A multi-omic approach (i.e.dual RNAseq, plant small RNAs and methylome) was performed at different seed developmental stages of common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) during asymptomatic colonization byXanthomonas citripv.fuscans(Xcf).

In this condition,Xcfdid not produce disease symptoms, neither affect seed development. Although, an intense molecular dialogue, via important transcriptional changes, was observed at the early seed developmental stages with down-regulation of plant defense signal transduction, via action of plant miR, and upregulation of the bacterial Type 3 Secretion System. At later seed maturation stages, molecular dialogue between host and pathogen was reduced to few transcriptome changes, but marked by changes in DNA methylation of plant defense and germination genes, in response toXcfcolonization, potentially acting as defense priming to prepare the host for the post-germination battle. This distinct response of infected seeds during maturation, with a more active role at early stages refutes the widely diffused assumption considering seeds as passive carriers of microbes.

Finally, our data support a novel plant-pathogen interaction model, specific to the seed tissues, which differs from others by the existence of distinct phases during seed-pathogen interaction with seeds first actively interacting with colonizing pathogens, then both belligerents switch to more passive mode at later stages. We contextualized this observed scenario in a novel hypothetical model that we called “ceasefire”, where both the pathogen and the host benefit from temporarily laying down their weapons until the moment of germination.
Mu-opioid receptor knockout on Foxp2-expressing neurons reduces aversion-resistant alcohol drinking
Authors: Carvour Harrison M. , Roemer Charlotte A. E. G. , Underwood D’Erick P. , Padilla Edith S. , Sandoval Oscar , Robertson Megan , Miller Mallory , Parsadanyan Natella , Perry Thomas W. , Radke Anna K.
Published: December 2023

Mu-opioid receptors (MORs) in the amygdala and striatum are important in addictive and rewarding behaviors. The transcription factorFoxp2is a genetic marker of intercalated (ITC) cells in the amygdala and a subset of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs), both of which express MORs in wild-type mice and are neuronal subpopulations of potential relevance to alcohol-drinking behaviors. For the current series of studies, we characterized the behavior of mice with genetic deletion of the MOR geneOprm1inFoxp2-expressing neurons (Foxp2-Cre/Oprm1fl/fl). Male and female Foxp2-Cre/Oprm1fl/flmice were generated and heterozygous Cre+ (knockout) and homozygous Cre-(control) animals were tested for aversion-resistant alcohol consumption using an intermittent access (IA) task, operant responding for a sucrose reward, conditioned place aversion (CPA) to morphine withdrawal, and locomotor sensitization to morphine. The results demonstrate that deletion of MOR onFoxp2-expressing neurons renders mice more sensitive to quinine-adulterated ethanol (EtOH). Mice with the deletion (vs. Cre-controls) also consumed less alcohol during the final sessions of the IA task, responded less for sucrose under an FR3 schedule, and were less active at baseline and following morphine injection.Foxp2-MOR deletion did not impair the ability to learn to respond for reward or develop a conditioned aversion to morphine withdrawal. Together, these investigations demonstrate thatFoxp2-expressing neurons may be involved in escalation of alcohol consumption and the development of compulsive-like alcohol drinking.
Postural Stability During Illusory Self-Motion - Interactions of Vision and Touch
Authors: Yu Yingjia , Bakshi Avijit , Lackner James R. , Graybiel Ashton
Published: December 2023

The role of vision in stabilizing balance has been studied exhaustively. Other studies have shown that non-supportive light touch of the fingertip with a surface also can significantly stabilize postural balance. We have studied how vision and cutaneous information jointly affect balance. We used a head-mounted display to simulate a virtual room that rotated about a vertical axis centered with the standing subject’s z-axis. Subjects viewing the display’s rotational displacement soon experienced self-motion and displacement. We assessed how the moving visual input destabilized posture and how it interacted with touch cues that stabilized posture. A novel result is how balance is influenced by the onset of visual motion and the illusion of self-rotation. We discovered that motion perceptions are coupled with stochastic aspects of balance. Changes in the perception of types of motion – none, environment-, and self-rotation – distinctively influence metrics that encode for the stochasticity of balance and do not influence those that filter the stochasticity out. We reconfirmed the significant effects of touch in stabilizing balance and discovered how it interacts with the visual perception of motion. We also found lingering effects of past motion perception, which keep influencing the stochasticity of balance even when visual motion is long stopped. Our findings provide insights into multisensory interaction effects in postural balance and suggest novel future research directions.
Combined Partial-Nitrification and Phosphorus Removal with the co-Existence of Nitrite-resistant phosphorous accumulating organisms (PAOs) and nitrifiers in the treatment of high-strength manure digestate
Authors: Yan Yuan , Guo Peibo , Baldwin Mathew , Li Guangyu , Yoon Hyun , McGuire Philip , Sang Yi , Reid Matthew C. , Rudek Joseph , Gu April Z.
Published: December 2023

Concurrent biological phosphorus (P) recovery and nitrogen (N) removal in treating high-strength wastewater (such as anaerobic digestate) has been considered incompatible due to presumed conflicts in the conflicting optimum conditions required by phosphorous accumulating organisms (PAO) and nitrifiers. However, this study achieved a stable nitrite accumulation while still maintained PAO activities in one sequencing batch reactor for treating the manure digestate under two aeration schemes (continuous versus intermittent aeration). Nitrite accumulated up to 80.5 ± 21.1 mg-N/L under continuous aeration (6 h) mode. Switching to intermittent aeration (equivalent to 3 h) halved nitrite accumulation but increased total nitrogen removal efficiency from 53.5 ± 12.2% to 84.7 ± 9.4%. Mass balance analysis indicates that nearly all ammonia was removed as N2O. Both Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) activity assessment and phenotypic trait detection via single cell Raman spectrum (SCRS) confirmed the existence of yet to be identified PAOs that are resistant to high nitrite inhibition in our system. Visual Minteq calculation indicates that high concentrations of Ca in manure digestate may form precipitates and influence the bioavailability of P forms. Therefore, both biotic and abiotic pathways lead to a total P removal rate around 61.0 ± 6.8%. This study highlights new opportunities to combine short-cut nitrogen removal via partial nitrification, nitrous oxide (N2O) collection, and EBPR in commercial farm-collected digested manure wastewater. Higher N and P removal efficiency could potentially be achieved by tuning aeration schemes in combination with down-stream anammox process.

Synopsis

Concurrent partial nitrification, N2O accumulation, and EBPR activity were found, leading to the exploration of novel nitrite-resistant PAOs, simultaneously N/P recovery, and waste-energy conversion in treating high strength wastewater.
Offline RL for generative design of protein binders
Authors: Tarasov Denis , Mbou Sob Ulrich A. , Arbesú Miguel , Siboni Nima , Boyer Sebastien , Skwark Marcin , Smit Andries , Bent Oliver , Pretorius Arnu
Published: December 2023

Offline Reinforcement Learning (RL) offers a compelling avenue for solving RL problems without the need for interactions with an environment, which may be expensive or unsafe. While online RL methods have found success in various domains, such asde novoStructure-Based Drug Discovery (SBDD), they struggle when it comes to optimizing essential properties derived from protein-ligand docking. The high computational cost associated with the docking process makes it impractical for online RL, which typically requires hundreds of thousands of interactions during learning. In this study, we propose the application of offline RL to address the bottleneck posed by the docking process, leveraging RL’s capability to optimize non-differentiable properties. Our preliminary investigation focuses on using offline RL to conditionally generate drugs with improved docking and chemical properties.
Neotelomeres and Telomere-Spanning Chromosomal Arm Fusions in Cancer Genomes Revealed by Long-Read Sequencing
Authors: Tan Kar-Tong , Slevin Michael K. , Leibowitz Mitchell L. , Garrity-Janger Max , Li Heng , Meyerson Matthew
Published: December 2023

Alterations in the structure and location of telomeres are key events in cancer genome evolution. However, previous genomic approaches, unable to span long telomeric repeat arrays, could not characterize the nature of these alterations. Here, we applied both long-read and short-read genome sequencing to assess telomere repeat-containing structures in cancers and cancer cell lines. Using long-read genome sequences that span telomeric repeat arrays, we defined four types of telomere repeat variations in cancer cells: neotelomeres where telomere addition heals chromosome breaks, chromosomal arm fusions spanning telomere repeats, fusions of neotelomeres, and peri-centromeric fusions with adjoined telomere and centromere repeats. Analysis of lung adenocarcinoma genome sequences identified somatic neotelomere and telomere-spanning fusion alterations. These results provide a framework for systematic study of telomeric repeat arrays in cancer genomes, that could serve as a model for understanding the somatic evolution of other repetitive genomic elements.
3D structure of fibroblasts and macrophages in the healthy and cryo-ablated heart
Authors: Fernández Marbely C , Wülfers Eike M , Madl Josef , Feliz Stefanie Perez , Kohl Peter , Zgierski-Johnston Callum M , Schneider-Warme Franziska
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Cardiac non-myocytes (NM) play important roles in heart development, homeostasis, and lesion repair. To assess the relevance of different NM populations for cardiac (patho)physiology, a quantitative assessment of their abundance and structure in the different heart chambers is an essential prerequisite. We here present an experimental approach to determine the distribution, dimensions, and 3D morphology of fibroblasts (FB) and macrophages (MΦ) in healthy and pathologically remodelled hearts.

Methods and results

We used Cre-loxPrecombination to selectively target channelrhopsin-2 (ChR2)-eYFP to either FB or MΦ in healthy and cryo-ablated mouse hearts. Hearts were optically cleared using X-CLARITY and membrane-bound eYFP fluorescence was recorded by confocal microscopy. The resulting image stacks were segmented to generate 3D reconstructions of labelled cell populations innear native tissue. In doing so, we show that FB and MΦ have similar surface areas, volumes and morphologies, but that FB occupy larger fractional volumes than MΦ in all chambers of healthy murine hearts. Furthermore, MΦ appear primarily as single cells, whereas FB form extended networks of interconnected cells. In left-ventricular tissue following cryo-ablation, we observed large disordered networks of FB in the scar area with an increased volume occupied by FB both in the scar and remotely. In cryo-ablated ventricles, MΦ form comparatively small, but dense networks in the scar without changing their abundance in remote myocardium.

Conclusions

Our study assesses the 3D distribution and structure of fluorescently labelled FB and MΦ in healthy and lesioned murine hearts. Based on 3D reconstructions of FB and MΦ networks, we quantified the surface areas and volumes of individual non-myocytes in the different chambers of the heart and in ventricular scar tissue, thus providing important quantitative data serving as basis for computational modelling of non-myocyte contributions to cardiac structure and physiology.
SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 interacts with TEAD to suppress Hippo-YAP signaling
Authors: Meng Fansen , Kim Jong Hwan , Tsai Chang-Ru , Steimle Jeffrey D. , Wang Jun , Shi Yufeng , Li Rich G. , Xie Bing , Deshmukh Vaibhav , Liu Shijie , Li Xiao , Martin James F.
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The Hippo pathway is critical to organ development, homeostasis, and regeneration, facilitated by YAP/TEAD-mediated gene expression. Although emerging studies report Hippo-YAP dysfunction after viral infection, it is largely unknown in the context of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we analyzed RNA sequencing data from SARS-CoV-2 infected human lung samples and induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs), and observed a decrease in YAP target gene expression. In screening SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins, we found that nonstructural protein 13 (NSP13), a conserved coronavirus helicase, inhibited YAP transcriptional activity independent of the upstream Hippo kinases LATS1/2. Consistently, introducing NSP13 into cardiomyocytes suppressed active YAP (YAP5SA)in vivo. Subsequent investigations on NSP13 mutants indicated that NSP13 helicase activity is crucial for suppressing YAP transactivation. Mechanistically, TEAD4 serves as a platform for recruiting NSP13 and YAP. NSP13 inactivates the YAP/TEAD4 transcription complex through its interacting proteins, such as transcription termination factor 2 (TTF2). These discoveries reveal a novel YAP/TEAD regulatory mechanism orchestrated by TEAD4, which provides molecular insights of Hippo-YAP regulation after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Antibiotic skeletal diversification via differential enoylreductase recruitment and module iteration intrans-acyltransferase polyketide synthases
Authors: Jian Xinyun , Pang Fang , Hobson Christian , Jenner Matthew , Alkhalaf Lona M. , Challis Gregory L.
Published: December 2023

Microorganisms are remarkable chemists capable of assembling complex molecular architectures that penetrate cells and bind biomolecular targets with exquisite selectivity. Consequently, microbial natural products have wide-ranging applications in medicine and agriculture. How the “blind watchmaker” of evolution creates skeletal diversity is a key question in contemporary natural products research. Comparative analysis of biosynthetic pathways to structurally related metabolites is an insightful approach to addressing this.

Here we report comparative biosynthetic investigations of gladiolin, a polyketide antibiotic fromBurkholderia gladioliwith promising activity against multidrug resistantMycobacterium tuberculosis, and entangien, a structurally related antibiotic produced bySorangium cellulosum. Although these metabolites have very similar macrolide cores, their C21 side chains differ significantly in both length and degree of saturation. Surprisingly, thetrans-acyltransferase polyketide synthases (PKSs) that assemble these antibiotics are almost identical, raising intriguing questions about mechanisms underlying structural diversification in this important class of biosynthetic assembly line.

In vitro reconstitution of key biosynthetic transformations using simplified substrate analogues, combined with gene deletion and complementation experiments, enabled us to elucidate the origin of all structural differences in the C21 side chains of gladiolin and etnangien. The more saturated gladiolin side chain arises from a cis-acting enoylreductase (ER) domain in module 1 and in trans recruitment of a standalone ER to module 5 of the PKS. Remarkably, module 5 of the gladiolin PKS is intrinsically iterative in the absence of the standalone ER, accounting for the longer side chain in etnangien. These findings have important implications for biosynthetic engineering approaches to the creation of novel polyketide skeletons.
Emergence of RNA-guided transcription factors via domestication of transposon-encoded TnpB nucleases
Authors: Wiegand Tanner , Hoffmann Florian T. , Walker Matt W.G. , Tang Stephen , Richard Egill , Le Hoang C. , Meers Chance , Sternberg Samuel H.
Published: December 2023

Transposon-encodedtnpBgenes encode RNA-guided DNA nucleases that promote their own selfish spread through targeted DNA cleavage and homologous recombination1–4. This widespread gene family was repeatedly domesticated over evolutionary timescales, leading to the emergence of diverse CRISPR-associated nucleases including Cas9 and Cas125,6. We set out to test the hypothesis that TnpB nucleases may have also been repurposed for novel, unexpected functions other than CRIS-PR-Cas. Here, using phylogenetics, structural predictions, comparative genomics, and functional assays, we uncover multiple instances of programmable transcription factors that we name TnpB-like nuclease-dead repressors (TldR). These proteins employ naturally occurring guide RNAs to specifically target conserved promoter regions of the genome, leading to potent gene repression in a mechanism akin to CRISPRi technologies invented by humans7. Focusing on a TldR clade found broadly inEnterobacteriaceae, we discover that bacteriophages exploit the combined action of TldR and an adjacently encoded phage gene to alter the expression and composition of the host flagellar assembly, a transformation with the potential to impact motility8, phage susceptibility9, and host immunity10. Col-lectively, this work showcases the diverse molecular innovations that were enabled through repeated exaptation of genes encoded by transposable elements, and reveals that RNA-guided transcription factors emerged long before the development of dCas9-based editors.
Modeling aging and retinal degeneration with mitochondrial DNA mutation burden
Authors: Sturgis John , Singh Rupesh , Caron Quinn , Samuels Ivy S. , Shiju Thomas Micheal , Mukkara Aditi , Freedman Paul , Bonilha Vera L.
Published: December 2023

Somatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation accumulation has been observed in individuals with retinal degenerative disorders. To study the effects of aging and mtDNA mutation accumulation in the retina, a Polymerase gamma (POLG) deficiency model, the POLGD257Amutator mice (PolgD257A), was used. POLG is an enzyme responsible for regulating mtDNA replication and repair. Retinas of young and older mice with this mutation were analyzed in vivo and ex vivo to provide new insights into the contribution of age-related mitochondrial dysfunction due to mtDNA damage. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) image analysis revealed a decrease in retinal and photoreceptor thickness starting at 6 months of age in mice with the POLGD257Amutation compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Electroretinography (ERG) testing showed a significant decrease in all recorded responses at 6 months of age. Sections labeled with markers of different types of retinal cells, including cones, rods, and bipolar cells, exhibited decreased labeling starting at 6 months. However, electron microscopy analysis revealed differences in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) mitochondria morphology beginning at 3 months. Interestingly, there was no increase in oxidative stress observed in the retina or RPE of POLGD257A mice. Additionally, POLGD257A RPE exhibited an accelerated rate of autofluorescence cytoplasmic granule formation and accumulation. Mitochondrial markers displayed decreased abundance in protein lysates obtained from retina and RPE samples. These findings suggest that the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations leads to impaired mitochondrial function and accelerated aging, resulting in retinal degeneration.
Diet-induced changes in metabolism influence immune response and viral shedding dynamics in Jamaican fruit bats
Authors: Falvo Caylee , Crowley Dan , Benson Evelyn , Hall Monica N. , Schwarz Benjamin , Bohrnsen Eric , Ruiz-Aravena Manuel , Hebner Madison , Ma Wenjun , Schountz Tony , Rynda-Apple Agnieszka , Plowright Raina K.
Published: December 2023

Land-use change may drive viral spillover from bats into humans, partly through dietary shifts caused by decreased availability of native foods and increased availability of cultivated foods. We manipulated diets of Jamaican fruit bats to investigate whether diet influences shedding of a virus they naturally host. To reflect dietary changes experienced by wild bats during periods of nutritional stress, bats were fed either standard or putative suboptimal diets which were deprived of protein (suboptimal-sugar) and/or supplemented with fat (suboptimal-fat). Upon H18N11 influenza A-virus infection, bats fed the suboptimal-sugar diet shed the most viral RNA for the longest period, but bats fed the suboptimal-fat diet shed the least viral RNA for the shortest period. Unlike mice and humans, bats fed the suboptimal-fat diet displayed higher pre-infection levels of metabolic markers associated with gut health. Diet-driven heterogeneity in viral shedding may influence population-level viral dynamics in wild bats and alter risk of shedding and spillover to humans.
Obtaining or Generating Gene Mutations in Mice
Authors: Papaioannou Virginia E. , Behringer Richard R.
Published: December 2023

The starting point in a mutational analysis of gene function is obtaining or producing a mutant. Here different methods of obtaining mouse mutants are discussed, including screening for spontaneous mutants, screening for mutants following chemical or X-ray mutagenesis, and producing mutations through targeted manipulation of the genome. Manipulation of the genome can be random, as in different types of insertional mutagenesis. Alternatively, targeted manipulation such as gene targeting using homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells or gene editing by CRISPR–Cas can be used to produce custom mutations in a specific gene. The basic methods are outlined, and the advantages and disadvantages of homologous recombination and CRISPR–Cas gene editing are discussed. Resources for obtaining mutations that already exist are provided. If, for your planned study, no suitable mutations are available, there is advice about what you should know about your gene of interest before embarking on a gene targeting experiment.
Phenotypic Analysis of Periimplantation to Mid-Gestation Lethality in Mice
Authors: Papaioannou Virginia E. , Behringer Richard R.
Published: December 2023

Periimplantation to mid-gestation lethality is indicated if no living homozygous mutants are recovered at E12.5 and the number of empty implantation sites or degenerating/abnormal embryos fits the expected number of homozygous mutants. To determine the time of death, this overview details the characteristic features of lethality shortly after implantation (E4.5–E5.5) or lethality between gastrulation and allantoic fusion (E6.5–E9.5). Determining the phenotype of the mutants involves making a gross morphological assessment, staging the embryos, and photodocumenting any abnormalities. Further levels of analysis discussed are histological assessment, molecular characterization of gene expression in the mutant embryos, and measurements of cell proliferation and cell death.
Cross-Fostering of Newborn Mice to Counteract Bad Parenting
Authors: Papaioannou Virginia E. , Behringer Richard R.
Published: December 2023

Newborn mice can be cross-fostered to a lactating female if the birth mother is not taking care of them properly. The pups are removed from the birth mother, warmed, and placed in a clean cage with a recently postpartum, lactating female. Hints on improving the chances of successful fostering are provided.
Architecture as frozen music: perception of crossing boundaries as audible experience
Authors: Seo Kyung Wook , Kim Dong Yoon
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Analysis of architectural space is commonly conducted by examining architectural drawings that project spatial information by means of walls and partitions. To capture the lived experience of space, which is richer than what we can see from drawings, a new method is proposed to quantify the cognitive dimension of space and re-present it as an audible format.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an urban vernacular house in Seoul as a case study, this research takes a syntactic approach to quantify one's changing perception through their movement from the main gate to the most private reception room. Based on Luigi Moretti's theory of hollow space, a new method is proposed to measure the level of spatial pressure exerted on a navigating body. The numerical data of spatial pressure are then converted to a sound using musical techniques of the chromatic scale and chorale textures.

Findings

Building on Moretti's abstract concept, it has been shown that a rule-based quantification of users' spatial perception is possible. In addition, unlike conventional approaches of treating architecture as a static entity, this study showed an alternative approach to represent it as a sequence of sensorial experience that can be readily converted to a sound of music.

Originality/value

This research developed a quantification method to measure the perception of pressure inside buildings by revisiting Luigi Moretti's theory proposed in 1952. It has been also demonstrated that the visual stimuli in space can be translated into an audible experience. This new method is applicable to a wide range of buildings including important historic architecture.
Truck Hall: riding with the tide
Authors: Gubbi Sathyajit , Grandhi Supraja , Soni Asma
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the case study, students should be able to understand how changes in a macro environment affect the competitive landscape in an emerging market; acquire a granular understanding about the logistics industry in an emerging market and the various business models developed to service customer needs; determine the attractiveness and challenges of doing business in a fragmented but sunrise industry in an emerging market; and identify the drivers for growth and profitability in the logistics business.

Case overview/synopsis

Manisha Sharaf (she/her) and her co-founders conceived the idea of Truck Hall in 2011 to ride with the tide created by booming public investments in the infrastructure and transportation sector. Truck Hall aimed to improve the efficiency of the logistics industry in India by extensively using technology. However, the market research showed that technology-driven services in logistics faced many challenges owing to low internet penetration in the country, weak network connectivity during transportation and the low literacy rates of the truck drivers who were central to this industry. Between 2015 and 2018, Truck Hall experimented with several business models including load board, brokerage and integrated transporter with the sole purpose of achieving profitable growth in a highly fragmented industry with razor-thin margins. This case documented the dilemma faced by a startup in a high-growth but largely unorganized and unregulated industry in a developing economy. Should Truck Hall continue with the current business model of being a niche player or should it vertically integrate and control major segments of the value chain? Should it compromise on growth to become profitable or first scale up?

Complexity academic level

This case study can be used at the undergraduate, graduate and executive levels.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
HRA adoption via organizational analytics maturity: examining the role of institutional theory, resource-based view and diffusion of innovation
Authors: Ioakeimidou Despoina , Chatzoudes Dimitrios , Symeonidis Symeon , Chatzoglou Prodromos
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop and test an original conceptual framework that examines the role of various factors borrowed from three theories (i.e. Institutional Theory, Resource-Based View and Diffusion of Innovation) in adopting Human Resource Analytics (HRA).

Design/methodology/approach

A new conceptual framework (research model) is developed based on previous research and coherent theoretical arguments. Its factors are classified using the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework. Research hypotheses are tested using primary data collected from 152 managers of Greek organizations. Empirical data are analyzed using the “Structural Equation Modelling” (SEM) technique.

Findings

The technological and organizational context proved extremely important in enhancing Organizational Analytics Maturity (OAM) and HRA adoption, while the environmental context did not. Relative advantage and top management support were found to significantly impact the adoption of HRA, while Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, human resource capabilities and top management support are crucial for increasing OAM. Overall, the latter is the most important factor in enhancing HRA adoption.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited published research on HRA adoption while at the same time it can be used as a guideline for future research. The novel findings offer insights into the factors impacting OAM and HRA adoption.
Gender Gaps in Unpaid Domestic and Care Work: Putting The Pandemic in (a Life Course) Perspective
Authors: Baxter Janeen , Campbell Alice , Lee Rennie
Published: December 2023

Our paper examines  trends in gender inequalities in unpaid domestic and care work over the short‐ and long‐term in Australia, including assessing the impact of the COVID‐19 lockdowns. We use the concept of time—historical, biographical and transitional—as a framework for our analyses. Drawing on data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, we find wide and continuing gender gaps in unpaid work over the past two decades. We demonstrate that parenthood is a far greater producer and exacerbator of gender inequalities in unpaid domestic and care work than COVID‐19 lockdowns.
Metagovernance forms for enhancing sustainability‐oriented innovation in a knowledge ecosystem
Authors: Fiandrino Simona , Gromis di Trana Melchior , Tonelli Alberto , Rizzato Fabio
Published: December 2023

This study explores how different actors operating in a knowledge ecosystem catalyse sustainability‐oriented innovation. Through collaborative practices among actors, knowledge ecosystems constitute a fertile ground for sustainability‐oriented innovation to grow and flourish by creating value for businesses and society. The current literature on knowledge ecosystems is lacking in outlining governing mechanisms to foster collaborative practices aimed at advocating open innovation for sustainability transition. This study aims to close this literature gap. Through interview data collected in a knowledge ecosystem, we apply precepts of grounded theory to reveal four forms of metagovernance—network design, network framing, network management and network participation. This study proposes a conceptual framework of metagovernance forms as powering layers to foster sustainability‐oriented innovation in a knowledge ecosystem. We further discuss potential weaknesses that may jeopardise the development of sustainability‐oriented innovation in the knowledge ecosystem. This study contributes to the literature on sustainability‐oriented innovation by acknowledging metagovernance as the appropriate governing mechanism that balances the activities and processes of sustainability‐oriented innovations for becoming and being sustainable.
Embodying intimacy in everyday interaction: A biolinguistic study of long‐term partners in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Pritzker Sonya E. , DeCaro Jason A. , Gall Baili , Monocello Lawrence T. , Pederson Joshua R.
Published: December 2023

Drawing on linguistic and biocultural anthropological perspectives on embodiment, this paper advances a “biolinguistic” approach to ethnographic research on intimacy, attending simultaneously to the co‐constitutive interactive, psychophysiological, and phenomenological processes that emerge in everyday embodied interaction between long‐term, cohabitating romantic partners. Through concurrent attention to natural interactions captured during video ethnography and moment‐to‐moment shifts in heart‐rate variability, this study complements and complicates existing psychological, communication, and anthropological research on intimacy. Three case‐studies of long‐term couples residing in the Southeastern United States demonstrate how neither pure psychophysiology nor pure linguistic analysis fully encapsulates potential patterns of intimacy among them. Rather, this microanalytical, biolinguistic approach to the complexities of body and language interplay, in treating embodiment and interaction as bidirectional phenomena, emphasizes that meanings and enactments of intimacy might look different for each couple and can change over time in complex ways that index couples’ enduring orientations towards various cultural and relational norms.
Starvation resistance in planarians: multiple strategies to get a thrifty phenotype
Authors: Gambino Gaetana , Iacopetti Paola , Ippolito Chiara , Salvetti Alessandra , Rossi Leonardo
Published: December 2023

Starvation resistance is a life‐saving mechanism for many organisms facing food availability fluctuation in the natural environment. Different strategies have been episodically identified for some model organisms, the first of which was the ability to suppress metabolic rate. Among the identified strategies, the ability of planarians to shrink their body under fasting conditions and revert the process after feeding (the growth–degrowth process) represents a fascinating mechanism to face long periods of fasting. The growth–degrowth process is strictly related to the capability of planarians to continuously maintain tissue homeostasis and body proportions even in challenging conditions, thanks to the presence of a population of pluripotent stem cells. Here, we take advantage of several previous studies describing the growth–degrowth process and of recent progress in the understanding of planarian homeostasis mechanisms, to identify tissue‐selective transcriptional downregulation as a driving strategy for the development of a thrifty phenotype, and the p53 transcription factor as a player in adjusting tissue homeostasis in accordance with food availability.
Measures that matter should define accountability and governance frameworks
Authors: Sturmberg Joachim , Gainsford Len
Published: December 2023

While the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has clearly identified the issues with our Australian residential aged care system, its recommendations—so far—have not been translated into policies that will ensure a framework in which nursing home operators and care staff are empowered to focus on what matters—ensuring vulnerable residents receive care that meets their needs and preserves their dignity. For this to be achievable the system requires measures that in the first instance reflect the system's purpose, and that all stakeholders can use to improve care. Such measures need to be easy to understand and implement, and most importantly reduce bureaucratic burden.
Current status of the position on labor progress prediction for contemporary pregnant women using Friedman curves: An updated review
Authors: Watanabe Kaori
Published: December 2023

Aim

Prediction of labor progression is important for maternal and fetal health, as improved accuracy can lead to more timely intervention and improved outcomes. This review aims to outline the importance of predicting the progression of spontaneous parturition, detail the various methods employed to enhance this prediction and provide recommendations for future research.

Methods

We searched articles relating to labor progression and systematic review articles on Artificial Inteligence (AI) in childbirth management using PubMed. To supplement, Google Scholar was used to find recent guidelines and related documents.

Results

Traditional methods like vaginal examinations, criticized for subjectivity and inaccuracy, are gradually being replaced by ultrasound, considered a more objective and accurate approach. Further advancements have been observed with machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques, which promise to surpass the accuracies of conventional methods. The Friedman curve, developed in 1954, is the standard for assessing labor progress, but its application to Asian women, in particular, remains controversial, and various studies have reported that the actual rate of labor was slower than that indicated by the Friedman curve.

Conclusion

There is a need to innovate methodologies for predicting delivery tailored to modern pregnant women, especially when they have different genetic and cultural backgrounds than their Western counterparts, such as Asians. Future research should develop predictive models of labor progression that aim to enhance medical intervention and improve the safety and well‐being of both mother and child.
Physical activity and its relationship to burden and health concerns in family caregivers of people with dementia
Authors: da Silva‐Sauer Leandro , Garcia Ricardo Basso , Fonsêca Égina Karoline Gonçalves , Fernández‐Calvo Bernardino
Published: December 2023

Background

Caring for people with dementia (PwD) usually triggers stress and leads to mental and somatic health complaints (SHCs). Physical activity (PA) can provide burden relief in PwD caregivers, but it is not clear whether PA habits would contribute to reducing SHCs. This study aims to analyze the effect of PA on the relationship between burden and SHCs in a sample of family caregivers of PwD.

Methods

One hundred and fifty‐seven caregivers of PwD reported their PA habits, and completed the Giessen's Subjective Health Complaints Questionnaire (GBB‐8) and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The relationship between PA habits, burden of care (ZBI), and SHCs (B‐GBB‐8 scale) was examined. Subsequently, the moderating effect of PA habits on the relationship between burden and SHCs was tested.

Results

PA habit was inversely associated with ZBI (rbp = −0.242) and GBB‐8 scores (rbp (Gastrointestinal) = −0.174; rbp (Musculoskeletal) = −0.195; rbp (Exhaustion) = −0.247; rbp (Cardiovascular) = −0.250; and rbp (Overall) = −0.257, respectively), whereas moderate positive correlations were found between ZBI and GBB‐8 scores (r (Gastrointestinal) = 0.483; r (Musculoskeletal) = 0.536; r (Exhaustion) = 0.542; r (Cardiovascular) = 0.438; and r (Overall) = 0.598, respectively). The interaction effect of PA habit and burden was significant for the overall SHCs (b = −0.11; P < 0.05) and cardiovascular complaints (b = −0.06; P < 0.05). However, the association between burden and SHCs was significant (P < 0.001) only for sedentary caregivers.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that maintaining an active lifestyle through regular PA could potentially help alleviate the adverse effects of caregiver burden on somatic health among caregivers of PwD. Encouraging and endorsing PA interventions for informal caregivers might yield substantial advantages for their health and general well‐being.
Understanding the implications of low knowledge and high uncertainty in risk studies
Authors: Thekdi Shital , Aven Terje
Published: December 2023

Risk analysis has existed for thousands of years and will continue to grow in importance across professions and industries. Of special importance is the need to understand and manage risk when there is low knowledge and high uncertainties. Even with pristine and high‐quality risk analysis in these situations, integrity and credibility can be questioned, and risk events can happen. Although these issues do not prove some shortcoming in risk analysis and risk management, they can directly impact the risk analyst and decision‐makers. The risk literature has addressed the issues of defining and promoting integrity and credibility for risk studies, but there is little existing guidance for the analyst when handling the commonly encountered low knowledge and high uncertainty contexts. In this article, we explore the implications of low knowledge and high uncertainty in risk studies to understand how the risk analyst can acknowledge those features in a risk study, with recognition that those features may be questioned later. The topic of this article will be of interest to risk managers, professionals, and analysts in general who are tasked with analyzing and communicating with studies.
G‐U base‐paired hpRNA confers potent inhibition of small RNA function in plants
Authors: Zhong Chengcheng , Smith Neil A. , Zhang Daai , Gou Xiuhong , Greaves Ian K. , Millar Anthony A. , Walsh Tom K. , Shan Weixing , Wang Ming‐Bo
Published: December 2023

MicroRNA (miRNA) target mimicry technologies, utilizing naturally occurring miRNA decoy molecules, represent a potent tool for analyzing miRNA function. In this study, we present a highly efficient small RNA (sRNA) target mimicry design based on G‐U base‐paired hairpin RNA (hpG:U), which allows for the simultaneous targeting of multiple sRNAs. The hpG:U constructs consistently generate high amounts of intact, polyadenylated stem‐loop (SL) RNA outside the nuclei, in contrast to traditional hairpin RNA designs with canonical base pairing (hpWT), which were predominantly processed resulting in a loop. By incorporating a 460‐bp G‐U base‐paired double‐stranded stem and a 312–576 nt loop carrying multiple miRNA target mimicry sites (GUMIC), the hpG:U construct displayed effective repression of three Arabidopsis miRNAs, namely miR165/166, miR157, and miR160, both individually and in combination. Additionally, a GUMIC construct targeting a prominent cluster of siRNAs derived from cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) Y‐satellite RNA (Y‐Sat) effectively inhibited Y‐Sat siRNA‐directed silencing of the chlorophyll biosynthetic gene CHLI, thereby reducing the yellowing symptoms in infected Nicotiana plants. Therefore, the G‐U base‐paired hpRNA, characterized by differential processing compared to traditional hpRNA, acts as an efficient decoy for both miRNAs and siRNAs. This technology holds great potential for sRNA functional analysis and the management of sRNA‐mediated diseases.
Symmetric and Asymmetric Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Stock Prices in Fragile Five Economies: Analysis of the Global Crisis and Pandemic Period
Authors: Ceylan Isil Erem , Ceylan Fatih
Published: December 2023

This study examined the symmetric and asymmetric effects of exchange rate changes on stock prices in the economies of India, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey, collectively known as the "Fragile Five" due to their similar economic dynamics in light of the global financial crisis and pandemic period. The study uses monthly data from July 2000 to July 2022, and panel autoregressive distributive lag and panel nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag models to investigate the effects of exchange rate changes on stock prices in the Fragile Five economies. Prior to the global financial crisis, exchange rate changes have both long- and short-term asymmetric effects on stock prices in the Fragile Five economies. However, after the global financial crisis, exchange rate changes have both short- and long-term asymmetric and symmetric effects. Similarly, exchange rate changes also have asymmetric effects on stock prices during the COVID-19 period.