bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxious about rejection, avoidant of neglect: Infant marmosets tune their attachment based on individual caregiver’s parenting style
Authors: Yano-Nashimoto Saori , Truzzi Anna , Shinozuka Kazutaka , Murayama Ayako , Kurachi Takuma , Moriya-Ito Keiko , Tokuno Hironobu , Miyazawa Eri , Esposito Gianluca , Okano Hideyuki , Nakamura Katsuki , Saito Atsuko , Kuroda Kumi O.
Published: May 2023

Children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional maturation require adequate interactions and secure attachment with their primary caregivers. However, the causal relationships between parenting components and infant attachment behaviors remain unclear. New World monkey common marmosets provide an ideal model of human parent-infant relations because, like humans, infant attachment is shared among family caregivers, including parents and older siblings using intricate vocal communications. Combining the natural variations in parenting styles and subsecond-scale microanalyses of dyadic vocal and physical interactions, we demonstrate that marmoset infants signal their need by context-dependent call use and selectively maintain proximity with familiar caregivers. The infant attachment behaviors are individually tuned according to the caregiver’s parenting style; infants keep producing isolation calls when they are carried by rejecting caregivers and exhibit avoidance toward neglectful and rejecting caregivers. Family-deprived infants failed to develop such adaptive uses of attachment behaviors or age-appropriate autonomy and exhibited disorganized attachment behaviors. Thus, marmoset infants shape their ability to modulate their intricate attachment system depending on the caregiver’s attitude through early social interactions with their family caregivers. Demonstrating the significant similarity of the infant attachment system between marmosets and humans, these findings will pave a path to elucidating the neural mechanisms of the infant attachment system.
Rotten to the core – a neurofunctional signature of subjective core disgust generalizes to oral distaste and socio-moral contexts
Authors: Gan Xianyang , Zhou Feng , Xu Ting , Liu Xiaobo , Zhang Ran , Zheng Zihao , Yang Xi , Zhou Xinqi , Yu Fangwen , Li Jialin , Cui Ruifang , Wang Lan , Yuan Jiajin , Yao Dezhong , Becker Benjamin
Published: May 2023

While disgust originates in the hard-wired mammalian distaste response, the conscious experience of disgust in humans strongly depends on subjective appraisal and may even extend to sociomoral contexts. In a series of studies, we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with machine-learning based predictive modeling to establish a comprehensive neurobiological model of subjective disgust. The developed neurofunctional signature accurately predicted momentary self-reported subjective disgust across discovery (n=78) and pre-registered validation (n=30) cohorts and generalized across core disgust (n=34 andn=26), gustatory distaste (n=30), and sociomoral (unfair offers;n=43) contexts. Disgust experience was encoded in distributed cortical and subcortical systems, and exhibited distinct and shared neural representations with subjective fear or negative affect in interoceptive-emotional awareness and conscious appraisal systems while the signatures most accurately predicted the respective target experience. We provide an accurate fMRI-signature for disgust with a high potential to resolve ongoing evolutionary debates.
Evolution towards simplicity in bacterial small heat shock protein system
Authors: Karaś Piotr , Kochanowicz Klaudia , Pitek Marcin , Domanski Przemyslaw , Obuchowski Igor , Tomiczek Bartlomiej , Liberek Krzysztof
Published: May 2023

Evolution can tinker with multi-protein machines and replace them with simpler single-protein systems performing equivalent functions in equally efficient manner. It is unclear how, on a molecular level, such simplification can arise. With ancestral reconstruction and biochemical analysis we have traced the evolution of bacterial small heat shock proteins (sHsp), which help to refold proteins from aggregates using either two proteins with different functions (IbpA and IbpB) or a secondarily single sHsp that performs both functions in an equally efficient way. Secondarily single sHsp evolved from IbpA, an ancestor specialized in strong substrate binding. Evolution of an intermolecular binding site drove the alteration of substrate binding properties, as well as formation of higher-order oligomers. Upon two mutations in the α-crystallin domain, secondarily single sHsp interacts with aggregated substrates less tightly. Paradoxically, less efficient binding positively influences the ability of sHsp to stimulate substrate refolding, since the dissociation of sHps from aggregates is required to initiate Hsp70-Hsp100-dependent substrate refolding. After the loss of a partner, IbpA took over its role in facilitating the sHsp dissociation from an aggregate by weakening the interaction with the substrate, which became beneficial for the refolding process. We show that the same two amino acids introduced in modern-day system define whether the IbpA acts as a single sHsp or obligatorily cooperates with an IbpB partner. Our discoveries illuminate how one sequence has evolved to encode functions previously performed by two distinct proteins.
Improved detection and consistency of RNA-interacting proteomes using DIA SILAC
Authors: Tan Thomas , Spanos Christos , Tollervey David
Published: May 2023

The RNA-interacting proteome is commonly characterized by UV-crosslinking followed by RNA purification, with protein recovery quantified using SILAC labeling followed by data-dependent acquisition (DDA) of proteomic data. However, the low efficiency of UV-crosslinking, combined with limited sensitivity of the DDA approach often restricts detection to relatively abundant proteins, necessitating multiple mass spec injections of fractionated peptides for each biological sample. Here we report an application of data-independent acquisition (DIA) with SILAC in a total RNA-associated protein purification (TRAPP) UV-crosslinking experiment. This gave 15% greater protein detection and lower inter-replicate variation relative to the same biological materials analyzed using DDA, while allowing single-shot analysis of the sample. As proof of concept, we determined the effects of arsenite treatment on the RNA-bound proteome of HEK293T cells. The DIA dataset yielded similar GO term enrichment for RNA-binding proteins involved in cellular stress responses to the DDA dataset while detecting extra proteins unseen by DDA. Overall, the DIA SILAC approach improved detection of proteins over conventional DDA SILAC for generating RNA-interactome datasets, at a lower cost due to reduced machine time.
The Preoptic Area and Dorsal Habenula Jointly Support Homeostatic Navigation in Larval Zebrafish
Authors: Palieri Virginia , Paoli Emanuele , Grunwald Kadow Ilona C , Portugues Ruben
Published: May 2023

Animals must maintain physiological processes within an optimal temperature range despite changes in their environment. While the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (PoA) acts as a thermostat in mammals through autonomic and behavioral adaptations, its role in temperature regulation of animals lacking internal homeostatic mechanisms is not known. Through novel behavioral assays, wholebrain functional imaging and neural ablations, we show that larval zebrafish achieve thermoregulation through movement and a neural network connecting the PoA to brain areas enabling spatial navigation. PoA drives reorientation when thermal conditions are worsening and conveys this information for instructing future motor actions to the navigation-controlling habenula (Hb) - interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) circuit. These results suggest a conserved function of the PoA in thermoregulation acting through species- specific neural networks. We propose that homeostatic navigation arose from an ancient chemotaxis navigation circuit that was subsequently extended to serve in other sensory modalities.
Primary production dynamics during the decline phase of the North Atlantic annual spring bloom
Authors: Meyer Meredith G. , Brzezinski Mark A. , Cohn Melanie R. , Kramer Sasha J. , Paul Nicola , Sharpe Garrett , Niebergall Alexandria K. , Gifford Scott , Cassar Nicolas , Marchetti Adrian
Published: May 2023

The second field campaign of the NASA EXport Processes in the Ocean from RemoTe Sensing (EXPORTS) program was conducted in the late spring of 2021 within the vicinity of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (49.0°N, 16.5°W) in the North Atlantic Ocean. Observations from EXPORTS support previous characterizations of this system as highly productive and organic matter rich, with the majority of primary production occurring in large cells (≥ 5 µm) such as diatoms that are primarily utilizing nitrate. Rates of total euphotic zone depth-integrated net primary production ranged from 36.4 to 146.6 mmol C m−2d−1, with an observational period average f-ratio of 0.74, indicating predominantly new production. Substantial variability in the contribution of small (<5 µm) and large cells occurred over the observation period, coinciding with the end of the annual spring phytoplankton bloom. Physical changes associated with storms appear to have impacted the integrated production rates substantially, enhancing rates by ∼10%. These disturbances altered the balance between contributions of the different phytoplankton size fractions, thus highlighting the important role of mixed layer variability in nutrient entrainment into the upper water column and production dynamics. In diatoms, inputs of silicic acid related to deepening of the mixed layer increased silicic acid uptake rates yet concomitant increases in NPP in large cells was not observed. This campaign serves as the high productivity endmember within the EXPORTS program and as such, elucidates how nutrient concentrations and size class play key roles in both low and high productivity systems, but in differing ways.
Transient targeting of hypothalamic orexin neurons alleviates seizures in a mouse model of epilepsy
Authors: Li Han-Tao , Viskaitis Paulius , Bracey Ed , Peleg-Raibstein Daria , Burdakov Denis
Published: May 2023

Lateral hypothalamic (LH) hypocretin/orexin neurons (HONs) control brain-wide electrical excitation. Abnormally high excitation produces epileptic seizures, which affect millions of people and need better treatments. HON population activity spikes from minute to minute, but the role of this in seizures is unknown. Here, we describe correlative and causal links between HON activity spikes and seizures. Applying temporally-targeted HON recordings and optogenetic silencing to a mouse model of acute epilepsy, we found that pre-seizure HON activity predicts and controls the electrophysiology and behavioral pathology of subsequent seizures. No such links were detected for HON activity during seizures. Having thus defined the time window where HONs influence seizures, we targeted it with LH deep brain stimulation (DBS), which inhibited HON population activity, and produced seizure protection. Collectively, these results uncover a new feature of brain activity linked to seizures, and demonstrate a proof-of-concept treatment that controls this feature and alleviates epilepsy.
Organization of pRF size along the AP axis of the hippocampus is related to specialization for scenes
Authors: Leferink Charlotte , DeKraker Jordan , Brunec Iva , Köhler Stefan , Moscovitch Morris , Walther Dirk B
Published: May 2023

The hippocampus is largely recognized for its integral contributions to memory processing. By contrast, its role in perceptual processing remains less clear. Hippocampal properties differ along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis. Based on past research suggesting a gradient in the scale of features processed along the anterior-posterior extent of the hippocampus, the representations have been proposed to differ as a function of granularity along this axis. One way to quantify such granularity is with population receptive field (pRF) size measured during visual processing, which has so far received little attention. In this study, we compare the pRF sizes within the hippocampus to its activation for images of scenes versus faces. We also measure these functional properties in surrounding medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures. Consistent with past research, we find pRFs to be larger in anterior than in the posterior hippocampus. Critically, our analysis of surrounding MTL regions, such as the perirhinal cortex, entorhinal cortex and parahippocampal cortex, shows a similar relationship between scene sensitivity and larger pRF size. These findings provide conclusive evidence for a tight relationship between pRF size and the sensitivity to image content in the hippocampus.
Identification of the bacteriophage nucleus protein interaction network
Authors: Enustun Eray , Deep Amar , Gu Yajie , Nguyen Katrina T. , Chaikeeratisak Vorrapon , Armbruster Emily , Ghassemian Majid , Villa Elizabeth , Pogliano Joe , Corbett Kevin D.
Published: May 2023

In the arms race between bacteria and bacteriophages (phages), some large-genome jumbo phages have evolved a protein shell that encloses their replicating genome to protect it against DNA-targeting immune factors. By segregating the genome from the host cytoplasm, however, the “phage nucleus” introduces the need to specifically transport mRNA and proteins through the nuclear shell, and to dock capsids on the shell for genome packaging. Here, we use proximity labeling and localization mapping to systematically identify proteins associated with the major nuclear shell protein chimallin (ChmA) and other distinctive structures assembled by these phages. We identify six uncharacterized nuclear shell-associated proteins, one of which directly interacts with self-assembled ChmA. The structure and protein-protein interaction network of this protein, which we term ChmB, suggests that it forms pores in the ChmA lattice that serve as docking sites for capsid genome packaging, and may also participate in mRNA and/or protein transport.
A gradual transition toward categorical representations along the visual hierarchy during working memory, but not perception
Authors: Chunharas Chaipat , Wolff Michael J. , Hettwer Meike D. , Rademaker Rosanne L.
Published: May 2023

The ability to stably maintain visual information over brief delays is central to healthy cognitive functioning, as is the ability to differentiate such internal representations from external inputs. One possible way to achieve both is via multiple concurrent mnemonic representations along the visual hierarchy that differ systematically from the representations of perceptual inputs. To test this possibility, we examine orientation representations along the visual hierarchy during perception and working memory. Human participants directly viewed, or held in mind, oriented grating patterns, and the similarity between fMRI activation patterns for different orientations was calculated throughout retinotopic cortex. During direct viewing of grating stimuli, similarity was relatively evenly distributed amongst all orientations, while during working memory the similarity was higher around oblique orientations. We modeled these differences in representational geometry based on the known distribution of orientation information in the natural world: The “veridical” model uses an efficient coding framework to capture hypothesized representations during visual perception. The “categorical” model assumes that different “psychological distances” between orientations result in orientation categorization relative to cardinal axes. During direct perception, the veridical model explained the data well. During working memory, the categorical model gradually gained explanatory power over the veridical model for increasingly anterior retinotopic regions. Thus, directly viewed images are represented veridically, but once visual information is no longer tethered to the sensory world there is a gradual progression to more categorical mnemonic formats along the visual hierarchy.
Centromere-specifying nucleosomes persist in aging mouse oocytes in the absence of nascent assembly
Authors: Das Arunika , Boese Katelyn G. , Tachibana Kikue , Baek Sung Hee , Lampson Michael A. , Black Ben E.
Published: May 2023

Centromeres direct genetic inheritance but are not themselves genetically encoded. Instead, centromeres are defined epigenetically by the presence of a histone H3 variant, CENP-A1. In cultured somatic cells, an established paradigm of cell cycle-coupled propagation maintains centromere identity: CENP-A is partitioned between sisters during replication and replenished by new assembly, which is restricted to G1. The mammalian female germline challenges this model because of the cell cycle arrest between pre-meiotic S-phase and the subsequent G1, which can last for the entire reproductive lifespan (months to decades). New CENP-A chromatin assembly maintains centromeres during prophase I in worm and starfish oocyte2,3, suggesting that a similar process may be required for centromere inheritance in mammals. However, we show that centromere chromatin is maintained long-term independent of new assembly during the extended prophase I arrest in mouse oocytes. Conditional knockout of Mis18α, an essential component of the assembly machinery, in the female germline at the time of birth has almost no impact on centromeric CENP-A nucleosome abundance nor any detectable detriment to fertility.
Effects of age on the response to spinal cord injury: optimizing the larval zebrafish model
Authors: Walker Whitney J. , Underwood Kirsten L. , Garrett Patrick I. , Lorbacher Kathryn B. , Linch Shannon M. , Rynes Thomas P. , Sloop Chloe , Mruk Karen
Published: May 2023

Zebrafish are an increasingly popular model to study regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). The transparency of larval zebrafish makes them ideal to study cellular processes in real time. Standardized approaches, including age at the time of injury, are not readily available making comparisons of the results with other models challenging. In this study, we systematically examined the response to spinal cord transection of larval zebrafish at three different larval ages (3-, 5-, or 7-days post fertilization (dpf)) to determine whether the developmental complexity of the larvae affects the overall response to SCI. We then used imaging and behavioral analysis to evaluate whether differences existed based on the age of injury. Injury led to increased expression of cytokines associated with the immune response; however, we found that the timing of specific inflammatory markers changed with the age of the injury. We also observed changes in glial and axonal bridging with age. Young larvae (3 dpf) were better able to regenerate axons independent of the glial bridge, unlike older larvae (7 dpf), consistent with results seen in adult zebrafish. Finally, locomotor experiments demonstrated that some swimming behavior occurs independent of glial bridge formation, further highlighting the need for standardization of this model and functional recovery assays. Overall, we found differences based on the age of transection in larval zebrafish, underlining the importance of considering age when designing experiments aimed at understanding regeneration.
Emerging Activity Patterns and Synaptogenesis in Dissociated Hippocampal Cultures
Authors: Suresh Jyothsna , Saddler Mark , Bindokas Vytas , Bhansali Anita , Pesce Lorenzo , Wang Janice , Marks Jeremy , van Drongelen Wim
Published: May 2023

Cultures of dissociated hippocampal neurons display a stereotypical development of network activity patterns within the first three weeks of maturation. During this process, network connections develop and the associated spiking patterns range from increasing levels of activity in the first two weeks to regular bursting activity in the third week of maturation. Characterization of network structure is important to examine the mechanisms underlying the emergent functional organization of neural circuits. To accomplish this, confocal microscopy techniques have been used and several automated synapse quantification algorithms based on (co)localization of synaptic structures have been proposed recently. However, these approaches suffer from the arbitrary nature of intensity thresholding and the lack of correction for random-chance colocalization. To address this problem, we developed and validated an automated synapse quantification algorithm that requires minimal operator intervention. Next, we applied our approach to quantify excitatory and inhibitory synaptogenesis using confocal images of dissociated hippocampal neuronal cultures captured at 5, 8, 14 and 20 daysin vitro, the time period associated with the development of distinct neuronal activity patterns. As expected, we found that synaptic density increased with maturation, coinciding with increasing spiking activity in the network. Interestingly, the third week of the maturation exhibited a reduction in excitatory synaptic density suggestive of synaptic pruning that coincided with the emergence of regular bursting activity in the network.
A Unifying Principle for the Functional Organization of Visual Cortex
Authors: Margalit Eshed , Lee Hyodong , Finzi Dawn , DiCarlo James J. , Grill-Spector Kalanit , Yamins Daniel L. K.
Published: May 2023

A key feature of many cortical systems is functional organization: the arrangement of neurons with specific functional properties in characteristic spatial patterns across the cortical surface. However, the principles underlying the emergence and utility of functional organization are poorly understood. Here we develop the Topographic Deep Artificial Neural Network (TDANN), the first unified model to accurately predict the functional organization of multiple cortical areas in the primate visual system. We analyze the key factors responsible for the TDANN’s success and find that it strikes a balance between two specific objectives: achieving a task-general sensory representation that is self-supervised, and maximizing the smoothness of responses across the cortical sheet according to a metric that scales relative to cortical surface area. In turn, the representations learned by the TDANN are lower dimensional and more brain-like than those in models that lack a spatial smoothness constraint. Finally, we provide evidence that the TDANN’s functional organization balances performance with inter-area connection length, and use the resulting models for a proof-of-principle optimization of cortical prosthetic design. Our results thus offer a unified principle for understanding functional organization and a novel view of the functional role of the visual system in particular.
Development of in-line anoxic small-angle X-ray scattering and structural characterization of an oxygen-sensing transcriptional regulator
Authors: Illava Gabrielle , Gillilan Richard , Ando Nozomi
Published: May 2023

Oxygen-sensitive metalloenzymes are responsible for many of the most fundamental biochemical processes in nature, from the reduction of di-nitrogen in nitrogenase to the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments. However, biophysical characterization of such proteins under anoxic conditions can be challenging, especially at non-cryogenic temperatures. In this study, we introduce the first in-line anoxic small-angle X-ray scattering (anSAXS) system at a major national synchrotron source, featuring both batch-mode and chromatography-mode capabilities. To demonstrate chromatography-coupled anSAXS, we investigated the oligomeric interconversions of the Fumarate and Nitrate Reduction (FNR) transcription factor, which is responsible for the transcriptional response to changing oxygen conditions in the facultative anaerobeEscherichia coli. Previous work has shown that FNR contains a labile [4Fe-4S] cluster that is degraded when oxygen is present, and that this change in cluster composition leads to the dissociation of the DNA-binding dimeric form. Using anSAXS, we provide the first direct structural evidence for the oxygen-induced dissociation of theE. coliFNR dimer and its correlation with cluster composition. We further demonstrate how complex FNR-DNA interactions can be studied by investigating the promoter region of the anaerobic ribonucleotide reductase genes,nrdDG, which contains tandem FNR binding sites. By coupling SEC-anSAXS with full spectrum UV-Vis analysis, we show that the [4Fe-4S] clustercontaining dimeric form of FNR can bind to both sites in thenrdDGpromoter region. The development of in-line anSAXS greatly expands the toolbox available for the study of complex metalloproteins and provides a foundation for future expansions.
A systematic narrative review of coroners’ prevention of future deaths reports (PFDs): a potential metric for patient safety in hospitals
Authors: Bremner Benjamin T. , Heneghan Carl , Aronson Jeffrey K. , Richards Georgia C.
Published: May 2023

Patient harm due to unsafe healthcare is widespread, potentially devastating, and often preventable. Hoping to eliminate avoidable harms, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Global Patient Safety Action Plan in July 2021. The UK’s National Health Service relies on several measures, including “never events”, “serious incidents”, patient safety events, and coroners’ prevention of future death reports (PFDs) to monitor healthcare quality and safety. We conducted a systematic narrative review of PubMed and medRxiv on 19 February 2023 to explore the strengths and limitations of coroners’ PFDs and whether they could be a safety metric to help meet the WHO’s Global Patient Safety Action Plan. We identified 17 studies that investigated a range of PFDs, including preventable deaths involving medicines and an assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that PFDs offered important information that could support hospitals to improve patient safety and prevent deaths. However, inconsistent reporting, low response rates to PFDs, and difficulty in accessing, analysing, and monitoring PFDs limited their use and adoption as a patient safety metric for hospitals. To fulfil the potential of PFDs, a national system is required that develops guidelines, sanctions failed responses, and embeds technology to encourage the prevention of future deaths.
Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study of differential white blood cell count and schizophrenia
Authors: Leung Perry BM , Liu Zipeng , Zhong Yuanxin , Di Forti Marta , Murray Robin M , So Hon-Cheong , Sham Pak C , Lui Simon SY
Published: May 2023

Background

Schizophrenia and white blood cell count (WBC) are both complex and polygenic disease/traits. Previous evidence suggested that increased WBC is associated with higher all-cause mortality, and other evidence found elevated WBC in first-episode psychosis and chronic schizophrenia patients. However, prior observational findings may be confounded by antipsychotic exposures and their effects on WBC. Mendelian randomization (MR) is a useful method to examine the directional causal relationship between schizophrenia and WBC

Methods

We performed a two-sample MR using summary statistics of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Schizophrenia Workgroup (N=130,644) and the Blood Cell Consortium (N=563,085). The MR methods included inverse variance weighted, ME Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO, contamination mixture, and a novel approach called mixture model reciprocal causal inference (MRCI). False discovery rate was employed to correct for multiple testing.

Results

After correcting for horizontal pleiotropy, the MRCI method demonstrated that elevated lymphocyte count (causal effects at the liability scale=0.077; FDR adjusted p-value=0.026) and eosinophil count (causal effects at the liability scale=0.048; FDR adjusted p-value=0.026) may cause schizophrenia. The contamination mixture method showed that schizophrenia may lead to elevated neutrophil count (beta=0.011 in unit of standard deviation of mean absolute neutrophil count; FDR adjusted p-value=0.045) and reduction of eosinophil count (beta=-0.013 in unit of standard deviation of mean absolute eosinophil count; FDR adjusted p-value=0.045). Some further significant findings had been identified by conventional MR approaches and MR-PRESSO, but we interpreted those with cautious due to substantial heterogeneity and plausible pleiotropic effects identified.

Conclusion

This MR study provided evidence that schizophrenia has causal relationships with altered differential WBC. Our findings support the role of WBC in influencing schizophrenia risk, and may concur with the hypothesis of neuroinflammation in schizophrenia.
Assessing the effect of zoo closure on the soundscape using multiple measures
Authors: Lewis Rebecca N , Williams Leah J , de Kort Selvino R , Gilman R Tucker
Published: May 2023

The zoo soundscape has a number of important implications for animal welfare, management, and conservation. However, despite its importance, the zoo soundscape is yet to be examined in depth using multiple measures. Consistent human presence can influence the zoo soundscape. However, it is difficult to determine the specific impact of human presence, as visitors are usually present during the day when animals are active. The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 provided a unique opportunity to study zoo soundscapes in the absence of visitors. We compared the sound environment during the 2020 closure period to a comparable open period in 2019 across three zoo aviaries, examining broad band frequency measures of sound pressure levels, sound pressure levels in defined frequency bands, and acoustic indices (Acoustic Complexity Index and Normalized Difference Soundscape Index) to describe the zoo soundscape. Acoustic indices have not, to our knowledge, previously been used in the zoo setting, although they may provide a useful metric to assess sound disturbance. Therefore, we also used this natural experiment to explore how successful these measures may be in assessing disturbances in captive environments. We found a significant effect of human presence on the sound environment; aviaries were generally quieter with less low frequency noise and with a greater proportion of biotic sound during the 2020 zoo closure period. We argue that NDSI could be a useful index for determining anthropogenic disturbance in zoos, although further information on how it is influenced by additional factors, such as human speech, would be beneficial. The use of multiple measures to assess the sound environment in zoos can provide additional information beyond ‘loudness’, such as frequencies where sound energy is concentrated and characteristics of the soundscape, which could be used to better target management and mitigation.
Adaptive Pathfinding by Nucleokinesis during Amoeboid Migration
Authors: Kroll Janina , Hauschild Robert , Stefanowski Kasia , Hermann Monika D. , Merrin Jack , Shafeek Lubuna , Müller-Taubenberger Annette , Renkawitz Jörg
Published: May 2023

Motile cells moving in multicellular organisms encounter microenvironments of locally heterogeneous mechanochemical composition. Individual compositional parameters like chemotactic signals, adhesiveness, and pore sizes are well known to be sensed by motile cells, providing individual guidance cues for cellular pathfinding. However, motile cells encounter diverse mechanochemical signals at the same time, raising the question of how cells respond to locally diverse and potentially competing signals on their migration routes. Here, we reveal that motile amoeboid cells require nuclear repositioning, termed nucleokinesis, for adaptive pathfinding in heterogeneous mechanochemical microenvironments. Using mammalian immune cells and the amoebaDictyostelium discoideum, we discover that frequent, rapid and long-distance nucleokinesis is a basic component of amoeboid pathfinding, enabling cells to reorientate quickly between locally competing cues. Amoeboid nucleokinesis comprises a two-step cell polarity switch and is driven by myosin II-forces, sliding the nucleus from a ‘losing’ to the ‘winning’ leading edge to re-adjust the nuclear to the cellular path. Impaired nucleokinesis distorts fast path adaptions and causes cellular arrest in the microenvironment. Our findings establish that nucleokinesis is required for amoeboid cell navigation. Given that motile single-cell amoebae, many immune cells, and some cancer cells utilize an amoeboid migration strategy, these results suggest that amoeboid nucleokinesis underlies cellular navigation during unicellular biology, immunity, and disease.
Senescent cells in Giant Cell Arteritis have inflammatory phenotype participating in tissue injury via IL-6 dependent pathways
Authors: Veroutis D , Argyropoulou OD , Goules AV , Kambas K , Palamidas DA , Evangelou K , Havaki S , Polyzou A , Xingi E , Karatza E , Boki K , Cavazza A , Kittas C , Thanos D , Ricordi C , Marvisi C , Muratore F , Galli E , Croci S , Salvarani C , Gorgoulis VG , Tzioufas AG
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Age is the strongest risk factor of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), implying a possible pathogenetic role of cellular senescence. To address this question, we applied an established senescence specific multi-marker algorithm in tissue artery biopsies (TABs) of GCA patients.

Methods

Seventy five positive TABs from GCA patients and 22 negative from patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) were retrospectively retrieved and analyzed. Senescent cells and their histologic origin were identified with specific cellular markers; IL-6 and MMP-9 were investigated as components of the senescent associated secretory phenotype (SASP) by triple co-staining. GCA or PMR artery culture supernatants were applied to primary skin fibroblasts with or without IL-6 blocking agent to explore the induction of IL-6 associated cellular senescence.

Results

Senescent cells were mainly present in GCA arteries at higher proportion compared to PMR (9.50% vs 2.66% respectively, p<0.0001) and were mainly originated from fibroblasts, macrophages and endothelial cells. IL-6 was expressed by senescent fibroblasts and macrophages while MMP-9 by fibroblasts only. IL-6 positive senescent cells were associated with the extension of vascular inflammation (adventitial limited disease vs transmural inflammation: 10.02% vs 4.37% respectively, p<0.0001). GCA but not PMR artery culture supernatant could induce IL-6-associated senescence that was partially inhibited by IL-6 blockade.

Conclusions

Senescent cells with inflammatory phenotype are present in GCA arteries and are associated with the tissue inflammatory bulk. These findings might suggest a potential implication in disease pathogenesis by perpetuating inflammation and affecting vascular remodeling via IL-6 dependent mechanisms.
Epithelial cells maintain memory of prior infection withStreptococcus pneumoniaethrough di-methylation of histone H3
Authors: Chevalier Christine , Chica Claudia , Matheau Justine , Connor Michael G. , Pain Adrien , Hamon Melanie A.
Published: May 2023

Epithelial cells are the first point of contact for bacteria entering the respiratory tract.Streptococcus pneumoniaeis an obligate human pathobiont of the nasal mucosa, carried asymptomatically but also the cause of severe pneumonia. The role of the epithelium in maintaining homeostatic interactions or mounting an inflammatory response to invasiveS. pneumoniaeis currently poorly understood. However, studies have shown that chromatin modifications, at the histone level, induced by bacterial pathogens interfere with the host transcriptional program and promote infection. In this study, we demonstrate thatS. pneumoniaeactively induces di-methylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4me2), which persists for at least 9 days upon clearance of bacteria with antibiotics. We show that infection establishes a unique epigenetic program affecting the transcriptional response of epithelial cells, rendering them more permissive upon secondary infection. Our results establish H3K4me2 as a unique modification induced by infection, distinct from H3K4me3, which localizes to enhancer regions genome-wide. Therefore, this study reveals evidence that bacterial infection leaves a memory in epithelial cells after bacterial clearance, in an epigenomic mark, thereby altering cellular responses for subsequent infection.
X-ray mirrors with sub-nanometre figure errors obtained by differential deposition of thin WSi2 films
Authors: Bras Patrice , Morawe Christian , Labouré Sylvain , Perrin François , Vivo Amparo , Barrett Raymond
Published: May 2023

Differential deposition by DC magnetron sputtering was applied to correct for figure errors of X-ray mirrors to be deployed on low-emittance synchrotron beamlines. During the deposition process, the mirrors were moved in front of a beam-defining aperture and the required velocity profile was calculated using a deconvolution algorithm. The surface figure was characterized using conventional off-line visible-light metrology instrumentation (long trace profiler and Fizeau interferometer) before and after the deposition. WSi2 was revealed to be a promising candidate material since it conserves the initial substrate surface roughness and limits the film stress to acceptable levels. On a 300 mm-long flat Si mirror the average height errors were reduced by a factor of 20 down to 0.2 nm root mean square. This result shows the suitability of WSi2 for differential deposition. Potential promising applications include the upgrade of affordable, average-quality substrates to the standards of modern synchrotron beamlines.
A hybrid learning method for distinguishing lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Swain Anil Kumar , Swetapadma Aleena , Rout Jitendra Kumar , Balabantaray Bunil Kumar
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The objective of the proposed work is to identify the most commonly occurring non–small cell carcinoma types, such as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, within the human population. Another objective of the work is to reduce the false positive rate during the classification.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a hybrid method using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and long-short-term memory networks (LSTMs) has been proposed to distinguish between lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. To extract features from non–small cell lung carcinoma images, a three-layer convolution and three-layer max-pooling-based CNN is used. A few important features have been selected from the extracted features using the XGBoost algorithm as the optimal feature. Finally, LSTM has been used for the classification of carcinoma types. The accuracy of the proposed method is 99.57 per cent, and the false positive rate is 0.427 per cent.

Findings

The proposed CNN–XGBoost–LSTM hybrid method has significantly improved the results in distinguishing between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The importance of the method can be outlined as follows: It has a very low false positive rate of 0.427 per cent. It has very high accuracy, i.e. 99.57 per cent. CNN-based features are providing accurate results in classifying lung carcinoma. It has the potential to serve as an assisting aid for doctors.

Practical implications

It can be used by doctors as a secondary tool for the analysis of non–small cell lung cancers.

Social implications

It can help rural doctors by sending the patients to specialized doctors for more analysis of lung cancer.

Originality/value

In this work, a hybrid method using CNN, XGBoost and LSTM has been proposed to distinguish between lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. A three-layer convolution and three-layer max-pooling-based CNN is used to extract features from the non–small cell lung carcinoma images. A few important features have been selected from the extracted features using the XGBoost algorithm as the optimal feature. Finally, LSTM has been used for the classification of carcinoma types.
Digital transformation in start-ups: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sreenivasan Aswathy , Suresh M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Research on the intersection of start-ups and digital transformation is still in its infancy, but it is gathering speed and has entered a period of ferment that may lead to discoveries and deeper understandings. From a purely descriptive standpoint, the topic has only recently entered an exponential development phase. This study aims to provide an overview of the digital transformation in start-ups.

Design/methodology/approach

The research only looked into account papers that mentioned the ((“Digital transformation”) AND (“Startups”) OR (“Entrepreneurship”) OR (“Entrepreneur”)) for the title, abstract and keywords. The R programming language's Biblioshiny package was considered for thoroughly examining the papers.

Findings

This study evaluated the overview of digital transformation in start-ups between 2016−2022 using the articles from the Dimension database. The study of digital transformation is increasingly popular, but there needs to be more research focused specifically on the digital transformation of start-up companies. While the overall trend shows a rise in the interest and investigation of digital transformation, the number of studies explicitly addressing start-up digital transformation still needs to be higher. The highest publication and citation related to digital transformation is of Andreja Pucihar. The findings also show that the Sustainability journal has the highest network with other citations. Also, it has been found that the focus on digital transformation addresses the need for more research based on various theoretical perspectives. Based on the prominence percentile, the top three future research topics that can be explored are Product Innovation; Sustainability; Frugality, Digital Transformation; Strategic Alignment, and Cybersecurity; Strategies; Digital Transformation.

Research limitations/implications

The current study may serve as a general guideline for future investigation into this topic.

Practical implications

Regarding the practical ramifications, this study’s findings can help entrepreneurs prepare to launch a business or are already doing so. This study’s results provide a comprehensive framework of success variables that must be considered to improve the venture's performance.

Originality/value

This study’s originality is from presenting a structured and in-depth literature review that describes the current state of the art for digital transformation in start-ups. A complete analysis of the data gathered on its digital transformation in start-ups is offered to establish that it is sustainable.
A combined QFD-AHP decision-making tool for the investigation and improvement of e-banking usage
Authors: Paltayian George , Georgiou Andreas , Gotzamani Katerina
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper presents a decision-making framework for e-banking operations, based on the Quality Function Deployment and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The main research question is the development of a framework and its potential contributions in supporting decision makers in implementing quality strategies that will encourage the usage of e-banking services (EBS).

Design/methodology/approach

The introduced framework comprises four distinct stages which include criteria determination, field surveys and EFA, QFD application including AHP and finally sensitivity analysis investigating the dynamic nature of the environment. AHP determines the intensity of the relationship between e-banking quality criteria and customer banking activities. A novel House of Quality (HoQ) is proposed, based on a market mix founded on key e-banking activities, and sensitivity analysis is used to investigate alternative scenarios. To illustrate the steps of applying this framework, the authors use a convenience sample from the Greek e-banking sector.

Findings

Through the illustrated example is supported that the proposed approach can reveal valuable information when contemplating strategies to improve e-banking usage and expand its acceptance. In addition, sensitivity analysis leads to purposeful insights regarding the effects of market segmentation and/or target settings on the ranking of e-banking quality/selection criteria provided by the HoQ. In the specific numerical example, the most critical quality factors were “Security and Reliability”, “Convenience”, “Design”, “Pricing” and “Skills,” although different rankings night well appear in different contexts or geographical regions. Moreover, sensitivity analysis showed that these results depend on the specific market mix and targets. As mentioned above, the implementation of the framework in different geographical regions or e-service sectors might certainly reveal different critical factors.

Research limitations/implications

Discussed in the paper body.

Practical implications

Discussed in the paper body.

Originality/value

The paper presents a well-defined four stage framework for improving EBS penetration. It utilizes a structured qualitative and quantitative approach and outlines and ranks e-banking quality factors stemming from the market mix and allows assessment of alternative scenarios through sensitivity analysis.
The role of robots in the electronics industry
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate the growing role of robots in the electronics industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this paper discusses robotic applications and products in three sectors of the electronics industry: semiconductor processing, printed circuit manufacture and electronic product assembly. Finally, conclusions are drawn.

Findings

The major application in semiconductor manufacture is the handling of silicon wafers during both front- and back-end processes and products include cleanroom certified multi-axis robotic arms, some mounted on mobile platforms, and automated guided vehicles. Applications in printed circuit board production include component handling and insertion, soldering, inspection, testing and packing. These exploit Cartesian, SCARA and six-axis articulated robots and cobots play an important role where automated and manual processes operate in close proximity. Electronic product assembly applications include part handling, soldering, bonding and sealing, screw driving, test and inspection and packaging. Cobots offer the benefits of a small footprint which allows deployment in the often limited space and use in proximity to humans. As yet, robotic assembly of complex electronic products such as smartphones and computers has not been realised for technical reasons.

Originality/value

This study provides a detailed review of robotic products and applications in three key sectors of the electronics industries.
Artisan entrepreneurship, resilience and sustainable development: the quintuple helix innovation model in the low-density and cross-border territories
Authors: Rodrigues Alex Olivier Alves , Marques Carla Susana , Ramadani Veland
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is, from the perspective of artisan entrepreneurship, to trace and analyse the artisan's profile in the sustainable development of low population density cross-border territories, using the quintuple helix innovation model.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with cultural and traditional artisans to achieve the proposed objective using a qualitative approach. The artisans are from Northeast Portugal (Bragança, Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, Vimioso and Vinhais) and Northern Spain (Province of Zamora). The interviews were conducted face-to-face between May and June 2022. The interviews were manually transcribed and subjected to content and lexical analyses using IRaMuTeQ software.

Findings

An artisan was identified as an enterprising individual whose marketed handicraft pieces transmit the values and teachings of his community. Innovation, technology, sustainability and circular economy in a family environment, where dedication, resilience, happiness and hard work transmit an identity that places the artisan and his artisan practice as the driving force for the enhancement and promotion of his territory, cultural heritage and identity.

Originality/value

This work is the first study to address and treat the issue of artisan entrepreneurship by analysing and defining the cultural-based and traditional artisan profile in a cross-border and low population density territorial context.