bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental impacts and sustainable development: results from public awareness and attitudes’ study in Georgia
Authors: Gaprindashvili N
Published: December 2023

In democratic countries, how sustainable the country’s development path will be, depends to a significant extent on the awareness and attitudes of the society. Within the framework of this project, it was possible to study the importance of environmental impacts within sustainable development in general and specifically for Georgia. In addition to the comprehensive literature review, online public survey was conducted within the project, in-depth interviews with various representatives of Georgian society (public organizations, business and private sector, research and academic institutions) were held together with a focus group with students. Results show that, in parallel with the sustainable development agenda, environmental field is important for the country as a whole, as well as for some part of the society, different stakeholders and organizations in Georgia. However, general public still prioritizes social and economic issues over environmental ones in the country. Hence, in order to make this area become more prioritized and the subject of evidence-based analysis in the future, more awareness raising and academic development of this field will be crucial.
The ILCIDAF project for the development of an Italian Life Cycle Inventory Database of agri-food products: the bread production phase
Authors: Notarnicola B , Renzulli P A , Astuto F , Di Capua R , Spizzirri U G
Published: December 2023

The Project of Significant National Interest (PRIN, 2017) entitled: "Italian Life Cycle Inventory Database of Agri-Food Products" (ILCIDAF), financed by the Ministry of University and Research, aims to promote the sustainability of the agri-food sector through the development of a database on a national and regional scale for some food chains that are significant for the Italian economy The objective is to create datasets for the Italian agri-food sector which current existing databases do not provide. Specifically, datasets that are geographically, temporally and technologically representative of the Italian national territory were developed. The selected supply chains are: bread and pasta, wine, olive oil and citrus fruits respectively studied by four scientific units: the Universities of Bari, Chieti-Pescara, Messina and Reggio Calabria respectively. The database is constructed considering the entire supply chain of the indicated foodstuffs. The University of Bari, to which the authors of this work belong to, has previously provided contributions on the agricultural phase of wheat, the milling phase and the pasta-making phase. In this work, on the other hand, the phases of the bread-making process of durum and soft wheat bread are described. The aim of this study is to construct datasets relating to the transformation phase of the indicated end products. In particular, 5 datasets were constructed: two relating to bread made from soft wheat flour, 2 with durum wheat semolina and 1 with wholemeal durum wheat semolina. The data was acquired through information provided by the companies in the sector (field data) through the completion of appropriately drafted questionnaires and company reports. In addition, the same analysed and processed were compared with data available in scientific literature.
The reciprocal sums of pseudoprimes and Carmichael numbers
Authors: Kinlaw Paul
Published: December 2023

In this paper we improve on previous bounds for the reciprocal sum of pseudoprimes and for the reciprocal sum of Carmichael numbers. In particular, we prove that these sums are less than

0.0911
0.0911

and

0.0058
0.0058

, respectively.
Thurston compactifications of spaces of stability conditions on curves
Authors: Kikuta Kohei , Koseki Naoki , Ouchi Genki
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we construct a compactification of the space of Bridgeland stability conditions on a smooth projective curve, as an analogue of Thurston compactifications in Teichmüller theory.

In the case of elliptic curves, we compare our results with the classical one of the torus via homological mirror symmetry and give the Nielsen–Thurston classification of autoequivalences using the compactification.

Furthermore, we observe an interesting phenomenon in the case of the projective line.
Spectroscopic characterization and photochemistry of HC3N− and CH3C3N−: implications for ion chemistry in Titan's atmosphere
Authors: Jiang X , Wang L N , Rauhut G , Li X L , Hong J L , Zhou M F , Zeng X Q
Published: December 2023

Molecular ions are key intermediates in the build-up of chemical complexity in interstellar clouds. Among the more than 300 interstellar molecules, only eight negative ions, i.e. C2n+1N− (n = 0–3) and HC2n− (n = 2–5), have been astronomically observed. Understanding the formation mechanism of these ions under the interstellar conditions is essential for astrochemical modelling and establishing the astrochemical networks. Cyanopolyynes including the parent molecule HC3N are carbon-chain molecules that have been observed in a variety of astronomical objects such as the Titan's atmosphere. Herein, two cyanoacetylene anions HC3N‒ and CH3C3N‒ were generated in solid Ne matrix at 3 K and characterized with matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy, as aided by isotopic substitutions and the ab initio calculations at the UCCSD(T)-F12a/cc-pVTZ-F12 level using second-order vibrational perturbation theory. Upon red-light irradiation at 625 nm, both ions undergo electron detachment by reformation of the neutral species. Importantly, the concomitant dehydrogenation of HC3N‒ has also been observed in the matrix, providing new insight into the intriguing mechanism for the formation of C3N‒ in the upper atmosphere of Titan.
A new targeted on-ramp control approach considering both efficiency and equity
Authors: Li Shengnan , Li Minglun , Dai Jianjun , Wang Pu
Published: December 2023

On-ramp control is an effective approach for alleviating traffic congestion on highways. However, there is still a lack of on-ramp control approaches applicable to large regional highway networks. Here, we develop a targeted on-ramp control approach applicable to regional highway networks by taking advantage of the vehicle source information, which pinpoints the on-ramps contributing major traffic flow to the highway bottleneck. Furthermore, a combined and tunable controlling index is proposed to enhance the equity of the generated traffic control scheme. The proposed on-ramp control approach is validated on an actual large highway network using actual travel demand data. Results indicate that the proposed approach can well mitigate the traffic congestion of highway bottleneck while at the same time enhancing the equity and practicability of the generated traffic control scheme.
Ethical issues in solid organ transplantation: transfusion-free transplantation in Jehovah's witness patients
Authors: Selby Rick , Selby-Medical Taylor , Richman Michael
Published: December 2023

Purpose of review

Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept transfusion of major allogeneic blood fractions. Successful solid organ transplantation is challenging for Jehovah's Witnesses when anemia, coagulation disturbances, and difficult technical aspects co-exist, and key blood bank resources cannot be utilized. Organ availability for transplantation is limited and demand exceeds supply for all organ types. Historically, the likelihood of poor outcomes in Jehovah's Witnesses patients placed ethical limitations on transplant candidacy for this population violating the precept of maximal utilization of a limited resource. The review's purpose is to describe advancements and strategies that make Jehovah's Witnesses transplant outcomes comparable to transfusion-eligible patients and allay the ethical concerns of their candidacy.

Recent findings

Immunomodulation from allogeneic transfusion is a cause of significant postop morbidity. Blood conservation strategies have led to improved outcomes across different medical and surgical cohorts and set the stage for expanded utility in Jehovah's Witnesses with organ insufficiency.

Published single-center series with descriptions of specific peri-operative strategies describe the path to major blood product avoidance.

Comparable outcomes in solid organ transplantation for Jehovah's Witnesses without allogeneic transfusion are possible when inclusion-exclusion criteria are respected, and blood conservation strategies employed.
Mitonuclear interactions modulate nutritional preference
Authors: Camus M. Florencia , Inwongwan Sahutchai
Published: December 2023

In nature, organisms are faced with constant nutritional options which fuel key life-history traits. Studies have shown that species can actively make nutritional decisions based on internal and external cues. Metabolism itself is underpinned by complex genomic interactions involving components from both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Products from these two genomes must coordinate how nutrients are extracted, used and recycled. Given the complicated nature of metabolism, it is not well understood how nutritional choices are affected by mitonuclear interactions. This is under the rationale that changes in genomic interactions will affect metabolic flux and change physiological requirements. To this end we used a large
Drosophila
mitonuclear genetic panel, comprising nine isogenic nuclear genomes coupled to nine mitochondrial haplotypes, giving a total of 81 different mitonuclear genotypes. We use a capillary-based feeding assay to screen this panel for dietary preference between carbohydrate and protein. We find significant mitonuclear interactions modulating nutritional choices, with these epistatic interactions also being dependent on sex. Our findings support the notion that complex genomic interactions can place a constraint on metabolic flux. This work gives us deeper insights into how key metabolic interactions can have broad implications on behaviour.
Fundamental bound on epidemic overshoot in the SIR model
Authors: Nguyen Maximilian M. , Freedman Ari S. , Ozbay Sinan A. , Levin Simon A.
Published: December 2023

We derive an exact upper bound on the epidemic overshoot for the Kermack–McKendrick SIR model. This maximal overshoot value of 0.2984 · · · occurs at

R
0
∗

=
2.151
⋯

. In considering the utility of the notion of overshoot, a rudimentary analysis of data from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Manaus, Brazil highlights the public health hazard posed by overshoot for epidemics with
R
0
near 2. Using the general analysis framework presented within, we then consider more complex SIR models that incorporate vaccination.
Fur flutter in fluid flow fends off foulers
Authors: Krsmanovic Milos , Ghosh Ranajay , Dickerson Andrew K.
Published: December 2023

The fouling of submerged surfaces detrimentally alters stratum properties. Inorganic and organic foulers alike attach to and accumulate on surfaces when the complex interaction between numerous variables governing attachment and colonization is favourable. Unlike naturally evolved solutions, industrial methods of repellence carry adverse environmental impacts. Mammal fur demonstrates high resistance to fouling; however, our understanding of the intricacies of such performance remains limited. Here, we show that the passive trait of fur to dynamically respond to an external flow field dramatically improves its anti-fouling performance over that of fibres rigidly fixed at both ends. We have previously discovered a statistically significant correlation between a group of flow- and stratum-related properties, and the quantified anti-fouling performance of immobile filaments. In this work, we improve the correlation by considering an additional physical factor, the ability of hair to flex. Our work establishes a parametric framework for the design of passive anti-fouling filamentous structures and invites other disciplines to contribute to the investigation of the anti-fouling prowess of mammalian interfaces.
Do food distribution and competitor density affect agonistic behaviour within and between clans in a high fission–fusion species?
Authors: Gautam Hansraj , Vidya T. N. C.
Published: December 2023

According to the ecological model of female social relationships (EMFSR), within-group competition and between-group competition in female-bonded species are shaped by food distribution. Strong between-group contests are expected over large, monopolizable resources and high population density, but not when low-quality food is distributed across large, undefended home ranges. Within-group contests are expected to be more frequent with increasing heterogeneity among feeding sites and with group size. We tested these predictions in female Asian elephants, which show traits associated with infrequent contests—graminivory, high fission–fusion and overlapping home ranges. We examined how food distribution and competitor density affected agonistic interactions within and between female elephant clans (social groupings) in the Kabini grassland, southern India. We found stronger between-clan contest in the grassland than that known from neighbouring forests, and more frequent agonism between females between clans than within clans. Such strong between-clan contest was attributable to the grassland being a food-rich habitat patch, thus supporting the EMFSR. Within-clan agonism was also frequent, but did not increase with food heterogeneity, contradicting the EMFSR. Contrary to recent claims, increasing within-clan agonism with group size suggested ecological constraints on large groups despite high fission–fusion. High population density may explain such frequent contests despite graminivory and fission–fusion.
A Glimpse Into the Cenomanian: Palynology of the Arlington Archosaur Site, Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway, Texas, USA
Authors: Lorente Maria Antonieta , Noto Christopher , Flaig Peter
Published: December 2023

The Arlington Archosaur Site (AAS) between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, is known as a rich fossiliferous section. The age of these rocks is generally considered to be mid-Cenomanian, but conflicting evidence suggests the age may be as young as the late Cenomanian–early Turonian. To address the issue, a palynological study was designed and conducted based on the close sampling of the lithofacies. Palynological samples were processed according to the standard acid preparation. The study was quantitative and focused on associations to determine the paleoenvironment, paleoclimate, biostratigraphy, and age of exposure. The rich palynological assemblages comprise spores from seedless plants, gymnosperms, angiosperms, fungi, algae, and dinoflagellate cysts. Bryophytes were abundant mainly in Facies A and B, withZlivisporis cenomanianustaking over the bryophytes’ habitat in Facies D. Lycophytes abundant in the alluvial and coastal plains are considered to have been transported. Conifers were the predominant group of gymnosperms, also mainly transported into the section. Freshwater algal remains includeSchizophacus laevigatus/Ovoidites parvus,Schizosporis reticulatus,Botryococcussp., andPediastrumsp. Acanthomorph acritarchs present in low abundance and diversity appear following shallow marine dinoflagellates’ spikes and before freshwater colonial algal spikes. The vegetation signal at Noto’s Facies A and B indicates tropical to subtropical shallow marine to coastal plains, while Noto’s Facies D indicates tidally influenced areas. Also, picks of the diversity and abundance of dinoflagellate cysts are interpreted as an increased marine influence and proposed as possible flooding surfaces. The results support the alternation of marine incursions within deltaic and floodplain sequences, related to regional climate oscillation that affected the vegetation on the upland drainage area.

Key palynological markers point to an early Late Cenomanian age, and the presence of theCyclonephelium compactum–C. membraniphorum(Ccm morphological plexus) signals that the incursion of boreal waters during the Plenus Cold Event of the Ocean Anoxic Event 2 may have reached as far south as the AAS area. This coincides with vegetation trends that suggest a cooler and less humid climate at the start of Facies A, where Ccm is more abundant.
When is gene expression noise advantageous?
Authors: Puzović Nataša , Dutheil Julien Y.
Published: December 2023

The variability of gene expression levels, also known as gene expression noise, is an evolvable trait subject to selection. While gene expression noise is detrimental in constant environments where the expression level is under stabilizing selection, it may be beneficial in changing environments when the phenotype is far from the optimum. However, expression noise propagates along the gene network, making the evolution of connected genes interdependent. Here, we explore how their position in the gene network constrains the evolution of genes under selection using an in silico evolution experiment. We simulate the evolution of populations of model gene regulatory networks under directional and fluctuating selection on the gene expression level while allowing the basal expression level and expression noise level to mutate. We find that expression noise is only transiently favoured under directional selection, but high levels of noise can be maintained in a fluctuating selection regime. Furthermore, target genes, regulated by other genes, were more likely to increase their gene-specific expression noise than regulator genes. These findings suggest that both the mean and variance of gene expression levels respond to selection due to changing environments – and do so in a network-dependent manner. They further point at gene expression noise as a putative mechanism for populations to escape extinction when facing environmental changes.
Revealing 3D cancer tissue structures using holotomography and virtual hematoxylin and eosin staining via deep learning
Authors: park Juyeon , Shin Su-Jin , Kim Minji , kim geon , cho Hyungjoo , ryu dongmin , ahn daewoong , heo ji eun , min hyun-seok , Lee Kwang Suk , Park YongKeun , Hwang Tae Hyun
Published: December 2023

In standard histopathology, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining stands as a pivotal tool for cancer tissue analysis. However, this method is limited to two-dimensional (2D) analysis or requires labor-intensive preparation for three-dimensional (3D) inspection of cancer tissues. In this study, we present a method for 3D virtual H&E staining of label-free colon cancer tissues, employing holotomography and deep learning. Holotomography is used to measure the 3D refractive index (RI) distribution of the label-free colon cancer slides. A deep learning-based image-to-image translation framework is integrated into the resulting 3D RI distribution, enabling virtual H&E staining in 3D. Our method has been applied to colon cancer tissue slides with thicknesses up to 20 um, with conventional chemical H&E staining providing a direct validation for the method. This framework not only bypasses the conventional staining process but also provides 3D structures of glands, lumens, and individual nuclei. The results demonstrate enhancement in histopathological efficiency and the extension of the standard histopathology into the 3D realm.
Accuracy Feedback and Delay Adaptation Effects in Visual and Tactile Duration Reproduction
Authors: Chen Lingyue , Brunner Stephanie , Shi Zhuanghua
Published: December 2023

Brief actions involve multiple temporal cues that may not always synchronize, and in basic action-effect relationships, the effect is often delayed. How the brain incorporates delays across modalities in a sensorimotor duration reproduction remains unclear. To investigate this, we conducted two experiments on duration reproduction with delayed sensory feedback. Participants reproduced durations in either visual (Experiment 1) or tactile (Experiment 2) modalities. In the adaptation phase, an action-induced effect, either visual or tactile stimulation, was delayed by 150 ms in one session and synchronized in the control session, with accuracy feedback provided after each trial. In the testing phase, random action-effect delays (0-150 ms) was introduced, and accuracy feedback was removed. The findings revealed that accuracy feedback effectively recalibrated motor time but did not eliminate the delay. Without accuracy feedback, tactile reproduction relied more on the tactile feedback than on motor time, resulting in greater lengthening of motor reproduction compared to the visual feedback. These findings suggest that temporal delay adaptation is influenced by accuracy feedback and sensorimotor integration, with sensorimotor reliability assigning a higher weight to the tactile than the visual modality.
The behavioural responses of bumblebeesBombus terrestrisin response to simulated rain
Authors: Reeves Laura A. , Jarvis Ellie M. , Lawson David A. , Rands Sean A.
Published: December 2023

Bumblebee activity typically decreases during rainfall, putting them under the threat of the increased frequency of precipitation due to climate change. A novel rain machine was used within a flight arena to observe the behavioural responses of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) to simulated rain at both a colony and individual level. During rainfall, a greater proportion of workers left the arena than entered, the opposite of which was seen during dry periods, implying that they compensate for their lack of activity when conditions improve. The proportion of workers flying and foraging decreased while resting increased in rain. This pattern reversed during dry periods, providing further evidence for compensatory activity. The increase in resting behaviour during rain is thought to evade the high energetic costs of flying whilst wet without unnecessarily returning to the nest. This effect was not repeated in individual time budgets, measured with lone workers, suggesting that the presence of conspecifics accelerates the decision of their behavioural response, perhaps via local enhancement. Bumblebees likely use social cues to strategise their energetic expenditure during precipitation, allowing them to compensate for the reduced foraging activity during rainfall when conditions improve.
New neural-inspired controller generalises modularity over lower limb tasks through internal models
Authors: Muñoz David , Holland Dónal , Severini Giacomo
Published: December 2023

Predictive neuromuscular models based on neural controllers are a powerful tool for testing assumptions on the underlying architecture of sensorimotor control and its associated neural activity. However, most current controllers suffer from lack of physiological plausibility and are generally task specific. We propose a new neural controller, called Internal Model-based Modular Controller (IMMC), where a hierarchical architecture organises generalizable modules in activation networks dedicated to different motion tasks. The architecture comprises a simple model of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), which sends controlling signals that manage the activity of internal models (IMs). The IMs organise synergies, coordinated and stereotyped activity of multiple muscles, in task-specific networks. The resultant organisations allow the generalisation of this architecture to different lower limb motions. The IMMC was tested in Stand-To-Walk simulations (STW), where the MLR switches between two IMs that recombine five synergies to replicate the standing and walking tasks. The simulation kinematics, muscle activation patterns and ground reaction forces were generally consistent with experimental data. In addition, the controller can transition to slower and faster speeds by tuning a single controlling signal. The proposed architecture is a first step to develop neuromuscular models which integrate multiple motor behaviours in a unified controller.
Coherent categorical information triggers integration-related alpha dynamics
Authors: Chen Lixiang , Cichy Radoslaw Martin , Kaiser Daniel
Published: December 2023

To create coherent visual experiences, the brain spatially integrates the complex and dynamic information it receives from the environment. We previously demonstrated that feedback-related alpha activity carries stimulus-specific information when two spatially and temporally coherent naturalistic inputs can be integrated into a unified percept. In this study, we sought to determine whether such integration-related alpha dynamics are triggered by categorical coherence in visual inputs. In an EEG experiment, we manipulated the degree of coherence by presenting pairs of videos from the same or different categories through two apertures in the left and right visual hemifields. Critically, video pairs could be video-level coherent (i.e., stem from the same video), coherent in their basic-level category, coherent in their superordinate category, or incoherent (i.e., stem from videos from two entirely different categories). We conducted multivariate classification analyses on rhythmic EEG responses to decode between the video stimuli in each condition. As the key result, we significantly decoded the video-level coherent and basic-level coherent stimuli, but not the superordinate coherent and incoherent stimuli, from cortical alpha rhythms. This suggests that alpha dynamics play a critical role in integrating information across space, and that cortical integration processes are flexible enough to accommodate information from different exemplars of the same basic-level category.
A Ratiometric Nonfluorescent CRISPR Assay Utilizing Cas12a-Induced Plasmid Supercoil Relaxation
Authors: Mohammad Noor , Talton Logan , Dalgan Selen , Wei Qingshan
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Most CRISPR-based biosensors rely on labeled reporter molecules and expensive equipment for signal readout. A recent alternative approach quantifies analyte concentration by sizing native λ DNA reporters, providing a simple and label-free solution for ultrasensitive detection. However, this method faces challenges in accurately quantifying size reduction of long DNA reporters via gel electrophoresis due to the sensitivity of DNA band shift to other interferences such as gel distortion. To overcome these limitations, here we developed a simple and robust ratiometric signaling strategy using CRISPR-Cas12a-induced supercoil relaxation of dsDNA plasmid reporters. In the presence of target, we observed that the fraction of supercoiled plasmid DNA decreased, and the amount of relaxed conformation (circular) increased over time. The relative percentage of supercoiled DNA to the relaxed circular DNA was analyzed by gel electrophoresis to generate an intensity-based ratiometric signal for more accurate target concentration quantification. This simple and inexpensive method is ∼100 times more sensitive when compared with the typical fluorescent reporter system. This self-referenced strategy solves the potential application limitations of previously demonstrated DNA sizing-based CRISPR-Dx without compromising the sensitivity. Finally, we demonstrated the applicability of ratiometric sensing strategy using model DNA targets such as AAV and HPV 16, highlighting its feasibility for point-of-use CRISPR-Dx applications.

Table of Contents (TOC):
Association of alcohol consumption with circulating biomarkers of atrial fibrillation-related pathways in a population at high cardiometabolic risk
Authors: Alam Aniqa B. , Toledo-Atucha Estefania , Romaguera Dora , Alonso-Gómez Angel M. , Martínez-Gonzalez Miguel A. , Tojal-Sierra Lucas , Razquin Cristina , Noris Mora Marta , Li Linzi , Subramanya Vinita , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Fitó Montserrat , Alonso Alvaro
Published: December 2023

Background

The effect of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health, including atrial fibrillation risk, remains controversial. Evaluating the association of alcohol consumption with circulating atrial fibrillation-related biomarkers may help better understand the relevant mechanistic underpinnings.

Methods

We studied 523 participants from 3 sites for the PREDIMED-Plus study, a weight-loss randomized intervention trial in metabolically unhealthy adults. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic protein (NTproBNP), high sensitivity troponin-T (hsTnT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and procollagen type 1 carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP) were measured in fasting serum samples at baseline and years 3 and 5 of follow-up. We calculated alcohol consumption in drinks/day (1 drink = 14 grams alcohol) with validated food frequency questionnaires at each visit. Using multiple linear regression and mixed models we estimated the association of alcohol consumption with log-transformed biomarkers at baseline and longitudinally adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Among 523 participants (mean age: 65 years, 40% female), mean alcohol consumption was 1 drink/day. Cross-sectionally, alcohol consumption was not associated with cardiac biomarker concentrations. Longitudinally, compared to non-consumers, heavy drinkers (≥4 drinks/day) had smaller increases in hsTnT (β: -0.11, 95%CI: -0.20, -0.01)and PICP (β: -0.15, 95%CI: -0.30, 0.01) over the 5-year follow-up. In contrast, those who increased alcohol consumption over the 5-year period experienced greater increases in hsCRP (β: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.11, 0.73) compared to those whose drinking behavior stayed the same.

Conclusion

Alcohol consumption was associated with complex changes in circulating biomarkers, including comparatively lower fibrotic and myocardial damage, but higher levels of overall inflammation over time. These results underscore the need for further research to better understand the effects of alcohol on cardiovascular health.
Dimerization of ADAR1 modulates site-specificity of RNA editing
Authors: Mboukou Allegra , Rajendra Vinod , Messmer Serafina , Catala Marjorie , Tisné Carine , Jantsch Michael F. , Barraud Pierre
Published: December 2023

Adenosine-to-inosine editing is catalyzed by adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) regions. Although three ADARs exist in mammals, ADAR1 is responsible for the vast majority of the editing events and acts on thousands of sites in the human transcriptome. ADAR1 has been proposed to form a stable homodimer and dimerization is suggested to be important for editing activity. In the absence of a structural basis for the dimerization of ADAR1, and without a way to prevent dimer formation, the effect of dimerization on enzyme activity or site specificity has remained elusive. Here, we report on the structural analysis of the third double-stranded RNA-binding domain of ADAR1 (dsRBD3), which reveals stable dimer formation through a large inter-domain interface. Exploiting these structural insights, we engineered an interface-mutant disrupting ADAR1-dsRBD3 dimerization. Notably, dimerization disruption did not abrogate ADAR1 editing activity but intricately affected editing efficiency at selected sites. This suggests a complex role for dimerization in the selection of editing sites by ADARs, and makes dimerization a potential target for modulating ADAR1 editing activity.
Conserved autism-associated genes tune social feeding behavior inC. elegans
Authors: Cowen Mara H. , Reddy Kirthi C. , Chalasani Seekanth H. , Hart Michael P.
Published: December 2023

Animal foraging is an essential and evolutionarily conserved behavior that occurs in social and solitary contexts, but the underlying molecular pathways are not well defined. We discover that conserved autism-associated genes (NRXN1(nrx-1),NLGN3(nlg-1),GRIA1,2,3(glr-1),GRIA2(glr-2), andGLRA2,GABRA3(avr-15))regulate aggregate feeding inC. elegans, a simple social behavior. NRX-1 functions in chemosensory neurons (ADL and ASH) independently of its postsynaptic partner NLG-1 to regulate social feeding. Glutamate from these neurons is also crucial for aggregate feeding, acting independently of NRX-1 and NLG-1. Compared to solitary counterparts, social animals show faster presynaptic release and more presynaptic release sites in ASH neurons, with only the latter requiringnrx-1. Disruption of these distinct signaling components additively converts behavior from social to solitary. Aggregation induced by circuit activation is also dependent onnrx-1. Collectively, we find that aggregate feeding is tuned by conserved autism-associated genes through complementary synaptic mechanisms, revealing molecular principles driving social feeding.

TEASER

Conserved autism-associated genes mediate distinct molecular and circuit signaling components that cooperate to tuneC. eleganssocial feeding behavior.
Allelic gene conversion softens selective sweeps
Authors: Schrider Daniel R.
Published: December 2023

The prominence of positive selection, in which beneficial mutations are favored by natural selection and rapidly increase in frequency, is a subject of intense debate. Positive selection can result in selective sweeps, in which the haplotype(s) bearing the adaptive allele “sweep” through the population, thereby removing much of the genetic diversity from the region surrounding the target of selection. Two models of selective sweeps have been proposed: classical sweeps, or “hard sweeps”, in which a single copy of the adaptive allele sweeps to fixation, and “soft sweeps”, in which multiple distinct copies of the adaptive allele leave descendants after the sweep. Soft sweeps can be the outcome of recurrent mutation to the adaptive allele, or the presence of standing genetic variation consisting of multiple copies of the adaptive allele prior to the onset of selection. Importantly, soft sweeps will be common when populations can rapidly adapt to novel selective pressures, either because of a high mutation rate or because adaptive alleles are already present. The prevalence of soft sweeps is especially controversial, and it has been noted that selection on standing variation or recurrent mutations may not always produce soft sweeps. Here, we show that the inverse is true: selection on single-originde novomutations may often result in an outcome that is indistinguishable from a soft sweep. This is made possible by allelic gene conversion, which “softens” hard sweeps by copying the adaptive allele onto multiple genetic backgrounds, a process we refer to as a “pseudo-soft” sweep. We carried out a simulation study examining the impact of gene conversion on sweeps from a singlede novovariant in models of human,Drosophila, andArabidopsispopulations. The fraction of simulations in which gene conversion had produced multiple haplotypes with the adaptive allele upon fixation was appreciable. Indeed, under realistic demographic histories and gene conversion rates, even if selection always acts on a single-origin mutation, sweeps involving multiple haplotypes are more likely than hard sweeps in large populations, especially when selection is not extremely strong. Thus, even when the mutation rate is low or there is no standing variation, hard sweeps are expected to be the exception rather than the rule in large populations. These results also imply that the presence of signatures of soft sweeps does not necessarily mean that adaptation has been especially rapid or is not mutation limited.
β-H-Spectrin is a key component of an apical-medial hub of proteins during cell wedging in tube morphogenesis
Authors: Gillard Ghislain , Röper Katja
Published: December 2023

Coordinated cell shape changes are a major driver of tissue morphogenesis during development, with apical constriction or wedging of groups of epithelial cells for instance leading to tissue bending in folding or budding processes. During the budding of the tubes of the salivary glands in theDrosophilaembryo we previously identified a key interplay between the apical-medial actomyosin that drives apical constriction with the underlying longitudinal microtubule array. At this microtubule-actomyosin interface a hub of proteins accumulates: in addition to the microtubule-actin crosslinker Shot and the minus-end-binder Patronin, we identified two actin-crosslinkers, β-H-Spectrin and Filamin, and the multi-PDZ protein Big bang as components of this apical-medial hub. Tissue-specific degradation of β-H-Spectrin led to reduction of apical-medial Big bang, F-actin, Shot and Patronin and concomittant defects in apical constriction and tube morphogenesis. Residual Patronin still present in the apical-medial position was sufficient to assist microtubule reorganisation into the longitudinal array. In contrast to Patronin and Shot, neither β-H-Spectrin nor Big bang required microtubules for their localisation. β-H-Spectrin instead appeared to be recruited to the apical-medial domain via binding to phosphoinositides that accumulated here. Overexpression of a β-H-Spectrin fragment containing its PH domain displaced endogenous β-H-Spectrin from the apical-medial domain and led to strong morphogenetic defects. The interconnected hub therefore required the synergy of membrane-associated β-H-Spectrin and microtubules and their respective interactors for its assembly and function in sustaining the apical constriction during tube invagination.
HD-Zip II transcription factors control distal stem cell fate in Arabidopsis roots by linking auxin signaling to the FEZ/SOMBRERO pathway
Authors: Possenti Marco , Sessa Giovanna , Alfè Altea , Turchi Luana , Ruzza Valentino , Sassi Massimiliano , Morelli Giorgio , Ruberti Ida
Published: December 2023

In multicellular organisms, specialized tissues are generated by specific populations of stem cells through cycles of asymmetric cell divisions, where one daughter undergoes differentiation and the other maintains proliferative properties. InArabidopsis thalianaroots, the columella - a gravity-sensing tissue which protects and defines the position of the stem cell niche - represents a typical example of a tissue whose organization is exclusively determined by the balance between proliferation and differentiation. The columella derives from a single layer of stem cells through a binary cell fate switch that is precisely controlled by multiple, independent regulatory inputs. Here, we show that the HD-Zip II transcription factors HAT3, ATHB4, and AHTB2, redundantly regulate columella stem cell fate and patterning in the Arabidopsis root. The HD-Zip II transcription factors promote columella stem cell proliferation by acting as effectors of the FEZ/SMB circuit and, at the same time, by interfering with auxin signaling to counteract hormone-induced differentiation. Overall, our work shows that HD-Zip II connect two opposing parallel inputs to fine tune the balance between proliferation and differentiation in columella stem cells.

Summary statement

HD-Zip II transcription factors redundantly regulate columella stem cells activity by counteracting auxin-mediated differentiation downstream of the FEZ/SMB proliferative input
What is isostructurality? Questions on the definition
Authors: Bombicz Petra
Published: December 2023

Investigation of isostructurality leads to a deeper understanding of close-packing principles and contributes to the ability of crystal engineering. A given packing motif may tolerate small molecular changes within a limit. Slight alterations of a crystal packing arrangement are carried out in order to fine-tune the structural and macroscopic properties, keeping the balance of the spatial requirements and electrostatic effects of the altered molecules in the crystals, preserving their isostructurality. Even so, the definition of isostructurality is not explicit about several issues. Are the corresponding structures required to have the same stoichiometry, Z′, symmetry elements and the same space group? Because it is not obvious in the definition, studies on structure analysis and software calculating various numerical descriptors developed for the quantitative comparison of the degree of similarity of isostructural crystals self-define their criteria. The extent of the difference between corresponding crystal structures referred to as isostructural is not limited. Should it be determined numerically? There is nothing in the definition about a demand for similar supramolecular arrangements in isostructural crystals. Should the similarity of supramolecular interactions be a criterion of isostructurality? The definition of isostructurality deserves reconsideration regarding symmetry, measure of similarity and formation of supramolecular interactions.
The synthesis and structural properties of a chloridobis{N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide}zinc(II) (acetonitrile)trichloridozincate coordination complex
Authors: Tiwari Laxmi , Waynant Kristopher V
Published: December 2023

The title complex, [ZnCl(C12H15N3O2)2][ZnCl3(CH3CN)], was synthesized and its structure was fully characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca (61), with a central zinc atom coordinating one chlorine atom and two pyrrolidinyl-4-methoxyphenyl azoformamide ligands in a bidentate manner, utilizing both the nitrogen and oxygen atoms in a 1,3-heterodiene (N=N—C=O) motif for coordinative bonding, yielding an overall positively (+1) charged complex. The complex is accompanied by a [(CH3CN)ZnCl3]− counter-ion. The crystal data show that the harder oxygen atoms in the heterodiene zinc chelate form bonding interactions with distances of 2.002 (3) and 2.012 (3) Å, while nitrogen atoms are coordinated by the central zinc cation with bond lengths of 2.207 (3) and 2.211 (3) Å. To gain further insight into the intermolecular interactions within the crystal, Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed, along with the calculation of two-dimensional fingerprint plots. This analysis revealed that H...H (39.9%), Cl...H/H...Cl (28.2%) and C...H/H...C (7.2%) interactions are dominant. This unique crystal structure sheds light on arrangement and bonding interactions with azoformamide ligands, and their unique qualities over similar semicarbazone and azothioformamide structures.
Crystal structures of sixteen phosphane chalcogenide complexes of gold(I) chloride, bromide and iodide
Authors: Upmann Daniel , Jones Peter G. , Bockfeld Dirk , Târcoveanu Eliza
Published: December 2023

The structures of 16 phosphane chalcogenide complexes of gold(I) halides, with the general formula R
1
3-

nR
2

n
PEAuX (R
1 = t-butyl; R
2 = isopropyl; n = 0 to 3; E = S or Se; X = Cl, Br or I), are presented. The eight possible chlorido derivatives are: 1a, n = 3, E = S; 2a, n = 2, E = S; 3a, n = 1, E = S; 4a, n = 0, E = S; 5a, n = 3, E = Se; 6a, n = 2, E = Se; 7a, n = 1, E = Se; and 8a, n = 0, E = Se, and the corresponding bromido derivatives are 1b–8b in the same order. However, 2a and 2b were badly disordered and 8a was not obtained. The iodido derivatives are 2c, 6c and 7c (numbered as for the series a and b). All structures are solvent-free and all have Z′ = 1 except for 6b and 6c (Z′ = 2). All molecules show the expected linear geometry at gold and approximately tetrahedral angles P—E—Au. The presence of bulky ligands forces some short intramolecular contacts, in particular H...Au and H...E. The Au—E bond lengths have a slight but consistent tendency to be longer when trans to a softer X ligand, and vice versa. The five compounds 1a, 5a, 6a, 1b and 5b form an isotypic set, despite the different alkyl groups in 6a. Compounds 3a/3b, 4b/8b and 6b/6c form isotypic pairs. The crystal packing can be analysed in terms of various types of secondary interactions, of which the most frequent are `weak' hydrogen bonds from methine hydrogen atoms to the halogenido ligands. For the structure type 1a, H...X and H...E contacts combine to form a layer structure. For 3a/3b, the packing is almost featureless, but can be described in terms of a double-layer structure involving borderline H...Cl/Br and H...S contacts. In 4a and 4b/8b, which lack methine groups, Cmethyl—H...X contacts combine to form layer structures. In 7a/7b, short C—H...X interactions form chains of molecules that are further linked by association of short Au...Se contacts to form a layer structure. The packing of compound 6b/6c can conveniently be analysed for each independent molecule separately, because they occupy different regions of the cell. Molecule 1 forms chains in which the molecules are linked by a Cmethine...Au contact. The molecules 2 associate via a short Se...Se contact and a short H...X contact to form a layer structure. The packing of compound 2c can be described in terms of two short Cmethine—H...I contacts, which combine to form a corrugated ribbon structure. Compound 7c is the only compound in this paper to feature Au...Au contacts, which lead to twofold-symmetric dimers. Apart from this, the packing is almost featureless, consisting of layers with only translation symmetry except for two very borderline Au...H contacts.
Investigating and modeling the circular economy enablers in product development process: net zero as a moderator
Authors: Sabale Dattatraya Balasaheb , Kaswan Mahender Singh , Rathi Rajeev , Yadav Vishwas
Published: December 2023

Purpose

In the current era, the focus on circular economy (CE) has gained substantial momentum among the research communities across the manufacturing world. It has become the need of the hour to act fast due to the alarming issues of unsustainability such as climate change, global warming, waste generation, environmental pollution, resource scarceness and ecological degradations. This research aims to investigate and model the CE enablers in the product development process related to the moderating effect of net zero.

Design/methodology/approach

The significant CE enablers are identified through literature review and expert brainstorming. The Pythagorean fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (PF-DEMATEL) technique has been used to investigate and evaluate the significant CE enablers in product development process. PF-DEMATEL determines the inter-relationship and casual dependency among the selected CE enablers. Indian automobile small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been considered as a case organization to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Findings

The findings reveal that “Top management support and clear vision towards CE adoption” is the most important enabler and “Artificial intelligence in product value chain” is recognized as the least vital enabler. This research aids the managers, decision-makers, policy planners and workforce to develop and formulating efficient blueprints for the effective adoption of CE in Indian SMEs.

Originality/value

This is the first kind of research that explores CE enablers in product development process for Indian SMEs.
Antecedents of Industry 4.0 capabilities and technological innovation: a dynamic capabilities perspective
Authors: AL-Khatib Ayman wael , Shuhaiber Ahmed , Mashal Ibrahim , Al-Okaily Manaf
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically examine the impact of dynamic capabilities on Industry 4.0 capabilities in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan. It also aims to examine the potential impact of industry 4.0 capabilities on technological innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 210 respondents who work and own SMEs in Jordan. SmartPLS software based on the partial least squares-structural equation modeling approach was used to test hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal the positive effects of the three components of dynamic capabilities, including sensing, seizing and reconfiguring, on Industry 4.0 capabilities. They also confirm the positive effect of Industry 4.0 capabilities on technological innovation.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable practical implications and enriches the literature on the determinants of Industry 4.0 capabilities and its role in developing the dynamic capabilities of SMEs, such as technological innovation.