bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red edge excitation shift spectroscopy is highly sensitive to tryptophan composition
Authors: Warrender Annmaree K. , Pan Jolyn , Pudney Chris , Arcus Vickery L. , Kelton William
Published: November 2023

Red edge excitation shift (REES) spectroscopy relies on the unique emission profiles of fluorophore–solvent interactions to profile protein molecular dynamics. Recently, we reported the use of REES to compare the stability of 32 polymorphic IgG antibodies natively containing tryptophan reporter fluorophores. Here, we expand on this work to investigate the sensitivity of REES to variations in tryptophan content using a subset of IgG3 antibodies containing arginine to tryptophan polymorphisms. Structural analysis revealed that the additional tryptophan residues were situated in highly solvated environments. Subsequently, REES showed clear differences in fluorescence emission profiles when compared with the unmutated variants, thereby limiting direct comparison of their structural dynamics. These findings highlight the exquisite sensitivity of REES to minor variations in protein structure and tryptophan composition.
Two-layer gravity currents of generalized Newtonian fluids
Authors: Christy Ian , Hinton Edward M.
Published: November 2023

We examine gravity-driven two-layer flow of generalized Newtonian fluids. The two layers have different densities and constitutive laws, and the flow is assumed to be shallow and inertia-less. A depth-integrated model for flow over one-dimensional topography is derived with the volume fluxes written in terms of functions that depend only on the fluids’ rheology. The model enables two-layer flows of any combination of generalized Newtonian fluids to be computed without explicit knowledge of the velocity profile. For viscoplastic layers, the formulation provides a convenient way to determine the layer evolution without having to analyse the multiple yield surfaces that may occur. Motivated by the lubricated flow of ice sheets, we analyse the case in which the lower layer is relatively thin. The model reduces to a one-layer flow with an effective slip law that encapsulates the thickness and generalized Newtonian rheology of the lower layer. For flow over two-dimensional topography, a depth-integrated two-layer model cannot generally be derived because the direction of the shear stress varies across the lower layer. Progress is possible in the special cases that the lower layer is Newtonian or is relatively thin.
Spatial and seasonal variation in thermal sensitivity within North American bird species
Authors: Cohen Jeremy M. , Fink Daniel , Zuckerberg Benjamin
Published: November 2023

Responses of wildlife to climate change are typically quantified at the species level, but physiological evidence suggests significant intraspecific variation in thermal sensitivity given adaptation to local environments and plasticity required to adjust to seasonal environments. Spatial and temporal variation in thermal responses may carry important implications for climate change vulnerability; for instance, sensitivity to extreme weather may increase in specific regions or seasons. Here, we leverage high-resolution observational data from eBird to understand regional and seasonal variation in thermal sensitivity for 21 bird species. Across their ranges, most birds demonstrated regional and seasonal variation in both thermal peak and range, or the temperature and range of temperatures when observations peaked. Some birds demonstrated constant thermal peaks or ranges across their geographical distributions, while others varied according to local and current environmental conditions. Across species, birds typically demonstrated either geographical or seasonal adaptation to climate. Local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity are likely important but neglected aspects of organismal responses to climate change.
Senescence and the stress axis: a constraint or a trade-off of reproduction in mammals with fast and slow life histories
Authors: Delehanty Brendan , Boonstra Rudy
Published: November 2023

A critical time in the life of a male occurs at reproduction, when his behaviour, physiology and resources must be brought to bear for the central purpose of his life—propagating his genes. We ask whether reproduction results in dysfunction of the stress axis, is linked to life history, and causes senescence. We assessed if deterioration in the axis underlies variation in reproductive lifespan in males of five species of North American ground squirrels whose life history varies from near semelparity to iteroparity. The most stressful and energy-demanding time occurs in spring during the intense 2–3 week breeding competition just after arousal from hibernation. We compared their stress axis functioning before and after the mating period using a hormonal challenge protocol. We found no evidence of stress axis dysfunction after reproduction in any species nor was there a relationship between reproductive lifespan and stress axis functional deterioration. Moreover, there was no consistent relationship between free cortisol levels and downstream measures (energy mobilization, haematology, immunity and body indices of condition). Thus, stress axis function was not traded off to promote reproduction irrespective of life history and lifespan, and we conclude that it is a prerequisite for life. Hence, it functions as a constraint and does not undergo senescence.
Carer strain in post-stroke emotionalism: an initial evaluation
Authors: Broomfield Niall M , Walters Matthew , West Robert M
Published: November 2023

Background and Purpose

Post-stroke emotionalism is a common, under-researched neurologic symptom of stroke, characterised by frequent crying episodes not under usual social control. Currently there are no data on carer strain in the context of emotionalism after stroke.

Aims

To explore the degree of carer strain in carers of individuals with diagnosed PSE compared to carers of individuals with stroke but no PSE. To examine whether carer strain varies with particular characteristics of the cared for individual: patient age, sex, social deprivation, stroke type, functional status, mood status.

Methods

102 informants of people with stroke completed the Modified Carer Strain Index at 6-months as part of the TEARS longitudinal cohort study between October 1st2015 and September 30th2018. Stroke survivor diagnostic status was determined using Testing Emotionalism After Recent Stroke-Diagnostic Interview based on published, widely accepted diagnostic criteria of emotionalism.

Results

There was little evidence of association between carer strain and sex, age, deprivation level or stroke type of the cared for individual. There was strong evidence that carer strain associated with both increased functional dependence post-stroke, and presence of post-stroke emotionalism.

Conclusions

Even after accounting for increased functional dependence, our study data indicates that caring in a PSE context may significantly increase carer strain, comparable to a six-point reduction on Barthel Index.
The α-dystroglycan N-terminus is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and enveloped viruses
Authors: Bigotti Maria Giulia , Klein Katja , Gan Esther S. , Anastasina Maria , Andersson Simon , Vapalahti Olli , Katajisto Pekka , Erdmann Maximilian , Davidson Andrew D. , Butcher Sarah J. , Collinson Ian , Ooi Eng Eong , Balistreri Giuseppe , Brancaccio Andrea , Yamauchi Yohei
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to develop effective therapeutics in preparedness for further epidemics of virus infections that pose a significant threat to human health. As a natural compound antiviral candidate, we focused on α-dystroglycan, a highly glycosylated basement membrane protein that links the extracellular matrix to the intracellular cytoskeleton. Here we show that the N-terminal fragment of α-dystroglycan (α-DGN), as produced inE. coliin the absence of post-translational modifications, blocks infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture, human primary gut organoids and the lungs of transgenic mice expressing the human receptor angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Prophylactic and therapeutic administration of α-DGN reduced SARS-CoV-2 lung titres and protected the mice from respiratory symptoms and death. Recombinant α-DGN also blocked infection of a wide range of enveloped viruses including the four Dengue virus serotypes, influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, but not human adenovirus, a non-enveloped virusin vitro. This study establishes soluble recombinant α-DGN as a broad-band, natural compound candidate therapeutic against enveloped viruses.
Epigenetic scores of blood-based proteins as biomarkers of general cognitive function and brain health
Authors: Smith Hannah M. , Moodie Joanna E. , Monterrubio-Gómez Karla , Gadd Danni A. , Hillary Robert F. , Chybowska Aleksandra D. , McCartney Daniel L. , Campbell Archie , Redmond Paul , Page Danielle , Taylor Adele , Corley Janie , Harris Sarah E. , Hernández Maria Valdés , Maniega Susana Muñoz , Bastin Mark E. , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Deary Ian J. , Boardman James P. , Mullin Donncha S. , Russ Tom C. , Cox Simon R. , Marioni Riccardo E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Blood-based biomarkers of brain health could provide a cost-effective contribution to detecting individuals at risk of dementia. Epigenetic scores (EpiScores) for blood protein levels have previously associated with several disease outcomes and measures of brain health, however this has typically been limited to single EpiScore analyse.

Results

Using 84 protein EpiScores as candidate biomarkers, associations with general cognitive function (both cross-sectionally and longitudinally) were tested in three independent cohorts: Generation Scotland (GS), and the Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 and 1936 (LBC1921 and LBC1936, respectively). A meta-analysis of general cognitive functioning results in all three cohorts identified 18 EpiScore associations (absolute meta-analytic standardised estimates ranged from 0.03 to 0.14, median of 0.04, FDR P<0.05). Several associations were also observed between EpiScores and global brain volumetric measures in the LBC1936. An EpiScore for the S100A9 protein (a known Alzheimer disease biomarker) was associated with general cognitive functioning (meta-analytic standardised beta: -0.06, P = 1.3 x 10-9), and with time-to-dementia in GS (Hazard ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.08 – 1.44, P = 0.003), but not in LBC1936 (Hazard ratio: 1.11, P = 0.32).

Conclusions

EpiScores might make a contribution to the risk profile of poor general cognitive function and global brain health, and risk of dementia, however these scores require replication in further studies.
Demographic and genetic factors shape the epitope specificity of the human antibody repertoire against viruses
Authors: Olin Axel , Jaquaniello Anthony , Roux Maguelonne , Tan Ziyang , Pou Christian , Dubois Florian , Charbit Bruno , Liu Dang , Bloch Emma , Clave Emmanuel , Araujo Itauá Leston , Toubert Antoine , White Michael , Rotival Maxime , Brodin Petter , Duffy Darragh , Quintana-Murci Lluis , Patin Etienne ,   Milieu Interieur Consortium
Published: November 2023

Antibodies are central to immune defenses. Despite advances in understanding the mechanisms of antibody generation, a comprehensive model of how intrinsic and external factors shape human humoral responses to viruses is lacking. Here, we apply PhIP-Seq to investigate the effects of demographic and genetic factors on antibody reactivity to more than 97,000 viral peptides in 1,212 healthy adults. We demonstrate that age, sex, and continent of birth extensively influence the viruses and viral epitopes targeted by the human antibody repertoire. Among 108 lifestyle and health-related variables, smoking exerts the strongest, yet reversible, impact on antibody profiles, primarily against rhinoviruses. Additionally, we identify strong associations between antibodies against 34 viruses and genetic variants at HLA, FUT2, IGH, and IGK genes, some of which increase autoimmune disease risk. These findings offer a valuable resource for understanding the factors affecting antibody-mediated immunity, laying the groundwork for optimizing vaccine strategies.
Wrist Posture Unpredictably Affects the Perception of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Authors: Thomas Neha , Osborn Luke , Moran Courtney , Fifer Matthew , Christie Breanne
Published: November 2023

Objective

Targeted transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive neural stimulation technique that involves activating sensory nerve fibers to elicit tactile sensations in a distal, or referred, location. Though TENS is a promising approach for delivering haptic feedback for those with somatosensory deficits, it was not known how the perception of TENS might be influenced by changing wrist position during sensorimotor tasks.

Approach

We worked with 12 able-bodied individuals and delivered TENS by placing electrodes on the wrist, thus targeting the ulnar and median nerves, and eliciting tactile sensations in the hand. We recorded perceptual data across three wrist postures: neutral, 45° extension, and 45° flexion. For each posture, the participants drew where they perceived the elicited percepts on a map of the hand. They verbally reported the quality of the percepts in their own words. We also varied the pulse amplitude and width of the stimulation to generate a strength-duration curve, from which we extracted the rheobase current and chronaxie time. Linear mixed models were run on the slope and intercept of the linear fit between pulse width and pulse amplitude to investigate effects of gender, posture, and electrode placement.

Main results

As wrist posture changed, sensation quality was modulated for half of the participants, and percept location changed for 11/12 participants. There were no major changes in the surface area of the elicited percepts. The rheobase and chronaxie values were influenced by wrist posture, but the direction of these changes varied by participant and therefore the effect was not systematic. The statistical models indicated interactions between posture and electrode placement, as well as an effect of gender.

Significance

If using TENS to convey haptic feedback in sensorimotor tasks, in which wrist posture will likely change, it may be important to characterize resulting perceptual changes for individual users.
Microsatellite Instability Detection in Clinical Cancer Samples: A Multiplex qPCR Approach without Matching Normal Samples
Authors: Chen Wei , Yan Yan Helen , Young Blake , Pinto Alessandro , Jiang Qi , Song Nanjia , Yao Weijie , Zhang David Yu , Zhang Jinny Xuemeng
Published: November 2023

Background

Microsatellite instability (MSI) indicates DNA mismatch repair deficiency in cancers like colorectal cancer. The current gold standard technique, PCR/capillary electrophoresis (CE), requires matching normal samples and specialized instrumentation. We developed VarTrace, a rapid and low-cost quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, to evaluate MSI using solely the tumor sample DNA, obviating the requirement for matching normal samples.

Methods

101 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples were tested using VarTrace and compared to the Promega OncoMate assay utilizing PCR-CE. Tumor percentage limit of detection was evaluated on contrived samples derived from clinical MSI-H samples. Analytical sensitivity, specificity, limit of detection and input requirements were assessed using synthetic commercial reference standards.

Results

VarTrace demonstrated 100% test success rate, 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity compared to OncoMate across 101 clinical FFPE samples. It detected MSI-H with 97% accuracy down to 10% tumor percentage. Analytical studies using synthetic samples showed a limit of detection of 5% variant allele frequency and a limit of input of 0.5 ng.

Conclusions

This study validates VarTrace as a swift, accurate and economical assay for MSI detection in samples with low tumor percentages without the need for matching normal DNA. VarTrace’s capacity for highly sensitive MSI analysis holds potential for enhancing the efficiency of clinical workflows and broadening the availability of this crucial test.
Genetic QT Score and Sleep Apnea as Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Death in the UK Biobank
Authors: Arora Amit , Zareba Wojciech , Woosley Raymond L. , Klimentidis Yann C. , Patel Imran Y. , Quan Stuart F. , Wendel Christopher , Shamoun Fadi , Guerra Stefano , Parthasarathy Sairam , Patel Salma I.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between a polygenic risk score (PRS) for QT prolongation (QTc-PRS), QTc intervals and mortality in patients enrolled in the UK Biobank with and without sleep apnea.

Methods

The QTc-PRS was calculated using allele copy number and previously reported effect estimates for each single nuclear polymorphism SNP. Competing-risk regression models adjusting for age, sex, BMI, QT prolonging medication, race, and comorbid cardiovascular conditions were used for sudden cardiac death (SCD) analyses.

Results

500,584 participants were evaluated (56.5 ±8 years, 54% women, 1.4% diagnosed with sleep apnea). A higher QTc-PRS was independently associated with the increased QTc interval duration (p<0.0001). The mean QTc for the top QTc-PRS quintile was 15 msec longer than the bottom quintile (p<0.001). Sleep apnea was found to be an effect modifier in the relationship between QTc-PRS and SCD. The adjusted HR per 5-unit change in QTc-PRS for SCD was 1.64 (95% CI 1.16 – 2.31, p=0.005) among those with sleep apnea and 1.04 (95% CI 0.95 – 1.14, p=0.44) among those without sleep apnea (p for interaction =0.01). Black participants with sleep apnea had significantly elevated adjusted risk of SCD compared to White participants (HR=9.6, 95% CI 1.24 - 74, p=0.03).

Conclusion

In the UK Biobank population, the QTc-PRS was associated with SCD among participants with sleep apnea but not among those without sleep apnea, indicating that sleep apnea is a significant modifier of the genetic risk. Black participants with sleep apnea had a particularly high risk of SCD.
The immune landscape of murine skeletal muscle regeneration and aging
Authors: Sousa Neuza S. , Bica Marta , Brás Margarida F. , Antunes Inês B. , Encarnação Isabel A. , Costa Tiago , Martins Inês B. , Barbosa-Morais Nuno L. , Sousa-Victor Pedro , Neves Joana
Published: November 2023

Age-related alterations in the immune system are starting to emerge as key contributors to impairments found in aged organs. A decline in regenerative capacity is a hallmark of tissue aging, however the contribution of immune aging to regenerative failure is just starting to be explored. Here, we applied a strategy combining single-cell RNA-sequencing with flow cytometry and functional assays to perform a complete analysis of the immune environment in the aged regenerating skeletal muscle, with time and single cell resolution. Our results identified previously undescribed immune cell types in the skeletal muscle and revealed an unanticipated complexity and functional heterogeneity in immune populations, that have been regarded as homogeneous. Furthermore, we uncovered a profound remodeling of both myeloid and lymphoid compartments in aging. These discoveries challenge established notions on immune regulation of skeletal muscle regeneration, providing a new set of potential targets to improve skeletal muscle health and regenerative capacity in aging.
Unlocking the Mechanism of Action: A Cost-Effective Flow Cytometry Approach for Accelerating Antimicrobial Drug Development
Authors: Mermans Fabian , Baets Hanna De , García-Timermans Cristina , Teughels Wim , Boon Nico
Published: November 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest challenges to global health. While the development of new antimicrobials can combat resistance, low profitability is reducing the number of new compounds brought to the market. Elucidating the mechanism of action is crucial for developing new antimicrobials. This process can become expensive as there are no universally applicable pipelines and scientific expertise in different fields is required. One way to determine the mechanism of action is the use of predictive modeling, as antimicrobials can be classified into limited groups.. We demonstrate a cost-effective flow cytometry approach for determining the mechanisms of action of new compounds. Cultures ofActinomyces viscosusandFusobacterium nucleatumwere treated with a range of antimicrobials and measured by flow cytometry. A Gaussian mixture mask was applied over the data to construct a phenotypic fingerprint. The fingerprints were used to train random forest classifiers, and classifiers were used to predict the mechanism of action of cephalothin. Significant statistical differences were found among the 10 different treatment groups. A pairwise comparison between treatment groups showed a statistical difference for 35 out of 45 pairs forActinomyces viscosusand 32 out of 45 pairs forFusobacterium nucleatumafter 3.5h of treatment. The best performing random forest classifier yielded a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.92 and the mechanism of action of cephalothin could be successfully predicted. These findings suggest that flow cytometry can be a cheap and fast alternative for determining the mechanism of action of new antimicrobials.
The Spatial Frequency Representation Predicts Category Coding in the Inferior Temporal Cortex
Authors: Toosi Ramin , Karami Behnam , Koushki Roxana , Shakerian Farideh , Noroozi Jalaledin , Rezayat Ehsan , Vahabie Abdol-Hossein , Akhaee Mohammad Ali , Dehaqani Mohammad-Reza A.
Published: November 2023

Understanding the neural representation of spatial frequency (SF) in the primate cortex is vital for unraveling visual processing mechanisms in object recognition. While numerous studies concentrate on the representation of SF in the primary visual cortex, the characteristics of SF representation and its interaction with category representation remain inadequately understood. To explore SF representation in the inferior temporal (IT) cortex of macaque monkeys, we conducted extracellular recordings with complex stimuli systematically filtered by SF. Our findings disclose an explicit SF coding at single-neuron and population levels in the IT cortex. Moreover, the coding of SF content exhibits a coarse-to-fine pattern, declining as the SF increases. Temporal dynamics analysis of SF representation reveals that low SF (LSF) is decoded faster than high SF (HSF), and the SF preference dynamically shifts from LSF to HSF over time. Additionally, the SF representation for each neuron forms a profile that predicts category selectivity at the population level. IT neurons can be clustered into four groups based on SF preference, each exhibiting different category coding behaviors. Particularly, HSF-preferred neurons demonstrate the highest category decoding performance for face stimuli. Despite the existing connection between SF and category coding, we have identified uncorrelated representations of SF and category. In contrast to the category coding, SF is more sparse and places greater reliance on the representations of individual neurons. Comparing SF representation in the IT cortex to deep neural networks, we observed no relationship between SF representation and category coding. However, SF coding, as a category-orthogonal property, is evident across various ventral stream models. These results dissociate the separate representations of SF and object category, underscoring the pivotal role of SF in object recognition.
Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism is Required for TGF-β-Induced Glycine Synthesis and Collagen Protein Production
Authors: Meliton Angelo Y. , Cetin-Atalay Rengül , Tian Yufeng , Szafran Jennifer C. Houpy , Shin Kun Woo D. , Cho Takugo , Sun Kaitlyn A. , Woods Parker S. , Shamaa Obada R. , Chen Bohao , Muir Alexander , Mutlu Gökhan M. , Hamanaka Robert B.
Published: November 2023

A hallmark of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is the TGF-β-dependent activation of lung fibroblasts, leading to excessive deposition of collagen proteins and progressive scarring. We have previously shown that synthesis of collagen by lung fibroblasts requiresde novosynthesis of glycine, the most abundant amino acid in collagen protein. TGF-β upregulates the expression of the enzymes of thede novoserine/glycine synthesis pathway in lung fibroblasts through mTORC1 and ATF4- dependent transcriptional programs. SHMT2, the final enzyme of thede novoserine/glycine synthesis pathway, transfers a one-carbon unit from serine to tetrahydrofolate (THF), producing glycine and 5,10-methylene-THF (meTHF). meTHF is converted back to THF in the mitochondrial one-carbon (1C) pathway through the sequential actions of MTHFD2 (which converts meTHF to 10-formyl-THF), and either MTHFD1L, which produces formate, or ALDH1L2, which produces CO2. It is unknown how the mitochondrial 1C pathway contributes to glycine biosynthesis or collagen protein production in fibroblasts, or fibrosisin vivo. Here, we demonstrate that TGF-β induces the expression ofMTHFD2,MTHFD1L, andALDH1L2in human lung fibroblasts.MTHFD2expression was required for TGF-β-induced cellular glycine accumulation and collagen protein production. Combined knockdown of bothMTHFD1LandALDH1L2also inhibited glycine accumulation and collagen protein production downstream of TGF-β; however knockdown of either protein alone had no inhibitory effect, suggesting that lung fibroblasts can utilize either enzyme to regenerate THF. Pharmacologic inhibition of MTHFD2 recapitulated the effects ofMTHFD2knockdown in lung fibroblasts and ameliorated fibrotic responses after intratracheal bleomycin instillationin vivo. Our results provide insight into the metabolic requirements of lung fibroblasts and provide support for continued development of MTHFD2 inhibitors for the treatment of IPF and other fibrotic diseases.
Hitching a ride in the phyllosphere: Surfactant production ofPseudomonasspp. causes co-swarming ofPantoea eucalypti299R
Authors: Kunzler Michael , Schlechter Rudolf O. , Schreiber Lukas , Remus-Emsermann Mitja N.P.
Published: November 2023

Here we demonstrate the beneficial effect of surfactant-producing Pseudomonads on the phyllosphere model strainPantoea eucalypti299R. To do so, we conducted a series of experiments in environments of increasing complexity.P. eucalypti299R andPseudomonassp. FF1 (Pff1) orP. eucalypti299R and the surfactant-deficient mutantP. sp. FF1::ΔviscB (Pff1ΔviscB) were co-inoculated in broth, on swarming agar plates, and on plants. In broth, there were no differences in the growth dynamics ofP. eucalypti299R when growing in the presence of Pff1 or Pff1ΔviscB. By contrast, on swarming agar plates,P. eucalyptiwas able to co-swarm with Pff1. Co-swarming led to a significant increase in the area colonized and, consequently, a boost in total biomass when compared toP. eucalyptigrowing with Pff1ΔviscB or in monoculture. Finallyin planta, there were no significant effects on the population density ofP. eucalypti299R during co-colonization ofArabidopsis thaliana. However, utilizing the single cell bioreporter for reproductive success (CUSPER), we found a temporally distinct beneficial effect of Pff1 on co-inoculatedP. eucalypti299R subpopulations that did not occur in presence of Pff1ΔviscB. This led us to formulate a model for the positive effect of surfactant production during leaf colonization. To generalize our results, we tested the effect of three additional surfactant-producing Pseudomonads and their respective surfactant knockout mutants onP. eucalypti299R on swarming agar. Resulting in similar co-swarming patterns inP. eucalypti299R and showing that this organism is able to take advantage of competitors during surface colonization. Our results indicate that surfactant-dependent co-motility might be common during leaf colonization and add yet another facet to the already manyfold roles of surfactants.
Globally-deployed sorghum aphid resistance geneRMES1is vulnerable to biotype shifts but being bolstered byRMES2
Authors: VanGessel Carl , Rice Brian , Felderhoff Terry J. , Charles Jean Rigaud , Pressoir Gael , Nalam Vamsi , Morris Geoffrey P.
Published: November 2023

Durable host plant resistance (HPR) to insect pests is critical for sustainable agriculture. Natural variation exists for aphid HPR in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) but the genetic architecture and phenotype has not been clarified for most sources. To assess the threat of a sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi) biotype shift, we characterized the phenotype ofResistance to Melanaphis sorghi 1(RMES1) and contributing HPR architecture in globally-admixed populations selected under severe aphid infestation in Haiti. We foundRMES1reduces sorghum aphid fecundity but not bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) fecundity, suggesting a discriminant HPR response typical of gene-for-gene interaction. A second resistant gene,RMES2, were more frequent thanRMES1resistant alleles in landraces and historic breeding lines.RMES2contributes early and mid-season aphid resistance in a segregating F2population, howeverRMES1was only significant with mid-season fitness. In a fixed population with high aphid resistance,RMES1andRMES2were selected for demonstrating a lack of significant antagonistic pleiotropy. Associations with resistance co-located with cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis genes support additional HPR sources. Globally, therefore, a vulnerable HPR source (RMES1) is bolstered by a second common source of resistance in breeding programs (RMES2) which may be staving off a biotype shift.

HIGHLIGHT

The globally-deployed sorghum aphid resistance gene,RMES1, reduces aphid reproduction and therefore is vulnerable to a biotype shift. A second major gene,RMES2, and cyanogenesis may increase global durability of resistance.
Inhibition of noradrenaline-dependent synaptic transmission in the dorsal raphe nucleus by alpha2-adrenergic receptors
Authors: Gugel Aleigha , Ingebretsen Erik A. , Hake Holly S. , Gantz Stephanie C.
Published: November 2023

In the central nervous system, noradrenaline transmission controls the degree to which we are awake, alert, and attentive. Aberrant noradrenaline transmission is associated with pathological forms of hyper- and hypo-arousal that present in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders often associated with dysfunction in serotonin transmission.In vivo,noradrenaline regulates the release of serotonin because noradrenergic input drives the serotonin neurons to fire action potentials via activation of excitatory α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-AR). Despite the critical influence of noradrenaline on the activity of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons, the source of noradrenergic afferents has not been resolved and the presynaptic mechanisms that regulate noradrenaline-dependent synaptic transmission have not been described. Using an acute brain slice preparation from male and female mice and electrophysiological recordings from dorsal raphe serotonin neurons, we found that selective optogenetic activation of locus coeruleus terminals in the dorsal raphe was sufficient to produce an α1-AR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic current (α1-AR-EPSC). Activation of inhibitory α2-adrenergic receptors (α2-AR) with UK-14,304 eliminated the α1-AR-EPSC via presynaptic inhibition of noradrenaline release, likely via inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels. In a subset of serotonin neurons, activation of postsynaptic α2-ARproduced an outward current through activation of potassium conductance. Further,in vivoactivation of α2-ARby systemic administration of clonidine reduced the expression of c-fos in the dorsal raphe serotonin neurons, indicating reduced neural activity. Thus, α2-ARare critical regulators of serotonin neuron excitability.
Elucidating the Synergistic Role of Elm1 and Gin4 Kinases in Regulating Septin Hourglass Assembly
Authors: Marquardt Joseph , Chen Xi , Bi Erfei
Published: November 2023

The septin cytoskeleton is extensively regulated by post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation to achieve the diversity of architectures including rings, hourglass, and gauzes. While many of the phosphorylation events of septins have been extensively studied in the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae, the regulation of the kinases involved remains poorly understood. Here we show that two septin-associated kinases, the LKB1/PAR-4-related kinase Elm1 and the Nim1/PAR-1-related kinase Gin4, regulate each other at two discrete points of the cell cycle. During bud emergence, Gin4 targets Elm1 to the bud neck via direct binding and phosphorylation to control septin hourglass assembly and stability. During mitosis, Elm1 maintains Gin4 localization via direct binding and phosphorylation to enable timely remodeling of the septin hourglass into a double ring. This unique synergy ensures that septin architecture is assembled and remodeled in a temporally controlled manner to perform distinct functions during the cell cycle.

Marquardt et al. show that the septin-associated kinases Elm1 and Gin4 regulate each other via both direct binding and phosphorylation to control septin hourglass assembly and remodeling at different points of the cell cycle in the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae.
Aster Retail UAE (A): Connecting Employees, Customers and Business Results
Authors: Varkkey Biju , Trivedi Bhumi
Published: November 2023

Aster Retail (AR) is the retail pharmacy division of the Aster Dr Moopen's Healthcare (ADMH) Group. The group delivers healthcare services across the Middle East, India and the Far East, with a portfolio of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and retail pharmacies. AR, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jobilal Vavachan, is well known for its people-centric approach, unique culture and innovative human resource (HR) practices. AR has won multiple awards for HR practices, service quality and business performance. In a recent corporate restructuring (2018), “Aster Primary Care” was carved out by combining the group's Clinics and Retail businesses. This case discusses the evolution of AR's HR journey and the challenges associated with integrating culturally diverse businesses without compromising the values of ADMH and its promise, “We'll Treat You Well.”
Adoption of digital payment FinTech service by Gen Y and Gen Z users: evidence from India
Authors: Srivastava Shanu , Mohta Anu , Shunmugasundaram V.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the users’ behavioral intention toward the acceptance and adoption of digital payment FinTech services in India. The study also compares the differences in Gen Y and Gen Z’s intention to adopt digital payment FinTech services.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study adopted both the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) as its theoretical base and also added financial literacy and customer satisfaction. The data was analyzed by applying structural equation modeling using SmartPLS 4.

Findings

The outcomes of the study imply that customer satisfaction, effort expectancy and performance expectancy had a significant effect on behavioral intention. Moreover, effort expectancy, performance expectancy and perceived enjoyment had a significant influence on customer satisfaction, and effort expectancy and performance expectancy is significantly influenced by perceived enjoyment, while self-efficacy significantly influenced perceived enjoyment. Also, financial literacy does not moderate the relationship between effort expectancy, performance expectancy, facilitating condition and behavioral intention. Furthermore, the association of effort expectancy → customer satisfaction; perceived enjoyment → customer satisfaction; and perceived enjoyment → effort expectancy is moderated by age factor.

Originality/value

This study contributes by developing a more cohesive and unified model for assessing users’ behavioral intention toward acceptance and adoption of FinTech services by adopting constructs from the UTUAT and TAM and incorporating financial literacy and customer satisfaction to expand and enhance the theoretical prospect of the existing literature.
Understanding the link between HRM and innovation in SMEs through a multi-level approach
Authors: Adla Ludivine , Gallego-Roquelaure Virginie
Published: November 2023

Purpose

From a relational perspective, this research aims to answer the following question: How can human resource management (HRM) and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) be articulated at different levels through gift/counter–gift relationships?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' longitudinal and exploratory study was conducted in an innovative SME that constitutes an “emblematic” case. The data were gathered from diverse sources: 2 life stories, 21 semi-structured interviews, observations and documentary analyses.

Findings

The results provide a dynamic view of the relationship between HRM and innovation through multi-level analysis. The authors consequently propose a three-step process: freeing up, mobilizing and rethinking gifts.

Originality/value

This article examines how to articulate HRM and innovation in SMEs through gift/counter-gift theory. This relationship is analyzed from a relational and multi-level perspective.
Experiencing the cycles of love in teaching: the praxis of an early career Asian American ELA teacher
Authors: Rushek Kelli A. , Vlach Saba Khan , Phan Tiphany
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Early career teachers (ECTs) of Color are key in making change, resisting racism and pushing back against white supremacy in K-12 education, specifically in English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. Through a narrative telling inquiry (Clandinin and Connelly, 2000) of Nora, an Asian American ELA ECT in the Midwest, and by drawing on Fisher’s (2011) Critical Integral Pedagogy of Fearlessness, this study aims to recognize the narrative power within teaching praxis as Nora stories herself toward becoming a critical pedagogue.

Design/methodology/approach

Using narrative inquiry methodology and methods (Clandinin and Connelly, 2000), the authors simultaneously considered the commonplace tenets of narrative inquiry – temporality, sociality and place – of the intertwined relationships of the participants and observers. The field texts included in the corpus of data include myriad tellings of Nora’s experiences in her initial years of teaching ELA. Data were analyzed in stages of parsing out narrative blocks and structures.

Findings

The findings indicate that Nora, as an ECT, went through recursive cycles of fear as conceptualized by Fisher (2011) – bravery, courageousness and being fear-less – of working toward radical love (Hooks, 2000) within her ELA instruction. The authors argue that Nora confronted her personal and professional fears as she strove to become a critical pedagogue in her ELA classroom.

Originality/value

Current scholarship portrays ECTs as lacking agency in their development and/or effectiveness in the classroom and little is said about Asian American ELA ECTs and critical instruction. The authors present Nora’s counter-narrative to make visible what is right with ELA ECTs, specifically teachers of Color, as they transform their fear into courage to fight for educational equity.
Do socio-cultural factors affect the relationships between CSR and loyalty in retailing? A three-country investigation
Authors: Diallo Mbaye Fall , Lambey Christine , Hasanzade Vuesal , Osburg Victoria-Sophie
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The aim of this research is to investigate the positive effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on loyalty to retailers through trust dimensions (competence, benevolence and integrity) taking into account socio-cultural factors (social norms and collectivism) across nations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out three quantitative studies (N = 948) in three countries (France, Germany and the United Kingdom [UK]). They then used structural equation modelling to test the model and hypotheses.

Findings

The results show contingent positive effects of CSR perception on customer loyalty. They underscore indirect effects of CSR on loyalty through the mediation of specific dimensions of trust (competence, benevolence and integrity). The authors also identify significant moderations such that the effects of social norms on CSR and loyalty are stronger in France/Germany than in the UK. The effects of collectivism on CSR and loyalty are stronger in France than in Germany and the UK.

Practical implications

Retailers can rely on CSR and trust to increase loyalty directly. When communicating CSR activities, retailers have to account for cultural differences in their main markets and adopt adjusted strategies to convince consumers about their CSR efforts. Retailers should understand the social norms of their customers in order to determine the effectiveness of disclosing CSR initiatives.

Originality/value

Using a cross-cultural perspective, this article extends and enriches knowledge on the relationship between CSR, social norms and loyalty in retailing in different cultural settings. It also underscores the role of trust in building loyalty across nations.
Drivers of knowledge transfer for succession in family business: a perspective article
Authors: Luong Thanh-Thao , Dang Cat-My , Tran Que Nguyet
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify various factors that have driven the knowledge transfer process for succession purposes in family business since the 1920s and discuss their implications for advancing effective succession planning in this business sector for the next 100 years.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews and synthesizes current research on knowledge transfer drivers in family business from 1923 to 2023 and draws out future perspectives on what will influence the knowledge-transferring process in the next 100 years.

Findings

Trust, organizational culture and environmental factors such as the need to create competitive advantages, technological advancement and new sources of knowledge have been identified as the most prominent drivers of knowledge transfer for effective succession in family business throughout the 1920–2020s. In the future, the ability to create value, the internationalization process and business innovations will play an essential role in knowledge-sharing among family and non-family members during succession.

Originality/value

The paper provides a review of past development and a future perspective on factors enhancing the effectiveness of knowledge transfer for succession in family firms.
Digitisation and automation in training and development: a meta-review of new opportunities and challenges
Authors: Wesche Jenny Sarah , Handke Lisa
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To remain competitive, efficient and productive, organisations need to ensure that their employees continuously learn and develop. This is even more challenging and critical in times characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). Hence, several technological applications have been introduced with the promise to make organisational training and development (T&D) more efficient and targeted through digitisation and automation. However, digitising and automating processes in the sensitive field of T&D also poses challenges and perils for employees and organisations as a whole.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured by the T&D process of (1) assessment/planning, (2) design/implementation and (3) evaluation, the authors present different digitisation and automation possibilities and discuss the specific opportunities and challenges they pose. Subsequently, the authors identify and discuss overarching themes of opportunities and challenges of technology use in T&D via a meta-review.

Findings

This synthesis revealed three central topics that decision-makers in T&D should carefully consider when it comes to the implementation of technological applications: opportunities and challenges of (1) data collection, (2) decision-making and (3) the value of human contact.

Originality/value

This review integrates previously fragmented research on specific technologies applied to specific T&D functions and provides researchers and practitioners with a fuller picture of the opportunities and challenges of technology applied in T&D.
Numerical top‐down effects on red deer (Cervus elaphus) are mainly shaped by humans rather than large carnivores across Europe
Authors: van Beeck Calkoen Suzanne T. S. , Kuijper Dries P. J. , Apollonio Marco , Blondel Lena , Dormann Carsten F. , Storch Ilse , Heurich Marco
Published: November 2023

Terrestrial ecosystems are shaped by interacting top‐down and bottom‐up processes, with the magnitude of top‐down control by large carnivores largely depending on environmental productivity. While carnivore‐induced numerical effects on ungulate prey populations have been demonstrated in large, relatively undisturbed ecosystems, whether large carnivores can play a similar role in more human‐dominated systems is a clear knowledge gap. As humans influence both predator and prey in a variety of ways, the ecological impacts of large carnivores can be largely modified. We quantified the interactive effects of human activities and large carnivore presence on red deer (Cervus elaphus) population density and how their impacts interacted and varied with environmental productivity.

Data on red deer density were collected based on a literature survey encompassing 492 study sites across 28 European countries. Variation in density across study sites was analysed using a generalized additive model in which productivity, carnivore presence (grey wolf, European lynx, Brown bear), human activities (hunting, intensity of human land‐use activity), site protection status and climatic variables served as predictors.

The results showed that a reduction in deer density only occurred when wolf, lynx and bear co‐occurred within the same site. In the absence of large carnivores, red deer density varied along a productivity gradient without a clear pattern. Although a linear relationship with productivity in the presence of all three large carnivore species was found, this was not statistically significant. Moreover, hunting by humans had a stronger effect than the presence of all large carnivores in reducing red deer density and red deer density increased with increasing intensity of human land use, with stronger large carnivore effects (all three carnivore species present) at sites with low human land‐use activities.

Synthesis and applications. This study provides evidence for the dominant role played by humans (i.e. hunting, land‐use activities) relative to large carnivores in reducing red deer density across European human‐dominated landscapes. These findings suggest that when we would like large carnivores to exert numeric effects, we should focus on minimizing human impacts to allow the ecological impacts of large carnivores on ecosystem functioning.