bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pay-as-you-go LPG supports sustainable clean cooking in Kenyan informal urban settlement, including during a period of COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Shupler Matthew , O’Keefe Mark , Puzzolo Elisa , Nix Emily , de Cuevas Rachel Anderson , Mwitari James , Gohole Arthur , Sang Edna , Čukić Iva , Menya Diana , Pope Daniel
Published: November 2020

Approximately 2.8 billion people rely on polluting cooking fuels (e.g. wood, kerosene), exposing them to health-damaging household air pollution. A key access barrier to clean cooking fuels (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) is affordability. By enabling households to pay in small increments, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) LPG could help promote clean cooking, and support continued LPG use through periods of economic downturn. We investigate the ability of PAYG LPG to sustain access to clean cooking from January 2018-June 2020, including during COVID-19 lockdown (March-June 2020) in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. We utilize novel PAYG LPG smart meter data to document cooking/spending patterns from 426 PAYG LPG customers and semi-structured interviews among a subset of seven households. Objective cooking pattern comparisons are made to those cooking with full 6kg cylinder LPG and polluting fuel users from 23 households in peri-urban Eldoret in western Kenya, using stove monitoring data. Customers’ average PAYG LPG consumption was 0.97 kg/capita/month (11.6 kg/capita/year) prior to COVID-19 lockdown. Despite adverse economic impacts of the lockdown, 95% of households continued using PAYG LPG, and consumption increased to 1.22 kg/capita/month (March-June 2020). Daily cooking events using PAYG LPG increased by 60% (1.07 events/day (pre-lockdown) to 1.72 events/day (lockdown)). In contrast, among seven households purchasing full 6kg cylinder LPG in Eldoret, average days/month using LPG declined by 75% (17 to four days) during COVID-19 lockdown. Median PAYG LPG payment frequency doubled (from every 8 days to every 4 days) during lockdown, while average payment amount was nearly halved (336 Kenyan Shillings (KSh)/US$3.08 to 179 KSh/US$1.64).

Interviewed customers reported numerous benefits of PAYG LPG beyond fuel affordability, including safety, time savings, cylinder delivery and user-friendliness. PAYG LPG helped sustain clean cooking during COVID-19 lockdown, possibly averting increases in polluting cooking fuel use and associated household air pollution exposures.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

First study to report long-term cooking/spending patterns using PAYG LPG smart meter data

95% of 301 active PAYG LPG customers in February 2020 continued to use the fuel during COVID-19 lockdown

Daily cooking events using PAYG LPG increased by 60% during COVID-19 lockdown

Median payment frequency increased 50%, while single payment amount decreased 50% during lockdown

Three-quarters of PAYG LPG households in this study were first time LPG users
Loss of consciousness reduces the stability of brain hubs and the heterogeneity of brain dynamics
Authors: López-González Ane , Panda Rajanikant , Ponce-Alvarez Adrián , Zamora-López Gorka , Escrichs Anira , Martial Charlotte , Thibaut Aurore , Gosseries Olivia , Kringelbach Morten L. , Annen Jitka , Laureys Steven , Deco Gustavo
Published: November 2020

Low-level states of consciousness are characterised by disruptions of brain dynamics that sustain arousal and awareness. Yet, how structural, dynamical, local and network brain properties interplay in the different levels of consciousness is unknown. Here, we studied the fMRI brain dynamics from patients that suffered brain injuries leading to a disorder of consciousness and from subjects undergoing propofol-induced anaesthesia. We showed that pathological and pharmacological low-level states of consciousness displayed less recurrent, less diverse, less connected, and more segregated synchronization patterns than conscious states. We interpreted these effects using whole-brain models built on healthy and injured connectomes. We showed that altered dynamics arise from a global reduction of network interactions, together with more homogeneous and more structurally constrained local dynamics. These effects were accentuated using injured connectomes. Notably, these changes lead the hub regions to lose their stability during low-level states of consciousness, thus attenuating the core-periphery structure of brain dynamics.
Inclusion of processed cell metadata improves single cell sequencing analysis reproducibility and accessibility
Authors: Puntambekar Sidhant , Hesselberth Jay R. , Riemondy Kent A. , Fu Rui
Published: November 2020

Single cell RNA sequencing provides an unprecedented view of cellular diversity of biological systems. Thousands of scRNA-seq datasets have been generated, providing a wealth of biological data on the diversity of cell types across different organisms, developmental stages, and disease states. But while a tremendous number of publications and datasets have been generated using this technology, we found that a minority (< 25%) of studies provide sufficient information to enable direct reuse of their data for further studies. This problem is common across journals, data repositories, and publication dates. The lack of appropriate information not only hinders exploration and knowledge transfer of reported data, but also makes reproducing the original study prohibitively difficult and/or time-consuming. Correcting this problem is not easy but we encourage investigators, reviewers, journals, and data repositories to take steps to improve their standards and ensure proper documentation of these valuable datasets.
ACTN3genotype influences skeletal muscle mass regulation and response to dexamethasone
Authors: Seto J.T. , Roeszler K.N. , Meehan L.R. , Wood H.D. , Tiong C. , Bek L. , Lee S.F. , Shah M. , Quinlan K.G.R. , Gregorevic P. , Houweling P.J. , North K.N.
Published: November 2020

Homozygosity for the commonACTN3null polymorphism (ACTN3577X) results in α-actinin-3 deficiency in ~20% of humans worldwide and is linked to reduced sprint and power performance in both elite athletes and the general population. α-Actinin-3 deficiency is also associated with reduced muscle mass and strength, increased risk of sarcopenia in the elderly, and altered response to muscle wasting induced by denervation and immobilisation.ACTN3genotype is also a disease modifier for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with α-actinin-3 deficiency associated with slower disease progression. Here we show that α-actinin-3 plays a key role in the regulation of protein synthesis and breakdown signalling in skeletal muscle, and its influence on muscle mass begins during early postnatal muscle development.Actn3genotype also influences the skeletal muscle response to the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Following acute dexamethasone exposure, transcriptomic analyses by RT-qPCR and RNA-sequencing show reduced atrophy signalling (Mstn, Tmem100, mRas, Fbxo32, Trim63) and anti-inflammatory response in α-actinin-3 deficient mice compared to wild-type. α-Actinin-3 deficiency also protects against muscle wasting following prolonged daily treatment with dexamethasone in female, but not male mice. In combination, these data suggest that ACTN3 R577X is a pharmacogenetic variant influencing the anti-inflammatory and muscle wasting response to glucocorticoid therapy.
Changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) and central macular thickness (CMT) following uncomplicated small-incision cataract surgery (SICS)
Authors: Parajuli Sanket , Shrestha Ruchi , chapagain Senny , Singh Prerana , Shrestha Ramesh
Published: November 2020

Objectives

1) To study the changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) which is an indirect indicator of corneal endothelial dysfunction after uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and 2) To study changes in macular thickness following uncomplicated SICS.

Methods

This was a prospective study conducted in Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga eye hospital, Banepa, Nepal. Those who fulfill inclusion criteria were included in the study. Small incision cataract surgery was performed on 68 eyes of 62 patients Change in central corneal thickness and central macular thickness from baseline was observed post-surgery on 1st day, 1 week and 6 weeks.

Results

33 females and 35 males were included in the study. Mean age was 58.26 years. This difference of visual acuity between pre and post-operative state was statistically significant. The 1st post-operative day (POD) and 1 week POD values when compared with preoperative CCT values were statistically significant. But the 6 weeks POD when compared to preoperative CCT values were not statistically significant. The 1st POD, 1 week POD and 6 weeks POD CMT values when compared with preoperative CMT values were statistically significant.

Conclusion

This study revealed that there was a significant rise in CCT after SICS which gradually tended to normalize at 6 weeks. Similarly there was a gradual rise in CMT after SICS persisting even at 6 weeks. However these changes were subtle and there was a marked improvement of visual acuity after SICS.

Synopsis

There was statistically significant increase in central corneal thickness and central macular thickness following uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery, the former of which tends to normalize at 6 weeks post-surgery.
Voluntary commitment of medical students during the COVID-19-pandemic
Authors: Mihatsch Lorenz Leopold , von der Linde Mira , Knolle Franziska , Luchting Benjamin , Dimitriadis Konstantinos , Heyn Jens
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Due to the spreading of COVID-19, one key challenge was to reduce potential staff shortages in the healthcare sector. Besides a reactivation of retired healthcare workers, medical students were considered to support this task. We herein analysed the commitment of medical students during the COVID-19-pandemic as well as their burdens and anxieties.

Methods

Via an online survey, medical students in Germany were asked regarding these themes. The survey period took place during a two-week period in April and Mai 2020. 1241 questionnairs were included in the analysis.

Results

67.9% [65.3; 70.5] of the participants reported that they volunteered during the pandemic. Simultaneously, 88.9% [86.9; 90.5] of the participants stated to be against a compulsory recruitment in this context. Students who volunteered showed a significantly lower anxiety index than students, who did not volunteer. Concerns about transferring the virus to patients or relatives were significantly higher than concerns about the students’ own infection.

Conclusion

The results of this survey study suggest that the majority of students are working voluntary during the pandemic. They declared mostly that they had adequate opportunities to protect themselves. Finally, their biggest fear was to infect other patients, relatives, or friends.
Hippocampal Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Common Disease Pathways in Chronic Hypoperfusion and Ageing
Authors: Baik Sang-Ha , Selvaraji Sharmelee , Fann David Y. , Jo Dong-Gyu , Herr Deron R. , Lai Mitchell K.P. , Chen Christopher Li-Hsian , Drummond Grant R. , Lim Kah-Leong , Sobey Christopher G. , Arumugam Thiruma V.
Published: November 2020

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a progressive cognitive impairment of vascular etiology. VaD is characterized by cerebral hypoperfusion, increased blood-brain barrier permeability and white matter lesions. An increased burden of VaD is expected due to rapidly aging populations. The hippocampus is particularly susceptible to hypoperfusion, and the resulting memory impairment may play a crucial role in VaD. Here we have investigated the hippocampal gene expression profile of young and old mice subjected to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). Our data in sham-operated young and aged mice show the normal age-associated decline in cerebral blood flow and differential gene expression. BCAS and ageing caused broadly similar effects, however, BCAS-induced changes in hippocampal gene expression differed between young and aged mice. Specifically, transcriptomic analysis indicated that in comparison to young sham mice, many pathways altered by BCAS in young mice resembled those present in sham aged mice. Immunoblot analyses confirmed these findings. Finally, relative to young sham mice the cell type-specific profile of genes in both young BCAS and old sham animals further revealed common cell-specific genes. Our data provide a genetic-based molecular framework for chronic hypoperfusion-induced hippocampal damage and reveal common cellular signaling pathways likely to be important in the pathophysiology of VaD.
Differential fate of acellular vascular scaffolds in vivo involves macrophages and T-cell subsets
Authors: Banerjee Debashish , Nayakawde Nikhil B. , Antony Deepti , Deshmukh Meghshree , Ghosh Sudip , Sihlbom Carina , Berger Evelin , Haq Uzair Ul , Olausson Michael
Published: November 2020

Biological scaffold or implant is a popular choice for the preparation of tissue-engineered organs and has the potential to address donor shortage in the clinics. However, biological scaffolds prepared by physical or chemical agents cause damage to the extracellular matrix by potentially inducing immune responses after implantation. The current study explores an alternative route for the preparation of acellular scaffolds and explores the fate of the prepared scaffolds in a milieu of immune cells following implantation without using immunosuppressant. Using the syngeneic (Lewis male-Lewis female) and allogeneic (Brown Norway male-Lewis female) models and different tissue routes (subcutaneous vs omentum) for transplantation, normal blood vascular scaffolds were implanted which was converted to acellular vascular scaffolds byin vivonatural decellularization at the end of 2 months of observation. We also prepared chemically decellularized acellular scaffolds from normal untreated blood vascular scaffolds using a cocktail of chemicals which was also similarly placed in subcutaneous and omentum sites. Here, we applied in-depth quantitative proteomics along with histology and image analysis to comprehensively describe and compare the proteome of the natural and chemically decellularized scaffold. Our data confirm that site-specific advantages exist in modulating the ECM and regulating the immune responses (macrophage and T cells) following implantation, which possibly led to the production of an acellular scaffold (natural decellularization) underin vivoconditions. The current approach opens up the possibility to create tailor-made acellular scaffolds to build functional blood vessels. In addition, the identification of different tissue sites facilitates differential immune response against the scaffolds. This study provides a rich resource aimed toward an enhanced mechanistic understanding to study immune responses under similar settings in the field of transplantation and regenerative medicine.

Impact statement

The development of a scaffold helps in the preparation of a functional organ in the clinics. In the current study, we prepared an acellular vascular scaffold by utilizing site specific tissue changes and vis-à-vis compared with a conventionally chemically prepared biological scaffold at genomic and protein level, which helped us to identify immunological trigger following implantation. The current study which was carried out without any immunosuppressive agents could help to establish (a) alternative strategies for preparing biological scaffolds as well as (b) implantable sites as potential bioreactors to circumvent any adverse immune reactions for acceptance of the scaffold/implant post implantation.
TASOR epigenetic repressor cooperates with a CNOT1 RNA degradation pathway to repress HIV
Authors: Matkovic Roy , Morel Marina , Larrous Pauline , Martin Benjamin , Bejjani Fabienne , Emiliani Stéphane , Gallois-Montbrun Sarah , Margottin-Goguet Florence
Published: November 2020

The Human Silencing Hub (HUSH) complex constituted of TASOR, MPP8 and Periphilin is involved in the spreading of H3K9me3 repressive marks across genes and transgenes such as ZNF encoding genes, ribosomal DNAs, LINE-1, Retrotransposons and Retroelements or the integrated HIV provirus1–5. The deposit of these repressive marks leads to heterochromatin formation and inhibits gene expression. The precise mechanisms of silencing mediated by HUSH is still poorly understood. Here, we show that TASOR depletion increases the accumulation of transcripts derived from the HIV-1 LTR promoter at a post-transcriptional level. By counteracting HUSH, Vpx from HIV-2 mimics TASOR depletion. With the use of a Yeast-Two-Hybrid screen, we identified new TASOR partners involved in RNA metabolism including the RNA deadenylase CCR4-NOT complex scaffold CNOT1. TASOR and CNOT1 interactin vivoand synergistically repress HIV expression from its LTR. In fission yeast, the RNA-induced transcriptional silencing (RITS) complex presents structural homology with HUSH. During transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II, RITS recruits a TRAMP-like RNA degradation complex composed of CNOT1 partners, MTR4 and the exosome, to ultimately repress gene expressionviaH3K9me3 deposit. Similarly, we show that TASOR interacts and cooperates with MTR4 and the exosome, in addition to CNOT1. We also highlight an interaction between TASOR and RNA Polymerase II, predominantly under its elongating state, and between TASOR and some HUSH-targeted nascent transcripts. Furthermore, we show that TASOR overexpression facilitates the association of the aforementioned RNA degradation proteins with RNA polymerase II. Altogether, we propose that HUSH operates at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels to repress HIV proviral gene expression.
A single neuron subset governs a single coactive neuron circuit inHydra vulgaris, representing a prototypic feature of neural evolution
Authors: Noro Yukihiko , Shimizu Hiroshi , Mineta Katsuhiko , Gojobori Takashi
Published: November 2020

The last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria is believed to be one of the first animals to develop a nervous system over 500 million years ago. Many of the genes involved in the neural function of the advanced nervous system in Bilateria are well conserved in Cnidaria1. Thus, Cnidarian representative species,Hydra, is considered to be a living fossil and a good model organism for the study of the putative primitive nervous system in its last common ancestor. The diffuse nervous system ofHydraconsists of several peptidergic neuron subsets. However, the specific functions of these subsets remain unclear. Using calcium imaging, here we show that the neuron subsets that express neuropeptide, Hym-1762,3function as motor neurons to evoke longitudinal contraction. We found that all neurons in a subset defined by the Hym-176 gene (Hym-176A) or its paralogs (Hym-176B) expression4are excited simultaneously, which is then followed by longitudinal contraction. This indicates not only that these neuron subsets are motor neurons but also that a single molecularly defined neuron subset forms a single coactive motor circuit. This is in contrast with the Bilaterian nervous system, where a single molecularly defined neuron subset harbors multiple coactive circuits, showing a mixture of neurons firing with different timings5. Furthermore, we found that the two motor circuits, one expressingHym-176Bin the body column and the other expressingHym-176Ain the foot, are coordinately regulated to exert region-specific contraction. Our results demonstrate that one neuron subset is likely to form a monofunctional circuit as a minimum functional unit to build a more complex behavior inHydra. We propose that this simple feature (one subset, one circuit, one function) found inHydrais a fundamental trait of the primitive nervous system.
Mosaic vaccination: how distributing different vaccines across a population could improve epidemic control
Authors: McLeod David V. , Wahl Lindi M. , Mideo Nicole
Published: November 2020

Although vaccination has been remarkably effective against some pathogens, for others, rapid antigenic evolution results in vaccination conferring only weak and/or short-lived protection. Consequently, considerable effort has been invested in developing more evolutionarily robust vaccines, either by targeting highly conserved components of the pathogen (universal vaccines) or by including multiple immunological targets within a single vaccine (multi-epitope vaccines). An unexplored third possibility is to vaccinate individuals with one of a number of qualitatively different vaccines, creating a ‘mosaic’ of individual immunity in the population. Here we explore whether a mosaic vaccination strategy can deliver superior epidemiological outcomes to ‘conventional’ vaccination, in which all individuals receive the same vaccine. We suppose vaccine doses can be distributed between distinct vaccine ‘targets’ (e.g., different surface proteins against which an immune response can be generated) and/or immunologically-distinct variants at these targets (e.g., strains); the pathogen can undergo antigenic evolution at both targets. Using simple mathematical models, we show that mosaic vaccination often outperforms conventional vaccination, leading to fewer infected individuals, improved vaccine efficacy, and lower individual risks over the course of the epidemic.
From qualitative to quantitative insect metabarcoding: an in tandem multilocus mosquito identification methodology
Authors: Kassela Katerina , Kouvela Adamantia , de Courcy Williams Michael , Konstantinidis Konstantinos , Rosa Freitas Maria Goreti , Nearchou Andreas , Gatzidou Elisavet , Veletza Stavroula , Boulougouris Georgios C. , Dovrolis Nikolaos , Karakasiliotis Ioannis
Published: November 2020

In the era of emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases, a high throughput trap-based insect monitoring is essential for the identification of invasive species, study of mosquito populations and risk assessment of disease outbreaks. Insect DNA metabarcoding technology has emerged as a highly promising methodology for unbiased and large-scale surveillance. Despite significant attempts to introduce DNA metabarcoding in mosquito or other insect surveillance qualitative and quantitative metabarcoding remains a challenge. In the present study, we have developed a methodology of in-tandem identification and quantification using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) combined with a secondary multilocus identification and quantification involving three loci of 28S ribosomal DNA. The presented methodology was able to identify individual species in pools of mosquitoes with 95.94% accuracy and resolve with high accuracy (p= 1,χ2= 2.55) mosquito population composition providing a technology capable of revolutionizing mosquito surveillance through metabarcoding. The methodology, given the respective dataset, has the potential to be applied to various small animal populations.
A gene desert required for regulatory control of pleiotropicShox2expression and embryonic survival
Authors: Abassah-Oppong Samuel , Mannion Brandon J. , Zoia Matteo , Rouco Raquel , Tissieres Virginie , Spurrell Cailyn H. , Roland Virginia , Darbellay Fabrice , Ljubojevic Anja , Gamart Julie , Festa-Daroux Tabitha A. , Sullivan Carly S. , Rodríguez-Carballo Eddie , Fukuda-Yuzawa Yoko , Hunter Riana , Novak Catherine S. , Plajzer-Frick Ingrid , Tran Stella , Akiyama Jennifer A. , Dickel Diane E. , Lopez-Rios Javier , Barozzi Iros , Andrey Guillaume , Visel Axel , Pennacchio Len A. , Cobb John , Osterwalder Marco
Published: November 2020

Gene deserts are defined as genomic regions devoid of protein coding genes and spanning more than 500 kilobases, collectively encompassing about 25% of the human genome. Approximately 30% of all gene deserts are enriched for conserved elements withcis-regulatory signatures. These are located predominantly near developmental transcription factors (TFs) but despite predicted critical functions, the transcriptional contributions and biological necessity of most gene deserts remain elusive. Here, we explore thecis-regulatory impact of a gene desert flanking theShox2gene, a TF indispensable for proximal limb, craniofacial and cardiac pacemaker development. Using a functional genomics approach in mouse embryos we identify the gene desert as a hub for numerousShox2-overlapping enhancers arranged in a globular chromatin domain with tissue-specific features. In accordance, using endogenous CRISPR deletion, we demonstrate that the gene desert interval is essential forShox2transcriptional control in developing limbs, craniofacial compartments, and the heart. Phenotypically, gene desert ablation leads to pacemaker-related embryonic lethality due toShox2depletion in the cardiac sinus venosus. We show that this role is partially mediated through a distal gene desert enhancer, providing evidence for intra-gene desert regulatory robustness. Finally, we uncover a multi-layered functional role of the gene desert by revealing an additional requirement for stylopod morphogenesis, mediated through an array of proximal limb enhancers (PLEs). In summary, our study establishes theShox2gene desert as a fundamental genomic unit that controls pleiotropic gene expression through modular arrangement and coordinated dynamics of tissue-specific enhancers.
Interplay between p300 and HDAC1 regulate acetylation and stability of Api5 to regulate cell proliferation
Authors: Sharma Virender Kumar , Lahiri Mayurika
Published: November 2020

Api5, is a known anti-apoptotic and nuclear protein that is responsible for inhibiting cell death in serum-starved conditions. The only known post-translational modification of Api5 is acetylation at lysine 251 (K251). K251 acetylation of Api5 is responsible for maintaining its stability while de-acetylated form of Api5 is unstable. This study aimed to find out the enzymes regulating acetylation and deacetylation of Api5 and the effect of acetylation on its function. Our studies suggest that acetylation of Api5 at lysine 251 is mediated by p300 histone acetyltransferase while de-acetylation is carried out by HDAC1. Inhibition of acetylation by p300 leads to reduction in Api5 levels while inhibition of deacetylation by HDAC1 results in increased levels of Api5. This dynamic switch between acetylation and deacetylation regulate the localization of Api5 in the cell. This study also demonstrates that the regulation of acetylation and deacetylation of Api5 is an essential factor for the progression of the cell cycle.
Study of the genetic and phenotypic variation among wild and cultivated clary sages provides interesting avenues for breeding programs of a perfume, medicinal and aromatic plant
Authors: Chalvin Camille , Drevensek Stéphanie , Chollet Christel , Gilard Françoise , Šolić Edita M. , Dron Michel , Bendahmane Abdelhafid , Boualem Adnane , Cornille Amandine
Published: November 2020

A road-map of the genetic and phenotypic diversities in both crops and their wild-related species can help identifying valuable genetic resources for further crop breeding. The clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), a perfume, medicinal and aromatic plant, is used for sclareol production and ornamental purposes. Despite its wide use in the field of cosmetics, the phenotypic and genetic diversity of wild and cultivated clary sage remains to be explored. We characterized the genetic and phenotypic variation of a collection of six wildS. sclareapopulations from Croatia, sampled along an altitudinal gradient, and of populations of threeS. sclareacultivars. We showed low level of genetic diversity for the twoS. sclareatraditional cultivars used for essential oil production and for ornamental purposes, respectively. In contrast, a recent cultivar resulting from new breeding methods, which involve hybridizations among several genotypes rather than traditional recurrent selection and self-crosses over time, showed high genetic diversity. We also observed a marked phenotypic differentiation for the ornamental clary sage compared with other cultivated and wild clary sages. Instead, the two cultivars used for essential oil production, a traditional and a recent, respectively, were not phenotypically differentiated from the wild Croatian populations. Our results also featured some wild populations with high sclareol content and early-flowering phenotypes as good candidates for future breeding programs. This study opens up perspectives for basic research aiming at understanding the impact of breeding methods on clary sage evolution, and highlights interesting avenues for clary breeding programs.
Age-related Changes in Memory for Object and Position-In-Context
Authors: Tran Tammy , Tobin Kaitlyn E. , Block Sophia H. , Puliyadi Vyash , Gallagher Michela , Bakker Arnold
Published: November 2020

There has been considerable focus on investigating age-related memory changes in cognitively healthy older adults, in the absence of neurodegenerative disorders. Previous studies have reported age-related domain-specific changes in older adults, showing increased difficulty encoding and processing object information but minimal to no impairment in processing spatial information compared to younger adults.

However, few of these studies have examined age-related changes in the encoding of concurrently presented object and spatial stimuli, specifically the integration of both spatial and non-spatial (object) information. To more closely resemble real-life memory encoding and the integration of both spatial and non-spatial information, the current study developed a new experimental paradigm with novel environments that allowed for the placement of different objects in different positions within the environment. The current findings show that older adults have decreased performance in recognizing changes of the object position within the spatial context but no significant differences in recognizing changes in the identity of the object within the spatial context compared to younger adults. These findings suggest there may be potential age-related differences in the mechanisms underlying the representations of complex environments and furthermore, the integration of spatial and non-spatial information may be differentially processed relative to independent and isolated representations of object and spatial information.
The contribution of object size, manipulability, and stability on neural responses to inanimate objects
Authors: Magri Caterina , Konkle Talia , Caramazza Alfonso
Published: November 2020

In human occipitotemporal cortex, brain responses to depicted inanimate objects have a large-scale organization by real-world object size. Critically, the size of objects in the world is systematically related to behaviorally-relevant properties: small objects are often grasped and manipulated (e.g., forks), while large objects tend to be less motor-relevant (e.g., tables), though this relationship does not always have to be true (e.g., picture frames and wheelbarrows). To determine how these two dimensions interact, we measured brain activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants viewed a stimulus set of small and large objects with either low or high motor-relevance. The results revealed that the size organization was evident for objects with both low and high motor-relevance; further, a motor-relevance map was also evident across both large and small objects. Targeted contrasts revealed that typical combinations (small motor-relevant vs. large non-motor-relevant) yielded more robust topographies than the atypical covariance contrast (small non-motor-relevant vs. large motor-relevant). In subsequent exploratory analyses, a factor analysis revealed that the construct of motor-relevance was better explained by two underlying factors: one more related to manipulability, and the other to whether an object moves or is stable. The factor related to manipulability better explained responses in lateral small-object preferring regions, while the factor related to object stability (lack of movement) better explained responses in ventromedial large-object preferring regions. Taken together, these results reveal that the structure of neural responses to objects of different sizes further reflect behavior-relevant properties of manipulability and stability, and contribute to a deeper understanding of some of the factors that help the large-scale organization of object representation in high-level visual cortex.

Highlights

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Examined the relationship between real-world size and motor-relevant properties in the structure of responses to inanimate objects.

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Large scale topography was more robust for contrast that followed natural covariance of small motor-relevant vs. large non-motor-relevant, over contrast that went against natural covariance.

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Factor analysis revealed that manipulability and stability were, respectively, better explanatory predictors of responses in small- and large-object regions.
Photoreceptor precursor cell integration into rodent retina after treatment with novel glycopeptide PKX-001
Authors: Viringipurampeer Ishaq A. , Yanai Anat , Gregory-Evans Cheryl Y. , Gregory-Evans Kevin
Published: November 2020

Cell replacement therapy is emerging as an important approach in novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Many problems remain, in particular improvements are needed in the survival of transplanted cells and increasing functional integration into host tissue. These problems arise because of immune rejection, suboptimal precursor cell type, trauma during cell transplantation, toxic compounds released by dying tissues and nutritional deficiencies. We recently developed anex vivosystem to facilitate identification of factors contributing to the death of transplanted neuronal (photoreceptor) and showed 2.8-fold improvement in transplant cell survival after pre-treatment with a novel glycopeptide (PKC-100). In this study we extended these studies to look at cell survival, maturation and functional integration in anin vivorat model of rhodopsin-mutant retinitis pigmentosa causing blindness. We found that only when human photoreceptor precursor cells (PPCs) were pre-incubated with PKX-100 prior to transplantation, did the cells integrate and mature into cone photoreceptors expressing S-opsin or L/M opsin. In addition, ribbon synapses were observed in the transplanted cells suggesting they were making synaptic connections with the host tissue. Furthermore, optokinetic tracking and electroretinography responsesin vivowere significantly improved compared to cell transplants without PKX-100 pre-treatment. These data demonstrate that PKX-100 promotes significant long-term stem cell survivalin vivo, providing a platform for further investigation towards the clinical application to repair damaged or diseased retina.
Arabidopsiscell surface LRR immune receptor signaling through the EDS1-PAD4-ADR1 node
Authors: Pruitt Rory N. , Zhang Lisha , Saile Svenja C. , Karelina Darya , Fröhlich Katja , Wan Wei-Lin , Rao Shaofei , Gust Andrea A. , Locci Federica , Joosten Matthieu H.A.J. , Thomma Bart P.H.J. , Zhou Jian-Min , Dangl Jeffery L. , Weigel Detlef , Parker Jane E. , Kasmi Farid El , Nürnberger Thorsten
Published: November 2020

Plants use both cell surface and intracellular immune receptors with leucine rich-repeat (LRRs) to detect pathogens. LRR receptor kinases (LRR-RKs) and LRR receptor-like proteins (LRR-RPs) recognize extracellular microbe-derived molecules to confer pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), while nucleotide-binding LRR (NLR) proteins detect microbial effectors inside the cell to confer effector-triggered immunity (ETI). Despite PTI and ETI signaling being initiated in different compartments, both rely on the transcriptional activation of similar sets of genes, suggesting convergence in signaling upstream of nuclear events. Here we report that two sets of molecules, helper NLRs from the ADR1 (ACTIVATED DISEASE RESISTANCE 1) family as well as lipase-like proteins EDS1 (ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1) and PAD4 (PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4), are required not only for ETI, but also for PTI. A further similarity is seen in the evolutionary patterns of some PTI and ETI receptor genes, with both often being highly polymorphic, and with nevertheless distinct roles of LRR-RK and LRR-RP receptors in immunity. We find that the LRR-RK SOBIR1 directly links LRR-RPs with the ADR1 helper NLR as well as EDS1 and PAD4, suggesting the formation of constitutive supramolecular signalosome complexes at the inner side of the plasma membrane. We propose that the EDS1-PAD4-ADR1 node is an essential component and convergence point for immune signaling cascades activated by both surface-resident LRR-RP receptors and intracellular NLR receptors.
Conserved codon adaptation in highly expressed genes is associated with higher regularity in mRNA secondary structures
Authors: Sterken Mark G. , Wilbers Ruud H.P. , Prins Pjotr , Snoek Basten L. , Giambasu George M. , Slootweg Erik , Holterman Martijn H.M. , Helder Johannes , Kammenga Jan E. , Schots Arjen , Bakker Jaap , Westerhof Lotte B.
Published: November 2020

The redundancy of the genetic code allows for a regulatory layer to optimize protein synthesis by modulating translation and degradation of mRNAs. Patterns in synonymous codon usage in highly expressed genes have been studied in many species, but scarcely in conjunction with mRNA secondary structure. Here, we analyzed over 2,000 expression profiles covering a range of strains, treatments, and developmental stages of five model species (Escherichia coli, Arabidopsis thaliana, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, andMus musculus). By comparative analyses of genes constitutively expressed at high and low levels, we revealed a conserved shift in codon usage and predicted mRNA secondary structures. Highly abundant transcripts and proteins, as well as high protein per transcript ratios, were consistently associated with less variable and shorter stretches of weak mRNA secondary structures (loops). Genome-wide recoding showed that codons with the highest relative increase in highly expressed genes, often C-ending and not necessarily the most frequent, enhanced formation of uniform loop sizes. Our results point at a general selective force contributing to the optimal expression of abundant proteins as less variable secondary structures promote regular ribosome trafficking with less detrimental collisions, thereby leading to an increase in mRNA stability and a higher translation efficiency.
ROBL-II at ESRF: a synchrotron toolbox for actinide research
Authors: Scheinost Andreas C. , Claussner Juergen , Exner Joerg , Feig Manuel , Findeisen Stefan , Hennig Christoph , Kvashnina Kristina O. , Naudet Damien , Prieur Damien , Rossberg Andre , Schmidt Moritz , Qiu Canrong , Colomp Patrick , Cohen Cedric , Dettona Eric , Dyadkin Vadim , Stumpf Thorsten
Published: November 2020

ROBL-II provides four different experimental stations to investigate actinide and other alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides at the new EBS storage ring of ESRF within an energy range of 3 to 35 keV. The XAFS station consists of a highly automatized, high sample throughput installation in a glovebox, to measure EXAFS and conventional XANES of samples routinely at temperatures down to 10 K, and with a detection limit in the sub-p.p.m. range. The XES station with its five bent-crystal analyzer, Johann-type setup with Rowland circles of 1.0 and 0.5 m radii provides high-energy resolution fluorescence detection (HERFD) for XANES, XES, and RIXS measurements, covering both actinide L and M edges together with other elements accessible in the 3 to 20 keV energy range. The six-circle heavy duty goniometer of XRD-1 is equipped for both high-resolution powder diffraction as well as surface-sensitive CTR and RAXR techniques. Single crystal diffraction, powder diffraction with high temporal resolution, as well as X-ray tomography experiments can be performed at a Pilatus 2M detector stage (XRD-2). Elaborate radioprotection features enable a safe and easy exchange of samples between the four different stations to allow the combination of several methods for an unprecedented level of information on radioactive samples for both fundamental and applied actinide and environmental research.
Automatic 3D image registration for nano-resolution chemical mapping using synchrotron spectro-tomography
Authors: Zhang Jin , Hu Jun , Jiang Zhisen , Zhang Kai , Liu Peng , Wang Chaonan , Yuan Qingxi , Pianetta Piero , Liu Yijin
Published: November 2020

Nano-resolution synchrotron X-ray spectro-tomography has been demonstrated as a powerful tool for probing the three-dimensional (3D) structural and chemical heterogeneity of a sample. By reconstructing a number of tomographic data sets recorded at different X-ray energy levels, the energy-dependent intensity variation in every given voxel fingerprints the corresponding local chemistry. The resolution and accuracy of this method, however, could be jeopardized by non-ideal experimental conditions, e.g. instability in the hardware system and/or in the sample itself. Herein is presented one such case, in which unanticipated sample deformation severely degrades the data quality. To address this issue, an automatic 3D image registration method is implemented to evaluate and correct this effect. The method allows the redox heterogeneity in partially delithiated Li
x
Ta0.3Mn0.4O2 battery cathode particles to be revealed with significantly improved fidelity.
Finite element analysis of water-based Ferrofluid flow in a partially heated triangular cavity
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Hamid Muhammad , Khan Zafar Hayat , Ul Haq Rizwan , Khan Waqar Ahmed
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to deal with the numerical investigation of ferrofluid flow and heat transfer inside a right-angle triangular cavity in the presence of a magnetic field. The vertical wall is partially heated, whereas other walls are kept cold. The effects of thermal radiation are included in the analysis. The governing equations including continuity, momentum and energy equations are converted to nondimensional form using viable variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element method (FEM)-based simulations are performed using finite element approach to investigate the effects of the volume fraction of ferroparticles (Fe3O4), the length of the heating element and the dimensionless numbers including Rayleigh and Hartmann numbers on the streamlines, isotherms and Nusselt number.

Findings

It is demonstrated that both horizontal and vertical velocity components increase with the length of the heating element, whereas the dimensionless temperature decreases the heating domain. It is observed that an increase of 10% in the volume fraction of ferroparticles increases Nusselt number more than 12%, and 20% increase in the volume fraction of ferroparticles increases more than 30%, depending upon the length of the heating element.

Originality/value

This is a new study showing the significance of the magnetic nanoparticles for the enhancement of heat transfer rate in a triangular cavity.
Perceptions of police use of force: the importance of trust
Authors: Kyprianides Arabella , Yesberg Julia A. , Milani Jenna , Bradford Ben , Quinton Paul , Clark–Darby Oliver
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The range of tactical force options available to police is increasing, while public debate about police use of force is never far from the headlines. This paper aims to examine what factors shape how people accept police use of force.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use two online experiments to test whether different force options affected judgments about the acceptability of police action and to explore the role of trust and legitimacy in people's judgments.

Findings

The authors found across both studies that respondents judged scenarios involving a weapon (baton, CS spray, Taser) as less acceptable compared to scenarios that did not (talking down, handcuffs), but they did not draw much distinction between the specific weapon used. In study 1, exposure to different police tactics had no effect on trust and legitimacy. In study 2, prior perceptions of trust were strong predictors of acceptability judgments.

Originality/value

There is a comparative paucity of British-based empirical research examining public attitudes toward different use of force resolutions by police. In this paper, the authors explore how use of force affects people's views of police at a time in which the nature and scope of force applications, how these are understood and indeed the basic enterprise of policing itself is being reconsidered and renegotiated.
Frances Frei and Anne Morriss: The dynamics of empowering leader/follower relationships
Authors: Leavy Brian
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Frances Frei and Anne Morriss, the authors of Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader’s Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You, are interviewed by veteran Strategy & Leadership contributor, Brian Leavy.

Design/methodology/approach

In this book, the authors propose that leadership, at its core, is about how effective you are at empowering other people and unleashing their full potential. Unleashing others is the fundamental mandate of leadership.

Findings

Trust is the coin of the leader’s realm. The basic formula for building trust: people tend to trust leaders when they think they are interacting with the real person (authenticity), when they have faith in the leader’s judgment and competence (logic), and when they believe that the leader cares about them (empathy).

Practical implications

Strategy is a primary way that leaders embed who they are, their core values and beliefs, into their organization’s behavior.

Originality/value

The authors’ advice to to executives: Your job as a leader is to create the conditions for the people around you to become increasingly effective, to help them fully realize their own capacity and power. They explain how to effectively and authentically manage the leader/follower relationship.
Research on financial platform of railway freight supply chain based on blockchain
Authors: Xie Peng , Chen Qiang , Qu Ping , Fan Jianping , Tang Zhijun
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to systematically expound the theory and development background of supply chain finance and blockchain, design a railway freight supply chain financial platform based on blockchain, determine the risk management system and business support system of supply chain finance business and analyze the value generated by the combination of supply chain finance business and blockchain.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigation and research method; Prototype method; Model method; Value analysis.

Findings

The business model integrating supply chain finance and blockchain technology will bring great changes to freight industry. The development of supply chain finance is beneficial to the healthy development of the core participants of railway freight transport business and its upstream and downstream ecosystems. It links commerce, logistics, warehousing and financial services together and builds an industry-integrated ecological service platform through information technology platform and supporting system, taking data as the basis and combining information technology such as blockchain as innovative means.

Originality/value

This paper will provide important reference value for related research. This paper innovatively designs the supply chain financial platform of freight transportation industry-integrating blockchain technology and analyzes its business model, technical system, risk management and control system and value system in detail, which will provide technical support for the innovative reform of freight information technology and realize the stable and high-speed development of freight logistics informationization.