bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural dynamics of reselecting visual and motor contents in working memory after external interference
Authors: Gresch Daniela , Behnke Larissa , van Ede Freek , Nobre Anna C. , Boettcher Sage E.P.
Published: December 2024

In everyday tasks, we must often shift our focus away from internal representations held in working memory to engage with perceptual events in the external world. Here, we investigated how our internal focus is reestablished following an interrupting task by tracking the reselection of visual representations and their associated action plans in working memory. Specifically, we ask whether reselection occurs for both visual and motor memory attributes and when this reselection occurs. We developed a visual-motor working-memory task in which participants were retrospectively cued to select one of two memory items before being interrupted by a perceptual discrimination task. To determinewhatinformation was reselected, the memory items had distinct visual and motor attributes. To determinewheninternal representations were reselected, the interrupting task was presented at one of three distinct time points following the retro-cue. We employed electroencephalography time-frequency analyses to track the initial selection and later reselection of visual and motor representations, as operationalized through modulations of posterior alpha (8-12 Hz) activity relative to the memorized item location (visual) and of central beta (13-30 Hz) activity relative to the required response hand (motor). Our results showed that internal visual and motor contents were concurrently reselected immediately after completing the interrupting task, rather than only when internal information was required for memory-guided behavior. Thus, following interruption, we swiftly resume our internal focus in working memory through the simultaneous reselection of memorized visual representations and their associated action plans, thereby restoring internal contents to a ready-to-use state.

Significance statement

A key challenge for working memory is to maintain past visual representations and their associated actions while engaging with the external environment. Our cognitive system must, therefore, often juggle multiple tasks within a common time frame. Despite the ubiquity of multi-task situations in everyday life, working memory has predominantly been studied devoid of additional perceptual, attentional, and response demands during the retention interval. Here, we investigate the neural dynamics of returning to internal contents following task-relevant interruptions. Particularly, we identifywhich attributesof internal representations are reselected andwhenthis reselection occurs. Our findings demonstrate that both visual and motor contents are reselected immediately and in tandem after completion of an external, interrupting task.
The non-specific phospholipase C of common beanPvNPC4modulates roots and nodule development
Authors: Pacheco Ronal , Juárez-Verdayes MA , Chávez-Martínez A. I. , Palacios-Martínez Janet , Leija Alfonso , Nava Noreide , Cárdenas-Torres Luis , Quinto Carmen
Published: December 2024

Plant phospholipase C (PLC) proteins are phospholipid-degrading enzymes classified into two subfamilies: phosphoinositide-specific PLCs (PI-PLCs) and non-specific PLCs (NPCs). PI-PLCs have been widely studied in various biological contexts, including responses to abiotic and biotic stresses and plant development; NPCs have been less thoroughly studied. No PLC subfamily has been characterized in relation to the symbiotic interaction between Fabaceae (legume) species and the nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia. However, lipids are reported to be crucial to this interaction, and PLCs may therefore contribute to regulating legume–rhizobia symbiosis. In this work, we functionally characterizedNPC4from common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) during rhizobial symbiosis, finding evidence that NPC4 plays an important role in bean root development. The knockdown ofPvNPC4by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in fewer and shorter primary roots and fewer lateral roots than were seen in control plants. Importantly, this phenotype seems to be related to altered auxin signaling. In the bean–rhizobia symbiosis,PvNPC4transcript abundance increased 3 days after inoculation withRhizobium tropici. Moreover, the number of infection threads and nodules, as well as the transcript abundance ofPvEnod40, a regulatory gene of early stages of symbiosis, decreased inPvNPC4-RNAi roots. Additionally, transcript abundance of genes involved in autoregulation of nodulation (AON) was altered byPvNPC4silencing. These results indicate thatPvNPC4is a key regulator of root and nodule development, underscoring the participation of PLC in rhizobial symbiosis.
In SilicoToxicity Assessment of Organophosphates: A DFT and Molecular Docking Study on Their Interaction with Human Serum Albumin (HSA)
Authors: Singh Tanya , Shankhwar Nisha , Sharma Neeta Raj , Kumar Anil , Verma Awadhesh Kumar
Published: December 2024

This study presents anin silicoanalysis of the toxicity of Organophosphates (OPs) through their interaction with Human Serum Albumin (HSA) protein using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking approaches. Organophosphates, known for their widespread use as pesticides, have raised significant concerns due to their potential toxicological effects. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying OP toxicity, we conducted DFT calculations to determine the electronic properties and reactivity of selective OP compounds. Molecular docking simulations were performed to explore the binding affinity, interaction sites, and conformational changes of HSA upon exposure to OPs. The DFT analysis revealed key electronic descriptors, such as HOMO-LUMO gap and electrostatic potential, that indicate high reactivity of OPs with biological molecules. Docking results showed strong binding affinities between OPs and HSA, particularly at sites involved in metabolite and drug transport, suggesting potential interference with the protein’s native function. The interaction of OPs with HSA was further supported by molecular dynamics simulations, which confirmed the stability of the OP-HSA complex over time. These findings provide critical insights into the molecular basis of organophosphate toxicity, emphasizing the importance of their interaction with HSA. The combined DFT and molecular docking approach offers a valuable framework for predicting the toxicological behavior of OPs and lays the foundation for furtherin vitroandin vivostudies.

Graphical Abstract
Optimization of protocols for immunohistochemical assessment of enteric nervous system in formalin fixed human tissue
Authors: Hong Su Min , Qian Xia , Deshpande Vikram , Kulkarni Subhash
Published: December 2024

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility is regulated in a large part by the cells of the enteric nervous system (ENS), suggesting that ENS dysfunctions either associate with, or drive GI dysmotility in patients. However, except for select diseases such as Hirschsprung’s Disease or Achalasia that show a significant loss of all neurons or a subset of neurons, our understanding of human ENS histopathology is extremely limited. Recent endoscopic advances allow biopsying patient’s full thickness gut tissues, which makes capturing ENS tissues simpler than biopsying other neuronal tissues, such as the brain. Yet, our understanding of ENS aberrations observed in GI dysmotility patients lags behind our understanding of central nervous system aberrations observed in patients with neurological disease. Paucity of optimized methods for histopathological assessment of ENS in pathological specimens represent an important bottleneck in ascertaining how the ENS is altered in diverse GI dysmotility conditions. While recent studies have interrogated ENS structure in surgically resected whole mount human gut, most pathological specimens are banked as formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks – suggesting that methods to interrogate ENS in FFPE tissue blocks would provide the biggest impetus for ENS histopathology in a clinical setting. In this report, we present optimized methods for immunohistochemical interrogation of the human ENS tissue on the basis of >25 important protein markers that include proteins expressed by all neurons, subset of neurons, hormones, and neurotransmitter receptors. This report provides a resource which will help pathologists and investigators assess ENS aberrations in patients with various GI dysmotility conditions.
A Comprehensive Study ofPiper chaba(Chui jhal): Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Effects
Authors: Kundu Monika , Kundu Konika , Joty Farhana Akter
Published: December 2024

Piper chaba, a valuable medicinal plant from the family Piperaceae is widely cultivated for its use in traditional medicine and as a spice. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential ofPiper chaba. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using standard chemical reaction methods, and antioxidant activity was assessed through the free radical scavenging assay. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, resin, steroids, terpenoids, and tannin inPiper chaba. The presence of flavonoids indicates significant antioxidant potential. By using the DPPH scavenging method, the plant showed an IC50value of 5.81. Further analysis is required to identify the potentiality of the plant in various areas.
Quantification of CAR T cell performance against acute myeloid leukemia using Bayesian inference
Authors: Shah Saumil , Mueller Jan , Raatz Michael , Boettcher Steffen , Traulsen Arne , Manz Markus G. , Altrock Philipp M.
Published: December 2024

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy offers promising avenues for cancer treatment. Insights into CAR T cell kinetics and cellular dynamics may help identify better dosing and targeting regimens. Mathematical models of cancer and immune cell interactions are valuable tools that integrate existing knowledge with predictive capabilities, thereby narrowing the experimental search space. We formulated a mathematical model with a general T cell expansion functional form by drawing a parallel between predator-prey and immune-tumor interactions. We then compared the abilities of different T cell expansion candidate models to recapitulate a novelin vitrodata set of CAR T cells targeting various myeloid antigens on leukemic target cells with differentTP53genotypes. We used Bayesian parameter inference for each candidate model based on thein vitroassay. This approach enabled us to statistically compare candidate models with competing assumptions and select a model that best described thein vitrocytolytic assay longitudinal dynamics. The best-performing CAR T cell expansion model accounts for the detrimental effects of a T cell’s average time to eliminate a leukemia cell and for effector T cell self-interference. We validated this model on unseen data and used it to predict the expected long-term outcomes of single- and multi-dose CAR T cell therapy against acute myeloid leukemia. Our work demonstrates the utility of predator-prey-like mathematical models and Bayesian inference to investigate and assess the performance of novel CAR T cell constructs, helping to guide the translation to clinically relevant and feasible dosing strategies.
Efficient cell-free translation from diverse human cell types
Authors: Ziegelmüller Jana , Kouvelas Nikolaos , Thambythurai Priyanka , Hofer Alexander M. , Mühlemann Oliver , Karousis Evangelos D.
Published: December 2024

Motivation

The difficulties in producing cell-free translation systems from different cell types limit the ability to study regulatory mechanisms that depend on different biological contexts. Developing systems tailored to diverse cell types would be instrumental in investigating cell-type-specific translational control, co- and post-translational modifications, and viral manipulation strategies. Our method addresses this gap by providing a scalable and adaptable solution for producing high-quality lysates that reflect the specific needs of different cell types.

Cell-free translation systems are indispensable for studying protein synthesis, enabling researchers to explore translational regulation across different cell types. Here, we present a scalable method for preparing translation-competent lysates from a range of frequently used human cell lines using dual centrifugation. We optimized lysis conditions for adherent and suspension cells, producing high-quality lysates from HEK-293 (adherent and in suspension), HeLa, SH-SY5Y, and U2OS cells. Our results demonstrate that cell-specific factors influence translation efficiency, with adherent HeLa cells showing the highest activity. We also observed that sensitivity to lysis conditions varies between cell lines, underscoring the importance of fine-tuning parameters for efficient protein production. Our method provides a robust and adaptable approach for generating cell-type-specific lysates, broadening the application ofin vitrotranslation systems in studying translational mechanisms.
APOE4alters the lipid droplet proteome and modulates droplet dynamics
Authors: Friday Cassi M. , Stephens Isaiah O. , Smith Cathryn T. , Lee Sangderk , Satish Diksha , Devanney Nicholas A. , Cohen Sarah , Morganti Josh M. , Gordon Scott M. , Johnson Lance A.
Published: December 2024

Excess lipid droplet (LD) accumulation is associated with several pathological states, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanism(s) by which changes in LD composition and dynamics contribute to pathophysiology of these disorders remains unclear. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a droplet associated protein with a common risk variant (E4) that confers the largest increase in genetic risk for late-onset AD. E4 is associated with both increased neuroinflammation and excess LD accumulation. In the current study, we sought to quantitatively profile the lipid and protein composition of LDs between the ‘neutral’ E3 and risk variant E4, to gain insight into potential LD-driven contributions to AD pathogenesis. Targeted replacement mice expressing human E3 or E4 were injected with saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and after 24 hours, hepatic lipid droplets were isolated for proteomic and lipidomic analyses. Lipidomics revealed a shift in the distribution of glycerophospholipids in E4 LDs with a concomitant increase in phosphatidylcholine species, and overall, the baseline profile of E4 LDs resembled that of the LPS-treated groups. Quantitative proteomics showed that LDs from E4 mice are enriched for proteins involved in protein/vesicle transport but have decreased levels of proteins involved in fatty acid β-oxidation. Interestingly, proteins associated with LDs showed substantial overlap with previously published lists of AD postmortem tissue and microglia ‘omics studies, suggesting a potential role for LDs in modulating AD risk or progression. Given this, we exposed primary microglia from the same E3 or E4 mice to exogenous lipid, inflammatory stimulation, necroptotic N2A cells (nN2A), or a combination of treatments to evaluate LD formation and its impact on the cells’ immune state. Microglia from E4 mice accumulated more LDs in every condition tested – at baseline and following addition of fatty acids, LPS stimulation, or nN2As. E4 microglia also secreted significantly more cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-10) than E3 microglia in the control, oleic acid, and nN2A treatment conditions, yet showed a blunted response to LPS. In sum, these results suggest that E4 microglia accumulate more LDs compared to E3 microglia and that E4 is associated with a basal LD composition that resembles a pro-inflammatory cell. Together with the high overlap of the LD proteome with established AD-associated datasets, these data further support the idea that alterations in LD dynamics, particularly within microglia, may contribute to the increased risk for AD associated withAPOE4.
Vascular endothelial growth factor-D improves lung vascular integrity during acute lung injury
Authors: Yuan Yifan , Sharma Lokesh , Tang Wenwen , Yoon Yongdae , Kirk Shannon , Raredon Micha Sam Brickman , Ahangari Farida , Khoury Johad , Hong Qian , Luan Yi , Yuan Qianying , Lujia Chen , Ke Yunbo , Birukov Konstantin G , Simons Michael , Wu Dianqing (Dan) , Niklason Laura E , Kaminski Naftali
Published: December 2024

Disorders in pulmonary vascular integrity are a prominent feature in many lung diseases. Paracrine signaling is highly enriched in the lung and plays a crucial role in regulating vascular homeostasis. However, the specific local cell-cell crosstalk signals that maintain pulmonary microvascular stability in adult animals and humans remain largely unexplored. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq)-based computational pipelines to systematically profile ligand-receptor (L/R) interactions within the lung microvascular niche and identified vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) as a key local factor with previously unrecognized barrier-protective properties in models of acute lung injury. Our scRNAseq data revealed that, under physiological conditions, soluble L/R interactions between mesenchymal cells, in particular alveolar fibroblast, and microvascular endothelial cells are predominantly associated with pathways involved in maintaining vascular integrity as compared to all other cells. Upon treatment with top identified ligands, we found that VEGF-D significantly enhanced endothelial barrier function and conferred protection against inflammatory challenges induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and thrombin. This barrier-protective effect of VEGF-D was significantly attenuated by inhibition of VEGFR2, either through siRNA knockdown or pharmacological blockade using specific VEGFR2 inhibitors. Intravenous administration of recombinant VEGF-D in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury models significantly reduced vascular permeability (7339 ± 2510 (LPS) v.s. 5350 ± 1821 (LPS + VEGF-D),p< 0.05), immune cell infiltration (0.791 ± 0.199 x 106WBC/mL (LPS) v.s. 0.540 ± 0.190 x 106WBC/mL (LPS + VEGF-D),p< 0.01), and the expression of pro-inflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-6 in the lung tissue. This effect was abolished inVEGFR2iECKOmice, confirming that VEGF-D mediates its effects via VEGFR2-dependent signaling. This study demonstrates an unexpected protective role for VEGF-D in promoting lung endothelial barrier integrity and suggests that paracrine signaling from the alveolar fibroblast niche contributes critically to lung capillary homeostasis.
Multiscale analysis and functional validation of the cellular and genetic determinants of skeletal disease
Authors: Chai Ryan C. , Lundberg Mischa , Freudenthal Bernard , Smith James T. , Boughton Andrew P. , Zhang Yuandan , Flynn Kaitlyn A. , Frysz Monika , Corr Alexander P. , Khoo Weng Hua , Komla-Ebri Davide , Dack Michael R.G. , Guilfoyle Siobhan E. , Logan John G. , Butterfield Natalie C. , Leitch Victoria D. , Pollard Andrea S. , Mäkitie Riikka E. , McDonald Michelle M. , Youlten Scott E. , Sergio C. Marcelo , Evans David M. , Powell Joseph E. , de Leeuw Christiaan A. , Ewing Adam D. , Eisman John A. , Blank Robert D. , Phan Tri Giang ,   International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies (IFMRS) Big Data Working Group, Baldock Paul A. , Duncan Emma L. , Williams Graham R. , Bassett J. H. Duncan , Croucher Peter I. , Kemp John P.
Published: December 2024

Musculoskeletal diseases are a major global health burden. Development of new bone-active therapies is hindered by limited understanding of the complex interactions between the cells and genes that regulate the skeleton. To unravel this complexity, we systematically annotated all cells in bone and defined the genes that control their function at single-cell resolution. Integration with data from human gene-mapping studies of rare skeletal disorders and common skeletal disease traits identified novel disease genes, which we validated by functional analysis in more than one thousand genetic mouse models. This multiscale approach expands the repertoire of cells that regulate bone to include endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. This also revealed hundreds of skeletal disease-associated genes in this landscape of cells as potential drug targets. The cellular and genetic mechanisms revealed by this approach overcomes knowledge gaps and helps to accelerate development of next generation therapies to treat skeletal diseases.
Evidence for white matter intrinsic connectivity networks at rest and during a task: a large-scale study and templates
Authors: Itkyal Vaibhavi , Iraji Armin , Jensen Kyle M. , LaGrow Theodore J. , Duda Marlena , Turner Jessica A. , Liu Jingyu , Wu Lei , Du Yuhui , Fries Jill , Fu Zening , Kochunov Peter , Belger A , Ford J M , Mathalon D H , Pearlson G D , Potkin S G , Preda A , van Erp T G M , Yang K , Sawa A , Hutchison K , Osuch E A , Theberge Jean , Abbott C , Mueller B A , Chen Jiayu , Sui J , Adali Tulay , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: December 2024

Understanding white matter (WM) functional connectivity is crucial for unraveling brain function and dysfunction. In this study, we present a novel WM intrinsic connectivity network (ICN) template derived from over 100,000 fMRI scans, identifying 97 robust WM ICNs using spatially constrained independent component analysis (scICA). This WM template, combined with a previously identified gray matter (GM) ICN template from the same dataset, was applied to analyze a resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) dataset from the Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes 2 (BSNIP2; 590 subjects) and a task-based fMRI dataset from the MIND Clinical Imaging Consortium (MCIC; 75 subjects). Our analysis highlights distinct spatial maps for WM and GM ICNs, with WM ICNs showing higher frequency profiles. Modular structure within WM ICNs and interactions between WM and GM modules were identified. Task-based fMRI revealed event-related BOLD signals in WM ICNs, particularly within the corticospinal tract, lateralized to finger movement. Notable differences in static functional network connectivity (sFNC) matrices were observed between controls (HC) and schizophrenia (SZ) subjects in both WM and GM networks. This open-source WM NeuroMark template and automated pipeline offer a powerful tool for advancing WM connectivity research across diverse datasets.
Adaptive decision-making by ants in response to past, imminent, and predicted adversity
Authors: Notomi Yusuke , Dobata Shigeto , Kazawa Tomoki , Maezawa So , Namiki Shigehiro , Kanzaki Ryohei , Haupt Stephan Shuichi
Published: December 2024

Many animals exhibit innate behaviours, which are often interpreted as hard-wired, reflex-like responses, particularly in insects. Among these behaviours, beacon-aiming—an approach towards dark areas or objects—is observed in many animals; however, its functional significance remains unclear, and some ant species do not exhibit it. Here we show that in one such species,Camponotus japonicus,the behaviour was triggered only under adverse substrate conditions, such as during the crossing of liquid-covered surfaces, regardless of the locomotor patterns like walking or swimming, or the mere presence of water, or when walking upside-down. Once initiated, beacon-aiming persists even under normal substrate conditions, as demonstrated by ants transitioning from water-covered to dry substrates suitable for comfortable walking. This behavioural flexibility indicates that the innate behaviour is not hard-wired but modulated by internal states. Furthermore, changes in internal states may serve adaptive decision-making, potentially allowing ants to prepare for future adverse conditions. The isolated ants on a water-surrounded platform gradually established an attraction to the direction of the beacon before ultimately swimming towards it. These findings suggest that beacon-aiming is regulated by internal states, especially anxiety-like states formed in response to past, imminent, and predicted adverse substrate conditions in ants.
The PRMT5-splicing axis is a critical oncogenic vulnerability that regulates detained intron splicing
Authors: Fowler Colin E. , O’Hearn Natalie A. , Salus Griffin J. , Singh Arundeep , Boutz Paul L. , Lees Jacqueline A.
Published: December 2024

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a promising cancer target, yet it’s unclear which PRMT5 roles underlie this vulnerability. Here, we establish that PRMT5 inhibition induces a special class of unspliced introns, called detained introns (DIs). To interrogate the impact of DIs, we depleted CLNS1A, a PRMT5 cofactor that specifically enables Sm protein methylation. We found that many, but not all, cell lines are CLNS1A-dependent and established that loss of viability is linked to loss of Sm protein methylation and DI upregulation. Finally, we discovered that PRMT5-regulated DIs, and the impacted genes, are highly conserved across human, and also mouse, cell lines but display little interspecies conservation. Despite this, human and mouse DIs have convergent impacts on proliferation by affecting essential components of proliferation-regulating complexes. Together, these data argue that the PRMT5-splicing axis, including appropriate DI splicing, underlies cancer’s vulnerability to PRMT5 inhibitors.
The clumped isotope signatures of multiple methanogenesis metabolisms
Authors: Li Jiawen , Ash Jeanine L. , Cobban Alec , Kubik Briana C. , Rizzo Gabriella , Thompson Mia , Guibourdenche Laetitia , Berger Stefanie , Morra Kaycee , Lin Ying , Mueller Elliott P. , Masterson Andrew L. , Stein Rebekah , Fogel Marilyn , Torres Mark A. , Feng Xiahong , Holden James F. , Martini Anna , Welte Cornelia U. , Jetten Mike , Young Edward D. , Leavitt William D.
Published: December 2024

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, an important energy source, and a potential biosignature on extraterrestrial planetary bodies. The relative abundances of doubly substituted (“clumped”) methane isotopologues (13CH3D and12CH2D2) offer important information on the sources and sinks of methane. However, the clumped isotope signatures of microbially produced methane from different methanogenic pathways lack a systematic investigation. In this study, we provide a dataset encompassing the relative isotopologue abundances produced by hydrogenotrophic, methylotrophic, acetoclastic, and methoxydotrophic methanogenesis. We find that a statistical “combinatorial effect” generates significant differences in12CH2D2compositions between hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis and other pathways. The thermodynamic drive of methanogenic reactions and phylogenetic affiliation may also influence the isotope compositions of methane. Our study provides new experimental constraints on the isotope signatures of different microbial methanogenic pathways, and evidence of the mechanisms responsible for the observed differences.

Teaser

A novel stable isotope tool to track and differentiate sources of biological methane.
Establishment of a Chikungunya virus pseudotype system strictly dependent on viral protein expression
Authors: Tanaka Atsushi , Miyazawa Takayuki
Published: December 2024

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an enveloped RNA virus that causes Chikungunya fever in humans. It is classified into the arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Therefore, mosquitoes can replicate many types of cells derived from mammals or insects. In this study, we tried to establish the widely useable Chikungunya virus pseudotype-system adapting various viral species, and we demonstrated the production of Chikungunya pseudotype virus baring the envelope protein from two different viral families, Coronaviridae or Rhabdoviridae i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein (CoV-2-S) or vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G), respectively. We found that the capsid protein of Chikungunya virus is not always necessary in the formation of Chikungunya virus-based pseudotypes, but that the capsid protein increases the efficiency of expression of the sub-genomic RNA which codes the labeled genes. Our established pseudotype virus-producing system supplied a sufficient titer of virions for application to most virological experiments that showed more than 104focus forming units (FFU)/ml. The pseudotype infections were strictly dependent on compatibility between the viral envelope protein and its receptor and there was no false-positive background infection. Our established pseudotype virus system can be used as a robust platform to study various virus infections and for screening and in-depth evaluation of neutralizing antibodies and antiviral agents.
Suppression of meiotic crossovers in pericentromeric heterochromatin requires synaptonemal complex and meiotic recombination factors inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Pazhayam Nila M. , Sagar Sasha , Sekelsky Jeff
Published: December 2024

The centromere effect (CE) is a meiotic phenomenon that ensures meiotic crossover suppression in pericentromeric regions. Despite being a critical safeguard against nondisjunction, the mechanisms behind the CE remain unknown. Previous studies have shown that various regions of theDrosophilapericentromere, encompassing proximal euchromatin, beta and alpha heterochromatin, undergo varying levels of crossover suppression, raising the question of whether distinct mechanisms establish the CE in these different regions. To address this question, we asked whether different pericentromeric regions respond differently to mutations that impair various features that may play a role in the CE. In flies with a mutation that affects the synaptonemal complex (SC), a structure is hypothesized to have important roles in recombination and crossover patterning, we observed a significant redistribution of pericentromeric crossovers from proximal euchromatin towards beta heterochromatin but not alpha heterochromatin, indicating a role for the SC in suppressing crossovers in beta heterochromatin. In flies mutant formei-218orrec, which encode components of a critical pro-crossover complex, there was a more extreme redistribution of pericentromeric crossovers towards both beta and alpha heterochromatin, suggesting an important role for these meiotic recombination factors in suppressing heterochromatic crossovers. Lastly, we mapped crossovers in flies mutant forSu(var)3-9. Although we expected a strong alleviation of crossover suppression in heterochromatic regions, no changes in pericentromeric crossover distribution were observed in this mutant, indicating that this vital heterochromatin factor is dispensable to prevent crossovers in heterochromatin. Our results indicate that the meiotic machinery plays a bigger role in suppressing crossovers than the chromatin state.
Gravitational and Coriolis forces in crystal neutron interferometry. I. Theory
Authors: Sasso C. P. , Mana G. , Massa E.
Published: December 2024

The proof that neutron interference is possible using split-crystal interferometers opens the way to extended arm separation and length and to new experiments exploring quantum mechanics and gravity. Therefore, this paper reexamines the effect of gravitational and Coriolis forces on the Laue diffraction of neutrons by perfect crystals and the operation of crystal interferometers. We give in analytical form the transfer matrices for the propagation of the neutron quantum state, either pure or mixed and subjected to gravity and Coriolis force, in free space and perfect crystals. They are used to study the effect of interferometer aberrations on the quantum-mechanical phase due to the Earth's gravity. We also give an alternative way to understand the impact of gravitational and Coriolis forces in terms of the crystal displacements and tilts perceived by the neutron.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Interface effects on the thermoelectric properties of disordered semiconductors
Authors: Ihnatsenka S.
Published: December 2024

Interface between metal and disordered semiconductor is commonly required to establish Ohmic contact. However, this requirement is not necessarily beneficial for thermoelectric applications, where heat transfer needs to be taken into account. This study systematically examines interface disorder effects using resistance network and kinetic Monte Carlo method, identifying a parameter space where all thermoelectric properties improve. Within the identified parameter space, the density of localized states varies, while the charge concentration keeps the same as in the bulk. It differs from Ohmic contact requirement, for which interface charge accumulation is beneficial. Thermopower increase is found as a result of filtering out the low-energy electrons by the interface layer. Simulation of the charge carrier dynamics reveals higher transport energies at the interfaces, implying local interface Seebeck coefficient greater than in the bulk. Conductivity increases because of better coupling between the extended electron states in metal and localized states in semiconductor, which is visualized as more uniform electric current at the interface. Relation of the model interface parameters to various effects, materials, and morphologies is discussed, along with relation to recent experiment by Petsagkourakis [], where the thermoelectric properties are shown to change not because of interface doping but rather owing to presence of a tunneling barrier.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Three-coupled-channel analysis of
Zc(3900)
involving
DD¯*
,
πJ/ψ
, and
ρηc
Authors: Yu Kang , Wang Guang-Juan , Wu Jia-Jun , Yang Zhi
Published: December 2024

In this work, we conduct a three-coupled-channel analysis of the Zc(3900) structure, focusing on the DD¯*, J/ψπ, and ρηc channels, based on the one-boson exchange model. Drawing from previous study on the exotic state Tcc, we only utilize one more parameter to construct the interactions between the channels. Our model successfully reproduces the experimental line shapes of the invariant mass distribution at s=4.23 and 4.26 GeV for the three channels. Additionally, the finite-volume energy levels in our model show agreement with current lattice QCD conclusion. Detailed analysis suggests that the Zc(3900) peaks in the πJ/ψ and ρηc distributions primarily arise from the triangle loop involving the D1D¯D* intermediate system. In the DD¯* distribution, the threshold peak is generated by the cascade decay mechanism enhanced by a triangle diagram. Moreover, we find a virtual pole located far from the threshold, indicating that Zc(3900) peaks are not associated with a physical pole. We conclude that the Zc(3900) peaks are predominantly caused by the threshold cusp.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Current algebra and generalized Cartan geometry
Authors: Haßler Falk , Hulík Ondřej , Osten David
Published: December 2024

This article shows that the approach to generalized curvature and torsion pioneered by Poláček and Siegel [Natural curvature for manifest T-duality, .] is a generalization of Cartan geometry—rendering latter natural from the point of view of O(d,d)-generalized geometry. We present this approach in the generalized metric formalism and show that almost all parts of the additional higher generalized tensors appearing in this approach correspond to covariant derivatives of the generalized Riemann tensor. As an application, we use this framework to phrase σ-model dynamics in an explicitly covariant way—both under generalized diffeomorphisms and local gauge transformations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Status of macromolecular crystallography beamlines at SSRF
Authors: Kong Huating , Zhou Huan , Xu Qin , Liu Ke , Zhang Kunhao , Wang Xingya , Wang Weiwei , Wang Zhijun , Wang Sisheng , Wang Yuzhu , Tang Lin , Yu Feng , He Jianhua , Wang Qisheng
Published: December 2024

Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) is a third-generation 3.5 GeV synchrotron facility located on the Chinese mainland, operational for user applications since 2009. With the completion of its Phase II project this year, SSRF now supports over 40 experimental stations across various research fields. For the structural biology community, there are three macromolecular crystallography (MX) beamlines (BL02U1, BL17UM and BL10U2) and one endstation at the white X-ray beamline (BL03HB) managed by SSRF to meet the needs of both academic and industrial users seeking to determine macromolecular crystal structures. The MX group at SSRF is dedicated to continuously upgrading these beamlines in terms of technology and scientific capabilities. This paper reports on the current status of all the MX beamlines at SSRF and discusses emerging trends.
Structure and protective effect of aluminium coated Nd-Fe-B magnets before and after grain boundary diffusion
Authors: Zhang Xianghao , Dong Bicheng , Zhang Weiyuan , Yu Guoxin , Ma Dongwei , Hu Zhihua
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The structure and protective effect of Al-coated Nd-Fe-B magnets before and after grain boundary diffusion were studied to explore the feasibility of improving the corrosion resistance of Nd-Fe-B magnets by Al coating and Al grain boundary diffusion.

Design/methodology/approach

The Al coating was deposited on sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets by magnetron sputtering, and then the Al-coated Nd-Fe-B magnets were put into the vacuum tube furnace for grain boundary diffusion process. The influence of Al coating and grain boundary diffusion process on the corrosion resistance of Nd-Fe-B magnets was investigated using electrochemical tests.

Findings

Results showed that the Al coating thickness increases, the corrosion current density of Al-coated magnets first increases and then decreases with increasing coating time. The Al coating particles transform from small millet shaped particles to equiaxed polygonal particles, and finally to big millet shaped particles with increasing coating time. The diffusion temperature has little effect on the corrosion potential, and the corrosion current density of Al-diffused magnets after grain boundary diffusion is much higher than that of Al-coated magnets before grain boundary diffusion. The corrosion potential and corrosion current density of magnets first increase, and then decrease with increasing tempering temperature.

Originality/value

As for high intrinsic coercivity Nd-Fe-B magnets, Poor preparation of Al coatings can result in Al coatings lacking protective properties, and the Al coating should be used cautiously as the surface protective coating of magnets. Grain boundary diffusion leads to the disappearance of Al coating, and reduces the corrosion resistance of Nd-Fe-B magnets, while tempering treatment can improve the corrosion resistance of Al-diffused magnets.
Inductance calculation of high lift motor prototype for all-electric aircraft
Authors: Shang Maixia , Liu Jinglin , Li Mengqi , Chai Xiaobao
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the performance requirements for the all-electric high lift motors and the inductance calculation process for the fractional slot concentrated winding.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the research work related to all-electric aircraft high lift motors and the inductance calculation process of fractional slot concentrated winding. Firstly, this paper introduces the performance requirements for the high lift motor and summarizes the general process for calculating the inductance in fractional slot motors. Secondly, the analytical model of winding armature total inductance is obtained by the winding function method. Thirdly, a straightforward calculation method is employed for determining the total slot leakage inductance. Finally, the accuracy of the inductance calculation and controllability of the motor are confirmed through finite element model and motor control strategies.

Findings

In the fractional slot concentrated winding, the armature total inductance is equal to the armature self-inductance plus the armature mutual inductance. The slot leakage inductance is divided into the slot leakage self-inductance and the slot leakage mutual inductance. This allows inductance to be obtained quickly without finite element model.

Originality/value

This paper provides the inductance results of analytical and finite element simulation; the control strategy is employed to verify the conformity of the design requirements and control performance under the rated conditions. The implementation of double verification assures the practicality and effectiveness of the high lift motor.
Damage detection and localization of structural cracks based on dynamic attention based transformer
Authors: Honarjoo Ahmad , Darvishan Ehsan , Rezazadeh Hassan , Kosarieh Amir Homayoon
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This article addresses the need for a comprehensive model for structural crack detection in the context of structural health monitoring. The main innovation of this research is the introduction of a dynamic attention-based transformer model that significantly enhances the accuracy and efficiency of detecting and localizing cracks in structures. This study seeks to overcome previous limitations and contribute to advancements in structural health monitoring practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The research focuses on three primary computer vision tasks: classification, object detection and semantic segmentation applied to crack detection in concrete, brick and asphalt structures. The proposed approach employs transformer encoders with dynamic attention mechanisms to assess the severity and extent of damage accurately.

Findings

In this study, we propose a dynamic attention-based transformer model for structural crack detection, achieving a remarkable accuracy of 99.38% and an impressive F1 score. Our method demonstrates superior performance compared to existing techniques, such as the fusion features-based broad learning system and deep convolutional neural networks, while also significantly reducing execution time, highlighting its efficiency and potential for practical applications in structural health monitoring.

Originality/value

This research introduces a novel framework for crack detection, leveraging recent advancements in deep learning technology, with significant implications for the field of civil engineering and maintenance.
The predictive power of technology leadership and green HRM toward green innovation, work engagement and environmental performance
Authors: Abdelwahed Nadia A. Abdelmegeed
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Developing and maintaining green innovation (GI) and environmental performance (EP) has become a significant challenge for every organization. The present paper attempts to confirm the contributions of technology leadership (TL) and green HRM (GHRM) to green work engagement (GWE), GI and EP. The study also recognizes GWE’s contribution to connecting TL, GHRM, GI and EP.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a deductive approach where data are gathered through questionnaires from employees of manufacturing firms in Egypt. Consequently, the study utilizes 312 cases to draw its conclusions.

Findings

With regard to analysis, the researcher used path analysis through AMOS and established a positive effect of TL on GI and EP but a negative on GWE. GHRM has been confirmed to predict GWE, GI and EP positively. Furthermore, GWE positively influences GI and EP among the employees of manufacturing firms in Egypt. The indirect paths establish a significant contribution of GWE in developing the links between TL and EP, GHRM, GI and EP. On the other hand, it negatively affects the link between TL and GI.

Practical implications

The study assists employers in setting green goals for their employees by offering the required knowledge, skills and training for green environmental management. The study also benefits employees’ workplace green behaviors in performance appraisals and promotions.

Originality/value

The study’s originality assists in overcoming the remaining gaps in the literature by enriching the penetration of the literature from a developing context.
Impacts of supply chain finance on supply chain resilience: empirical evidence from a dynamic capability perspective
Authors: Lu Qiang , Lu Wanfei , Jiang Yu , Zhang Qian
Published: December 2024

Purpose

In a volatile and highly dynamic business environment, supply chain operations face various challenges. This study, grounded in dynamic capability theory (DCT), investigates how supply chain collaboration (SCC) and supply chain transparency (SCT) influence the relationship between supply chain finance (SCF) and supply chain resilience (SCR) in manufacturing firms. This demonstrates the intrinsic mechanism between SCF and SCR, which provides insights for relative research.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative research approach was utilized. Employing data collected from 289 Chinese manufacturing firms, structural equation modeling is conducted to test the theoretical hypotheses.

Findings

The research findings have revealed that SCF has a positive impact on SCC and SCT and SCC has a positive impact on SCT. Moreover, both SCC and SCT can improve SCR, and SCT plays a positive mediating role between SCC and SCR.

Practical implications

This study provides insightful ideas for managers in enhancing SCR by considering SCF. Moreover, this study highlights the concrete responses firms should do to improve SCC and SCT, thus managers can develop more effective strategies to optimize SCR.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the extant literature on improving SCR through SCF, considering the two dimensions of dynamic capability (i.e. SCC and SCT), which explains the intrinsic mechanisms by which SCF affects SCR. This study also broadens the scope of application of DCT.
The generation and influence of colleague-oriented deviant behavior
Authors: Wang Xianghui , Chu Shuai
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The colleague-oriented deviant behavior greatly affects the sustainable development of enterprises. Research on how colleague-oriented deviant behavior occurs and its consequences is limited. This empirical study will explore what factors lead to colleague-directed deviant behavior and what consequences will occur when colleague-directed deviant behavior occurs from three aspects: organizational management model, workplace deviant behavior and employee psychology.

Design/methodology/approach

The paired data of 283 employees and supervisors were collected using a seven-point scale to assess important concepts such as abusive supervision, negative colleague-directed behaviors, emotional exhaustion and negative affective traits. Structural relationships among these factors were analyzed using principal component analysis and exploratory factor analysis, employing a simultaneous equation model.

Findings

The findings suggest that abusive supervision (external factor) and negative emotional traits (internal factor) produce negative colleague-oriented deviant behavior, and when negative colleague-oriented behavior is produced, employees experience emotional exhaustion. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between employees’ emotional exhaustion and employees’ working years, with the more the employees’ working years, the less likely they were to be emotionally exhausted by negative colleague-oriented deviant behavior.

Originality/value

This study is the first to show that the colleague-oriented deviant behavior can lead to emotional exhaustion among employees, especially those with fewer years of experience. Organizations should improve business ethics by reducing abusive supervision, increasing the proportion of employees with longer working experience and opening professional psychological counseling services to mitigate the generation and influence of colleague-oriented deviant behavior.