bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TRAP-based allelic translation efficiency imbalance analysis to identify genetic regulation of ribosome occupancy in specific cell typesin vivo
Authors: Liu Yating , Fischer Anthony D. , St. Pierre Celine L. , Macias-Velasco Juan F. , Lawson Heather A. , Dougherty Joseph D. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe alteration of gene expression due to variations in the sequences of transcriptional regulatory elements has been a focus of substantial inquiry in humans and model organisms. However, less is known about the extent to which natural variation contributes to post-transcriptional regulation. Allelic Expression Imbalance (AEI) is a classical approach for studying the association of specific haplotypes with relative changes in transcript abundance. Here, we piloted a new TRAP based approach to associate genetic variation with transcript occupancy on ribosomes in specific cell types, to determine if it will allow examination of Allelic Translation Imbalance (ATI), and Allelic Translation Efficiency Imbalance, using as a test case mouse astrocytesin vivo. We show that most changes of the mRNA levels on ribosomes were reflected in transcript abundance, though ∼1.5% of transcripts have variants that clearly alter loading onto ribosomes orthogonally to transcript levels. These variants were often in conserved residues and altered sequences known to regulate translation such as upstream ORFs, PolyA sites, and predicted miRNA binding sites. Such variants were also common in transcripts showing altered abundance, suggesting some genetic regulation of gene expression may function through post-transcriptional mechanisms. Overall, our work shows that naturally occurring genetic variants can impact ribosome occupancy in astrocytesin vivoand suggests that mechanisms may also play a role in genetic contributions to disease.
The putative phosphate transporter PitB (PP1373) is involved in tellurite uptake in Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Montenegro Rafael , Vieto Sofía , Wicki-Emmenegger Daniela , Vásquez-Castro Felipe , Coronado-Ruiz Carolina , Fuentes-Schweizer Paola , Calderón Paula , Pereira Reinaldo , Chavarría Max 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTellurium oxyanions are chemical species with great toxicity; their presence in the environment has increased because of mining industries and photovoltaic and electronic waste. Recovery strategies based on microorganisms for this metalloid are of interest, but further studies of the transport systems and enzymes responsible for implementing tellurium transformations are required because many mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we investigated the involvement in tellurite uptake of the putative phosphate transporter PitB (PP1373) in soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440. For this purpose, through a method based on the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we generated a strain deficient in pitB gene and characterized its phenotype on exposing it to varied concentrations of tellurite. Growth curves and Transmission Electronic Microscopy experiments of wild type and ΔpitB showed that both strains were able to internalize tellurite into the cytoplasm and reduce the oxyanion to black nano-sized and rod-shaped tellurium particles, however, ΔpitB strain showed an increased resistance to the tellurite toxic effects. At a concentration of 100 uM tellurite, where the biomass formation of wild type strain decreased by half, we observed a greater ability of ΔpitB to reduce this oxyanion with respect to wild type strain (~38% vs ~16%), which is related by the greater biomass production of ΔpitB and not by a greater consumption of tellurite per cell. The phenotype of the mutant was restored on over-expressing pitB in trans. In summary, our results indicate that PitB is one of several transporters responsible for tellurite uptake in P. putida KT2440.
Global identification of RsmA/N binding sites inPseudomonas aeruginosabyin vivoUV CLIP-seq
Authors: Chihara Kotaro , Barquist Lars , Takasugi Kenichi , Noda Naohiro , Tsuneda Satoshi 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTPosttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in bacteria is performed by a complex and hierarchical signaling cascade.Pseudomonas aeruginosaharbors two redundant RNA-binding proteins RsmA/RsmN (RsmA/N), which play a critical role in balancing acute and chronic infections. However,in vivobinding sites on target transcripts and the overall impact on the physiology remains unclear. In this study, we appliedin vivoUV crosslinking immunoprecipitation followed by RNA-sequencing (UV CLIP-seq) to detect RsmA/N binding sites at single-nucleotide resolution and mapped more than 500 peaks to approximately 400 genes directly bound by RsmA/N inP. aeruginosa. This also demonstrated the ANGGA sequence in apical loops skewed towards 5’UTRs as a consensus motif for RsmA/N binding. Genetic analysis combined with CLIP-seq results identified previously unrecognized RsmA/N targets involved in LPS modification. Moreover, the small non-coding RNAs RsmY/RsmZ, which sequester RsmA/N away from target mRNAs, are positively regulated by the RsmA/N-mediated translational repression ofhptB, encoding a histidine phosphotransfer protein, andcafA, encoding a cytoplasmic axial filament protein, thus providing a possible mechanistic explanation for homeostasis of the Rsm system. Our findings present the global RsmA/N-RNA interaction network that exerts pleiotropic effects on gene expression inP. aeruginosa.IMPORTANCEThe ubiquitous bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosais notorious as an opportunistic pathogen causing life-threatening acute and chronic infections in immunocompromised patients.P. aeruginosainfection processes are governed by two major gene regulatory systems, namely, the GacA/GacS (GacAS) two-component system and the RNA-binding proteins RsmA/RsmN (RsmA/N). RsmA/N basically function as a translational repressor or activator directly by competing with the ribosome. In this study, we identified hundreds of RsmA/N regulatory target RNAs and the consensus motifs for RsmA/N bindings by UV crosslinkingin vivo. Moreover, our CLIP-seq revealed that RsmA/N posttranscriptionally regulate cell wall organization and exert feedback control on GacAS-RsmA/N systems. Many genes including small regulatory RNAs identified in this study are attractive targets for further elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of RsmA/N inP. aeruginosa.
Power and coherence in the EEG of the rat: impact of behavioral states, cortical area, lateralization and light/dark phases
Authors: Mondino Alejandra , Cavelli Matías , Gonzalez Joaquín , Osorio Lucía , Castro-Zaballa Santiago , Costa Alicia , Vanini Giancarlo , Torterolo Pablo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe sleep-wake cycle is constituted by three behavioral states: wakefulness (W), non-REM (NREM) and REM sleep. These states are associated with drastic changes in cognitive capacities, mostly determined by the function of the thalamo-cortical system. Thalamo-cortical activity can be examined by means of the intra-cranial electroencephalogram (iEEG).With the purpose to study in depth the basal activity of the iEEG in adult rats, we analyzed the spectral power and coherence of the iEEG during W and sleep in the paleocortex (olfactory bulb), as well as in motor, somatosensory and visual neocortical areas. We also analyzed the laterality (right Vs. left hemispheres) of the signals, as well as the iEEG in function of the light and dark phases.We found that the iEEG power and coherence of the whole spectrum were largely affected by behavioral states and were highly dependent on the cortical areas recorded. We also determined that there are night/day differences in power and coherence during sleep, but not in W. Finally, while we did not find right/left differences in power either in W or sleep, we observed that during REM sleep intra-hemispheric coherence differs between both hemispheres.We conclude that the iEEG dynamics is highly dependent on the cortical area and behavioral states. We also determine that there are light/dark phases disparities in the iEEG that emerge during sleep, and that intra-hemispheric connectivity differs between both hemispheres only during REM sleep.
Gene expression patterns in chordate embryonic development suggest partial applicability of Haeckel’s postulates
Authors: Guo Song , Hu Haiyang , Xu Chuan , Irie Naoki , Khaitovich Philipp 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe relationship between embryonic development and evolution historically investigated based on embryo morphology, could now be reassessed using mRNA expression endophenotype. Here, we investigated the applicability of von Baer’s and Haeckel’s arguments at mRNA expression level by comparing the developmental changes among nine evolutionarily distinct species: from oyster to mouse. In agreement with models based on von Baer’s postulates, up to 36% of mRNA expression indicated nearly linear conservation of species’ developmental programs. By contrast, 5-15% of developmental expression profiles, enriched in neural genes, displayed an alignment pattern compatible with the terminal edition paradigm proposed by Haeckel. Thus, the development-evolution relationship based on mRNA expression agrees with early concepts based on embryo morphology and demonstrates that the corresponding patterns coexist in chordate development.
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in humans induces pupil dilation and attenuates alpha oscillations
Authors: Sharon Omer , Fahoum Firas , Nir Yuval 
Published: August 2020

AbstractVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is widely used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy and depression. While the precise mechanisms mediating its long-term therapeutic effects are not fully resolved, they likely involve locus coeruleus (LC) stimulation via the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), which receives afferent vagal inputs. In rats, VNS elevates LC firing and forebrain noradrenaline levels, whereas LC lesions suppress VNS therapeutic efficacy. Non-invasive transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) employs electrical stimulation that targets the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the cymba conchae of the ear. However, the extent that tVNS mimics VNS remains unclear. Here, we investigated the short-term effects of tVNS in healthy human male volunteers (n=24), using high-density EEG and pupillometry during visual fixation at rest. We compared short (3.4s) trials of tVNS to sham electrical stimulation at the earlobe (far from the vagus nerve branch) to control for somatosensory stimulation. Although tVNS and sham stimulation did not differ in subjective intensity ratings, tVNS led to robust pupil dilation (peaking 4-5s after trial onset) that was significantly higher than following sham stimulation. We further quantified, using parallel factor analysis, how tVNS modulates idle occipital alpha (8-13Hz) activity identified in each participant. We found greater attenuation of alpha oscillations by tVNS than by sham stimulation. This demonstrates that tVNS reliably induces pupillary and EEG markers of arousal beyond the effects of somatosensory stimulation, thus supporting the hypothesis that tVNS elevates noradrenaline and other arousal-promoting neuromodulatory signaling, and mimics invasive VNS.Significance statementCurrent non-invasive brain stimulation techniques are mostly confined to modulating cortical activity, as is typical with transcranial magnetic or transcranial direct/alternating-current electrical stimulation. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has been proposed to stimulate subcortical arousal-promoting nuclei, though previous studies yielded inconsistent results. Here we show that short (3.4s) tVNS pulses in naïve healthy male volunteers induced transient pupil dilation and attenuation of occipital alpha oscillations. These markers of brain arousal are in line with the established effects of invasive VNS on locus coeruleus-noradrenaline signaling, and support the notion that tVNS mimics VNS. Therefore, tVNS can be used as a tool for studying the means by which endogenous subcortical neuromodulatory signaling affects human cognition, including perception, attention, memory, and decision-making; and also for developing novel clinical applications.
A physical theory of movement in small animals
Authors: Loveless Jane , Garner Alastair , Issa Abdul Raouf , Roberts Ruairí J. V. , Webb Barbara , Prieto-Godino Lucia L. , Ohyama Tomoko , Alonso Claudio R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAll animal behaviour must ultimately be governed by physical laws. As a basis for understanding the physics of behaviour in a simple system, we here develop an effective theory for the motion of the larval form of the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, and compare it against a quantitative analysis of the real animal’s behaviour. We first define a set of fields which quantify stretching, bending, and twisting along the larva’s antero- posterior axis, and then perform a search in the space of possible theories that could govern the long-wavelength physics of these fields, using a simplified approach inspired by the renormalisation group. Guided by symmetry considerations and stability requirements, we arrive at a unique, analytically tractable free-field theory with a minimum of free parameters. Unexpectedly, we are able to explain a wide-spectrum of features of Drosophila larval behaviour by applying equilibrium statistical mechanics: our theory closely predicts the animals’ postural modes (eigenmaggots), as well as distributions and trajectories in the postural mode space across several behaviours, including peristaltic crawling, rolling, self-righting and unbiased substrate exploration. We explain the low-dimensionality of postural dynamics via Boltzmann suppression of high frequency modes, and also propose and experimentally test, novel predictions on the relationships between different forms of body deformation and animal behaviour. We show that crawling and rolling are dominated by similar symmetry properties, leading to identical dynamics/statistics in mode space, while rolling and unbiased exploration have a common dominant timescale. Furthermore, we are able to demonstrate that self-righting behaviour occurs continuously throughout substrate exploration, owing to the decoupling of stretching, bending, and twisting at low energies. Together, our results demonstrate that relatively simple effective physics can be used to explain and predict a wide range of animal behaviours.
Influence of destination attractiveness factors and travel motivations on rural homestay choice: the moderating role of need for uniqueness
Authors: Dey Banasree , Mathew Jones , Chee-Hua Chin 
Published: August 2020

PurposeRural homestays have emerged as an interesting option for tourists. This study aims to assess the role of destination attractiveness factors and travel motivations in homestay choice. The moderating role of need for uniqueness towards enhancing these relationships is also examined.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 201 Indian tourists who had visited rural homestays in the Uttarakhand state of India was conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS and WarpPLS, based on structural equation modelling approach.FindingsResults indicate that two destination attractiveness factors – (a) cultural and rural attractions and (b) destination location and transportation – have a significant association with rural homestay choice. Further, need for uniqueness enhances the relationship between natural attractions and choosing rural homestays.Originality/valueAlthough there are several studies on rural homestays, there is scant research on the factors influencing the choice of rural homestays from a tourists’ perspective. Besides, studies on rural homestay tourism have not assessed the role of need for uniqueness in influencing such choices. The implications of the study for destination marketers, homestay operators and owners are discussed which would hopefully aid in attracting discerning tourists to the rural homestays to such regions.
Analysing the impact of COVID-19 on over-the-top media platforms in India
Authors: Madnani Divya , Fernandes Semila , Madnani Nidhi 
Published: August 2020

Purpose
The outbreak of COVID-19 saw a robust increase in viewership of over-the-top (OTT) media platforms. This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on OTT platforms in India, as it has led to reshaping consumer content preferences.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors have conducted primary research by doing a survey and focus group discussion. The first study has focused on the impact of various factors such as time, content, convenience, satisfaction and work from home (WFH) on OTT platforms during the COVID-19 crisis and the second study has focused on change in behavior of people before and during lockdown using visual representation.

Findings
The findings of this study show that lockdown has played a major role in the increase in viewership of OTT platforms, as people working from home are also using OTT platforms more. The average hours spent on OTT have increased from 0–2 to 2–5 h and average spending that users are willing to make on OTT platforms is Rs 100–300 (per month). The satisfaction level of customers is directly related to space to watch with family, time to use OTT platforms, the quality of content on OTT platforms and preference of OTT platform over television. Also, factors such as age group, occupation, city and income groups also determine the usage of the OTT platform.

Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to analyze the customer needs that impact their satisfaction level.
Effect of SCF on automobile industry performance during sales promotional schemes
Authors: Chirra Sricharan , Kumar Dinesh 
Published: August 2020

PurposeIn today's competitive market subject to various uncertainties, supply chain flexibility (SCF) arose as a potential weapon to enhance the firm's performance. This paper model the effect of SCF on automobile industry performance during sales promotional schemes (SPS), which has turned out to be one of the most important marketing tools.Design/methodology/approachIn view of the literature and the expert opinion taken from an automobile OEM, the SCFs and performance measures pertaining to the SPS environment have been identified. For the purpose of ranking the SCFs with respect to the performance measures, the Interpretive Ranking Process (IRP) has been applied using the direct contact method as a means for establishing the contextual relationships between SCFs and performance measures and to draw the interpreting reasons behind them.FindingsThe findings of this study along with the validity and stability of the results assessed through the system graphs and sensitivity analysis demonstrate that flexibility at the procurement end followed by the organizational end has the highest impact on the performance of the company during SPS.Originality/valueAnalysis of SCFs in regard to performance measures during SPS helps improve supply chain performance and offer valuable insights to the practicing managers in decision-making. This study augments the flexibility literature, by clubbing the two independent research streams, SCF and SPS.
How managerial coaching promotes employees' affective commitment and individual performance
Authors: Ribeiro Neuza , Nguyen Tam , Duarte Ana Patrícia , Torres de Oliveira Rui , Faustino Catarina 
Published: August 2020

PurposeThis study sought to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how managers' coaching skills can affect individual performance through the mediating role of affective commitment.Design/methodology/approachThe sample included 198 employees from diverse organizations. Based on an online survey, respondents assessed their managers' coaching skills and reported their own individual performance and affective commitment to their organization.FindingsThe findings show that managers' coaching skills have a positive impact on individual performance and affective commitment, with the latter mediating the relationship between the first two variables.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional studies with larger samples are needed to understand more fully not only the impact of managers' coaching skills on individual performance but also other psychosocial variables affecting that relationship.Practical implicationsOrganizations can increase employees' affective commitment and individual performance by encouraging managers to integrate more coaching skills into their leadership styles.Originality/valueThis study is the first to integrate managers' coaching skills, affective commitment and individual performance into a single research model, thereby extending previous research on this topic.
Mobile money as a financial inclusion instrument: what are the determinants?
Authors: Amoah Anthony , Korle Kofi , Asiama Rexford Kweku 
Published: August 2020

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the motivating factors that propel people to use mobile money in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana. The authors posit that the behaviour of a person, in terms of the choice and means of transaction, cannot be explained solely by utility-maximizing assumptions or rationality. Thus, other socio-cultural and psychological factors are crucial in determining whether a person will use mobile money.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a cross-sectional design to obtain primary data on 733 households from the GAR of Ghana to determine the drivers of mobile money use. Given the binary nature of the dependent variable, a logit model and its marginal effects are estimated. Furthermore, parametric and non-parametric statistical tests are used to examine gender effect and mobile money use.FindingsThe study finds that technology savvy cohorts (youthful age cohorts), available services such as phone credit recharge, education and income are among the key determinants of mobile money use in Ghana. Furthermore, parametric and non-parametric tests of mobile money use on gender show a statistically significant difference in gender use of mobile money, albeit, marginal. The findings imply that consistent use of mobile money to access social and economic services can go a long way in promoting financial inclusion, financial empowerment and general wellbeing of people.Originality/valueHouseholds in developing countries especially Ghana have rapidly embraced mobile money technology. However, what determines the household level of adoption, to the best of our knowledge, is unknown and yet to be tested. This study bridges that gap in the empirical literature as well as contributes to policy decisions.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2020-0271
Measuring financial inclusion: a composite FI index for the developing countries
Authors: Nguyen Thi Truc Huong 
Published: August 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on measuring financial inclusion (FI) level for the developing countries.Design/methodology/approachBy using a two-stage principal component analysis method, we construct a composite FI index to measure the degree of FI. Data are collected through secondary sources including World Bank and IMF reports for the period 2012–2018.FindingsWe have built an overall FI index which is considered as a comprehensive measure of FI, a useful tool for policymaking and policy evaluation. Comparison with other studies shows that our FI index corroborates with them.Practical implicationsBuilding a good FI measurement method is important for developing countries. It helps to assess and compare the level of FI of each country and between countries together, made easily and accurately.Originality/valueThis study emphasizes the important role of FI in the economy. From there, an FI solution is integrated into the construction and calculation of its impact on other factors. This will help policymakers to take effective measures to increase FI levels to achieve sustainable economic growth.