bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased alertness reconfigures cognitive control networks
Authors: Canales-Johnson Andres , Beerendonk Lola , Blain Salome , Kitaoka Shin , Ezquerro-Nassar Alejandro , Nuiten Stijn , Fahrenfort Johannes , Gaal Simon van , Bekinschtein Tristan A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHumans’ remarkable capacity to flexibly adapt their behaviour based on rapid situational changes is termed cognitive control. Intuitively, cognitive control is thought to be affected by the state of alertness, for example, when drowsy we feel less capable of adequately implementing effortful cognitive tasks. Although scientific investigations have focused on the effects of sleep deprivation and circadian time, little is known about how natural daily fluctuations in alertness in the regular awake state affect cognitive control. Here we combined a conflict task in the auditory domain with EEG neurodynamics to test how neural and behavioural markers of conflict processing are affected by fluctuations in alertness. Using a novel computational method, we segregated alert and drowsy trials from two testing sessions and observed that, although participants (both sexes) were generally sluggish, the typical Conflict Effect reflected in slower responses to conflicting information compared to non-conflicting information was still intact, as well as the moderating effect of previous conflict (Conflict Adaptation). However, the typical neural markers of cognitive control-local midfrontal-theta band power changes-that participants show during full alertness were no longer noticeable when alertness decreased. Instead, when drowsy, we found an increase in long-range information sharing (connectivity) between brain regions in the same frequency band. These results show the resilience of the human cognitive control system when affected by internal fluctuations of alertness, and suggest neural compensatory mechanisms at play in response to physiological pressure during diminished alertness.Significance StatementThe normal variability in alertness we experience in daily tasks is rarely taking into account in cognitive neuroscience. Here we studied neurobehavioral dynamics of cognitive control with decreasing alertness. We used the classic Simon Task where participants hear the word “left” or “right” in the right or left ear, eliciting slower responses when the word and the side are incongruent - the conflict effect. Participants performed the task both while fully awake and while getting drowsy, allowing for the characterisation of alertness modulating cognitive control. The changes in the neural signatures of conflict from local theta oscillations to a long-distance distributed theta network suggests a reconfiguration of the underlying neural processes subserving cognitive control when affected by alertness fluctuations.
Loss of pseudouridine synthases in the RluA family causes hypersensitive nociception inDrosophila
Authors: Song Wan , Tracey W. Daniel 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNociceptive neurons ofDrosophila melanogasterlarvae are characterized by highly branched dendritic processes whose proper morphogenesis relies on a large number of RNA-binding proteins. Post-transcriptional regulation of RNA in these dendrites has been found to play an important role in their function. Here, we investigate the neuronal functions of two putative RNA modification genes,RluA-1andRluA-2, which are predicted to encode pseudouridine synthases.RluA-1is specifically expressed in larval sensory neurons whileRluA-2expression is ubiquitous. Nociceptor-specific RNAi knockdown ofRluA-1caused hypersensitive nociception phenotypes, which were recapitulated with genetic null alleles. These were rescued with genomic duplication and nociceptor-specific expression ofUAS-RluA-1-cDNA. As withRluA-1, RluA-2loss of function mutants also displayed hyperalgesia. Interestingly, nociceptor neuron dendrites showed a hyperbranched morphology in theRluA-1mutants. The latter may be a cause or a consequence of heightened sensitivity in mutant nociception behaviors.Author SummaryPseudouridine (Psi) is a C5-glycoside isomer of uridine and it is the most common posttranscriptional modification of RNAs, including noncoding tRNAs, rRNAs, snRNAs as well as mRNAs. Although first discovered in the 1950s, the biological functions of Psi in multicellular organisms are not well understood. Interestingly, a marker for sensory neurons inDrosophilaencodes for a putative pseudouridine synthase called RluA-1. Here, we report our characterization of nociception phenotypes for larvae with RluA-1 loss of function along with that of a related gene RluA-2. Disrupting either or both RluA-1 and RluA-2 resulted in hypersensitive nociception. In addition, RluA-1 mutants have more highly branched nociceptor neurites that innervate the epidermis. Our studies suggest an important role for the RluA family in nociception. This may be through its action on RNAs that regulate neuronal excitability and/or dendrite morphogenesis.
Towards a biotechnological platform for the production of human pro-angiogenic growth factors in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Jarquín-Cordero Montserrat , Chávez Myra Noemi , Centeno-Cerdas Carolina , Bohne Alexandra-Viola , Hopfner Ursula , Machens Hans-Günther , Tomás Egaña José , Nickelsen Jörg 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe recent use of photosynthetic organisms such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in biomedical applications has demonstrated their potential for the treatment of acute and chronic tissue hypoxia. Moreover, transgenic microalgae have been suggested as an alternative in situ drug delivery system. In this study, we set out to identify the best available combination of strains and expression vectors to establish a robust platform for the expression of human pro-angiogenic growth factors, i.e. hVEGF-165, hPDGF-B, and hSDF-1, in biomedical settings. As a case study, combinations of two expression vectors (pOpt and pBC1) and two C. reinhardtii strains (UVM4 and UVM11) were compared with respect to hVEGF-165 transgene expression by determination of steady-state levels of transgenic transcripts as well as immunological detection of recombinant proteins produced and secreted by the generated strains. The results revealed the combination of the UVM11-strain with the pBC1-vector to be the most efficient one for high level hVEGF-165 production. To assess the robustness of this finding, the selected combination was used to create hPDGF-B and hSDF-1 transgenic strains for optimized recombinant protein expression. Furthermore, biological activity and functionality of algal-produced recombinant pro-angiogenic growth factors were assessed by receptor phosphorylation and in-vitro angiogenesis assays. The results obtained revealed a potentiating effect in the combinatorial application of transgenic strains expressing either of the three growth factors on endothelial cell tube formation ability, and thus support the idea of using transgenic algae expressing pro-angiogenic growth factors in wound healing approaches.
Equilin does not affect thyroid hormone signaling in the developing Xenopus laevis tadpole brain
Authors: Bass Robert G. , Husain Zahabiya , Dahora Lara , Thompson Christopher K. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractToxcast/Tox21 is a massive federally run research effort dedicated to better understanding the potential toxicity of thousands of compounds in a high throughput manner. Among this list of compounds is equilin, an estrogen-like compound that was flagged as a potential thyroid hormone agonist. Here we examine if equilin acts like a thyroid hormone agonist on cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain development in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. To examine the effect of equilin, tadpoles were divided into eight groups and received 4 days of exposure. The experimental groups were as follows: 1 μL, 10 μL, and 100 μL of equilin, 1 μL, 10μM, and 100 μM of 17-β estradiol as an estrogen control, 15 μg/mL thyroxine (T4) as a thyroid hormone control, and a no-exposure control. After 4 days of treatment, animals were treated with CldU to label dividing cells for 2hr and then euthanized in MS-222. After fixation, body length was measured and the brains dissected out. IHC was performed on brains for CldU to label proliferating neural progenitor cells. Brains were then whole-mounted and analyzed using confocal microscopy. We found that equilin did not increase the number of dividing progenitor cells in a T4-like manner. Instead, equilin decreased proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, as did estradiol. The same paradigm was performed separately staining for caspase-3 and h2ax, finding that equilin increased cell death in contrast to CNTL and T4. In another experiment, RNA was extracted from tadpole brains in each group and qPCR was performed to assess change in expression of thyroid hormone-sensitive genes, Equilin did not affect gene expression in a thyroid hormone-like manner. Our data indicate that equilin does not act as a thyroid hormone agonist in the Xenopus laevis nervous system but instead acts similarly to estradiol. Our data strongly suggest that equilin is not a TH disruptor, contrary to the findings of the ToxCast/Tox21 dataset.
Monitoring Dynamics of Large Membrane Proteins by 19F Paramagnetic Longitudinal Relaxation: Domain Movement in a Glutamate Transporter Homolog
Authors: Huang Yun , Wang Xiaoyu , Lv Guohua , Razavi Asghar M. , Huysmans Gerard H. M. , Weinstein Harel , Bracken Clay , Eliezer David , Boudker Olga 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn proteins where conformational changes are functionally important, the number of accessible states and their dynamics are often difficult to establish. Here we describe a novel 19F-NMR spectroscopy approach to probe dynamics of large membrane proteins. We labeled a glutamate transporter homologue with a 19F probe via cysteine chemistry and with a Ni2+ ion via chelation by a di-histidine motif. We used distance-dependent enhancement of the longitudinal relaxation of 19F nuclei by the paramagnetic metal to assign the observed resonances. We identified two outward- and one inward-facing states of the transporter, in which the substrate-binding site is near the extracellular and intracellular solutions, respectively. We then resolved the structure of the unanticipated second outward-facing state by Cryo-EM. Finally, we showed that the rates of the conformational exchange are accessible from measurements of the metal-enhanced longitudinal relaxation of 19F nuclei.
Segment2P: Parameter-free automated segmentation of cellular fluorescent signals
Authors: Dolev Noah , Pinkus Lior , Rivlin-Etzion Michal 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe availability of genetically modified calcium indicators has made calcium imaging of neural signaling accessible and widespread whereby recording hundreds or even thousands of cells simultaneously is commonplace. Immunocytochemistry also produces large images with a great number of antibody labeled cells. A major bottleneck towards fully harnessing these techniques is the delineation of the neural cell bodies. We designed an online robust cell segmentation algorithm based on deep learning which does not require installation or expertise. The robust segmentation is achieved by pre-processing images submitted to the site and running them through DeepLabv3 networks trained on human segmented micrographs. The algorithm does not entail any parameter tuning; can be further trained if necessary; is robust to cell types and microscopy techniques (from immunocytochemistry to single and multi-photon microscopy) and does not require image pre-processing.
The primary cilium dampens proliferative signaling and represses a G2/M transcriptional network in quiescent myoblasts
Authors: Venugopal Nisha , Ghosh Ananga , Gala Hardik , Aloysius Ajoy , Vyas Neha , Dhawan Jyotsna 
Published: November 2019

AbstractReversible cell cycle arrest (quiescence/G0) is characteristic of adult stem cells and is actively controlled at multiple levels. G0 cells extend a primary cilium, which functions as a signaling hub, but how it controls the quiescence program is not clear. Here, we report that primary cilia distinguish different states of cell cycle exit: quiescent myoblasts elaborate a primary ciliumin vivoandin vitro, but terminally differentiated myofibers do not. Myoblasts where ciliogenesis is ablated using RNAi against a key ciliary assembly protein (IFT88) can exit the cell cycle but display an altered quiescence program and impaired self-renewal. Specifically, the G0 transcriptome in IFT88 knockdown cells is aberrantly enriched for G2/M regulators, suggesting a focused repression of this network by the cilium. Cilium-ablated cells also exhibit features of activation including enhanced activity of Wnt and mitogen signaling, and elevated protein synthesis via inactivation of the translational repressor 4EBP1. Taken together, our results show that the primary cilium integrates and dampens proliferative signaling, represses translation and G2/M genes, and is integral to the establishment of the quiescence program.Summary statementThe primary cilium contributes to reversible arrest (quiescence) in skeletal muscle myoblasts, by coordinating and dampening mitogenic signaling focused on a G2/M transcriptional program and protein synthesis.
Immune cell-specific Cre reporter mouse labels a subset of CNS neurons
Authors: Bouteau Aurélie , Igyártó Botond Z. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHuLangerin-Cre-YFPf/f mice were generated to specifically mark a subset of antigen presenting immune cells, called Langerhans cells (LCs). During histological characterization of these mice, we found that, in addition to LCs an uncharacterized cell population in the central nervous system (CNS) also expressed YFP. In this study, we found that the CNS YFP+ cells were negative for microglia and astrocyte markers, but they expressed mature neuronal marker NeuN and showed neuronal localization/morphology. Thus, these mice might be used to study the ontogeny, migration and the role of a subset of CNS neurons.
Expressing of Cytochrome-c, ADAM 17, Wnt-5a, and Hedgehog gene during the tissue regeneration of digit tip mice (Mus musculus) var Swiss Webster post amputation
Authors: Novianti Titta , Wahyuni Febriana Dwi , Jamilah It , Ilyas Syafruddin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe tissue regeneration of digit tip mice needs some proteins that play a role in overcoming the inflammatory state. The functional protein plays a role in the continuous growth of specific cells, continuous migration, functional differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis. All of the cells need energy related to cell respiration. Naturally expressing mRNA of ADAM 17, Wnt-5a, Hedgehog (HH), and Cytochrome-c (Cyt-c) reliably produced the accordance with their respective roles in each specific phase of tissue regeneration until the whole tissues formed again. The ADAM 17 gen expressed in the inflammatory phase, it positively related its essential role to the inflammatory process. Cyt-c gene expression naturally occurs throughout the tissue regeneration because of its key role in the cellular respiration. Expressed Wnt-5a gene mRNA in the granulation phase, the specific HH gene expressed after the blastema phase. Both expressed genes positively correlate with the continual growth of the digit tip mice by the specific Spearman test (p <0.05) because of their active role of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, extensive migration, and morphogenesis.
Searching and deleting: youth, impression management and online traces of search
Authors: Andersson Cecilia 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse how young people conceptualise online traces of search and what strategies they have for dealing with them.

Design/methodology/approach
The topic was investigated through a qualitative and ethnographic approach. Interviews, go-alongs and observations in schools were carried out with nine participants in Sweden.

Findings
The findings show that the participants’ main strategy in relation to online traces was to remove items from their search logs. Search logs were a tangible way of conceptualising online traces of search. The participants removed items in relation to an imagined audience which, in the present material, primarily consisted of parents and teachers. The findings also showed that the participants had some awareness of online traces but had difficulties in understanding the way that data flow and the persistence of data. Their strategies were more reactive than proactive in relation to online traces.

Originality/value
The present study contributes with a novel exploration of understandings of online traces of search. Further, it contribute theoretically by investigating the topic through the lens of audience and impression management.
Understanding affective evaluation in retail: consumers perspective
Authors: Marinao-Artigas Enrique , Valenzuela-Fernández Leslier , Barajas-Portas Karla 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of the consumer’s emotional shopping experience on the perception of benefits and on the corporate reputation of a department store.Design/methodology/approachThis study was applied to a non-probabilistic sample survey proportionally distributed among the main department stores in Chile and Mexico.FindingsThe findings show for both countries that the functional and symbolic benefit perceived by consumers significantly influences the reputation of department stores. However, the hedonic benefit perceived by the consumer had a negative effect on the reputation of the store.Practical implicationsThe companies could redirect their marketing and commercial management strategies based on the variables and relationships of the model proposed in this study. For instance, managers should implement strategies to improve the emotional experience of their clients. In addition, future studies also could use other variables inherent to the consumer’s purchasing behavior to evaluate their effects on the corporate reputation of the department store.Originality/valueThis research contributes with the proposal of an explanatory model for decision making, using structural equations that suggest that the affective evaluation of the shopping experience is a key antecedent of the functional, hedonic and symbolic benefits perceived by the consumer. Moreover, the emotional experience plays a key role as an antecedent for the corporate reputation of a company.
Effect of using project management tools and techniques on SMEs performance in developing country context
Authors: Sane Seydou 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight, through a theoretical and empirical analysis, the expected effects of the use of tools and techniques of project management on the performance of SMEs in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses data from a questionnaire survey of 157 SMEs in Senegal. The sample was chosen for convenience. Also, for data processing, the author mobilized descriptive statistics, factor analysis and regression analysis.

Findings
Regardless of size, SMEs use project management tools and techniques. Their use positively and significantly influences their business and social performance. Also, the size of the SME is positively and significantly associated with the use of tools and techniques; however, the results show that the older the SME, the less it uses such tools and techniques.

Research limitations/implications
This research provides an overview of the tools and techniques of project management used by SMEs and their contribution to performance, everything that can support them in choosing the appropriate tools and techniques to respond to their needs. A limitation of this research is that it does not mention the tools that contribute the most to the performance of the SMEs.

Originality/value
Contrary to the results of some previous research studies on SMEs in Africa, showing that the way in which SMEs operate in Africa is often characterized by less use of formal management tools, for cultural and institutional reasons, this research shows that these have a very appreciable degree of openness to project management tools and techniques.
Using Google Trends and Baidu Index to analyze the impacts of disaster events on company stock prices
Authors: Liu Ying , Peng Geng , Hu Lanyi , Dong Jichang , Zhang Qingqing 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
With the ascendance of information technology, particularly through the internet, external information sources and their impacts can be readily transferred to influence the performance of financial markets within a short period of time. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how incidents affect stock prices and volatility using vector error correction and autoregressive-generalized auto regressive conditional Heteroskedasticity models, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach
To characterize the investors’ responses to incidents, the authors introduce indices derived using search volumes from Google Trends and the Baidu Index.

Findings
The empirical results indicate that an outbreak of disasters can increase volatility temporarily, and exert significant negative effects on stock prices in a relatively long time. In addition, indices derived from different search engines show differentiation, with the Google Trends search index mainly representing international investors and appearing more significant and persistent.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by incorporating open-source data to analyze how catastrophic events affect financial markets and effect persistence.
Interaction orientation based on value co-creation theory: scale development and validation
Authors: Yu Hongyan , Liu Rong , Zheng Daowu 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
With the rapid development of information technologies and the internet, firms have increasingly focussed on customer interactions to realise value co-creation. Previous studies have empirically examined interaction orientation, but their measurements have been derived from goods-dominant logic and have not explained the mechanism of value co-creation. The purpose of this paper is to propose an operational definition and define the dimensions of interaction orientation based on value co-creation theory (IOVCC), and then develop a scale for it.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, data were collected from employees via three questionnaire surveys, and then analysed using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings
The findings are as follows: IOVCC represents a firm’s implementation of a set of marketing actions aimed at inserting the firm into its customers’ daily life practices and co-creating value with the customers. The construct of IOVCC consists of five behavioural dimensions: “building communication channels”, “involving customers in co-production”, “improving service capabilities”, “improving interaction quality” and “integrating interaction resources”. The measurement scale for IOVCC has acceptable levels of reliability, content validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity and nomological validity.

Originality/value
This study enriches the literature on value co-creation theory by revealing the process and actions of co-creating value. It also contributes to the understanding of service touchpoints by highlighting the interaction quality of touchpoints. In addition, the authors have developed a reliable and valid scale for IOVCC, thereby facilitating the measurement of a firm’s implementation of the “value co-creation” business philosophy.