bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The C-terminal actin binding domain of talin forms an asymmetric catch bond with F-actin
Authors: Owen Leanna M. , Bax Nick A. , Weis William I. , Dunn Alexander R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFocal adhesions (FAs) are large, integrin-based adhesion complexes that link cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Previous work demonstrates that FAs form only when and where they are necessary to transmit force between the cellular cytoskeleton and the ECM, but how this occurs remains poorly understood. Talin is a 270 kDa adapter protein that links integrins to filamentous (F)-actin and recruits additional components during FA assembly in a force-dependent manner. Cell biological and developmental data demonstrate that the third, and C-terminal, F-actin binding site (ABS3) of talin is required for normal FA formation. However, ABS3 binds F-actin only weakly inin vitro, biochemical assays. We used a single-molecule optical trap assay to examine how and whether ABS3 binds F-actin under physiologically relevant, pN mechanical loads. We find that ABS3 forms a directional catch bond with F-actin when force is applied towards the pointed end of the actin filament, with binding lifetimes more than 100-fold longer than when force is applied towards the barbed end. Long-lived bonds to F-actin under load require the ABS3 C-terminal dimerization domain, whose cleavage is known to regulate focal adhesion turnover. Our results support a mechanism in which talin ABS3 preferentially binds and orients actin filaments with barbed ends facing the cell periphery, thus nucleating long-range order in the actin cytoskeleton. We suggest that talin ABS3 may function as a molecular AND gate that allows FA growth only when sufficient integrin density, F-actin polarization, and mechanical tension are simultaneously present.
Mosquito sound communication: are male swarms loud enough to attract females?
Authors: Feugère Lionel , Gibson Gabriella , Manoukis Nicholas C. , Roux Olivier 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGiven the unsurpassed sound-sensitivity of mosquitoes among arthropods and the sound-source power required for long-range hearing, we investigated the distance over which female mosquitoes detect species-specific cues in the sound of station-keeping mating swarms. A common misunderstanding, that mosquitoes cannot hear at long-range because their hearing organs are ‘particle-velocity’ receptors, has clouded the fact that particle-velocity is an intrinsic component of sound whatever the distance to the sound source. We exposed free-flyingAnopheles coluzziifemales to pre-recorded sounds of maleAn. coluzziiandAn. gambiae s.s.swarms over a range of natural sound-levels. Sound-levels tested were related to equivalent distances between the female and the swarm for a given number of males, enabling us to infer distances over which females might hear large male-swarms. We show that females do not respond to swarm sound up to 48 dB SPL and that louder SPLs are not ecologically relevant for a swarm. Considering that swarms are the only mosquito sound-source that would be loud enough to be heard at long-range, we conclude that inter-mosquito acoustic communication is restricted to close-range pair interactions. We also showed that the sensitivity to sound in free-flying males is much enhanced compared to that of tethered ones.
Experience-dependent structural plasticity in the adult brain: How the learning brain grows
Authors: Schmidt Silvio , Gull Sidra , Herrmann Karl-Heinz , Boehme Marcus , Irintchev Andrey , Urbach Anja , Reichenbach Jürgen R. , Klingner Carsten M. , Gaser Christian , Witte Otto W. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractVolumetric magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that intense learning can be associated with grey matter volume increases in the adult brain. The underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we used monocular deprivation in rats to analyze the mechanisms underlying use-dependent grey matter increases. Optometry for quantification of visual acuity was combined with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging and microscopic techniques in longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. We found an increased spatial vision of the open eye which was associated with a transient increase in the volumes of the contralateral visual and lateral entorhinal cortex. In these brain areas dendrites of neurons elongated, and there was a strong increase in the number of spines, the targets of synapses, which was followed by spine maturation and partial pruning. Astrocytes displayed a transient pronounced swelling and underwent a reorganization of their processes. The use-dependent increase in grey matter corresponded predominantly to the swelling of the astrocytes. Experience-dependent increase in brain grey matter volume indicates a gain of structure plasticity with both synaptic and astrocyte remodeling.HighlightsPerception learning causes a transient increase in brain grey matter volume detectable by MRI.This learning results in pronounced changes of neuronal dendrites and an increase in the number of dendritic spines.Structural neuronal plasticity is associated with a reorganization and transient swelling of astrocytes.Brain volume and astrocyte volume return to baseline post-learning, with a persistent increase in the number of mature spines.
The soybeanRhg1amino acid transporter protein becomes abundant along the SCN penetration path and impacts ROS generation
Authors: Han Shaojie , Smith John M. , Du Yulin , Bent Andrew F. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTRhg1mediates soybean resistance to soybean cyst nematode.Glyma.18G022400, one of three resistance-conferring genes at the complexRhg1locus, encodes the putative amino acid transporter AATRhg1whose mode of action is largely unknown. We discovered that AATRhg1protein abundance increases 7- to 15-fold throughout root cells penetrated by SCN. These root cells develop increased abundance of vesicles and larger vesicle-like bodies. AATRhg1was often associated with these vesicles. AATRhg1abundance remained low in syncytia (plant reprogrammed feeding cells), unlike theRhg1α-SNAP protein whose abundance was previously shown to increase in syncytia. InN. benthamiana, if soybean AATRhg1was present, oxidative stress promoted formation of larger macrovesicles and they contained AATRhg1. AATRhg1was found to interact with GmRBOHC2, a soybean ortholog of Arabidopsis RBOHD previously found to exhibit upregulated expression upon SCN infection. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was more elevated when AATRhg1and GmRBOHC2 abundance were co-expressed. These findings suggest that AATRhg1contributes to SCN resistance along the penetration path as SCN invades the plant, and does so at least in part by interactions with GmRBOHC2 that increase ROS production. The study also shows thatRhg1resistance functions via at least two spatially and temporally separate modes of action.
Neuronal Activity-Induced BRG1 Phosphorylation Regulates Enhancer Activation
Authors: Kim Bongwoo , Luo Yi , Zhan Xiaoming , Zhang Zilai , Shi Xuanming , Yi Jiaqing , Xuan Zhenyu , Wu Jiang 
Published: September 2020

SUMMARYNeuronal activity-induced enhancers drive the gene induction in response to stimulation. Here, we demonstrate that BRG1, the core subunit of SWI/SNF-like BAF ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, regulates neuronal activity-induced enhancers. Upon stimulation, BRG1 is recruited to enhancers in an H3K27Ac-dependent manner. BRG1 regulates enhancer basal activities and inducibility by affecting cohesin binding, enhancer-promoter looping, RNA polymerase II recruitment, and enhancer RNA expression. Furthermore, we identified a serine phosphorylation site in BRG1 that is induced by neuronal activities and is sensitive to CaMKII inhibition. BRG1 phosphorylation affects its interaction with several transcription co-factors, possibly modulating BRG1 mediated transcription outcomes. Using mice with knock-in mutations, we showed that non-phosphorylatable BRG1 fails to efficiently induce activity-dependent genes, whereas phosphomimic BRG1 increases the enhancer activities and inducibility. These mutant mice displayed anxiety-like phenotypes and altered responses to stress. Therefore, our data reveal a mechanism connecting neuronal signaling to enhancer activities through BRG1 phosphorylation.
Coordination Among Multiple Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signals ControlsDrosophilaDevelopmental Timing and Body Size
Authors: Pan Xueyang , O’Connor Michael B. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryBody size and the timing of metamorphosis are two important interlinked life-history traits that define holometabolous insect development. Metamorphic timing is largely controlled by a neuroendocrine signaling axis composed of the prothoracic gland (PG) and its presynaptic neurons (PGNs). The PGNs produce prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) that stimulates the PG to produce the metamorphosis inducing hormone ecdysone (E) through activation of Torso a Receptor tyrosine kinase the Receptor Tyrosine kinase and its downstream Ras/Erk signal transducers. Here we identify two additional timing signals produced by the RTKs Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk) and the PDGF/VEGF-receptor related (PvR), Similar to Torso, both Alk and PvR trigger Ras/Erk signaling in the PG to up regulate expression of E biosynthetic enzymes, while Alk also suppresses autophagy induction after critical weight by activating Pi3K/Akt. When overexpressed, both RTKs hyperactivate an endogenous low-level Jak/Stat signal in the PG resulting in developmental delay or arrest. The Alk ligand Jelly belly (Jeb) is produced by the PGNs, and together with PTTH serves as a second PGN derived tropic factor that stimulates E production by the PG. In addition, we find that Pvf3, a PvR ligand, is also produced by the PGNs, but we show that the activation of PvR primarily relies on autocrine signaling by PG-derived Pvf2 and Pvf3. These findings illustrate that a multitude of juxtracrine and autocrine signaling systems have evolved to regulate the timing of metamorphosis, the defining event of holometabolous development.
The Neuron Phenotype Ontology: A FAIR Approach to Proposing and Classifying Neuronal Types
Authors: Gillespie Thomas H. , Tripathy Shreejoy , Sy Mohameth François , Martone Maryann E. , Hill Sean L. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe challenge of defining and cataloging the building blocks of the brain requires a standardized approach to naming neurons and organizing knowledge about their properties. The US Brain Initiative Cell Census Network, Human Cell Atlas, Blue Brain Project, and others are generating vast amounts of data and characterizing large numbers of neurons throughout the nervous system. The neuroscientific literature contains many neuron names (e.g. parvalbumin-positive interneuron or layer 5 pyramidal cell) that are commonly used and generally accepted. However, it is often unclear how such common usage types relate to the many proposed evidence-based types that are based on the results of new techniques. Further, comparing different models across labs remains a significant challenge. Here, we propose an interoperable knowledge representation, the Neuron Phenotype Ontology (NPO) that provides a standardized and machine computable approach for naming and normalizing phenotypes in cell types by using community ontology identifiers as a common language. The NPO provides a framework for systematically organizing knowledge about cellular properties and enables interoperability with existing neuron naming schemes. We evaluate the NPO by populating a knowledge base with three independent cortical neuron classifications derived from published data sets that describe neurons according to molecular, morphological, electrophysiological and synaptic properties. Competency queries to this knowledge base demonstrate that this knowledge model enables interoperability between the three test cases and common usage neuron names from the literature.
Has religiosity become a key factor in Jewish Israelis' attitudes toward minorities? A call for research
Authors: Gindi Shahar , Erlich Ron Rakefet 
Published: September 2020

PurposeAttitudes toward minority employees are hard to predict, and there is no enough information about the variables that are associated with increased and decreased prejudice toward them. The Jewish and Arab education systems in Israel are, for the most part, segregated, which may potentially contribute to prejudice and alienation between the two populations. The integration of Israeli–Arab teachers in Jewish schools has been suggested to reduce prejudice. The current study sought to examine Israeli teachers' attitudes toward the inclusion of Arab teachers in Jewish schools (AJ) and its relation to degree of religiosity, minority status and demographic variables.Design/methodology/approachA total of 1,644 teachers completed an online 22-item questionnaire that surveyed background variables such as gender, mother tongue, seniority and degree of religiosity, the two independent variables, religiosity and minority status, and the dependent variable, attitude toward the inclusion of AJ.FindingsOverall, teachers exhibited positive attitudes toward the integration of AJ. Multiple linear regression indicated that among Jewish teachers, the degree of religiosity was the strongest predictor of the teachers' attitudes toward inclusion but was a poor predictor among Arabs. Conversely, minority status was the strongest predictor among Arab teachers but was a poor predictor among Israeli Jews. Not only did religiosity differ in its prediction of attitudes among Arabs and Jews but also the patterns of religiosity were quite different among these two groups.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the overall sample was wide, the specific minority groups that were examined were small and did not allow deep exploration of minority nuances. The study's generalizability is hampered by the given exceptionality of the Israeli context, where “Church” and State are not separated. Religiosity was examined in a unidimensional way and failed to explore other related factors that may be relevant, such as political inclination.Practical implicationsThe study further refutes the notion of commonality among minorities. It proposes to place more emphasis on religion's role in attitudes toward minority employees. Further research into the role of religiosity in Israeli Jews' attitudes toward Arabs is needed.Social implicationsThe findings suggest that the degree of religiosity might be a central factor in Israeli Jews' attitudes toward the Arab minority in general.Originality/valueThe research calls attention to the association of Judaism and nationalism as well as segregation, contributing to negative attitudes and prejudice toward the Arab minority. Unlike previous research using contact theory, the authors call attention to the importance of examining willingness to make contact prior to examining the impact of contact itself.
Take actions or outsource? An empirical examination of strategic environmental options on greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Fu Wayne , Su Hung-Chung 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effects of three strategic environmental options on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Namely, we examine the effects of pollution prevention and waste management (PPWM) practices, green supply chain (GSC) practices, and outsourcing on reducing local and supply chain GHG emissions.Design/methodology/approachUsing ASSET4 and deploying first-differencing fixed-effects panel data models, the study conducts a large-scale empirical examination on the effects of these focal strategic environmental options on GHG emissions.FindingsThis study finds that PPWM practices reduce local GHG emissions and that GSC practices reduce supply chain GHG emissions. The results also show that outsourcing does not reduce local GHG emissions and has an adverse effect on supply chain GHG emissions.Practical implicationsThe study findings indicate that environmental practices are effective in reducing GHG emissions. However, they are effective only in their corresponding domain. Further, outsourcing is not a viable strategic option, and managers should be mindful of its undesired environmental consequences.Originality/valueFirms undertake strategic environmental options, such as implementing environmental practices and reallocating production activities, to improve their environmental performance. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these options on reducing GHG emissions has not been thoroughly examined.
Recovery processes within peer provision: testing the CHIME model using a mixed methods design
Authors: Zeng Grace , Chung Donna 
Published: September 2020

PurposePrevious studies have pointed the need for more research, which explores how peer provision brings about change associated with recovery. This study aims to test Leamy’s framework, which consists of five recovery processes: connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment (also known as the CHIME framework) within the peer provision context.Design/methodology/approachThis mixed-methods study was completed in two stages. A total of 13 face-to-face interviews were conducted with peers and the transcripts were analysed thematically. A short online questionnaire was completed by 12 peers and analysed with both descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.FindingsThe participants spoke about the value of peer providers (PPs) in building connectedness, fostering hope and optimism, growing identity, enhancing meaning and empowerment (CHIME). However, their connectedness was hindered by external circumstances and the intrapersonal capacities of their PP.Practical implicationsThe CHIME framework was useful in highlighting stages in which peers moved through their recovery and its corresponding PP involvement. PPs were also found to promote motivation, which was a key driver in their peers’ recoveries. Further research is needed to test frameworks that account for wider systemic issues and the role PPs play in enhancing motivation.Originality/valueThis study has identified the usefulness of the CHIME framework in describing peer provision. It contributes to our understanding of how peer provision can promote recovery in persons with mental health challenges. It lays the groundwork for future research into examining the role of peer provision in recovery and its distinctiveness from other forms of mental health support.
Habitat loss and thermal tolerances influence the sensitivity of resident bird populations to winter weather at regional scales
Authors: Latimer Christopher E. , Zuckerberg Benjamin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Climate change and habitat loss pose the greatest contemporary threats to biodiversity, but their impacts on populations largely vary across species. These differential responses could be caused by complex interactions between landscape and climate change and species‐specific sensitivities.

Understanding the factors that determine which species are most vulnerable to the synergistic effects of climate change and habitat loss is a high conservation priority. Here, we ask (a) whether and to what extent land cover moderates the impacts of winter weather on population dynamics of wintering birds, and (b) what role species’ physiology might play in modifying their responses to changing weather conditions.

To address these questions, we used thousands of observations collected by citizen scientists participating in Project FeederWatch to build dynamic occupancy models for 14 species of wintering birds.

Populations of wintering birds were more dynamic, having higher rates of local extinction and colonization, in more forested landscapes during extreme cold—presumably enabling them to better track resources. However, urban areas appeared to provide refuge for some species, as demonstrated by increased local colonization during the harshest winter weather. Lastly, we found that species‐specific differences in thermal tolerances strongly influenced occupancy dynamics such that species that are less cold‐tolerant were more likely to go locally extinct at colder sites and during colder periods throughout winter.

Together, our results suggest that species that are less cold‐tolerant and populations occupying less forested landscapes are most vulnerable to extreme winter weather.
Interleukin‐4 increases phagocytosis of necrotic cells by macrophages through scavenger receptor CD36
Authors: Chen Mingzhuang , Tse Gary , Wong Wing Tak 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveInterleukin‐4 (IL‐4) signalling pathways regulate the activity of macrophages, enhance their proteolytic capacity and drive resolution of inflammation during tissue repair. The aim of this study was to examine whether IL‐4 can enhance phagocytosis of necrotic cells and elucidate the molecular mechanisms.MethodsPhagocytosis of necrotic thymocytes by RAW264.7 cells, a macrophage cell line, with or without IL‐4 treatment, was determined by flow cytometry. Protein expression was determined by western blot analysis.ResultsThe phagocytosis index was significantly increased by IL‐4 (10 ng/mL). IL‐4‐enhanced phagocytosis was mediated by upregulation of scavenger receptor CD36. STAT6 activation is required for IL‐4‐mediated phagocytosis.ConclusionsInterleukin‐4 can accelerate cell debris clearance by stimulating expression of CD36, which requires downstream STAT6 activation. Its beneficial effects on driving tissue repair and regeneration should be explored in future studies.
Government Communications, Political Trust and Compliant Social Behaviour: The Politics of Covid‐19 in Britain
Authors: Newton Kenneth 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIt is commonly said that the lockdowns and social distancing necessary to control coronavirus pandemics will only work if the general population trusts its government, believes the information it provides, and has confidence in its policies. This article traces the British government’s record in providing information about its policies and performance, and compares this with the public’s use of the mainstream news media. It then considers how these two sources of information affected trust in government and public compliance with social distancing and lockdown rules. Lastly, it compares Covid‐19 with Brexit and draws conclusions about how beliefs and behaviour are formed when individuals are personally faced with a serious threat.