bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial retrons function in anti-phage defense
Authors: Millman Adi , Bernheim Aude , Stokar-Avihail Avigail , Fedorenko Taya , Voichek Maya , Leavitt Azita , Sorek Rotem 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRetrons are bacterial genetic elements comprised of a reverse transcriptase (RT) and a non-coding RNA. The RT uses the non-coding RNA as a template, generating a chimeric RNA/DNA molecule in which the RNA and DNA components are covalently linked. Although retrons were discovered three decades ago, their function remained unknown. In this study we report that retrons function as anti-phage defense systems. The defensive unit is composed of three components: the RT, the non-coding RNA, and an effector protein. Retron-containing systems are abundant in genomic “defense islands”, suggesting a role for most retrons in phage resistance. By cloning multiple retron systems into a retron-lessEscherichia colistrain, we show that these systems confer defense against a broad range of phages, with different retrons defending against different phages. Focusing on a single retron, Ec48, we show evidence that it is a “guardian” of RecBCD, a complex with central anti-phage functions in the bacterial cell. Inhibition of RecBCD by dedicated phage proteins activates the retron, leading to abortive infection and cell death. Thus, the Ec48 retron forms a second line of defense that is triggered if the first lines of defense have collapsed. Our results expose a new family of anti-phage defense systems abundant in bacteria.
Delineating single subject oscillatory brain networks with Spatio-Spectral Eigenmodes
Authors: Quinn Andrew J , Green Gary GR , Hymers Mark 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe spatial and spectral structure of oscillatory networks in the brain provide a readout of the underlying neuronal function. Within and between subject variability in these networks can be highly informative but also poses a considerable analytic challenge. Here, we describe a method that simultaneously estimate spectral and spatial network structure without assumptions about either feature distorting estimation of the other. This enables analyses exploring how variability in the frequency and spatial structure of oscillatory networks might vary both across the brain and across individuals. The method performs a modal decomposition of an autoregressive model to describe the oscillatory signals present within a time-series based on their peak frequency and damping time. Moreover, an alternate mathematical formulation for the system transfer function can be written in terms of these oscillatory modes; describing the spatial topography and network structure of each component. We define a set of Spatio-Spectral Eigenmodes (SSEs) from these parameters to provide a parsimonious description of oscillatory networks. Crucially, the SSEs preserve the rich between-subject variability and are constructed without pre-averaging within specified frequency bands or limiting analyses to single channels or regions. After validating the method on simulated data, we explore the structure of whole brain oscillatory networks in eyes-open resting state MEG data from the Human Connectome Project. We are able to show a wide variability in peak frequency and network structure of alpha oscillations and reveal a distinction between occipital ‘high-frequency alpha’ and parietal ‘low-frequency alpha’. The frequency difference between occipital and parietal alpha components is present within individual participants but is partially masked by larger between subject variability; a 10Hz oscillation may represent the high-frequency occipital component in one participant and the low-frequency parietal component in another. This rich characterisation of individual neural phenotypes has the potential to enhance analyses into the relationship between neural dynamics and a person’s behavioural, cognitive or clinical state
Patients with ventromedial prefrontal lesions show an implicit approach bias to angry faces
Authors: Buades-Rotger Macià , Solbakk Anne-Kristin , Liebrand Matthias , Endestad Tor , Funderud Ingrid , Siegwardt Paul , Enter Dorien , Roelofs Karin , Krämer Ulrike M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDamage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) can cause maladaptive social behavior, but the cognitive processes underlying these behavioral changes are still uncertain. Here, we tested whether patients with acquired VMPFC lesions show altered approach-avoidance tendencies to emotional facial expressions. Thirteen patients with focal VMPFC lesions and 31 age- and gender-matched healthy controls performed an implicit approach-avoidance task in which they either pushed or pulled a joystick depending on stimulus color. While controls avoided angry faces, VMPFC patients displayed an incongruent response pattern characterized by both increased approach and reduced avoidance of angry facial expressions. The approach bias was stronger in patients with higher self-reported impulsivity and disinhibition, and in those with larger lesions. We further used linear ballistic accumulator modelling to investigate latent parameters underlying approach-avoidance decisions. Controls displayed negative drift rates when approaching angry faces, whereas VMPFC lesions abolished this pattern. In addition, VMPFC patients had weaker response drifts than controls during avoidance. Finally, patients showed reduced drift rate variability and shorter non-decision times, indicating impulsive and rigid decision-making. Our findings thus suggest that VMPFC damage alters the pace of evidence accumulation in response to social signals, eliminating a default, protective avoidant bias and facilitating dysfunctional approach behavior.
Pangenome of white lupin provides insights into the diversity of the species
Authors: Hufnagel Bárbara , Soriano Alexandre , Taylor Jemma , Divol Fanchon , Kroc Magdalena , Sanders Heather , Yeheyis Likawent , Nelson Matthew , Péret Benjamin 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhite lupin is an old crop with renewed interest due to its seed high protein content and high nutritional value. Despite a long domestication history in the Mediterranean basin, modern breeding efforts have been fairly scarce. Recent sequencing of its genome has provided tools for further description of genetic resources but detailed characterization is still missing.ResultsHere, we report the genome sequencing of several accessions that were used to establish a white lupin pangenome. We defined core genes that are present in all individuals and variable genes that are absent in some and may represent a gene pool for stress adaptation. We believe that the identification of novel genes, together with a more comprehensive reference sequence, represents a significant improvement of the white lupin genetic resources. As an example, we used this pangenome to identify selection footprints and to provide a candidate gene for one of the main QTLs associated with late flowering in Ethiopian lupin types. A 686 nucleotide deletion was identified in exon 3 of theLaFTa1(Lupinus albus Flowering Time a1) gene that suggests a molecular origin for this trait of importance, defining the need for vernalization in some lupins.ConclusionsThe white lupin pangenome provides a novel genetic resource to better understand how domestication has shaped the genomic variability amongst this crop. It will be of major importance for breeders to select new breeding traits and incorporate them into new, more efficient and robust cultivars in order to face a growing demand for plant protein sources, notably in Europe.
Evidence Accumulation Modelling Reveals that Gaussian Noise Accounts for Inhibition of Return
Authors: Malkinson Tal Seidel , Bourgeois Alexia , Wattiez Nicolas , Pouget Pierre , Bartolomeo Paolo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractInhibition of return (IOR) refers to the slowing of response times (RTs) for stimuli repeated at previously inspected locations, as compared with novel ones. However, the exact processing stage(s) at which IOR occurs, and its nature across different response modalities, remain debated. We tested predictions on these issues originating from the FORTIOR model (fronto-parietal organization of response times in IOR; Seidel Malkinson & Bartolomeo, 2018), and from evidence accumulation models. We reanalysed RT data from a target-target IOR paradigm (Bourgeois et al.,2013a, 2013b) by using a LATER-like evidence accumulation model (Carpenter & Williams, 1995), to test the predictions of FORTIOR, and specifically whether IOR could occur at sensory/attentional stages of processing, or at stages of decision and action selection. We considered the following conditions: manual or saccadic response modality, before or after TMS perturbation over four cortical regions. Results showed that the Gaussian noise parameter best explained both manual and saccadic IOR, suggesting that in both response modalities IOR may result from slower accumulation of evidence for repeated locations. Additionally, across stimulated regions, TMS affected only manual RTs, lowering them equally in the conditions with repeated targets (Return) and non-repeated targets (Non-return). Accordingly, the modelling results show that TMS stimulation did not significantly alter the pattern between model parameters, with the Gaussian noise parameter remaining the parameter best explaining the Return - Non-return RT difference. Moreover, TMS over the right intra-parietal sulcus (IPS) perturbed IOR by shortening the Return RT. When directly testing this effect by modelling the TMS impact in the Return condition, the Bayesian information criterion of the Gaussian noise parameter was the smallest, but this effect did not reach significance. These results support the hypothesis that target-target IOR is a predominantly sensory/attentional phenomenon, and may be modulated by activity in fronto-parietal networks.
COGENT: evaluating the consistency of gene co-expression networks
Authors: Bozhilova Lyuba V. , Pardo-Diaz Javier , Reinert Gesine , Deane Charlotte M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGene co-expression networks can be constructed in multiple different ways, both in the use of different measures of co-expression, and in the thresholds applied to the calculated co-expression values, from any given dataset. It is often not clear which co-expression network construction method should be preferred. COGENT provides a set of tools designed to aid the choice of network construction method without the need for any external validation data.Availability and implementationhttps://github.com/lbozhilova/COGENT
Robust gene coexpression networks using signed distance correlation
Authors: Pardo-Diaz Javier , Bozhilova Lyuba V. , Beguerisse-Díaz Mariano , Poole Philip S. , Deane Charlotte M. , Reinert Gesine 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMotivationEven within well studied organisms, many genes lack useful functional annotations. One way to generate such functional information is to infer biological relationships between genes/proteins, using a network of gene coexpression data that includes functional annotations. However, the lack of trustworthy functional annotations can impede the validation of such networks. Hence, there is a need for a principled method to construct gene coexpression networks that capture biological information and are structurally stable even in the absence of functional information.ResultsWe introduce the concept of signed distance correlation as a measure of dependency between two variables, and apply it to generate gene coexpression networks. Distance correlation offers a more intuitive approach to network construction than commonly used methods such as Pearson correlation. We propose a framework to generate self-consistent networks using signed distance correlation purely from gene expression data, with no additional information. We analyse data from three different organisms to illustrate how networks generated with our method are more stable and capture more biological information compared to networks obtained from Pearson or Spearman correlations.Code availabilityhttps://github.com/javier-pardodiaz/sdcorGCN.
In situcharacterization of calcium fluxes in astrocytic mitochondria from the mouse striatum and hippocampus
Authors: Huntington Taylor E. , Srinivasan Rahul 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAstrocytes govern critical aspects of brain function via Ca2+signals, the majority of which associate with mitochondria. However, little is known with regard toin situsources, kinetics or mechanisms of Ca2+influx in astrocytic mitochondria. To address this knowledge gap, we expressed the genetically encoded calcium indicator, GCaMP6f within the mitochondrial matrix of adult mouse astrocytes in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and hippocampus (HPC). We found spontaneous Ca2+events in astrocytic mitochondria with subcellular differences between somatic, branch, and branchlet mitochondria, as well as inter-regional differences between astrocytes in the DLS and HPC. We also found a strong dependency of spontaneous mitochondrial Ca2+fluxes on endoplasmic reticulum stores, the surprising lack of a major role for the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, MCU, and dual mitochondrial Ca2+responses with multiple neurotransmitter agonists. Together, our findings provide a foundational understanding of mechanisms for Ca2+influx in astrocytic mitochondria within disease-relevant brain regions.
Estimation of fatality rate in Africa through the behavior of COVID-19 in Italy relevance to age profiles
Authors: Nzungize Lambert , Umuhoza Diane , Dai Yongdong , Nzaou Stech A E. , Asaad Mohammed , Abokadoum M. A. , Ekomi Moure Ulrich Aymard , Xie Jianping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe emergence and pandemic of COVID-19 has rapidly become a global concern. In Italy, on 27 March 2020, there were 8165 deaths and 80539 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Demographic situations, like age profiles is reported to be the cause of high case fatality rate (CFR) in Italy. In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet grasped epic proportion, but the estimation of CFR is still needed. We compared the CFR observed in Italy with the age profiles in 46 Africa countries and 2 territories which are already confirmed COVID-19 case. The estimation of the CFR in Africa ranges between (1.0%-5.4%) while in Italy is 10.1%. The five highest CFR countries and territories in Africa are Reunion (5.4%), Mauritius (5.1%), Tunisia (3.9%), Seychelles (3.8%) and Morocco (3.3%). The last three countries with low CFR are Uganda (1.0%), Zambia (1.1%) and Angola (1.1%). The observed difference is related to the age profiles.
Phage proteins block and trigger retron toxin/antitoxin systems
Authors: Bobonis Jacob , Mitosch Karin , Mateus André , Kritikos George , Elfenbein Johanna R. , Savitski Mikhail M. , Andrews-Polymenis Helene , Typas Athanasios 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBacteria carry dozens of Toxin/Antitoxin systems (TAs) in their chromosomes. Upon growth, the antitoxin is co-expressed and neutralizes the toxin. TAs can be activated and inhibit growth, but when and how this occurs has largely remained enigmatic, hindering our understanding of their physiological roles. We developed TIC/TAC (Toxin Inhibition/Activation Conjugation), a high-throughput reverse genetics approach, to systematically identify molecular blockers and triggers of TAs. By applying TIC/TAC to a tripartite TA, the retron-Sen2 ofSalmonellaTyphimurium, we have identified multiple blockers and triggers of phage origin. We demonstrate that diverse phage functionalities are sensed by the DNA-part of the antitoxin and ultimately activate the retron toxin. Phage-origin proteins can circumvent activation by directly blocking the toxin. Some identified triggers and blockers also act on anE. coliretron-TA, Eco9. We propose that retron-TAs act as abortive-infection anti-phage defense systems, and delineate mechanistic principles by which phages trigger or block them.
Heterogeneity of intrinsic excitability in Purkinje cells linked with longitudinal zebrin zones in the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Nguyen-Minh Viet T. , Tran-Anh Khoa , Sugihara Izumi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHeterogeneous populations of Purkinje cells (PCs), classified into zebrin-positive (Z+) and – negative (Z−) types, are arranged into separate longitudinal zones and are involved in different types of cerebellar learning. However, the electrophysiological phenotype that is brought about by the zebrin expression has not been much clarified in PCs. We compared electrophysiological characteristics in the soma and parallel fiber (PF)-PC synapse in Z+ and Z− PCs located in identified vermal and hemispheric zones in cerebellar slices in zebrin-reporter mice. Intrinsic excitability, intrinsic plasticity and PF-PC synaptic long term potentiation (LTP) occurred more strongly in Z− Purkinje cells than in Z+ PCs. The enhanced intrinsic plasticity was correlated with the reduction of medium-time-course after-hyperpolarization (mAHP) only in Z− PCs. These differences, which seem to be produced by the zebrin-linked expression of other functional molecules, may tune Z+ and Z− PCs to zone-specific cerebellar functions.
Resistance to the antifungal activity of Aprotinin occurs through mutations in genes that function in cation homeostasis
Authors: McColl Amanda I. , Lowe Rohan G.T. , McKenna James A. , Anderson Marilyn A. , Bleackley Mark R. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAn increase in the prevalence of fungal infections is coinciding with an increase of resistance to current clinical antifungals, placing pressure on the discovery of new antifungal candidates. One option is to investigate drugs that have been approved for use for other medical conditions that have secondary antifungal activity. Aprotinin, also known as Bovine Pancreatic Trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), is an antifibrinolytic that has been approved for systemic use in patients in some countries. Bleackley and coworkers (2014) revealed that BPTI also has antifungal activity againstS. cerevisiaeandC. albicansand does this by targeting the magnesium transporterALR1.Here we have further investigated the potential for aprotinin to be used as an antifungal by assessing the development of resistance. We used anin vitromodel to assess the evolution of BPTI resistance/tolerance whereby BPTI was serial passaged with the model organismS. cerevisiae.Resistance to BPTI developed more quickly than resistance to the plant defensin NaD1 and the clinical antifungal, caspofungin. Full genome sequencing of resistant lines revealed that resistance to BPTI developed as the result of a deleterious mutation in either theptk2orsky1genes. This revealed that cation homeostasis and transport functions were particularly affected inS. cerevisiaeafter exposure to BPTI. Therefore, the mutations in these genes probably decreases release of magnesium and other cations from the cell, protecting the yeast from the limiting intracellular magnesium levels that arise when BPTI blocks the magnesium transporter Alr1p.
Theorizing parental intervention and young adults' career development: a social influence perspective
Authors: Liu Yan , Mao Yina , Wong Chi-Sum 
Published: June 2020

PurposeDrawing on the social influence literature and proposing parental intervention as a social influence process, this study seeks to theorize why parental intervention occurs and how it affects young adults' career development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a conceptual design, offering a conceptual model based on social influence research and career development research.FindingsIt is proposed that parental intervention is a result of incongruence between parental expectations and young adults' interested occupations and between parents' assessments of young adults' qualities and job demands. Parents' traditionality moderates these relationships, while the success of parental intervention depends on young adults' traditionality and career maturity. Parents' position, referent and expert powers affect young adults' compliance, identification and internalization, respectively, which impact their occupational commitment and career satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsLooking at parental intervention over time would help researchers understand this phenomenon more comprehensively than focusing only on its short-term effects as identified in the literature. The motivational processes of parental intervention triggered by power bases play a key role in determining young adults' long-term career consequences.Practical implicationsCareer advisors should consider parents as a source of potential intervention in young adults' career choice. They may also provide parent-oriented services in addition to young adult-oriented services.Originality/valueThis framework contributes to the career development literature by adopting social influence approach to explain parental intervention in young adults' career choice and also providing implications for career counselors.
Readiness to franchise a teaching and examination event: the evolving case of the annual MUBS hospitality day
Authors: Mutumba Abbey 
Published: June 2020

Learning outcomes
After reading and discussing this short case, the instructor should do the following: to enable the students to select and evaluate the main strength (sustainable competitive advantage) of an evolving brand whose leading manager needs to appreciate how it can be used to achieve the strategic objective of franchising it despite its challenges; to guide the students in choosing the most appropriate brand name that will sustainably reflect the parent organization’s identity and also retain its growing attractiveness to more event sponsors and other key partners in an environment of conflicting interests; to facilitate the students in choosing the appropriate strategy for strengthening the readiness to franchise and adapt a similar teaching and examining (annual event’s) model in a related course unit from among any of the target audience’s master and bachelor degree at another university elsewhere.

Case overview/synopsis
This short case shows how the annual Makerere University Business School (MUBS) hospitality day has evolved into a potential event franchise, which is attracting more VIPs, the media and demand to also be held in the country’s Vision 2040 cities where the respective campuses are located.

Complexity academic level
Bachelor (BA, BBA, BSc) and MBA/master degree level.

Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 12: Tourism and hospitality.