bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Intrinsically Disordered Pathological Variant of the Prion Protein Y145Stop Transforms into Self-Templating Amyloids via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Authors: Agarwal Aishwarya , Rai Sandeep K. , Avni Anamika , Mukhopadhyay Samrat 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBiomolecular condensation via liquid-liquid phase separation of intrinsically disordered proteins/regions (IDPs/IDRs) along with other biomolecules is thought to govern critical cellular functions, whereas, aberrant phase transitions are associated with a range of deadly neurodegenerative diseases. Here we show, a naturally occurring pathological truncation variant of the prion protein (PrP) by a mutation of a tyrosine residue at 145 to a stop codon (Y145Stop) yielding a highly disordered N-terminal IDR that spontaneously phase-separates into liquid-like droplets. Phase separation of this N-terminal segment that is rich in positively charged and aromatic residues is promoted by the electrostatic screening and a multitude of other transient, intermolecular, noncovalent interactions. Single-droplet Raman measurements in conjunction with an array of bioinformatic, spectroscopic, microscopic, and mutagenesis studies revealed that the intrinsic disorder and dynamics are retained in the liquid-like condensates. Lower concentrations of RNA promote the phase transition of Y145Stop at low micromolar protein concentrations under physiological condition. Whereas, higher RNA to protein ratios inhibit condensation indicating the role of RNA in modulating the phase behavior of Y145Stop. Highly dynamic liquid-like droplets eventually transform into dynamically-arrested, ordered, β-rich, amyloid-like aggregates via liquid-to-solid transition upon aging. These amyloid-like aggregates formed via phase separation display the self-templating characteristic and are capable of recruiting and autocatalytically converting monomeric Y145Stop into amyloid fibrils. In contrast to this disease-associated intrinsically disordered Y145 truncated variant, the wild-type full-length PrP exhibited a much lower propensity for phase separation and liquid-to-solid maturation into amyloid-like aggregates hinting at a potentially crucial, chaperone-like, protecting role of the globular C-terminal domain that remains largely conserved in vertebrate evolution. Such an intriguing interplay in the modulation of the protein phase behavior will have much broader implications in cell physiology and disease.
Erythroid overproduction of erythroferrone causes iron overload and developmental abnormalities in mice
Authors: Coffey Richard , Jung Grace , Olivera Joseph D. , Karin Gabriel , Pereira Renata C. , Nemeth Elizabeta , Ganz Tomas 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe hormone erythroferrone (ERFE) is produced by erythroid cells in response to hemorrhage, hypoxia or other erythropoietic stimuli, and suppresses the hepatic production of the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin, thereby mobilizing iron for erythropoiesis. Suppression of hepcidin by ERFE is thought to be mediated by interference with paracrine BMP signaling that regulates hepcidin transcription in hepatocytes. In anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis, ERFE is pathologically overproduced but its contribution to the clinical manifestations of these anemias is not well understood. We generated three lines of transgenic mice with graded erythroid overexpression of ERFE and showed that they developed dose-dependent iron overload, impaired hepatic BMP signaling and relative hepcidin deficiency. These findings add to the evidence that ERFE is a mediator of iron overload in conditions where ERFE is overproduced, including anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis. At the highest levels of ERFE overexpression the mice manifested decreased perinatal survival, impaired growth, small hypofunctional kidneys, decreased gonadal fat depots and neurobehavioral abnormalities, all consistent with impaired organ-specific BMP signaling during development. Neutralizing excessive ERFE in congenital anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis may not only prevent iron overload but may have additional benefits for growth and development.Key PointsChronic erythroid overproduction of erythroferrone dose-dependently suppresses hepcidin, causing iron overload even in the absence of anemiaHigh level overexpression of erythroferrone can cause delayed growth, impaired kidney function and other developmental abnormalities consistent with altered BMP signaling
Transmission of one predicts another: Apathogenic proxies for transmission dynamics of a fatal virus
Authors: Gilbertson Marie L.J. , Fountain-Jones Nicholas M. , Malmberg Jennifer L. , Gagne Roderick B. , Lee Justin S. , Kraberger Simona , Kechejian Sarah , Petch Raegan , Chiu Elliott , Onorato Dave , Cunningham Mark W. , Crooks Kevin R. , Funk W. Chris , Carver Scott , VandeWoude Sue , VanderWaal Kimberly , Craft Meggan E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIdentifying drivers of transmission prior to an epidemic—especially of an emerging pathogen—is a formidable challenge for proactive disease management efforts. We tested a novel approach in the Florida panther, hypothesizing that apathogenic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) transmission could predict transmission dynamics for pathogenic feline leukemia virus (FeLV). We derived a transmission network using FIV whole genome sequences, and used exponential random graph models to determine drivers structuring this network. We used these drivers to predict FeLV transmission pathways among panthers and compared predicted outbreak dynamics against empirical FeLV outbreak data. FIV transmission was primarily driven by panther age class and distances between panther home range centroids. Prospective FIV-based modeling predicted FeLV dynamics at least as well as simpler, often retrospective approaches, with evidence that FIV-based predictions captured the spatial structuring of the observed FeLV outbreak. Our finding that an apathogenic agent can predict transmission of an analogously transmitted pathogen is an innovative approach that warrants testing in other host-pathogen systems to determine generalizability. Use of such apathogenic agents holds promise for improving predictions of pathogen transmission in novel host populations, and could thereby provide new strategies for proactive pathogen management in human and animal systems.
Working memory relates to individual differences in speech category learning: Insights from computational modeling and pupillometry
Authors: McHaney Jacie R. , Tessmer Rachel , Roark Casey L. , Chandrasekaran Bharath 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAcross two experiments, we examine the relationship between individual differences in working memory (WM) and the acquisition of non-native speech categories in adulthood. While WM is associated with individual differences in a variety of learning tasks, successful acquisition of speech categories is argued to be contingent onWM-independentprocedural-learning mechanisms. Thus, the role of WM in speech category learning is unclear. In Experiment 1, we show that individuals with higher WM acquire non-native speech categories faster and to a greater extent than those with lower WM. In Experiment 2, we replicate these results and show that individuals with higher WM use more optimal, procedural-based learning strategies and demonstrate more distinct speech-evoked pupillary responses for correct relative to incorrect trials. We propose that higher WM may allow for greater stimulus-related attention, resulting in more robust representations and optimal learning strategies. We discuss implications for neurobiological models of speech category learning.
Case series of elderly patients with scabies topically applied with ivermectin via whole‐body bathing
Authors: Komoda Masayo , Miyajima Atsushi , Koshino Machi , Akutsu Shunta , Yamada Mizuki , Ozeki Rie , Makigami Kuniko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAs a novel method of ivermectin (IVM) administration for the treatment of scabies, we devised a whole‐body bathing (WBB), in which patients are immersed in a fluid that contains IVM. A multi‐institutional trial for elderly patients with scabies was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of IVM‐WBB. Seven elderly patients with scabies were enrolled and received IVM‐WBB up to four times at 1‐week interval. The cure for scabies was defined as the absence of mites in two consecutive microscopic or dermoscopic examinations at weekly intervals and the absence of new skin lesions indicative of scabies. Consequently, the cure rate on day 22, the primary end‐point, was 71.4%, and all patients had been cured until day 29. Additionally, neither significant adverse events nor clinically problematic abnormal blood test values were obtained. Furthermore, no IVM was detected in the optional plasma (five cases) collected for IVM measurement after bathing. These results suggest that IVM‐WBB was effective to treat scabies, causing no serious adverse events and with a very low internal exposure of IVM.
The PhenObs initiative: A standardised protocol for monitoring phenological responses to climate change using herbaceous plant species in botanical gardens
Authors: Nordt Birgit , Hensen Isabell , Bucher Solveig Franziska , Freiberg Martin , Primack Richard B. , Stevens Albert‐Dieter , Bonn Aletta , Wirth Christian , Jakubka Desiree , Plos Carolin , Sporbert Maria , Römermann Christine 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Changes in phenology induced by climate change occur across the globe with important implications for ecosystem functioning and services, species performance and trophic interactions. Much of the work on phenology, especially leaf out and flowering, has been conducted on woody plant species. Less is known about the responses in phenology of herbaceous species induced by global change even though they represent a large and important part of biodiversity worldwide. A globally coordinated research effort is needed to understand the drivers and implications of such changes and to predict effects of global change on plant species phenology and related ecosystem processes.

Here, we present the rationale of the PhenObs initiative—botanical gardens as a global phenological observation network. The initiative aims to collect data on plant phenology in botanical gardens which will be used alongside information on plant traits and site conditions to answer questions related to the consequences of global change:

What is the variation in plant phenology in herbaceous species across the growing season and in response to changes in climate?
How can plant phenology be predicted from species’ trait composition, provenance, position and extent of the distribution range and species’ phylogeny?
What are the implications of this variation with respect to species performance and assembly, biotic interactions (e.g. plant–pollinator interactions) as well as ecosystem processes and services under changing land use and climate?

Here, we lay out the development of a straightforward protocol that is appropriate for monitoring phenology across a vast diversity of growth forms of herbaceous species from various habitats and geographical regions.

To focus on a key number of stages necessary to capture all aspects of plant species phenology, we analysed associations between 14 phenological stages. These data were derived from a 2‐year study on 199 species in four German botanical gardens.

Based on the relationships of the phenological stages, we propose to monitor three vegetative stages (‘initial growth’, ‘leaves unfolding’ and ‘senescence’) and two reproductive stages (‘flowers open’ and ‘ripe fruits’) to fully capture herbaceous species phenology.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Barrier Behaviour Analysis (BaBA) reveals extensive effects of fencing on wide‐ranging ungulates
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Dejid Nandintsetseg , Herrmann Valentine , Sawyer Hall , Middleton Arthur D. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

As human activities expand globally, there is a growing need to identify and mitigate barriers to animal movements. Fencing is a pervasive human modification of the landscape that can impede the movements of wide‐ranging animals. Previous research has largely focused on whether fences block movements altogether, but a more nuanced understanding of animals' behavioural responses to fences may be critical for examining the ecological consequences and prioritizing conservation interventions.

We developed a spatial‐ and temporal‐explicit approach, Barrier Behaviour Analysis (BaBA, available as an r package), to examine individual‐level behaviours in response to linear barriers. BaBA classifies animal‐barrier encounters into six behaviour categories: quick cross, average movement, bounce, back‐and‐forth, trace and trapped. We applied BaBA to wide‐ranging female pronghorn Antilocapra americana and mule deer Odocoileus hemionus in an area of western Wyoming, USA, with >6,000 km of fencing.

We found both species were extensively affected by fences, with nearly 40% of fence encounters altering their normal movements, though pronghorn were more strongly affected than mule deer. On average, an individual pronghorn encountered fences 250 times a year—twice the encounter rate of mule deer. Pronghorn were more likely to bounce away from fences, whereas deer engaged in more back‐and‐forth, trace and average movement near fences.

We aggregated these behavioural responses to demonstrate how BaBA can be used to examine species‐specific fencing permeability and to identify problematic fence segments in order to guide fence modification or removal.

Synthesis and applications. Our work provides empirical evidence on how fences affect wildlife movement. Importantly, Barrier Behaviour Analysis (BaBA) can be applied to evaluate other linear features (such as roads, railways and pipelines) and habitat edges, enhancing our ability to understand and mitigate widespread barrier effects to animal movement.
Fungal root endophytes influence plants in a species‐specific manner that depends on plant's growth stage
Authors: Geisen Stefan , ten Hooven Freddy C. , Kostenko Olga , Snoek L. Basten , van der Putten Wim H. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

The mycobiome (fungal microbiome) influences plants—from seed germination to full maturation. While many studies on fungal‐plant interaction studies have focused on known mutualistic and pathogenic fungi, the functional role of ubiquitous endophytic fungi remains little explored.

We examined how root‐inhabiting fungi (endophytes) influence range‐expanding plant species. We isolated endophytes from three European intra‐continental range‐expanders and three congenerics that are native both in the range expander's original (southern Europe) and new (northern Europe) range. To standardize our collection, endophytes were obtained from all six plant species growing under controlled conditions in northern (new range of the range expander) and southern (native range of the range expander) soils. We cultivated, molecularly identified and tested the effects of all isolates on seed germination, and growth of seedlings and older plants.

Most of the 34 isolates could not be functionally characterized based on their taxonomic identity and literature information on functions. Endophytes affected plant growth in a plant species–endophyte‐specific manner, but overall differed between range‐expanders and natives. While endophytes reduced germination and growth of range‐expanders compared to natives, they reduced seedling growth of natives more than of range‐expanders.

Synthesis. We conclude that endophytic fungi have a direct effect on plant growth in a plant growth stage‐dependent manner. While these effects differed between range expanders and natives, the effect strength and significance varied among the plant genera included in the present study. Nevertheless, endophytes likely influence the establishment of newly arriving plants and influence vegetation dynamics.
Rethinking the impact of GDP on financial development: Evidence from heterogeneous panels
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Kizito Uyi , Guptan Vinitha , Narayanan Suresh 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper examines the nonlinear impact of real GDP per capita on financial development in a panel of 125 countries. It also determines the moderating effect of inflation on the impact of GDP on financial development. It employs the dynamic panel system generalized method of moments (GMM) and the dynamic common correlated effects (CCE) to do both panel and country‐specific analysis, as well as control for cross‐sectional dependence, heterogeneity and endogeneity. This study shows that GDP has a positive impact on financial development in the entire panel. However, when we split the panel into different income groups, we find a positive impact in the high‐ and middle‐income groups while the impact is insignificant in the low income group. Although we find no evidence of a nonlinear impact of GDP on financial development in the panel, the country‐specific analysis reveals a significant nonlinear relationship between GDP and financial development in 73 countries. We also show that inflation adversely moderates the positive impact of GDP on financial development in middle‐income countries. This study implies that the relationship between GDP and financial development depends on the levels of GDP and inflation rate. We recommend some policy options based on the findings.
The More the Merrier? Diversity and Private Equity Performance
Authors: Hammer Benjamin , Pettkus Silke , Schweizer Denis , Wünsche Norbert 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper explores how diversity among lead partner teams (LPTs) of private equity (PE) funds affects buyout performance. We argue that there is a trade‐off between the ‘bright side’ of diversity (i.e. improved decision‐making due to a broader set of perspectives) and the ‘dark side’ (i.e. deteriorated decision‐making due to a potential for clashes and a lack of cooperation). Our theoretical framework suggests that the net effect on performance depends on whether LPTs are diverse in socio‐demographic or occupational aspects. To test this hypothesis, we develop a comprehensive index that measures LPT diversity along six dimensions. Using a sample of 241 buyouts and 547 involved PE partners, we find that higher scores in the socio‐demographic component (gender, age, nationality) are associated with higher deal returns and multiple expansions. The opposite is true for higher scores in the occupational component (professional experience, educational background, university affiliation). Further results suggest that the ‘bright side’ of diversity gets relatively more important in case of complex buyouts and uncertain deal environments.
Recovery from Covid‐19 towards a low‐carbon economy: a role for accounting technologies in designing, implementing and assessing stimulus packages
Authors: Bui Binh , de Villiers Charl 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAccounting technologies can be used to help stimulus packages achieve the twin goals of economic stimulus and climate mitigation. Utilising an institutional logic perspective, we show that despite the massive financial consequences of climate change, the current climate response is dominated by the economising logic that justifies limited action. Further, despite its strong potential, accounting technologies are not extensively used in the design of stimulus packages. We develop a framework to explicitly integrate accounting technologies in the design, delivery and review of stimulus packages, thereby simultaneously enabling economic growth and social equity whilst addressing the climate crisis.
Developmental biology and seasonal phenology of Aacanthocnema dobsoni (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and the influence of climate‐mediated changes in body size on vibrational signals
Authors: Lubanga Umar K , Taylor Gary S , Steinbauer Martin J 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe biology and seasonal phenology of Aacanthocnema dobsoni (Froggatt) were studied at a single site in Victoria over a 2 year period between 2013 and 2015. This species is monophagous on the dioecious host, Allocasuarina verticillata (Lam.) L. Johnson (Casuarinaceae). Laboratory studies found that females attained reproductive maturity 24 h post‐eclosion, lived for 28.6 ± 2.8 (mean ± SE) days and laid 182 ± 23 (mean ± SE) eggs each. Egg development was most rapid at 26 °C, ceased below 7 °C and above 33 °C; hatching required 188 degree‐days. Nymphs could not be reared to adulthood on excised host branchlets maintained under controlled conditions, so no developmental data were obtained for these life stages. Seasonal phenology data revealed pronounced developmental asynchrony, i.e. with overlapping generations and multiple life stages occurring simultaneously. Three generations per year were observed, and there was no evidence of either developmental (egg and nymph) or reproductive diapause. A 4 day heat wave in January 2014 drastically reduced psyllid abundance at the study site and the size of the adults that eclosed from the surviving nymphs. These smaller adults produced substrate‐borne vibrational signals with altered characteristics, i.e. with significantly higher intensities and power. The altered signals might have facilitated communication over longer distances and increased mate finding opportunities when populations were low. The abundance of adults had recovered to preheat wave levels 3 months after the heat wave. High fecundity, multivoltinism and effective mate attraction signalling are life history traits that may mitigate against localised extinction of populations as a consequence of extreme weather events.