bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra-fast physics-based modeling of the elephant trunk
Authors: Kaczmarski Bartosz , Moulton Derek E. , Goriely Zéphyr , Goriely Alain , Kuhl Ellen 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWith more than 90,000 muscle fascicles, the elephant trunk is a complex biological structure and the largest known muscular hydrostat. It achieves an unprecedented control through intricately orchestrated contractions of a wide variety of muscle architectures. Fascinated by the elephant trunk’s unique performance, scientists of all disciplines are studying its anatomy, function, and mechanics, and use it as an inspiration for biomimetic soft robots. Yet, to date, there is no precise mapping between microstructural muscular activity and macrostructural trunk motion, and our understanding of the elephant trunk remains incomplete. Specifically, no model of the elephant trunk employs formal physics-based arguments that account for its complex muscular architecture, while preserving low computational cost, to enable fast screening of its configuration space. Here we create a reduced-order model of the elephant trunk that can–within a fraction of a second– predict the trunk’s motion as a result of its muscular activity. To ensure reliable results in the finite deformation regime, we integrate first principles of continuum mechanics and the theory of morphoelasticity for fibrillar activation. We employ dimensional reduction to represent the trunk as an active slender structure, which results in closed-form expressions for its curvatures and extension as functions of muscle activation and anatomy. We create a high-resolution digital representation of the trunk from magnetic resonance images to quantify the effects of different muscle groups. We propose a general solution method for the inverse motion problem and apply it to extract the muscular activations of three representative trunk motions: picking a fruit; lifting a log; and lifting a log asymmetrically. For each task, we identify key features in the muscle activation profiles. Our results suggest that, upon reaching maximum contraction in select muscle groups, the elephant trunk autonomously reorganizes muscle activation to perform specific tasks. Our study provides a complete quantitative characterization of the fundamental science behind elephant trunk biomechanics, with potential applications in the material science of flexible structures, the design of soft robots, and the creation of flexible prosthesis and assist devices.
Menstrual Cycle Phase-Based Interval Training Yields Distinct Muscle Changes in Female Athletes
Authors: Kissow Julie , Jacobsen Kamine J. , Jessen Søren , Thomsen Laura B. , Quesada Júlia P. , Bangsbo Jens , Deshmukh Atul S. , Hostrup Morten 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAdvances in mass-spectrometry(MS)-based technologies have leveraged our understanding of skeletal muscle responsiveness to exercise in humans. However, there is a lack of such data in females, particularly pertaining to female athletes and menstrual cycle phase-based sprint interval training(SIT) despite its efficacy and popularity. Here, we present a comprehensive proteomic analysis of skeletal muscle adaptations to high-frequency SIT during different menstrual cycle phases in female athletes. We randomized 49 eumenorrheic females to either high-frequency SIT in the follicular(FB) or luteal phase(LB) over one menstrual cycle comprising eight sessions of 6×30-s all-out efforts. Twenty-five completed the intervention with verified cycles. MS-based proteomics revealed notable differences in muscle adaptations to phase-based SIT. LB suppressed mitochondrial pathways of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain while enriching ribosomal complexes. Conversely, FB enriched filament organization and skeletal system development. Mitochondrial repression during LB was linked to reduced V̇O2max, whereas exercise capacity improved in FB only. Our findings show that synching high-frequency SIT with menstrual cycle phases induces distinct muscle adaptations and affects phenotype in eumenorrheic female athletes.
External Validation of Predictive Models for Diagnosis, Management and Severity of Pediatric Appendicitis
Authors: Marcinkevičs Ričards , Sokol Kacper , Paulraj Akhil , Hilbert Melinda A. , Rimili Vivien , Wellmann Sven , Knorr Christian , Reingruber Bertram , Vogt Julia E. , Wolfertstetter Patricia Reis 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundAppendicitis is a common condition among children and adolescents. Machine learning models can offer much-needed tools for improved diagnosis, severity assessment and management guidance for pediatric appendicitis. However, to be adopted in practice, such systems must be reliable, safe and robust across various medical contexts, e.g., hospitals with distinct clinical practices and patient populations.MethodsWe performed external validation of models predicting the diagnosis, management and severity of pediatric appendicitis. Trained on a cohort of 430 patients admitted to the Children’s Hospital St. Hedwig (Regensburg, Germany), the models were validated on an independent cohort of 301 patients from the Florence-Nightingale-Hospital (Düsseldorf, Germany). The data included demographic, clinical, scoring, laboratory and ultrasound parameters. In addition, we explored the benefits of model retraining and inspected variable importance.ResultsThe distributions of most parameters differed between the datasets. Consequently, we saw a decrease in predictive performance for diagnosis, management and severity across most metrics. After retraining with a portion of external data, we observed gains in performance, which, nonetheless, remained lower than in the original study. Notably, the most important variables were consistent across the datasets.ConclusionsWhile the performance of transferred models was satisfactory, it remained lower than on the original data. This study demonstrates challenges in transferring models between hospitals, especially when clinical practice and demographics differ or in the presence of externalities such as pandemics. We also highlight the limitations of retraining as a potential remedy since it could not restore predictive performance to the initial level.
Leukocytes use endothelial membrane tunnels to extravasate the vasculature
Authors: van der Meer Werner J. , van Steen Abraham C.I. , Mahlandt Eike , Rolas Loïc , Wang Haitao , Arts Janine J.G. , Kempers Lanette , Grönloh Max L.B. , Schoon Rianne M. , Driessen Amber , van Rijssel Jos , Klaassen Ingeborg , Schlingemann Reinier O. , Manavski Yosif , Hoogenboezem Mark , Boon Reinier A. , Khuon Satya , Wait Eric , Heddleston John , Chew Teng-Leong , Nolte Martijn A. , Nourshargh Sussan , Goedhart Joachim , van Buul Jaap D. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTUpon inflammation, leukocytes extravasate through endothelial cells. When they extravasate in a paracellular manner, it is generally accepted that neighbouring endothelial cells physically disconnect to open cell-cell junctions, allowing leukocytes to cross. When carefully examining endothelial junctions, we found a partial membrane overlap of endothelial cells beyond VE-cadherin distribution. These overlaps are regulated by actin polymerization and, although marked by, do not require PECAM-1, nor VE-cadherin. Neutrophils prefer wider membrane overlaps as exit sites. Detailed 3D analysis of endothelial membrane dynamics during paracellular neutrophil transmigration in real-time, at high spatiotemporal resolution using resonant confocal and lattice light-sheet imaging, revealed that overlapping endothelial membranes form a tunnel during neutrophil transmigration. These tunnels are formed by the neutrophil lifting the membrane of the upper endothelial cell while indenting and crawling over the membrane of the underlying endothelial cell. Our work shows that endothelial cells do not simply retract upon passage of neutrophils but provide membrane tunnels, allowing neutrophils to extravasate. This discovery defines the 3D multicellular architecture in which the paracellular transmigration of neutrophils occurs.
Association of cerebellar inflammation and neurodegeneration in a novel spinocerebellar ataxia type 13 mouse model
Authors: Yin Junxiang , White Jennifer , Khare Swati , Wu Michael , Zuberi Aamir R. , Gao Ming , Nick Jerelyn A. , Lutz Cathleen M. , Allen Kyle D. , Nick Harry S. , Waters Michael F. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundNeuroinflammation is a recognized pathological characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. Spinocerebellar ataxia 13 (SCA13) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatments. Our previous studies reported human mutations inKCNC3gene are causative for SCA13. Human R423H allelic mutation induces early-onset neurodegeneration and aberrant intracellular retention of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in drosophila. However, the neurodegeneration and inflammatory response induced by the R424H allele are unknown in a mammalian model of disease.MethodIn this study, a singleKcnc3R424H mutation (Analogous to the human SCA13 R423H isoform) transgenic mice were created using CRISPR/Cas 9 technique. Motor function (gait, tremor, coordination and balance) and cerebellar volume (scanned and imaged with 7T MRI) of the R424H transgenic mice were evaluated at multiple timepoints. Neurodegeneration (Purkinje cells loss) as well as cerebellar (astroglia, microglia and macrophage activation) and peripheral (plasma cytokines levels) inflammatory responses were examined and analyzed.ResultThe R424H transgenic mice showed marked neurological motor dysfunction with high-frequency tremor, aberrant gait, and short latency to fall in Rotarod testing at 3 and 6 months of age. Abnormal spontaneous firing was recorded in electrophysiology of Purkinje cells. Pathological changes in our R424H transgenic mice included progressive Purkinje cell degeneration and cerebellar atrophy. Over-active microglia, astrocytes, and macrophages were observed in the cerebella of transgenic mice. Pearson correlation analyses indicated that the number of Calbindin positive cells, a Purkinje cell marker, showed a strong inverse correlation with the positive cell number of EGFR, phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), and CD68. The expression of EGFR/pEGFR was positively correlated with CD68 and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein.ConclusionTransgenic R424H mice provide a novel SCA13 model showing significant motor deficits, Purkinje cells loss, cerebellar inflammation, and atrophy. Our study suggests that the activation of inflammatory immune cells (astroglia, microglia and macrophages) and strong expression of EGFR/ pEGFR signal in these immune cells are associated with Purkinje cell loss in the cerebellum. This abnormal neuroinflammation may play a significant role in the aggressive procession of neurodegeneration.
Sensitivity of Cerebellar Reaching Ataxia to Kinematic and Dynamic Demands
Authors: Oh Kyunggeune , Cao Di , Cowan Noah J. , Bastian Amy J. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIndividuals with cerebellar ataxia face significant challenges in controlling reaching, especially when multi-joint movements are involved. This study investigated the effects of kinematic and dynamic demands on reaching using a virtual reality task. Participants with and without cerebellar ataxia reached to target locations designed to elicit a range of coordination strategies between shoulder and elbow joint movements. Compared with control subjects, cerebellar subjects presented greater initial reaching direction errors, larger hand trajectory curvatures, and more variability. Kinematic simulations indicated that early hand movement errors were sensitive to the required onset times and rates of joint movements and were most impaired when opposite direction joint movements were required (e.g., elbow extension with shoulder flexion). Dynamic analysis revealed that cerebellar participants’ movements were more impaired in reaching directions where interaction torques would normally assist the desired elbow and shoulder movements. These reach directions were also those that required joint movements in opposite directions. Overall, our data suggest that reaching deficits in cerebellar ataxia result from 1) the early-phase motion planning deficits that are exacerbated by stringent timing coordination requirements and 2) the inability to compensate for interaction torques, particularly when they assist the intended movement.
Consolidation of behavioral synchronization with the developmental clock is impaired by the degeneration of a mechanosensory circuit inC. elegans
Authors: Laufer Lior , Inberg Sharon , Nir Eshkar , Sufrin Adi , Stern Shay 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAnimals generate predictable patterns of behavior that are robustly synchronized with the developmental clock. However, the dynamics of the long-term establishment of synchronized behaviors across the entire developmental trajectory, and the neuronal circuits that control this developmental synchronization, remain underexplored. Here, we show that inC. elegansindividuals, developmental synchronization of behavior continuously consolidates throughout development time, and that this consolidation is controlled by multiple neuronal pathways. In particular, we found that the degeneration of a specific mechanosensory circuit early in development strongly impairs the developmental synchronization of behavior. Furthermore, early neuronal activity patterns in downstream motor neurons are altered following the mechanosensory circuit degeneration. Interestingly, we show that either pharmacological or genetic neuroprotection of the mechanosensory circuit from degeneration restores normal modes of developmentally synchronized behaviors. These results imply the control of time-locked behaviors across the developmental trajectory by a localized sensory circuit within the nervous system.
Analysis of Burkina Faso’s institutional framework and budget allocations for NCDs control and monitoring
Authors: Ouedraogo Moussa , Sanou Dia , Goubgou Mahamadé , Bambara Estelle Aissa , Tirogo Souleymane , Savadogo Aly 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDiet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are today a major public health problem and a global development challenge. Yet governance responses to these diseases are still in their infancy in most low-income countries like Burkina Faso. How Burkina Faso organizes itself institutionally and financially to respond adequately to NCDs is unknown to the scientific community. The aim was to analyze Burkina Faso’s institutional framework and budget allocations. This was a cross-sectional survey based on mixed (qualitative and quantitative) data collection. The analysis revealed a number of difficulties in the institutional framework hindering the performance of the fight against NCDs in Burkina Faso, including (i) the absence of a multi-sectoral policy or strategic plan involving all stakeholders, (ii) the absence of a multi-sectoral coordinating body and (iii) the lack of sufficient financial resources. A total of twentynine (29) budget lines related to the prevention and/or management of NCDs were identified, with a total budget of 17.33 billion FCFA ($29.8 million), or an average of $2.72 million per year. This represents only 1.55% of the total budget of the Ministry of Health over the same period. We recommend, among other things, the development of a national multi-sectoral policy with a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of each player, the creation of a coordinating body, improved funding, and greater attention to NCDs in the provision of primary healthcare services.
Phylogenetic mapping of sleep loss in wild-caught cavefish
Authors: North Owen , Maza-Castañeda Lourdes Citlalli , Manning Aubrey E. , Rastogi Aakriti , Gluesenkamp Andrew , Gluesenkamp Leah , Swanson Nathan , Hernández-Lozano Jorge , Garduño-Sánchez Marco , Díaz-Cruz Jesús Alberto , Kowalko Johanna E. , McGaugh Suzanne E. , Keene Alex C. , Ornelas-García Claudia Patricia 
Published: October 2024

AbstractSleep is an evolutionarily ancient and nearly universal behavior throughout the animal kingdom. Multiple cave-dwelling populations of the Mexican tetra,Astyanax mexicanus, have converged on sleep loss compared to river dwelling surface fish. However, the extent to which sleep has been lost across cave populations, and whether sleep loss occurs in wild fish, is poorly understood. We have measured sleep and locomotor activity in 15 distinct populations ofA. mexicanusrepresenting multiple lineages that are broadly representative of the 34 cavefish populations identified to date. Strikingly, sleep was largely lost in all cave and hybrid populations that were tested. Hybrid populations retained intermediate eye and pigmentation phenotypes, suggesting sleep loss precedes cave-associated morphological changes. Mapping behavioral changes onto the phylogeny ofA. mexicanuspopulations revealed that independent loss of sleep and elevated locomotor activity has occurred at least three times. Analysis of sleep in the wild confirms that the sleep loss phenotype observed in lab-reared fish is also present in the natural environment. Together, these findings reveal deep evolutionary convergence on sleep loss in cavefish and provide evidence for sleep loss as a primary trait contributing to cave adaptation.
Trading Place for Space: Increasing Location Resolution Reduces Contextual Capacity in Hippocampal Codes
Authors: Rooke Spencer , Wang Zhaoze , Di Tullio Ronald W. , Balasubramanian Vijay 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMany animals learn cognitive maps of their environment - a simultaneous representation of context, experience, and position. Place cells in the hippocampus, named for their explicit encoding of position, are believed to be a neural substrate of these maps, with place cell “remapping” explaining how this system can represent different contexts. Briefly, place cells alter their firing properties, or “remap”, in response to changes in experiential or sensory cues. Substantial sensory changes, produced, e.g., by moving between environments, cause large subpopulations of place cells to change their tuning entirely. While many studies have looked at the physiological basis of remapping, we lack explicit calculations of how the contextual capacity of the place cell system changes as a function of place field firing properties. Here, we propose a geometric approach to understanding population level activity of place cells. Using known firing field statistics, we investigate how changes to place cell firing properties affect the distances between representations of different environments within firing rate space. Using this approach, we find that the number of contexts storable by the hippocampus grows exponentially with the number of place cells, and calculate this exponent for environments of different sizes. We identify a fundamental trade-off between high resolution encoding of position and the number of storable contexts. This trade-off is tuned by place cell width, which might explain the change in firing field scale along the dorsal-ventral axis of the hippocampus. We demonstrate that clustering of place cells near likely points of confusion, such as boundaries, increases the contextual capacity of the place system within our framework and conclude by discussing how our geometric approach could be extended to include other cell types and abstract spaces.
Somatomotor disconnection links sleep duration with socioeconomic context, screen time, cognition, and psychopathology
Authors: Michael Cleanthis , Taxali Aman , Angstadt Mike , McCurry Katherine L. , Weigard Alexander , Kardan Omid , Molloy M. Fiona , Toda-Thorne Katherine , Burchell Lily , Dziubinski Maria , Choi Jason , Vandersluis Melanie , Hyde Luke W. , Heitzeg Mary M. , Sripada Chandra 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundSleep is critical for healthy brain development and emotional wellbeing, especially during adolescence when sleep, behavior, and neurobiology are rapidly evolving. Theoretical reviews and empirical research have historically focused on how sleep influences mental health through its impact onhigher-orderbrain systems. No studies have leveraged data-driven network neuroscience methods to uncover interpretable, brain-wide signatures of sleep duration in adolescence, their socio-environmental origins, or their consequences for cognition and mental health.MethodsHere, we implement graph theory and component-based predictive modeling to examine how a multimodal index of sleep duration is associated with intrinsic brain architecture in 3,173 youth (11-12 years) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSMStudy.ResultsWe demonstrate that network integration/segregation exhibit a strong, generalizable multivariate association with sleep duration. We next identify a single component of brain architecture centered on a single network as the dominant contributor of this relationship. This component is characterized by increasing disconnection of alower-ordersystem - the somatomotor network - from other systems, with shorter sleep duration. Finally, greater somatomotor disconnection is associated with lower socioeconomic resources, longer screen times, reduced cognitive/academic performance, and elevated externalizing problems.ConclusionsThese findings reveal a novel neural signature of shorter sleep in adolescence that is intertwined with environmental risk, cognition, and psychopathology. By robustly elucidating the key involvement of an understudied brain system in sleep, cognition, and psychopathology, this study can inform theoretical and translational research directions on sleep to promote neurobehavioral development and mental health during the adolescent transition.
Learning to infer transitively: serial ordering on a mental line in premotor cortex
Authors: Raglio Sofia , Di Antonio Gabriele , Brunamonti Emiliano , Ferraina Stefano , Mattia Maurizio 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTTransitive inference (TI) is a form of deductive reasoning that allows to infer unknown relationships among premises. It is hypothesized that this cognitive task is accomplished by mapping stimuli onto a linear workspace, referred to as the ‘mental line,’ based on their arbitrarily assigned ranks. However, open questions remain: does this mental line have a neural correlate, and if so, where and how is it represented and learned in the brain? In this study, we investigate the role of monkeys’ dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) in encoding the hypothesized mental line during the acquisition of item relationships. Our findings provide evidence that the TI task can be solved through a linear transformation of the neural representations of arbitrarily ranked items. We show that PMd multi-unit activity organizes along a theoretically informed direction, implementing a geometrical solution that effectively explains animal behavior. Our results suggest that the premotor cortex plays a crucial role in integrating item representations into a ‘geometric mental line,’ where the symbolic distance (i.e., rank difference) between items influences the related motor decisions. Furthermore, we observe an ongoing learning process characterized by a rotation of this mental line, which aligns to the linear manifold where motor plan unfolds. This elucidates a cortical optimization strategy based on the statistical structure of the task.