bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of novel signal and spike velocity analysis tools in peripheral nerve cuffs
Authors: Klus Jonas , Boys Alexander J. , Serrano Ruben Ruiz-Mateos , Malliaras George G. , Carnicer-Lombarte Alejandro 
Published: November 2024

AbstractObjectivePeripheral nerve neurotechnologies hold significant promise as avenues for new closed-loop clinical treatments. However, analysis tools for nerve recordings – a key component of closed-loop nerve technologies – remain underdeveloped compared to brain-focused methods. This study introduces and explores the performance of two novel nerve signal analysis techniques which rely on a defining feature of peripheral nerve signals: the reliable conduction velocity of signals transmitted by axons in nerves.ApproachWe test the capabilities of the introduced cross-correlation and spike delay velocity analysis techniques bothin silicoon synthetic nerve signals and onin vivonerve signals acquired from freely-moving rats.Main resultsOur findings show that both techniques can be successfully employed to extract transmission direction and velocity information from nerve cuff recordings. Notably, cross-correlation analysis can be employed to detect neural signals of very low signal-to-noise ratio, otherwise undetectable by typical spike detection approaches.SignificanceOur findings provide new techniques to both enhance detection and extract new information in the form of velocity data from nerve recordings. As axon signal conduction direction and velocity is tightly linked to neural function, these techniques can support new research into peripheral nervous system function and new therapeutic approaches driven by neural interfaces.
A Comprehensive Method on Black-legged Tick Larvae and Nymph Feeding on Mice to Study Lyme Disease Transmission and Acquisition
Authors: Scholl Aaron , Li Bingjie , De Sandip 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTick-borne diseases are a growing public health concern in the United States, with cases rising steadily each year. Lyme borreliosis, or Lyme disease, remains the most prevalent, affecting approximately 476,000 individuals annually. Human-driven changes in climate and ecosystems have expanded the habitat of pathogen-carrying ticks, facilitating the spread of these infections. Additionally, increased instances of tick-borne diseases transmission through human tissues have been reported. Despite ongoing efforts to manage these infections, their incidence continues to rise. To develop effective control measures against these diseases and prevent the transmission of tick-borne infections through human and animal tissues, it is very important to develop detection assays and understand the transmission mechanisms of tick-borne infections. In this study, we provide detailed descriptions and visual references for larval and nymphal tick feeding on mice, focusing on the transmission and acquisition ofBorrelia burgdorferi(sensu stricto). These methodologies can be applied to study other tick-borne diseases, tick vectorial capacity, and tick biology, aiding in the development of detection strategies to combat these infections.
Analysis of lifespan across Diversity Outbred mouse studies identifies multiple longevity-associated loci
Authors: Mullis Martin N. , Wright Kevin M. , Raj Anil , Gatti Daniel M. , Reifsnyder Peter C. , Flurkey Kevin , Archer Jonathan R. , Robinson Laura , Di Francesco Andrea , Svenson Karen L. , Korstanje Ron , Harrison David E. , Ruby J. Graham , Churchill Gary A. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTLifespan is an integrative phenotype whose genetic architecture is likely to highlight multiple processes with high impact on health and aging. Here, we conduct a genetic meta-analysis of longevity in Diversity Outbred (DO) mice that includes 2,444 animals from three independently conducted lifespan studies. We identify six loci that contribute significantly to lifespan independently of diet and drug treatment, one of which also influences lifespan in a sex-dependent manner, as well as an additional locus with a diet-specific effect on lifespan. Collectively, these loci explain over half of the estimated heritable variation in lifespan across these studies and provide insight into the genetic architecture of lifespan in DO mice.
Amphibian and reptile dataset across different land-use types in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa
Authors: dos Reis-Silva Francisco , Alves-Martins Fernanda , Martinez-Arribas Javier , Pizzigalli Cristian , Seck Sambu , Rainho Ana , Rocha Ricardo , Palmeirim Ana Filipa 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWest Africa is exceptionally biodiverse, yet its wildlife remains largely understudied despite the rapid and ongoing land-use changes. Large swaths of Guinea-Bissau’s landscape were historically characterized by native forest-savanna mosaics. However, key areas of savannah habitats have been converted to rice agroecosystems, and forests are being transformed into cashew monocultures at unprecedented rates. Amphibians and reptiles (Testudines and Squamata) comprise some of the most threatened species by human-induced habitat change, and yet are not as studied as other vertebrate terrestrial taxa. Here, we provide two comprehensive datasets on amphibians and reptiles (classes Testudines and Squamata) from northern Guinea-Bissau: (1) a standardized survey dataset (encompassing sampling events and occurrences) in forest fragments, cashew orchards, and rice paddies, and (2) an opportunistic dataset reporting occurrences across the entire study area. Standardized surveys were carried across 21 sampling sites, seven in each habitat type, while opportunistic surveys include all other records. For standardized surveys, a total of 703 amphibian and 265 reptile (class Squamata) encounters are reported, corresponding to nine and 13 taxa, respectively. Opportunistically, we report 62 amphibian and 93 reptile encounters, corresponding to 10 amphibian taxa, 25 Squamata taxa, and two turtles (class Testudines).New informationBased on 126 sampling hours of both diurnal and nocturnal standardized surveys, in addition to opportunistic surveys, these datasets comprise the first overview for amphibians and reptiles in mainland Guinea-Bissau across two seasons and different habitat types. Each of the 968 standardized and 155 opportunistic occurrences corresponds to a genus or species and is accompanied by geographic coordinates, a timestamp, and, for standardized data, the land-use type. The datasets fill the distribution gaps in Guinea-Bissau of at least three species, including the frogHildebrandtia ornata, the skinkTrachylepis keroanensisand the snakeDendroaspis polylepis– and includes the rediscovery of the lizardLatastia ornatain Guinea-Bissau. Before this work, theL. ornatawas only known from the 1938 holotype in Bafatá (ca. 60 km away from the study area) and, in 2023, from Guinea-Conakry (ca. 700 km away from type specimen location).
Single-cell fluorescence imaging reveals heterogeneity in senescence biomarkers and identifies rapamycin-responsive sub-populations
Authors: Seshadri Vijayraghavan , Chng Charmaine , Tyler Joel , Baghaei Kaveh , Wang Yan , Gueven Nuri , Azimi Iman 
Published: November 2024

AbstractCellular senescence is a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest accompanied by a distinctive inflammatory secretory profile known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). While various biomarkers, such as senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-βgal), EdU incorporation, P21, and P16, are used to identify senescent cells, no single biomarker universally defines cellular senescence, and current methods often fail to address heterogeneity in biomarker expression levels. This study leverages single-cell fluorescence imaging to assess multiple senescence markers including SA-βgal enzymatic activity, P21 and IL-6 expression, and nuclear and cell area, in chemotherapy-induced (mitomycin C) and oxidative stress-induced (D-galactose) senescence models in human fibroblasts.Our findings reveal significant heterogeneity in SA-βgal activity and distinct sub-populations within senescent cells. Nuclear and cell area measurements emerged as robust indicators of cellular senescence, displaying similar variability across individual cells. Importantly, we identified specific nuclear area sub-populations that strongly correlate with IL-6 expression levels, demonstrating a relationship between the heterogeneous expression of senescence biomarkers and the SASP. To address this heterogeneity, we introduced an induction threshold method to more accurately quantify the percentage of cells expressing senescence biomarkers.Furthermore, in both senescence models, we observed that rapamycin, a well-known senomorphic agent, selectively targets specific biomarker-expressing sub-populations. This study underscores the value of assessing cellular heterogeneity in senescence research and provides an improved approach for analysing senescence markers in diverse cellular contexts.
Real-Time Imaging of Antimalarial Drug Effects onPlasmodium falciparum-Infected Red Blood Cells
Authors: Wallner Julia S. , Bonsen Maike , Mathis Emilie , Gomes Ana Rita , Spangenberg Thomas , Guizetti Julien 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMalaria remains a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by emerging drug resistance, which has been recurring ever since Chloroquine resistance was reported to spread in the 1960s. Cabamiquine (M5717), a promising antimalarial candidate, targetsPlasmodium falciparumelongation factor 2 (PfeEF2) and has demonstrated high potency and multi-stage activity. However, differences in parasite-killing kinetics require further exploration. This proof-of-concept study employs time-lapse microscopy to assess the effects of Chloroquine and Cabamiquine onP. falciparum-infected red blood cells. Using a fluorogenic DNA dye, we monitored morphological changes and cell death at the single-cell level. Unlike the faster-killing Chloroquine, our findings confirm a lag phase of the effect of Cabamiquine and reveal a delay before host cell lysis. This delayed cytotoxic effect underscores the cytostatic phase of the drug prior to killing and highlights its potential in combination therapies. Our novel imaging approach provides a comprehensive fingerprinting method to quantify cytostatic, cytotoxic, and cytolytic activities of antimalarial drugs, offering valuable insights into their mechanisms of action at a cellular level therefore enabling to discriminate the steps prior to parasite clearance in hosts.
Immune priming in the insect gut: a dynamic response revealed by ultrastructural and transcriptomic changes
Authors: Baur Moritz , Schulz Nora K. E. , Greune Lilo , Länger Zoe M. , Eirich Jürgen , Finkemeier Iris , Peuß Robert , Dersch Petra , Kurtz Joachim 
Published: November 2024

AbstractResearch on forms of memory in innate immune systems has recently gained momentum with the study of trained immunity in vertebrates and immune priming in invertebrates. Immune priming provides protection against previously encountered pathogens. However, causes and mechanisms of immune priming are still not well understood in most organisms. In this work, we combine RNA sequencing with transmission electron microscopy to investigate the dynamic processes during priming in the gut of a well-established model for oral immune priming, consisting of the hostTribolium castaneumand its entomopathogenBacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis (Btt). We show that priming with specific, pathogen-derived virulence-relevant factors causes damage in the gut ofT. castaneumlarvae, which leads to an early physiological stress response as well as the upregulation of a specific set of immune genes. This response diminishes over time yet enables the gut to upregulate genes known to interfere withBttvirulence whenT. castaneumlarvae are later exposed to infectiousBttspores. The identification of these processes increases our understanding of immune priming as a dynamic process where cellular responses in concert with specific gene regulation prepare the gut tissue and thereby enable more efficient protection against infection. Such work can further help us understand the origin and mechanism of innate immune memory.Author summaryInvertebrate animals do not possess a classical adaptive immune system. And yet, many of these animals show forms of immune memory, collectively called immune priming. In this work, we investigate the causes of oral immune priming in the red flour beetleTribolium castaneumin response to its bacterial entomopathogenBacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis. Primary exposure toBttspent culture media supernatants enables the larvae ofT. castaneumto better withstand a subsequent infection with infectiousBttspores. We show that exposingT. castaneumlarvae to those supernatants leads to damage in the gut resulting in a strong stress and immune response early after priming and a targeted up-regulation of beneficial genes upon the secondary re-encounter withBtt. These results suggest fundamental stress responses can be involved in innate immune memory phenomena, which has implications in translational research across species.
Laser Flash Melting Cryo-EM Samples to Overcome Preferred Orientation
Authors: Straub Monique S. , Harder Oliver F. , Mowry Nathan J. , Barrass Sarah V. , Hruby Jakub , Drabbels Marcel , Lorenz Ulrich J. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSample preparation remains a bottleneck for protein structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy. A frequently encountered issue is that proteins adsorb to the air-water interface of the sample in a limited number of orientations. This makes it challenging to obtain high-resolution reconstructions or may even cause projects to fail altogether. We have previously observed that laser flash melting and revitrification of cryo samples reduces preferred orientation for large, symmetric particles. Here, we demonstrate that our method can in fact be used to scramble the orientation of proteins of a range of sizes and symmetries. The effect can be enhanced for some proteins by increasing the heating rate during flash melting or by depositing amorphous ice onto the sample prior to revitrification. This also allows us to shed light onto the underlying mechanism. Our experiments establish a set of tools for overcoming preferred orientation that can be easily integrated into existing workflows.
Two-bunch seeding of soft x-ray free electron lasers
Authors: Schneidmiller E. , Zagorodnov I. 
Published: November 2024

Seeded free electron lasers (FELs) demonstrate a good performance and are successfully used in different user experiments in extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray regimes. In this paper, a simple modification of the seeding scenario is proposed relying on the generation of two closely spaced bunches with very different properties: a low-current seeding bunch and a high-current bunch that amplifies coherent radiation, produced by the seeding bunch. This approach eliminates different limitations and mitigates some harmful effects in the standard scenario. In particular, one can generate very high harmonic numbers with a moderate laser power in a simple high-gain harmonic generation (HGHG) scheme. Alternatively, in case of moderate harmonic numbers, one can strongly reduce the required laser power thus simplifying the design of high repetition rate seeded FELs. An influence of beam dynamics effects (like nonlinearities of the longitudinal phase space of electron beams, coherent synchrotron radiation, longitudinal space charge, geometrical wakefields, and microbunching instabilities) on properties of the output radiation (spectrum broadening, pedestals, and stability) can be to a large extent reduced in the proposed scheme. In this paper, we illustrate the operation of the two-bunch seeding scheme in HGHG configuration with realistic start-to-end simulations for the soft x-ray user facility free electron laser in Hamburg. We show that nearly Fourier-limited multigigawatt pulses can be generated at 4 nm using the present compact design of the undulator system. With several thousand pulses per second, this can be a unique source for photon science.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nurturing an architect through transformative pedagogy: design studio teaching experience
Authors: Xhambazi Arta , Aliu Vlora 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThis study explores how transformative pedagogy enhances project-based learning in architectural education. It presents a studio case study implementing a process-based approach and a student-led design programme. It promotes creativity, critical thinking and autonomy while advocating for pedagogical adaptation towards dynamic, systemic learning experiences in architecture education.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a qualitative approach, drawing on a literature review and action research from the authors’ design studio experience. A quantitative component was included in the student feedback survey. The studio practice incorporates real-world market challenges in the Kosovar context into student-driven programmes, structuring the process through a problem-solving approach in a fourth-year design studio.FindingsThe results showed high student satisfaction with the process-based, student-centred approach, improving design initiatives, self-confidence and responsibility. Structured presentations and assessments support iterative improvements and reflection. However, workload management remains a challenge.Research limitations/implicationsThis study’s context-specific nature suggests that future research could benefit from diverse educational settings to assess the generalisability of the proposed approach.Practical implicationsThis research provides practical insights for educators to improve students’ autonomy and critical thinking through student-centred problem-solving approaches, enabling them to take greater responsibility for their design processes.Social implicationsStudent-led programmes help with social responsibility and ethical awareness, aligning education more closely with the complexities of real-world situations.Originality/valueThis study positions transformative pedagogy as a way to tailor educational practices, proposing an additional trajectory shaped by integrating student-led design programmes that echo real-world challenges and emphasise student-centred learning through iterative processes and continuous reflection.
Bridging the gap: HR analytics adoption in the VUCA world of Industry 5.0
Authors: Khajuria Ridhima , Maini Arti , Bukhari Syeda Shazia 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
This study aims to examine the variables that impact the adoption of human resource (HR) analytics in Industry 5.0 and in the volatile, unpredictable, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. The paper examines the elements that either promote or hinder the use of HR analytics.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used a mixed-methods approach. Initially, while conducting a qualitative study of 15 companies, 30 respondents became willing to participate in the interviews and share their experiences. Subsequently, a quantitative study was performed by a random selection of 26 organizations to get pertinent responses. The researchers conducted a random survey of 259 workers from these firms.

Findings
The research revealed that strong leadership support is crucial in building trust and minimizing employee resistance to using a data-driven strategy in HR analytics, particularly in a VUCA environment. Training programmes and support systems within a VUCA environment may help workers overcome skill gaps and alleviate fear of job security in the midst of transition.

Research limitations/implications
The present study used a cross-sectional approach, so the ability to identify cause-and-effect linkages between elements and the use of HR analytics will be limited. In addition, researchers might use a longitudinal study design to monitor and analyse changes that occur over time.

Originality/value
First, it goes beyond a simple examination of HR analytics usage. It occupies a distinct and exceptional position in relation to the VUCA world, as well as the increasing challenges of Industry 5.0. This study also identifies the significance of employee’s personal characteristics while implementing HR analytics. This also leads to fascinating congruity between the results of the qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Impact of shame on opportunity evaluation and exploitation decisions
Authors: Ojha Atma Prakash , Nandakumar M.K. 
Published: November 2024

PurposeEvaluating and exploiting an opportunity is an iterative process, and one of the triggers for the re-evaluation is the feedback received from stakeholders. Most of the time, the feedback comes in the form of harsh comments, criticisms and rejections, which can cause shame. There is also a lack of studies on the impact of shame on the decision-making ability of the entrepreneur, which is addressed through this study.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an experimental design, which is considered the “gold standard” in establishing causality. By manipulating the emotions of 107 entrepreneurs and making them assess a hypothetical opportunity, the study finds conclusive evidence for the proposed hypotheses.FindingsUsing the appraisal tendency framework, the authors show that shame makes an entrepreneur assess an opportunity as lower in desirability and feasibility. Shame also makes an entrepreneur give more significant weight to feasibility (over desirability) when deciding on entrepreneurial action.Originality/valueThe study provides strong empirical evidence that shame is an important emotion and influences the decision-making ability of the entrepreneur. The study reveals that important stakeholders assessing entrepreneurs need to be careful about how they provide feedback. Since the emotion it can elicit has a bearing on the subsequent decisions made by the entrepreneur.
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping data privacy
Authors: Lami Bareq , Mohd. Hussein Safinaz , Rajamanickam Ramalinggam , Emmanuel Grace Kaka 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
This study aims to illustrate the manifold ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) serves as both a sentinel and a potential intruder in the realm of personal data protection. Additionally, it delves into the legal and ethical frameworks governing the use of AI in data-centric contexts.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative doctrinal methodology, this research examines existing literatures on AI, data privacy and related laws/regulations. This study explores the multifaceted role of AI in shaping data privacy and the symbiotic relationship between AI and data privacy.

Findings
It was discovered that there are insufficient AI-specific regulations, and that AI both fortifies and threatens the sanctity of personal data. As such, there is the need for transparency, fairness, accountability and adherence to data privacy regulations to ensure effective use of AI in data privacy.

Research limitations/implications
This study limits itself to the intersection of AI and data privacy and how innovation, legislations and ethical considerations are intricately intertwined.

Originality/value
By examining case studies and examples from the real world, this study endeavors to provide a comprehensive perspective on the dynamic landscape of AI and data privacy. It forecasts future trends and challenges, offering insights into how AI may continue to influence and safeguard data privacy while simultaneously posing novel risks.