bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A complex acoustical environment during development enhances auditory perception and coding efficiency in the zebra finch
Authors: Moseley Samantha M , Meliza C Daniel 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSensory experience during development has lasting effects on perception and neural processing. Exposing juvenile animals to artificial stimuli influences the tuning and functional organization of the auditory cortex, but less is known about how the rich acoustical environments experienced by vocal communicators affect the processing of complex vocalizations. Here, we show that in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), a colonial-breeding songbird species, exposure to a naturalistic social-acoustical environment during development has a profound impact on auditory perceptual behavior and on cortical-level auditory responses to conspecific song. Compared to birds raised by pairs in acoustic isolation, male and female birds raised in a breeding colony were better in an operant discrimination task at recognizing conspecific songs with and without masking colony noise. Neurons in colony-reared birds had higher average firing rates, selectivity, and discriminability, especially in the narrow-spiking, putatively inhibitory neurons of a higher-order auditory area, the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM). Neurons in colony-reared birds were also less correlated in their tuning and more efficient at encoding the spectrotemporal structure of conspecific song, and better at filtering out masking noise. These results suggest that the auditory cortex adapts to noisy, complex acoustical environments by strengthening inhibitory circuitry, functionally decoupling excitatory neurons while maintaining overall excitatory-inhibitory balance.Significance StatementThe statistics of the sensory inputs animals experience during postnatal development shape cortical circuits and their functional properties, but most studies examining experience-dependent plasticity in the auditory system has employed artificial stimuli with limited relevance to acoustic communication. Here, we examined how the natural social-acoustical environment experienced by zebra finches, a social songbird that breeds in large colonies, influences the development of auditory perception and the underlying auditory cortical circuits. Compared to birds raised in a more impoverished environment, colony-reared birds were better at recognizing songs of other zebra finches and had higher firing rates in the avian homolog to auditory cortex, along with changes to functional connectivity that resulted in more efficient and robust coding of conspecific song.
A single-cell transcriptomic atlas of sensory-dependent gene expression in developing mouse visual cortex
Authors: Xavier Andre M. , Lin Qianyu , Kang Chris J. , Cheadle Lucas 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSensory experience drives the refinement and maturation of neural circuits during postnatal brain development through molecular mechanisms that remain to be fully elucidated. One likely mechanism involves the sensory-dependent expression of genes that encode direct mediators of circuit remodeling within developing cells. However, while studies in adult systems have begun to uncover crucial roles for sensory-induced genes in modifying circuit connectivity, the gene programs induced by brain cells in response to sensory experience during development remain to be fully characterized. Here, we present a single-nucleus RNA-sequencing dataset describing the transcriptional responses of cells in mouse visual cortex to sensory deprivation or sensory stimulation during a developmental window when visual input is necessary for circuit refinement. We sequenced 118,529 individual nuclei across sixteen neuronal and non-neuronal cortical cell types isolated from control, sensory deprived, and sensory stimulated mice, identifying 1,268 unique sensory-induced genes within the developing brain. To demonstrate the utility of this resource, we compared the architecture and ontology of sensory-induced gene programs between cell types, annotated transcriptional induction and repression events based upon RNA velocity, and discovered Neurexin and Neuregulin signaling networks that underlie cell-cell interactions viaCellChat. We find that excitatory neurons, especially layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, are highly sensitive to sensory stimulation, and that the sensory-induced genes in these cells are poised to strengthen synapse-to-nucleus crosstalk by heightening protein serine/threonine kinase activity. Altogether, we expect this dataset to significantly broaden our understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which sensory experience shapes neural circuit wiring in the developing brain.
Multi-modal characterisation of cardiac function and electrophysiology in type 2 diabetes: a UK Biobank cross-sectional study
Authors: Bertrand Ambre , Lewis Andrew , Camps Julia , Grau Vicente , Rodriguez Blanca 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackground and AimType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and cardiac arrhythmias. Our goal is to examine the association of T2DM with ECG and cardiac imaging biomarkers, providing a window into the adverse effects of T2DM on cardiac health.MethodsUsing data from the UK Biobank, we investigated ECG and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in a cohort of 1781 participants with T2DM and no diagnosed cardiovascular disease at time of assessment. We performed a pair-matched cross-sectional study to examine the association between type 2 diabetes and multi-modal cardiac biomarkers. We built multivariate multiple linear regression models sequentially adjusted for socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical covariates.ResultsT2DM was associated with a higher resting heart rate (66 vs 61 beats per minute, p<0.001), longer QTc interval (424 vs 420 ms, p<0.001), reduced T-wave amplitude (0.33 vs 0.37 mV, p<0.001), lower stroke volume (72 vs 78 ml, p<0.001) and thicker left ventricular wall (6.1 vs 5.9 mm, p<0.001). These trends were consistent in subgroups of different sex, age and body mass index. Fewer significant differences were noted in non-white participants. QRS duration and Sokolow-Lyon index were associated with the development of cardiovascular disease in groups with and without T2DM, respectively. A higher left ventricular mass and wall thickness were associated with cardiovascular outcomes in both groups.ConclusionT2DM was associated with adverse changes in ECG and cardiac imaging biomarkers, possibly reflecting subclinical cardiac repolarisation abnormalities, autonomic dysfunction, hypertrophy and impaired mechanical function.
Comparison of large language models for citation screening: A protocol for a prospective study
Authors: Oami Takehiko , Okada Yohei , Nakada Taka-aki 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundSystematic reviews require labor-intensive and time-consuming processes. Large language models (LLMs) have been recognized as promising tools for citation screening; however, the performance of LLMs in screening citations remained to be determined yet. This study aims to evaluate the potential of three leading LLMs - GPT-4o, Gemini 1.5 Pro, and Claude 3.5 Sonnet for literature screening.MethodsWe will conduct a prospective study comparing the accuracy, efficiency, and cost of literature citation screening using the three LLMs. Each model will perform literature searches for predetermined clinical questions from the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock (J-SSCG). We will measure and compare the time required for citation screening using each method. The sensitivity and specificity of the results from the conventional approach and each LLM-assisted process will be calculated and compared. Additionally, we will assess the total time spent and associated costs for each method to evaluate workload reduction and economic efficiency.Trial registrationThis research is submitted with the University hospital medical information network clinical trial registry (UMIN-CTR) [UMIN000054783].
Voting Patterns, Mortality, and Health Inequalities in England: A replication and extension of Smith and Dorling (1996)
Authors: Rahal Charles , Knight Josh , L’Esperance Veline , Mills Melinda C. , Clarke Philip M. 
Published: June 2024

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between voting patterns, mortality, health, and disability across England, replicating and extending a BMJ study from 1996.DesignObservational study using data from the Office of National Statistics and the House of Commons Library, mapped to electoral constituencies.SettingEngland, UK.ParticipantsThe mortality, health and disability data come from the English population across multiple publicly available datasets and are cross tabulated against information on voting in the 2019 and 2024 UK General Election in constituencies in England.Main Outcome MeasuresAge-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) for 2021, as well as Health and Disability metrics from the UK Census of 2021.ResultsWhen observing the proportion of vote-share for Labour at the constituency level in both elections, there was a strong, positive correlation with ASMR. In the 2019 election, this wasr=0.708 for males, andr=0.653 for females. For the 2024 election, this wasr=0.540 for males, andr=0.539 for females. There are also correlations between Labour vote shares and measures of health, but far less substantially for measures of disability. The strongest correlations were almost unilaterally observed against the proportion of votes cast in a constituency. A marked deviation was in the 2019 election where there was also a small, but positive correlation with voting Conservative and poor health (r=0.035) and disability (r=0.081), but not for ASMR (r=-0.489 for females,r=-0545 for males). Strong, positive correlations were also observed between all covariates and vote share for the Brexit Party (2019) and Reform UK (2024).ConclusionsHealth and mortality inequalities across England remain high, with trends largely following previous political patterning. People needing to rely on state provisions likely vote for the political party they believe will be best placed to solve health and structural issues.
Olfactory training using nasal inserts more effective due to increased adherence
Authors: Winter Anja L. , Henecke Sofie , Thunell Evelina , Swartz Mattias , Martinsen Joakim , Johnson Pernilla Sahlstrand , Lundström Johan N. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTThe recommended treatment for hyposmia (clinically reduced sense of smell) is olfactory training using odors in containers that the patients smell twice a day for several weeks. Adherence to the olfactory training regimen is, however, generally low. We aimed to investigate if a new form of olfactory delivery via scented nasal inserts could enhance olfactory training adherence by allowing participants to be mobile while performing the training and thereby lower perceived intrusion in their everyday life, using a randomized controlled parallel-group design. Two groups of individuals with hyposmia underwent 8 weeks of olfactory training. One group (n=60) performed olfactory training using scented nasal inserts (nasal plugs that retain nasal patency) and one group (n=56) performed the standard care regiment currently recommended by the Swedish healthcare system. We assessed objective and subjective olfactory ability before and after olfactory training as well as adherence to training. While both groups significantly improved their objective and subjective olfactory abilities, training with nasal insert produced similar improvement as standard care in overall treatment outcome. However, there was a significantly greater increase in discrimination performance and lower dropout rate (6.7%) in the nasal insert compared to the standard care group (23.2%). Critically, the nasal insert group had a significantly higher adherence to the training regimen, i.e. fewer missed training sessions. In addition, they reported overall greater satisfaction with their treatment. These data suggest that olfactory training with nasal inserts could serve as a more effective form of treatment for hyposmia, due to patients improved adherence to protocol and increased tendency to finish their treatment regimen.
Capturing the implications of residential segregation for the dynamics of infectious disease transmission
Authors: Zelner Jon , Stone Danielle , Eisenberg Marisa , Brouwer Andrew , Sakrejda Krzysztof 
Published: June 2024

AbstractOccupational and residential segregation and other manifestations of social and economic inequity drive of racial and socioeconomic inequities in infection, severe disease, and death from a wide variety of infections including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, HIV, tuberculosis, and many others. Despite a deep and long-standing quantitative and qualitative literature on infectious disease inequity, mathematical models that give equally serious attention to the social and biological dynamics underlying infection inequity remain rare. In this paper, we develop a simple transmission model that accounts for the mechanistic relationship between residential segregation on inequity in infection outcomes. We conceptualize segregation as a high-level, fundamental social cause of infection inequity that impacts both who-contacts-whom (separation or preferential mixing) as well as the risk of infection upon exposure (vulnerability). We show that the basic reproduction number, ℛ0, and epidemic dynamics are sensitive to the interaction between these factors. Specifically, our analytical and simulation results and that separation alone is insufficient to explain segregation-associated differences in infection risks, and that increasing separation only results in the concentration of risk in segregated populations when it is accompanied by increasing vulnerability. Overall, this work shows why it is important to carefully consider the causal linkages and correlations between high-level social determinants - like segregation - and more-proximal transmission mechanisms when either crafting or evaluating public health policies. While the framework applied in this analysis is deliberately simple, it lays the groundwork for future, data-driven explorations of the mechanistic impact of residential segregation on infection inequities.
The ataxia-telangiectasia disease protein ATM controls vesicular protein secretion via CHGA and microtubule dynamics via CRMP5
Authors: Reichlmeir Marina , Duecker Ruth Pia , Röhrich Hanna , Key Jana , Schubert Ralf , Abell Kathryn , Possemato Anthony P. , Stokes Matthew P. , Auburger Georg 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe autosomal recessive disease ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) presents with cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency, radiosensitivity, capillary dilatations, and pulmonary infections. Most symptoms outside the nervous system can be explained by failures of the disease protein ATM as Ser/Thr-kinase to coordinate DNA damage repair. However, ATM in adult neurons has cytoplasmic localization and vesicle association, where its roles remain unclear. Here, we defined novel ATM protein targets in human neuroblastoma cells and filtered initial pathogenesis events in ATM-null mouse cerebellum. Profiles of global proteome and phosphorylome - both direct ATM/ATR-phosphopeptides and overall phosphorylation changes - confirmed previous findings on NBN, MRE11, MDC1, CHEK1, EIF4EBP1, AP3B2, PPP2R5C, SYN1 and SLC2A1. Even stronger downregulation of ATM/ATR-phosphopeptides after ATM-depletion was documented for CHGA, EXPH5, NBEAL2 and CHMP6 as key factors of protein secretion and endosome dynamics, as well as for CRMP5, DISP2, PHACTR1, PLXNC1, INA and TPX2 as neurite extension factors. Prominent affection of semaphorin-CRMP5-microtubule signals and ATM association with CRMP5 were validated. As a functional consequence, microtubules were stabilized, and neurite retraction ensued. The ATM impact on secretory granules confirms previous ATM-null cerebellar transcriptome findings. Our study provides the first link of A-T neural atrophy to growth cone collapse and aberrant microtubule dynamics.
The proactive role played by sustainable wineries at times of economic crisis
Authors: García-Cortijo María Carmen , Castillo-Valero Juan Sebastián , Pérez-Luño Ana 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThis paper analyses the behaviour of wineries after an economic crisis depending on their interest in the environment.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was drawn up to collect quantitative data on Spanish wineries; a total of 230 firms participated in the study. Subsequently, a detailed statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test and rank sum.FindingsThe results show that the wineries that were most interested in sustainability exhibited proactive behaviour during the post-crisis period, choosing to innovate in their different areas in order to deal with the situation.Practical implicationsThe paper develops a simple and effective method for wineries to gain confidence that their sustainable behaviour will be compatible with innovating and overcoming a crisis.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature because, to the authors' knowledge, no other study has investigated the concepts of sustainability, crisis and innovation simultaneously. The model is also applicable to international wineries as well as companies in other sectors and would help them to define their strategic and sustainability plans.
GVC embeddedness and innovation performance – an analysis across 28 European countries
Authors: van Zijl Alissa Lysanne , Koster Ferry 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThis study has the following aims. First, it tries to clarify the relationship between global value chain (GVC) participation and innovation performance. To date, research generated mixed results. Secondly, it explores a novel way of investigating GVC participation by focusing on the sectoral level in which organizations operate using the concept of GVC embeddedness, which has not been investigated to date.Design/methodology/approachData from two sources are combined. The European Company Survey of 2019 provides data about the innovation performance of organizations. These data include measures about production and process. At the sectoral level, these company-level data are combined with data from the Trade in Value Added from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In total, more than 20,000 companies were investigated, which operate in 15 sectors in 28 countries. This three-level structure is analysed using multilevel ordered probit analyses.FindingsThe results show that forward participation and backward participation at the sectoral level are positively related to product innovation and process innovation. The probability of not being engaged in innovation is reduced through GVC embeddedness. And, the probability of generating incremental and radical innovations (both regarding products and processes) increases if GVC participating at the sectoral level is higher.Originality/valueThis study is the first to relate sectoral GVC embeddedness to the innovation performance of organizations.
The relationship between management vs nonmanagement status and women employees’ dissent expression in US organizations
Authors: Oommen Deepa 
Published: June 2024

Purpose
This study aims to test whether a) differences existed in dissent expression between women in management and nonmanagement positions and b) the differences varied between white women and women of color.

Design/methodology/approach
Responses from 1,011 employed women in the US were analyzed for the study.

Findings
Results revealed that in management vs nonmanagement status, women employees were more likely to express upward dissent and employ dissent strategies that signified both influence and lack of influence in organizations. However, race-based differences existed in the expressions of some forms of dissent.

Originality/value
Research has shown that employees in management vs nonmanagement status express more upward dissent and employ dissent strategies that signify influence in organizations. However, can this be the case for women employees? Although previous research has explored dissent expression extensively in US organizations, women employees' dissent expression has not received much attention in social-scientific studies. In these studies, gender and race were treated as mere demographic variables to describe sample compositions despite these variables being influential factors in organizational life. Through an intersectional approach to identities, this study’s findings call upon organizations to address iniquities that limit dissent expression based on identity hierarchies.
Remote employee work performance in the meta COVID-19 era: evidence from Greece
Authors: Katsaros Kleanthis Konstantinos 
Published: June 2024

PurposeBy drawing on the reciprocity norm and the employee engagement theory, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of workplace characteristics (e.g. individual, job, group and organizational levels) on remote employee work performance (i.e. task, adaptive and proactive) and to examine the potential role of work engagement.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a phased investigation in a branch of a multinational telecommunication company located in Greece. The research was carried out from September 2022 to December 2022. Firstly, 364 exclusively remote employees completed questionnaires examining work-related characteristics (i.e. change self-efficacy, work autonomy and perceived organizational support (POS)) as well as their work engagement. Consequently, their supervisors evaluated their work performance. The research model was tested with the use of structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe research findings suggest that change self-efficacy, work autonomy, support from supervisors and organizational support positively influence employee work engagement as well as that work engagement mediates the relationship among change self-efficacy, support from supervisors, organizational support and employee work performance (i.e. task and adaptive). Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that if organizations manage to influence positively their employees’ work engagement by providing them with the necessary conditions and support (i.e. individual, group and organizational levels), they may increase their work performance in changing and complex times.Originality/valueThe research findings provide new insights into how workplace characteristics and work engagement may influence employee performance during turbulent times. The originality of this study lies in the finding that employees’ work engagement mediates the relationship among change self-efficacy, support from supervisors, organizational support and employee work performance (i.e. task and adaptive). Further, the study refers to exclusively remote employees, and it was conducted in the meta coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) era.