bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal recurrence and modular assembly of an Arctic pelagic marine microbiome
Authors: Priest Taylor , Oldenburg Ellen , Popa Ovidiu , Dede Bledina , Metfies Katja , von Appen Wilken-Jon , Torres-Valdés Sinhué , Bienhold Christina , Fuchs Bernhard M. , Amann Rudolf , Boetius Antje , Wietz Matthias 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTDeciphering how microbial communities are shaped by environmental variability is fundamental for understanding the structure and function of ocean ecosystems. Thus far, we know little about the structuring of community functionality and the coupling between taxonomy and function over seasonal environmental gradients. To address this, we employed autonomous sampling devices andin situsensors to investigate the taxonomic and functional dynamics of a pelagic Arctic Ocean microbiome over a four-year period. We demonstrate that the dominant prokaryotic and microeukaryotic populations exhibit recurrent, unimodal fluctuations each year, with community gene content following the same trend. The recurrent dynamics within the prokaryotic microbiome are structured into five temporal modules that represent distinct ecological states, characterised by unique taxonomic and metabolic signatures and connections to specific microeukaryotic populations and oceanographic conditions. For instance,Cand. Nitrosopumilus and the machinery to oxidise ammonia and reduce nitrite are signatures of early polar night, along with Radiolarians. In contrast, late summer is characterised byAmylibacter, sulfur compound metabolism and diverse Haptophyta lineages. Exploring the composition of modules further along with their degree of functional redundancy and the structuring of genetic diversity within functions over time revealed seasonal heterogeneity in environmental selection processes. In particular, we observe strong selection pressure on a functional level in spring while late polar night features weaker selection pressure that likely acts on an organismal level. By integrating taxonomic, functional, and environmental information, our study provides fundamental insights into how microbiomes are structured under pronounced environmental variability in understudied, yet rapidly changing polar marine ecosystems.
A whole cell luminescence-based screen for inhibitors of the bacterial Sec machinery
Authors: Salter Tia , Collinson Ian , Allen William J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThere is a pressing need for new antibiotics to combat rising resistance to those already in use. The bacterial general secretion (Sec) system has long been considered a good target for novel antimicrobials thanks to its irreplacable role in maintaining cell envelope integrity; yet the lack of a robust, high-throughput method to screen for Sec inhibition has so far hampered efforts to realise this potential. Here, we have adapted our recently-developedin vitroassay for Sec activity – based on the split NanoLuc luciferase – to work at scale and in living cells. A simple counterscreen allows compounds that specifically target Sec to be distinguished from those with other effects on cellular function. As proof of principle we have applied this assay to a library of 5000 compounds and identified a handful of moderately effectivein vivoinhibitors of Sec. We therefore anticipate that the methods presented here will be scalable to larger compound libraries, in the ultimate quest for Sec inhibitors with clinically relevant properties.
Striatal output regulates the postnatal maturation of cortical circuits
Authors: Deemyad Tara , Janeček Michael , Shih Yi-Chun , Valle Vicente , D’Agostino Andrew , Perez Megan S. , Ketchesin Kyle D. , da Silva Susana , Peixoto Rui T. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) is interconnected with the basal ganglia (BG) through large-scale circuit loops that regulate critical motor and cognitive functions. In mice, these circuits undergo extensive postnatal maturation with marked changes in neural activity and expansion of synaptic connectivity. While cortical activity is known to regulate the development of downstream striatal circuits, the role of the basal ganglia in cortical maturation remains unknown. Here, we used mesoscale two-photon microscopy and whole-cell electrophysiology to examine whether striatal output during early postnatal development impacts the maturation of upstream dmPFC circuits. We found that ablating spiny projection neurons of the direct or indirect pathways of the striatum during the first two postnatal weeks causes bidirectional changes in dmPFC neural activity, similar to what is observed in mature circuits. In addition, these manipulations alter the maturation of synaptic connectivity of dmPFC layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, shifting the balance of excitation and inhibition of cortical circuits. These findings demonstrate that striatal output regulates the activity of cortical circuits during early postnatal development and suggest a regulatory role of the basal ganglia in the establishment of cortical circuits.
Cannabinoid receptor 1 positive allosteric modulator ZCZ011 shows differential effects on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice
Authors: Yadav-Samudrala Barkha J , Dodson Hailey , Ramineni Shreya , Kim Elizabeth , Poklis Justin L , Lu Dai , Ignatowska-Jankowska Bogna M , Lichtman Aron H , Fitting Sylvia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is a promising therapeutic target for various neurodegenerative diseases, including HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). However, the therapeutic potential of CB1R by direct activation is limited due to its psychoactive side effects. Therefore, research has focused on indirectly activating the CB1R by utilizing positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). Studies have shown that CB1R PAMs (ZCZ011 and GAT211) are effective in mouse models of Huntington’s disease and neuropathic pain, and hence, we assess the therapeutic potential of ZCZ011 in a well-established mouse model of neuroHIV. The current study investigates the effect of chronic ZCZ011 treatment (14 days) on various behavioral paradigms and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice. Chronic ZCZ011 treatment (10 mg/kg) did not alter body mass, locomotor activity, or anxiety-like behavior regardless of sex or genotype. However, differential effects were noted in hot plate latency, motor coordination, and recognition memory in female mice only, with ZCZ011 treatment increasing hot plate latency and improving motor coordination and recognition memory. Only minor effects or no alterations were seen in the endocannabinoid system and related lipids except in the cerebellum, where the effect of ZCZ011 was more pronounced in female mice. Moreover, AEA and PEA levels in the cerebellum were positively correlated with improved motor coordination in female mice. In summary, these findings indicate that chronic ZCZ011 treatment has differential effects on antinociception, motor coordination, and memory, based on sex and HIV-1 Tat expression, making CB1R PAMs potential treatment options for HAND without the psychoactive side effects.
“What” and “when” predictions jointly modulate speech processing
Authors: Auksztulewicz Ryszard , Ödül Ozan Bahattin , Helbling Saskia , Böke Ana , Cappotto Drew , Luo Dan , Schnupp Jan , Melloni Lucía 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAdaptive behavior rests on forming predictions based on previous statistical regularities encountered in the environment. Such regularities pertain not only to the contents of the stimuli (“what”) but also their timing (“when”), and both interactively modulate sensory processing. In speech streams, predictions can be formed at multiple hierarchical levels, both in terms of contents (e.g. single syllables vs. words) and timing (e.g., faster vs. slower time scales). Whether and how these hierarchies map onto each other in terms of integrating “what” and “when” predictions remains unknown. Under one hypothesis neural hierarchies may link “what” and “when” predictions within sensory processing areas: with lower cortical regions mediating interactions for smaller units e.g., syllables, and higher cortical areas mediating interactions for larger units e.g., words. Alternatively, interactions between “what” and “when” predictions might rest on a generic, sensory-independent mechanism, mediated by common attention-related (e.g., frontoparietal) networks. To address those questions, we manipulated “what” and “when” predictions at two levels – single syllables and disyllabic pseudowords – while recording neural activity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in healthy volunteers (N=22). We studied how syllable and/or word deviants are modulated by “when” predictability, both analyzing event-related fields and using source reconstruction and dynamic causal modeling to explain the observed effects in terms of the underlying effective connectivity. “When” predictions modulated “what” mismatch responses in a specific way with regards to speech hierarchy, such that mismatch responses to deviant words (vs. syllables) were amplified by temporal predictions at a slower (vs. faster) time scale. However, these modulations were source-localized to a shared network of cortical regions, including frontal and parietal sources. Effective connectivity analysis showed that, while mismatch responses to violations of “what” predictions modulated connectivity between regions, the integration of “what” and “when” predictions selectively modulated connectivity within regions, consistent with gain effects. These results suggest that the brain integrates “what” and “when” predictions that are congruent with respect to their hierarchical level, but this integration is mediated by a shared and distributed cortical network. This contrasts with recent studies indicating separable networks for different levels of hierarchical speech processing.
Two-photon voltage imaging with rhodopsin-based sensors
Authors: Grimm Christiane , Sims Ruth R. , Tanese Dimitrii , Mohamed Lafirdeen Aysha S. , Chan Chung Yuen , Faini Giulia , Putti Elena , Del Bene Filippo , Papagiakoumou Eirini , Emiliani Valentina 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe recent advances in sophisticated optical techniques, coupled with two-photon sensitive genetic voltage indicators (GEVIs), have enabled in-depth voltage imagingin vivoat single spike and single-cell resolution. To date, these results have been only achieved using ASAP-type sensors, as the complex photocycle of rhodopsin-based voltage indicators posed challenges for their two-photon use, restricting their application to one-photon approaches. In this work, we demonstrate that rhodopsin-based GEVIs (FRET-opsin) can be used under two-photon illumination when their peculiar light intensity dependence of kinetics and sensitivity are considered. We rationally engineer a fully genetically-encoded, rhodopsin-based voltage indicator with the brightest known fluorophore AaFP1, Jarvis, and demonstrate its utility under both one- and two-photon illumination. We also showed two-photon usability of the similar FRET-opsin sensor pAce. Our comparison of 2P scanless with fast 2P scanning illumination revealed that the latter approach is less suitable for this class of indicators and, on the contrary, both sensors responded well when scanless approaches were used. Furthermore, utilising Jarvis, we demonstrated high-fidelity, high-SNR action potential detection at kilohertz-imaging rates both in mouse hippocampal slices and in zebrafish larvae. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of a fully genetically-encoded rhodopsin-based voltage indicator for high contrast action potential detection under two-photon illuminationin vitroandin vivo.
Overexpression of diglucosyldiacylglycerol synthase leads to daptomycin resistance inBacillus subtilis
Authors: Yamamoto Ryogo , Ishikawa Kazuya , Miyoshi Yusuke , Furuta Kazuyuki , Miyoshi Shin-Ichi , Kaito Chikara 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin exhibits bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria by forming a complex with phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and lipid II in the cell membrane, causing membrane perforation. With the emergence of daptomycin-resistant bacteria, understanding the mechanism of bacterial resistance to daptomycin has gained great importance. In the present study, we found that overexpression ofugtP, which encodes a diglucosyldiacylglycerol synthase, resulted in daptomycin resistance inBacillus subtilis. The amount of diglucosyldiacylglycerol (Glc2DAG) increased in theugtP-overexpressed strain, whereas the amounts of the acidic phospholipids cardiolipin (CL) and PG and the basic phospholipid lysylphosphatidylglycerol (Lys-PG) decreased. Moreover,ugtPoverexpression did not alter the cell surface charge or the susceptibility to the cationic antimicrobial peptide nisin or the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Furthermore, under daptomycin exposure, we obtained daptomycin-resistant mutants that carriedugtPmutations and showed increased amounts of Glc2DAG and more than 4-fold increase in the MIC of daptomycin. These results suggest that an increase in the amount of Glc2DAG changes the phospholipid composition and leads to daptomycin resistance without altering the bacterial cell surface charge inB. subtilis.ImportanceDaptomycin is one of the last-resort drugs for the treatment of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections, and the emergence of daptomycin-resistant bacteria has become a problem. Understanding the mechanism of daptomycin resistance is important for establishing clinical countermeasures against daptomycin-resistant bacteria. In the present study, we found that overexpression ofugtP, which encodes diglucosyldiacylglycerol synthase, causes daptomycin resistance inB. subtilis, a model organism for gram-positive bacteria. Overexpression ofugtPincreased diglucosyldiacylglycerol levels, resulting in altered phospholipid composition and daptomycin resistance. These findings are important for establishing clinical strategies against daptomycin-resistant bacteria, including their detection.
High-throughput evolution of near-infrared oxytocin nanosensors enables oxytocin imaging in mice and prairie voles
Authors: Adams Jaquesta A.M. , Komatsu Natsumi , Navarro Nicole , Black Alexis M. , Leem Esther , Sun Xiaoqi , Zhao Jiaxuan , Arias-Soto Octavio I. , Beery Annaliese K. , Landry Markita P. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in regulating social and emotional behavior. Current techniques for oxytocin imaging are generally limited in spatial and temporal resolution, real-time imaging capacity, selectivity for oxytocin over vasopressin, and application in young and non-model organisms. To address these issues, we developed a method to evolve purely synthetic molecular recognition for oxytocin on the surface of near-infrared fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) using single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The best-performing nanosensor nIROT-SELEC reversibly undergoes up to a 172% fluorescence increase in response to oxytocin with micromolar dissociation, nanomolar limit of detection, and and high selectivity over oxytocin analogs, receptor agonists and antagonists, and co-released neurochemicals. We next demonstrated the versatility of nIROT-SELEC by performing live imaging of synaptic evoked oxytocin released in acute brain slices of mice and prairie voles. Our method for high throughput evolution of neuropeptide nanosensors holds promise to enable synaptic scale visualization of neuropeptide signaling in the brain cross different species and developmental stages, to advance the study of neurochemical signaling for its role in both health and disease.
AVN: A Deep Learning Approach for the Analysis of Birdsong
Authors: Koch Therese M.I. , Marks Ethan S. , Roberts Todd F. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDeep learning tools for behavior analysis have enabled important new insights and discoveries in neuroscience. Yet, they often compromise interpretability and generalizability for performance, making it difficult to quantitively compare phenotypes across datasets and research groups. We developed a novel deep learning-based behavior analysis pipeline,Avian Vocalization Network(AVN), for the learned vocalizations of the most extensively studied vocal learning model species – the zebra finch. AVN annotates songs with high accuracy across multiple animal colonies without the need for any additional training data and generates a comprehensive set of interpretable features to describe the syntax, timing, and acoustic properties of song. We use this feature set to compare song phenotypes across multiple research groups and experiments, and to predict a bird’s stage in song development. Additionally, we have developed a novel method to measure song imitation that requires no additional training data for new comparisons or recording environments, and outperforms existing similarity scoring methods in its sensitivity and agreement with expert human judgements of song similarity. These tools are available through the open-source AVN python package and graphical application, which makes them accessible to researchers without any prior coding experience. Altogether, this behavior analysis toolkit stands to facilitate and accelerate the study of vocal behavior by enabling a standardized mapping of phenotypes and learning outcomes, thus helping scientists better link behavior to the underlying neural processes.
Dance consumption and mood changes: Examining the role of gender and generational cohorts
Authors: Cuadrado-García Manuel , Šerić Maja , Montoro-Pons Juan D. 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the relationship between watching dance and mood enhancement considering potential differences across gender and age brackets.Design/methodology/approachExploratory research was undertaken through a personal survey, using a structured questionnaire on a large sample of young participants between 18 and 35 years old, split into generational cohorts (Millennials or Generation Y and Centennials or Generation Z). Quota sampling (gender and age) was the method used to select respondents.FindingsResults show that after watching dance, more positive mood changes were observed in general. However, they were stronger among women and younger Millennials. These findings are important as they open a new area of study; show the effects of culture on people; and help design programming strategies to enlarge audiences.Originality/valueThe effects of specific forms of arts and cultural participation on people’s moods have been analyzed from a diversity of disciplines. In the case of dance, studies have tested this relation among practitioners (active participants) but not among viewers (attendees) as this paper does.
Economic growth in the Sub-Saharan African world region: convergence theory
Authors: Martinho Vítor 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
The processes of convergence are particularly challenging in the Sub-Saharan African frameworks, considering the diversity of contexts and endogenous particularities. Creating conditions to support these nations to improve their socioeconomic dynamics and performance requires additional contributions from international organisations, governments and the scientific community. In this scenario, this paper aims to analyse the convergence process in Sub-Saharan African countries over the past three decades.

Design/methodology/approach
To achieve these objectives, data from the World Bank were considered for the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita over the period 1990–2021. This statistical information was assessed through panel data approaches based on the models from the convergence theory. Specifically, the concepts of sigma and beta convergence were addressed, as well as the concept of catch-up rates.

Findings
The findings obtained highlight evidence of the existence of clubs of convergence among the Sub-Saharan African countries and the processes of catching up. These results may be relevant support for the policymakers and international funds and programmes.

Originality/value
This research provides a new perspective on the convergence of GDP per capita in Sub-Saharan African countries, based on an analysis focused on groups of countries identified on the basis of catch-up rates. This approach presents a way of dealing with the different specificities of these nations.
Place attachment theory and virtual reality: the case of a rural tourism destination
Authors: Pantelidis Christos , tom Dieck M. Claudia , Jung Timothy Hyungsoo , Smith Paul , Miller Amanda 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore from a place attachment (PA) theory perspective the extent to which and how, a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) experience enhances tourists’ attachment level on-site at a rural destination.

Design/methodology/approach
This study applied an exploratory mixed method approach. Respondents were tourists visiting the Lake District National Park who were asked to try a VR experience. In Study 1, interviews were conducted to explore new themes and to develop an enhanced PA framework in VR. Study 1 confirmed existing variables from the literature and highlighted new variables (themes) to be included in the new framework on how PA is formed. In Study 2, surveys were conducted, and the proposed framework analyzed using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). To fully understand how VR had an impact on enhancing PA, the moderating effect of tourists’ pre-existing PA was considered.

Findings
The findings revealed “Accessibility”, “Memories” and “Increased Place Knowledge” as new themes (variables) and confirmed that these and established variables “Aesthetics” and “Presence” enhance PA, leading to increased loyalty. Significant moderating effects of existing PA were found.

Practical implications
VR serves as a complementary and substitutional tool for tourism. Tailored VR experiences for diverse tourist needs may enhance destination marketing and competitiveness. For tourists with low PA, destinations should focus on promoting activities and highlights to enhance engagement and the experiential understanding of the destination. For tourists with high PA, VR experiences should focus on providing a comprehensive view of the destination and unveiling new places. In both cases, the VR experience leads to deeper engagement with the destination and an increase in PA.

Originality/value
Research on the impact of VR on tourists’ PA is limited. To address this gap, this study’s theoretical contribution lies in developing and testing a PA framework within a VR and tourism context. This also includes the validation of new measurement items developed in relation to the new themes.