bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PotentialL-asparaginaseproducingE.colisources among River water and cafeteria sewage: The case of Wabe River and Wolkite University students’ cafeteria in Wolkite, Ethiopia
Authors: Tufa Kajelcha Fikadu , Mosisa Senbeto Beri , FikaduTufa Aklilu , Beriso Admas Berhanu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractL-asparaginaseis a promising enzyme for cancer treatment and is found in plants, animals and microbes. This enzyme is of great medical and industrial importance. It is used with inside the remedy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and helps in reducing the acryl amide substances found in fried and baked foods. Its source varies from bacteria to yeast and fungi. This study aimed to screen the potentialL-asparaginaseproducing E. coli isolates among river water and cafeteria sewage samples near the Gubryie area, SNNPR-Ethiopia. In this study,E. coliisolates were isolated from sewage from the Wabe River and Wolkite University student cafeteria. During the study, 14 isolates, 11 from cafeteria sewage and 3 from Wabe River, were confirmed to beE. coliusing IMViC, TSI, SCA, and Gram tests. For theE. coli-positive samples, screening ofL-asparaginasewas performed using the phenol red indicator. The change in color from yellow to pink in M9 media due to the acidic environment created whenL-asparaginewas degraded to urea indicates the presence ofL-asparginasein the potentE. colicells. The production ofL-asparaginasewas carried out using submerged fermentation method. Mechanical cell disruption method, high speed centrifugation, was used to separate the secreted enzyme from cells. The potential of theE. colicells to produceL-asparginasewas also checked using a rapid plate assay method with the indicator dye phenol red. The zone of inhibition for the intracellular enzyme activity ranges from 16.5 mm up to 22.25 mm while that of extracellular enzyme ranged from 7.5 mm up to 9 mm. The commonly used software system is SPSS version 23. The PCR result depicted that theansAgene presence was confirmed in 50% of the isolates. The result confirmed that theE.coliisolates from sewage showed betterL-asparaginaseproduction potency than the Wabe River isolates. This study indicated thatE. colistrains are promising sources ofL-Asparginasefor food and pharmacological companies if the scale-up of this work has been completed in the future.
Continuous and discrete decoding of overt speech with electroencephalography
Authors: Craik Alexander , Dial Heather , Contreras-Vidal Jose Luis 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNeurological disorders affecting speech production adversely impact quality of life for over 7 million individuals in the US. Traditional speech interfaces like eye-tracking devices and P300 spellers are slow and unnatural for these patients. An alternative solution, speech Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), directly decodes speech characteristics, offering a more natural communication mechanism. This research explores the feasibility of decoding speech features using non-invasive EEG. Nine neurologically intact participants were equipped with a 63-channel EEG system with additional sensors to eliminate eye artifacts. Participants read aloud sentences displayed on a screen selected for phonetic similarity to the English language. Deep learning models, including Convolutional Neural Networks and Recurrent Neural Networks with/without attention modules, were optimized with a focus on minimizing trainable parameters and utilizing small input window sizes. These models were employed for discrete and continuous speech decoding tasks, achieving above-chance participant-independent decoding performance for discrete classes and continuous characteristics of the produced audio signal. A frequency sub-band analysis highlighted the significance of certain frequency bands (delta, theta, and gamma) for decoding performance, and a perturbation analysis identified crucial channels. Assessed channel selection methods did not significantly improve performance, but they still outperformed chance levels, suggesting a distributed representation of speech information encoded in the EEG signals. Leave-One-Out training demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing common speech neural correlates, reducing data collection requirements from individual participants.
Endogenous ZAP is associated with altered Zika virus infection phenotype
Authors: Le Nguyen Phuong Khanh , Singh Prince Pal , Sabir Ahmad Jawad , Trus Ivan , Karniychuk Uladzimir 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe zinc finger antiviral protein 1 (ZAP) has broad antiviral activity. ZAP is an interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene, which itself may enhance type I IFN antiviral response. In a previous study, Zika virus was identified as ZAP-resistant and not sensitive to ZAP antiviral activity. Here, we found that ZAP was associated with the inhibition of Zika virus in Vero cells, in the absence of a robust type I IFN system because Vero cells are deficient for IFN-alpha and -beta. Also, quantitative RNA-seq data indicated that endogenous ZAP is associated with altered global gene expression both in the steady state and during Zika virus infection. Further studies are warranted to elucidate this IFN-alpha and -beta independent anti-Zika virus activity and involvement of ZAP.
Automated inference of disease mechanisms in patient-hiPSC-derived neuronal networks
Authors: Doorn Nina , van Putten Michel J.A.M. , Frega Monica 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHuman induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived neurons offer a valuable platform for studying neurological disorders in a patient-specific manner. These neurons can be rapidly differentiated into excitatory neuronal networks, whose activity is measurable using multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). Neuronal networks derived from patients exhibit distinct characteristics, reflecting underlying pathological molecular mechanisms. However, elucidating these mechanisms traditionally requires extensive and hypothesis-driven additional experiments. Computational models can link observable network activity to underlying molecular mechanisms by identifying biophysical model parameters that simulate the activity, but this identification process is challenging. Here, we address this challenge by using simulation-based inference (SBI), a machine-learning approach, to automatically identify the full range of model parameters able to explain the patient-derived MEA activity.Our study demonstrates that SBI can accurately identify ground-truth parameters in simulated data, and successfully estimate the parameters that replicate the network activity of healthy hiPSC-derived neuronal networks. Furthermore, we show that SBI can pinpoint molecular mechanisms affected by pharmacological agents and identify key disease mechanisms in neuronal networks derived from patients. These findings underscore the potential of SBI to automate and enhance the identification of disease mechanisms from MEA measurements, offering a robust and scalable method for advancing research with hiPSC-derived neuronal networks.
Potential Benefits of Ketone Therapy as a Novel Immunometabolic Treatment for Schizophrenia
Authors: Huizer Karin , Soni Shubham , Schmidt Mya A. , Çakici Nuray , de Haan Lieuwe , Dyck Jason R. B. , van Beveren Nico J. M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRationaleCurrent treatment options for patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD) remain unsatisfactory, leaving patients with persistent negative and cognitive symptoms and metabolic side effects. Therapeutic ketosis was recently hypothesized to target the bio-energetic pathophysiology of SSD. However, neuro-inflammation plays an important role in the pathobiology of SSD as well. Ideally, novel treatments would target both the bio-energetic, and the inflammatory aspects of SSD. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ketone bodies on neuro-inflammation in an acute inflammation mouse model.Methods8-week-old male C57BL/6 N mice (n=11) were treated with either ketone ester (KE) or vehicle for 3 days. On day 3, a single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was administered. Mice were euthanized 24 h after LPS/PBS injection. Whole brain gene expression analysis using RT-PCR was done forTnf-a, Il-6andIl-1b.ResultsLPS caused a potent transcriptional upregulation ofTnf-a, Il-6andIl-1bin the vehicle-treated mouse brain compared to PBS-injected controls. KE strongly and significantly attenuated the increased transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnf-a, Il-6andIl-1b) in the brain upon LPS injection compared to vehicle.ConclusionsKE potently dampened neuro-inflammation in this acute inflammation mouse model. Ketone therapy holds great promise as a treatment for SSD patients by simultaneously targeting two main pathophysiological disease pathways. We encourage more research into the immunometabolic potential of therapeutic ketosis in SSD.HighlightsA brain bio-energetic deficit and neuro-inflammation are involved in schizophreniaKetone therapy is being investigated as a bio-energetic treatment of schizophreniaKetone ester inhibits neuro-inflammation in an acute inflammation mouse modeTherapeutic ketosis could target both pathophysiological pathways in SSDThe Immunometabolic potential of ketone therapy for SSD warrants further attention
Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests
Authors: Wang Sisi , van Ede Freek 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA classic distinction from the domain of external attention is that between anticipatory orienting and subsequent re-orienting of attention to unexpected events. Whether and how humans also re-orient attention ‘in mind’ following expected and unexpected working-memory tests remains elusive. We leveraged spatial modulations in neural activity and gaze to isolate re-orienting within the spatial layout of visual working memory following central memory tests of certain, expected, or unexpected mnemonic content. Besides internal orienting after predictive cues, we unveil a second stage of internal attentional deployment following both expected and unexpected memory tests. Following expected tests, internal attentional deployment was not contingent on prior orienting, suggesting an additional verification – “double checking” – in memory. Following unexpected tests, re-focusing of alternative memory content was prolonged. This brings attentional re-orienting to the domain of working memory and underscores how memory tests can invoke either a verification or a revision of our internal focus.
Cortical tracking of speakers’ spectral changes predicts selective listening
Authors: Constantino Francisco Cervantes , Caputi Ángel A. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA social scene is particularly informative when people are distinguishable. To understand somebody amid a ‘cocktail party’ chatter, we automatically index their voice. This ability is underpinned by parallel processing of vocal spectral contours from speech sounds, but it has not yet been established how this occurs in the brain’s cortex. We investigate single-trial neural tracking of slow frequency modulations in speech using electroencephalography. Participants briefly listened to unfamiliar single speakers, and in addition, they performed a cocktail party comprehension task. Quantified through stimulus reconstruction methods, robust tracking was found in neural responses to slow (delta-theta range) modulations of frequency contours in the fourth and fifth formant band, equivalent to the 3.5–5 KHz audible range. Instantaneous frequency spacing (ΔF), which also yields indexical information from the vocal tract, was similarly decodable. Moreover, EEG evidence of listeners’ spectral tracking abilities predicted their chances of succeeding at selective listening when faced with two-speaker speech mixtures. In summary, the results indicate that the communicating brain can rely on locking of cortical rhythms to major changes led by upper resonances of the vocal tract. Their corresponding articulatory mechanics hence continuously issue a fundamental credential for listeners to target in real time.
Decreased cellular excitability of pyramidal tract neurons in primary motor cortex leads to paradoxically increased network activity in simulated parkinsonian motor cortex
Authors: Doherty Donald W , Chen Liqiang , Smith Yoland , Wichmann Thomas , Chu Hong-yuan , Lytton William W 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDecreased excitability of pyramidal tract neurons in layer 5B (PT5B) of primary motor cortex (M1) has recently been shown in a dopamine-depleted mouse model of parkinsonism. We hypothesized that decreased PT5B neuron excitability would substantially disrupt oscillatory and non-oscillatory firing patterns of neurons in layer 5 (L5) of primary motor cortex (M1). To test this hypothesis, we performed computer simulations using a previously validated computer model of mouse M1. Inclusion of the experimentally identified parkinsonism-associated decrease of PT5B excitability into our computational model produced a paradoxical increase in rest-state PT5B firing rate, as well as an increase in beta-band oscillatory power in local field potential (LFP). In the movement-state, PT5B population firing and LFP showed reduced beta and increased high-beta, low-gamma activity of 20-35 Hz in the parkinsonian, but not in control condition. The appearance of beta-band oscillations in parkinsonism would be expected to disrupt normal M1 motor output and contribute to motor activity deficits seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Norepinephrine changes behavioral state via astroglial purinergic signaling
Authors: Chen Alex B. , Duque Marc , Wang Vickie M. , Dhanasekar Mahalakshmi , Mi Xuelong , Rymbek Altyn , Tocquer Loeva , Narayan Sujatha , Prober David , Yu Guoqiang , Wyart Claire , Engert Florian , Ahrens Misha B. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBoth neurons and glia communicate via diffusible neuromodulatory substances, but the substrates of computation in such neuromodulatory networks are unclear. During behavioral transitions in the larval zebrafish, the neuromodulator norepinephrine drives fast excitation and delayed inhibition of behavior and circuit activity. We find that the inhibitory arm of this feedforward motif is implemented by astroglial purinergic signaling. Neuromodulator imaging, behavioral pharmacology, and perturbations of neurons and astroglia reveal that norepinephrine triggers astroglial release of adenosine triphosphate, extracellular conversion into adenosine, and behavioral suppression through activation of hindbrain neuronal adenosine receptors. This work, along with a companion piece by Lefton and colleagues demonstrating an analogous pathway mediating the effect of norepinephrine on synaptic connectivity in mice, identifies a computational and behavioral role for an evolutionarily conserved astroglial purinergic signaling axis in norepinephrine-mediated behavioral and brain state transitions.
Deep Proteome Profiling of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Boel Felix , Akimov Vyacheslav , Teuchler Mathias , Terkelsen Mike Krogh , Wernberg Charlotte Wilhelmina , Larsen Frederik Tibert , Hallenborg Philip , Lauridsen Mette Munk , Krag Aleksander , Mandrup Susanne , Ravnskjær Kim , Blagoev Blagoy 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects roughly 1 in 3 adults and is a leading cause of liver transplants and liver related mortality. A deeper understanding of disease pathogenesis is essential to assist in developing blood-based biomarkers. Here, we use data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry to assess disease-state associated protein profiles in human liver, blood plasma, and white adipose tissue (WAT). In liver, we find that MASLD is associated with an increased abundance of proteins involved in immune response and extracellular matrix (ECM) and a decrease in proteins involved in metabolism. Cell type deconvolution of the proteome indicate liver endothelial and hepatic stellate cells as main source of the ECM rearrangements, and hepatocytes as the major contributor to the changes in liver metabolism. In the blood, profiles of several MASLD-associated proteins that correlate with their expression in WAT rather than liver yet could serve as suitable liver disease predictors in a multi-protein panel marker. Moreover, our proteomics-based logistic regression models consistently outperform existing methods for predicting MASLD and liver fibrosis from human blood samples.
What makes consumers buy from the informal rather than formal retail market? A consumption value perspective
Authors: Sarker Moniruzzaman , Munerah Siti , Yinyi Angie Teh , Kasem Nafisa , Hoque Imranul 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to understand consumption values buying from informal retail markets (i.e., street vendor retailing). It also explores why consumers prefer daily necessary goods from the informal compared to the formal retail market (such as supermarkets, retail chain outlets and e-commerce).

Design/methodology/approach
Employing the qualitative research approach, this study collected data from nine respondents in two areas in Malaysia. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Only representative verbatim codes were presented under five themes of consumption value theory.

Findings
Consumers are triggered by the convenience, ease, and exclusive products (conditional value), friendly and known relationship with informal sellers, as well as the availability of some particular food items (emotional value) and lower price and freshness of groceries (functional value) while buying from informal compared to formal retail vendor.

Research limitations/implications
This study provides knowledge implications to the consumption value theory. Functional, emotional, and conditional values are the dominant components of purchase behaviour in informal compared to formal retail channels. Social values are common, whereas epistemic value is more substantial in formal retailing.

Practical implications
Findings are helpful for informal retail businesses to understand consumers' buying behaviour. Informal retail owners should ensure that commodities are fresh, highly affordable and available in the local communities. Building a friendly relationship with consumers would be a key to the success of this retail sector.

Social implications
Authorities should support informal sellers to set up mobile retail stores in residential areas. This effort would offer greater convenience to both parties in informal businesses and ensure informal sellers' financial and social well-being.

Originality/value
Despite the widespread acceptance of buying goods from informal retail vendors, research on consumption value in informal retailing is largely overlooked. Previous research primarily deals with formal market phenomena due to their size and economic contribution. Consequently, current literature lacks an understanding of why consumers prefer to buy from informal retail vendors for their daily groceries when the formal retail channel could fulfil similar needs. Using a qualitative research design, this research uncovers consumers' buying motives from informal compared to formal vendors.
Housing search activity and quantiles-based predictability of housing price movements in the USA
Authors: Gupta Rangan , Moodley Damien 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
Recent evidence from a linear econometric framework infers that housing search activity, captured from Google Trends data, can predict housing returns for the USA at a national and regional (metropolitan statistical area [MSA]) level. Based on search theory, the authors, however, postulate that search activity can also predict housing returns volatility. This study aims to explore the possibility of using online search activity to predict both housing returns and volatility.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a k-th order non-parametric causality-in-quantiles test allows us to test for predictability in a robust manner over the entire conditional distribution of both housing price returns and its volatility (i.e. squared returns) by controlling for nonlinearity and structural breaks that exist in the data.

Findings
The analysis over the monthly period of 2004:01 to 2021:01 produces results indicating that while housing search activity continues to predict aggregate US house price returns, barring the extreme ends of the conditional distribution, volatility is relatively strongly predicted over the entire quantile range considered. The results carry over to an alternative (the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity-based) metric of volatility, higher (weekly)-frequency data (over January 2018–March 2021) and to over 84% of the 77 MSAs considered.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study regarding predictability of overall and regional US housing price returns and volatility using search activity, based on a non-parametric higher-order causality-in-quantiles framework, which is insightful to investors, policymakers and academics.
Longitudinal perceptions of gamified loyalty programs (GLPs): a mix of slot machines and entertainment toys
Authors: Lopes José Varela , Casais Beatriz 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis paper seeks to understand users' perceptions of their experiences in mobile applications (apps) with gamified loyalty programs (GLPs) that use rewards as the primary engagement vehicle. The research focuses particularly on the motivations to further interact with GLPs and the motivational changes occurring after successive interactions.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted weekly open qualitative interviews over a month (four rounds of interviews) with five Portuguese active users of the mobile app Yorn Shake It, from Vodafone, which is a relevant case study to illustrate GLPs in mobile apps.FindingsParticipants' motivations to interact with the mentioned GLP are shaped by the reward incentive and users' perceptions of the gamified interactive experience. Motivational changes occur regardless of the presence of external contingencies and depend on contextual changes or perceived results of the gamified experience. This means that rewards also satisfy intrinsic needs, but users may remain connected to the system as long as fun experiences are provided without exhausting perceptions. Also, motivation may turn to reward contingencies when the challenge becomes boring.OriginalityThis is the first qualitative study explaining the perceptions of gamified experiences after continued participation, extending knowledge about the importance of a fair balance between the value and achievement of rewards and the entertainment of the challenge provided after continued exposure. The findings provide insights to GLP marketing managers and developers to better engage target audiences according to their needs and past experience, creating levels of challenges and fair rewards to maintain motivation and prevent abandonment after continued exposure.