bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Movie reconstruction from mouse visual cortex activity
Authors: Bauer Joel , Margrie Troy W. , Clopath Claudia 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe ability to reconstruct imagery represented by the brain has the potential to give us an intuitive understanding of what the brain sees. Reconstruction of visual input from human fMRI data has garnered significant attention in recent years. Comparatively less focus has been directed towards vision reconstruction from single-cell recordings, despite its potential to provide a more direct measure of the information represented by the brain. Here, we achieve high-quality reconstructions of videos presented to mice, from the activity of neurons in their visual cortex. Using our method of video optimization via backpropagation through a state-of-the-art dynamic neural encoding model we reliably reconstruct 10-second movies at 30 Hz from two-photon calcium imaging data. We achieve a ≈ 2-fold increase in pixel-by-pixel correlation compared to previous state-of-the-art reconstructions of static images from mouse V1, while also capturing temporal dynamics. We find that critical for high-quality reconstructions are the number of neurons in the dataset and the use of model ensembling. This paves the way for movie reconstruction to be used as a tool to investigate a variety of visual processing phenomena.
Intracranial pressure and pulsatility in different head and body positions
Authors: Bancroft MJ , Moncur EM , Peters AL , D’Antona L , Thorne L , Watkins LD , Day BL , Toma AK 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTIntracranial pressure (ICP) is typically measured with the head in a neutral position whilst the body is in an upright or supine posture. The effect of body position on ICP is well studied, with ICP greater when supine than when upright. In daily life the head is frequently moved away from the neutral position but how this impacts ICP dynamics is unclear. Knowledge of ICP dynamics in different head-on-body positions may improve future treatments that restore normal ICP dynamics such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage shunts.We recruited 57 relatively well, ambulatory patients undergoing clinical ICP monitoring for investigation of possible CSF dynamics disturbances. Forty-one patients were non-shunted, seven had a working shunt and nine had a malfunctioning shunt. We measured ICP and ICP pulsatility (pulse amplitude) over 10 or 20s in different combinations of head and body positions. Positions included right and left head turn and forward tilt in upright (seated, standing) and supine body positions, and right and left lateral tilt and backward tilt in upright body positions.ICP increased by 3-9 mmHg, on average, when the head moved away from neutral to each head position in upright and supine body positions, except for head forward tilt when supine, where ICP did not change. The increase in ICP with head turn and forward tilt in upright body positions was larger in patients with a malfunctioning shunt than with no shunt or a functioning shunt. Pulsatility also increased by 0.5-2 mmHg on average when the head moved away from neutral to each head position in upright and supine body positions, except for head forward tilt in upright body positions where pulsatility slightly decreased by 0.7 mmHg on average.ICP and pulsatility generally increase when the head is moved away from the neutral position, but this depends on a combination of head and body position and shunt status. We propose our results can be explained by a combination of changes to neck vasculature and head orientation relative to gravity. Our findings provide potential reason for patient reports that ICP-related symptoms can be induced and/or exacerbated by head movement and could explain behaviours that avoid excess head movement, such as turning the body rather than the head when looking to the side.
Predicting intention to donate blood among secondary school students in Eastern Uganda: An application of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Akulume Martha , Kisakye Angela N , Nankya Florence R , Kiwanuka Suzanne N 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe availability of donated blood in Uganda rests on the good will of voluntary blood donors. To design interventions aimed at improving the availability of donated blood, there is need to understand the predictors of blood donation. Previous studies have shown that intention to donate blood predicts the practice of blood donation.AimThis study aimed at applying the theory of planned behaviour to predict intention to donate blood among secondary school students, the major blood donor group in Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among 336 students from four purposively selected secondary schools in Eastern Uganda. Census sampling was used to recruit the students for this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics as well as the theory of planned behavior constructs. Data were analyzed in STATA version 14 using descriptive statistics and regressions.ResultsAbout 75% (n=252) of the students had intention to donate blood sometime in their life. Students’ perceptions of their ability to donate blood (perceived behavioural control) was the key predictor of intention to donate blood (AOR = 6.35, CI =3.32, 12.15). The influence of subjective norms (AOR = 1.97, CI = 0.92, 4.20) and attitudes towards blood donation (AOR = 1.51, CI = 0.80, 2.87) did not significantly influence blood donation adjusting for other theory of planned behaviour constructs. The theory of planned behaviour constructs explained 15.5% of the students’ intention to donate blood. Regarding the external factors, only location of the school (AOR = 0.50, CI = 0.27, 0.93) and knowing someone who has ever donated (AOR = 0.26, CI = 0.12, 0.56) predicted the intention to donate blood.ConclusionMost students intended to donate blood sometime in their life. Efforts should be made to make blood donation sites accessible to students.
Multiomics mapping and characterization of cellular senescence in aging human skeletal muscle uncovers a novel senotherapeutic for sarcopenia
Authors: Li Yang , Li Chuhan , Zhou Qin , Liu Xingyuan , Qiao Yulong , Xie Ting , Sun Hao , Ong Michael Tim-Yun , Wang Huating 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCellular senescence is recognized as a hallmark of organismal aging but how it drives aging particularly in human tissues is not fully understood, partly due to the complex heterogeneous nature of senescence. Here in this study, we leverage single-nucleus multiomics to profile senescence in mononucleated cells of human skeletal muscle and provide the first senescence atlas. We demonstrate the intra-and inter-populational transcriptomic and epigenomic heterogeneity and dynamics of senescence in the cells. We also identify commonalities and variations in senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs) among the cells and elucidate the function of SASPs in mediating cellular interactions and niche deregulation. Furthermore, we identify targetable SASP factors and demonstrate the possibility of using Maraviroc as a pharmacological senotherapeutic for treating age-associated sarcopenia in muscle. Lastly, we define transcription factors that govern senescence state and SASP induction in aging muscle and elucidate the key function and the underlying mechanism of JUNB in regulating SASP activation in senescent cells. Altogether, our findings demonstrate the prevalence and function of cellular senescence in skeletal muscle and identify a novel pharmacological intervention for sarcopenia.
Genome-wide local ancestry and the functional consequences of admixture in African and European cattle populations
Authors: McHugo Gillian P. , Ward James A. , Ng’ang’a Said Ismael , Frantz Laurent A.F. , Salter-Townshend Michael , Hill Emmeline W. , O’Gorman Grace M. , Meade Kieran G. , Hall Thomas J. , MacHugh David E. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBos taurus(taurine) andBos indicus(indicine) cattle diverged at least 150,000 years ago and, since that time, substantial genomic differences have evolved between the two lineages. During the last two millennia, genetic exchange in Africa has resulted in a complex tapestry of taurine-indicine ancestry, with most cattle populations exhibiting varying levels of admixture. Similarly, there are several Southern European cattle populations that also show evidence for historical gene flow from indicine cattle, the highest levels of which are found in the Central Italian White breeds. Here we use two different software tools (MOSAIC and ELAI) for local ancestry inference (LAI) with genome-wide high-and low-density SNP array data sets in hybrid African and Italian cattle populations and obtained broadly similar results despite critical differences in the two LAI methodologies used. Our analyses identified genomic regions with elevated levels of retained or introgressed ancestry from the African taurine, European taurine, Asian indicine lineages. Functional enrichment of genes underlying these ancestry peaks highlighted biological processes relating to immunobiology and olfaction, some of which may relate to differing susceptibilities to infectious diseases, including bovine tuberculosis, East Coast fever, and tropical theileriosis. Notably, for retained African taurine ancestry in admixed trypanotolerant cattle we observed enrichment of genes associated with haemoglobin and oxygen transport. This may reflect positive selection of genomic variants that enhance control of severe anaemia, a debilitating feature of trypanosomiasis disease, which severely constrains cattle agriculture across much of sub-Saharan Africa.
Micro-plaque assays: A high-throughput method to detect, isolate, and characterize bacteriophages
Authors: Nair Gayatri , Chavez-Carbajal Alejandra , Tullio Rachelle Di , French Shawn , Maddiboina Dhanyasri , Harvey Hanjeong , Dizzell Sara , Brown Eric D. , Hosseini-Doust Zeinab , Surette Michael G. , Burrows Lori L. , Hynes Alexander P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe gold standard for the isolation and characterization of bacteriophages (phages), the plaque assay, has remained almost unchanged for over 100 years. The need for improvements to its scalability has been driven home by successes with personalized phage therapy requiring large phage libraries and rapid sensitivity testing. Using a robotic pinning platform, we miniaturized plaque assays from bacterial lawns to micro-colonies from 100 nl of inoculant, increasing throughput by >1000 fold without compromising sensitivity. A comparable manual workflow with one quarter the throughput maintained the same sensitivity. These micro-plaque assays can replace plaque assays as a new gold standard in phage biology. As proof of principle, we used our technique to isolate and de-replicate 21 uniquePseudomonas aeruginosaphages from a single environmental sample. We then demonstrated – using the same assay - that of 17 multi-drug resistant clinicalP. aeruginosastrains, 15 were susceptible to infection by one or more of the 21 phages tested. Our method allows rapid isolation and de-replication of phages, as well as enabling screening of large phage libraries against bacterial isolates of interest.
Childhood brain morphometry in children with persistent stunting and catch-up growth
Authors: Koshy Beena , Thilagarajan Vedha Viyas , Berkins Samuel , Banerjee Arpan , Srinivasan Manikandan , Livingstone Roshan S , Mohan Venkata Raghava , Scharf Rebecca , Jasper Anitha , Kang Gagandeep 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundEarly childhood stunting affects around 150 million young children worldwide and leads to suboptimal human potential in later life. However, there is limited data on the effects of early childhood stunting and catch-up growth on brain morphometry.MethodsWe evaluated childhood brain volumes at nine years of age in a community-based birth-cohort follow-up study in Vellore, south India among four groups based on anthropometric assessments at two, five, and nine years namely ‘Never Stunted’ (NS), ‘Stunted at two years and caught up by five years’ (S2N5), ‘Stunted at two and five years and caught up by nine years’ (S2N9), and ‘Always Stunted’ (AS). T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were acquired using a 3T MRI scanner, and brain volumes were quantified using FreeSurfer software.FindingsAmongst 251 children from the overall cohort, 178 children with a mean age of 9.54 were considered for further analysis. The total brain volume, subcortical volume, bilateral cerebellar white matter, and posterior corpus callosum showed a declining trend from NS to AS. Regional cortical brain analysis showed significant lower bilateral lateral occipital volumes, right pallidum, bilateral caudate, and right thalamus volumes between NS and AS.InterpretationTo the best of our knowledge, this first neuroimaging analysis to investigate the effects of persistent childhood stunting and catch-up growth on brain volumetry indicates impairment at different brain levels involving total brain and subcortical volumes, networking/connecting centres (thalamus, basal ganglia, callosum, cerebellum) and visual processing area of lateral occipital cortex.
Spatial transcriptomics identifies novelPseudomonas aeruginosavirulence factors
Authors: Zhou Hao , Negrón Oscar , Abbondante Serena , Marshall Michaela , Jones Brandon , Ong Edison , Chumbler Nicole , Tunkey Christopher , Dixon Groves , Lin Haining , Plante Obadiah , Pearlman Eric , Gadjeva Mihaela 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTo holistically unravel the complexity of pathogen-host interactions within infected tissues we leverage a dual spatial transcriptomic approach that, for the first time, simultaneously captures the expression ofPseudomonas aeruginosagenes alongside the entire host transcriptome in a model of ocular infection. This innovative method reveals differential pathogen and host-specific gene expression patterns across specific anatomical regions generating a unified transcriptional map of infection. By integrating these data, we developed a predictive ridge regression model trained on images from infected tissues. The model achieved an R² score of 0.923 in predicting bacterial burden distributions by using host features thereby predicting novel biomarkers associated with disease severity. Our analysis revealed a complex interplay betweenP. aeruginosanutritional requirements and protective host responses and identified novel interactions between bacterial metabolite transport proteins and host autophagy. Among an array of iron acquisition gene transcripts that showed significant enrichment at the host-pathogen interface, we discovered a novel virulence mediator PA2590. This study highlights the power of spatial transcriptomics, particularly in combining bacterial and host transcriptomes, to uncover novel host-pathogen interactions, advance our understanding of bacterial virulence mechanisms, and point to druggable molecules.
The PAZ domain ofAedes aegyptiDicer 2 is critical for accurate and high-fidelity size determination of virus-derived small interfering RNAs
Authors: Reuter Melinda , Parry Rhys H. , McFarlane Melanie , Gestuveo Rommel J. , Arif Rozeena , Khromykh Alexander A. , Brennan Benjamin , Varjak Margus , Castello Alfredo , Redecke Lars , Schnettler Esther , Kohl Alain 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTThe exogenous siRNA (exo-siRNA) pathway is a critical RNA interference response involved in controlling arbovirus replication in mosquito cells. It is initiated by the detection of viral long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by the RNase III enzyme Dicer 2 (Dcr2), which is processed into predominantly 21 nucleotide (nt) virus-derived small interfering RNAs, or vsiRNAs that are taken up by the Argonaute 2 (Ago2) protein to target viral single-stranded RNAs. The detailed understanding of Dicer structure, function and domains owes much to studies outside the context of viral infection, and how Dcr2 domains contribute to detecting viral dsRNA to mount antiviral responses in infected mosquito cells remains much less understood. Here, we used a Dcr2 reconstitution system inAedes aegyptiderived Dcr2 KO cells to assess the contribution of the PAZ domain to induction of the exo-siRNA pathway following infection with Semliki Forest virus (SFV;Togaviridae,Alphavirus). Amino acids critical for PAZ activity were identified, and loss of PAZ function affected the production of 21 nt vsiRNAs -though not the overall ability of Dcr2 to process viral dsRNA- and silencing activity. This study establishes the importance of correct vsiRNA size in mosquito exo-siRNA antiviral responses, as well as the PAZ domain’s functional contribution to Dcr2 processing of viral dsRNA to 21 nt vsiRNAs.
A flagellar accessory protein links chemotaxis to surface sensing
Authors: Salemi Rachel I. , Cruz Ana K. , Hershey David M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBacteria find suitable locations for colonization by sensing and responding to surfaces. Complex signaling repertoires control surface colonization, and surface contact sensing by the flagellum plays a central role in activating colonization programs.Caulobacter crescentusadheres to surfaces using a polysaccharide adhesin called the holdfast. InC. crescentus, disruption of the flagellum through interactions with a surface or mutation of flagellar genes increases holdfast production. Our group previously identified severalC. crescentusgenes involved in flagellar surface sensing. One of these, calledfssF, codes for a protein with homology to the flagellar C-ring protein FliN. We show here that a fluorescently tagged FssF protein localizes to the flagellated pole of the cell and requires all components of the flagellar C-ring for proper localization, supporting the model that FssF associates with the C-ring. DeletingfssFresults in a severe motility defect that we show is due to a disruption of chemotaxis. Epistasis experiments demonstrate thatfssFpromotes adhesion through a stator-dependent pathway when late-stage flagellar mutants are disrupted. Separately, we find that disruption of chemotaxis through deletion offssFor other chemotaxis genes results in a hyperadhesion phenotype. Key genes in the surface sensing network (pleD,motB, anddgcB) contribute to both ΔflgH-dependent and ΔfssF-dependent hyperadhesion, but these genes affect adhesion differently in the two hyperadhesive backgrounds. Our results support a model in which the stator subunits of the flagella incorporate both mechanical and chemical signals to regulate adhesion.ImportanceBiofilms pose a threat in clinical and industrial settings. Surface sensing is an early step in biofilm formation. Studying surface sensing can help develop strategies for combating harmful biofilms. Here, we use the freshwater bacteriumCaulobacter crescentusto study surface sensing. We characterize a previously unstudied gene,fssF, and find that it localizes to the cell pole in the presence of three proteins that make up a component of the flagellum called the C-ring. Additionally, we find thatfssFis required for chemotaxis but dispensable for swimming motility. Lastly, our results show that mutatingfssFand other genes required for chemotaxis causes a hyperadhesive phenotype. We propose that surface sensing requires chemotaxis for a robust response to a surface.
Oral Hygiene Practices and Their Impact on Oral Health Among the Indigenes of Akpugo Community in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Nnamani Chisom Promise , Yaqub Muneer 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the oral hygiene practices and their effectiveness in preventing common oral diseases among the residents of the Akpugo community in Enugu State, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 randomly selected participants from the five villages of Akpugo. Data collection involved personal interviews and physical examinations of oral cavities using sterilized instruments. The analysis included percentage calculations, z-tests, and the categorization of participants by socio-economic groups based on age and gender.ResultsThe study revealed a high prevalence of oral diseases, with 29.3% of participants having dental caries, 19.3% suffering from halitosis, 18% diagnosed with gingivitis, and 10% with periodontitis. Most participants (90.7%) brushed their teeth once daily, predominantly in the morning, and only 5.3% brushed twice daily. A majority used toothbrushes and toothpaste (58%), while a significant portion still relied on traditional methods such as chewing sticks (26.67%). The presence of dental calculus was observed in 47.3% of participants, with dental plaque noted in 16.7%.ConclusionThe findings highlight a significant prevalence of poor oral health despite varying levels of awareness regarding preventive practices. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions, including comprehensive oral health education programs, the establishment of dental centers, and community-led initiatives to improve oral hygiene practices. These measures are crucial for reducing the incidence of oral diseases and enhancing the overall health and well-being of the Akpugo community. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous education and intervention to promote optimal oral health in rural areas.
Dynamical branes on expanding orbifold and complex projective space
Authors: Nitta Muneto , Uzawa Kunihito 
Published: June 2024

We construct some new dynamical p-brane solutions to gravity theories on curved backgrounds. We discuss the relations between dynamical branes, a new time-dependent solution on complex projective space CPn, and the static p-branes on the orbifold Cn/Zn.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Battle over trademark: Kirloskar vs Kirloskar
Authors: Gupta Pooja , Sultana Mafruza 
Published: June 2024

Learning outcomes
After completion of the case study, students will be able to understand key stakeholders’ current and future role in a family business using techniques like Gersick 3 Axes Model, understand the power dynamics in a family business, understand the power struggles seen in the family business and understand the challenges in the implementation of a deed of family settlement (DFS) with multiple stakeholders.

Case overview/synopsis
Kirloskar group was established in 1888 by Laxmanrao Kirloskar. He started with farm manufacturing equipment and later diversified into various kinds of engine manufacturing units. Kirloskar Group today is an Indian conglomerate multinational company with its headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra; India exports to more than 70 countries, most of which are from Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe. The group was managed as a cohesive unit until Chandrakant Kirloskar was at the helm as the chairman. Each brother’s family was managing a business and companies in the fold in which they started. The Kirloskar Group had first split in 2000 when Bengaluru-based Vijay Kirloskar (Ravindra Kirloskar’s son, fourth son of Laxmanrao Kirloskar) moved out of the group with Kirloskar Electrical while the Pune-based Kirloskar brothers moved out with Kirloskar Oil Engine Engines, Kirloskar Brothers, Kirloskar Pneumatics and related subsidiaries. In 2009, a DFS was signed among the family members, including a noncompete clause against each other regarding the usage of the Kirloskar brand name and the tagline “Kirloskar Enriching Lives.” The current dispute started in 2020 when first Vijay filed a suit against his nephews regarding illegal usage of the Kirloskar brand name for the companies not eligible to use it and second when Sanjay Kirloskar also filed a similar lawsuit against his brothers for illegally using the brand name and violating the noncompete clause. The high court, in its judgment, sent the case for arbitration, but Sanjay approached the Supreme Court of India regarding the stipulated arbitration process. With both sides taking a hard stance, there did not seem to be a quick resolution to this dispute.

Complexity academic level
This case study is suitable for both undergraduate and postgraduate level in entrepreneurship course and family business course.

Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.