bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intact Somatosensory Temporal Sensitivity in Adults on the Autism Spectrum: A High-Density Electrophysiological Mapping Study Using the Mismatch Negativity (MMN) Sensory Memory Paradigm
Authors: Isenstein Emily L. , Freedman Edward G. , Molholm Sophie , Foxe John J. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTAtypical reactivity to somatosensory inputs is common in autism spectrum disorder and carries considerable impact on downstream social communication and quality of life. While behavioral and survey work have established differences in the perception of somatosensory information, little has been done to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological processes that drive these characteristics. Here, we implemented a duration-based somatosensory mismatch negativity paradigm to examine the role of temporal sensitivity and sensory memory in the processing of vibrotactile information in autistic (n=30) and neurotypical (n=30) adults. To capture the variability in responses between groups across a range of duration discrepancies, we compared the electrophysiological responses to frequent standard vibrations (100 ms) and four infrequent deviant vibrations (115, 130, 145, and 160 ms). The same stimuli were used in a follow-up behavioral task to determine active detection of the infrequent vibrations. We found no differences between the two groups with regard to discrimination between standard and deviant vibrations, demonstrating comparable neurologic and behavioral temporal somatosensory perception. However, exploratory analyses yielded subtle differences in amplitude at the N1 and P220 time points. Together, these results indicate that the temporal mechanisms of somatosensory discrimination are conserved in adults on the autism spectrum, though more general somatosensory processing may be affected. We discuss these findings in the broader context of the MMN literature in autism, as well as the potential role of cortical maturity in somatosensory mechanisms.
Ca2+-driven cytoplasmic backflow secures spindle position in fertilized mouse eggs
Authors: Totsuka Takaya , Ohsugi Miho 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFertilization triggers hours-long Ca2+oscillations in mammalian eggs, but the effects of repeated Ca2+surges remain unclear. Here, we investigate spindle dynamics and its relationship with cytoplasmic streaming in fertilized mouse eggs. The spindle, initially parallel to the plasma membrane, rotates vertically, in accordance with previously reported results using artificially activated eggs. Intriguingly, it transiently reverses its rotation direction in synchrony with Ca2+oscillations, regardless of artificially altered frequency. This effect results from cytoplasmic streaming, initially moving from spindle to egg center, displaying a Ca2+-dependent backflow. Streaming also impacts spindle positioning, balancing spindle rotation and cortical localization maintenance. We provide evidence that Ca2+-dependent cortical myosin II activation causes actomyosin contraction, leading to transient streaming towards non-contracting actin cap regions overlaying chromosomes. Our findings underscore the role of Ca2+oscillations in maintaining spindle position in fertilized eggs, thereby ensuring highly asymmetric division and preservation of maternal stores in zygotes.
Insights into the role of glycerophospholipids on the iron export function of SLC40A1 and the molecular mechanisms of ferroportin disease
Authors: Debbiche Rim , Elbahnsi Ahmad , Uguen Kévin , Ka Chandran , Callebaut Isabelle , Le Gac Gérald 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTSLC40A1 is the sole iron export protein reported in mammals. In humans, its dysfunction is responsible for ferroportin disease, an inborn error of iron metabolism transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait and observed in different ethnic groups. As a member of the major facilitator superfamily, SLC40A1 requires a series of conformational changes to enable iron translocation across the plasma membrane. The influence of lipids on these conformational changes has been little investigated to date. Here, we combine molecular dynamics simulations of SLC40A1 embedded in bilayers with experimental alanine scanning mutagenesis to analyze the specific role of glycerophospholipids. We identify four basic residues (Lys90, Arg365, Lys366 and Arg371) that are located at the membrane-cytosol interface and consistently interact with POPC and POPE lipid molecules. These residues surround a network of salt bridges and hydrogens bonds that play a critical role in stabilizing SLC40A1 in its basal outward-facing conformation. More deeply embedded in the plasma membrane, we identify Arg179 as a charged amino acid residue also tightly interacting with lipid phosphates. This result into a local deformation of the lipid bilayer. Interestingly, Arg179 is adjacent to Arg178, which forms a functionally important salt-bridge with Asp473 and is a recurrently associated with ferroportin disease when mutated to glutamine. We demonstrate that the two p.Arg178Gln and p.Arg179Thr missense variants have similar functional behaviors. These observations provide insights into the role of phospholipids in the formation/disruption of the SLC40A1 inner gate, and give a better understanding of the diversity of molecular mechanisms of ferroportin disease.
High-throughput nanopore DNA sequencing of large insert fosmid clones directly from bacterial colonies
Authors: Chuzel Léa , Sinha Amit , Cunningham Caileigh V. , Taron Christopher H. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFosmids and cosmids are vectors frequently used in functional metagenomic studies. With a large insert capacity (around 30 kb) they can encode dozens of cloned genes or in some cases, entire biochemical pathways. Fosmids with cloned inserts can be transferred to heterologous hosts and propagated to enable screening for new enzymes and metabolites. After screening, fosmids from clones with an activity of interest must bede novosequenced, a critical step towards identification of the gene(s) of interest. In this work, we present a new approach for rapid and high-throughput fosmid sequencing directly fromEscherichia colicolonies without liquid culturing or fosmid purification. Our sample preparation involves fosmid amplification with phi29 polymerase and then direct nanopore sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies system. We also present a bioinformatics pipeline termed “phiXXer” that facilitates bothde novoread assembly and vector trimming to generate a linear sequence of the fosmid insert. Finally, we demonstrate accurate sequencing of 96 fosmids in a single run and validate the method using two fosmid libraries that contain cloned large insert (∼30-40 kb) genomic or metagenomic DNA.ImportanceLarge-insert clone (fosmids or cosmids) sequencing is challenging and arguably the most limiting step of functional metagenomic screening workflows. Our study establishes a new method for high-throughput nanopore sequencing of fosmid clones directly from lysedE. colicells. It also describes a companion bioinformatic pipeline that enablesde novoassembly of fosmid DNA insert sequences. The devised method widens the potential of functional metagenomic screening by providing a simple, high-throughput approach to fosmid clone sequencing that dramatically speeds the pace of discovery.
Distinct dynamics and intrinsic properties in ventral tegmental area populations mediate reward association and motivation
Authors: Elum Jordan E , Szelenyi Eric R , Juarez Barbara , Murry Alexandria D , Loginov Grigory , Zamorano Catalina A , Gao Pan , Wu Ginny , Ng-Evans Scott , Xu Xiangmin , Golden Sam A , Zweifel Larry S 
Published: February 2024

AbstractVentral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons regulate reward-related associative learning and reward-driven motivated behaviors, but how these processes are coordinated by distinct VTA neuronal subpopulations remains unresolved. Here we examine the neural correlates of reward-related prediction-error, action, cue, and outcome encoding as well as effort exertion and reward anticipation during reward-seeking behaviors. We compare the contribution of two primarily dopaminergic and largely non-overlapping VTA subpopulations, all VTA dopamine neurons, and VTA GABAergic neurons of the mouse midbrain to these processes. The dopamine subpopulation that projects to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core preferentially encodes prediction-error and reward-predictive cues. In contrast, the dopamine subpopulation that projects to the NAc shell preferentially encodes goal-directed actions and reflects relative reward anticipation. VTA GABA neuron activity strongly contrasts VTA dopamine population activity and preferentially encodes reward outcome and retrieval. Electrophysiology, targeted optogenetics, and whole-brain input mapping reveal heterogeneity among VTA dopamine subpopulations. Our results demonstrate that VTA subpopulations carry distinct reward-related learning and motivation signals and reveal a striking pattern of functional heterogeneity among projection-defined VTA dopamine neuron populations.
Mountable miniature microphones to identify and assign mouse ultrasonic vocalizations
Authors: Waidmann Elena N. , Yang Victor H.Y. , Doyle William C. , Jarvis Erich D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractVocal communication is a major component of animal social behavior. Vocalizations can be learned or innate, and can convey a variety of signals, including territorial limits, the presence of predators, or courtship intent. Mouse ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are a promising model in which to study mammalian vocal production circuits. While mouse USVs are innate, mice still show complex vocal behavior, including production of structured song composed of multiple syllable types and the ability to modify their vocal rate and syllable repertoire based on social conditions. Though in courtship interactions male mice produce the majority of the emitted USVs, female mice are capable of emitting USVs. In order to study the underlying mechanisms of vocal production in freely behaving pairs of mice, it is necessary to identify the individual responsible for each syllable in group settings. Previous methods to identify the source of an individual USVs have used high-density microphone arrays and triangulation methods, which involve the use of multiple costly microphones and require implementation of complex computational methods. Here we identified, developed, and used an inexpensive, mountable, ultrasound-sensitive miniature-microphone system to record and identify USVs from individual mice during dual socializing behavior. Our system includes custom circuit boards that can be fitted to individual mice and connected to a variety of existing USV recording systems. We found that these miniature microphones reliably detected mouse USVs, and that a high percentage (90%) of vocalizations could be attributed to a specific animal in a vocalizing pair based on the relative amplitude differences alone. This simple readout method avoids the implementation of complicated triangulation methods. By pairing this method with simultaneous video recording and automated animal body part and identity tracking, we were able to study and describe the broader courtship behavioral landscape, in which USV production is one component. These results offer a promising, low-cost, and simple method that researchers can implement to study the social vocal communication between at least pairs of vocalizing mice.
Hibiscus bullseyes reveal mechanisms controlling petal pattern proportions that influence plant-pollinator interactions
Authors: Riglet Lucie , Zardilis Argyris , Fairnie Alice L. , Yeo May T. , Jönsson Henrik , Moyroud Edwige 
Published: February 2024

AbstractColourful patterns on flower corollas are key signals to attract pollinators. The formation of such motifs relies on the establishment of developmental boundaries that partition the growing petal epidermis into different subdomains, where cells can produce specific pigments and acquire distinctive cell shapes and textures. While some of the transcription factors and biosynthetic pathways producing these characteristics as cell differentiate have been extensively studied, the upstream processes restricting the activities of molecular players to specific regions of the petal epidermis remain enigmatic. Here, we unveil that the petal surface ofHibiscus trionum, an emerging model system featuring a bullseye on its corolla, is pre-patterned as the position of the bullseye boundary is specified long before the motif becomes visible to the human eye. Using a 1-D computational model, we explore how a boundary established at such an early stage can be maintained throughout development. Reciprocally, by exploiting transgenic lines and natural variants, we show that plants can regulate the relative position of the boundary during the pre-patterning phase or modulate division and growth on either side of this boundary at later developmental stages to yield variations in final bullseye proportions. Finally, we provide evidence that such modifications in bullseye size have functional significance as buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) can reliably identify a food source based on the size of its bullseye. Notably, we found that individuals exhibit a clear preference for the larger bullseye ofH. trionumover the smaller pattern of its close relative,H. richardsonii.
Atomic mass determination of uranium-238
Authors: Kromer Kathrin , Lyu Chunhai , Bieroń Jacek , Door Menno , Enzmann Lucia , Filianin Pavel , Gaigalas Gediminas , Harman Zoltán , Herkenhoff Jost , Huang Wenjia , Keitel Christoph H. , Eliseev Sergey , Blaum Klaus 
Published: February 2024

The atomic mass of uranium-238 has been determined to be 238.050787618(15) u, improving the literature uncertainty by two orders of magnitude. It is obtained from a measurement of the mass ratio of U47+238 and Xe26+132 ions with an uncertainty of 3.5×10−12. The measurement was carried out with the Penning-trap mass spectrometer and was accompanied by a calculation of the binding energies EU and EXe of the 47 and 26 missing electrons of the two highly charged ions, respectively. These binding energies were determined using an multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock method to be EU=39927(10) eV and EXe=8971.2(21) eV. The new mass value will serve as a reference for high-precision mass measurements in the heavy mass region of the nuclear chart up to transuranium nuclides.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Odderon as a Regge spin-3 oddball in
pp
and
pp¯
elastic scattering
Authors: Magallanes Jingle B. , Sawasdipol Prin , Pongkitivanichkul Chakrit , Samart Daris 
Published: February 2024

In this work, we propose that the odderon is a Regge spin-3 odd-glueball tensor. To demonstrate the proposal, we study the pp and pp¯ elastic scattering by including the contributions of the spin-3 odderon and spin-2 pomeron exchange in the processes. The phenomenological effective Lagrangian approach is used to calculate the pp and pp¯ elastic scattering amplitudes at the tree level. Additionally, the Donnachie-Landschoff ansatz of the odderon and pomeron propagators was used in further analysis. We fit the theoretical results with the various experimental data of the pp and pp¯ scattering at the TeV scale to determine the model parameters in the present work. By using the model parameters, the Chew-Frautschi plot of the tensor odderon Regge trajectory is evaluated. As a result, the odderon spin-3 mass is predicted to be 3.2 GeV. In addition, a phase rotation is applied to the amplitude of our model in order to satisfy the geometric scaling at a very low t region. Moreover, the total cross section of our model is compatible with the results from TOTEM and its extrapolation from D0 collaboration. It was found that the total cross section also satisfies the Friossart bound at the Regge limit.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Improving sensitivity of trilinear R-parity violating SUSY searches using machine learning at the LHC
Authors: Choudhury Arghya , Mondal Arpita , Mondal Subhadeep , Sarkar Subhadeep 
Published: February 2024

In this work, we have explored the sensitivity of multilepton final states in probing the gaugino sector of a R-parity violating supersymmetric scenario with specific lepton number violating trilinear couplings (λijk) being nonzero. The gaugino spectrum is such that the charged leptons in the final state can arise from the R-parity violating decays of the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) as well as R-parity conserving decays of the next-to-LSP (NLSP). Apart from a detailed cut-based analysis, we have also performed a machine learning-based analysis using a boosted decision tree algorithm, which provides much better sensitivity. In the scenarios with nonzero λ121 and/or λ122 couplings, the LSP pair in the final states decays to 4l (l=e,μ)+ET final states with a 100% branching ratio. We have shown that under this circumstance, a final state with ≥4l has the highest sensitivity while probing for gaugino masses. We also discuss how the sensitivity can change in the presence of τ lepton(s) in the final state due to other choices of trilinear couplings. We present our results through the estimation of the discovery and exclusion contours in the gaugino mass plane for both the high luminosity LHC (HL-LHC with s=14  TeV and L=3000  fb−1) and high energy LHC (HE-LHC with s=27  TeV and L=3000  fb−1). For the λ121 and/or λ122 nonzero scenario, the projected 2σ exclusion limit on NLSP masses reaches upto 2.37 TeV and 4 TeV for the HL-LHC and the HE-LHC, respectively, by using a machine learning based algorithm. We observe an enhancement of ∼380 (190)  GeV in the projected 2σ exclusion limit on the NLSP masses at the 27 (14) TeV LHC. Considering the same final state (Nl≥4) for the λ133 and/or λ233 nonzero scenario, we find that the corresponding 2σ projected limits are ∼1.97  TeV and ∼3.25  TeV for the HL-LHC and HE-LHC, respectively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Does it bug you eating bugs? The emotions of anthropoentomophagy
Authors: Ferreira Andreia C.B. , Rodrigues Ricardo Gouveia , Gouveia Ana R. , Martins Oliva M.D. , Ferreira Hugo , Pereira João Alfredo , Duarte Paulo 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThe use of insects as food is a proposed solution for the increased demand for food worldwide, but it lacks acceptance because of restrictive emotional factors. This article aims to understand better customers' emotions’ role in considering and consuming insect-based food.Design/methodology/approachTo assess their acceptance, an experiment was developed with 38 participants living in Portugal to identify how people feel when consuming processed insect bars compared to cereal bars (of equal flavour). A video was recorded “before”, “during” and “after” the consumption of such foods, and the triggered emotions and affective states were identified using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and the circumplex model of affect, respectively. After consumption, the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) was asked to be completed.FindingsIt was observed that the valence and arousal of the emotions and affective states triggered during consumption were higher in the insect bar than in the cereal bar. Its consumption resulted in surprise and a positive evaluation. Processed insect-based foods may result in a potentially increased acceptance of this new food alternative in the market.Originality/valuePrior studies briefly identified disgust as a primary emotion activated by insect-based food. The current research deeply studied emotional responses to insect-based processed foods in the Western world using the dimensional emotional models. This study offers arguments for the insect-based food industry to invest in processed food justified by its potential for acceptance. In addition, it motivates further research focused on other insect-based products (e.g. non-processed ones).
Are stock buybacks in hospitality firms associated with outstanding executive stock options?
Authors: Iyengar Raghavan , Shuster Barry 
Published: February 2024

Purpose Outstanding unexercised stock options can motivate managers to engage in actions that increase the value of their company’s stock, including buying back their firm’s stock. The objective of granting stock options to managers is to align their interests with stockholders by tying a portion of their compensation to the company’s stock performance. However, unexercised stock options may have unintended consequences by providing managers with a vested interest in artificially boosting stock prices via stock buybacks. The primary objective of this research is to study the main factors that influence firms' buyback decisions amongst hospitality firms at a time when these firms were clamoring for taxpayer bailouts. Results from logistic regression seem to suggest that outstanding executive stock options are a major contributory factor in a firm’s buyback decision. Estimates also indicate that larger, more profitable firms will likely engage in stock buybacks. These findings survive a battery of tests.Design/methodology/approach The authors use logistic regression to predict the probability of a firm’s buyback decision based on a given set of exogenous explanatory variables.Findings The paper supports the hypothesis that buyback decisions are guided by the motive to prop support stock prices in the presence of outstanding restricted stock options/warrants granted to firms' executives.Research limitations/implications The paper focuses on the buyback decision of U.S. hospitality firms. The results, therefore, might not be generalizable to firms in other industries or countries.Practical implications U.S. share repurchase corporate policy and government regulation needs to be revisited given the economic imperative for firms to invest in activities to restore employment and put them in a position for economic recovery.Social implications Public criticism of the size, structure and form (i.e. loan vs grant) of COVID-19 bailouts warrants an examination of whether the factors that drive hospitality and tourism firms to repurchase shares support economic recovery.Originality/value Consistent with agency theory, the authors find a significant positive association between outstanding restricted stocks and a firm’s decision to support the stock prices by buying back shares.
Personality metatraits and managerial AC dimensions in assessment center performance: the moderating effect of age in strong and weak VUCA simulations
Authors: Baczyńska Anna Katarzyna , Skoczeń Ilona , Thornton George C. , Chen Shihua 
Published: February 2024

PurposeWe investigated the relationship between personality and managerial assessment center (AC) dimensions, emphasizing age’s moderating role within volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity (VUCA) simulations.Design/methodology/approachWe analyzed 327 managers and applied the AC method, examining areas like social skills, problem-solving, management and goal striving, openness to change, employee development using the VUCA framework.FindingsWe assessed personality metatraits through a questionnaire based on the circumplex model (CPM; Strus, Cieciuch, & Rowinski, 2014), identifying four bipolar metatraits. Results highlighted passiveness and disharmony as negatively correlated with all managerial AC dimensions, with passiveness adversely affecting social skills and problem-solving.Originality/valueAge’s moderating role emerged as pivotal in the relationship between personality and managerial AC dimensions, especially in specific VUCA contexts. This underscores age’s influence on the interplay between personality and managerial efficacy, suggesting varying predictive capabilities across age groups. The research illuminates the complexities of these relationships, spotlighting age’s nuanced impact.