bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trapping studies reveal phenology and reproductive behaviour in two solitary sweat bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)
Authors: Proulx Alex , Richards Miriam H. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA transition from univoltine to bivoltine life histories, potentially due to the lengthening of flight seasons, is thought to have preceded the evolutionary transition from solitary to eusocial behaviour in halictid bees. Most behavioral studies which allow us to map these demographic and social transitions on phylogenies have focused on eusocial species, leaving a gap in behavioral data regarding solitary halictid bees. This lack of behavioral trait data is due to the great difficulty in locating the nests of solitary bees for study. However, long-term trapping studies are an effective method providing insights into the demography and social status of halictid bees. We used pan-trapped specimens to investigate flight phenology and solitary reproductionLasioglossum leucozonium(Schrank) andL. zonulum(Smith), from the socially and demographically labile subgenusLeuchalictus. We foundL. leucozoniumto be univoltine and solitary across its range, regardless of the length of flight season. In contrast,L. zonulumis phenologically flexible, being univoltine in the shorter flight seasons of Alberta, but bivoltine in southern Ontario. In bothL. leucozoniumand univoltineL. zonulum, higher than expected numbers of old, worn females with declining ovarian development foraged late into the season, suggesting that an indeterminate breeding strategy represents an ancestral condition not found in eusocial species. In bivoltineL. zonulum, the large size and higher fecundity of Brood 1 offspring suggest that after evolutionary reversion from eusocial to solitary behaviour, selection for worker-sized daughters may be reversed to selection for larger body sizes. The demographic plasticity demonstrated byL. zonulummay hint that partial bivoltinism is more widespread than currently documented. Future studies aimed at clarifying the demographic and social traits of more halictids will pave the way for comparative studies and eventual confidence in tracing how behavioral traits have changed and evolved in halictid bees.
Differences in the Pupillary Responses to Evening Light between Children and Adolescents
Authors: Hartstein Lauren E. , LeBourgeois Monique K. , Durniak Mark T. , Najjar Raymond P. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTPurposeTo assess differences in the pupillary light responses (PLRs) to blue and red evening lights between children and adolescents.MethodsForty healthy participants (8-9 years, n=21; 15-16 years, n=19) completed a PLR assessment 1 h before their habitual bedtime. After a 1 h dim-light adaptation period (<1 lux), baseline pupil diameter was measured in darkness for 30 s, followed by a 10 s exposure to 3.0×1013photons/cm2/s of either red (627 nm) or blue (459 nm) light, and a 40 s recovery in darkness to assess pupillary re-dilation. Subsequently, participants underwent 7 min of dim-light re-adaptation followed by an exposure to the other light condition. Lights were counterbalanced across participants.ResultsAcross both age groups, maximum pupil constriction was significantly greater (p< 0.001, ηp2=0.48) and more sustained (p< 0.001, ηp2=0.41) during exposure to blue compared to red light. For adolescents, the post-illumination pupillary response (PIPR), a hallmark of melanopsin function, was larger after blue compared with red light (p= 0.02, d=0.60). This difference was not observed in children. Across light exposures, children had larger phasic (p< 0.01, ηp2=0.20) and maximal (p< 0.01, ηp2=0.22) pupil constrictions compared to adolescents.ConclusionsBlue light elicited a greater and more sustained pupillary response than red light across participants. However, the overall amplitude of the rod/cone-driven phasic response was greater in children than in adolescents. Our findings using the PLR highlight a higher sensitivity to evening light in children compared to adolescents, and continued maturation of the human non-visual photoreception/system throughout development.
SMB controls decompartmentalization in Arabidopsis root cap cells to execute programmed cell death
Authors: Wang Jie , Bollier Norbert , Buono Rafael Andrade , Vahldick Hannah , Lin Zongcheng , Feng Qiangnan , Hudecek Roman , Jiang Qihang , Mylle Evelien , Damme Daniel Van , Nowack Moritz K. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractProgrammed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental cellular process crucial to development, homeostasis, and immunity in multicellular eukaryotes. In contrast to our knowledge on the regulation of diverse animal cell death subroutines, information on execution of PCD in plants remains fragmentary. Here we make use of the accessibility of theArabidopsis thalianaroot cap to visualize the execution process of developmentally controlled PCD. We identify a succession of selective decompartmentalization events and ion fluxes that are controlled by a gene regulatory network downstream of the NAC transcription factor SOMBRERO (SMB). Surprisingly, breakdown of the large central vacuole is a relatively late and variable event, preceded by an increase of intracellular calcium levels and acidification, release of mitochondrial matrix proteins, leakage of nuclear and endoplasmic reticulum lumina, and release of fluorescent membrane reporters into the cytosol. Elevated intracellular calcium levels and acidification are sufficient to trigger cell death execution specifically in cells that are rendered competent to undergo PCD by SMB activity, suggesting that these ion fluxes act as PCD-triggering signals.
Simulating animal space use from fitted integrated Step-Selection Functions (iSSF)
Authors: Signer J. , Fieberg J. , Reineking B. , Schlägel U. , Smith B. , Balkenhol N. , Avgar T. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA standing challenge in the study of animal movement ecology is the capacity to predict where and when an individual animal might occur on the landscape, the so-called, Utilization Distribution (UD). Under certain assumptions, the steady-state UD can be predicted from a fitted exponential habitat selection function. However, these assumptions are rarely met. Furthermore, there are many applications that require the estimation of transient dynamics rather than steady-state UDs (e.g. when modeling migration or dispersal). Thus, there is a clear need for computational tools capable of predicting UDs based on observed animal movement data.Integrated Step-Selection Analyses (iSSAs) are widely used to study habitat selection and movement of wild animals, and result in a fully parametrized individual-based model of animal movement, which we refer to as an integrated Step Selection Function (iSSF). An iSSF can be used to generate stochastic animal paths based on random draws from a series of Markovian redistribution kernels, each consisting of a selection-free, but possibly habitat-influenced, movement kernel and a movement-free selection function. The UD can be approximated by a sufficiently large set of such stochastic paths.Here, we present a set of functions in R to facilitate the simulation of animal space use from fitted iSSFs. Our goal is to provide a general purpose simulator that is easy to use and is part of an existing workflow for iSSAs (within theamtR package).We demonstrate through a series of applications how the simulator can be used to address a variety of questions in applied movement ecology. By providing functions inamtand coded examples, we hope to encourage ecologists using iSSFs to explore their predictions and model goodness-of-fit using simulations, and to further explore mechanistic approaches to modeling landscape connectivity.
Environmental Uncertainty Affects Movement and Space-use in Sheep
Authors: Bartsch Sarah T. , van Wettere William H. E. J. , Griffith Simon C. , Leu Stephan T. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTAnimals constantly experience periods of uncertainty due to seasonal changes in food distribution. The changing climate results in more variable weather patterns, which in turn alter environmental conditions, and can result in resource distribution being less predictable in space and time. How animals respond to these uncertain conditions, in particular the changing distribution of food resources, remains largely unclear and is an important question in the field of movement and animal ecology. Here we used an experimental approach to study how Merino sheep (Ovis aries) responded to different levels of environmental uncertainty in a drought-impacted region of the Australian arid zone. Sheep were unfamiliar with the experimental resource distribution at the start and progressively decreased their uncertainty (i.e., increased their environmental knowledge) when discovering an increasing number of foraging patches. We tracked 50 sheep with GPS collars (1 location every 15 sec) and deduced their movement and space use behaviour. When environmental uncertainty decreased, individuals moved more directionally (greater step length, smaller turn angles) and moved greater distances per day. They also had larger daily home ranges but rested in similar areas on consecutive nights (similar displacement, with the exception when five patches were discovered). Our study demonstrates how an arid zone, free-ranging ungulate adjusts its movement and space use behaviour as it gains environmental information in order to forage efficiently during periods of uncertainty. Our study provides important insights into how animals cope with variable environments and different levels of uncertainty.
Distribution and extent of suitable habitat for geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in the Anthropocene
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed Seid , Chala Desalegn , Kufa Chala Adugna , Atickem Anagaw , Bekele Afework , Svenning Jens-Christian , Zinner Dietmar 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundClimate change coupled with other anthropogenic pressures may affect species distributions, often causing extinctions at different scales. This is particularly true for species occupying marginal habitats such as gelada,Theropithecus gelada.Our study aimed to model the impact of climate change on the distribution of suitable habitats for geladas and draw conservation implications. Our modelling was based on 285 presence locations of geladas, covering their complete current distribution. We used different techniques to generate pseudoabsence datasets, MaxEnt model complexities, and cut-off thresholds to map the potential distribution of gelada under current and future climates (2050 and 2070). We assembled maps from these techniques to produce a final composite map. We also evaluated the change in the topographic features of gelada over the past 200 years by comparing the topography in current and historical settings.ResultsAll model runs had high performances, AUC = 0.87 – 0.96. Under the current climate, the suitable habitat predicted with high certainty was 90,891 km2, but it decreased remarkably under future climates, −36% by 2050 and −52% by 2070. Whereas no remarkable range shift was predicted under future climates, currently geladas are confined to higher altitudes and complex landscapes compared to historical sightings, probably qualifying geladas as refugee species.ConclusionsOur findings indicated that climate change most likely results in a loss of suitable habitat for geladas, particularly south of the Rift Valley. The difference in topography between current and historical sightings is potentially associated with anthropogenic pressures that drove niche truncation to higher altitudes, undermining the climatic and topographic niche our models predicted. We recommend protecting the current habitats of geladas even when they are forecasted to become climatically unsuitable in the future, in particular for the population south of the Rift Valley.
A conditional protein diffusion model generates artificial programmable endonuclease sequences with enhanced activity
Authors: Zhou Bingxin , Zheng Lirong , Wu Banghao , Yi Kai , Zhong Bozitao , Tan Yang , Liu Qian , Liò Pietro , Hong Liang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDeep learning-based methods for generating functional proteins address the growing need for novel biocatalysts, allowing for precise tailoring of functionalities to meet specific requirements. This emergence leads to the creation of highly efficient and specialized proteins with wide-ranging applications in scientific, technological, and biomedical domains. This study establishes a pipeline for protein sequence generation with a conditional protein diffusion model, namely CPDiffusion, to deliver diverse sequences of proteins with enhanced functions. CPDiffusion accommodates protein-specific conditions, such as secondary structure and highly conserved amino acids (AAs). Without relying on extensive training data, CPDiffusion effectively captures highly conserved residues and sequence features for a specific protein family. We applied CPDiffusion to generate artificial sequences of Argonaute (Ago) proteins based on the backbone structures of wild-type (WT)Kurthia massiliensisAgo (KmAgo) andPyrococcus furiosusAgo (PfAgo), which are complex multi-domain programmable endonucleases. The generated sequences deviate by up to nearly400AAs from their WT templates. Experimental tests demonstrated that the majority of generated proteins show unambiguous activity in DNA cleavage for both KmAgo and PfAgo, with many of them exhibiting superior activity as compared to the WT. These findings underscore CPDiffusion’s remarkable success rate to generate novel sequences for proteins of complex structures and functions in a single step with enhanced activity. This approach facilitates the design of enzymes with multi-domain molecular structures and intricate functions throughin silicogeneration and screening, all accomplished without any supervision from labeled data.
Elevated serotonin in mouse spinal dorsal horn is pronociceptive
Authors: Cramer Nathan , Ji Yadong , Kane Maureen , Pilli Nageswara , Posa Luca , Van Patten Gabrielle , Masri Radi , Keller Asaf 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSerotonergic neurons in the rostral ventral medulla (RVM) contribute to bidirectional control of pain through modulation of spinal and trigeminal nociceptive networks. Deficits in this pathway are believed to contribute to pathological pain states, but whether changes in serotonergic mechanisms are pro or anti-nociceptive are debated. We used a combination of optogenetics and fiber photometry to examine these mechanisms more closely. We find that optogenetic activation of RVM serotonergic afferents in the spinal cord of naïve mice produces mechanical hypersensitivity and conditioned place aversion. Neuropathic pain, produced by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI-ION), evoked a tonic increase in serotonin concentrations within the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (SpVc), measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). By contract, CCI-ION had no effect on the phasic serotonin transients in SpVc, evoked by noxious pinch, and measured with fiber photometry of a serotonin sensor. These findings suggest that serotonin release in the spinal cord is pronociceptive and that an increase is sustained serotonin signaling, rather than phasic or event driven increases, potentiate nociception in models of chronic pain.Significance StatementSerotonergic neurons of the rostral ventral medulla participate in descending pain modulation by regulating spinal and trigeminal nociceptive circuits. Whether changes in serotonergic mechanisms are pro or anti-nociceptive is debated. We show that serotonin release within the spinal trigeminal nucleus is pronociceptive and that enhanced tonic, but not phasic serotonin release may contribute to sensitization in mouse models of chronic pain. These results further clarify the role of serotonin in nociception and suggest that local inhibition of serotonin release or increase of uptake may be a viable therapeutic approach in treating chronic pain.
Reduced ornamentation became elaborated in benign environments in a bird species
Authors: Hasegawa Masaru , Arai Emi , Kato Takahiro 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMany empirical studies have focused on highly-ornamented species to identify ecological factors that maintain the ornamentation or favour its exaggeration. By contrast, although reduction or loss of ornamentation appears to be widespread, species with reduced/lost ornamentation and its relationship with ecological factors are rarely focused on. Here, based on data collected over four years, we studied outermost tail feather length, i.e. a well-known sexual ornamentation in this clade, in relation to roosting location in the Pacific swallowHirundo tahiticaduring winter. In contrast to congeners, this species has inconspicuous tail ornamentation, i.e. very shallowly forked tails with vestigial streamers, providing a rare opportunity to study the ecological factors driving reduced ornamentation. We found that Pacific swallows mainly roost in old nests under bridges over rivers, which resemble their original roosting sites, but some roost in old nests under the eaves of houses above the ground. Individuals roosting under the eaves of houses had significantly longer outermost (but not central) tail feathers than those roosting under bridges. Individuals roosting under the eaves of houses were heavier and showed lower physiological stress, and thus might better endure the maintenance cost, favouring ornament elaboration. Because we controlled for the effects of sex and age, these factors would not confound the observed pattern. Reduced ornamentation, as found in Pacific swallows roosting under their original roosting sites, could become elaborated in benign environments (i.e., under eaves, here), stressing the importance of balance between the costs and benefits of ornamentation.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus(LR) ameliorates acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) via modulating the lung “Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs)-Mononuclear Phagocytic System (MPS)”
Authors: Sapra Leena , Das Sneha , Saini Chaman , Mishra Pradyumna K. , Mridha Asit R. , Srivastava Rupesh K. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAcute-respiratory-distress-syndrome (ARDS), the ultimate manifestation of acute-lung-injury (ALI) is a life-threatening respiratory failure with a significantly higher incidence and mortality worldwide. Recent discoveries have emphasized the existence of a potential nexus between gut and lung-health wherein physiology of the gut is directly linked with the outcomes of the lung pathologies. These discoveries fuel novel approaches including probiotics for the treatment of several respiratory disorders including ALI/ARDS.Lactobacillus rhamnosus(LR) is a preferred probiotic of choice as it has been reported to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory activities in various inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we investigated the prophylactic-potential of LR in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI/ARDS mice model, which mimics the pathophysiology of several respiratory disorders including respiratory tract infections, COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) etc. Ourin vivofindings revealed that pretreatment with LR significantly attenuated lung inflammation and improved the pathophysiology of lung-tissues in ALI/ARDS mice. We observed that LR-administration suppressed the LPS-induced inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs via ameliorating vascular-permeability (edema) of the lungs. Acute and chronic lung-disorders, including ARDS, are largely governed by innate-immune response. Interestingly, we observed that LR via modulating different ILCs (first responder to infections) subsets viz. ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3 prevent lung-fibrosis and maintain vascular permeability in LPS induced ALI/ARDS mice model. Of note, we observed a significant-enhancement in the percentage of inflammatory IL-17 producing CD3-Rorγt+NKp46-ILC3-fraction along with a significant reduction in IL-22 (responsible for vascular integrity) producing CD3-Rorγt+NKp46+ILC3 in both the BALF and lung-tissues. These ILCs would further augment the activation and recruitment of mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS-monocytes, macrophages and DCs) along with neutrophils and eosinophils in the lungs and BALF in ALI/ARDS mice model. Furthermore, gene expression and protein-analysis demonstrated that LR treatment significantly reduces the expression of inflammatory-cytokines in lung tissue and serum, thereby suggesting its potent immunomodulatory activity in attenuating ALI/ARDS. Summarily, our research convincingly establishes the prophylactic-role of LR in the prevention and management of respiratory-distress syndromes driven by the diverse inflammatory insults via modulating the lung’s “ILCs-MPS” axis with significant clinical-implications for the management of COVID-19, Influenza, COPD etc.
Surface electromyography (sEMG) of equine core muscles and kinematics of lumbo-sacral joint during core strengthening exercises
Authors: Coll Judit Aulinas , Blake Scott , Godoy Roberta Ferro de 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDynamic Mobilisation Exercises (DME) and myotatic reflex exercises were developed with the aim of improving core strengthening in horses. Previous studies have shown DME can increase cross sectional area (CSA) and symmetry of multifidus muscle, as well as activating the external oblique abdominal, and superficial descending pectoral muscles. The aim of this study was to objectively measure activity differences inm. longissimus dorsi(LD) andm. rectus abdominus(RA) whilst performing three levels of spinal flexion and lateral bending, as well as comparing thoracic and pelvic lift exercises in nine adult sport horses. Three repetitions of each exercise was performed for five seconds. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record muscle electric activity, whilst sagittal lumbo-sacral flexion was measured with kinematics analysis. Overall, the results have shown that spinal flexion and lateral bending activate them. rectus abdominis(RA) progressively as the exercise requires further reach, with a lateral bending effect evident on the ipsilateral side of RA. RA also had increased activation during thoracic lifts in comparison with pelvic lifts.M. longissimus dorsi(LD) has shown no significant differences in peak or average rectified EMG measures on the contralateral side during lateral bending. Pelvic lifts generated the greatest flexion of the lumbo-sacral (LS) joint. Results provide a guideline of the level of muscle effort required in relation to each exercise.HighlightsM. rectus abdominisis activated more with further reach for cervical flexion and lateral bending.M. rectus abdominisis more active during thoracic lift than pelvic lift.Lumbo-sacral joint achieves greater flexion on pelvic lift exercises.M. longissimus dorsiresponds very little to increased reach in DMEs.