bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional subtypes of rodent melanopsin ganglion cells switch roles between night and day illumination
Authors: Berry Michael H. , Leffler Joseph , Allen Charles N. , Sivyer Benjamin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), contain the photopigment melanopsin, and influence both image and non-image forming behaviors. Despite being categorized into multiple types (M1-M6), physiological variability within these types suggests our current understanding of ipRGCs is incomplete. We used multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings and unbiased cluster analysis under synaptic blockade to identify 8 functional clusters of ipRGCs, each with distinct photosensitivity and response timing. We used Cre mice to drive the expression of channelrhodopsin in SON-ipRGCs, enabling the localization of distinct ipRGCs in the dorsal retina. Additionally, we conducted a retrospective unbiased cluster analysis of ipRGC photoresponses to light stimuli across scotopic, mesopic, and photopic intensities, aimed at activating both rod and cone inputs to ipRGCs. Our results revealed shared and distinct synaptic inputs to the identified functional clusters, demonstrating that ipRGCs encode visual information with high fidelity at low light intensities, but poorly at photopic light intensities, when melanopsin activation is highest. Collectively, our findings support a framework with at least 8 functional subtypes of ipRGCs, each encoding luminance with distinct spike outputs, highlighting the inherent functional diversity and complexity of ipRGCs and suggesting a reevaluation of their contributions to retinal function and visual perception under varying light conditions.
Arrest of movement induced by Pedunculopontine-stimulation obstructs hippocampal theta rhythm
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Komi Salif A. , Dmytriyeva Oksana , Houser Grace A. , Bonfils Madelaine C. A. , Berg Rune W. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTComplete movement arrest has recently been reported to be induced in rodents by optogenetic stimulation of a subpopulation within the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN). This evoked arrest appears conspicuously similar to freezing behavior often seen as a fear response in prey animals but could also be akin to the freezing of gait, which is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease. This introduces two perspectives on the functional roles of this sub-region: A hub for orchestrating fear-related responses or an omnipotent halting mechanism devoid of emotional components. To better understand this phenomenon and its cognitive component, we engage the distinct electrical brain activity, the hippocampal theta rhythm. This rhythm has a well-described contextual association between various aspects of cognition and behavior. It is prominent during locomotor activity in rodents and immobile yet aroused states like behavioral freezing. We recorded the electrical activity in the hippocampus of rats while walking and being arrested by PPN stimulation. A clear obstruction of the ongoing theta activity was associated with the motor arrest. The timescale of movement arrest was less than 200 ms, similar to the obstruction of the theta rhythm. Since, anxiety, fear, and behavioral freezing are associated with hippocampal theta rhythm, which we did not see during PPN stimulation, we suggest the induced motor arrest occurs without an associated emotional component.
Tadpoles develop elevated heat tolerance in urban heat islands regardless of sex
Authors: Bókony Veronika , Balogh Emese , Ujszegi János , Ujhegyi Nikolett , Szederkényi Márk , Hettyey Attila 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe ability of wildlife to endure the effects of high temperatures is increasingly important for biodiversity conservation under climate change and spreading urbanization. Organisms living in urban heat islands can have elevated heat toleranceviaboth phenotypic plasticity and microevolution. However, the prevalence and mechanisms of such thermal adaptations are barely known in aquatic organisms. Furthermore, males and females can differ in heat tolerance, which may lead to sex-biased mortality, yet it is unknown how sex differences in thermal biology influence urban adaptations. To address these knowledge gaps, we measured critical thermal maxima (CTmax) in male and female agile frog (Rana dalmatina) tadpoles captured from warm urban ponds and cool woodland ponds, and in a common-garden experiment where embryos collected from both habitat types were raised in the laboratory. We found higher CTmaxin urban-dwelling tadpoles compared to their counterparts living in woodland ponds. This difference was reversed in the common-garden experiment: tadpoles originating from urban ponds had lower CTmaxthan tadpoles originating from woodland ponds. We found no effect of sex on CTmaxor its difference between habitats. These results demonstrate that aquatic amphibian larvae can respond to the urban heat island effect with increased heat tolerance similarly to the other, mostly terrestrial taxa studied so far, and that phenotypic plasticity may be the main driver of this response. Our findings also suggest that heat-induced mortality may be independent of sex in tadpoles, but research is needed in many more taxa to explore potentially sex-dependent urban thermal responses.
Defective cytoskeletal dynamics underlies the essential role of MRTF-SRF in IL-2 delivery to CD8+T cells during infectious challenge
Authors: Maurice Diane , Costello Patrick , Gualdrini Francesco , Frederico Bruno , Treisman Richard 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTParacrine IL-2 signalling underpins late primary CD8+ T cell expansion and differentiation that allow protection against viral infections, yet the requirements for effective delivery of IL-2 to recipient cells remain poorly understood. We show that the SRF transcription factor, a master regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics, is essential for the response toL. monocytogenesinfection. SRF acts cell-autonomously with its actin-regulated MRTF cofactorsMrtfaandMrtfbto sustain CD8+effector T cell expansion and persistence of memory cells. MRTF-SRF activity is not required for initial TCR-mediated CD8+T cell proliferation, but is necessary for subsequent IL-2 dependent expansion. Following TCR activationin vitro,Mrtfab-null CD8+T cells produce IL-2 normally, but exhibit defective paracrine IL-2 signalling. Cluster formation by activatedMrtfab-null CD8+T cells is impaired: clusters are smaller and less dense, have substantially reduced F-actin content, retain less IL-2, and exhibit defective cytoskeletal gene expression. ActivatedMrtfab-null CD8+T cells also exhibit defective homotypic clusteringin vivo. The requirement for MRTF-SRF signalling for CD8+T cell proliferation during infection thus reflects its involvement in cytoskeletal dynamics.
LincRNAs enable germ cells differentiation by promoting PUF proteins condensation
Authors: Falk Roni , Gilad Noa , Achache Hanna , Rappaport Yisrael , Shabtai Reut , Ishtayeh Hasan , Wolovelsky Laura , Tzur Yonatan B. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSuccessful tissue homeostasis depends on a balance between proliferation and differentiation. Two PUF proteins, FBF-1 and FBF-2, maintain stem-cells proliferation inC. elegansgerm-cells by binding and destabilizing transcripts which promote meiotic entry. However, it is unclear how meiosis initiates because the FBF are also present at significant levels in late proliferative and early meiotic cells. We found that the three long-intergenic-non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) that bind the FBF proteins promote timely meiotic entry. Deletion of the lincRNA genes leads to additive reduction in progenitor cell number and fertility. In the lincRNAs deletion mutant, expression of many known FBF-2 targets is significantly lower, suggesting over-activation of FBF-2. In this mutant, FBF-2 localization in perinuclear condensates is reduced, and its cytoplasmic fraction increases. Moreover, FBF-2 association with the germline P-granules decreases without the lincRNAs. Our results indicate that lincRNAs act to promote meiotic differentiation by spatially restricting pro-proliferation factors into phase-separated granules.
Triple tandem trimer immunogens for HIV-1 and influenza nucleic acid-based vaccines
Authors: del Moral-Sánchez Iván , Wee Edmund G. , Xian Yuejiao , Lee Wen-Hsin , Allen Joel D. , Torrents de la Peña Alba , Rocha Rebeca Fróes , Ferguson James , León André N. , Koekkoek Sylvie , Schermer Edith E. , Burger Judith A. , Kumar Sanjeev , Zwolsman Robby , Brinkkemper Mitch , Aartse Aafke , Eggink Dirk , Han Julianna , Yuan Meng , Crispin Max , Ozorowski Gabriel , Ward Andrew B. , Wilson Ian A. , Hanke Tomáš , Sliepen Kwinten , Sanders Rogier W. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRecombinant native-like HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers are used in candidate vaccines aimed at inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies. While state-of-the-art SOSIP or single-chain Env designs can be expressed as native-like trimers, undesired monomers, dimers and malformed trimers that elicit non-neutralizing antibodies are also formed, implying that these designs could benefit from further modifications for gene-based vaccination approaches. Here, we describe the triple tandem trimer (TTT) design in which three Env protomers are genetically linked in a single open reading frame and express as native-like trimers. Viral vectored Env TTT induced similar neutralization titers but with a higher proportion of trimer-specific responses. The TTT design was also applied to generate influenza hemagglutinin (HA) trimers without the need for trimerization domains. Additionally, we used TTT to generate well-folded chimeric Env and HA trimers that harbor protomers from three different strains. In summary, the TTT design is a useful platform for the design of HIV-1 Env and influenza HA immunogens for a multitude of vaccination strategies.
A mechanically regulated liquid-liquid phase separation of the transcriptional regulator Tono instructs muscle development
Authors: Zhang Xu , Avellaneda Jerome , Spletter Maria L. , Lemke Sandra , Mangeol Pierre , Habermann Bianca H. , Schnorrer Frank 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMuscle morphogenesis is a multi-step program, starting with myoblast fusion, followed by myotube-tendon attachment and sarcomere assembly, with subsequent sarcomere maturation, mitochondrial amplification and specialisation. The correct chronological order of these steps requires precise control of the transcriptional regulators and their effectors. How this regulation is achieved during muscle development is not well understood. In a genome-wide RNAi screen inDrosophila, we identified the BTB-zinc finger protein Tono (CG32121) as a muscle-specific transcriptional regulator.tonomutant flight muscles display severe deficits in mitochondria and sarcomere maturation, resulting in uncontrolled contractile forces causing muscle atrophy during development. Tono protein is expressed during sarcomere maturation and localises in distinct condensates in flight muscle nuclei. Interestingly, internal pressure exerted by the maturing sarcomeres deforms the muscle nuclei into elongated shapes and changes the Tono condensates, suggesting that Tono senses the mechanical status of the muscle cells. Indeed, external mechanical pressure on the muscles triggers rapid liquid-liquid phase separation of Tono utilising its BTB domain. Thus, we propose that Tono senses high mechanical pressure to in turn adapt muscle transcription specifically at the sarcomere maturation stage. Consistently,tonomutant muscles display specific defects in a transcriptional switch that represses early muscle differentiation genes and boosts late ones. We hypothesise that a similar mechano-responsive regulation mechanism may control the activity of related BTB-zinc finger proteins that, if mutated, can result in uncontrolled force production in human muscle.
Acoelomorph flatworm monophyly is a severe long branch-attraction artefact obscuring a clade of Acoela and Xenoturbellida
Authors: Redmond Anthony K 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAcoelomorpha is a broadly accepted clade of bilaterian animals made up of the fast-evolving, morphologically simple, mainly marine flatworm lineages Acoela and Nemertodermatida. Phylogenomic studies support Acoelomorpha’s close relationship with the slowly evolving and similarly simplisticXenoturbella, together forming the phylum Xenacoelomorpha. The phylogenetic placement of Xenacoelomorpha amongst bilaterians is controversial, with some studies supporting Xenacoelomorpha as the sister group to all other bilaterians, implying that their simplicity may be representative of early bilaterians. Others propose that this placement is a long branch attraction artefact resulting from the fast-evolving Acoelomorpha, and instead suggest that they are the secondarily simplified sister group of the deuterostome clade Ambulacraria. Perhaps as a result of this debate, internal xenacoelomorph relationships have been somewhat overlooked at a phylogenomic scale. Here, I employ both empirical and simulation approaches to detect and overcome phylogenomic errors to reassess the relationship betweenXenoturbellaand the fast evolving acoelomorph flatworms. I conclude that subphylum Acoelomorpha is a long-branch attraction artefact obscuring a previously undiscovered clade comprisingXenoturbellaand Acoela, for which I propose the name Xenacoela. These analyses are also consistent with the Nephrozoa hypothesis deriving from systematic error, and instead generally favour a close, but unclear, relationship of Xenacoelomorpha with deuterostomes. This study provides a template for future efforts aimed at discovering and correcting unrecognised long-branch attraction artefacts throughout the tree of life.
The proteomic landscape of genotoxic stress-induced micronuclei
Authors: MacDonald Kate M. , Khan Shahbaz , Kislinger Thomas , Harding Shane M. 
Published: August 2023

SUMMARYMicronuclei (MN) are induced by various genotoxic stressors and amass nuclear- and cytoplasmic-resident proteins, priming the cell for MN-driven signalling cascades. Here, we measure the proteome of micronuclear, cytoplasmic, and nuclear fractions from human cells exposed to a panel of six genotoxins, comprehensively profiling their MN protein landscape. We find that MN assemble a proteome distinct from both surrounding cytoplasm and parental nuclei, with a core composition that is independent of the specific inciting stressor. Across stress conditions, MN are significantly depleted for spliceosome machinery and replication stress response proteins, but are enriched for a subset of the replisome. We find that the loss of splicing machinery within transcriptionally active MN contributes to intra-MN DNA damage, a known precursor to chromothripsis. This dataset represents a unique resource detailing the proteomic landscape of MN, guiding mechanistic studies of MN generation and MN-associated outcomes of genotoxic stress.
Spatiotemporal control of microtubule acetylation by mechanical cues regulates lysosome dynamics at the immune synapse of B cells to promote antigen presentation
Authors: Del Valle Batalla Felipe , Riobó Isidora , Hernández-Pérez Sara , Mattila Pieta K , Yuseff María Isabel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe capacity of B cells to extract immobilized antigens through the formation of an immune synapse can be tuned by the physical characteristics of the surface where antigens are encountered. However, the underlying mechanisms that couple mechanosensing by B cells to antigen extraction and processing remain poorly understood.We show that B cells activated by antigens associated with stiffer substrates exhibit enhanced spreading responses and higher tubulin acetylation at the center of the immune synapse, where less motile lysosomes preferentially localize. This process is coupled to the translocation of the microtubule acetylase, ATAT1 to the cytoplasm of B cells, which occurs as a mechano-response during BCR stimulation. Accordingly, B cells silenced for ATAT1 are unable to stabilize lysosomes at the synaptic interface and display a lower capacity to extract and present immobilized antigens to T cells.Overall, these findings highlight how BCR-dependent mechano-responses trigger microtubule network modifications to precisely orchestrate lysosome positioning to promote antigen extraction and presentation in B cells.
Is there a mediating role of corporate social responsibility between board independence, board diversity, and dividend payouts decision?
Authors: Naseem Muhammad Akram , Ali Rizwan , Ur Rehman Ramiz 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the mediating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the link between board independence, board diversity and dividend payouts underpinning the agency theory perspective. As boards are ultimately responsible for decision-making, it includes CSR, dividend payouts and other strategic decisions.

Design/methodology/approach
Board independence and board diversity (female director, female independent director) are used as explanatory variables, CSR scores as a mediator and dividend payout explained variables. The relevant data were collected from 159 listed firms of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) from 2013 to 2019, consisting of 1,113 year-firm observations. For empirical estimation, the study used the Tobit regression analysis and Sobel test to check the significance of the mediation to confirm the hypothesis.

Findings
The results confirm that independence and diversity on the board are positively related to dividend payouts. Further, CSR partially mediates the link between independence and diversity on board-dividend payouts, which confirms the argument that firms with involvement in CSR practices are also associated with dividend payouts.

Research limitations/implications
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is novel to address whether CSR mediates the link of the board’s independence and diversity and dividend payouts in Pakistan’s setting. The results of this study have restricted generalizability due to the specific nature of the sample characteristics; future researchers can extend the research scope.

Practical implications
Theoretically practically, the results imply that CSR spending also enhances the distribution to firms' shareholders, thus becoming attractive to investors. This study enriches the literature on board attributes-dividend policy nexus, which strengthens through CSR practices and is relevant to practice in line with sustainable development in an emerging context.

Originality/value
CSR practices are an understudied but significant factor that links stakeholders' beliefs about firms' decision-making strategies, enhancing dividend announcements. In doing so, this study's findings contribute to the literature, regulators, shareholders and investor at various levels.
Environmental change impacts and inclusive rural tourism development on the livelihoods of native societies: evidence from Musina Municipality, South Africa
Authors: Ramaano Azwindini Isaac 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
This study aims to explore the latent potential of alternative-responsible tourism and ecotourism leadership in sustainable tourism and the sustenance of rural communities in Musina Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It also sought to compare this potential with other African pastoral areas and to integrate it with various rural sites elsewhere abroad.

Design/methodology/approach
Narrative literature, document reviews, interviews and focus group discussions were used to garner relevant data and were analyzed through cross-tabulation analysis and manually. On this account, probable climate change-bound environmental consequences, rural, tourism, farming and ecological administration issues came to the forefront.

Findings
The examination correlates the potential position of proper ecotourism exercises and responsible tourism as an agreeable path to promote sustainability in rural localities. Subsequently, upon apparent countryside products, ecotourism and farming exercises glimpsed in the study area, environmental degradation poses a conceivable hazard to natural resource governance. Hereafter, it aggravates the possibilities for climate change effects and poor subsistence.

Originality/value
The rich biodiversity in the study area provides platforms for sustainable rural tourism enterprises and addresses any pertinent concerns. Thus, the study has manifested a demand for a creative tourism approach and innovations against environmental change outcomes and to capacitate Musina Municipality residents and probably others elsewhere on the continent to engage in ethical tourism initiatives and sustainable livelihoods.
Online impulse buying and cognitive appraisal theory: two countries comparison
Authors: Kursan Milaković Ivana , Ahmad Asad 
Published: August 2023

PurposeWith the rapid growth of the Internet and the wide acceptance of e-commerce, online impulse buying is rising; however, the consumer motivation to buy impulsively within the digital setting calls for continuous exploration. Through the lens of cognitive appraisal theory, the authors aim to explore the relevance of web quality factors (cognitive processes) and hedonism (emotional response) for online impulse buying in the cross-cultural context of India and Croatia. The study also attempts to investigate the varying effects of sales promotion and payment options (cognitive processes) on the relationship between hedonism and online impulse buying.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers in the present study have adapted the refined eTailQ scale along with factors like hedonism, sales promotion and payment options determining impulse buying—the measurement instrument comprised of a highly structured questionnaire covering consumers' attitudes and opinions regarding the explored concepts. A total of 526 responses were generated in the data collection process, wherein 264 were from India and 262 were from Croatia.FindingsThe results reveal that not all web quality determinants affect impulse buying similarly. Web informativeness significantly, but negatively, impacts impulse buying only regarding Croatian consumers, while customer service influences impulse buying in the Indian market. Web layout and privacy do not influence impulse buying. However, besides hedonism's direct impact on impulse buying in both countries, the results show that the influences of web layout and privacy on impulse buying are mediated via hedonism. Given the varying effects, this study shows that, unlike the payment options, only sales promotion represents a significant moderator that enhances the relationship between hedonism and impulse buying in both countries.Originality/valueThis study utilises cognitive appraisal theory to compare the effects in two countries through cognitive appraisals, emotional responses, and situational factors for explaining online impulse buying behaviour. The study also offers practical managerial implications.