bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diel activity patterns of vector mosquito species in the urban environment: Implications for vector control strategies
Authors: Wilke André B. B. , Mhlanga Adequate , Kummer Allisandra G. , Vasquez Chalmers , Moreno Maday , Petrie William D. , Rodriguez Art , Vitek Christopher , Hamer Gabriel L. , Mutebi John-Paul , Ajelli Marco 
Published: August 2022

AbstractFlorida and Texas continue to be afflicted by mosquito-borne disease outbreaks such as dengue and West Nile virus disease and were the most affected states by the Zika outbreak of 2016-2017. Mathematical models have been widely used to study the population dynamics of mosquitoes as well as to test and validate the effectiveness of arbovirus outbreak responses and mosquito control strategies. The objective of this study is to assess the diel activity of mosquitoes in Miami-Dade, Florida and Brownsville, Texas, and to evaluate the effectiveness of simulated adulticide treatments on local mosquito populations. To assess variations in the diel activity patterns, mosquitoes were collected hourly for 96 hours once a month from May through November 2019 in Miami-Dade and Brownsville, Texas. We then performed a PERMANOVA followed by the SIMPER method to assess which species contributed the most to the observed differences. Finally, we used a mathematical model to simulate the population dynamics of 5 mosquito vector species to evaluate the effectiveness of the simulated adulticide applications. A total of 14,502 mosquitoes comprising 17 species were collected in Brownsville and 10,948 mosquitoes comprising 19 species were collected in Miami-Dade. Aedes aegypti was the most common mosquito species collected every hour in both cities and peaking in abundance in the morning and the evening. Our modeling results indicate that the effectiveness of adulticide applications varied greatly depending on the hour of the treatment. Overall, 9 PM was the best time for adulticide applications targeting all mosquito vector species in Miami-Dade and Brownsville. Our results indicate that the timing of adulticide spraying interventions should be carefully considered by local authorities based on the ecology of mosquito species in the focus area.
Altered projection-specific synaptic remodeling and its modification by oxytocin in an idiopathic autism marmoset model
Authors: Noguchi Jun , Watanabe Satoshi , Oga Tomofumi , Isoda Risa , Nakagaki Keiko , Sakai Kazuhisa , Sumida Kayo , Hoshino Kohei , Saito Koichi , Miyawaki Izuru , Sugano Eriko , Tomita Hiroshi , Mizukami Hiroaki , Watakabe Akiya , Yamamori Tetsuo , Ichinohe Noritaka 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTAlterations in the experience-dependent and autonomous elaboration of neural circuits are assumed to underlie autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though it is unclear what synaptic traits are responsible. Here, we used a valproic acid-induced ASD marmoset model, which shares common molecular features with idiopathic ASD, to investigate the structural dynamics of tuft dendrites of upper-layer pyramidal neurons and adjacent axons in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex using two-photon microscopy. In model marmosets, dendritic spine turnover was upregulated, and spines were actively generated in clusters and subsequently survived more often than in control marmosets. Presynaptic boutons in local axons but not in commissural long-range axons showed hyperdynamic turnover in model marmosets, suggesting alterations in projection-specific plasticity. Intriguingly, nasal administration of oxytocin reduced the clustered spine emergence. Enhanced clustered spine generation, possibly unique to certain presynaptic partners, may be associated with ASD and may be a potential therapeutic target.
The rubber tree kinome: genome-wide characterization and insights into coexpression patterns associated with abiotic stress responses
Authors: Santos Lucas Borges dos , Aono Alexandre Hild , Francisco Felipe Roberto , Silva Carla Cristina da , Souza Livia Moura , de Souza Anete Pereira 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe protein kinase (PK) superfamily constitutes one of the largest and most conserved protein families in eukaryotic genomes, comprising core components of signaling pathways in cell regulation. Despite its remarkable relevance, only a few kinase families have been studied inHevea brasiliensis. A comprehensive characterization and global expression analysis of the PK superfamily, however, is currently lacking. In this study, with the aim of providing novel inferences about the mechanisms associated with the stress response developed by PKs and retained throughout evolution, we identified and characterized the entire set of PKs, also known as the kinome, present in the Hevea genome. A total of 1,809 PK genes were identified using the current reference genome assembly at the scaffold level, and 1,379 PK genes were identified using the latest chromosome-level assembly and combined into a single set of 2,842 PKs. These proteins were further classified into 20 different groups and 122 families, exhibiting high compositional similarities among family members and with two phylogenetically close species (Manihot esculentaandRicinus communis). Different RNA-sequencing datasets were employed to identify tissue-specific expression patterns and potential correspondences between different rubber tree genotypes. In addition, coexpression networks under several abiotic stress conditions, such as cold, drought and latex overexploitation, were employed to elucidate associations between families and tissues/stresses. Through the joint investigation of tandemly duplicated kinases, transposable elements, gene expression patterns, and coexpression events, we provided insights into the understanding of the cell regulation mechanisms in response to several conditions, which can often lead to a significant reduction in rubber yield.
Associations between regular cannabis use and brain resting-state functional connectivity in adolescents and adults
Authors: Ertl Natalie , Lawn Will , Mokrysz Claire , Freeman Tom P. , Alnagger Naji , Borissova Anna , Fernandez-Vinson Natalia , Lees Rachel , Ofori Shelan , Petrilli Kat , Trinci Katie , Viding Essi , Curran H. Valerie , Wall Matthew B. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractCannabis use is highly prevalent in adolescents however little is known about its effects on adolescent brain function. Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used in matched groups of cannabis users (N=70, 35 adolescents16-17 years old, 35 adults 26-29 years old) and non-users (N=70, 35 adolescents/35 adults). Pre-registered analyses examined the connectivity of seven major cortical and sub-cortical brain networks (default mode network, executive control network, salience network, hippocampal network, and three striatal networks) using seed-based analysis methods with cross-sectional comparisons between user groups, and age groups. Cannabis users (across both age-groups), relative to controls, showed localised increases in connectivity only in the executive control network analysis. All networks showed localised connectivity differences based on age group, with the adolescents generally showing weaker connectivity than adults; consistent with developmental effects. Mean connectivity across entire network regions of interest (ROIs) was also significantly decreased in the executive control network in adolescents. However, there were no significant interactions found between age-group and user-group in any of the seed-based or ROI analyses. There were also no associations found between cannabis use frequency and any of the derived connectivity measures. Chronic cannabis use is associated with changes to connectivity of the executive control network, which may reflect allostatic or compensatory changes in response to regular cannabis intoxication. However, these associations were not significantly different in adolescents compared to adults.
Virome and nrEVEome diversity of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes from La Reunion Island and China
Authors: Palatini Umberto , Alfano Niccolò , Lejarazu Carballar Rebeca , Chen Xiaoguang , Delatte Helene , Bonizzoni Mariangela 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundAedes albopictus is a public health threat for its worldwide spread and ability to transmit arboviruses. Understanding mechanisms of mosquito immunity can provide new tools to control arbovirus spread. The genomes of Aedes mosquitoes contain hundreads of nonretroviral endogenous viral elements (nrEVEs), which are enriched in piRNA clusters and produce piRNAs, with the potential to target cognate viruses. Recently, one nrEVE was shown to limit cognate viral infection through nrEVE-derived piRNAs. These findings suggest that nrEVEs constitute an archive of past viral infection and that the landscape of viral integrations may be variable across populations depending on their viral exposure.MethodsWe used bioinformatics and molecular approaches to identify known and novel (i.e. absent in the reference genome) viral integrations in the genome of wild collected Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and characterize their virome.ResultsWe showed that the landscape of viral integrations is dynamic with seven novel viral integrations being characterised, but does not correlate with the virome, which includes both viral species known and unknown to infect mosquitoes. However, the small RNA coverage profile of nrEVEs and the viral genomic contigs we identified confimed an interaction among these elements and the piRNA and siRNA pathways in mosquitoes.ConclusionsMosquitoes nrEVEs have been recently descrived as a new form of heritable, sequence-specific mechanism of antiviral immunity. Our results contribute to understanding the dynamic distribution of nrEVEs in the genomes of wild Ae. albopictus and their interaction with mosquito viruses.
Virtual Environments for Research into Social Evolution (VERSE): A novel experimental environment for the study of human social learning
Authors: Easter C. 
Published: August 2022

1.AbstractSocial learning (learning from others) can be a cost-effective way of gaining information compared to asocial (independent) learning. However, learning from others indiscriminately can lead to the acquisition of maladaptive behaviours or outdated information. Evolutionary theory therefore predicts that individuals will use social information adaptively through the use of ‘social learning strategies’. Restrictive laboratory conditions, however, make studying human learning strategies problematic. Abstract tasks, unrealistic sources of social information and methodologies that do not take into account the influence of physical location over large spaces make it difficult to ascertain if previous findings are representative of the way we would use social information in reality. Here I describe a novel platform for studying human social behaviour within immersive virtual environments: “Virtual Environments for Research into Social Evolution” (VERSE). Through the use of gaming technology, VERSE allows researchers to build realistic, three-dimensional, open world environments where participants can complete ecologically relevant tasks while actively observing computer-controlled artificial intelligence agents (AIs) that act as realistic yet controllable sources of social information. This methodological article begins by exploring what social learning strategies are and the problems with studying social learning behaviour in humans (compared to animal populations, for example). I then discuss how gaming technology can be used in behavioural research and follow on with a detailed account of the specific functionalities available in VERSE. I conclude with a worked example of how VERSE can be used to construct a novel behavioural experiment. Altogether, VERSE has great potential to give us insight into how human individuals learn within novel environments in a way that has never before been possible.
Unsupervised, frequent and remote: a novel platform for personalised digital phenotyping of spatial working memory and image recognition in humans
Authors: Bauza Marius , Krstulovic Marino , Krupic Julija 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSpatial working memory and image recognition tests are commonly used to facilitate the diagnosis of hippocampal-related neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease due to their relatively high specificity and sensitivity to damage to the medial temporal lobes compared to standard commonly used clinical tests. Pathological changes in Alzheimer’s disease start years before the formal diagnosis is made, partially due to testing too late. To address this challenge, we developed a novel digital platform, hAge (‘healthy Age’), which integrates double spatial alternation, image recognition and visuospatial tasks for frequent remote unsupervised assessment of spatial and non-spatial working memory. 191 healthy adults (67% females, 18-81 years old) participated in the study. In line with findings using standard laboratory tests, we showed that performance on the spatial alternation task negatively correlated with inter-trial periods and performance levels on image recognition and visuospatial tasks can be controlled by varying image similarity. Importantly, we demonstrated that frequent engagement with the double spatial alternation task leads to a strong practice effect, previously identified as a potential measure of cognitive decline in MCI patients. Finally, we discuss how lifestyle and motivation confounds may present a serious challenge for cognitive assessment in real-world uncontrolled environments.
Cotranscriptional RNA strand displacement underlies the regulatory function of the E. coli thiB TPP translational riboswitch
Authors: Berman Katherine E. , Steans Russell , Hertz Laura M. , Lucks Julius B. 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTRiboswitches are cis-regulatory RNA elements that regulate gene expression in response to ligand through the coordinated action of a ligand-binding aptamer domain (AD) and a downstream expression platform (EP). Previous studies of transcriptional riboswitches have uncovered diverse examples that utilize cotranscriptional strand displacement to mediate the switching mechanism. The coupling of transcription and translation in bacteria motivates the intriguing question as to whether translational riboswitches can utilize the same mechanistic features. Here we investigate this question by studying the Escherichia coli thiB thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) riboswitch. Using cellular gene expression assays, we first confirmed that the riboswitch acts at the level of translational regulation. Deletion mutagenesis showed the importance of the AD-EP linker sequence for riboswitch function, which based on sequence complementarity with the AD P1 stem suggested the possibility of an intermediate structure reminiscent of transcriptional riboswitches that exploit strand displacement. Point mutation analysis of this intermediate structure, followed by designed changes to P1, supported a strand displacement mechanism for E. coli thiB. This work provides an important new example of diverse riboswitch AD-EP combinations that exploit this switching mechanism.
Age, experience, social goals, and engagement with research scientists may promote innovation in ecological restoration
Authors: Mohr Jakki J. , Cummins Tina M. , Floyd Theresa M. , Metcalf Elizabeth Covelli , Callaway Ragan M. , Nelson Cara R. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractInnovation in ecological restoration is necessary in order to achieve the ambitious targets established in United Nations conventions and other global restoration initiatives. Innovation is also crucial for navigating uncertainties in repairing and restoring ecosystems, and thus practitioners often develop innovations at project design and implementation stages. However, innovation in ecological restoration can be hindered by many factors (e.g., time and budget constraints, project complexity, and others). Theory and research on innovation has been formally applied in many fields, yet explicit study of innovation in ecological restoration remains nascent. In order to assess the use of innovation in restoration projects, including its drivers and inhibitors, we conducted a social survey of restoration practitioners in the United States. Specifically, we assessed relationships between project-based innovation and traits of: theindividual practitioner(including, for example, age, gender, experience);company(including, for example, company size and company’s inclusion of social goals);project(including, for example, complexity and uncertainty); andproject outcomes(such as completing the project on time/on budget and personal satisfaction with the work). We found positive relationships between project-based innovation and practitioner traits (age, gender, experience, engagement with research scientists), one company trait (company’s inclusion of social goals in their portfolio), and project traits (project complexity and length). In contrast, two practitioner traits, risk aversion and the use of industry-specific information, were negatively related to project-based innovation. Satisfaction with work outcomes was positively correlated with project-based innovation. Collectively, the results provide insights into the drivers and inhibitors of innovation in restoration and suggest opportunities for research and application.
Progenitor derived glia are required for spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish
Authors: Zhou Lili , McAdow Ryan , Yamada Hunter , Burris Brooke , Shaw Dana Klatt , Oonk Kelsey , Poss Kenneth D. , Mokalled Mayssa H. 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTUnlike mammals, adult zebrafish undergo spontaneous recovery after major spinal cord injury. Whereas reactive gliosis presents a roadblock for mammalian spinal cord repair, glial cells in zebrafish elicit pro-regenerative bridging functions after injury. Here, we perform genetic lineage tracing, assessment of regulatory sequences, and inducible cell ablation to define mechanisms that direct the molecular and cellular responses of glial cells after spinal cord injury in adult zebrafish. Using a newly generated CreERT2 transgenic line, we show that cells that direct expression of the bridging glial marker ctgfa give rise to regenerating glia after injury, with negligible contribution to either neuronal or oligodendrocyte lineages. A 1 kb sequence upstream of the ctgfa gene was sufficient to direct expression in early bridging glia after injury. Finally, ablation of ctgfa-expressing cells using a transgenic nitroreductase strategy impaired glial bridging and recovery of swim behavior after injury. This study identifies key regulatory features, cellular progeny, and requirements of glial cells during innate spinal cord regeneration.
SHIFTS IN THE CONFLICT-COEXISTENCE CONTINUUM: EXPLORING SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF HUMAN-ELEPHANT INTERACTIONS
Authors: Malley Grace S. , Gorenflo L.J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn Morogoro Region of south-central Tanzania, loss of crops and safety concerns due to elephants compromises livelihoods in many rural communities relying on subsistence agriculture. Using a social-ecological system framework to examine conflict-coexistence between people and elephants, this paper explores drivers that influence human-elephant interaction and subsistence farmer attitudes towards elephants in 10 villages from three different districts. Surveys and interviews document experiences interacting with elephants along with direct and indirect costs incurred in sharing the landscape, revealing different tolerance levels by residents of subject communities towards elephants that have important implications for elephant conservation. Rather than uniformly negative beliefs about elephants, analyses reveal that over the past decade a shift has occurred from largely favorable to unfavorable. The variables influencing attitudes included amounts of crops lost to elephants, perceived benefits from elephants, amounts of crops lost to other causes, perceived trend of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in the past three decades and level of education. Villager tolerance varied by level of income, perception on how the community coexists with elephants, amounts of crops lost to elephants and compensation. The study contributes to understanding how HEC is affecting the relationship between people and elephants, revealing a shift in the conflict-coexistence continuum from positive to broadly negative and identifying characteristics underlying varying tolerance towards elephants in different communities. Rather than a static condition, HEC emerges under specific conditions at particular times and places through varying, uneven interactions between rural villagers and elephants. In communities vulnerable to food insecurity, such conflict exacerbates existing problems of poverty, social inequality, and feelings of oppression. Addressing the causes of HEC, when possible, will be essential to elephant conservation as well as to improving the wellbeing of rural villagers.
A phased, chromosome-scale genome of ‘Honeycrisp’ apple (Malus domestica)
Authors: Khan Awais , Carey Sarah B. , Serrano Alicia , Zhang Huiting , Hargarten Heidi , Hale Haley , Harkess Alex , Honaas Loren 
Published: August 2022

Abstract‘Honeycrisp’ is one of the most valuable apple cultivars grown in the United States and a popular breeding parent due to its superior fruit quality traits, high levels of cold hardiness, and disease resistance. However, it suffers from a number of physiological disorders and is susceptible to production and postharvest issues. Although several apple genomes have been sequenced in the last decade, there is still a substantial knowledge gap in understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying cultivar-specific traits. Here we present a fully phased, chromosome-level genome of ‘Honeycrisp’ apples, using PacBio HiFi, Omni-C, and Illumina sequencing platforms. Our genome assembly is by far the most contiguous among all the apple genomes. The sizes of the two assembled haplomes are 674 Mb and 660 Mb, with contig N50s of 32.8 Mb and 31.6 Mb, respectively. In total, 47,563 and 48,655 protein coding genes were annotated from each haplome, capturing 96.8-97.4% complete BUSCOs in the eudicot database, the most complete among all Malus annotations. A gene family analysis using seven Malus genomes shows that a vast majority of ‘Honeycrisp’ genes are assigned into orthogroups shared with other genomes, but it also reveals 121 ‘Honeycrisp’-specific orthogroups. We provide a valuable resource for understanding the genetic basis of horticulturally important traits in apples and other related tree fruit species, including at-harvest and postharvest fruit quality, abiotic stress tolerance, and disease resistance, all of which can enhance breeding efforts in Rosaceae.