1
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Pomreinke AP, Müller P. Zebrafish nampt-a mutants are viable despite perturbed primitive hematopoiesis. Hereditas 2024; 161:14. [PMID: 38685093 PMCID: PMC11057069 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-024-00318-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) is required for recycling NAD+ in numerous cellular contexts. Morpholino-based knockdown of zebrafish nampt-a has been shown to cause abnormal development and defective hematopoiesis concomitant with decreased NAD+ levels. However, surprisingly, nampt-a mutant zebrafish were recently found to be viable, suggesting a discrepancy between the phenotypes in knockdown and knockout conditions. Here, we address this discrepancy by directly comparing loss-of-function approaches that result in identical defective transcripts in morphants and mutants. RESULTS Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis, we generated nampt-a mutant lines that carry the same mis-spliced mRNA as nampt-a morphants. Despite reduced NAD+ levels and perturbed expression of specific blood markers, nampt-a mutants did not display obvious developmental defects and were found to be viable. In contrast, injection of nampt-a morpholinos into wild-type or mutant nampt-a embryos caused aberrant phenotypes. Moreover, nampt-a morpholinos caused additional reduction of blood-related markers in nampt-a mutants, suggesting that the defects observed in nampt-a morphants can be partially attributed to off-target effects of the morpholinos. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that zebrafish nampt-a mutants are viable despite reduced NAD+ levels and a perturbed hematopoietic gene expression program, indicating strong robustness of primitive hematopoiesis during early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn Penecilla Pomreinke
- Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany
- University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Patrick Müller
- Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany.
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
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2
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Ben Mocha Y, Frisoni F, Keynan O, Griesser M. Proto-tool use for food processing in wild Arabian babblers: matching processing methods, substrates and prey types. Anim Cogn 2024; 27:35. [PMID: 38656554 PMCID: PMC11043207 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-024-01866-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cognition is a powerful adaptation, enabling animals to utilise resources that are unavailable without manipulation. Tool use and food processing are examples of using cognition to overcome the protective mechanisms of food resources. Here, we describe and examine the flexibility of proto-tool use (defined as the alteration of an object through object-substrate manipulation) for food processing in a cooperatively breeding bird, the Arabian babbler (Argya squamiceps). Field observations demonstrate that the birds transport different caterpillar species to different substrate types depending on the processing method needed to prepare the caterpillar for eating. Species with toxic setae (e.g. Casama innotata) are transported to be rubbed on rough substrates (e.g. sand) before consumption, while other species (e.g. Hyles livornica) are transported to be pounded against hard substrates until their inner organs are removed and only their external body part is consumed. These results are among the few to describe flexible proto-tool use for food processing in wild animals. They thereby contribute to the taxonomic mapping of proto-tool use and food processing in non-human species, which is a fundamental step to advance comparative studies on the evolution of these behaviours and their underlying cognitive mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitzchak Ben Mocha
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Francesca Frisoni
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Oded Keynan
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Hazeva, Israel
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev-Eilat Campus, Eilat, Israel
| | - Michael Griesser
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
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3
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Luciano F, Ruggiero L, Minetti AE, Pavei G. The work to swing limbs in humans versus chimpanzees and its relation to the metabolic cost of walking. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8970. [PMID: 38637567 PMCID: PMC11026468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59171-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Compared to their closest ape relatives, humans walk bipedally with lower metabolic cost (C) and less mechanical work to move their body center of mass (external mechanical work, WEXT). However, differences in WEXT are not large enough to explain the observed lower C: humans may also do less work to move limbs relative to their body center of mass (internal kinetic mechanical work, WINT,k). From published data, we estimated differences in WINT,k, total mechanical work (WTOT), and efficiency between humans and chimpanzees walking bipedally. Estimated WINT,k is ~ 60% lower in humans due to changes in limb mass distribution, lower stride frequency and duty factor. When summing WINT,k to WEXT, between-species differences in efficiency are smaller than those in C; variations in WTOT correlate with between-species, but not within-species, differences in C. These results partially support the hypothesis that the low cost of human walking is due to the concerted low WINT,k and WEXT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Luciano
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Ruggiero
- Human Performance Research Centre, Department of Sports Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Alberto E Minetti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaspare Pavei
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
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4
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Bentele UU, Klink ESC, Benz ABE, Meier M, Gaertner RJ, Denk BF, Dimitroff SJ, Unternaehrer E, Pruessner JC. The effect of cognitive reappraisal and early-life maternal care on neuroendocrine stress responses. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6837. [PMID: 38514744 PMCID: PMC10957921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57106-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA) is related to profound dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reflected in both, blunted or exaggerated cortisol stress responses in adulthood. Emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal might contribute to this inconsistent finding. Here, we investigate an interaction of early-life maternal care (MC), where low MC represents a form of ELA, and instructed emotion regulation on cortisol responses to acute stress. Ninety-three healthy young women were assigned to a low (n = 33) or high (n = 60) MC group, based on self-reported early-life MC. In the laboratory, participants received regulation instructions, asking to cognitively reappraise (reappraisal group, n = 45) or to focus on senses (control group, n = 48) during subsequent stress exposure, induced by the Trier Social Stress Test. Salivary cortisol and subjective stress levels were measured repeatedly throughout the experiment. Multilevel model analyses confirmed a MC by emotion regulation interaction effect on cortisol trajectories, while controlling for hormonal status. Individuals with low MC in the control compared with the reappraisal group showed increased cortisol responses; individuals with high MC did not differ. These results highlight the significance of emotion regulation for HPA axis stress regulation following ELA exposure. They provide methodological and health implications, indicating emotion regulation as a promising target of treatment interventions for individuals with a history of ELA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike U Bentele
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany.
| | - Elea S C Klink
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Annika B E Benz
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Maria Meier
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Child- and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raphaela J Gaertner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Bernadette F Denk
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | | | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Child- and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
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5
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Colangelo P, Di Civita M, Bento CM, Franchini P, Meyer A, Orel N, das Neves LCBG, Mulandane FC, Almeida JS, Senczuk G, Pilla F, Sabatelli S. Genome-wide diversity, population structure and signatures of inbreeding in the African buffalo in Mozambique. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:29. [PMID: 38433185 PMCID: PMC10910738 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02209-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The African buffalo, Syncerus caffer, is a key species in African ecosystems. Like other large herbivores, it plays a fundamental role in its habitat acting as an ecosystem engineer. Over the last few centuries, African buffalo populations have declined because of range contraction and demographic decline caused by direct or indirect human activities. In Mozambique, historically home to large buffalo herds, the combined effect of colonialism and subsequent civil wars has created a critical situation that urgently needs to be addressed. In this study, we focused on the analysis of genetic diversity of Syncerus caffer caffer populations from six areas of Mozambique. Using genome-wide SNPs obtained from ddRAD sequencing, we examined the population structure across the country, estimated gene flow between areas under conservation management, including national reserves, and assessed the inbreeding coefficients. Our results indicate that all studied populations of Syncerus caffer caffer are genetically depauperate, with a high level of inbreeding. Moreover, buffaloes in Mozambique present a significant population differentiation between southern and central areas. We found an unexpected genotype in the Gorongosa National Park, where buffaloes experienced a dramatic population size reduction, that shares a common ancestry with southern populations of Catuane and Namaacha. This could suggest the past occurrence of a connection between southern and central Mozambique and that the observed population structuring could reflect recent events of anthropogenic origin. All the populations analysed showed high levels of homozygosity, likely due to extensive inbreeding over the last few decades, which could have increased the frequency of recessive deleterious alleles. Improving the resilience of Syncerus caffer caffer in Mozambique is essential for preserving the ecosystem integrity. The most viable approach appears to be facilitating translocations and re-establishing connectivity between isolated herds. However, our results also highlight the importance of assessing intraspecific genetic diversity when considering interventions aimed at enhancing population viability such as selecting suitable source populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Colangelo
- National Research Council, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Montelibretti (Roma), Italy
| | - Marika Di Civita
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Viale dell'Università 32, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Carlos M Bento
- Natural History Museum, Eduardo Mondlane University, Travessia do Zambeze 104, 1100, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Paolo Franchini
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viale dell'Università s.n.c, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Axel Meyer
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Nadiya Orel
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Luis C B G das Neves
- Biotechnology Centre of Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Gabriele Senczuk
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Fabio Pilla
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Simone Sabatelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Viale dell'Università 32, 00185, Roma, Italy
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6
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Bollenbach L, Niermann C, Schmitz J, Kanning M. Social participation in the city: exploring the moderating effect of walkability on the associations between active mobility, neighborhood perceptions, and social activities in urban adults. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2450. [PMID: 38062419 PMCID: PMC10701942 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17366-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Living in urban environments is associated with several health risks (e.g., noise, and air pollution). However, there are also beneficial aspects such as various opportunities for social activities, which might increase levels of social participation and (physically) active mobility that in turn have positive effects on health and well-being. However, how aspects of the environment, active mobility, and social participation are associated is not well established. This study investigates the moderating effect of low vs. high walkability neighborhoods on the associations between active mobility, and social participation and integrates individuals' subjective perception of the neighborhood environment they are living in. METHODS Cross-sectional data from 219 adults (48% female, mean age = 46 ± 3.8 years) from 12 urban neighborhoods (six low, six high walkability) were analyzed: First, social participation, active mobility, and subjective neighborhood perceptions were compared between people living in a low vs. high walkability neighborhood via t-tests. Second, multigroup path analyses were computed to explore potential differences in the associations between these variables in low vs. high walkability neighborhoods. RESULTS Social participation, active mobility, and subjective neighborhood perceptions didn't differ in low vs. high walkability neighborhoods (p: 0.37 - 0.71). Active mobility and subjective neighborhood perceptions were significantly stronger related to social participation in low vs. high walkability neighborhoods (active mobility in low: ß = 0.35, p < .01 vs. high: ß = 0.09, p = .36; subjective neighborhood perceptions in low: ß = 0.27, p < .01 vs. high: ß = 0.15, p = .18). CONCLUSIONS Despite living in neighborhoods with objectively different walkability, participants rated social participation and active mobility equally and perceived their neighborhoods similarly. However, zooming into the interrelations of these variables reveals that social participation of residents from low walkability neighborhoods depends stronger on active mobility and perceiving the environment positively. Positive perceptions of the environment and active mobility might buffer the objectively worse walkability. Future research should focus on underlying mechanisms and determinants of subjective neighborhood perceptions and active mobility, especially in low walkability neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Bollenbach
- Department of Social and Health Sciences in Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Christina Niermann
- Department of Social and Health Sciences in Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Schmitz
- Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development gGmbH, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Martina Kanning
- Department of Social and Health Sciences in Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
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7
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Fleming JR, Müller I, Zacharchenko T, Diederichs K, Mayans O. Molecular insights into titin's A-band. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2023; 44:255-270. [PMID: 37258982 PMCID: PMC10665226 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-023-09649-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The thick filament-associated A-band region of titin is a highly repetitive component of the titin chain with important scaffolding properties that support thick filament assembly. It also has a demonstrated link to human disease. Despite its functional significance, it remains a largely uncharacterized part of the titin protein. Here, we have performed an analysis of sequence and structure conservation of A-band titin, with emphasis on poly-FnIII tandem components. Specifically, we have applied multi-dimensional sequence pairwise similarity analysis to FnIII domains and complemented this with the crystallographic elucidation of the 3D-structure of the FnIII-triplet A84-A86 from the fourth long super-repeat in the C-zone (C4). Structural models serve here as templates to map sequence conservation onto super-repeat C4, which we show is a prototypical representative of titin's C-zone. This templating identifies positionally conserved residue clusters in C super-repeats with the potential of mediating interactions to thick-filament components. Conservation localizes to two super-repeat positions: Ig domains in position 1 and FnIII domains in position 7. The analysis also allows conclusions to be drawn on the conserved architecture of titin's A-band, as well as revisiting and expanding the evolutionary model of titin's A-band.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iljas Müller
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Zacharchenko
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kay Diederichs
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Olga Mayans
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
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8
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Varghese N, Buergin D, Boonmann C, Stadler C, Schmid M, Eckert A, Unternaehrer E. Interplay between stress, sleep, and BDNF in a high-risk sample of young adults. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20524. [PMID: 37993570 PMCID: PMC10665413 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47726-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Children in institutional care have a high risk to experience childhood adversities (CAs), with consequences for physical and mental well-being. The long-term effects of CAs on the brain, including consequences for neuronal plasticity and sleep, are poorly understood. This study examined the interplay between stress (including CAs), sleep, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a prominent marker for neuronal plasticity. Participants (N = 131, mean age = 26.3±3.4 years, 40 females) with residential youth-care history completed questionnaires measuring CAs (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, CTQ), psychological well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index, WHO-5), and sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, PSQI). Hair cortisol and serum BDNF concentration were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The analyses were conducted by using bootstrap regression models. There was no association of stress parameters or sleep with BDNF concentration. However, we found a significant association of CAs and well-being with sleep disturbances. Last, we found an association between CAs and BDNF in sleep-healthy but not sleep-disturbed participants. Our findings indicated a role of sleep disturbance in the association between stress and BDNF. Still, further studies are warranted using vulnerable groups at-risk to understand long-term effects on mental health and sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimmy Varghese
- Research Cluster, Molecular & Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Neurobiology, University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Medical Faculty, Psychiatric University Clinics Basel, University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Buergin
- Child and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cyril Boonmann
- Child and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- LUMC-Curium - Department of Child of Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christina Stadler
- Child and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Schmid
- Child and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Eckert
- Research Cluster, Molecular & Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Neurobiology, University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Medical Faculty, Psychiatric University Clinics Basel, University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Child and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
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9
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Aroyehun ST, Malik L, Metzler H, Haimerl N, Di Natale A, Garcia D. LEIA: Linguistic Embeddings for the Identification of Affect. EPJ Data Sci 2023; 12:52. [PMID: 38020476 PMCID: PMC10654159 DOI: 10.1140/epjds/s13688-023-00427-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The wealth of text data generated by social media has enabled new kinds of analysis of emotions with language models. These models are often trained on small and costly datasets of text annotations produced by readers who guess the emotions expressed by others in social media posts. This affects the quality of emotion identification methods due to training data size limitations and noise in the production of labels used in model development. We present LEIA, a model for emotion identification in text that has been trained on a dataset of more than 6 million posts with self-annotated emotion labels for happiness, affection, sadness, anger, and fear. LEIA is based on a word masking method that enhances the learning of emotion words during model pre-training. LEIA achieves macro-F1 values of approximately 73 on three in-domain test datasets, outperforming other supervised and unsupervised methods in a strong benchmark that shows that LEIA generalizes across posts, users, and time periods. We further perform an out-of-domain evaluation on five different datasets of social media and other sources, showing LEIA's robust performance across media, data collection methods, and annotation schemes. Our results show that LEIA generalizes its classification of anger, happiness, and sadness beyond the domain it was trained on. LEIA can be applied in future research to provide better identification of emotions in text from the perspective of the writer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segun Taofeek Aroyehun
- Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Lukas Malik
- Complexity Science Hub, Vienna, Austria
- Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Hannah Metzler
- Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Complexity Science Hub, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Anna Di Natale
- Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Complexity Science Hub, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Garcia
- Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Complexity Science Hub, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Bogatzki L, Miredin J, Millet S, Lipinski L, Molle M, Rockstroh B, Mier D, Odenwald M. [The Konstanz model project for refugees with mental disorders : Coordinated psychotherapeutic treatment involving trained peer support (KOBEG)]. Nervenarzt 2023; 94:1026-1033. [PMID: 37676294 PMCID: PMC10620279 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-023-01524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Refugees with mental disorders are confronted with access barriers to the psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care system. In order to counter these barriers, a model project to support the health care and integration of mentally distressed refugees was established in the district of Konstanz (coordinated psychotherapeutic treatment involving trained peer support; KOBEG) and evaluated in an initial 3‑year model phase. A coordination center refers the patients to local certified psychotherapists. Language and culturally sensitive trained mentors (peers) support and accompany the refugees during the therapy. The utilization of the refered therapy and the experiences of the participating therapists serve as indicators for the effectiveness of the peer-supported therapy referral. The effectiveness of therapeutic measures and support by trained peers was evaluated on the basis of the psychological symptom burden (symptom checklist 27) and functional impairment (work and social adjustment scale) before and after an average of 10 months of project participation. The study focuses on the refugees (use of services and mental distress) and the psychotherapists (reported experiences). Initial results showed an above-average stress level among the refugees at the time of the initial interview, a high participation rate and a low drop-out rate. The follow-up survey showed significant improvements in terms of psychological symptom burden as well as functional impairments. The (qualitative) survey among psychotherapists underlines the effectiveness of KOBEG, 93% of the therapists intend to continue working with refugees within the framework of the project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Bogatzki
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland.
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland.
| | - Julia Miredin
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
| | | | | | | | - Brigitte Rockstroh
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
| | - Daniela Mier
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
| | - Michael Odenwald
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
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Tomasek M, Stark M, Dufour V, Jordan A. Cognitive flexibility in a Tanganyikan bower-building cichlid, Aulonocranus dewindti. Anim Cogn 2023; 26:1959-1971. [PMID: 37851187 PMCID: PMC10770232 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-023-01830-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive flexibility, the ability to modify one's decision rules to adapt to a new situation, has been extensively studied in many species. In fish, though, data on cognitive flexibility are scarce, especially in the wild. We studied a lekking species of cichlid fish in Lake Tanganyika, Aulonocranus dewindti. Males create sand bowers as spawning sites and maintain them by removing any objects falling into it. In the first part of our experiment, we investigated the existence of spontaneous decision rules for the maintenance of the bowers. We showed that if a snail shell and a stone are placed in their bower, fish prefer to remove the shell first. In the second phase of our experiment, we took advantage of this spontaneous decision rule to investigate whether this rule was flexible. We tested five individuals in a choice against preference task, in which the fish had to modify their preference rule and remove the stone first to be allowed to then remove the shell and have a clean bower. While there was no overall trend towards flexibility in this task, there was variation at an individual level. Some individuals increased their preference for removing the shell first, deciding quickly and with little exploration of the objects. Others were more successful at choosing against preference and showed behaviours suggesting self-regulatory inhibition abilities. Bower-building cichlids could therefore be a promising model to study cognitive flexibility, and other aspects of animal cognition in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlan Tomasek
- Cognitive and Social Ethology Team, UMR 7247, PRC, BAT 40, Campus CNRS, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, 23 Rue de Loess, 67037, Strasbourg, France.
- University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, 78467, Constance, Germany.
| | - Midori Stark
- University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, 78467, Constance, Germany
| | - Valérie Dufour
- Cognitive and Social Ethology Team, UMR 7247, PRC, BAT 40, Campus CNRS, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, 23 Rue de Loess, 67037, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alex Jordan
- University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, 78467, Constance, Germany
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12
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Speißer B, van Kleunen M. Plants forage for soil patches free of plastic pollution but cannot bag the profits. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18506. [PMID: 37898611 PMCID: PMC10613303 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45662-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics can affect their surroundings physically and chemically, resulting in diverse effects on plant-soil systems. Similar to other substances (e.g. nutrients and water), microplastics in the environment occur in patches. Such heterogeneous distributions could affect plant responses to plastic pollution. Yet, this has remained untested. We conducted a multispecies experiment including 29 herbaceous plant species and three different microplastic treatments (a control without microplastics, a homogeneous and a heterogeneous microplastic distribution). Based on biomass and root-morphological traits, we assessed how different plastic distributions affect the performance and root-foraging behavior of plants, and whether stronger root foraging is beneficial when microplastics are distributed patchily. Next to general effects on plant productivity and root morphology, we found very strong evidence for root-foraging responses to patchy plastic distributions, with a clear preference for plastic-free patches, resulting in 25% longer roots and 20% more root biomass in the plastic-free patches. Interestingly, however, these foraging responses were correlated with a reduced plant performance, indicating that the benefits of plastic avoidance did not compensate for the associated investments. Our results provide new insights in plant-microplastic interactions and suggest that plants might not just be passively affected by but could also actively respond to environmental plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Speißer
- Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany.
| | - Mark van Kleunen
- Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China
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13
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Krishna Kumar K, Caspers J, Ginot F, Krüger M, Bechinger C. Memory-induced alignment of colloidal dumbbells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17409. [PMID: 37833487 PMCID: PMC10575873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44547-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
When a colloidal probe is forced through a viscoelastic fluid which is characterized by a long stress-relaxation time, the fluid is excited out of equilibrium. This is leading to a number of interesting effects including a non-trivial recoil of the probe when the driving force is removed. Here, we experimentally and theoretically investigate the transient recoil dynamics of non-spherical particles, i.e., colloidal dumbbells. In addition to a translational recoil of the dumbbells, we also find a pronounced angular reorientation which results from the relaxation of the surrounding fluid. Our findings are in good agreement with a Langevin description based on the symmetries of a director (dumbbell) as well as a microscopic bath-rod model. Remarkably, we find an instability with amplified fluctuations when the dumbbell is oriented perpendicular to the direction of driving. Our results demonstrate the complex behavior of non-spherical objects within a relaxing environment which are of immediate interest for the motion of externally but also self-driven asymmetric objects in viscoelastic fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliana Caspers
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, 37073, Germany
| | - Félix Ginot
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, 78457, Germany
| | - Matthias Krüger
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, 37073, Germany
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14
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Löffler RC, Panizon E, Bechinger C. Collective foraging of active particles trained by reinforcement learning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17055. [PMID: 37816879 PMCID: PMC10564893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44268-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Collective self-organization of animal groups is a recurring phenomenon in nature which has attracted a lot of attention in natural and social sciences. To understand how collective motion can be achieved without the presence of an external control, social interactions have been considered which regulate the motion and orientation of neighbors relative to each other. Here, we want to understand the motivation and possible reasons behind the emergence of such interaction rules using an experimental model system of light-responsive active colloidal particles (APs). Via reinforcement learning (RL), the motion of particles is optimized regarding their foraging behavior in presence of randomly appearing food sources. Although RL maximizes the rewards of single APs, we observe the emergence of collective behaviors within the particle group. The advantage of such collective strategy in context of foraging is to compensate lack of local information which strongly increases the robustness of the resulting policy. Our results demonstrate that collective behavior may not only result on the optimization of behaviors on the group level but may also arise from maximizing the benefit of individuals. Apart from a better understanding of collective behaviors in natural systems, these results may also be useful in context of the design of autonomous robotic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Löffler
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Emanuele Panizon
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Strada Costiera 11, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Clemens Bechinger
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, Universität Konstanz, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.
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15
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Kays R, Hirsch B, Caillaud D, Mares R, Alavi S, Havmøller RW, Crofoot M. Multi-scale movement syndromes for comparative analyses of animal movement patterns. Mov Ecol 2023; 11:61. [PMID: 37794525 PMCID: PMC10552421 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-022-00365-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal movement is a behavioral trait shaped by the need to find food and suitable habitat, avoid predators, and reproduce. Using high-resolution tracking data, it is possible to describe movement in greater detail than ever before, which has led to many discoveries about the behavioral strategies of particular species. Recently, enough data been become available to enable a comparative approach, which has the potential to uncover general causes and consequences of variation in movement patterns, but which must be scale specific. METHODS Here we introduce a new multi-scale movement syndrome (MSMS) framework for describing and comparing animal movements and use it to explore the behavior of four sympatric mammals. MSMS incorporates four hierarchical scales of animal movement: (1) fine-scale movement steps which accumulate into (2) daily paths which then, over weeks or months, form a (3) life-history phase. Finally, (4) the lifetime track of an individual consists of multiple life-history phases connected by dispersal or migration events. We suggest a series of metrics to describe patterns of movement at each of these scales and use the first three scales of this framework to compare the movement of 46 animals from four frugivorous mammal species. RESULTS While subtle differences exist between the four species in their step-level movements, they cluster into three distinct movement syndromes in both path- and life-history phase level analyses. Differences in feeding ecology were a better predictor of movement patterns than a species' locomotory or sensory adaptations. CONCLUSIONS Given the role these species play as seed dispersers, these movement syndromes could have important ecosystem implications by affecting the pattern of seed deposition. This multiscale approach provides a hierarchical framework for comparing animal movement for addressing ecological and evolutionary questions. It parallels scales of analyses for resource selection functions, offering the potential to connect movement process with emergent patterns of space use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Kays
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama.
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Ben Hirsch
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Damien Caillaud
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rafael Mares
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Shauhin Alavi
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Constance, Germany
| | - Rasmus Worsøe Havmøller
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Constance, Germany
- Research and Collections, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Margaret Crofoot
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama.
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Constance, Germany.
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.
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16
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Stengele P, Lüders A, Nielaba P. Capture and transport of rod-shaped cargo via programmable active particles. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15071. [PMID: 37699952 PMCID: PMC10497632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42119-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We study the influence of the cargo shape on the capture and transport process of colloidal rods via swarms of active particles using Brownian dynamics simulations. Starting at random initial conditions, active particles that interact via the Lennard-Jones potential and possess a tuneable speed are utilised to capture passive rods inside a hexagonal cage of individually addressable units. By adjusting the velocity of the individual active particles, the rod can then be transported. To guarantee a successful capture process (with a strong localisation), we find that specific geometric and energetic constraints have to be met; i.e., the length of the rod must approximately be in the vicinity of an odd multiple of the lattice constant of the hexagonal cage, and the Lennard-Jones interaction strength must be in the range of [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. If the cargo aspect ratio gets too large, the subsequent transport of successfully captured rods can fail. For systems where transport is possible, an increase in the cargo aspect ratio decreases the achievable transport velocity. Our work shows that the particle shape must be considered while designing interaction rules to accomplish specific tasks via groups of controllable units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Stengele
- Statistical and Computational Physics, Department of Physics, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Anton Lüders
- Statistical and Computational Physics, Department of Physics, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Peter Nielaba
- Statistical and Computational Physics, Department of Physics, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
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17
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Fiesinger A, Held C, Melzner F, Putchim L, Reusch TBH, Schmidt AL, Wall M. Population genetic differentiation of the ubiquitous brooding coral Pocillopora acuta along Phuket Island reefs in the Andaman Sea, Thailand. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:42. [PMID: 37626296 PMCID: PMC10464487 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02153-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The widespread Indo-Pacific coral species Pocillopora acuta Lamarck, 1816 displays varying levels of asexual versus sexual reproduction, with strong repercussions on genetic diversity, connectivity and genetic structuring within and among populations. For many geographic regions, baseline information on genetic diversity is still lacking, particularly in the Andaman Sea. The region suffered a massive heat-induced bleaching event in 2010 with high coral cover loss of branching coral species such as P. acuta. A subsequent bleaching in 2016, however, revealed a mild bleaching response in pocilloporids compared to other coral taxa in the region, suggesting that rare, heat tolerant genotypes had been selected by the 2010 bleaching event. In order to test whether this potential 'evolutionary rescue' event has led to a low genetic diversity, we conducted a population genetic survey covering a total of nine different P. acuta populations (336 individuals) along a 50 km coastal stretch around Phuket Island, Thailand. We used six microsatellite markers to assess genotypic diversity and to determine the prevalent mode of reproduction (i.e. sexual or asexual recruitment). RESULTS In contrast to other Indian Ocean P. acuta populations, the majority of corals in this study adopted a sexual reproduction mode (75% across all populations). At the same time, substantial regional gene flow was observed around Phuket Island with strong genetic differentiation as indicated by three genetic clusters that were separated by only a few kilometers. Patterns of isolation by distance over 0.7 - 40 km suggest small-scale genetic barriers, such as changing currents throughout each monsoonal season, potentially contributing to locally restricted dispersal of P. acuta larvae. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of distinct genetic clusters within short coastal stretches suggests that the 2010 bleaching event has not led to extreme genetic impoverishment. While more in-depth genomic analyses are necessary to investigate changes in genetic diversity following extreme bleaching events, our results will help guide conservation efforts to maintain genetic diversity of a coral species that likely will be dominant in future, warmer Andaman Sea reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fiesinger
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Research Unit Experimental Ecology - Benthic Ecology, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany.
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, Konstanz, 78464, Germany.
| | - Christoph Held
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, 27570, Germany
| | - Frank Melzner
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Research Unit Experimental Ecology - Benthic Ecology, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lalita Putchim
- Phuket Marine Biological Centre, Wichit, Phuket, Mueang Phukt District, 83000, Thailand
| | - Thorsten B H Reusch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Research Unit Marine Evolutionary Ecoloy, Wischhofstraße 1-3, Kiel, 24148, Germany
| | - Andrea L Schmidt
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Research Unit Experimental Ecology - Benthic Ecology, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Marlene Wall
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Research Unit Experimental Ecology - Benthic Ecology, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany.
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, 27570, Germany.
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18
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Gradwohl N, Strandburg-Peshkin A, Giese H. Humans strategically avoid connecting to others who agree and avert the emergence of network polarization in a coordination task. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11299. [PMID: 37438426 PMCID: PMC10338681 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38353-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Clusters of like-minded individuals can impede consensus in group decision-making. We implemented an online color coordination task to investigate whether control over communication links creates clusters impeding group consensus. In 244 6-member networks, individuals were incentivized to reach a consensus by agreeing on a color, but had conflicting incentives for which color to choose. We varied (1) if communication links were static, changed randomly over time, or were player-controlled; (2) whether links determined who was observed or addressed; and (3) whether a majority existed or equally many individuals preferred each color. We found that individuals preferentially selected links to previously unobserved and disagreeing others, avoiding links with agreeing others. This prevented cluster formation, sped up consensus formation rather than impeding it, and increased the probability that the group agreed on the majority incentive. Overall, participants with a consensus goal avoided clusters by applying strategies that resolved uncertainty about others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Gradwohl
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin
- Biology Department, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Helge Giese
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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19
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Suciu I, Pamies D, Peruzzo R, Wirtz PH, Smirnova L, Pallocca G, Hauck C, Cronin MTD, Hengstler JG, Brunner T, Hartung T, Amelio I, Leist M. G × E interactions as a basis for toxicological uncertainty. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2035-2049. [PMID: 37258688 PMCID: PMC10256652 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03500-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
To transfer toxicological findings from model systems, e.g. animals, to humans, standardized safety factors are applied to account for intra-species and inter-species variabilities. An alternative approach would be to measure and model the actual compound-specific uncertainties. This biological concept assumes that all observed toxicities depend not only on the exposure situation (environment = E), but also on the genetic (G) background of the model (G × E). As a quantitative discipline, toxicology needs to move beyond merely qualitative G × E concepts. Research programs are required that determine the major biological variabilities affecting toxicity and categorize their relative weights and contributions. In a complementary approach, detailed case studies need to explore the role of genetic backgrounds in the adverse effects of defined chemicals. In addition, current understanding of the selection and propagation of adverse outcome pathways (AOP) in different biological environments is very limited. To improve understanding, a particular focus is required on modulatory and counter-regulatory steps. For quantitative approaches to address uncertainties, the concept of "genetic" influence needs a more precise definition. What is usually meant by this term in the context of G × E are the protein functions encoded by the genes. Besides the gene sequence, the regulation of the gene expression and function should also be accounted for. The widened concept of past and present "gene expression" influences is summarized here as Ge. Also, the concept of "environment" needs some re-consideration in situations where exposure timing (Et) is pivotal: prolonged or repeated exposure to the insult (chemical, physical, life style) affects Ge. This implies that it changes the model system. The interaction of Ge with Et might be denoted as Ge × Et. We provide here general explanations and specific examples for this concept and show how it could be applied in the context of New Approach Methodologies (NAM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilinca Suciu
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated By the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - David Pamies
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lausanne, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roberta Peruzzo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Petra H Wirtz
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
- Biological Work and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Lena Smirnova
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Christof Hauck
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Mark T D Cronin
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thomas Brunner
- Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- CAAT Europe, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Ivano Amelio
- Division for Systems Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated By the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany.
- CAAT Europe, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany.
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20
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Kwaschik A. "We Witches." Knowledge Wars, Experience and Spirituality in the Women's Movement During the 1970s. NTM 2023; 31:171-199. [PMID: 37222765 PMCID: PMC10271903 DOI: 10.1007/s00048-023-00359-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
During the 1970s, feminist activists reappropriated the figure of the witch in various ways as a symbol of alterity, political radicalism, feminist revolt or victimhood, or the presentation of subversive (healing or bodily) knowledge. The article investigates these witch constructions with a focus on its experiential foundations drawing on appropriations in Western Germany within a larger transatlantic history. First, it provides a brief overview of witch discourses in the 1970s, highlighting radical feminist, health-political and artistic milieus, based on representative Western European journals and movement literature. The article emphasizes the variety of witch images and its epistemic foci, showing that however different these approaches may appear, they all created women's alterity. Second, the article examines alternative practices of knowledge production, focusing on health guides and advice literature, as well as on approaches to experience in consciousness-raising groups. This section demonstrates how witch discourses both enabled the movement's knowledge empowerment, but were also part of complex boundary work within the milieus, such as in the debates about the relationship between experiential knowledge and theory. The last section shows how closely and in what ways spiritualist approaches were linked to this boundary work. The article argues that feminist milieus constituted themselves within the framework of feminist epistemologies against and within established knowledge cultures, thereby drawing further boundaries within the movement. In analyzing the "evidence of experience" (Scott) produced by witch discourses its overarching aim is to demonstrate that their historical relevance initially laid in its standpoint-creating character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kwaschik
- Professur für Wissensgeschichte, Fachbereich Geschichte & Soziologie, Universität Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.
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21
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Weidmann NB. Esoteric Beliefs and Opposition to Corona Restrictions in Germany. Polit Vierteljahresschr 2023; 64:1-18. [PMID: 37363295 PMCID: PMC10227823 DOI: 10.1007/s11615-023-00468-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Governmental measures against the spread of the Corona virus have been met with varying levels of opposition in many countries worldwide. Existing research has claimed that some of this opposition is linked to esoteric and anthroposophical beliefs. This research note tests this in an observational study using election results from the 2021 parliamentary election in Germany and new data on the distribution of natural healers, homeopathic doctors and Steiner schools. Results show that counter to common expectations, there is no evidence that esoteric beliefs systematically lead to increased support for the established right-wing AFD. Rather, some indicators for esoteric beliefs - in particular, the presence of homeopathic doctors and Waldorf schools - are related to higher support for the new fringe party dieBasis, a single-issue party campaigning against governmental Corona measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils B. Weidmann
- Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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22
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Benz ABE, Dimitroff SJ, Jeggle C, Gaertner RJ, Meier M, Unternaehrer E, Bentele UU, Denk BF, Klink ESC, Pruessner JC. Increased empathic distress in adults is associated with higher levels of childhood maltreatment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4087. [PMID: 36906595 PMCID: PMC10008534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30891-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
While many studies investigated basic facets of empathy, less is known about the association with early life adversity (ELA). To investigate a possible association of empathy with ELA, we assessed self-reported ELA, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) for mother and father, and empathy, using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), in a sample of N = 228 (83% female, agemean = 30.51 ± 9.88 years, agerange = 18-60). Further, we measured willingness to donate a certain percentage of study compensation to a charity as an index of prosocial behavior. In line with our hypotheses that stated a positive association of empathy with ELA, increased levels of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and emotional and physical neglect were positively correlated with personal distress in response to others' suffering. Likewise, higher parental overprotection and lower parental care were related to higher personal distress. Furthermore, while participants with higher levels of ELA tended to donate more money on a merely descriptive level, only higher levels of sexual abuse were significantly related to larger donations after correction for multiple statistical tests. Other facets of the IRI (empathic concern, perspective taking and fantasy) were not related to any other ELA measure. This suggests ELA only affects levels of personal distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika B E Benz
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany.
| | - Stephanie J Dimitroff
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Christin Jeggle
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Raphaela J Gaertner
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Maria Meier
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Child- and Adolescent Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike U Bentele
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Bernadette F Denk
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Constance, Constance, Germany
| | - Elea S C Klink
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Fach 905, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Constance, Constance, Germany
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23
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Fischbacher U, Wolff I. Editorial: Symposium "Pre-results review". Exp Econ 2023; 26:1-8. [PMID: 37363162 PMCID: PMC9969938 DOI: 10.1007/s10683-023-09793-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Urs Fischbacher
- University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Thurgau Institute of Economics, Hafenstrasse 6, 8280 Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
- CESIFO, Munich, Germany
| | - Irenaeus Wolff
- University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Thurgau Institute of Economics, Hafenstrasse 6, 8280 Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
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24
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Burghart M, Sahm AHJ, Mier D. Investigating measurement invariance of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-8 (ERQ-8) across 29 countries. Curr Psychol 2023; 42:1-7. [PMID: 36627950 PMCID: PMC9817443 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04220-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The widely used Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) measures the habitual use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Recently, a more economical 8-item version of the ERQ was proposed that showed good model fit. We assessed whether the latent constructs of the ERQ-8 are generalizable across different countries and cultures. To this end, we used data from the COVIDiSTRESS survey and investigated measurement invariance of the ERQ-8 in a large sample that included 11,288 individuals from 29 countries with diverse cultural backgrounds. Our analyses revealed configural and metric invariance of the ERQ-8 in 14 countries. The results suggest that emotion regulation strategies may not readily converge across all cultures. This underscores the importance of testing measurement invariance before interpreting observed differences and similarities between countries. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-04220-6.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniela Mier
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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25
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Breyer F, Lorenz N, Pruckner GJ, Schober T. Looking into the black box of "Medical Innovation": rising health expenditures by illness type. Eur J Health Econ 2022; 23:1601-1612. [PMID: 35298739 PMCID: PMC9666302 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-022-01447-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
There is agreement among health economists that on the whole medical innovation causes health care expenditures (HCE) to rise. This paper analyzes for which diagnoses HCE per patient have grown significantly faster than average HCE. We distinguish decedents (patients in their last 4 years of life) from survivors and use a unique dataset comprising detailed HCE of all members of a regional health insurance fund in Upper Austria for the period 2005-2018. Our results indicate that among decedents in particular, the expenditures for treatment of neoplasms have exceeded the general trend in HCE. This confirms that medical innovation for this group of diseases has been particularly strong over the last 15 years. For survivors, we find a noticeable growth in cases and cost per case for pregnancies and childbirth, and also for treatment of mental and behavioral disorders. We discuss whether these findings contradict the widespread interpretation of cost-increasing innovations as "medical progress" and offer some policy recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Breyer
- Department of Economics, University of Konstanz, P.O. Box 135, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | | | - Gerald J Pruckner
- Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Linz, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Aging, Health, and the Labor Market, Linz, Austria
| | - Thomas Schober
- Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Linz, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Aging, Health, and the Labor Market, Linz, Austria
- Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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26
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Abstract
Online experiments have become a popular way of collecting data in the social and behavioral sciences. However, the high technical hurdles of setting up a server may prevent researchers from starting them. Also, proprietary software may restrict a researcher's freedom to customize or share their study. Open Lab is a server-side application designed to host online surveys and experiments created using lab.js. Available online at https://open-lab.online , Open Lab offers a fast, secure, and transparent way to deploy studies; it handles uploading experiment scripts, customizing study design, managing the participant database, and working with the study results. Open Lab is integrated with the lab.js experiment builder ( https://lab.js.org/ ), a browser-based program which enables the creation of new studies from scratch or the use of templates. This paper compares Open Lab with other study deployment services, discusses how Open Lab contributes to open science practices, and provides a step-by-step guide for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury Shevchenko
- Research Methods, Assessment, and iScience, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, D-78464, Konstanz, Germany.
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27
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Caporali S, Butera A, Amelio I. BAP1 in cancer: epigenetic stability and genome integrity. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:117. [PMID: 36318367 PMCID: PMC9626716 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00579-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in BAP1 have been identified in a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome and in sporadic tumours. Individuals carrying familiar BAP1 monoallelic mutations display hypersusceptibility to exposure-associated cancers, such as asbestos-driven mesothelioma, thus BAP1 status has been postulated to participate in gene-environment interaction. Intriguingly, BAP1 functions display also a high degree of tissue dependency, associated to a peculiar cancer spectrum and cell types of specific functions. Mechanistically, BAP1 functions as an ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase (UCH) and controls regulatory ubiquitination of histones as well as degradative ubiquitination of a range of protein substrates. In this article we provide an overview of the most relevant findings on BAP1, underpinning its tissue specific tumour suppressor function. We also discuss the importance of its epigenetic role versus the control of protein stability in the regulation of genomic integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Caporali
- Chair for Systems Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Alessio Butera
- Chair for Systems Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Ivano Amelio
- Chair for Systems Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464, Constance, Germany.
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28
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Alderdice R, Perna G, Cárdenas A, Hume BCC, Wolf M, Kühl M, Pernice M, Suggett DJ, Voolstra CR. Deoxygenation lowers the thermal threshold of coral bleaching. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18273. [PMID: 36316371 PMCID: PMC9622859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22604-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to deoxygenation from climate warming and pollution is emerging as a contributing factor of coral bleaching and mortality. However, the combined effects of heating and deoxygenation on bleaching susceptibility remain unknown. Here, we employed short-term thermal stress assays to show that deoxygenated seawater can lower the thermal limit of an Acropora coral by as much as 1 °C or 0.4 °C based on bleaching index scores or dark-acclimated photosynthetic efficiencies, respectively. Using RNA-Seq, we show similar stress responses to heat with and without deoxygenated seawater, both activating putative key genes of the hypoxia-inducible factor response system indicative of cellular hypoxia. We also detect distinct deoxygenation responses, including a disruption of O2-dependent photo-reception/-protection, redox status, and activation of an immune response prior to the onset of bleaching. Thus, corals are even more vulnerable when faced with heat stress in deoxygenated waters. This highlights the need to integrate dissolved O2 measurements into global monitoring programs of coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Alderdice
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Gabriela Perna
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Anny Cárdenas
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Benjamin C C Hume
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Martin Wolf
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Michael Kühl
- Marine Biology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - David J Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
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29
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Bieleke M, Goetz T, Yanagida T, Botes E, Frenzel AC, Pekrun R. Measuring emotions in mathematics: the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire-Mathematics (AEQ-M). ZDM 2022; 55:269-284. [PMID: 36320409 PMCID: PMC9607838 DOI: 10.1007/s11858-022-01425-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the structure, antecedents, and outcomes of students' emotions has become a topic of major interest in research on mathematics education. Much of this work is based on the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire-Mathematics (AEQ-M), a self-report instrument assessing students' mathematics-related emotions. The AEQ-M measures seven emotions (enjoyment, pride, anger, anxiety, shame, hopelessness, boredom) across class, learning, and test contexts (internal structure). Based on control-value theory, it is assumed that these emotions are evoked by control and value appraisals, and that they influence students' motivation, learning strategies, and performance (external relations). Despite the popularity and frequent use of the AEQ-M, the research leading to its development has never been published, creating uncertainty about the validity of the proposed internal structure and external relations. We close this gap in Study 1 (N = 781 students, Grades 5-10, mean age 14.1 years, 53.5% female) by demonstrating that emotions are organized across contexts and linked to their proposed antecedents and outcomes. Study 2 (N = 699 students, Grade 7 and 9, mean age 14.0 years, 56.9% female) addresses another deficit in research on the AEQ-M, the lack of evidence regarding the assumption that emotions represent sets of interrelated affective, cognitive, motivational, and physiological/expressive components. We close this gap by evaluating extended AEQ-M scales, systematically assessing these components for five core mathematics emotions (enjoyment, anger, anxiety, hopelessness, boredom). Our work provides solid grounds for future research using the AEQ-M to assess emotions and their components in the domain of mathematics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Bieleke
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Goetz
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Takuya Yanagida
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elouise Botes
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anne C. Frenzel
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Reinhard Pekrun
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
- Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia
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30
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Kelly JB, Carlson DE, Low JS, Thacker RW. Novel trends of genome evolution in highly complex tropical sponge microbiomes. Microbiome 2022; 10:164. [PMID: 36195901 PMCID: PMC9531527 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01359-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tropical members of the sponge genus Ircinia possess highly complex microbiomes that perform a broad spectrum of chemical processes that influence host fitness. Despite the pervasive role of microbiomes in Ircinia biology, it is still unknown how they remain in stable association across tropical species. To address this question, we performed a comparative analysis of the microbiomes of 11 Ircinia species using whole-metagenomic shotgun sequencing data to investigate three aspects of bacterial symbiont genomes-the redundancy in metabolic pathways across taxa, the evolution of genes involved in pathogenesis, and the nature of selection acting on genes relevant to secondary metabolism. RESULTS A total of 424 new, high-quality bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were produced for 10 Caribbean Ircinia species, which were evaluated alongside 113 publicly available MAGs sourced from the Pacific species Ircinia ramosa. Evidence of redundancy was discovered in that the core genes of several primary metabolic pathways could be found in the genomes of multiple bacterial taxa. Across hosts, the metagenomes were depleted in genes relevant to pathogenicity and enriched in eukaryotic-like proteins (ELPs) that likely mimic the hosts' molecular patterning. Finally, clusters of steroid biosynthesis genes (CSGs), which appear to be under purifying selection and undergo horizontal gene transfer, were found to be a defining feature of Ircinia metagenomes. CONCLUSIONS These results illustrate patterns of genome evolution within highly complex microbiomes that illuminate how associations with hosts are maintained. The metabolic redundancy within the microbiomes could help buffer the hosts from changes in the ambient chemical and physical regimes and from fluctuations in the population sizes of the individual microbial strains that make up the microbiome. Additionally, the enrichment of ELPs and depletion of LPS and cellular motility genes provide a model for how alternative strategies to virulence can evolve in microbiomes undergoing mixed-mode transmission that do not ultimately result in higher levels of damage (i.e., pathogenicity) to the host. Our last set of results provides evidence that sterol biosynthesis in Ircinia-associated bacteria is widespread and that these molecules are important for the survival of bacteria in highly complex Ircinia microbiomes. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Kelly
- Aquatic Ecology and Evolution, Limnological Institute University Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - David E Carlson
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Jun Siong Low
- Institute of Microbiology,ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert W Thacker
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Box 0843-03092, Balboa, Panama City, Republic of Panama
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31
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Burri S. Conceptualising morally permissible risk imposition without quantified individual risks. Synthese 2022; 200:415. [PMID: 36213438 PMCID: PMC9527136 DOI: 10.1007/s11229-022-03888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We frequently engage in activities that impose a risk of serious harm on innocent others in order to realise trivial benefits for ourselves or third parties. Many moral theories tie the evidence-relative permissibility of engaging in such activities to the size of the risk that an individual agent imposes. I argue that we should move away from such a reliance on quantified individual risks when conceptualising morally permissible risk imposition. Under most circumstances of interest, a conscientious reasoner will identify a gap between the factors they deem potentially relevant to the riskiness of an agent's behaviour, and the factors they are reasonably able to quantify. This then leads a conscientious reasoner to conclude that they cannot, in good faith, come up with a quantitative risk estimate that is genuinely tailored to the agent's particular situation. Based on this, I argue that principles of morally permissible risk imposition fail to provide us with practical guidance if they ask us to take into account our agent-specific risks in a quantified manner. I also argue that principles of permissible risk imposition which appeal to quantified individual risks implausibly imply that it is frequently indeterminate whether engaging in some risky activity is morally permissible. For both of these reasons, I contend that principles of morally permissible risk imposition should make no reference to quantified individual risks. They should instead acknowledge that any quantitative estimates that an agent might usefully be able to consider will likely not be tailored to the agent's idiosyncratic situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Burri
- Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
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32
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Knippenberg T, Lüders A, Lozano C, Nielaba P, Bechinger C. Role of cohesion in the flow of active particles through bottlenecks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11525. [PMID: 35798779 PMCID: PMC9262925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15577-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We experimentally and numerically study the flow of programmable active particles (APs) with tunable cohesion strength through geometric constrictions. Similar to purely repulsive granular systems, we observe an exponential distribution of burst sizes and power-law-distributed clogging durations. Upon increasing cohesion between APs, we find a rather abrupt transition from an arch-dominated clogging regime to a cohesion-dominated regime where droplets form at the aperture of the bottleneck. In the arch-dominated regime the flow-rate only weakly depends on the cohesion strength. This suggests that cohesion must not necessarily decrease the group's efficiency passing through geometric constrictions or pores. Such behavior is explained by "slippery" particle bonds which avoids the formation of a rigid particle network and thus prevents clogging. Overall, our results confirm the general applicability of the statistical framework of intermittent flow through bottlenecks developed for granular materials also in case of active microswimmers whose behavior is more complex than that of Brownian particles but which mimic the behavior of living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Knippenberg
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Anton Lüders
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | | | - Peter Nielaba
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Clemens Bechinger
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany.
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33
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Radzvilas M, De Pretis F, Peden W, Tortoli D, Osimani B. Incentives for Research Effort: An Evolutionary Model of Publication Markets with Double-Blind and Open Review. Comput Econ 2022; 61:1433-1476. [PMID: 37193001 PMCID: PMC10182958 DOI: 10.1007/s10614-022-10250-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary debates about scientific institutions and practice feature many proposed reforms. Most of these require increased efforts from scientists. But how do scientists' incentives for effort interact? How can scientific institutions encourage scientists to invest effort in research? We explore these questions using a game-theoretic model of publication markets. We employ a base game between authors and reviewers, before assessing some of its tendencies by means of analysis and simulations. We compare how the effort expenditures of these groups interact in our model under a variety of settings, such as double-blind and open review systems. We make a number of findings, including that open review can increase the effort of authors in a range of circumstances and that these effects can manifest in a policy-relevant period of time. However, we find that open review's impact on authors' efforts is sensitive to the strength of several other influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mantas Radzvilas
- Department of Philosophy, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Francesco De Pretis
- Department of Communication and Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - William Peden
- Erasmus Institute for Philosophy and Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniele Tortoli
- Department of Communication and Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Barbara Osimani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy
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34
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Bertogg A, Koos S. Who Received Informal Social Support During the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany, and Who Did Not? The Role of Social Networks, Life Course and Pandemic-Specific Risks. Soc Indic Res 2022; 163:585-607. [PMID: 35310536 PMCID: PMC8919696 DOI: 10.1007/s11205-022-02890-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we study the receipt of informal support during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The containment measures have had various, far-reaching consequences for the wellbeing of people, creating demands for economic, practical, and emotional support-even among individuals who hitherto were not in need of support. Existing research has shown substantial levels of informal support during the pandemic, often based on individuals' existing social networks, but has predominantly taken the perspective of donors. In this article, we focus on the "demand" or recipient "side" of informal support, and ask: (1) Who receives which type of informal social support during the pandemic? (2) Who reports unmet need? (3) Which factors explain support receipt, unmet need and the type of support received? To explain patterns of receiving social support, we identify "classic" life course and "new" pandemic-specific risks and complement this perspective with individuals' support potentials from their social networks. Empirically, we use data from an online survey, collected among a quota sample of the German population (n = 4,496) at the end of the first lockdown in late spring 2020. Our analysis shows that one in six respondents received social support, while only 3% report unmet need. Practical and emotional support are most widespread. Using logistic and multinomial logistic regression models our results show that social support in general and the type of support received can be explained by life course and pandemic risks, while unmet need is mainly a consequence of social network structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Bertogg
- Institute of Advanced Studies, Department of History and Sociology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Koos
- Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality”, Department of History and Sociology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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35
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Gall GEC, Pereira TD, Jordan A, Meroz Y. Fast estimation of plant growth dynamics using deep neural networks. Plant Methods 2022; 18:21. [PMID: 35184723 PMCID: PMC8858456 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-022-00851-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been an increase of interest in plant behaviour as represented by growth-driven responses. These are generally classified into nastic (internally driven) and tropic (environmentally driven) movements. Nastic movements include circumnutations, a circular movement of plant organs commonly associated with search and exploration, while tropisms refer to the directed growth of plant organs toward or away from environmental stimuli, such as light and gravity. Tracking these movements is therefore fundamental for the study of plant behaviour. Convolutional neural networks, as used for human and animal pose estimation, offer an interesting avenue for plant tracking. Here we adopted the Social LEAP Estimates Animal Poses (SLEAP) framework for plant tracking. We evaluated it on time-lapse videos of cases spanning a variety of parameters, such as: (i) organ types and imaging angles (e.g., top-view crown leaves vs. side-view shoots and roots), (ii) lighting conditions (full spectrum vs. IR), (iii) plant morphologies and scales (100 μm-scale Arabidopsis seedlings vs. cm-scale sunflowers and beans), and (iv) movement types (circumnutations, tropisms and twining). RESULTS Overall, we found SLEAP to be accurate in tracking side views of shoots and roots, requiring only a low number of user-labelled frames for training. Top views of plant crowns made up of multiple leaves were found to be more challenging, due to the changing 2D morphology of leaves, and the occlusions of overlapping leaves. This required a larger number of labelled frames, and the choice of labelling "skeleton" had great impact on prediction accuracy, i.e., a more complex skeleton with fewer individuals (tracking individual plants) provided better results than a simpler skeleton with more individuals (tracking individual leaves). CONCLUSIONS In all, these results suggest SLEAP is a robust and versatile tool for high-throughput automated tracking of plants, presenting a new avenue for research focusing on plant dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella E C Gall
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Zukunftskolleg, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Talmo D Pereira
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, USA
- Computational Neurobiology Lab, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, USA
| | - Alex Jordan
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Yasmine Meroz
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Abstract
Since the characterization of cytochrome c552 as a multiheme nitrite reductase, research on this enzyme has gained major interest. Today, it is known as pentaheme cytochrome c nitrite reductase (NrfA). Part of the NH4+ produced from NO2- is released as NH3 leading to nitrogen loss, similar to denitrification which generates NO, N2O, and N2. NH4+ can also be used for assimilatory purposes, thus NrfA contributes to nitrogen retention. It catalyses the six-electron reduction of NO2- to NH4+, hosting four His/His ligated c-type hemes for electron transfer and one structurally differentiated active site heme. Catalysis occurs at the distal side of a Fe(III) heme c proximally coordinated by lysine of a unique CXXCK motif (Sulfurospirillum deleyianum, Wolinella succinogenes) or, presumably, by the canonical histidine in Campylobacter jejeuni. Replacement of Lys by His in NrfA of W. succinogenes led to a significant loss of enzyme activity. NrfA forms homodimers as shown by high resolution X-ray crystallography, and there exist at least two distinct electron transfer systems to the enzyme. In γ-proteobacteria (Escherichia coli) NrfA is linked to the menaquinol pool in the cytoplasmic membrane through a pentaheme electron carrier (NrfB), in δ- and ε-proteobacteria (S. deleyianum, W. succinogenes), the NrfA dimer interacts with a tetraheme cytochrome c (NrfH). Both form a membrane-associated respiratory complex on the extracellular side of the cytoplasmic membrane to optimize electron transfer efficiency. This minireview traces important steps in understanding the nature of pentaheme cytochrome c nitrite reductases, and discusses their structural and functional features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M H Kroneck
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
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Höfel S, Gandalini M, Fix MK, Drescher M, Zwicker F. Prospective superficial EPR in-vivo dosimetry study during hypofractionated radiotherapy of breast cancer patients treated with helical tomotherapy. Radiat Oncol 2021; 16:209. [PMID: 34717680 PMCID: PMC8557483 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-021-01938-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In-vivo dosimetry (IVD) is a patient specific measure of quality control and safety during radiotherapy. With regard to current reporting thresholds for significant occurrences in radiotherapy defined by German regulatory authorities, the present study examines the clinical feasibility of superficial electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) IVD of cumulative total doses applied to breast cancer patients treated with helical intensity-modulated radiotherapy (tomotherapy). METHODS In total, 10 female patients with left- or right-sided breast cancer were enrolled in this prospective IVD study. Each patient received a hypofractionated whole breast irradiation. A total median dose of 42.4 Gy in 16 fractions (5 fractions per week) was prescribed to the planning target volume. The treatments were completely delivered using helical tomotherapy and daily image guidance via megavoltage CT (MVCT). For each patient, three EPR dosimeters were prepared and placed at distinct locations on the patient's skin during the delivery of all fractions. Two dosimeters were placed next to the ipsilateral and contralateral mammilla and one dosimeter was placed ventrally to the thyroid (out-of-primary-beam). The total doses delivered to the dosimeters were readout after all fractions had been administered. The measured total dose values were compared to the planned dose values derived from the treatment planning system (TPS). Daily positional variations (displacement vectors) of the ipsilateral mammilla and of the respective dosimeter were analyzed with respect to the planned positions using the daily registered MVCT image. RESULTS Averaged over all patients, the mean absolute dose differences between measured and planned total dose values (± standard deviation (SD)) were: 0.49 ± 0.85 Gy for the ipsilateral dosimeter, 0.17 ± 0.49 Gy for the contralateral dosimeter and -0.12 ± 0.30 Gy for the thyroid dosimeter. The mean lengths of the ipsilateral displacement vectors (± SD) averaged over all patients and fractions were: 10 ± 7 mm for the dosimeter and 8 ± 4 mm for the mammilla. CONCLUSION Superficial EPR IVD is suitable as additional safeguard for dose delivery during helical tomotherapy of breast cancer. Despite positional uncertainties in clinical routine, the observed dose deviations at the ipsilateral breast were on average small compared to national reporting thresholds for total dose deviations (i.e. 10%/4 Gy). EPR IVD may allow for the detection of critical dose errors during whole breast irradiations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Höfel
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Klinik und Praxis für Strahlentherapie am Klinikum Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, AG Drescher, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, Box 706, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Matteo Gandalini
- Klinik und Praxis für Strahlentherapie am Klinikum Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Michael K Fix
- Division of Medical Radiation Physics and Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Malte Drescher
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Felix Zwicker
- Klinik und Praxis für Strahlentherapie am Klinikum Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Molecular Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Assmann A. How the Future Fell from Grace and How to Repair It. Changes in Time-Consciousness in the Late Twentieth and Early Twenty-first Century: a Response to Joe Davidson's "From the Future to the Past (and Back Again?): a Review of Aleida Assmann's Is Time Out of Joint? On the Rise and Fall of the Modern Time Regime (Ithaca: Cornell University Press and Cornell University Library, 2020)". Int J Polit Cult Soc 2021; 35:601-609. [PMID: 38624956 PMCID: PMC8513555 DOI: 10.1007/s10767-021-09413-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
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Denk B, Dimitroff SJ, Meier M, Benz ABE, Bentele UU, Unternaehrer E, Popovic NF, Gaissmaier W, Pruessner JC. Influence of stress on physiological synchrony in a stressful versus non-stressful group setting. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1335-1345. [PMID: 34342736 PMCID: PMC8423710 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02384-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Physiological synchrony (PS) is defined as the co-occurrence and interdependence of physiological activity between interaction partners. Previous research has uncovered numerous influences on the extent of PS, such as relationship type or individual characteristics. Here, we investigate the influence of acute stress on PS. We do so in a setting in which PS was not promoted, but contact between group members was explicitly minimized. We reanalyzed cortisol, alpha-amylase, and subjective stress data from 138 participants (mean age = \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$23.48 \pm 3.99$$\end{document}23.48±3.99, 47.1% female) who previously underwent the Trier Social Stress Test for groups (TSST-G) or a non-stressful control task together, collected as part of a larger project by Popovic et al. (Sci Rep 10: 7845, 2020). Using a stability and influence model, an established method to test for synchrony, we tested whether individuals’ cortisol and alpha-amylase concentrations could be predicted by group members’ levels. We found cortisol PS in participants who were in the same group, the extent of which was stronger in the non-stressful control condition. For alpha-amylase, participants were synchronized as well; furthermore, there was an interaction between previous stress levels and PS. This suggests that while synchrony of both stress markers can occur in group settings even with spurious interaction, stressor exposure might attenuate its extent. We argue that if PS occurs in a sample where interaction was minimal, the phenomenon might be more widespread than previously thought. Furthermore, stressor exposure might influence whether a situation allows for PS. We conclude that PS should be investigated within group settings with various degrees of social interaction to further expose mechanisms of and influence on PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Denk
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Stephanie J Dimitroff
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Eva Unternaehrer
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Child- and Adolescent Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Wolfgang Gaissmaier
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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López-Incera A, Nouvian M, Ried K, Müller T, Briegel HJ. Honeybee communication during collective defence is shaped by predation. BMC Biol 2021; 19:106. [PMID: 34030690 PMCID: PMC8147350 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01028-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social insect colonies routinely face large vertebrate predators, against which they need to mount a collective defence. To do so, honeybees use an alarm pheromone that recruits nearby bees into mass stinging of the perceived threat. This alarm pheromone is carried directly on the stinger; hence, its concentration builds up during the course of the attack. We investigate how bees react to different alarm pheromone concentrations and how this evolved response pattern leads to better coordination at the group level. RESULTS We first present a dose-response curve to the alarm pheromone, obtained experimentally. This data reveals two phases in the bees' response: initially, bees become more likely to sting as the alarm pheromone concentration increases, but aggressiveness drops back when very high concentrations are reached. Second, we apply Projective Simulation to model each bee as an artificial learning agent that relies on the pheromone concentration to decide whether to sting or not. Individuals are rewarded based on the collective performance, thus emulating natural selection in these complex societies. By also modelling predators in a detailed way, we are able to identify the main selection pressures that shaped the response pattern observed experimentally. In particular, the likelihood to sting in the absence of alarm pheromone (starting point of the dose-response curve) is inversely related to the rate of false alarms, such that bees in environments with low predator density are less likely to waste efforts responding to irrelevant stimuli. This is compensated for by a steep increase in aggressiveness when the alarm pheromone concentration starts rising. The later decay in aggressiveness may be explained as a curbing mechanism preventing worker loss. CONCLUSIONS Our work provides a detailed understanding of alarm pheromone responses in honeybees and sheds light on the selection pressures that brought them about. In addition, it establishes our approach as a powerful tool to explore how selection based on a collective outcome shapes individual responses, which remains a challenging issue in the field of evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea López-Incera
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Morgane Nouvian
- Department of Biology, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, 78457, Germany.
- Zukunftskolleg, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, 78457, Germany.
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, 78457, Germany.
| | - Katja Ried
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Thomas Müller
- Department of Philosophy, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, 78457, Germany
| | - Hans J Briegel
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
- Department of Philosophy, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, 78457, Germany
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41
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Loser D, Hinojosa MG, Blum J, Schaefer J, Brüll M, Johansson Y, Suciu I, Grillberger K, Danker T, Möller C, Gardner I, Ecker GF, Bennekou SH, Forsby A, Kraushaar U, Leist M. Functional alterations by a subgroup of neonicotinoid pesticides in human dopaminergic neurons. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2081-2107. [PMID: 33778899 PMCID: PMC8166715 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03031-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neonicotinoid pesticides, originally developed to target the insect nervous system, have been reported to interact with human receptors and to activate rodent neurons. Therefore, we evaluated in how far these compounds may trigger signaling in human neurons, and thus, affect the human adult or developing nervous system. We used SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as established model of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) signaling. In parallel, we profiled dopaminergic neurons, generated from LUHMES neuronal precursor cells, as novel system to study nAChR activation in human post-mitotic neurons. Changes of the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were used as readout, and key findings were confirmed by patch clamp recordings. Nicotine triggered typical neuronal signaling responses that were blocked by antagonists, such as tubocurarine and mecamylamine. Pharmacological approaches suggested a functional expression of α7 and non-α7 nAChRs on LUHMES cells. In this novel test system, the neonicotinoids acetamiprid, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiacloprid, but not thiamethoxam and dinotefuran, triggered [Ca2+]i signaling at 10-100 µM. Strong synergy of the active neonicotinoids (at low micromolar concentrations) with the α7 nAChR-positive allosteric modulator PNU-120596 was observed in LUHMES and SH-SY5Y cells, and specific antagonists fully inhibited such signaling. To provide a third line of evidence for neonicotinoid signaling via nAChR, we studied cross-desensitization: pretreatment of LUHMES and SH-SY5Y cells with active neonicotinoids (at 1-10 µM) blunted the signaling response of nicotine. The pesticides (at 3-30 µM) also blunted the response to the non-α7 agonist ABT 594 in LUHMES cells. These data show that human neuronal cells are functionally affected by low micromolar concentrations of several neonicotinoids. An effect of such signals on nervous system development is a toxicological concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Loser
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maria G Hinojosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan Blum
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jasmin Schaefer
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Markus Brüll
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ylva Johansson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilinca Suciu
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Karin Grillberger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Timm Danker
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Clemens Möller
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Iain Gardner
- CERTARA UK Limited, Simcyp Division, Level 2-Acero, 1 Concourse Way, Sheffield, S1 2BJ, UK
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Anna Forsby
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Udo Kraushaar
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
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Narinder N, Zhu WJ, Bechinger C. Active colloids under geometrical constraints in viscoelastic media. Eur Phys J E Soft Matter 2021; 44:28. [PMID: 33704591 PMCID: PMC7952293 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-021-00033-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We study the behavior of active particles (APs) moving in a viscoelastic fluid in the presence of geometrical confinements. Upon approaching a flat wall, we find that APs slow down due to compression of the enclosed viscoelastic fluid. In addition, they receive a viscoelastic torque leading to sudden orientational changes and departure from walls. Based on these observations, we develop a numerical model which can also be applied to other geometries and yields good agreement with experimental data. Our results demonstrate, that APs are able to move through complex geometrical structures more effectively when suspended in a viscoelastic compared to a Newtonian fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Narinder
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Wei-Jing Zhu
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Photoelectric Engineering, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou, 510665, China
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Loser D, Schaefer J, Danker T, Möller C, Brüll M, Suciu I, Ückert AK, Klima S, Leist M, Kraushaar U. Human neuronal signaling and communication assays to assess functional neurotoxicity. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:229-252. [PMID: 33269408 PMCID: PMC7811517 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02956-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Prediction of drug toxicity on the human nervous system still relies mainly on animal experiments. Here, we developed an alternative system allowing assessment of complex signaling in both individual human neurons and on the network level. The LUHMES cultures used for our approach can be cultured in 384-well plates with high reproducibility. We established here high-throughput quantification of free intracellular Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+]i as broadly applicable surrogate of neuronal activity and verified the main processes by patch clamp recordings. Initially, we characterized the expression pattern of many neuronal signaling components and selected the purinergic receptors to demonstrate the applicability of the [Ca2+]i signals for quantitative characterization of agonist and antagonist responses on classical ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors. This included receptor sub-typing and the characterization of the anti-parasitic drug suramin as modulator of the cellular response to ATP. To exemplify potential studies on ion channels, we characterized voltage-gated sodium channels and their inhibition by tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin and lidocaine, as well as their opening by the plant alkaloid veratridine and the food-relevant marine biotoxin ciguatoxin. Even broader applicability of [Ca2+]i quantification as an end point was demonstrated by measurements of dopamine transporter activity based on the membrane potential-changing activity of this neurotransmitter carrier. The substrates dopamine or amphetamine triggered [Ca2+]i oscillations that were synchronized over the entire culture dish. We identified compounds that modified these oscillations by interfering with various ion channels. Thus, this new test system allows multiple types of neuronal signaling, within and between cells, to be assessed, quantified and characterized for their potential disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Loser
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Jasmin Schaefer
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | | | - Clemens Möller
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Markus Brüll
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Ilinca Suciu
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Anna-Katharina Ückert
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Stefanie Klima
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany.
| | - Udo Kraushaar
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Klusmann
- Department of Psychology, Psychological Assessment and Health Psychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
- Department of Psychology and Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna E. Kornadt
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Université du Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Abstract
Abstract Kinetic experiments were performed with preparations of kidney Na,K-ATPase in isolated membrane fragments or reconstituted in vesicles to obtain information of the activation energies under turnover conditions and for selected partial reactions of the Post-Albers pump cycle. The ion transport activities were detected with potential or conformation sensitive fluorescent dyes in steady-state or time-resolved experiments. The activation energies were derived from Arrhenius plots of measurements in the temperature range between 5 °C and 37 °C. The results were used to elaborate indications of the respective underlying rate-limiting reaction steps and allowed conclusions to be drawn about possible molecular reaction mechanisms. The observed consequent alteration between ligand-induced reaction and conformational relaxation steps when the Na,K-ATPase performs the pump cycle, together with constraints set by thermodynamic principles, provided restrictions which have to be met when mechanistic models are proposed. A model meeting such requirements is presented for discussion. Graphic Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Jürgen Apell
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Milena Roudna
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
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