Altered resting-state functional connectivity in delusional patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: An fMRI study using threshold-free cluster-enhancement.

Bioelectric control of tissue mechanics: Effect of membrane potential on somite deformability in chick embryos.

Androgenesis, the stress-induced reprogramming of microspores into doubled haploid plants, remains a pivotal yet persistent constraint in contemporary plant breeding programs. During this dramatic fate re-specification, committed gametophytic cells regain totipotency, which is controlled by a complex signaling network that converts external stress signals into an organized developmental program. Stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as secondary messengers, whose signaling capacity is unlocked by a robust antioxidant system that maintains redox homeostasis. Subsequently, triggered programmed cell death (PCD), through apoptotic and autophagic pathways, executes a selective dismantling of compromised microspores and mediates extensive cytoplasmic clearance. This internal reprogramming is complemented by extracellular modifications, including dynamic cell wall remodeling that enhances cellular plasticity, and the establishment of embryonic polarity via auxin gradient establishment. Together, these pathways-ROS signaling, controlled PCD, cell wall dynamism, and auxin-driven patterning-constitute a regulatory circuit that authorizes the switch from gametophytic to sporophytic identity. Elucidating the integrated signaling network that reprograms microspores into embryos enables the rational design of interventions to unlock embryogenic potential across recalcitrant genotypes. This foundational knowledge is essential for engineering robust, genotype-independent protocols to accelerate trait fixation, genome editing, and cultivar development.

Phosphorylation is one of the most ubiquitous, reversible post-translational modifications through which cells communicate external signals from the membrane to the nucleus. However, viruses replicate in the host cells by hijacking the phosphorylation signaling to evade immune responses, as shown previously for Ebola and HIV. Here, we characterized the potential phosphorylation sites, the kinases involved, and their location in the structure of the Dengue virus proteins. We also show that the phosphosites in the four Dengue serotypes are evolutionarily conserved across other flaviviruses. Further, we show that the phosphorylation of dengue viral proteins is critical for mediating the interaction of these viral proteins with the host proteins, antibodies, and other viral proteins. In summary, we provide an extensive resource of phosphosites across the Dengue virus/flavivirus proteins that could be leveraged to understand the role of phosphorylation signaling in viral replication and develop novel drug therapies.

Cell surface receptors integrate plant immunity, stress adaptation, and nutrient acquisition.

There is room on the inside. We present an account of neuroplasticity with respect to cell-internal processing pathways and their relation to membrane and synaptic plasticity. We think traditional synapse-centric, weight-based models of memorization are not sufficient or adequate to capture the complexity of neuroplasticity. In standard accounts, we model a network of neurons connected by adaptive transmission links. The adaptation of these transmission links is overly simplified using short-term and long-term potentiation/depression, assuming weight changes according to use of the transmission link. In contrast, we propose a paradigm switch from a synapse-centric model (each synapse learns independently, based on its history of use) to a neuron-centric model (each neuron uses signal selection for intracellular pathways to express plasticity at the membrane). Each neuron has a ‘vertical’ dimension where internal parameters steer the external membrane- and synapse-expressed parameters. A neural model consists of (a) expression of parameters at the membrane, in particular dendritic synapses or spines, and axonal boutons (b) internal parameters in the sub-membrane zone and the cytoplasm with its protein signaling network and (c) core parameters in the nucleus for genetic and epigenetic information. In a neuron-centric model, each node (=neuron) in the horizontal network has its own internal memory. Neural transmission and information storage are separated, not automatically combined by coupling strength. There is filtering and selection of signals for storage. Not every transmission event leaves a trace. This represents an important conceptual advance over synaptic weight models. We present the neuron as a self-programming device, rather than as passively determined by ongoing input. We believe a new approach to neural modeling is necessary, because the experimental evidence is not well captured by traditional synapse-centric models. Ultimately, we are interested in the possibilities of a flexible memory system that processes external signals according to its inherent structure.

Dynamic control in artificial intelligence hardware is increasingly emphasized for the co-integration of learning and computing. However, existing approaches to dynamic mode modulation often require impractical structures or parasitic external signals, which pose significant challenges for realistic implementation. This study presents an α-In2Se3 device with ambipolar transport behavior, achieved through surface charge transfer doping (SCTD). The p-type conduction arises from In2O3, which acts as the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), and Se vacancies, which serve as acceptors. Adaptive synaptic and logic functions are enabled through the control of ferroelectric polarization. The excitatory/inhibitory synaptic mode reconfiguration was successfully realized at an ultralow energy consumption from approximately 200 aJ to 20 fJ. The reversible ferroelectric switching serves as the underlying mechanism for the tunability of the inverter trip point. This study is an effort to break away from dedicated stationary applications and move closer to a future prototype device than previous works in integrating neuromorphic computing and logical functionalities.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a notorious foodborne opportunistic pathogen capable of sensing external environmental signals to regulate its survival and virulence. In recent years, this pathogen has been increasingly detected in freshwater foods, indicating a distribution shift from its original marine reservoirs. Biofilm formation plays a crucial role in its adaptation ability from high-salt to low-salt environments. Here, we showed that VPA1365, a TPR family regulator, significantly promotes biofilm formation in V. parahaemolyticus. The Δvpa1365 mutant exhibited impaired biofilm formation under either low-salt (0.1M NaCl) or high-salt (0.5M NaCl) condition compared to that of the wild-type (WT) strain. The deletion of vpa1365 did not alter the flagella-mediated motility, however, it significantly reduced the metabolic activity of biofilm cells and production of key biofilm matrix components (exopolysaccharides, extracellular DNA, and extracellular proteins). Besides, the Δvpa1365 mutant exhibited lower expression levels of biofilm-related genes than that of the WT strain. All observed phenotypes were largely restored to WT levels in the complemented strain Δvpa1365-vpa1365. Therefore, our findings identify VPA1365 as a key regulator that enhances bacterial fitness via the positive regulation of biofilm formation. These insights deeply advance our comprehension of its environmental survival mechanisms and lay the groundwork for interventions to inhibit biofilm formation in V. parahaemolyticus.

Calcium ions serve as a universal secondary messenger, integrating diverse external signals, such as light, herbivory, and mechanical stimuli, within plant cells. However, the visualization and mechanistic dissection of calcium signaling specifically in response to mechanical stimulation remain technically challenging and underexplored in most plants. Previous studies have been largely confined to a few model systems, including Arabidopsis; here, we introduce a live-cell imaging approach using the stigmas of Torenia fournieri. This in vitro system enables multiscale observation of calcium signal patterns following controlled mechanical stimulation. This versatile platform not only simplifies the design of calcium imaging assays but also provides a tractable system for functionally validating other key molecular components in this signaling pathway. Key features • Live-cell imaging is employed to monitor calcium signals in response to mechanical stimulation, enabling examination at both the whole-organism and cellular levels. • Stigma vitality is maintained under controlled in vitro conditions throughout the imaging.

Modeling periodic transcriptions in tandem gene systems.

Integrating electrochemical-thermal-mechanical physical informed neural network framework for lithium-ion batteries state of health estimation

We present a novel readout method for microchannel plate (MCP) signals using timing anodes made from flexible polyimide laminates. Our approach is fully compatible with ultrahigh vacuum environments, as required for the majority of MCP applications. Multiple anode segments and signal tracks are patterned onto the laminate using standard printed circuit board techniques, enabling precise impedance matching of the anode circuit to a 50 Ω coaxial transmission line. Copper patches on both sides of the laminate form embedded capacitors, which are part of integrated decoupling circuits that reduce latency and noise compared to traditional external signal readout methods. The high breakdown voltage of polyimide permits the application of several kilovolts across the anode for MCP detector operation modes that require biasing of both the MCP and the anode. We demonstrate that the MCP signals captured by these segmented polyimide anodes follow a Gaussian profile in time and have a duration <1.5ns full-width-at-half-maximum. Using an optical detector characterization method, we demonstrate a timing resolution of 40ps root-mean-square for our ∅50mm MCPs in Chevron configuration across eight distinct anode segments.

The cell nucleus is continuously exposed to external signals, of both chemical and mechanical nature. To ensure proper cellular response, cells need to regulate the transmission, timing and duration of these signals. Although such timescale regulation is well described for chemical signals, whether and how it applies to mechanical signals reaching the nucleus is still not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that the formation of fibrillar adhesions locks the nucleus in a mechanically deformed conformation, setting the mechano-response timescale to that of fibrillar adhesion remodelling (~1 h). This process encompasses both mechanical deformation and associated mechanotransduction (such as via YAP), in response to both increased and decreased mechanical stimulation. The underlying mechanism is the anchoring of the vimentin cytoskeleton to fibrillar adhesions and the extracellular matrix through plectin 1f, which maintains nuclear deformation. Our results reveal a mechanism to regulate the timescale of mechanical adaptation, effectively setting a low-pass filter to mechanotransduction.

Circadian rhythms-self-sustained, ~24-h oscillations in transcript and protein levels-are generated by a cell-autonomous molecular clock. These rhythms shape how individual cells respond to external signals, influencing key decisions such as differentiation and apoptosis. However, current tools for visualizing circadian rhythms at the single-cell level often rely on genomic engineering and clonal expansion, limiting their accessibility and applicability. We present fluorescent circadian reporters based on the murine REVERBα/Nr1d1 gene, delivered via lentiviral transduction and compatible with time-lapse single-cell microscopy. These reporters produce oscillatory signals that depend on a functional circadian clock and can be used to determine a cell's circadian dynamics parameters, such as circadian phase. Their simple and efficient delivery should make them suitable for a wide variety of cell types, greatly expanding opportunities to study single-cell circadian dynamics and their impact across diverse biological processes and systems.

How Boards Use Competitor CEO Awards to Interpret Firm Performance in CEO Dismissal Decisions

Business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce firms operate in fast-changing digital markets, where timely interpretation of external signals may strengthen organisational agility. This study examines how four dimensions of competitive intelligence—market, technological, social, and competitor intelligence—relate to organisational agility in Croatian B2C e-commerce firms. The study adopted a pragmatic explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey, and 208 valid responses were analysed using reliability testing, construct-validity assessment, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. Qualitative follow-up evidence was used to support the interpretation of the quantitative results. The findings show that the effects of competitive intelligence dimensions on organisational agility are not uniform. In the final validated model, social intelligence emerged as the only significant positive predictor of organisational agility, while market intelligence, technological intelligence, and competitor intelligence did not show statistically significant effects. The study therefore suggests that, in this context, systematic attention to customer conversations, online feedback, and socially visible market signals may play a more decisive role in supporting agile organisational responses than other intelligence domains. The study contributes to the competitive intelligence and agility literature by showing that intelligence dimensions should be examined separately rather than treated as a single undifferentiated capability in digital commerce settings.

Where do I go from here?: Contribution of idiothetic and allothetic representations to directional decisions when switching environments.

Leaf senescence, the final developmental stage of a leaf, is a highly regulated process that is vital for the recycling of nutrients and the maintenance of plant fitness. Its control operates at multiple levels, including chromatin remodeling, transcription, post-transcriptional regulation, translation, and post-translational modifications. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the roles of key transcription factor (TF) families-WRKY, NAC, and MYB-in modulating leaf senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana. We detail how these TFs integrate internal and external signals to regulate senescence-associated genes (SAGs). In addition, we explore the pivotal role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in post-transcriptional control of senescence, focusing on their regulation of these TF families. In conjunction with the transcriptome data of Arabidopsis miRNAs under conditions of dark-induced senescence, we also highlight several novel senescence-associated miRNAs. Integrating transcriptional and post-transcriptional perspectives, this review presents an updated regulatory network for leaf senescence and discusses potential applications for manipulating senescence in crops to improve yield and quality.

As sessile organisms, plants have evolved sophisticated adaptive strategies to withstand fluctuating and often unpredictable environments. These strategies optimize reproductive traits, enabling plants to sustain reproduction under adverse conditions. Crucially, this environmentally driven reproductive plasticity not only ensures species survival but also offers avenues to enhance crop yield and quality. Addressing a critical gap in understanding how reproductive physiology integrates environmental adaptation, this review synthesizes recent advances on how external signals (e.g., light, temperature) interact with endogenous regulators (e.g., phytohormones, transcription factors, small peptides, receptor-like kinases) to modulate plant reproductive processes. It encompasses the full spectrum of reproductive biology, spanning floral transition, floral organ specification, gametogenesis, and fertilization. Furthermore, we discuss the potential applications of reproductive biology in future crop breeding and outline key research directions to advance the field.

AI-enabled smart glasses with real-time AI capabilities are now mass-market consumer products, in many cases indistinguishable from ordinary eyewear. They can display AI-generated text within the wearer’s line of sight, process speech through built-in microphones, and read examination materials through integrated cameras, all without producing any reliable external signal. These capabilities are significant for higher education not least because many institutions rely upon the physical exclusion of AI from the point of assessment to assure learning, particularly by way of invigilated exams and interactive orals. This paper introduces the concept of dual transparency to argue that wearable AI erodes the conditions of separability and observability on which the physical exclusion of AI from assessment has come to depend. It argues that attempts to maintain physical exclusion under conditions of dual transparency are likely to lead not to restored security but to a regime of bodily adjudication whose burden falls hardest on students with disabilities, health conditions, and religious dress practices.