Quantifying the Kinetics of Signaling and Arrestin Recruitment by Nervous System G-Protein Coupled Receptors

Neurons integrate inputs over different time and space scales. Fast excitatory synapses at boutons (ms and μm), and slow modulation over entire dendritic arbors (seconds and mm) are all ultimately combined to produce behavior. Understanding the timing of signaling events mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of action of therapeutics targeting the nervous system. Measuring signaling kinetics in live cells has been transformed by the adoption of fluorescent biosensors and dyes that convert biological signals into optical signals that are conveniently recorded by microscopic imaging or by fluorescence plate readers. Quantifying the timing of signaling has now become routine with the application of equations in familiar curve fitting software to estimate the rates of signaling from the waveform. Here we describe examples of the application of these methods, including (1) Kinetic analysis of opioid signaling dynamics and partial agonism measured using cAMP and arrestin biosensors; (2) Quantifying the signaling activity of illicit synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists measured using a fluorescent membrane potential dye; (3) Demonstration of multiplicity of arrestin functions from analysis of biosensor waveforms and quantification of the rates of these processes. These examples show how temporal analysis provides additional dimensions to enhance the understanding of GPCR signaling and therapeutic mechanisms in the nervous system.

Assessment of Variation in Feeding Behavior by Color Morph in the Asian citrus Psyllid (Diaphorini Citri Kuwayama)

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera:Liviidae), vector of huanglongbing disease, displays a high degree of color polyphenism. In the adult stage, ACP exhibits abdominal colors that can be separated into three color groupings: blue-green, grey-brown and orange-yellow. Color morphology has been shown to influence important and energetically costly psyllid life traits including reproduction, dispersion, immune defense and resistance to insecticides. Despite this, it remains unclear how color morphology is correlated with feeding behavior. Understanding variation in feeding behavior of the ACP color morphs is critical to better understanding how ACP populations utilize host-plants and to assess potential risk for transmission of the causal agent of huanglongbing disease. We compared the feeding behavior of the three ACP color morphs by using electropenetrography (EPG). We did not detect differences in the feeding behavior activities at phloem or xylem tissues when comparing the three-color morphs. Furthermore, there were no differences in feeding behavioral parameters before reaching phloem or xylem tissues. Our results suggest energy requirements are similar between color morphs and feeding behavior parameters associated with CLas transmission are potentially similar between color morphs.

Need Based Information Media for Farmers in Hill Regions of Uttarakhand: Implications for Extension

Farmers use different information sources and channels for seeking reliable, timely andrelevant information on improved agricultural practices. Developing appropriate farmereducational and marketing strategies will depend on how farmer groups differ in theirinformation search behavior. Understanding what information farmers need, how they searchfor their information, which sources they depend on for accessing information can help indesigning effective extension programs. The study examined farmer’s communicationcharacteristics with an intent to assess farmer’s accessibility and use of extension mediaand information sources for fulfilling their information needs pertaining to agricultural andallied activities in three hill districts of Uttarakhand state. A sample of 1318 farmers wasselected through a stratified random sampling technique. Interpersonal communicationsources were used more by farmers as these were more easily available and accessible toobtain information related to agriculture. Majority of farmers were categorised as lowsearchers. Gender, primary occupation, land size and education significantly affected searchbehaviour of farmers. Implications for policy and extension have been given for improvinginformation dissemination among farmers of hill regions. Emphasis on extension systemproviding a context for the flow of authentic knowledge through authentic media amongfarming communities on an equal basis is emphasized.

The Impact of Instrumental Stakeholder Management on Blockchain Technology Adoption Behavior in Agri-Food Supply Chains

Coffee is the second most important commodity in terms of global trade value, with its global market value exceeding $460 billion in 2020. Its supply networks, which encompass multiple stakeholders, are complex and nontransparent. Blockchain is a trust technology, and some coffee firms have embraced this technology to provide trust attributes to consumers while making their supply chain more transparent. For businesses to gain the expected productivity advantages, a technology must be adopted and used. As theoretical and empirical research on blockchain technology adoption is scarce, this article attempts to identify behavioral intentions of stakeholders in the supply network toward its adoption. Based on exploratory interviews, this article develops a blockchain technology adoption model based on factors relevant to individuals’ use behavior. The results provide evidence that a normative stakeholder management approach positively impacts use behavior. Managers can use the model to benchmark and improve their corporate social responsibility strategy to obtain better returns on blockchain investments. This study closes a research gap as, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has been conducted so far on the impact of an instrumental stakeholder management approach on blockchain technology adoption behavior. Understanding how stakeholder management can compensate for the lack of consensus mechanisms in private and consortium blockchains, as well as understanding the factors influencing behavioral intentions toward the use of a technology, can provide for managerial guidance toward the development of an effective stakeholder management strategy, which eventually can result in a competitive advantage.

Effect of Operating Room Personnel Generation on Perceptions and Responses to Surgeon Behavior

Background Little is known regarding the impact of operating room (OR) personnel generation on their perceptions to various surgeon behaviors. We aimed to characterize these relationships by evaluating their responses to 5 realistic intraoperative scenarios. Methods Operating room personnel were asked to assess surgeon OR behavior across a standardized set of 5 scenarios via an online survey. For each scenario, respondents were asked to identify the behavior as either acceptable, unacceptable but would ignore, unacceptable and would confront the surgeon, or unacceptable and would report to management. Chi-squared analyses were used to compare responses to surgeon behavior with respondent generation. Results There were 3101 respondents, of which 41% of respondents were baby boomers (n = 1280), 31% were generation (Gen) X (n = 955), and 28% were Gen Y (n = 866). Overall, when compared to Gen X or Gen Y, baby boomers were significantly more likely to find surgeon behaviors of impatience ( P < .001), being late for a case ( P < .001), swearing in the OR ( P < .001), and shouting with a bleeding patient ( P = .001) to be inappropriate and would talk to the surgeon. Alternatively, Gen Y respondents were more likely to find fault with surgeon behaviors that deviate from rules and regulations, such as forgetting a time-out ( P = .001), when compared to baby boomers and Gen X respondents. Discussion Results of our study demonstrate that OR personnel generation affects their perceptions and response to surgeon behavior. Understanding these tendencies can guide efforts to improve OR interactions among team members.

Dynamic neurogenomic responses to social interactions and dominance outcomes in female paper wasps

Social interactions have large effects on individual physiology and fitness. In the immediate sense, social stimuli are often highly salient and engaging. Over longer time scales, competitive interactions often lead to distinct social ranks and differences in physiology and behavior. Understanding how initial responses lead to longer-term effects of social interactions requires examining the changes in responses over time. Here we examined the effects of social interactions on transcriptomic signatures at two times, at the end of a 45-minute interaction and 4 hours later, in female Polistes fuscatus paper wasp foundresses. Female P. fuscatus have variable facial patterns that are used for visual individual recognition, so we separately examined the transcriptional dynamics in the optic lobe and the non-visual brain. Results demonstrate much stronger transcriptional responses to social interactions in the non-visual brain compared to the optic lobe. Differentially regulated genes in response to social interactions are enriched for memory-related transcripts. Comparisons between winners and losers of the encounters revealed similar overall transcriptional profiles at the end of an interaction, which significantly diverged over the course of 4 hours, with losers showing changes in expression levels of genes associated with aggression and reproduction in paper wasps. On nests, subordinate foundresses are less aggressive, do more foraging and lay fewer eggs compared to dominant foundresses and we find losers shift expression of many genes in the non-visual brain, including vitellogenin, related to aggression, worker behavior, and reproduction within hours of losing an encounter. These results highlight the early neurogenomic changes that likely contribute to behavioral and physiological effects of social status changes in a social insect.

Chemical bonding successful learning using the “Chebo collect game”: A case study

The use of games in the chemistry learning process has a positive effect on students’ behavior, understanding, and interest in the discussed topics. A Chebo Collect (chemical bonding collects) game, which has met validity, practicality, and effectiveness criteria, is used as a medium to learn chemical bonds. This study aims to assess the use of computerized games as learning media on chemistry subjects based on the learning activities, students’ responses, and the impact of learning objectives achievement. This study was conducted on high schools in East Java, Indonesia with 32 students as the subject for a game teaching method and 30 students as control using a traditional method. The students’ activities were observed during the learning process and the tests were done using a questionnaire. The results revealed that the learning activities were more student-centered method’s and the learning outcomes reached classical completeness with the significant differences between the initial and final test scores. Students also gave positive responses to the use of Chebo collect game as a medium to learn chemical bonds. Chebo Collect game has succeeded in helping students to learn chemical bonds by making the learning a student-centered one and improving students’ learning outcomes.