Bots in Public Arenas of Social Networks

In the study of social bots, one of the important trends is the transition from a technology-centered understanding of bots as a threat to information and computer security to a broader, socially-focused understanding of bots as a new tool of informational influence used by various social actors in online social networks. This transition is of value to modern sociology. As one such actor, the authors consider a group of civic activists who use bot-technology to construct and solve the problem of defrauded equity holders. The novelty of the article lies in the interpretation of this group’s activities in the context of the concept of public arenas. The botnet “Deceived equity holders of LenSpecStroy” was detected thanks to the author’s complex methodology that combined the method of frequency analysis of messages, profiling of bot accounts, including static and behavioral analysis of user profiles, statistical analysis of texts, analysis of the botnet’s structural organization, analysis of the content of its publications, and analysis of bursts of network publication activity. Analyzing these bursts of publication activity and the content of botnet publications showed how bot-technologies aided in implementing effective techniques aimed at constructing and maintaining the social problem of defrauded equity holders: expanding the capacity of the public arena, realizing (creating) dramaturgical novelty and emotional richness in discussing the problem, taking into account the organizational specifics of the public arena, directing interest in the problem towards other (related and equally important) public arenas (media, legislative and executive power, political parties).

Mesmerize is a dynamically adaptable user-friendly analysis platform for 2D and 3D calcium imaging data

Calcium imaging is an increasingly valuable technique for understanding neural circuits, neuroethology, and cellular mechanisms. The analysis of calcium imaging data presents challenges in image processing, data organization, analysis, and accessibility. Tools have been created to address these problems independently, however a comprehensive user-friendly package does not exist. Here we present Mesmerize, an efficient, expandable and user-friendly analysis platform, which uses a Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reproducible (FAIR) system to encapsulate the entire analysis process, from raw data to interactive visualizations for publication. Mesmerize provides a user-friendly graphical interface to state-of-the-art analysis methods for signal extraction & downstream analysis. We demonstrate the broad scientific scope of Mesmerize’s applications by analyzing neuronal datasets from mouse and a volumetric zebrafish dataset. We also applied contemporary time-series analysis techniques to analyze a novel dataset comprising neuronal, epidermal, and migratory mesenchymal cells of the protochordate Ciona intestinalis.

IMPLIKASI PENGGUNAAN WHATSAPP DALAM PENGURUSAN MAKLUMAT ORGANISASI

This study discusses the use of social media in organizational information management focused on WhatsApp application. This phenomenon is important given the current situation where the usage of social media as one of the formal and informal communication channels in the distribution of organizational information needs to be examined especially in terms of usage factors and its implications. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to develop an instrument to measure the usage of WhatsApp as well as to identify the implications of WhatsApp usage among organizational staff. This study utilized combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative method of interviewing was conducted with professional management staff, administrative and support staff. As a result of the interview, instruments to measure WhatsApp usage were formed which contained the dimensions of WhatsApp Usage, Belief in Information, WhatsApp Usage Ethics and WhatsApp Usage Competencies. The questionnaire was then distributed to the staff of the organization. Analysis of the questionnaire showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between WhatsApp Usage and Belief in Information, the Impact of WhatsApp Usage, and WhatsApp Usage Competencies. This study contributes to the knowledge related to information management in organizational communication as well as strengthening the Technology-based Social Construction theory and Hyper personal theory. Keywords: Competency, Information Management, WhatsApp, Instrument Development, Hyper personal theory Abstrak: Kajian ini membincangkan tentang penggunaan media sosial dalam pengurusan maklumat organisasi khususnya aplikasi WhatsApp. Fenomena ini penting memandangkan situasi semasa yang banyak melibatkan penggunaan media sosial sebagai salah satu saluran komunikasi formal dan tidak formal dalam penyaluran maklumat organisasi yang perlu diteliti dari segi faktor penggunaan dan implikasi dari penggunaan berkenaan. Tujuan kajian ini dilakukan adalah untuk membentuk instrumen bagi mengukur penggunaan WhatsApp serta mengenalpasti implikasi penggunaan WhatsApp dalam kalangan kaki tangan organisasi. Kajian ini mengaplikasikan gabungan kaedah kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Kaedah kualitatif iaitu temu bual dilakukan dengan kakitangan pengurusan profesional dan kakitangan pentadbiran dan sokongan. Hasil dari temu bual berkenaan, instrumen bagi mengukur penggunaan WhatsApp dibentuk yang mengandungi dimensi Penggunaan WhatsApp, Kepercayaan terhadap Maklumat, Etika Penggunaan WhatsApp dan Kompetensi Penggunaan WhatsApp. Soal selidik berkenaan kemudiannya diedarkan kepada kakitangan organisasi. Analisis dari soal selidik menunjukkan terdapat hubungan antara Penggunaan WhatsApp dengan Kepercayaan Terhadap Maklumat, Kesan Penggunaan WhatsApp, dan Kompetensi Penggunaan WhatsApp. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pengetahuan berkaitan dengan pengurusan maklumat dalam komunikasi organisasi serta pengukuhan teori Konstruksi Sosial berteraskan Teknologi dan teori Hyperpersonal. Kata kunci: Kompetensi, Pengurusan Maklumat, WhatsApp, Pembentukan Instrumen, Teori Hyperpesonal

αβ-T Cells Engineered to Express γδ-T Cell Receptors Can Kill Neuroblastoma Organoids Independent of MHC-I Expression

Currently ~50% of patients with a diagnosis of high-risk neuroblastoma will not survive due to relapsing or refractory disease. Recent innovations in immunotherapy for solid tumors are highly promising, but the low MHC-I expression of neuroblastoma represents a major challenge for T cell-mediated immunotherapy. Here, we propose a novel T cell-based immunotherapy approach for neuroblastoma, based on the use of TEG002, αβ-T cells engineered to express a defined γδ-T cell receptor, which can recognize and kill target cells independent of MHC-I. In a co-culture killing assay, we showed that 3 out of 6 neuroblastoma organoids could activate TEG002 as measured by IFNγ production. Transcriptional profiling showed this effect correlates with an increased activity of processes involved in interferon signaling and extracellular matrix organization. Analysis of the dynamics of organoid killing by TEG002 over time confirmed that organoids which induced TEG002 activation were efficiently killed independent of their MHC-I expression. Of note, efficacy of TEG002 treatment was superior to donor-matched untransduced αβ-T cells or endogenous γδ-T cells. Our data suggest that TEG002 may be a promising novel treatment option for a subset of neuroblastoma patients.

The giant axolotl genome uncovers the evolution, scaling, and transcriptional control of complex gene loci

Vertebrates harbor recognizably orthologous gene complements but vary 100-fold in genome size. How chromosomal organization scales with genome expansion is unclear, and how acute changes in gene regulation, as during axolotl limb regeneration, occur in the context of a vast genome has remained a riddle. Here, we describe the chromosome-scale assembly of the giant, 32 Gb axolotl genome. Hi-C contact data revealed the scaling properties of interphase and mitotic chromosome organization. Analysis of the assembly yielded understanding of the evolution of large, syntenic multigene clusters, including the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and the functional regulatory landscape of the Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 (Axfgf8) region. The axolotl serves as a primary model for studying successful regeneration.

Construction Logistics Centres Proposing Kitting Service: Organization Analysis and Cost Mapping

The construction industry represents an important part of the global economy but is known for many issues such as harmful emissions, low productivity, waste generation, poor ergonomics, and construction incidents and accidents. A logistical view has proved to be a solid basis for improving construction performance while construction logistics centres (CLC) are gaining interest and proposing more services such as Kitting. Since the CLC-kitting-based approach is a new phenomenon, it is still a relatively unexplored topic. Hence, this paper addresses how this configuration could be applied to construction projects and what are its related costs information. The research design is based on a single case study showing the CLC-kitting use by a French general contractor in a student housing project. Data has been collected through site visits, observations, project documents, and discussions conducted with construction managers and logistics planners. Data analysis identified realized effects from deploying CLC-kitting in construction projects. Therefore, recommendations are provided, at both strategic and operational levels, which can be leveraged in similar projects. Finally, an identification of constructions logistics costs shows their distribution along the supply chain and was evaluated at 14.7% over material purchasing price.