Biology subjects

Shapira, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Shapira, Y..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Similarity in Spontaneous Tempo Impacts Flow Experience and Coordination Dynamics During Joint Performance

Individuals tend to perform simple rhythmic tasks at a characteristic tempo, known as their spontaneous motor tempo. This motor trait, whether one naturally moves at a faster or slower pace, has been implicated in the ability to perform with external rhythmic structure across various tasks and experimental settings. In daily life, external rhythms often emerge through social interaction, as we continuously adapt to and move with rhythms generated by others. While previous studies have shown that individuals with similar spontaneous tempi can synchronize better in structured tasks, the role of individuals spontaneous tempo in unstructured, dynamic social interactions remains untested. In the current study, we examined how individuals spontaneous tempo shapes interpersonal coordination and subjective experience during an open-ended, free-form dyadic movement task. We first assessed individuals tempo using a spontaneous tapping task. Then, we measured interpersonal coordination patterns, including synchrony and leader-follower dynamics using a joint improvisation task inspired by the mirror game. Specifically, we developed a novel platform, composed of large transparent touch screens that resemble a shared window, on which individuals could continuously improvise motion together in an intuitive and playful manner. Participants alternated between game rounds with a designated leader and game rounds of leaderless improvisation. Following the mirror game, we also measured individuals subjective experience using a flow questionnaire. We found that individuals with similar spontaneous tempi reported greater flow experience during joint performance. Furthermore, we found that individuals with similar spontaneous tempi tended to synchronize less and were more variable and dynamic in their coordination patterns, specifically during leaderless improvisation rounds. Finally, we found that flow experience was highest when a participants movement tempo during the mirror game aligned with their own spontaneous tempo, regardless of their partners. These findings highlight individual spontaneous tempo as a meaningful trait that shapes both coordination dynamics and subjective experience during creative joint performance.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2025

Neural stem cell epigenomes and fate bias are temporally coordinated during corticogenesis

The cerebral cortex orchestrates complex cognitive functions, yet how its distinct temporal lineages are molecularly patterned during development remains unresolved. Here, we integrate single-cell transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility, together with genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation and 3D chromosomal contact across mouse corticogenesis (E13-E18) to elucidate cell fate transitions. Using metacell flow analysis, we reveal that neural stem cells (NSCs) progressively shift from a progenitor-biased state toward an astrocytic lineage and that this process is accompanied with changes in DNA methylation and 3D genome organization. A model integrating transcription factor motif affinities with epigenetic features identifies key regulators of cis-regulatory element (CRE) activation. In vivo reporter assays further decouple the intrinsic regulatory potential of CREs from context-dependent synergistic activation. Collectively, our findings uncover temporal epigenomic reprogramming that underlies the evolving differentiation potential of NSCs, providing insights into the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that pattern cortical lineages.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

Female Moths Incorporate Plant Acoustic Emissions into Their Oviposition Decision

Insects rely on plants visual, chemical, tactile, and electrical cues when making various decisions. A recent study demonstrated that dehydrated plants emit ultrasonic sounds within the auditory sensitivity range of many moth species. In this study, we sought to determine whether insects also rely on plant acoustic signals when making decisions. We investigated whether female moths rely on ultrasonic clicks which are typically produced by dehydrated plants when deciding where to oviposit. In the absence of an actual plant, the moths indeed preferred to lay their eggs in proximity to acoustic signals which represent dehydrating plants. Tracking the moths behavior prior to the decision showed that they examined both sides of the arena and gradually spent more time on the acoustic-playback side. Interestingly, when actual plants were added to the arena, the oviposition preference was reversed and the moths preferred silent plants, which is in accordance with their a-priori preference for hydrated plants. Deafening the moths eliminated their preference, confirming that the choice was based on hearing. Moreover, the presence of male moths including their auditory signals did not affect their oviposition decision, suggesting that the response was specific to plant sound emissions. We reveal evidence for a first acoustic interaction between moths and plants, but as plants emit various sounds, our findings hint to the existence of more currently unknown insect-plant acoustic interactions.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2021

First evidence of nocardiosis in farmed red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus, Linnaeus) caused by Nocardia seriolae in the Gulf of Mexico

Between August and December 2013, the offshore cages of a commercial marine farm culturing red drum Sciaenops ocellatus in Campeche Bay were affected by an outbreak of an ulcerative granulomatous disease, reaching 70% cumulative mortality. Thirty-one adults displaying open ulcers on the skin were submitted to our laboratory for diagnosis. Multiple white-yellowish nodules (0.1-0.5 cm in diameter) were present in all internal organs, where the kidney and the spleen were the most severely affected. Histopathological observations of these organs evinced typical granulomatous formations. Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen stains on tissue imprints, bacterial swabs and tissue sections revealed Gram-positive, acid-fast, branching beaded long rod filamentous bacteria. Tissue samples resulted positive for nocardiosis when a Nocardia genus specific nested PCR was used. Definite identification at the species level and taxonomic positioning of the fastidious pathogen was achieved through a specific Nocardia seriolae PCR and by sequencing the gyrB gene of pure isolates. After application of antibiotics during fry production, a posterior follow-up monitoring (from 2014 to 2017) detected mild but recurrent outbreaks of the bacteria with no seasonality pattern. To the extent of our current knowledge, this is the first report of piscine nocardiosis (in a new host -red drum) in Mexico.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Spatial sorting enables comprehensive characterization of liver zonation

The mammalian liver is composed of repeating hexagonal units termed lobules. Spatially-resolved single-cell transcriptomics revealed that about half of hepatocyte genes are differentially expressed across the lobule. Technical limitations impede reconstructing similar global spatial maps of other hepatocyte features. Here, we used zonated surface markers to sort hepatocytes from defined lobule zones with high spatial resolution. We applied transcriptomics, microRNA array measurements and Mass-spectrometry proteomics to reconstruct spatial atlases of multiple zonated hepatocyte features. We found that protein zonation largely overlapped mRNA zonation. We identified zonation of key microRNAs such as miR-122, and inverse zonation of microRNAs and their hepatocyte gene targets, implying potential regulation through zonated mRNA degradation. These targets included the pericentral Wnt receptors Fzd7 and Fzd8 and the periportal Wnt inhibitors Tcf7l1 and Ctnnbip1. Our approach facilitates reconstruction of spatial atlases of multiple cellular features in the liver and in other structured tissues.

systems biology↗