TASK-3 Two-Pore Potassium Channels drive neuronal excitability of the circadian clock and entrainment to challenging light environments

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the mammalian circadian clock, is a heterogenous structure made of several neuron types that generate a circadian electrical activity profile. However, it is unclear how such regulation in endogenous neuronal excitability is maintained. Background two- pore domain potassium channels (K2P), such as TASK-3, play an important role in inhibiting neuronal activity. Here, we utilize a TASK-3 KO mouse model to unravel the role played by this channel in SCN circadian neuronal regulation and behavioral photoentrainment. Our results reveal that TASK-3 is needed to adapt to challenging lighting conditions, such as those experienced through seasonal changes and jet lag. From our investigations this appears to be very distinct from pathways that drive acute, ‘one-off’ adjustments in clock phase, in response to single pulses of light. These findings provide crucial information on the intricate pathways linking clock output to behavioral adaptation to light-dark cycles

Plagiarism in AI empowered world

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many aspects of education and research, but it has also introduced new challenges, including the problem of students using AI to create assignments that cannot be detected by plagiarism checkers. The proliferation of AI tools that can generate original sounding text has made it easier for students to pass off the work of others as their own, making it more difficult for educators to identify and prevent plagiarism. This paper identifies the problem of plagiarism in the AI empowered world and considers potential solutions for addressing this issue

Aging clocks: disrupted circadian rhythms

The earth’s rotation around its very own axis generates the phenomenon that we refer to as our day and night. This change in environmental lighting has been an essential component of life; where throughout the evolutionary chain, organisms have used this signal as a timing cue to which they regulate/ synchronise their sleep-wake activity. It is this entrainment of both phy- siological processes and behavioural traits that define and, in some aspects, govern an individual’s life style through circadian linked routines. Mammals, are no exception to this rule, often being referred to as ’creatures of habit’. From inception through to old age humans tend to gravitate to structured and defined periodic sleep- wake patterns; an uncanny system innately programmed into every individual, contributing to good health and wellbeing. However, the caveat lies within the aging process itself. Aging of the physio- logical components that govern and maintain circadian rhythms in mammals result in disruption to the clock leading to problems in sleep, cognition and social function, to name but a few. Little is known regarding the underlying mechanisms driving such changes; thus, it is imperative that we understand the natural biological aging process so to develop therapies and treatments that improve the quality of life in our, ever growing, aging population

TRESK is a key regulator of nocturnal suprachiasmatic nucleus dynamics and light adaptive responses

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a complex structure dependent upon multiple mechanisms to ensure rhythmic electrical activity that varies between day and night, to determine circadian adaptation and behaviours. SCN neurons are exposed to glutamate from multiple sources including from the retino-hypothalamic tract and from astrocytes. However, the mechanism preventing inappropriate post-synaptic glutamatergic effects is unexplored and unknown. Unexpectedly we discovered that TRESK, a calcium regulated two-pore potassium channel, plays a crucial role in this system. We propose that glutamate activates TRESK through NMDA and AMPA mediated calcium influx and calcineurin activation to then oppose further membrane depolarisation and rising intracellular calcium. Hence, in the absence of TRESK, glutamatergic activity is unregulated leading to membrane depolarisation, increased nocturnal SCN firing, inverted basal calcium levels and impaired sensitivity in light induced phase delays. Our data reveals TRESK plays an essential part in SCN regulatory mechanisms and light induced adaptive behaviours

TASK-3, two-pore potassium channels, contribute to circadian rhythms in the electrical properties of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and play a role in driving stable behavioural photic entrainment

Stable and entrainable physiological circadian rhythms are crucial for overall health and well-being. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the primary circadian pacemaker in mammals, consists of diverse neuron types that collectively generate a circadian profile of electrical activity. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of endogenous neuronal excitability in the SCN remain unclear. Two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P), including TASK-3, are known to play a significant role in maintaining SCN diurnal homeostasis by inhibiting neuronal activity at night. In this study, we investigated the role of TASK-3 in SCN circadian neuronal regulation and behavioural photoentrainment using a TASK-3 global knockout mouse model. Our findings demonstrate the importance of TASK-3 in maintaining SCN hyperpolarization during the night and establishing SCN sensitivity to glutamate. Specifically, we observed that TASK-3 knockout mice lacked diurnal variation in resting membrane potential and exhibited altered glutamate sensitivity both in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, despite these changes, the mice lacking TASK-3 were still able to maintain relatively normal circadian behaviour

6G Opportunities Arising from Internet of Things Use Cases: A Review Paper

The race for the 6th generation of wireless networks (6G) has begun. Researchers around the world have started to explore the best solutions for the challenges that the previous generations have experienced. To provide the readers with a clear map of the current developments, several review papers shared their vision and critically evaluated the state of the art. However, most of the work is based on general observations and the big picture vision, and lack the practical implementation challenges of the Internet of Things (IoT) use cases. This paper takes a novel approach in the review, as we present a sample of IoT use cases that are representative of a wide variety of its implementations. The chosen use cases are from the most research-active sectors that can benefit from 6G and its enabling technologies. These sectors are healthcare, smart grid, transport, and Industry 4.0. Additionally, we identified some of the practical challenges and the lessons learned in the implementation of these use cases. The review highlights the cases’ main requirements and how they overlap with the key drivers for the future generation of wireless networks

Plagiarism in AI empowered world

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many aspects of education and research, but it has also introduced new challenges, including the problem of students using AI to create assignments that cannot be detected by plagiarism checkers. The proliferation of AI tools that can generate original sounding text has made it easier for students to pass off the work of others as their own, making it more difficult for educators to identify and prevent plagiarism. This paper identifies the problem of plagiarism in the AI empowered world and considers potential solutions for addressing this issue