bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corrections in single cell migration path in vivo are controlled by pulses in polar Rac1 activation
Authors: Hoffmann Dennis , Agranov Tal , Kühl Lucas , Simons Benjamin D. , Gov Nir , Raz Erez
Published: February 2025

Directed migration of single cells is central to a large number of processes in development and adult life. Corrections to the migration path of cells are often characterized by periodic loss of polarity that is followed by the generation of a new leading edge in response to guidance cues, a behavior termed ‘run and tumble’. While this phenomenon is essential for accurate arrival at migration targets, the precise molecular mechanisms responsible for the periodic changes in cell polarity are unknown. To investigate this issue, we employ germ cells in live zebrafish embryos as anin vivomodel and show that a tunable molecular network controls periodic pulsations of Rac1 activity and actin polymerization. This process, which we term ‘polar pulsations’, is responsible for the transitions between the run and tumble phases. In addition, we provide evidence for the role of apolar blebbing activity during tumble phases in erasing the memory of the previous front-back polarity of the migrating cell. To understand how the molecular components give rise to this distinct behavior, we develop a minimal mathematical model of the biochemical network that accounts for the observed cell behavior. Together, ourin vivofindings and the mathematical model suggest that a pulsatory signaling network regulates the accuracy of individual cell migration.
Maternal Transfer of Vaccine-Induced Anti-OspA Antibodies in Peromyscus spp Protects Pups from Tick-TransmittedBorrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Azevedo Jose F. , Joyner Greg , Kundu Suman , Samanta Kamalika , Gomes-Solecki Maria
Published: February 2025

Maternal antibody transfer provides passive immunity to offspring; however, the efficacy and duration of this protection depends on maternal antibody levels and transfer efficiency. We investigated whether oral vaccination ofPeromyscus leucopusdams with recombinant OspA-expressingE. colicould induce maternal transfer of anti-OspA antibodies and protect pups fromBorrelia burgdorferichallenge. Dams were vaccinated for different durations: (i) until breeding, (ii) until birth of pups, or (iii) until pups were 2 weeks old. Pups were challenged withIxodes scapularisnymph-transmittedB. burgdorferiat ∼ 4 weeks of age. Anti-OspA IgG were quantified in dams and pups, andB. burgdorferianti-PepVF IgG were quantified in pups. Furthermore,B. burgdorferiburden was assessed by qPCR targeting theflaBgene in pups’ heart and bladder tissues > 4 weeks after tick challenge.P. leucopuspups born to dams vaccinated until breeding, exhibited low anti-OspA antibody and were not protected from tick transmittedB. burgdorferiinfection. However, when maternal vaccination extended until pups were born and until pups were two weeks old, significant anti-OspA antibody transfer and protection occurred. This was evidenced by absence of antibody toB. burgdorferiPepVF, absence ofB. burgdorferi flaBDNA in heart and bladder tissues, and absence offlaBin culture from heart tissues from pups euthanized >9 weeks after birth. We show that transfer of anti-OspA antibodies fromP. leucopusdams to offspring prevents tick transmission ofB. burgdorferiin the major reservoir host of this spirochete in the United States.

Importance

This study contributes to our understanding of how reservoir targeted vaccines designed to block transmission ofB. burgdorferifrom infectedIxodes scapularisticks may disrupt the enzootic cycle of this spirochete and reduce incidence of Lyme disease.
Imaging Cell Competition in Ex-Vivo Drosophila Adult Brains
Authors: Gutiérrez-García Andrés , Marques-Reis Mariana , Moreno Eduardo
Published: February 2025

Live imaging has been instrumental in understanding cellular dynamics in Drosophila tissues, but technical limitations have prevented long-term visualization of cell competition in adult brains. Here, we describe a simple ex-vivo protocol that enables extended live imaging of adult Drosophila brains for up to 32 hours. The method relies on non-supplemented Schneider's Drosophila medium and hydrophobic interactions to maintain brain stability during imaging, eliminating the need for complex culture conditions or embedding procedures. We validate this approach by studying cell competition in the optic lobes following traumatic brain injury, where cell competition is expected to occur with a peak at 48 hours after damage. We demonstrate the utility of this method by visualizing the expression of the fitness checkpoint Azot in a loser cell and its subsequent elimination. This protocol offers a versatile platform for studying cell competition and other cellular processes requiring extended observation of the adult Drosophila brain.
Characterization of an enigmatic tubular ultrastructure in the bacterial defensive symbiont of the Asian citrus psyllid
Authors: Song Chihong , Maruyama Junnosuke , Murata Kazuyoshi , Suzaki Toshinobu , Nakabachi Atsushi
Published: February 2025

“CandidatusProfftella armatura” (Betaproteobacteria) is a unique organelle-like defensive symbiont harbored intracellularly within the symbiotic organ of a devastating citrus pest, the Asian citrus psyllidDiaphorina citri(Insecta: Hemiptera). Our previous two-dimensional transmission electron microscopy identified an unprecedented ultrastructure that appeared tubular inProfftella, but their detailed architecture, three-dimensional arrangement, and components were unknown. To address these issues, this study conducted serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, high-voltage electron tomography, and fluorescencein situhybridization. The results revealed that highly elongated (2.8–136 µm observed), string-shapedProfftellacells contain tubes of various numbers (1–43 per cell observed) and length (up to 45 μm observed), depending on the cell length. The tubes were evenly distributed throughout the cells, occupying an average of 6.3% of the total cell volume. Each tube consisted of five or six thin fibers twisted into a right-handed helix, maintaining a consistent diameter of approximately 230 nm along its entire length. Even without fixation or embedding, the tubes retained their shape under high vacuum conditions in electron microscopes, demonstrating their remarkable stability and robustness. These findings suggest that the tubes may help provide mechanical stability to the highly elongated and potentially vulnerableProfftellacells. Further analysis showed that the tubes are closely associated with ribosomes, suggesting a role in protein synthesis. Overall, these results offer new insights into the structural and functional evolution of bacteria, with potential implications for developing novel pest control strategies.

Significance statement

Bacteria generally have simple intracellular structures, lacking organelles. Here, we report a highly elongated, elaborate organelle-like structure with a tubular shape in a bacterial symbiont of an important agricultural pest. The tube, which exhibits high durability and robustness, may contribute to the mechanical stability of the notably elongated symbiont cell. They are closely associated with numerous ribosomes, suggesting a potential role in gene expression. These findings not only enhance our understanding of bacterial evolution but may also provide clues for developing novel strategies for pest control.
Keratinocyte Arginase1 Deficiency Impairs Healing and Antimicrobial Defence againstPseudomonas aeruginosaInfection
Authors: Crompton Rachel A. , Szondi Denis C. , Doherty Christopher , Thomason Helen A. , Lee Sze Han , Loh Yan Ping , O’Neill Catherine A. , Vardy Leah , McBain Andrew J. , Cruickshank Sheena M.
Published: February 2025

Wound infection is a major disruptor of wound healing. Keratinocytes, critical in repair and microbial responses, require the L-arginine hydrolysing enzyme arginase1, for effective healing. Wound pathogens such asPseudomonas aeruginosamay also need L-arginine. We therefore investigated host-microbial interactions in the context of wound healing and L-arginine metabolism. Arginase-inhibited murine wounds challenged withP. aeruginosa,exhibited significantly delayed re-epithelialisation. This finding was recapitulatedin vitrousingP. aeruginosa-challenged, arginase1 deficient (shARG1)keratinocytes, associated with reduced epithelial proliferation and viability, and heightened inflammation. WhilstP. aeruginosachallenge promoted host metabolism of L-arginine, this was perturbed in woundedshARG1keratinocytes. There was, however, heightened downstream polyamine metabolism inshARG1cells when underP. aeruginosachallenge. Host keratinocyte arginase1 deficiency promoted bacterial growthin vitro, in line with a failure to upregulate the anti-microbial peptides,β-defensins,inshARG1scratches. This work demonstrates a pivotal role for keratinocyte arginase1 in wound infection.

HIGHLIGHTS

Host arginase is required for effective healing underP. aeruginosachallenge.

P. aeruginosaenhances host keratinocyte L-arginine metabolism upon scratch.

P. aeruginosapromotes polyamine metabolism in arginase1 deficient woundsin vitro.

Arginase1 is required for keratinocyte anti-microbial defence againstP. aeruginosa.
Left ventricular mass-to-strain ratio to predict treatment response and prognosis in hypertensive heart disease
Authors: Hwang In-Chang , Kim Hyue Mee , Park Jiesuck , Choi Hong-Mi , Yoon Yeonyee E. , Cho Goo-Yeong
Published: February 2025

Background: Typical hypertensive heart disease (HHD) phenotype is the left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and dysfunction, measurable via LV global longitudinal strain. Objectives: To evaluate the LV mass-to-strain ratio (LV-MSR) as a marker of HHD treatment response and prognosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent echocardiography at hypertension diagnosis and 6-18-monthly intervals in tertiary centers from 2006-2021. Association between LV-MSR and LV geometry changes was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and multivariable logistic regression. Time-dependent ROC and Cox regression were performed to evaluate LV-MSR prognostic value for cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization. Results: Among 1,600 patients (mean age, 65.1 years; 61.1% male), 23.4% had concentric LVH, and 21.5% eccentric LVH at baseline. LV-MSR had the highest predictive accuracy for LV geometry changes (area-under-the-curve 0.786; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.759-0.813). LV-MSR showed significant association with new-onset LVH among the non-LVH group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.125, 95%CI 1.054-1.200, P<0.001) and persistent LVH among LVH group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.133, 95%CI 1.087-1.180, P<0.001) at baseline. Higher LV-MSR was an independent prognosticator, whether as a continuous (aHR 1.032 per +1 g/m2/%, 95%CI 1.015-1.049, P<0.001) or categorical variable (aHR 2.257 for LV-MSR >=6.52 g/m2/%, 95%CI 1.463-3.480, P<0.001). The associations persisted in subgroup analyses according to the presence of LVH baseline. Conclusions: LV-MSR independently predicts LV geometry changes and clinical outcomes in HHD, serving as a superior prognostic marker compared to LV mass index or LV-GLS alone.
New Insights into Epileptic Spasm Generation and Treatment from the TTX Animal Model
Authors: Swann John W. , Ballester-Rosado Carlos J. , Lee Chih-Hong
Published: February 2025

Currently, we have an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS). However, over the past decade, significant efforts have been made to develop IESS animal models to provide much-needed mechanistic information for therapy development. Our laboratory has focused on the TTX model, in which tetrodotoxin (TTX) is infused into the neocortex of infant rats, producing a lesion at the infusion site and mimicking IESS resulting from acquired structural brain abnormalities. Subsequent electrophysiological studies showed that the epileptic spasms originate from neocortical layer V pyramidal cells. Importantly, experimental maneuvers that increase the excitability of these cells produce focal seizures in non-epileptic control animals but never produce them in TTX-infused epileptic rats; instead, epileptic spasms are produced in epileptic rats, indicating a significant transformation in the operations of neocortical networks. At the molecular level, studies showed that the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 was markedly reduced in the cortex and this corresponded with a loss of presynaptic GABAergic nerve terminals. Very similar observations were made in surgically resected tissue from IESS patients with a history of perinatal strokes. Other experiments in conditional knockout mice indicated that IGF-1 plays a critical role in the maturation of neocortical inhibitory connectivity. This finding led to our hypothesis that the loss of IGF-1 in epileptic animals impairs inhibitory interneuron synaptogenesis and is responsible for spasms. To test this idea, we treated epileptic rats with the IGF-1-derived tripeptide (1-3)IGF-1, which was shown to act through IGF-1’s receptor. (1-3)IGF-1 rescued inhibitory interneuron connectivity, restored IGF-1 levels, and abolished spasms. Thus (1-3)IGF-1 or its analogues are potential novel treatments for IESS following perinatal brain injury. We conclude by discussing our findings in the broader context of the often-debated final common pathway hypothesis for IESS.

We confirm that we have read the Journal’s position on issues involved in ethical publication and affirm that this report is consistent with those guidelines.

Plain Language Summary

We review recent findings from the TTX animal model of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, which show that these seizures come from an area of the brain called the neocortex. In this area, the amount of an important growth factor called IGF-1 is reduced, as is the number of inhibitory synapses that play an important role in preventing seizures. Other results indicate that the loss of IGF-1 prevents the normal development of these inhibitory synapses. Treatment of epileptic animals with (1-3)IGF-1 restored IGF-1 levels and inhibitory synapses and abolished spasms. Thus, (1-3)IGF-1 or an analogue are potential new therapies for epileptic spasms.
Egress-enhancing mutation reveals inefficiency of non-enveloped virus cell exit
Authors: Rodriguez-Irizarry Valerie J. , Maples Robert W. , Pfeiffer Julie K.
Published: February 2025

Viruses encounter a range of selective pressures, but inefficiencies during replication can be masked. To uncover factors that limit viral replication, we used forward genetics to enrich for a murine norovirus (MNV) mutant with faster replication. We sequentially harvested the earliest progeny in cultured cells and identified a single amino acid change in the viral NS3 protein, K40R, that was sufficient to enhance replication speed. We found that the NS3-K40R virus induced earlier cell death and viral egress compared with wild-type virus. Mechanistically, NS3-K40R protein disrupted membranes more efficiently than wild-type NS3 protein, potentially contributing to increased mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Mice infected with NS3-K40R virus had increased titers, suggesting that increasing egress did not reduce fitnessin vivo. Overall, by using a forward genetic approach, we identified a previously unknown inefficiency in norovirus egress and provide new insights into selective pressures that influence viral replication and evolution.
Mass mortality events in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean caused by long-distance circumpolar spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b
Authors: Clessin Augustin , Briand François-Xavier , Tornos Jérémy , Lejeune Mathilde , Pasquale Camille De , Fischer Romain , Souchaud Florent , Hirchaud Edouard , Bralet Tristan , Guinet Christophe , McMahon Clive R. , Grasland Béatrice , Baele Guy , Boulinier Thierry
Published: February 2025

Since 2020, the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus clade 2.3.4.4b has turned into the largest documented panzootic to date, reaching the sub-Antarctic region and Antarctica via the tip of South America in 2023. Here, we describe its recent arrival into the Indian Ocean sub-Antarctic archipelagos of Crozet and Kerguelen, where we first detected the virus in October 2024 in dead southern elephant seals, king penguins, gentoo penguins, brown skuas and kelp gulls. While the panzootic is ongoing, it has already caused unprecedented and alarming mortalities of southern elephant seals. We collected brain swabs from various seal and bird carcasses, subsequently isolated the virus and obtained 25 novel HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b sequences. Our phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses show that there have been independent introductions of the virus to Crozet and Kerguelen, from the distant South Georgia Islands in the Southern Atlantic, and not from the more nearby coasts of South Africa. Our results point to a year-long gap in genomic surveillance in the south polar region, obscuring how HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b is spreading in the sub-Antarctic and illustrating the difficulties in tracking pathogen dispersal in the region. Locally, our phylogenetic analyses show that the virus is transmitted between different species. Moreover, our serological analyses show that some southern elephant seal pups had mounted an anti-H5 antibody response. With the spread to Crozet and Kerguelen, HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b is moving ever closer to Australia and New Zealand, which currently remain free from infections with this strain, and represents a major threat to the sub-Antarctic wildlife. Our results provide key elements to enable stakeholders to anticipate the arrival and spread of the virus in remote areas of critical wildlife conservation concerns.
MsyB-HU Interaction Modulates a Two-Tiered Bacterial Stress Response by Regulating DNA Supercoiling
Authors: Chen Huan , Yang Yanan , Chen Xinrui , Zhou Haolong , He Yingli , Li Mengzhe , Lin Wei , Yuan Zuyi , Wang Yawen , Matthews Steve , Yuan Shuai , Wang Hongliang , Liu Bing
Published: February 2025

Bacteria respond to stressful conditions through multiple pathways, including changes in gene expression patterns and mutations for adaptation. DNA supercoiling is a fundamental regulatory principle of bacterial gene expression, controlled antagonistically by DNA gyrase and topoisomerase I. Nucleoid-associated proteins, such as HU, also regulate supercoiling through interactions with DNA. Here, we identifyEscherichia coliprotein MsyB as a HU inhibitor and a β-clamp binder. MsyB is fine-tuned under various stressful conditions, where it modulates the population of DNA-bound HU by forming a HU-MsyB complex. Consequently, the balance between DNA-bound HU and MsyB-bound HU adjusts the DNA supercoiling state, thereby influencing transcription for adaptation. Additionally, under prolonged starvation during the stationary phase, sustained high level of MsyB increases DNA exposure to damaging factors, acting as a damage inducer. The HU/MsyB/β-clamp interaction suggests a model in which MsyB coordinates with HU and the β-clamp to facilitate damage acquisition and error-prone DNA repair. Thus, MsyB-dependent supercoiling regulation represents a novel two-tiered bacterial stress response mechanism in gene expression and adaptive mutation. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized regulatory mechanism of bacterial supercoiling, positioning HU as a promising antibiotic target.
Derivation and analysis of human somatic sensory neuron subtypes facilitated through fluorescent hPSC reporters
Authors: Malka-Gibor Eti , Oliver Katherine M. , Chen Shirley , Garcia-Diaz Alejandro , Williams Damian , Corneo Barbara , de Nooij Joriene C.
Published: February 2025

Peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) is associated with several devastating neurological conditions, yet effective strategies to prevent or alleviate the consequences of PSN are nearly non-existent. A major challenge in the development of better therapeutic interventions is the lack of appropriate human model systems. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived somatosensory neurons present a promising strategy to overcome this issue but remain of limited translational utility, in part due to the low efficiency and lack of sensory subtype selectivity of the existing sensory neuron derivation protocols. To improve upon iPSC-based somatosensory disease models, we here describe the generation and validation of a genetic toolset to fluorescently label all or distinct (nociceptor, low threshold mechanoreceptor, and proprioceptor) somatosensory subtypes. These new resources will be transformative for hPSC-based approaches in PSN disease modeling - a critical step towards translating new findings into clinically relevant therapeutic strategies.
Relationships between GABA+ and Glx concentrations with age and inhibition in healthy older adults
Authors: Treacy Ciara , Andrews Sophie C. , Levenstein Jacob M.
Published: February 2025

Inhibition represents a core executive function which underlies the ability to suppress interfering and/or distracting stimuli, thereby building resistance against task-irrelevant information. However, the impact of ageing on inhibitory functioning and the potential role of neuroplasticity - largely driven by predominant excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABAergic) neurochemicals – remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated age relationships with neurochemical concentrations (GABA+ and Glx) and examined the associations between these neurochemicals and inhibitory sub-components in the context of healthy ageing. To this end, participants completed three inhibition tasks (i.e., flanker, Stroop and go/no-go), each measuring a different sub-component process, via the PsyToolkit platform. MRS data was acquired in the sensorimotor (SM1; n=71, mean age (SD) = 68.3 (±9.7) years, 39 females) and prefrontal (PFC; n=58, mean age (SD) = 67.6 (±9.6) years, 30 females) regions using a HERMES sequence and analysed using OSPREY’s pipeline. After correcting for gender and education, semi-partial correlations (rho) revealed no significant relationships between age and GABA+ or Glx concentrations in either the SM1 or PFC regions. Furthermore, through partial correlations (rho), after correcting for age, gender and education, we identified a significant negative relationship between SM1 Glx concentrations and go/no-go error rates, such that greater concentrations of Glx in the SM1 region were associated with greater accuracy on the go/no-go task. The null age-neurochemical results suggest that GABA+ and Glx may not uniformly decline during healthy ageing. This finding suggests that the relationship between older age and neurochemistry may be more nuanced than previously reported. In addition, our neurochemical-behavioural findings provide neurochemically-and-spatially specific evidence that SM1 Glx concentrations may be important for response inhibition. This result indicates a role for the glutamatergic system in supporting inhibition over the normal course of ageing.
Interpersonal synchronization as an objective measure of listening engagement
Authors: Lambrechts Lotte , Accou Bernd , Vanthornhout Jonas , Boets Bart , Francart Tom
Published: February 2025

Listening engagement has received increasing attention for its role in effective communication and knowledge transfer. It encompasses a state of deep listening in which a person not only pays attention to a stimulus but is fully absorbed in it. Behavioral measures have been used to assess listening engagement; however, they have limitations and do not fully capture this multidimensional state. Measuring listening engagement objectively using brain and body signals is a compelling alternative. In particular, interpersonal synchronization—observed through synchronized physiological responses among listeners—offers a promising objective measure of this phenomenon. We measured brain, heart rate, and electrodermal activity synchronization between people who listened to engaging and non-engaging stories. As a ground truth, we also measured subjective listening engagement through a questionnaire. Results showed higher synchronization when participants listened to an engaging stimulus compared to a non-engaging one across different modalities of objective response. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between synchronization measures and subjective engagement ratings. These results confirm that synchronization may serve as a reliable measure of listening engagement.
Neural variability reliably and selectively encodes pain discriminability
Authors: Zhang Libo , Geng Xinyi , Hu Li
Published: February 2025

Neural activity varies dramatically across time. While such variability has been associated with cognition, its relationship with pain remains largely unexplored. Here, we systematically investigated the relationship between neural variability and pain, particularly pain discriminability, in five large electroencephalography (EEG) datasets (total N = 489), collected from healthy individuals (Datasets 1–4) and patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN; Dataset 5) who had received painful or nonpainful sensory stimuli. We found robust correlations between neural variability and interindividual pain discriminability. These correlations were (1) replicable in multiple datasets, (2) pain selective, as no significant correlations were observed in nonpain modalities, and (3) clinically relevant, as they were partly disrupted in patients with PHN. Importantly, variability and amplitude of EEG signals were mutually independent and had distinct temporal and oscillatory profiles in encoding pain discriminability. These findings demonstrate that neural variability is a replicable and selective indicator of pain discriminability above and beyond amplitude, thereby enhancing the understanding of neural encoding of pain discriminability and underscoring the value of neural variability in pain studies.
Esr1-Dependent Signaling and Transcriptional Maturation in the Medial Preoptic Area of the Hypothalamus Shapes the Development of Mating Behavior during Adolescence
Authors: Hashikawa Koichi , Hashikawa Yoshiko , Briones Brandy , Ishii Kentaro , Liu Yuejia , Rossi Mark A. , Basiri Marcus L. , Chen Jane Y. , Ahmad Omar R. , Mukundan Rishi V. , Johnston Nathan L. , Simon Rhiana C. , Soetedjo James C. , Siputro Jason R. , McHenry Jenna A. , Palmiter Richard D. , Rubinow David R. , Zweifel Larry S. , Stuber Garret D.
Published: February 2025

Mating and other behaviors emerge during adolescence through the coordinated actions of steroid hormone signaling throughout the nervous system and periphery. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional dynamics of the medial preoptic area (MPOA), a critical region for reproductive behavior, using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) andin situhybridization techniques in male and female mice throughout adolescence development. Our findings reveal that estrogen receptor 1 (Esr1) plays a pivotal role in the transcriptional maturation of GABAergic neurons within the MPOA during adolescence. Deletion of the estrogen receptor gene,Esr1, in GABAergic neurons (Vgat+) disrupted the developmental progression of mating behaviors in both sexes, while its deletion in glutamatergic neurons (Vglut2+) had no observable effect. In males and females, these neurons displayed distinct transcriptional trajectories, with hormone-dependent gene expression patterns emerging throughout adolescence and regulated byEsr1.Esr1deletion in MPOA GABAergic neurons, prior to adolescence, arrested adolescent transcriptional progression of these cells and uncovered sex-specific gene-regulatory networks associated withEsr1signaling. Our results underscore the critical role ofEsr1in orchestrating sex-specific transcriptional dynamics during adolescence, revealing gene regulatory networks implicated in the development of hypothalamic controlled reproductive behaviors.

One Sentence Summary

Single cell RNA sequencing reveals how adolescent sex hormones sculpt hypothalamic cell types required for mating behavior.
Wess-Zumino-Witten Interactions of Axions
Authors: Bai Yang , Chen Ting-Kuo , Liu Jia , Ma Xiaolin
Published: February 2025

We present a consistent derivation of the complete Wess-Zumino-Witten interactions of axions, including the counter-term necessary to guarantee the gauge invariance of the standard model. By treating the derivative of the axion field as a background gauge field and incorporating auxiliary chiral rotation phases, we ensure consistency in the axion-interaction Lagrangian. This approach allows us to derive basis-independent physical interactions of axions with gauge bosons and vector mesons. These interactions have broad applications in axion phenomenology for both light and heavy axion particles.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Process tensor approaches to modeling two-dimensional spectroscopy
Authors: de Wit Roosmarijn , Keeling Jonathan , Lovett Brendon W. , Chin Alex W.
Published: February 2025

Problems in the field of open quantum systems often involve an environment that strongly influences the dynamics of excited states. Here we present a numerical method to model optical spectra of non-Markovian open quantum systems. The method employs a process tensor framework to efficiently compute multitime correlations in a numerically exact way. To demonstrate the efficacy of our method, we compare 2D electronic spectroscopy simulations produced through our method to Markovian master equation simulations in three different system-bath coupling regimes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Human dystrophin tandem calponin homology actin-binding domain crystallized in a closed-state conformation
Authors: Streeter Oakley , Shi Ke , Vavra Joseph , Aihara Hideki , Ervasti James M. , Evans Robert , Muretta Joseph M.
Published: February 2025

The structure of the N-terminal actin-binding domain of human dystrophin was determined at 1.94 Å resolution. Each chain in the asymmetric unit exists in a `closed' conformation, with the first and second calponin homology (CH) domains directly interacting via a 2500.6 Å2 interface. The positioning of the individual CH domains is comparable to the domain-swapped dimer seen in previous human dystrophin and utrophin actin-binding domain 1 structures. The CH1 domain is highly similar to the actin-bound utrophin structure and structural homology suggests that the `closed' single-chain conformation opens during actin binding to mitigate steric clashes between CH2 and actin.
Addressing grand challenges: the problem of accountability for the corporate form
Authors: Taylor Eileen Z. , Williams Paul F.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To argue current calls to address grand challenges like income inequality are unlikely to succeed until the academy acknowledges how accounting is constitutive of these problems. We demonstrate how accounting is part of the problem because of its adherence to a legal model of the corporation erected on false suppositions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using multiple disciplines, e.g. history, economics, law and philosophy, pertaining to the nature of the corporate form, we present a logical argument that the official telos of accounting obstructs any fruitful effort to address grand challenges.

Findings

The global legal concept governing corporations (an aggregate of members) makes corporations a major cause of the grand challenges humans face. Adherence to a legal theory of the corporation leads accounting policy to rationalize income and wealth inequality by subsuming the legal powers of corporations to expropriate wealth into a singular maximand labeled “earnings.”

Originality/value

Though accounting is essentially “of” law, scholarly efforts to understand accounting’s social role are based on an information metaphor. We provide reasons for skepticism of any efforts addressing grand challenges until accounting acknowledges the legal nature of its social role as a regulator of business conduct. There are no accounting solutions to grand challenges without acknowledging how the accepted legal nature of the corporate form makes the corporation the cause of the grand challenges we face.
Visualization algorithm based on FDR control testing for dimension reduction of textual data
Authors: Pyo Sung-Inn , Ahn Soohyun , Kwon Soon-Sun
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Visualizing relations of textual data requires dimension reduction to increase the interpretability of output. However, traditional dimension reduction methods have some limitations, such as the loss of feature information during extraction or projection in dimension reduction and uncertain results due to the mixture of word labels. In this study, we develop the textual data visualization algorithm using statistical methods to present statistical inferences on the data. We also construct the algorithm in a way that the user can analyze textual data easily.

Design/methodology/approach

Unstructured data, such as textual data, is sensitive to choosing analysis methods. In addition, textual data is generally large-sized and sparse. Considering such characteristics, we applied latent Dirichlet allocation to separate data to minimize the loss of information, and false discover rate (FDR) control to reduce dimension in a statistical way.

Findings

The relation of textual data can be derived in a one-click way, and the output can be interpreted without background information, with separated topics.

Originality/value

The algorithm is constructed based on the Korean language. However, any language can be used without linguistic information. This study can be an example of usage and flow, which using not well-known dimension reduction methods can replace traditional methods.
AI for cyber-security risk: harnessing AI for automatic generation of company-specific cybersecurity risk profiles
Authors: Schreiber Amir , Schreiber Ilan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

In the modern digital realm, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies create unprecedented opportunities and enhance tactical security operations. This study aims to address the gap in using AI to strategically produce holistic cybersecurity risk profiles.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a rigorous AI-powered method to conduct cybersecurity risk profiles tailored to individual enterprises, investigating sources of threat and guiding defense strategies. This paper built a real working demo application based on real security databases and used it to build company-specific cybersecurity risk profiles.

Findings

This paper demonstrated a robust, automated process for developing tailored cybersecurity risk profiles in three case studies across different industries. The AI application produced coherent outputs, validated by experts as accurate.

Research limitations/implications

This study lays the groundwork for further research, allowing for refinement by integrating additional resources, such as near-real-time alerts from external or internal sources.

Practical implications

The escalating threat landscape highlights the need for organizations to adopt AI for cybersecurity management, leveraging tools that assist in defining and refining cybersecurity risk profiles to enhance defense measures.

Social implications

Using AI-generated cybersecurity risk profiles supports efforts to create a safer digital environment for organizations, their employees and their customers, aligning with the growing reliance on AI in daily life.

Originality/value

Unlike most papers, this paper uses an AI application to address contemporary challenges in creating holistic, non-tactical profiles that can be refined and contextualized by the organizations while achieving automation in key processes and integrating multiple resources.
Improving password policy strategies: a government employee perspective
Authors: Fitri Resti Dwi , Hilman Muhammad , Yazid Setiadi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how government employees perceive and adapt to complex password policies. This study also investigates alternative password policy strategies that are more suitable for different groups of employees, particularly those with limited technical expertise and different levels of authority and responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a structured questionnaire distributed to 191 government employees, selected purposively to represent diverse authority levels and technical expertise. Based on hypotheses and literature reviews, the instrument includes 33 closed-ended questions (e.g. Likert scale and multiple-choice) covering demographics, password policy perceptions, preferences and usage experiences. Readability testing ensures accessibility for skilled and non-skilled respondents. Data collection is conducted electronically, and the analysis uses statistical techniques, including non-parametric tests, to validate hypotheses. The findings of this study provide actionable recommendations for designing effective, user-friendly password policies and offering evidence-based strategies to enhance security and compliance in government organizations.

Findings

The survey highlights important behaviors and preferences regarding password policies. Many employees reuse passwords across accounts, posing significant security risks. Convenience and simplicity are often prioritized over strict complexity requirements, reflecting a preference for usability. While some employees use password managers, many still rely on memory. Employees also resist frequent password changes, favoring updates only when security breaches occur. Employees prefer to use modern authentication methods like biometrics and multi-factor authentication, which are secure and user-friendly solutions. However, varying security awareness levels suggest a need for targeted education to address gaps in understanding and improve overall compliance.

Originality/value

There is currently no prior research exploring password policies from the perspective of government employees in Indonesia, despite the recent surge in cyberattacks targeting government organizations because of weak password practices.
How students’ digital literacy promotes knowledge sharing and academic performance in online learning environments
Authors: Salimi Ghasem , Roodsaz Azadeh , Mohammadi Mehdi , Keshavarzi Fahimeh , Mousavi Amin , Zainuddin Zamzami
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how digital literacy influences knowledge sharing and academic performance among graduate students in online learning environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling via AMOS was utilized to test the research hypotheses in this cross-sectional study. Students’ digital literacy, their knowledge sharing, and their academic performance in online learning environments were surveyed by questionnaires. The sample of 330 graduate students was selected from a leading public university in Iran. Based on a stratified sampling approach, the recruited students answered questionnaires based on their degree level and field of study.

Findings

The results demonstrated that digital literacy was a positive and significant predictor of knowledge sharing and students' academic performance. Furthermore, the study revealed that knowledge sharing mediates the relationship between digital literacy and academic performance.

Research limitations/implications

Our findings revealed that digital literacy positively and significantly predicts knowledge sharing and academic performance. This may be attributed to the fact that digital literacy is essential for developing digital learning in higher education. Conducting research on the antecedents and consequences of digital literacy in academic environments may prove attractive to future researchers.

Originality/value

Research on the influence of digital literacy on students’ knowledge sharing and academic performance in online learning environments is scarce. This study suggests that improving students’ digital literacy and knowledge sharing can enhance their performance in online learning environments, and it is a recommendation for university educators and educational technologists. Gaining insight into the influence of digital literacy on how students share knowledge and their academic achievements in virtual learning environments can have numerous managerial ramifications for administrators and instructors in higher education.
International service-learning projects on water sustainable management in higher education: a case study on improving water quality in a needy community
Authors: Wong Ling-Tim , Mui Kwok-Wai , Zhang Dadi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The first aim of this paper was to discuss the learning experience of university students who participated in a service-learning project on sustainable water management. By investigating the students’ engagement in a real-world, community-based project, this study also aimed to provide insights into the effectiveness of service-learning as a pedagogical approach for sustainable development education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presented a service-learning project organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on improving water quality in low-income communities. An overview of the project was provided, including the curriculum design, project contents, implementation process, as well as students’ assessments, evaluation and feedback. Based on students’ assessments, the outcomes and impacts of this project were discussed. Additionally, several barriers were identified during this project, and corresponding suggestions were proposed to improve the service quality and increase its positive impacts.

Findings

The students established 12 water filtration systems to improve the water quality in a needy village overseas. Apart from the benefits to the service recipients, the participating students experienced personal development and civic engagement measured in 10 aspects, including the application of classroom learning, adaptive problem-solving, creative thinking, community contribution, commitment to helping the disadvantaged, empathy and compassion, concern for those in need, moral commitment to civic affairs, multi-perspective analysis and informed decision-making.

Originality/value

Although the recorded project was not the first international service-learning project on water sustainable management, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that the whole procedure of the service-learning project was documented as a compulsory credit-bearing subject in Hong Kong universities. With the water sustainability project example, this paper shows how to integrate service-learning subjects into university curricula and what benefits and challenges they could bring.
Putting fit together
Authors: McGeehan Adam , Hunter Seth B.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study replicates and extends prior research on principal hiring preferences and conceptualizations of teacher “fit.” We investigate the specific fit dimensions principals value, the contextual factors informing their fit conceptualizations, and the implications of fit-based hiring for schools and candidates. By shedding light on these critical issues, our research advances theory and practice related to teacher selection and organizational fit in education.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with principals, teachers and central office administrators in a mid-sized, collaborative-oriented US suburban school district to explore their perceptions of fit and experiences with hiring practices, with a focus on principal perceptions.

Findings

Principals prioritized candidates’ alignment with school values and work group compatibility over job-specific skills when assessing fit. They sought candidates who could both assimilate into and add value to the school culture. As key decision-makers, principals interpreted fit in ways that matched organizational and community expectations, translating these expectations into hiring decisions.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s small, homogeneous sample from a single district limits generalizability. Additionally, the teacher applicant pool in the district studied was large enough that principals could base some hiring decisions on fit.

Originality/value

Departing from previous studies, this research finds that principals prioritize school culture and team fit over job qualifications when hiring. The study provides fresh perspectives on how principals perceive candidate fit and makes a unique contribution by examining fit perceptions through a novel application of a theoretical framework.
Tourism, technology and gender equality futures
Authors: Webster Craig , Farmaki Anna
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to discuss the contribution of tourism technologies to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5), gender equality.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of the literature on tourism technologies and a consideration of the goals of SDG5, we provide a discussion of the ways in which tourism technologies can support gender equality.

Findings

While the tourism industry has potential for the promotion of gender equality, there are policies and research agendas that can be followed that will enable tourism technologies to better support the SDG5 goal.

Practical implications

Tourism, as an industry, can play a vital role in supporting SDG5 by ensuring that women’s voices are present in the management of tourism technologies.

Originality/value

This paper represents a viewpoint of how automation technology applications in tourism can progress towards the SDGs, specifically in regard to gender equality. This analysis shows that there is potential at this point to incorporate women’s perspectives into automation technology applications in tourism in ways to ensure that meaningful contribution is made towards progress in gender equality.
Layoffs unveiled: do layoff storms drive up audit fees?
Authors: Li Jingxuan , Ye Yong , Luo Runmei
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Labor-related risks resulting from layoffs may pique auditors’ scrutiny. Although previous research has enriched the understanding of the economic consequences of layoffs, the authors know relatively little about the relationship between layoffs and audit fees. This study aims to investigate whether auditors are concerned about corporate layoff events and their pricing decisions under the influence of the events.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the effect of layoff storms on audit fees using news reports from mainstream financial and economic media in China about layoffs in listed companies. Based on whether the company is reported to have layoffs by the media in a fiscal year, this study collects data on 204 layoff storms in A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2022. Then, this study uses propensity score matching to reduce the interference of basic company characteristics.

Findings

This study finds that audit fees are higher after firms experience layoff storms. Higher internal control quality and pay advantage in the industry weaken the positive relationship between layoff storms and audit fees, while higher political uncertainty strengthens this positive relationship. Further tests show that companies with proactive layoffs, persistent layoffs and media disclosures of layoff numbers face more audit fees, but the type of corporate response to the layoff does not influence audit pricing.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on audit pricing and the economic consequences of layoffs by emphasizing the impact of labor-related risks on audit fees.