bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Evolutionary Trajectory of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Conserved Genes in Seagrasses and Aquatic Close Relatives
Authors: Ettinger Cassandra L. , Arroyo Jennifer , Stajich Jason E.
Published: January 2025

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form beneficial associations with plants, and are thought to have been critical to the adaptation of the ancestor of terrestrial plants during the transition onto land. However, the ability of AMF to associate with aquatic plants is unclear. To address this, we used 65 publicly available genomes and transcriptomes (25 freshwater, 23 terrestrial and 17 marine plants) to interrogate the genomic potential to form AMF associations in aquatic plant lineages in the order Alismatales. We explored the presence or absence of homologs of 45 genes, with a a special focus on six critical genes including three that co-evolved with AMF associations (RAD1, STR1, STR2) and three necessary for intracellular symbiosis (SymRK, CCaMK/DMI3, CYCLOPS/IDP3). Our results indicate a pattern likely consistent with independent gene losses (or extreme divergence) of symbiosis genes across aquatic lineages suggesting a possible inability to form AMF associations. However, some of these conserved genes (i.e.,CCaMK/DMI3) are purported to function in other types of fungal symbioses, such as ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, and were observed here in a subset of aquatic lineages, including seagrasses. Overall, our findings highlight the complex evolutionary trajectories of symbiosis-related genes in aquatic plants, suggesting that while AMF associations may have been lost in certain lineages, others have genes that may allow them to form alternative fungal symbioses which may still play an underappreciated role in their ecology.
Unsupervised multi-animal tracking for quantitative ethology
Authors: Li Yixin , Li Xinyang , Zhang Qi , Zhang Yuanlong , Fan Jiaqi , Lu Zhi , Li Ziwei , Wu Jiamin , Dai Qionghai
Published: January 2025

Quantitative ethology necessitates accurate tracking of animal locomotion, especially for population-level analyses involving multiple individuals. However, current methods rely on laborious annotations for supervised training and have restricted performance in challenging conditions. Here we present an unsupervised deep-learning method for multi-animal tracking (UDMT) that achieves state-of-the-art performance without requiring human annotations. By synergizing a bidirectional closed-loop tracking strategy, a spatiotemporal transformer network, and three sophisticatedly designed modules for localization refining, bidirectional ID correction, and automatic parameter tuning, UDMT can track multiple animals accurately in various challenging conditions, such as crowding, occlusion, rapid motion, low contrast, and cross-species experiments. We demonstrate the versatility of UDMT on five different kinds of model animals, including mice, rats,Drosophila,C. elegans, andBetta splendens. Combined with a head-mounted miniaturized microscope, we illustrate the power of UDMT for neuroethological interrogations to decipher the correlations between animal locomotion and neural activity. UDMT will facilitate advancements in ethology by providing a high-performance, annotation-free, and accessible tool for multi-animal tracking.
CANDI: self-supervised, confidence-aware denoising imputation of genomic data
Authors: Foroozandeh Mehdi , Diab Abdul Rahman , Libbrecht Maxwell
Published: January 2025

Large-scale epigenomic datasets such as histone modifications and DNA accessibility have greatly advanced our understanding of genomic function. However, these measurements often suffer from noise, batch effects and irreproducibility. Epigenome imputation has emerged as a promising solution to these challenges. These methods integrate patterns across experiments, cell types, and genomic loci to predict the results of experiments, yielding predictions that often surpass observed data in quality. Thus, researchers increasingly leverage imputation for denoising data prior to downstream analysis.

However, existing methods for imputation-based denoising have significant limitations. Here, we propose CANDI (Confidence-Aware Neural Denoising Imputer), a method for epigenome imputation that (1) predicts raw counts and handles experiment-specific covariates such as sequencing depth, (2) can (optionally) incorporate information from a low-quality existing experiment when predicting a target without retraining, and (3) outputs a calibrated measure of uncertainty. This approach is enabled using a Transformer model with self-supervised learning (SSL) training.
Elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of reserpine
Authors: Cao Jiaqing , Zhong Jingxiao , Li Feng , Jiang Yindi
Published: January 2025

Reserpine is a landmark natural product that has profoundly influenced our understanding of neurotransmitter biology and cardiovascular medicine. Its complex structure, featuring a unique C3 β-configuration and five consecutive chiral centers, has inspired generations of synthetic chemists to develop innovative strategies for its construction. However, the biosynthetic logic underlying nature’s assembly of this intricate molecule has remained elusive. Here, we decipher the biosynthetic pathway of reserpine inRauvolfia verticillata, revealing that α-configured strictosidine serves as the biosynthetic precursor. The crucial C3 β-configuration is established through a two-step enzymatic epimerization, orchestrated by a flavin-dependent oxidase and a NADPH-dependent reductase. The consecutive chiral centers are constructed through coordinated action of distinct enzyme families. Through the identification of eight biosynthetic enzymes, including those catalyzing late-stage methoxylation, we successfully reconstituted the biosynthesis of rauvomitorine G, a key intermediate in reserpine formation. This work unveils nature’s elegant approach to stereoselective synthesis of complex alkaloids and provides valuable biocatalytic tools for molecular functionalization.
Striatal Gradient in Value-Decay Explains Regional Differences in Dopamine Patterns and Reinforcement Learning Computations
Authors: Kato Ayaka , Morita Kenji
Published: January 2025

Dopamine has been suggested to encode reward-prediction-error (RPE) in reinforcement learning (RL) theory, but also shown to exhibit heterogeneous patterns depending on regions and conditions: some exhibiting ramping response to predictable reward while others only responding to reward-predicting cue, and some lacking response to unpredictable reward. It remains elusive how these heterogeneities relate to various RL algorithms suggested to be employed by animals/humans, such as RL under predictive state representation, hierarchical RL, and distributional RL. Here we show that these relations could be coherently explained if the decay of learned values (value-decay), implemented by the decay of dopamine-dependent plastic changes in the synaptic strengths, is considered. First, we show that value-decay causes ramping RPE under traditional non-predictive representations but not under the predictive successor representation (SR). This explained the observed gradual fading of dopamine ramping over repeated reward navigation by gradual formation of SR. Next, we constructed a hierarchical RL model that coupled two systems with and without value-decay. The model explained the observed distinct patterns of neuronal activities in parallel striatal-dopamine circuits and their suggested distinct functions in flexible learning versus stable habit. Lastly, we examined two distinct algorithms of distributional RL with and without value-decay. These algorithms explained how the reported distinct dopamine patterns in different striatal regions are linked to the suggested different strengths of distributional coding in these regions. These results suggest that within-striatum differences, or more specifically, medial-lateral gradient in value/synaptic-decay tunes regionally different RL computations through generating distinct patterns of DA/RPE.
Combinations of approved oral nucleoside analogues confer potent suppression of alphavirusesin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Verwimp Sam , Wagoner Jessica , Arenas Elijah Gabriela , De Coninck Lander , Abdelnabi Rana , Hyde Jennifer L. , Schiffer Joshua T. , White Judith M. , Matthijnssens Jelle , Neyts Johan , Polyak Stephen J. , Delang Leen
Published: January 2025

Alphaviruses such as chikungunya virus (CHIKV) pose a significant threat to global health, yet specific antiviral therapies remain unavailable. In this study, we evaluated combinations of three approved oral directly acting antiviral (DAA) drugs (sofosbuvir (SOF), molnupiravir (MPV) and favipiravir (FAV)) against CHIKV, Semliki Forest virus (SFV), Sindbis virus (SINV), and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV)in vitroandin vivo. In human skin fibroblasts, synergistic antiviral effects were observed for the drug combinations MPV + SOF and FAV + SOF against CHIKV, and for FAV + SOF against SFV. In human liver Huh7 cells, the combinations of FAV + MPV conferred additive to synergistic activity against VEEV and SINV strains, while SOF synergized with FAV against SINV strains. In a mouse model of CHIKV arthritis, MPV improved CHIKV-induced foot swelling and reduced systemic infectious virus titers. Combination treatment with suboptimal doses of MPV and SOF significantly reduced foot swelling and decreased infectious virus titers in serum as compared to single doses of each drug. Sequencing of CHIKV RNA from mouse joint tissue revealed that MPV caused dose-dependent increases in mutations in the CHIKV genome. Upon combination therapy of MPV with SOF, the number of mutations was significantly lower compared to single treatment with several higher doses of MPV. In summary, combining approved oral nucleoside analogs confers potent suppression of multiple alphavirusesin vitroandin vivowith enhanced control of viral genetic evolution in the face of antiviral drug pressure. These drug combinations may ultimately lead to the development of potent combinations of pan-family alphavirus inhibitors.
Metastatic cell plasticity is maintained by SOX9 function during mitosis in breast cancer
Authors: Beyes Sven , Michelatti Daniela , Negri Maria Luce , Morelli Leonardo , Frigoli Enrico , Fagnocchi Luca , Zippo Alessio
Published: January 2025

Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) contribute to metastasis formation by adapting to the hostile environmental conditions encountered at the seeded secondary organs. This phenotypic plasticity is supported by the epigenetic reprogramming of cis-regulatory elements (CREs), representing a hallmark of metastatic cells. DTCs can enter a reversible state of cancer dormancy, resulting from their ability to enter quiescence after mitosis and escape immune surveillance. In this respect, mitosis may represent a window of opportunity to increase DTCs’ fitness by priming CREs, ensuring the reactivation of a dormancy-related transcriptional program while preserving the epigenetic information. By profiling the chromatin changes occurring during the early steps of mitosis, we found that DTCs experience fluctuations in chromatin accessibility at CREs, which are bookmarked by pro-metastatic TFs. Among these, the pro-dormancy TF SOX9 remained associated with mitotic chromatin, facilitating transcriptional reactivation upon exiting mitosis. By dissecting the consequences of degrading SOX9 before mitosis, we found that its priming of dormancy-related CREs, combined with the recruitment of the Mediator kinase module, is instrumental for metastatic cells to enter quiescence and escape NK-mediated immune surveillance. These findings indicate that cancer dormancy is primed during mitosis by pro-metastatic TFs.
Shared and distinct representational dynamics of phonemes and prosody in ventral and dorsal speech streams
Authors: Baek Seung-Cheol , Kim Seung-Goo , Maess Burkhard , Grigutsch Maren , Sammler Daniela
Published: January 2025

Phonemes and prosodic contours are fundamental building blocks of speech used to convey complementary meanings. Perceiving these elements is thought to involve a neural abstraction from acoustic to categorical representations, occurring serially in time and segregated in space. Using magnetoencephalography and behavioural psychophysics combined with time-resolved representational similarity and multivariate transfer entropy analyses, we show that the abstraction of phonemic and prosodic information does not fully align with this serial hierarchical processing. Instead, we found partially overlapping acoustic and categorical representations in space and time, for both elements. Notably, building on similarly organised acoustic representations along the ventral stream, categorical representations of prosody extended to right premotor cortex along the dorsal stream, whereas those of phonemes focally involved posterior temporal regions. These results highlight shared principles of joint and distributed processing, yet partially distinct mechanisms for the abstraction of phonemes and prosody, key to access the multilayered meaning of speech.
Cross cell-type systems genetics reveals the influence of eQTL at multiple points in the developmental trajectory of mouse neural progenitor cells
Authors: Aydin Selcan , Skelly Daniel A. , Dewey Hannah , Mahoney J. Matthew , Choi Ted , Reinholdt Laura G. , Baker Christopher L. , Munger Steven C.
Published: January 2025

Genetic variation leads to phenotypic variability in pluripotent stem cells that presents challenges for regenerative medicine. Although recent studies have investigated the impact of genetic variation on pluripotency maintenance and differentiation capacity, less is known about how genetic variants affecting the pluripotent state influence gene regulation in later stages of development. Here, we characterized expression of more than 12,000 genes in 127 donor-matched Diversity Outbred (DO) mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) and neural progenitor cell (mNPC) lines. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping identified 2,947 expression QTL (eQTL) unique to DO mNPCs and 1,113 eQTL observed in both mNPCs and mESCs with highly concordant allele effects. We mapped three eQTL hotspots on Chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 10, and 11 that were unique to mNPCs. Target genes of the Chr 1 hotspot were overrepresented for those involved in mRNA processing, DNA repair, chromatin organization, protein degradation, and cell cycle. Mediation analysis of the Chr 1 hotspot identifiedRnf152as the best candidate mediator expressed in mNPCs, while cross-cell type mediation using mESC gene expression along with partial correlation analysis strongly implicated genetic variant(s) affectingPignexpression in the mESC state as regulating the mNPC Chr 1 eQTL hotspot. Together these findings highlight that many local eQTL confer similar effects on gene expression in multiple cell states; distant eQTL in DO mNPCs are numerous and largely unique to that cell state, with many co-localizing to mNPC-specific hotspots; and mediation analysis across cell types suggests that expression ofPignearly in development (mESCs) shapes the transcriptome of the more specialized mNPC state.
Exogenous Amyloid Sequences: Their Role in Amyloid-Beta Heterotypic Aggregation
Authors: Curto Jofre Seira , Hernandez Sandra Villegas , Fernandez Maria Rosario , Sanchez de Groot Natalia
Published: January 2025

Protein aggregation is a complex process influenced by environmental conditions and interactions between multiple molecules, including those of exogenous origin. Althoughin vitrosimulations of aggregation are crucial for advancing research, few studies explore cross-seeding as a repeating event, despite the potential for such events when proteins circulate through the body. Here, we investigated the impact of exogenous amyloid sequences derived from the gut microbiota on the heterotypic aggregation of Aβ peptides. We utilized ten 21-amino acid peptides derived from bacterial genomes, previously shown to interfere with Aβ40 aggregation and induce memory loss inCaenorhabditis elegans. Through consecutive cross-seeding assays with Aβ40 and Aβ42, we analyzed the effects of these peptides on aggregation kinetics and seed propagation. Our findings indicate that exogenous molecules can influence Aβ’s aggregation process, altering the fibrils’ properties. Based on this, we introduce the “Interaction History” concept, where prior interactions shape the aggregation and propagation of Aβ peptides. This work supports the idea that environmental factors, such as microbial amyloids, can contribute to the heterogeneity and progression of amyloid-related diseases. Our results highlight the need for therapeutic strategies targeting diverse amyloid configurations and underscore the importance of considering exogenous sequences as additional triggers in AD pathology.
A 96well ultrafiltration approach for the high-throughput proteome analysis of extracellular vesicles isolated from conditioned medium
Authors: Pauwels Jarne , Van de Steene Tessa , De Muyer Freya , De Pauw Danaë , Baeke Femke , Eyckerman Sven , Gevaert Kris
Published: January 2025

1.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale vesicles that are secreted by cells, are critical mediators of intercellular communication and play a crucial role in diverse pathologies such as cancer development. Therefore, EVs are regarded as having high potential in the clinic, both for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Unfortunately, EVs reside in complex biofluids and their consistent isolation at sufficient purity for mass spectrometry-based proteomics has proven to be challenging, especially when increased high-throughput is required. Here, we describe the incorporation of our previously reported filter-aided EV enrichment (FAEVEr) strategy for the isolation of EVs from conditioned medium, from harvest to proteomic analysis completely to a streamlined 96well format. We compared our approach with ultracentrifugation, the most widely used method for EV enrichment, in terms of protein identifications, consistency, reproducibility and overall performance, including the invested time, resources and required expertise. In addition, our results show that including relative high percentages of TWEEN-20, a mild detergent, markedly improves the final purity of the EV proteome by removing the bulk of non-EV proteins (e.g. serum proteins) and significantly increases the number of identified transmembrane proteins. Moreover, our FAEVEr 96well strategy improves the overall reproducibility with a consistent number of protein identifications and decreased number of missing values across replicates. This promotes the validity and comparability between results, which is essential in both a clinical and research setting, where consistency is paramount.

3.

Graphical abstract
Path of differentiation defines human macrophage identity
Authors: Frenis Katie , Badalamenti Brianna , Mamigonian Ohanez , Weng Chen , Wang Dahai , Fierstein Sara , Côté Parker , Khong Hesper , Li Hojun , Lummertz da Rocha Edroaldo , Sankaran Vijay G. , Rowe R. Grant
Published: January 2025

Macrophages play central roles in immunity, wound healing, and homeostasis - a functional diversity that is underpinned by varying developmental origins. The impact of ontogeny on properties of human macrophages is inadequately understood. We demonstrate that definitive human fetal liver (HFL) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) possess two divergent paths of macrophage specification that lead to distinct identities. The monocyte-dependent pathway exists in both prenatal and postnatal hematopoiesis and generates macrophages with adult-like responses properties. We now uncover a fetal-specific pathway of expedited differentiation that generates tissue resident-like macrophages (TRMs) that retain HSC-like self-renewal programs governed by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). We show that AHR antagonism promotes TRM expansion and mitigates inflammation in models of atopic dermatitis (AD). Overall, we directly connect path of differentiation with functional properties of macrophages and identify an approach to promote selective expansion of TRMs with direct relevance to inflammation and diseases of macrophage dysfunction.
BAHCC1 promotes gene expression in neuronal cells by antagonizing SIN3A-HDAC1
Authors: Monziani Alan , Ben-Tov Perry Rotem , Hezroni Hadas , Ulitsky Igor
Published: January 2025

Chromatin modifications play a key role in regulating gene expression during development and adult physiology. Histone acetylation, particularly H3K27ac, is associated with increased activity of gene regulatory elements such as enhancers and promoters. However, the regulation of the machinery that write, read, and erase this modification remains poorly understood. In particular, the SIN3A-HDAC1 complex possesses histone deacetylase activity, yet it commonly resides at active regulatory regions. Here, we study BAHCC1, a large chromatin-associated protein essential for viability, and recently reported to play a largely repressive role. We show that in neuronal lineage cells, BAHCC1 is mainly associated with regulatory elements marked with H3K27ac. BAHCC1 interacts and co-occupies shared genomic regions with the SIN3A scaffold protein, and its perturbations lead to altered acetylation and expression of proximal genes in a neuronal cell line and primary cortical neurons. The regulated genes are enriched for those functioning in neurogenesis and cell migration, and primary cortical neurons with reducedBahcc1expression display impaired neurite outgrowth. We thus propose a model in which BAHCC1 antagonizes SIN3A histone deacetylation and positively regulates the expression of genes that are important for growth and migration-related processes in the neuronal lineage.
A ubiquitin-like protein controls assembly of a bacterial Type VIIb secretion system
Authors: Oka Gabriel U. , Benoit Nathanaël , Siroy Axel , Gubellini Francesca , Marza Esther , Fronzes Rémi
Published: January 2025

Type VII secretion systems (T7SS) are crucial bacterial nanomachines that mediate interbacterial competition and host-pathogen interactions in Gram-positive bacteria. Despite their importance, the structural basis for assembly and substrate transport in T7SSb, a widely distributed T7SS variant, remains poorly understood. Here, we present the cryo-EM structure of the T7SSb core complex fromBacillus subtilis, revealing how a ubiquitin-like protein, YukD, coordinates assembly of the secretion machinery. YukD forms extensive interactions with the central channel component YukB and promotes its association with the pseudokinase YukC, creating a stable building block for channel assembly. Using microscopy and competition assays, we demonstrate that YukD is essential for proper T7SSb complex formation and contact-dependent bacterial killing. Structural modeling suggests this YukD-dependent assembly mechanism is conserved across diverse Gram-positive bacteria. Our findings reveal how bacteria have adapted a ubiquitin-like protein as a structural regulator for assembling a large secretion complex.
Physiological analysis of the mechanism of Ci transcription factor activation through multiple Fused phosphorylation sites in Hedgehog signal transduction
Authors: Kim Hoyon , Little Jamie , Li Jason , Patel Bryna , Kalderon Daniel
Published: January 2025

Hedgehog (Hh) proteins elicit dose-dependent transcriptional responses by binding Patched receptors to activate transmembrane Smoothened (Smo) proteins. Activated Smo inhibits Ci/Gli transcription factor phosphorylation by Protein Kinase A (PKA) and consequent proteolytic processing to repressor forms; it also promotes nuclear transport and activity of full-length Ci/Gli proteins to induce Hh target genes. Smo-activated Fused (Fu) kinase drives Ci activation in Drosophila, while Suppressor of Fused (Su(fu)) counters full-length Ci/Gli activity and stabilizes full-length Ci/Gli by direct binding to at least three surfaces. Here, we used CRISPR-generated designercialleles to investigate alterations to Fu phosphorylation sites and to regions around Ci-Su(fu) interfaces under physiological conditions in Drosophila imaginal wing discs. Surprisingly, we identified alterations that activate Ci without significant loss of stabilization by Su(fu) and contributions of multiple Fu target sites to Ci activation in the absence of Su(fu), suggesting that the affected sites mediate Ci activation by regulating Ci-Ci, rather than Ci-Su(fu) interactions. We propose that those interactions maintain full-length Ci in a closed conformation that also facilitates, and is stabilized by, cooperative Ci-Su(fu) binding. Access to binding partners necessary for Ci activation is promoted through phosphorylation of at least four Fu sites on Ci, likely by directly disrupting Ci-Ci contacts and one Ci-Su(fu) interface without substantial Ci-Su(fu) dissociation, contrary to previous proposals. We also found that the Ci binding partner, Costal 2 (Cos2), which silences Ci in the absence of Hh, can facilitate Ci activation by Fu kinase.
Composing egocentric and allocentric maps for flexible navigation
Authors: Shani Daniel , Dayan Peter
Published: January 2025

Egocentric representations of the environment have historically been relegated to being used only for simple forms of spatial behaviour such as stimulus-response learning. However, in the many cases that critical aspects of policies are best defined relative to the self, egocentric representations can be advantageous. Furthermore, there is evidence that forms of egocentric representation might exist in the wider hippocampal formation. Nevertheless, egocentric representations have yet to be fully incorporated as a component of modern navigational methods. Here we investigate egocentric successor representations (SRs) and their combination with allocentric representations. We build a reinforcement learning agent that combines an egocentric SR with a conventional allocentric SR to navigate complex 2D environments. We demonstrate that the agent learns generalisable egocentric and allocentric value functions which, even when only additively composed, allow it to learn policies efficiently and to adapt to new environments quickly. Our work shows the benefit for the hippocampal formation to capture egocentric, as well as allocentric, relational structure – and we link the egocentric SR to findings in the lateral entorhinal cortex. We offer a new perspective on how cognitive maps could usefully be composed from multiple simple maps representing associations between state features defined in different reference frames.
An Evolutionary Novelty in TRPV1 Functional Regulation: Characterization of a Dominant-Negative Isoform Exclusive to Catarrhine Primates
Authors: Cancino Sofía , Cabeza-Bratesco Deny , Matamala Ella , Jork Julia M. , Zavala Kattina , Montecinos Cristian , Bustamante-Villarreal Sebastián , Maldonado Rodrigo , Riadi Gonzalo , Brauchi Sebastian E. , Opazo Juan C.
Published: January 2025

TRPV1, a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family, is a non-selective cation channel primarily known for its role in pain perception, inflammation, and thermosensation. In mammals, it responds to noxious heat (>43°C) and chemical stimuli such as capsaicin and protons. It is widely expressed in sensory neurons, notably in the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. However, it is also found in some non-neuronal tissues, like the skin and bladder. The human canonical variant of TRPV1 renders a protein with 839 residues. Different splice variants have been described, and some display a dominant negative effect, partially or totally inhibiting the activity of the canonical counterpart. Here, we characterize a splice variant that encodes for a channel of 850 amino acids (TRPV1850). This variant is an evolutionary novelty of catarrhine (Old World monkeys and apes) primates, incorporating an exon of 33 bp long. Both imaging of membrane expression and electrophysiological recordings suggest that TRPV1850alone does not reach the plasma membrane. However, in cells co-expressing the canonical and TRPV1850variants, the latter would act as a dominant negative, preventing the canonical variant from reaching the plasma membrane and rendering smaller macroscopic currents in response to capsaicin. Thus, this new isoform of the TRPV1 ion channel represents a novel form of functional regulation only present in apes and Old World monkeys.

Significance

We identified a novel isoform of the TRPV1 ion channel, a protein essential for detecting pain and heat stimuli unique to apes and Old World monkeys. This isoform contains an additional exonic sequence encoding eleven amino acids, which originated in the common ancestor of apes and Old World monkeys. This additional exonic sequence disrupts a specific domain in the N-terminal region of the protein, resulting in functional differences. Unlike the canonical TRPV1 isoform, this variant cannot reach the plasma membrane independently. Instead, it exerts a dominant-negative effect by interfering with the canonical TRPV1 protein, reducing its ability to localize to the cell surface and diminishing its responsiveness to capsaicin, a well-known TRPV1 activator.
Synaptome architecture shapes regional dynamics in the mouse brain
Authors: Hansen Justine Y. , Luppi Andrea I. , Qiu Zhen , Gini Silvia , Fulcher Ben D. , Gozzi Alessandro , Grant Seth G. N. , Misic Bratislav
Published: January 2025

Synapses are the connections that transform neurons from simple electrically charged cells into complex circuits that support perception, cognition and action. Recent advances in single-punctum synapse mapping in mice have made it possible to study the diversity of synapses and how these synapse types are differentially expressed across the brain. A salient question is how synapse diversity shapes the spatial patterning of whole-brain dynamics. Here we derive>6 000 time-series features from fMRI recordings in awake mice to construct a comprehensive macroscale dynamical phenotype of each synapse type. We find that spatial variation in synapse types colocalizes with spatial variation in regional dynamics. Time-series in regions enriched for SAP102-expressing synapses display high-amplitude events while time-series in regions enriched for PSD95-expressing synapses display low stationarity. These regional variations in synapse types and dynamics are associated with patterns of structural and functional connectivity and the placement of hubs. Finally, using two additional fMRI datasets in anaesthetized mice, we show that synapses expressing short- and long-lifetime proteins are differentially engaged across behavioural states. Collectively, this work demonstrates that the spatial organization of microscale synapse types fundamentally shapes whole-brain dynamics.
Intentions to choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels: self-concepts and branding approaches
Authors: Ro Heejung
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine the intentions of sexual/gender minority travelers to choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels based on their self-concepts and branding approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey is conducted, and 295 participants are recruited through a consumer panels firm. Hypotheses are tested through a mixed ANOVA.

Findings

Sexual orientation/gender identity openness and collective self-esteem increase the intentions to choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels. Also, the intentions are higher for a hotel with a well-known LGBTQ+ friendly reputation than for a hotel with LGBTQ+ friendly advertising and promotions; however, there is no difference found between traveling domestically and traveling abroad.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates that the intentions of sexual/gender minority travelers’ to choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels are driven by collective self-esteem, while sexual/gender openness and branding approaches play a smaller role.
Corporate social responsibility and tax avoidance: evidence from BRICS countries
Authors: Pipatnarapong Jirarat , Beelitz Annika , Jaafar Aziz
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Using listed firms domiciled in the founding BRICS countries, i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, this study empirically examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement on the degree of tax avoidance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data used in this study is sourced from the EIKON database, where CSR variables, i.e. the scores of social and environmental pillars, are extracted from ASSET4, and accounting variables are sourced from Worldscope. The authors use a series of fixed effects regression models as the baseline approach to test the hypotheses. In addition, the 2SLS regression model is used to address endogeneity issues.

Findings

Their results show that firms domiciled in BRICS countries do not use CSR strategically as “a tool” to legitimate themselves, manage their risks or minimize public scrutiny from their tax avoidance behavior, but that they develop a culture of tax compliance and CSR engagement as a complementary strategy, promising ethical conduct to external audiences and committing to serving the interests of all stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study incrementally contributes to the extant literature on the link between tax avoidance and CSR engagement by offering evidence from dominant emerging markets, where the institutional factors differ considerably from those of developed countries. Furthermore, they provide essential insights for policymakers that including responsible tax payment as part of the global CSR agenda may motivate firms to align their behaviors to tax payment.
Two-dimensional steady-state thermal analytical model of permanent magnet linear motor in Cartesian coordinates
Authors: Du Yunlu , Huang Yunkai , Guo Baocheng , Djelloul-Khedda Zakarya , Dubas Frédéric , Igarashi Hajime
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Compared with the time-consuming numerical method and the complex lumped parameter thermal network method to solve the steady-state heat distribution of the permanent magnet (PM) linear motor, there is no analytical method based on the thermal partial differential equations. This paper aims to propose a two-dimensional (2-D) analytical model for predicting the steady-state temperature distribution of PM linear motors to improve the prediction accuracy and speed up the calculation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the complex Fourier series theory and Cauchy’s product theorem, this paper presents for the first time a general analytical solution for 2-D temperature field in Cartesian coordinates. Then, by combining the electromagnetic field finite element model (FEM), the copper loss, iron loss and PM eddy current loss are used as the heat sources of the thermal analytical model. Finally, the solution to the temperature field is obtained by solving the system equations under boundary and interface conditions.

Findings

The analytical results are in good agreement with those from the thermal FEM, and the calculation speed is significantly faster than that of the thermal FEM.

Originality/value

The multilayer model proposed in this paper can consider heat conduction, convection and radiation. It is not only suitable for PM linear motors but also has significant application value for the thermal analysis of electromagnetic devices modeled in 2-D Cartesian coordinates.
Cloud accounting: a systematic literature review
Authors: Vo Van Hien , Abu Afifa Malik , Nguyen Nha , Bui Duong Van
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Cloud accounting has emerged as a compelling area of research, experiencing significant growth in recent years. Therefore, this paper seeks to analyze the dispersed academic literature on cloud accounting research. Through this review, this study aims to gain insights into various aspects including research methodologies, frameworks, geographical dispersion, trends, pivotal factors and causal relationships pertinent to cloud accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

To offer a comprehensive and objective overview of cloud accounting research, this study adopts a systematic literature review approach. Seventy-five papers published between 2013 and 2023 were selected from the Scopus database, Springer Link, Emerald Insight and IEEE Xplore, following specific criteria outlined in the PRISMA process.

Findings

Analysis reveals that cloud accounting research is organized into four primary themes: understanding the benefits and challenges of cloud accounting; identifying factors influencing cloud accounting adoption; exploring factors influenced by cloud accounting implementation; and examining the mediating role of cloud accounting. Besides, the analysis indicates a notable surge in cloud accounting research from 2021 to 2023, with 40 articles published during this period, signaling a growing interest in the topic. Previous studies primarily concentrated on developing countries, with Jordan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Nigeria emerging as focal points. The organizational level was predominantly explored, particularly in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises, indicating a trend toward organizational-level analysis. Notably, a significant portion of cloud accounting studies were not published in prestigious journals indexed under Scopus.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into the publication status of cloud accounting by year, journal and country. Methodological, theoretical and unit of analysis information is also presented. Finally, the study outlines limitations and suggests future research directions.
Linking talent management, work engagement and sustainable organizational performance: the mediating role of perceived supervisor support and perceived organizational support
Authors: Karim Rashed Al , Jebunnesa Ummea , Rabiul Md Karim
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine how perceived supervisor and organizational support mediate the association between talent management and work engagement in Bangladesh’s manufacturing industry. It also analyzes the association between work engagement and sustainable organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 385 employees working in the manufacturing industry in the Chattogram division, applying a convenience sampling approach. Data was assessed using SmartPLS software.

Findings

The key findings are that perceived supervisor and organizational support mediate the relationship between talent management practices and work engagement. Moreover, work engagement positively influences an organization’s sustainable performance.

Practical implications

This study adds knowledge to the existing literature on talent management, work engagement and sustainable organizational performance. The findings may improve employee work engagement through talent management practices in Bangladesh’s manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few in the Bangladeshi manufacturing industry that provides an extensive overview of talent management practices and work engagement, using perceived supervisor and organizational support as mediating variables.
Social media mavens’ influence on consumer perceptions of cosmetic surgery: a sentiment analysis of YouTube comments
Authors: Sinha Neena , Muskaan Muskaan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the sentiments expressed in YouTube comments on videos from top dermatology channels, focusing on how social media mavens affect consumer behavior and perceptions related to cosmetic treatments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized sentiment analysis to examine 300 comments from the top five YouTube dermatology channels using NVivo 14, a qualitative data analysis software. It categorized the comments into positive, negative, neutral and mixed sentiments to understand the impact of the content on viewers.

Findings

The analysis revealed that 54% of the comments were positive, 5.7% were negative, 18.7% were neutral and 21.6% were mixed. The study found that videos from dermatology influencers significantly impact viewers, with positive comments highlighting the informative nature of the content and negative feedback suggesting areas for improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide actionable insights for marketers and practitioners in the esthetic dermatology industry, emphasizing the importance of creating high-quality, informative content that addresses viewer concerns and ethical considerations in influencer marketing.

Originality/value

This study uniquely contributes to the literature by focusing on sentiment analysis of YouTube comments related to cosmetic surgery, offering insights into the influence of dermatology content creators on consumer behavior.
Analysis of the relationship between visual complexity and SEO rank of library websites affiliated with top universities
Authors: Tavosi Maryam , Naghshineh Nader , Zerehsaz Mohammad , Mahboub Siamak
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Computational aesthetics involves the application of computer-based methods to analyse and understand various phenomena. Given the significance of university library websites in the advancement of science and knowledge, it is essential to consider their aesthetic qualities in conjunction with their web visibility, particularly regarding search engine optimisation (SEO). This study aims to investigate the relationship between visual complexity as an important aspect of the aesthetics of a website and its SEO rankings of top university library websites.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed an analytical survey research design, analysing 35 library websites affiliated with top universities as ranked by Times Higher Education in 2023. Visual complexity was assessed using Python Athec programming, a tool specifically developed for computational aesthetic analysis in social science research. Additionally, the AIOSEO online smart tool was utilised to extract SEO scores. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and Excel.

Findings

The study found no significant correlation between visual complexity and SEO rankings, with a significance level of 0.125 indicated by linear regression and correlation analyses. This suggests that top university library websites may not require extensive SEO optimisation due to their established credibility and branding. Notably, even those with lower SEO rankings continue to attract international users.

Originality/value

This research is distinguished by its innovative use of Python programming to measure user experience in the context of aesthetics. It offers new insights into the field of computational aesthetics for the managers of libraries.
Task design for highly educated newcomers: improvement and implementation through Lesson Study
Authors: Gök Seyit Ömer , Michel Marije
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This case study aims to explore the outcomes of two Lesson Study (LS) cycles involving four teachers of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in the Netherlands, focusing on task-based language pedagogy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using LS, teachers engaged in a Plan-Observe-Analyse-Evaluate cycle to address the unique needs of highly educated newcomers. Initially, teachers received input on task-based pedagogy and redesigned materials for specific learner groups. One teacher taught while others observed, and student feedback was collected. Post-lesson, teachers and the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) discussed improvements, repeating the process the following week. Qualitative analyses of audio recordings, classroom observations, task designs and student feedback identified critical moments in the LS cycle.

Findings

Findings indicate that the task-based approach, task design and classroom implementation offered by LS helped to improve teachers’ professionalism: The LS cycle made teachers aware of task difficulty and clarity relative to student proficiency and interests, leading to adaptations for high, average and low-achieving students. It shifted teachers’ focus from “how to teach” to understanding student needs, revealing that low performance may stem from personal traits rather than proficiency. The process also underlined the additional care needed for vulnerable students facing challenges like long commutes from asylum seeker centres.

Practical implications

This study highlights the transformative potential of the LS model in enhancing task design, teaching practices and teacher development through collaboration, reflection and student-centred approaches. Teachers should adapt tasks collaboratively to accommodate diverse student needs, focusing on accessibility, engagement and emotional well-being, particularly in mixed-ability and vulnerable student groups. Real-time adjustments based on classroom experiences, combined with understanding students’ emotional challenges, can foster better outcomes. Future research could explore the long-term impacts of adaptive teaching on student engagement, confidence and performance as well as the integration of emotional support into teaching strategies for vulnerable learners.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understanding the effectiveness of LS in task development and improvement as well as professional development. It highlights implications for teacher training and task design in EAP contexts.
The influence mechanism of enterprise digitalization on employee taking charge
Authors: Liu Shengmin , Cheng Pengfan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The proactive activities, as well as the traditional management mode of enterprises, have undergone profound changes in response to the wave of digital transformation. Consequently, understanding the impact of enterprise digitalization on employee taking charge and its underlying influence mechanisms has become a crucial topic for organizational researchers to explore. Taking a self-determination perspective, this study aims to investigate the mechanism through which enterprise digitalization influences employee taking charge.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this objective, using multi-level structural equation model and bootstrapping, the study collected multi-source data from 358 samples from 30 technology enterprises.

Findings

These results reveal that enterprise digitalization exerts a significant positive effect on employee taking charge via three parallel mediators of job autonomy, self-efficacy and closeness with companions.

Originality/value

Overall, the study expands upon the relationship between enterprise digitalization and employee challenge behaviors while offering valuable insights for implementing enterprise digitalization initiatives and facilitating employees' absorption of digitized practices.
Workforce dissimilarity and job changes
Authors: Ilmakunnas Pekka
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study examines the relationships between age, education or gender dissimilarity and movement from one workplace to another, examining different dissimilarity measures and asymmetries in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Large-scale employer–employee register data from Finland were used to estimate discrete time duration models for the probability of job-to-job exits from plants. The alternative dissimilarity measures were the Euclidean distances for age and education and the shares of opposite gender, age and education groups.

Findings

When the Euclidean distance is used as the dissimilarity measure, age dissimilarity is negatively related to workplace exits; however, age dissimilarity is positively related to exits for young women. Educational dissimilarity, meanwhile, is positively related to exits. When the share of opposite groups is used, the results for age and educational dissimilarity depend on how the opposite age and educational groups are defined. The share of women is positively related to the probability of job change among men, but for women, the share of men negatively affects exits.

Research limitations/implications

Identification relied on the assumption that unobservable individual characteristics can be sufficiently approximated using within-individual averages of the variables.

Practical implications

Researchers should conduct extensive sensitivity analyses and allow for asymmetries in workplace relational demography research.

Originality/value

Only a few previous studies used large-scale datasets to estimate the effects of dissimilarities on turnover, and those studies did not systematically compare different methods of measuring dissimilarities.