bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryo- EM structure of ribosome from pathogenic protozoaEntamoeba histolytica,reveals unique features of its architecture
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Mishra Shalini , Gourinath Samudrala , Kaushal Prem S.
Published: April 2024

Entamoeba histolytica, an anaerobic parasite protozoan, is the causative agent of amoebiasis, the bloody diarrhea, and liver abscesses in humans. Amoebiasis is more predominant in tropical areas with poor sanitation conditions, and it remains the fourth leading cause of death due to a protozoan infection.E. histolyticalife cycle spans between an infective ‘cyst stage’ and an active disease-causing ‘trophozoite stage’. We have determined cryo-EM structures ofE. histolyticaribosomes, large subunit (LSU), 53S ribosome at 2.8 Å resolution and associated, 75S ribosome at 3.3 Å resolution, isolated from its trophozoite stage. The overall core of the ribosome is conserved. However, the periphery has evolved withEntamoebaspecific unique features. The most notable features are, the presence of the rRNA triple helix near the peptide exit tunnel on LSU and the co-evolution of rRNA expansion segments and extensions in r-proteins. To the best of our knowledge, this structure reports the presence of RNA triple helix in the ribosome for the first time.
Uncovering the molecular interactions underlying MBD2 and MBD3 phase separation
Authors: Maurici Nicole , Phan Tien M. , Henty-Ridilla Jessica L. , Kim Young C. , Mittal Jeetain , Bah Alaji
Published: April 2024

Chromatin organization controls DNA’s accessibility to regulatory factors to influence gene expression. Heterochromatin, or transcriptionally silent chromatin enriched in methylated DNA and methylated histone tails, self-assembles through multivalent interactions with its associated proteins into a condensed, but dynamic state. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of key heterochromatin regulators, such as heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), plays an essential role in heterochromatin assembly and function. Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), the most studied member of the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) family of proteins, has been recently shown to undergo LLPS in the absence and presence of methylated DNA. These studies provide a new mechanistic framework for understanding the role of methylated DNA and its readers in heterochromatin formation. However, the details of the molecular interactions by which other MBD family members undergo LLPS to mediate genome organization and transcriptional regulation are not fully understood. Here, we focus on two MBD proteins, MBD2 and MBD3, that have distinct but interdependent roles in gene regulation. Using an integrated computational and experimental approach, we uncover the homotypic and heterotypic interactions governing MBD2 and MBD3 phase separation and DNA’s influence on this process. We show that despite sharing the highest sequence identity and structural homology among all the MBD protein family members, MBD2 and MBD3 exhibit differing residue patterns resulting in distinct phase separation mechanisms. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of MBD protein condensation offers insights into the higher-order, LLPS-mediated organization of heterochromatin.
The viscoelastic properties ofNicotiana tabacumBY-2 suspension cell lines adapted to high osmolarity
Authors: Skrzypczak Tomasz , Pochylski Mikołaj , Rapp Magdalena , Wojtaszek Przemysław , Kasprowicz-Maluśki Anna
Published: April 2024

To survive and grow, plant cells must regulate the properties of their cellular microenvironment in response to ever changing external factors. How the biomechanical balance across the cell’s internal structures is established and maintained during environmental variations remains a nurturing question. To provide insight into this issue we used two micro-mechanical imaging techniques, namely Brillouin light scattering and BODIPY-based molecular rotors Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging, to studyNicotiana tabacumsuspension BY-2 cells long-term adapted to high concentrations of NaCl and mannitol. We discuss our results in terms of molecular crowding in cytoplasm and vacuoles, as well as tension in plasma membrane. The viscoelastic behavior was elucidated relative to cells external environments revealing the difference between the responses of cytoplasm and vacuole in the adapted cells. To understand how sudden changes in osmolarity affect cellular mechanics, the response of control and already adapted cells to further short-term osmotic stimulus was also examined. The applied correlative approach provides evidence that adaptation to hyperosmotic stress leads to different ratios of protoplast and environmental qualities that help to maintain cell integrity. Presented results demonstrate that the viscoelastic properties of protoplasts are an element of plant cells adaptation to high osmolarity.
NAC-mediated ribosome localization regulates cell fate and metabolism in intestinal stem cells
Authors: Ramalho Sofia , Alkan Ferhat , Prekovic Stefan , Jastrzebski Katarzyna , Barberà Eric Pintó , Hoekman Liesbeth , Altelaar Maarten , van der Kammen Rob , Fedry Juliette , de Gooijer Mark C. , Faller William J. , Silva Joana
Published: April 2024

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) face the challenge of integrating metabolic demands with unique regenerative functions. Studies have shown an intricate interplay between metabolism and stem cell capacity, however it is still not understood how this process is regulated. Combining ribosome profiling and CRISPR screening in intestinal organoids, we show that RNA translation is at the root of this interplay. We identify the nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) as a key mediator of this process, and show that it regulates ISC metabolism by relocalizing ribosomes to the mitochondria. Upon NAC inhibition, intestinal cells show decreased import of mitochondrial proteins, which are needed for oxidative phosphorylation, and, consequently, enable the cell to maintain a stem cell identity. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of NACα is sufficient to drive mitochondrial respiration and promote ISC identity. Ultimately, our results reveal the pivotal role of ribosome localization in regulating mitochondrial metabolism and ISC function.

Teaser

The location of ribosomes in cells is regulated, and defines the fate of intestinal stem cells.
Functional Biosynthetic Stereodivergence in a Gene Cluster via a DihydrosydnoneN-oxide
Authors: Ren Jiajun , Mathew Anugraha , Garcia Maria Rodriguez , Kohler Tobias , Blacque Olivier , Linden Anthony , Eberl Leo , Sieber Simon , Gademann Karl
Published: April 2024

Chirality features a critical role in the biochemistry of life and often only one enantiomeric series is observed (homochirality). Only few natural products have been obtained as racemates, e.g. the quorum-sensing signal valdiazen produced byBurkholderia cenocepaciaH111. In this study, we investigated its biosynthetic gene cluster and discovered that both the enantiomerically pure (R)–fragin and the racemic valdiazen are obtained from the same pathway. This stereodivergence is based on the unusual heterocycle dihydrosydnoneN-oxide intermediate, as evident from gene knockout, stable isotope feeding experiments, and mass spectrometry experiments. Both non-enzymatic racemisation via keto-enol tautomerisation and enzyme-mediated dynamic kinetic resolution were found to be crucial to this stereodivergent pathway. This novel mechanism underpins the production of configurationally and biologically distinct metabolites from a single gene cluster. Our findings highlight the intricate design of an intertwined biosynthesis pathway, providing a deeper understanding of microbial secondary metabolism related to microbial communication.

Abstract Figure
The Unexpected Membrane Targeting of Marchantia Short PIN Auxin Exporters Illuminates Sequence Determinants and Evolutionary Significance
Authors: Tang Han , Smoljan Adrijana , Zou Minxia , Zhang Yuzhou , Lu Kuan-Ju , Friml Jiří
Published: April 2024

The plant hormone auxin and its directional transport are crucial for growth and development. PIN auxin transporters, on account of their polarized distribution, are instrumental in guiding auxin flow across tissues. Based on protein length and subcellular localization, thePINfamily is classified into two groups: plasma membrane (PM)-localized long PINs and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized short PINs. The origin ofPINs was traced to the algaKlebsormidium, with a single PM-localized long KfPIN. Bryophytes, the earliest land plant clade, represent the initial clade harboring the short PINs. We tracked the evolutionary trajectory of the shortPINs and explored their function and localization in the model bryophyteMarchantia polymorpha, which carries four short and one long PIN. Our findings reveal that all short MpPINs can export auxin, and they are all PM-localized with MpPINX and MpPINW exhibiting asymmetric distribution. We identified a unique miniW domain within the MpPINW hydrophilic loop region, which is sufficient for its PM localization. Phosphorylation site mutations within the miniW domain abolish the PM localization. These findings not only identify the essential sequence determinant of PINs’ PM localization but also provide a unique insight into the evolution of ER-localized PINs. Short MpPINW, which is evolutionarily positioned between the ancestral long PINs and contemporary short PINs, still preserves the critical region essential for its PM localization. We propose that throughout land plant evolution, the unique miniW domain has been gradually lost thus converting the PM-localized short PINs in bryophytes to ER-localized short PINs in angiosperms.

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rarestR: An R package using rarefaction metrics to estimate α-diversity (species richness) and β-diversity (species shared) for incomplete samples
Authors: Zou Yi , Zhao Peng , Wu Naicheng , Lai Jiangshan , Peres-Neto Pedro R. , Axmacher Jan C.
Published: April 2024

Species abundance data is commonly used to study biodiversity patterns. In this context, estimating α- and β-diversity based on incomplete samples can lead to ‘undersampling biases’. It is therefore essential to employ methods that enable accurate comparisons of α- and β-diversity across varying sample sizes. This involves relying on biodiversity measures that are focused on accurately estimating the total number of species within a community, as well as the total number of species shared by two communities. Rarefaction offers such a method, where α-diversity is estimated for standardized sample sizes. Rarefaction methods can also be used as a basis for β-diversity calculations for standardized sample sizes. In this application note, we introduce a new R package,rarestR, designed to estimate abundance-based α- and β-diversity measures for inconsistent samples using rarefaction metrics. Additionally, the package offers parametric extrapolations to estimate the total expected number of species within a single community and the total expected number of species shared between two communities. Furthermore, it provides visualization for the curve fitting associated with these estimators. Overall, therarestRpackage is useful in estimating α- and β-diversity values for incomplete samples, for example in studies involving highly mobile or species-rich taxa. These species estimators offer a complementary approach to non-parametric methods, such as the Chao series of estimators.
Subcellular visualization of the distribution of atmospheric dinitrogen fixed byGluconacetobacter diazotrophicusbacteria in maize
Authors: McMahon G. , Rey S. , Moore K. , Greenidge G. , Patel D. , Murchie E.H. , Dent D. , Cocking E.
Published: April 2024

Plants normally obtain the nitrogen required for growth through their roots, often after application of synthetic fertilizer to the soil, at great cost to the environment and climate. Inoculation of plant seeds with nitrogen-fixing bacteria is a promising alternative means of supplying plants the nitrogen they require in an environmentally friendly manner. When maize seeds inoculated with nitrogen-fixingGluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (Gd)are grown for two weeks in a15N2air environment, nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) imaging shows the distribution of fixed nitrogen with subcellular resolution, with the majority being incorporated heterogeneously into chloroplasts. Chloroplasts, as the chief energy source that drives plant growth via photosynthesis, are vital for healthy plant growth and these results help explain the observations of enhanced growth rates in plants containing this nitrogen fixing bacteria. The methodology provides a template upon which more powerful, correlative studies combining genomic and/or spatial transcriptomic methods may be based.
A noncanonical polyamine from bacteria antagonizes animal mitochondrial function
Authors: Nauta Kelsie M. , Gates Darrick R. , Weiland Matthew , Mechan-Llontop Marco E. , Wang Xiao , Nguyen Kim P. , Isaguirre Christine , Genjdar Megan R. , Sheldon Ryan D. , Krawczyk Connie M. , Burton Nicholas O.
Published: April 2024

Canonical polyamines such as agmatine, putrescine, and spermidine are evolutionarily conserved metabolites found in nearly all forms of life ranging from bacteria to humans. Recently, interactions between polyamines produced by gut bacteria and human intestinal cells have been proposed to contribute to both Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D) and inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these effects are often unclear due in part to limitations in the methods used to manipulate and study polyamine functionsin vivo.Here, we developed aCaenorhabditis elegansbased screening platform and a modified LC-MS approach for profiling polyamine metabolites. We combined these methods to make the unexpected discovery that dysfunctional polyamine metabolism in both Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (B. subtilis) bacteria can result in the accumulation of a noncanonical polyamine intermediate, N1-Aminopropylagmatine (N1-APA). We further find that N1-APA is produced via spermidine synthase (SpeE) and that it is bioactive when encountered by animals. Specifically, we find that when N1-APA is produced by bacteria in animal intestines it can be transported into intestinal cells via the polyamine transporter CATP-5 where it antagonizes both animal development and mitochondrial function across diverse animal species. Lastly, we find that N1-APA functions analogously to the deoxyhypusine synthase inhibitor GC7. For example, like GC7, N1-APA antagonizes eIF5A hypusination and inhibits the alternative activation of mammalian macrophages. To our knowledge, these findings are the first to demonstrate that N1-APA is a bioactive metabolite and that bacteria can produce a small molecule that functions similarly to existing deoxyhypusine synthase inhibitors. Furthermore, these results suggest an exciting new mechanistic hypothesis for why the loss ofspeBin gut microbes, includingE. coli,has been both linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in humans and found to drive IBD in germ free mice.
Comparative single cell analysis of transcriptional bursting reveals the role of genome organization onde novotranscript origination
Authors: Lee UnJin , Li Cong , Langer Christopher B. , Svetec Nicolas , Zhao Li
Published: April 2024

Spermatogenesis is a key developmental process underlying the origination of newly evolved genes. However, rapid cell type-specific transcriptomic divergence of theDrosophilagermline has posed a significant technical barrier for comparative single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-Seq) studies. By quantifying a surprisingly strong correlation between species- and cell type-specific divergence in three closely relatedDrosophilaspecies, we apply a new statistical procedure to identify a core set of 198 genes that are highly predictive of cell type identity while remaining robust to species-specific differences that span over 25-30 million years of evolution. We then utilize cell type classifications based on the 198-gene set to show how transcriptional divergence in cell type increases throughout spermatogenic developmental time. After validating these cross-species cell type classifications using RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and imaging, we then investigate the influence of genome organization on the molecular evolution of spermatogenesis vis-a-vis transcriptional bursting. We first demonstrate how mechanistic control of pre-meiotic transcription is achieved by altering transcriptional burst size while post-meiotic control is exerted via altered bursting frequency. We then report how global differences in autosomal vs. X chromosomal transcription likely arise in a developmental stage preceding full testis organogenesis by showing evolutionarily conserved decreases in X-linked transcription bursting kinetics in all examined somatic and germline cell types. Finally, we provide evidence supporting the cultivator model ofde novogene origination by demonstrating how the appearance of newly evolved testis-specific transcripts potentially provides short-range regulation of neighboring genes’ transcriptional bursting properties during key stages of spermatogenesis.

Significance Statement

Understanding the divergence and evolution of novel genes and expression is essential in evolutionary biology. The testis is a hotspot for gene origination and diversification, partly because of strong sexual selection on male reproduction. However, rapid transcriptomic divergence in the germline has significantly hindered comparative single-cell RNA-seq studies and understanding of the rapidly evolving components of the cell types. Our novel strategy, which does not rely on preexisting marker genes for cell type identity, overcame the challenge. We provide evidence supporting the cultivator model of de novo gene origination—a model we recently proposed to emphasize the genomic environment in shaping novel gene origination—by illustrating how newly evolved transcripts are regulated by the transcriptional bursting of neighboring genes.
Lithic bacterial communities: ecological aspects focusing onTintenstrich communities
Authors: Pittino Francesca , Fink Sabine , Oliveira Juliana , Janssen Elisabeth M.-L. , Scheidegger Christoph
Published: April 2024

Tintenstrichcommunities (TC) are mainly composed by Cyanobacteria developing on the rock substrate and forming physical structures strictly connected to the rock itself. Endolithic and epilithic bacterial communities are important because they contribute to nutrients release within run-off waters flowing on the rock surface. Despite them being ubiquitous, little information about their ecology and main characteristics is available. In this paper, we characterized the bacterial communities of rock surfaces ofTCin Switzerland through Illumina sequencing and investigated their bacterial community composition on two substrate types (silicious and limestone rocks) through multivariate models. Our results show that Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria are the predominant phyla in this environment. Bacterial alpha diversity was higher on limestone than on siliceous rock, and beta diversity of siliceous rock varied with changes in rock surface structure. Here we provide novel insights into the bacterial community composition ofTC, their differences from other lithic communities, and the effects of the rock substrate and structure.
RIFINs displayed on malaria-infected erythrocytes bind both KIR2DL1 and KIR2DS1
Authors: Sakoguchi Akihito , Chamberlain Samuel G. , Mørch Alexander M. , Harrison Thomas E. , Dustin Michael L. , Arase Hisashi , Higgins Matthew K. , Iwanaga Shiroh
Published: April 2024

To discriminate between our own cells and foreign cells such as a pathogen, natural killer cells are armed with inhibitory and activating immune receptors. In some cases, such as the KIRs, these are found in pairs, with inhibitory and activating receptors containing nearly identical extracellular domains that are coupled to different intracellular signalling domains1. The balance in signalling mediated by these receptors determines whether an NK cell is activated to destroy a target cell. Previous studies have shown that RIFINs, displayed on surfaces ofPlasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes, can bind to inhibitory immune receptors and dampen NK cell activation2,3, reducing parasite killing. Here, we identify a clade of RIFINs that bind to inhibitory immune receptor KIR2DL1 approximately ten-times more strongly than KIR2DL1 binds its host ligand, MHC class I. We show that this interaction mediates inhibitory signalling and reduces activation of KIR2DL1-expressing NK cells. We reveal the structural basis for KIR2DL1 binding and show that the RIFIN binding surface of KIR2DL1 is conserved in the activating immune receptor KIR2DS1. We find that KIR2DL1-binding RIFINs can also bind to KIR2DS1 and that these RIFINs cause activation of KIR2DS1-expressing NK cells. This highlights the evolutionary battle between pathogen and host, suggesting that activating KIRs may have evolved to allow detection of red blood cells infected withPlasmodium falciparum, helping the host to clear the parasite.
Manipulating TDP43 Aggregation via RNA G-quadruplexes
Authors: Oldani Emily G. , Reynolds Caicedo Kevin M. , Spaeth Herda McKenna E. , Sachs Adam H. , Chapman Erich G. , Kumar Sunil , Linseman Daniel A. , Horowitz Scott
Published: April 2024

The events that lead to protein misfolding diseases are poorly understood. Many proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., TDP43) interact with nucleic acids, including RNA G-quadruplexes. In this work, we investigate whether RNA G-quadruplexes play a role in TDP43 aggregation in biophysical and cellular models. We find that G-quadruplexes modulate TDP43 aggregation in a biophysical model and in multiple cell types, including yeast, HEK293T, and motor-neuron-like NSC-34 cells. In yeast cells, treatment with G-quadruplexes causes increased TDP43 accumulation in cells before cellular death. In HEK293T cells expressing TDP43, incubation with G-quadruplex-binding small molecules induces a reduction in chemically-induced TDP43 aggregation. Finally, in NSC-34 cells overexpressing TDP43, we show that G-quadruplexes co-localize with TDP43 aggregates under stress conditions and treatment with G-quadruplex-binding small molecules decreases TDP43-mediated toxicity. Together, these findings suggest that a novel approach to treating protein misfolding diseases may be to target specific RNA structures such as G-quadruplexes.
SN-FPN: Self-attention Nested Feature Pyramid Network for Digital Pathology Image Segmentation
Authors: Lee Sanghoon , ISLAM KAZI AMINUL , KOGANTI SAI CHANDANA , MAMILLAPALLI SAI RAMYA SRI , YAGANTI VARSHINI , VITALOS HANNAH , WILLIAMSON DREW FK
Published: April 2024

Digital pathology has played a key role in replacing glass slides with digital images, enhancing various pathology workflows. Whole slide images are digitized pathological images improving the capabilities of digital pathology and contributing to the overall turnaround time for diagnoses. The digitized images have been successfully integrated with artificial intelligence algorithms assisting pathologists in many tasks, but there are still demands to develop a new algorithm for a better diagnosis process. In this paper, we propose a new deep convolutional neural network model integrating a feature pyramid network with a self-attention mechanism in three pathways: encoder, decoder, and sel-attention nested for providing accurate tumor region segmentation on whole slide images. The encoder pathway adopts ResNet50 architecture for the bottom-up network. The decoder pathway adopts the feature pyramid network for the top-down network. The self-attention nested pathway forms the attention map represented by the distribution of attention scores focusing on localizing tumor regions and avoiding irrelevant information. The experiment results show that the proposed model outperforms the state-of-the-art deep convolutional neural network models in terms of tumor and stromal region segmentation. Moreover, various encoder networks were equipped with the proposed model and compared with each other. The results indicate that the ResNet series using the proposed model outperforms other encoder networks.
Active Darcy’s Law
Authors: Keogh Ryan R. , Kozhukhov Timofey , Thijssen Kristian , Shendruk Tyler N.
Published: April 2024

While bacterial swarms can exhibit active turbulence in vacant spaces, they naturally inhabit crowded environments. We numerically show that driving disorderly active fluids through porous media enhances Darcy’s law. While purely active flows average to zero flux, hybrid active/driven flows display greater drift than purely pressure-driven flows. This enhancement is nonmonotonic with activity, leading to an optimal activity to maximize flow rate. We incorporate the active contribution into an active Darcy’s law, which may serve to help understand anomalous transport of swarming in porous media.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Gauge symmetry of excited states in projected entangled-pair state simulations
Authors: Tan Yi , Chen Ji-Yao , Poilblanc Didier , Mei Jia-Wei
Published: April 2024

While gauge symmetry is a well-established requirement for representing topological orders in projected entangled-pair state (PEPS), its impact on the properties of low-lying excited states remains relatively unexplored. Here we perform PEPS simulations of low-energy dynamics in the Kitaev honeycomb model, which supports fractionalized gauge flux (vison) excitations. We identify gauge symmetry emerging upon optimizing an unbiased PEPS ground state. Using the PEPS adapted local mode approximation, we further classify the low-lying excited states by discerning different vison sectors. Our simulations of spin and spin-dimer dynamical correlations establish close connections with experimental observations. Notably, the selection rule imposed by the locally conserved visons results in nearly flat dispersions in momentum space for excited states belonging to the 2-vison or 4-vison sectors.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Topological states of multiband superconductors with interband pairing
Authors: Holst Maximilian F. , Sigrist Manfred , Samokhin Kirill V.
Published: April 2024

We study the effects of interband pairing in two-band s-wave and d-wave superconductors with D4h symmetry in both time-reversal invariant as well as time-reversal symmetry-breaking states. The presence of interband pairing qualitatively changes the nodal structure of the superconductor: nodes can (dis)appear, merge, and leave high-symmetry locations when interband pairing is tuned. Furthermore, in the d-wave case, we find that also the boundary modes change qualitatively when interband pairing increases: flat zero-energy Andreev bound states gap out and transition to helical edge states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Assessing the implications of BIM on sustainability of construction projects through design risk management
Authors: Gaur Sulakshya , Tawalare Abhay
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Design cost overrun is one of the prominent factor that can impact the sustainable delivery of the project. It can be encountered due to a lack of information flow, design variation, etc. thereby impacting the project budget, waste generation and schedule. An overarching impact of this is witnessed in the sustainability dimensions of the project, mainly in terms of economic and environmental aspects. This work, therefore, aims to assess the implications of a technological process, in the form of building information modelling (BIM), that can smoothen the design process and mitigate the risks, thus impacting the sustainability of the project holistically.

Design/methodology/approach

The identified design risks in construction projects from the literature were initially analysed using a fuzzy inference system (FIS). This was followed by the focus group discussion with the project experts to understand the role of BIM in mitigating the project risks and, in turn, fulfilling the sustainability dimensions.

Findings

The FIS-based risk assessment found seven risks under the intolerable category for which the BIM functionalities associated with the common data environment (CDE), data storage and exchange and improved project visualization were studied as mitigation approaches. The obtained benefits were then subsequently corroborated with the achievement of three sustainability dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

The conducted study strengthens the argument for the adoption of technological tools in the construction industry as they can serve multifaceted advantages. This has been shown through the use of BIM in risk mitigation, which inherently impacts project sustainability holistically.

Originality/value

The impact of BIM on all three dimensions of sustainability, i.e. social, economic and environmental, through its use in the mitigation of critical risks was one of the important findings. It presented a different picture as opposed to other studies that have mainly been dominated by the use of BIM to achieve environmental sustainability.
Financial constraints, corporate tax avoidance and environmental, social and governance performance
Authors: Mohamad Ariff Akmalia , Kamarudin Khairul Anuar , Musa Abdullahi Zaharadeen , Mohamad Noor Afzalina
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between corporate tax avoidance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and the moderating effect of financial constraints on the relationship between corporate tax avoidance and ESG performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of a global data set involving 24,259 firm-year observations from 49 countries for the years 2011–2020. Corporate ESG performance was extracted from the Thomson Reuters database. The book-tax difference model was used for measuring corporate tax avoidance, while financially constrained firms were identified using the Kaplan and Zingales (1997) index.

Findings

The results show that firms with higher tax avoidance are associated with higher ESG performance, but lower ESG performance is shown for firms with higher financial constraints. The results further indicate that the positive impact of corporate tax avoidance on ESG performance becomes weaker for firms with higher financial constraints.

Practical implications

The findings imply that policymakers and regulators should focus on mechanisms to promote more internal funds to assist firms in pursuing ESG-related initiatives, such as through tax incentives. Investors should understand the “smokescreen” effect of corporate tax avoidance on ESG performance, especially for firms with financial constraints.

Originality/value

This analysis provides international evidence on the link between tax avoidance and ESG and considers the joint effect of pressures for internal funds, through tax and financing constraints, on corporate ESG performance.
Unveiling connections between organizational dimensions, employee performance and boundary-spanning behaviors: a study on perceived organizational support and perceived supervisory support
Authors: Wang Jiaxin (Sylvia) , Fu Xiaoxiao
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of perceived organizational support (POS) on boundary-spanning behaviors (BSBs) among frontline employees in the hospitality industry. It also considered perceived supervisory support (PSS) as a moderating factor within a conceptual model.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 651 full-time hospitality employees across 12 hotels in China. The analysis of the data used confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings revealed that POS influences hospitality boundary spanners’ BSBs, specifically external representation (ER), internal influence (II) and service delivery (SD). In addition, PSS moderates the relationship between POS and these frontline employees’ behaviors.

Practical implications

This study offers practical strategies for hospitality professionals to enhance frontline employees’ BSBs and foster supportive workplaces that drive employee excellence. These strategies encompass cultivating a supportive organizational culture, implementing supportive measures, fostering a sense of belonging among employees and ensuring supervisors’ well-being and competence in supporting their teams during daily interactions. These actions effectively motivate customer-contact employees to excel in their performance.

Originality/value

Fostering a helpful attitude in frontline employees is crucial for service firms’ success. Hospitality organizations must provide support to achieve this. Few studies have explored how organizational support contributes positively to the BSBs of customer-contact employees. This study goes beyond oversimplification and delves into the nuanced interplay between perceived support (POS and PSS) and hospitality frontline employees’ BSBs, focusing on ER, II and SD. The moderated mediating model enhances the understanding of support dynamics in the organizational context.
Face-to-face, online or HyFlex instruction? The effects of self-directed learning on stress reduction and student satisfaction among emerging adults
Authors: Choi Soochan , Li Zhen , Boonme Kittipong , Ren He
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The outbreak of COVID-19 significantly disrupted educational activities and forced universities to rapidly transition from the traditional face-to-face (F2F) environment to online learning formats. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of self-directed learning (SDL) on three instructional modalities (F2F, online and HyFlex) among emerging adults. The authors propose that class interaction enjoyment serves as a channel to understand how SDL relates to students’ satisfaction and stress reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was distributed to the emerging adults, aged 18–25, at six universities across five different US states. Construct validity and reliability were tested by using confirmatory factor analysis. The moderated mediation relationship was examined by calculating the indirect effects of each course delivery format.

Findings

The results show that the positive indirect effect of SDL on stress reduction via interaction enjoyment was stronger for F2F classes. In addition, the positive indirect effect of SDL on class satisfaction via interaction enjoyment was stronger for HyFlex classes.

Originality/value

This literature has shown contradictory results: the effects of SDL on student satisfaction and stress reduction prove to be sometimes positive, sometimes non-significant. To better understand this relationship, the authors aim at a mediating variable – enjoyment of class interaction – as a mechanism, and a moderating variable – the instructional modality – as a boundary condition. This research contributes to emerging adults learning literature by involving the interplay among SDL, enjoyment of class interaction and the instructional modality.
Metaverse decline, growth in online videos increases: implications to libraries
Authors: Oladokun Bolaji David , Durodolu Oluwole Olumide , Tella Adeyinka , Ajani Yusuf Ayodeji , Owolabi Abayomi Kehinde
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the decline of the metaverse and the concurrent growth of online videos, examining their implications for libraries. It analyzes factors contributing to the metaverse decline, such as technical issues and privacy concerns, and explores the emergence and popularity of online video platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied the interpretive content/document analysis of literature harvested from different databases of Scopus, Web of Science and Directory of Open Access Journals. Given the shift in digital consumption patterns and their impact on libraries, the paper systematically reviews the literature to elucidate the changing landscape of digital engagement and its implications for library services and outreach efforts.

Findings

The paper identifies technical issues, privacy concerns and a lack of interoperability as key factors contributing to the decline of the metaverse. Conversely, the growth of online videos is driven by the emergence of platforms, increasing accessibility to high-speed internet and a diversification of content offerings. These trends reshape user preferences and behaviors, presenting both challenges and opportunities for libraries.

Originality/value

The decline of the metaverse and the rise of online videos underscore the importance of adaptation and innovation for libraries. To remain relevant in the digital age, libraries must transform their services to meet the demand for on-demand content and multimedia resources. The findings highlight the need for libraries to invest in digital literacy and media literacy programs, embrace emerging technologies and forge strategic partnerships with online video platforms. By adapting to changing trends and user preferences, libraries will continue to fulfill their mission of providing access to information and knowledge in the digital age.
Investigating users' discontinuous usage intention toward social networking sites: the roles of motivation and affectivity
Authors: Dang-Van Thac , Thinh Truong Vu , Nguyen Phuoc-Thien , Ming Wong Wong , Nguyen Ninh
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study is based on the regulatory focus theory and conservation of resources theory to examine how information confusion leads to users’ discontinuous usage intention of social networking sites (SNSs), with the mediating mechanisms of users’ motivation and affectivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from 270 users in different SNSs in Vietnam. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the sample data and test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that information confusion has a positive influence on discontinuous usage intention, and prevention focus positively mediates this relationship. Furthermore, the negative affectivity positively mediates the link between information confusion and discontinuous usage intention and that between prevention focus and discontinuous usage intention. In addition, prevention focus and negative affectivity together play a serial mediating effect in the link between information confusion and discontinuous usage intention.

Originality/value

This study extends the regulatory focus theory and conservation of resources theory to validate a model that explains the transitional process of users’ motivation and affectivity in the link between information confusion and discontinuous usage intention of SNSs. The findings of this study provide implications for academic researchers and business managers of SNSs to understand and make better decisions to retain their users.
Mixed convective flow of engine oil-based non-Newtonian tri-hybrid nanofluid across a porous rotating disk
Authors: Paul Ashish , Patgiri Bhagyashri , Sarma Neelav
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Flow induced by rotating disks is of great practical importance in several engineering applications such as rotating heat exchangers, turbine disks, pumps and many more. The present research has been freshly displayed regarding the implementation of an engine oil-based Casson tri-hybrid nanofluid across a rotating disk in mass and heat transferal developments. The purpose of this study is to contemplate the attributes of the flowing tri-hybrid nanofluid by incorporating porosity effects and magnetization and velocity slip effects, viscous dissipation, radiating flux, temperature slip, chemical reaction and activation energy.

Design/methodology/approach

The articulated fluid flow is described by a set of partial differential equations which are converted into one set of higher-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using convenient conversions. The numerical solution of this transformed set of ODEs has been spearheaded by using the effectual bvp4c scheme.

Findings

The acquired results show that the heat transmission rate for the Casson tri-hybrid nanofluid is intensified by, respectively, 9.54% and 11.93% when compared to the Casson hybrid nanofluid and Casson nanofluid. Also, the mass transmission rate for the Casson tri-hybrid nanofluid is augmented by 1.09% and 2.14%, respectively, when compared to the Casson hybrid nanofluid and Casson nanofluid.

Originality/value

The current investigation presents an educative response on how the flow profiles vary with changes in the inevitable flow parameters. As per authors’ knowledge, no such scrutinization has been carried out previously; therefore, our results are novel and unique.
A hybrid islanding detection method using wavelet transform for hybrid systems with zero non-detection zone
Authors: Mishra Mamun , Pati Bibhuti Bhusan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Islanding detection has become a serious concern due to the extensive integration of renewable energy sources. The non-detection zone (NDZ) and system-specific applicability, which are the two major issues with the islanding detection methods, are addressed here. The purpose of this paper is to devise an islanding detection method with zero NDZ and, which will be applicable to all types of renewable energy sources using the sequence components of the point of common coupling voltage.

Design/methodology/approach

Here, a parameter using the sequence components is derived to devise an islanding detection method. The parameter derived from the sequence components of point of common coupling voltage is analysed using wavelet transform. Various operating conditions, such as islanding and non-islanding, are considered for several test systems to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. All the simulations are carried out in Simulink/MATLAB environment.

Findings

The results showed that the proposed method has zero NDZ for both inverter- and synchronous generator-based renewable energy sources. In addition, the proposed method works satisfactorily as per the IEEE 1547 standards requirement.

Originality/value

Performance of the proposed method has been tested in several test systems and is found to be better than some conventional methods.
The false promise of firearms examination validation studies: Lay controls, simplistic comparisons, and the failure to soundly measure misidentification rates
Authors: Gutierrez Richard E. , Prokesch Emily J.
Published: April 2024

Several studies have recently attempted to estimate practitioner accuracy when comparing fired ammunition. But whether this research has included sufficiently challenging comparisons dependent upon expertise for accurate conclusions regarding source remains largely unexplored in the literature. Control groups of lay people comprise one means of vetting this question, of assessing whether comparison samples were at least challenging enough to distinguish between experts and novices. This article therefore utilizes such a group, specifically 82 attorneys, as a post hoc control and juxtaposes their performance on a comparison set of cartridge case images from one commonly cited study (Duez et al. in J Forensic Sci. 2018;63:1069–1084) with that of the original participant pool of professionals. Despite lacking the kind of formalized training and experience common to the latter, our lay participants displayed an ability, generally, to distinguish between cartridge cases fired by the same versus different guns in the 327 comparisons they performed. And while their accuracy rates lagged substantially behind those of the original participant pool of professionals on same‐source comparisons, their performance on different‐source comparisons was essentially indistinguishable from that of trained examiners. This indicates that although the study we vetted may provide useful information about professional accuracy when performing same‐source comparisons, it has little to offer in terms of measuring examiners' ability to distinguish between cartridge cases fired by different guns. If similar issues pervade other accuracy studies, then there is little reason to rely on the false‐positive rates they have generated.
Mast cell versus basophil activation test in allergy: Current status
Authors: Ebo Didier G. , Bahri Rajia , Tontini Chiara , Van Gasse Athina L. , Mertens Christel , Hagendorens Margo M. , Sabato Vito , Elst Jessy
Published: April 2024

In the past two decades, we witnessed the evolution of the basophil activation test (BAT) from mainly research applications to a potential complementary diagnostic tool to document IgE‐dependent allergies. However, BAT presents some technical weaknesses. Around 10%–15% of tested patients are non‐responders, BAT can be negative immediately post‐reaction and the use of fresh basophils, ideally analysed within 4 h of collection, restricts the number of tests that can be performed per sample. The need for fresh basophils is especially limiting when conducting batch analyses and interlaboratory comparisons to harmonize BAT methodology. These limitations significantly hinder the wider application of BAT and urge the development of alternative testing, such as the mast cell activation test (MAT). The essential difference between BAT and MAT is the heterogeneity of the starting material used to perform the assays. Mast cells are tissue‐resident, so cannot be easily accessed. Current alternative sources for functional studies are generating primary human mast cells, differentiated from donor progenitor cells, or using immortalized mast cell lines. Hence, the methodological approaches for MAT are not only vastly different from BAT, but also different among MAT protocols. This review summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of BAT and MAT assays, dedicating special attention to elucidating the key differences between the cellular sources used and provides an overview of studies hitherto performed comparing BAT and MAT in the diagnosis of IgE‐mediated food and drug allergies.
Sketch Video Synthesis
Authors: Zheng Yudian , Cun Xiaodong , Xia Menghan , Pun Chi‐Man
Published: April 2024

Understanding semantic intricacies and high‐level concepts is essential in image sketch generation, and this challenge becomes even more formidable when applied to the domain of videos. To address this, we propose a novel optimization‐based framework for sketching videos represented by the frame‐wise Bézier Curves. In detail, we first propose a cross‐frame stroke initialization approach to warm up the location and the width of each curve. Then, we optimize the locations of these curves by utilizing a semantic loss based on CLIP features and a newly designed consistency loss using the self‐decomposed 2D atlas network. Built upon these design elements, the resulting sketch video showcases notable visual abstraction and temporal coherence. Furthermore, by transforming a video into vector lines through the sketching process, our method unlocks applications in sketch‐based video editing and video doodling, enabled through video composition.