bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interrelations Between Dopaminergic-, GABAergic- and Glutamatergic Neurotransmitters in Antipsychotic-Naïve Psychosis Patients and the Association to Initial Treatment Response
Authors: Bojesen Kirsten Borup , Ambrosen Karen S. , Sigvard Anne Korning , Nielsen Mette Ødegaard , Gjedde Albert , Kumakura Yoshitaka , Jensen Lars Thorbjørn , Fuglø Dan , Ebdrup Bjørn H. , Rostrup Egill , Glenthøj Birte Yding
Published: February 2025

Preclinical evidence points to disturbances in neural networks in psychosis involving interrelations between dopaminergic-, GABAergic- and glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems. In support, we have previously shown that aberrant interrelations between these neurotransmitters, in contrast to individual transmitter systems, can separate antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychotic patients (AN-FEP) from healthy controls (HC). Here, we characterized neurotransmitter interrelations, examined their association with treatment response, and explored the effect of treatment on the interrelations.

Sixty participants (29 AN-FEP and 31 HC) underwent dynamic [18F]-DOPA PET with arterial blood sampling using a four-parameter model to measure dopamine synthesis (DS) (k3) in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to estimate levels of glutamate (Glu) in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and thalamus, and gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) in ACC. A subgroup of the patients was re-scanned after six weeks antipsychotic monotherapy with aripiprazole. Psychopathology was assessed at both visits. Multiple linear regression models and linear mixed models were used to analyze data.

We found a negative association between k3(dependent variable) and GABA in HC (β=-0.15, p=0.03) and a positive association in patients (β=0.15, p=0.04). The aberrant relationship between k3and GABA was driven by the group-GABA interaction (p=0.002) and related to treatment response (p=0.02). No significant group interactions were found for the interrelations between k3and Glu, but a positive association was found between k3and Glu in thalamus (p=0.04) in both groups and the association decreased after treatment in AN-FEP (p=0.01).

The data show that DS in NAcc and GABA levels in ACC are inversely interrelated in AN-FEP, and that the degree of abnormality predicts treatment effect. Moreover, antipsychotic treatment alters the relationship between dopaminergic activity in NAcc and Glu levels in thalamus. The findings suggest that combined instead of single neurotransmitter disturbances should be considered when novel therapeutics are developed for schizophrenia.
Transposons and accessory genes drive adaptation in a clonally evolving fungal pathogen
Authors: Díaz Cristina López , Ayhan Dilay Hazal , Rodríguez López Ana , Gil Lucía Gómez , Ma Li-Jun , Di Pietro Antonio
Published: February 2025

Genomes of clonally reproducing fungal pathogens are often compartmentalized into conserved core and lineage-specific accessory regions (ARs), enriched in transposable elements (TEs). ARs and TEs are thought to promote pathogen adaptation, but direct experimental evidence is sparse. Using an evolve and re-sequence approach, we found that serial passaging of the cross-kingdom fungal pathogenFusarium oxysporumthrough tomato plants or axenic media rapidly increased fitness under the selection condition. TE insertions were the predominant type of mutations in the evolved lines, with a single non-autonomous hAT-type TE accounting for 63% of total events detected. TEs inserted preferentially at sites of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation, a hallmark of ARs. Recurrent evolutionary trajectories during plate adaptation led to increased proliferation concomitant with reduced virulence. Unexpectedly, adaptive mutations in accessory genes strongly impacted core functions such as growth, development, quorum sensing or virulence. Thus, TEs and ARs drive rapid adaptation in this important fungal pathogen.
Disrupted transcriptional networks regulated byCHD1Lduring neurodevelopment underlie the mirrored neuroanatomical and growth phenotypes of the 1q21.1 copy number variant
Authors: Lemée Marianne Victoria , Loviglio Maria Nicla , Ye Tao , Tilly Peggy , Keime Céline , Weber Chantal , Petrova Anastasiya , Klein Pernelle , Morlet Bastien , Wendling Olivia , Jacobs Hugues , Tharreau Mylène , Geneviève David , Godin Juliette D , Romier Christophe , Duteil Delphine , Golzio Christelle
Published: February 2025

Distal 1q21.1 deletions and duplications are associated with variable phenotypes including autism, head circumference and height defects. To elucidate which gene(s) are responsible for the 1q21.1 duplication/deletion-associated phenotypes, we performed gene manipulation in zebrafish and mice. We modeled 1q21.1 duplication by overexpressing the eight human protein-coding genes in zebrafish. We found that overexpression ofCHD1Lonly led to macrocephaly and increased larval body length, whereas chd1l deletion caused opposite phenotypes. These mirrored phenotypes were also observed in mouse embryos. Transcriptomic, cistromic, and chromatin accessibility analyses ofCHD1Lknock-out hiPSC-derived neuronal progenitor cells revealed that CHD1L regulates the expression levels and chromatin accessibility of genes involved in neuronal differentiation and synaptogenesis, including autism genes. Moreover, we found thatCHD1Lfavors telencephalon development during forebrain regionalization by facilitating chromatin accessibility to pioneer transcription factors including SOX2 and OTX2 while simultaneously compacting chromatin through its interaction with the repressor NuRD complex. Last, atypical 1q21.1 CNV encompassingCHD1Land pathogenic missense and truncatingCHD1Lvariants were found in individuals with autism. Overall, our data reveal a novel role for CHD1L as a master regulator of cell fate and its dosage imbalance contributes to the neuroanatomical and growth phenotypes associated with the 1q21.1 distal CNV.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Chromosome segregation dynamics during the cell cycle ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Izquierdo-Martinez Adrian , Schäper Simon , Brito António D. , Liao Qin , Tesseur Coralie , Sorg Moritz , Botinas Daniela S. , Wang Xindan , Pinho Mariana G.
Published: February 2025

Research on chromosome organization and cell cycle progression in spherical bacteria, particularlyStaphylococcus aureus, remains limited and fragmented. In this study, we established a working model to investigate chromosome dynamics inS. aureususing a Fluorescent Repressor-Operator System (FROS), which enabled precise localization of specific chromosomal loci. This approach revealed that theS. aureuscell cycle and chromosome replication cycle are not coupled, with cells exhibiting two segregated origins of replication at the start of the cell cycle. The chromosome has a specific origin-terminus-origin conformation, with origins localizing near the membrane, towards the tip of each hemisphere, or the “cell poles”. We further used this system to assess the role of various proteins with a role inS. aureuschromosome biology, focusing on the ParB-parSand SMC-ScpAB systems. Our results demonstrate that ParB binds fiveparSchromosomal sequences and the resulting complexes influence chromosome conformation, but play a minor role in chromosome compaction and segregation. In contrast, the SMC-ScpAB complex plays a key role inS. aureuschromosome biology, contributing to chromosome compaction, segregation and spatial organization. Additionally, we systematically assessed and compared the impact of proteins linking chromosome segregation to cell division—Noc, FtsK, SpoIIIE and XerC—on origin and terminus number and positioning. This work provides a comprehensive study of the factors governing chromosome dynamics and organization inS. aureus, contributing to our knowledge on chromosome biology of spherical bacteria.
Multi-alignment framework - consider and detect genomic and transcriptomic sequence alignment variability by comparing different techniques
Authors: Zhao Xinwei , Korsching Eberhard
Published: February 2025

DNA and RNA nucleotide sequences are an ubiquitous element of all biological cells and are serving on one hand as a comprehensive library of capabilities for the cells and on the other as an impressive regulatory system to control cellular function.

The presented multi-alignment framework (MAF) should give researchers a simple sequence alignment platform as a functional template, flexible enough to adjust all steps but also comprehensive enough to join many different tools and custom parameter combinations if in-depth analysis is necessary or advised in e.g. low read rate situations. So this tool should fill the gap between the minimalistic solutions in service facilities and the less flexible all in one software tools like e.g. Galaxy. The platform enables researcher to apply multiple aligner and further processing tools in flexible combinations to analyze the subtle to remarkable differences between different alignment programs and algorithms applied to the same data basis. This flexibility is supporting sophisticated research concepts and enables to uncover robust and relevant biological results.
Continuousin situsynthesis of a complete set of tRNAs sustains steady-state translation in a recombinant cell-free system
Authors: Li Fanjun , Baranwal Amogh Kumar , Maerkl Sebastian J.
Published: February 2025

Construction of a self-regenerating biochemical system is critical for building a synthetic cell. An essential step in building a self-regenerative system is producing a complete set of tRNAs for translation, which remains a significant challenge. We reconstituted a complete set of 21in vitrotranscribed (IVT) tRNAs by improving the transcription yield of four tRNAs and optimized their abundance to improve protein yield. Next, we showed that protein expression in the PURE transcription-translation system can be achieved byin situtranscribing tRNAs from 21 linear tRNA templates or a single plasmid encoding all 21 tRNAs. To enable synthesis of mature tRNAs from a circular template, we employed either a nicked plasmid template orT. maritimatRNase Z to post-transcriptionally process the precursor tRNAs. We ultimately achieved continuousin situsynthesis of a complete set of tRNAs capable of supporting sustained, steady-state protein expression in PURE reactions running on microfluidic chemostats. Our findings advance the development of an autopoietic biochemical system.
Potential mode of action of multispecies inoculums on wheat growth under water stress
Authors: Agoussar Asmaâ , Tremblay Julien , Yergeau Étienne
Published: February 2025

Manipulating microbial communities could increase crop resistance to environmental stressors such as drought. It is, however, not clear what would be the best approach to do so and what microbial traits are important. Here, we first compare multispecies inoculums created using different approaches. The only inoculum that increased wheat fresh biomass under drought was the one created from 25 isolates that had showed a capacity to grow under high osmolarity. We then looked at two potential mechanisms of action of this inoculum: 1) direct action, by sequencing and screening the genomes of the inoculated bacteria, 2) indirect action, by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene and ITS region of rhizosphere, root and leaves microbial communities. The microbes in the inoculum harbored many traits related to plant growth promoting, competition and water stress resistance. The inoculation also resulted in significant shifts in the microbial communities associated with wheat, including some microorganisms previously reported to improve plant drought resistance. We conclude that the inoculum studied here increased wheat growth because it potentially acted on two fronts: directly, through the traits it was selected for, and indirectly, through inducing shifts in the resident plant microbial communities.
Effective connectivity between the medial temporal lobes and early visual cortex modulated by unrestricted viewing predicts memory retrieval and gaze reinstatement
Authors: Ladyka-Wojcik N. , Liu Z.-X. , Ryan J.D.
Published: February 2025

Memory and gaze behavior are intricately linked, guiding one another to extract information and create mental representations of our environment for subsequent retrieval. Recent findings from functional neuroimaging and computational modeling suggest that reciprocal interactions between the extended hippocampal system and visuo-oculomotor regions are functionally relevant for building these mental representations during visual exploration. Yet, evidence for the directionality of information flow during encoding within this reciprocal architecture in humans is limited. In the current study, we used dynamic causal modeling (DCM) to give a non-invasive account for the directional influences between these systems when new memories are created. Here, we provide novel evidence demonstrating how unrestricted, naturalistic visual exploration induces changes in this connectivity. Subsequent memory retrieval performance was also predicted by the pattern of connectivity modulated by unrestricted visual exploration, identifying the mechanism underlying a rich history of previous work linking increased gaze behavior during encoding to later memory. Together, these findings suggest that gaze behavior shapes the ways in which brain dynamics within and between the hippocampal system and early visual cortex unfold during encoding in humans. Importantly, these directional interactions support the building of coherent, lasting mental representations.
A Syntenic Pangenome forGardnerellaReveals Taxonomic Boundaries and Stratification of Metabolic and Virulence Potential across Species
Authors: Bouzek Heather , Srinivasan Sujatha , Jones Dakota S. , McMahon Elsa F. , Strenk Susan M. , Fiedler Tina L. , Fredricks David N. , Johnston Christopher D.
Published: February 2025

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a prevalent condition associated with an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, often involving species ofGardnerella. The taxonomic complexity and inconsistent nomenclature ofGardnerellahave impeded progress in understanding the role of specific species in health and disease. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive genomic and pangenomic analysis to resolve taxonomic ambiguities and elucidate metabolic and virulence potential acrossGardnerellaspecies. We obtained complete, closed genomes for 42Gardnerellaisolates from women with BV and curated publicly available genome sequences (n = 291). Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and thecpn60gene sequences identified nine species and eleven subspecies withinGardnerella, for which we refined species and subspecies boundaries and proposed updated nomenclature. Pangenome analysis revealed species-specific gene clusters linked to metabolic pathways, virulence factors, and niche adaptations, distinguishing species specialized for mucin degradation in the vaginal environment from those potentially adapted to urinary tract colonization. Notably, we identified lineage-specific evolutionary divergence in gene clusters associated with biofilm formation, carbohydrate metabolism, and antimicrobial resistance. We further discovered the first cryptic plasmids naturally present within theGardnerellagenus. Our findings provide a unified framework forGardnerellataxonomy and nomenclature, and enhance our understanding of species-specific functional capabilities, with implications forGardnerellaresearch, diagnostics, and targeted therapeutics in BV.
ACE2 utilization of HKU25 clade MERS-related coronaviruses with broad geographic distribution
Authors: Liu Chen , Park Young-Jun , Ma Cheng-Bao , Stuart Cameron , Gen Risako , Sun Yu-Cheng , Yang Xiao , Lin Mei-Yi , Xiong Qing , Si Jun-Yu , Liu Peng , Veesler David , Yan Huan
Published: February 2025

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a well-established receptor for several MERS-related coronaviruses (MERSr-CoVs) isolated from humans, camels, pangolins, and bats (1–6). However, the receptor usage of many genetically diverse bat MERSr-CoVs with broad geographical distributions remains poorly understood. Recent studies have identified angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry receptor for multiple merbecovirus clades. Here, using viral antigen and pseudovirus-based functional assays, we demonstrate that several bat merbecoviruses from the HKU25 clade previously thought to utilize DPP4 (7), employ ACE2 as their functional receptor. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis revealed that HsItaly2011 and VsCoV-a7 recognize ACE2 with a binding mode sharing similarity with that of HKU5 but involving remodeled interfaces and distinct ortholog selectivity, suggesting a common evolutionary origin of ACE2 utilization for these two clades of viruses. EjCoV-3, a strain closely related to the DPP4-using MERSr-CoV BtCoV-422, exhibited relatively broad ACE2 ortholog tropism and could utilize human ACE2 albeit suboptimally. Despite differences in entry mechanisms and spike proteolytic activation compared to MERS-CoV, these viruses remain sensitive to several broadly neutralizing antibodies and entry inhibitors. These findings redefine our understanding of the evolution of receptor usage among MERSr-CoVs and highlight the versatility of ACE2 as a functional receptor for diverse coronaviruses.

Significance

Recent studies unexpectedly revealed that several merbecoviruses convergently evolved ACE2 receptor usage with distinct binding modes across three continents, challenging the dogma that DPP4 is their primary receptor. Here, we demonstrate that HKU25 clade MERS-related coronaviruses broadly distributed across Eurasia utilize ACE2 as host receptor through a binding mode shared with HKU5, challenging prior findings. These findings reveal a prevalence of ACE2 usage in diverse MERS-related coronaviruses in bats and show that EjCoV-3 is preadapted to use human ACE2, suggesting a potential for spillover. Our data provide a blueprint of host receptor barrier determinants which will facilitate global surveillance and development of countermeasures against these poorly characterized merbecoviruses.
Functionalized Calcium Carbonate Microparticles in Ethyl Cellulose Films: A Vehicle for Sustained Amoxicillin Release for Medical Applications
Authors: Niga Petru , Sala Simone , Rissler Jenny , Nyström Lina , Fureby Anna , Elofsson Ulla , Roth Roger , Gane Patrick , Schoelkopf Joachim
Published: February 2025

The continuous quest for materials capable of providing extended release of antimicrobial drugs is particularly important for indwelling medical applications. In this study, we utilized amoxicillin as a model active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to investigate the feasibility of using porous media – specifically, functionalized calcium carbonate (FCC) microparticles – as a primary drug carrier embedded within an ethyl cellulose (EC) polymer film. Our main objective was to prolong and sustain the release of the API. The fabrication process of the microparticle containing film involved two key steps: loading the model API into the FCC particles and then embedding these loaded particles into the polymeric film. Amoxicillin was loaded into the FCC particles using a solvent evaporation method. Detailed characterization through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), lab- and synchrotron-based XRD revealed that amoxicillin precipitated both inside and on the surface of the FCC particles, predominantly in an amorphous form. Additionally, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopic data demonstrated an increased release rate from the particles compared to pure amoxicillin powder. Embedding amoxicillin pre-loaded porous FCC particles in the EC film led to a more rational sustained release compared with powder amoxicillin embedded directly in the film, advantageously delivering the same amount of amoxicillin over a longer period; a result that may be relevant for indwelling medical devices such as urinary catheters, vascular access devices or wound drains.
Likely circulation of a coronavirus in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations suggested by SARS-CoV-2 serological investigation in France
Authors: Perez Grégoire , Lalande Lucas D. , Legros Vincent , Kodjo Angéli , Verheyden Hélène , Bourret Vincent , Cèbe Nicolas , Chaval Yannick , Revelli Paul , Pellerin Maryline , Lemaître Jean-François , Peroz Carole , Rey Benjamin , Débias François , Garcia Rebecca , Bourgoin Gilles , Gilot-Fromont Emmanuelle
Published: February 2025

The risk of viral transmissions from domestic and wild animals to humans is of high concern for human health. Humans can also transmit viral infections back to domestic and wild animals, which can then act as reservoir for the maintenance of viruses, with the risk of epidemic diseases re-emergence. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the COVID-19, likely originated from wildlife and has already been evidenced to be transmitted from humans to captive, domestic and wild animals. In particular, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) show high-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 following human contamination, and recent data suggest that white-tailed deer could act as an emerging virus reservoir. Here, we investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 could also have emerged in several longitudinally-monitored populations of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in direct contact with humans in France. We performed indirect tests (serological ELISAs and seroneutralization) on serum collected pre- and post-emergence of the virus in human populations. We also performed direct tests (nasal swabs followed by RT-PCR) to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in those populations in 2022. We also investigated the exposure and prevalence of the virus in three other cervid species in France. ELISA tests were positive for 2.20 % of the sera tested, both pre- and post-emergence of the virus, but all positive samples were negative with seroneutralization. Direct PCR testing showed no positive results in 2022. Thus, although seroprevalence increased after the COVID-19 emergence (2022) in one out of three roe deer population, our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 has not emerged in those populations, and that ELISA cross-reaction with another circulating virus, possibly an unidentified bovine coronavirus, is possible.
Multi-scale machine learning model predicts muscle and functional disease progression in FSHD
Authors: Blemker Silvia S. , Riem Lara , DuCharme Olivia , Pinette Megan , Costanzo Kathryn Eve , Weatherley Emma , Statland Jeff , Tapscott Stephen J. , Wang Leo H. , Shaw Dennis W.W. ,   The Move+ Investigator Team, Song Xing , Leung Doris , Friedman Seth
Published: February 2025

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration with substantial variability in severity and progression patterns. FSHD is a highly heterogeneous disease; however, current clinical metrics used tracking disease progression lack sensitivity for personalized assessment, which greatly limits the design and execution of clinical trials. This study introduces a multi-scale machine learning framework leveraging whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical data to predict regional, muscle, joint, and functional progression in FSHD. The goal this work is to create a ‘digital twin’ of individual FSHD patients that can be leveraged in clinical trials.

Using a combined dataset of over 100 patients from seven studies, MRI-derived metrics—including fat fraction, lean muscle volume, and fat spatial heterogeneity at baseline—were integrated with clinical and functional measures. A three-stage random forest model was developed to predict annualized changes in muscle composition and a functional outcome (timed up-and-go (TUG)). All model stages revealed strong predictive performance in separate holdout datasets. After training, the models predicted fat fraction change with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.16% and lean volume change with a RMSE of 8.1ml in a holdout testing dataset. Feature analysis revealed that metrics fat heterogeneity within muscle predicts muscle-level progression. The stage 3 model that combined functional muscle groups and predicted change in TUG with a RMSE of 0.6 seconds, in the holdout testing dataset. This study demonstrates the machine learning models incorporating individual muscle and performance data can effectively predict MRI disease progression and functional performance of complex tasks, addressing the heterogeneity and nonlinearity inherent in FSHD. Further studies incorporating larger longitudinal cohorts as well as comprehensive clinical and functional measures will allow for expanding and refining this model. As many neuromuscular diseases are characterized by varability and heterogeneity similar to FSHD, such approaches have broad applicability.
The effects of habitat structure and lighting on object and background appearance
Authors: Hancock George R.A. , Cuthill Innes C. , Troscianko Jolyon
Published: February 2025

The color, geometry, and lighting of environments characterize their appearance to humans and other animals and, as a result, play an important role in the evolution of animal coloration. Yet despite this long-standing association, how changes in lighting from atmospheric conditions and three-dimensional geometry interact to alter the appearance of scenes and animals remains largely unexplored. To investigate these interactions, we quantified the appearance of natural backgrounds and standardized targets with color-calibrated photographs and 3-dimensional (3D) scans of 672 natural scenes taken under diffuse and direct lighting conditions. We find several instances where lighting and the local 3D environment systematically altered the colors and patterns of scenes and a target object, as well as their relationship with spatial scale. Shadows formed under direct lighting increased luminance and short-long wave (blue-yellow) contrast across spatial scales, especially at larger spatial scales for habitats with a greater 3D variation. Conversely, medium-long wave (green-red) information was highly stable to changes in lighting. Direct lighting and the 3D environment also influenced the directionality and orientation of patterns within the scenes and targets due to the formation of cast and self-shadows of different orientations. These analyses demonstrate the importance of considering the lighting and geometry of an environment when comparing the statistics of animals and their backgrounds.
CAGEcleaner: reducing genomic redundancy in gene cluster mining
Authors: De Vrieze Lucas , Biltjes Miguel , Lukashevich Sofya , Tsurumi Kodai , Masschelein Joleen
Published: February 2025

Mining homologous biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) typically involves searching colocalised genes against large genomic databases. However, the high degree of genomic redundancy in these databases often propagates into the resulting hit sets, complicating downstream analyses and visualisation. To address this challenge, we present CAGEcleaner, a Python-based tool with auxiliary bash scripts designed to reduce redundancy in gene cluster hit sets by dereplicating the genomes that host these hits. CAGEcleaner integrates seamlessly with widely used gene cluster mining tools, such as cblaster and CAGECAT, enabling efficient filtering and streamlining BGC discovery workflows.

Availability and implementation

Source code and documentation is available at GitHub (https://github.com/LucoDevro/CAGEcleaner) and at Zenodo (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14726119) under an MIT license. CAGEcleaner comes with its own Conda environment but can also be installed from the Python Package Index (https://pypi.org/project/cagecleaner/).

Contact

lucas.devrieze@kuleuven.beorjoleen.masschelein@kuleuven.be

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
Molecular organization of the distal tip of vertebrate motile cilia
Authors: Hong Juyeon , Lee Chanjae , Papoulas Ophelia , Pan Jiehong , Takagishi Maki , Manzi Nadia , Dickinson Daniel J. , Horani Amjad , Brody Steven L. , Marcotte Edward , Park Tae Joo , Wallingford John B.
Published: February 2025

The beating of cilia on multi-ciliated cells (MCCs) is essential for normal development and homeostasis in animals. Unlike basal bodies or axonemes, the distal tips of MCC cilia remain poorly defined. Here, we characterize the molecular organization of the distal tip of vertebrate MCC cilia, revealing two distinct domains occupied by distinct protein constituents. Using frog, mouse, and human MCCs, we find that two largely uncharacterized proteins, Ccdc78 and Ccdc33 occupy a specialized region at the extreme distal tip, and these are required for the normal organization of other tip proteins, including Spef1, Cep104, and Eb3. Ccdc78 and Cccdc33 are also independently required for normal length regulation of MCC cilia. Mechanistically, Ccdc78 and Ccdc33 display robust microtubule-bundling activity bothin vivoandin vitro. Thus, we reveal that two previously undefined proteins form a key module for organizing and stabilizing the distal tip of motile cilia in vertebrate MCC. We propose that these proteins represent potential disease loci for motile ciliopathies.
Chirped pulse control over the melting of superconductors
Authors: Recasens Maria , Kasper Valentin , Lewenstein Maciej , Johnson Allan S.
Published: February 2025

Strong field terahertz pulses are increasingly used to excite and control quantum materials at the ultrafast timescale. They have found widespread application by enabling direct addressing of the superconducting gap or Josephson resonances and are essential in Higgs spectroscopy. Large non-linear optical signals can be induced by the strong coupling of the THz and superconducting degrees of freedom. However, far less attention has been paid to the strong bidirectional coupling between field and material this implies. Here, we use the framework of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations to study the full field and material evolution of a superconductor driven by strong field terahertz pulses. We find that at high field strengths, the backreaction of the superconductor induces large changes to the driving pulse, which in turn leads to a runaway melting of the superconducting condensate. This results in a surprisingly large sensitivity to the initial driving pulse chirp, enabling these purely dynamical changes to produce order of magnitude differences in the level of melting. We also find large-scale spectral shifting of the driving pulse to occur in just a few hundred nanometers of propagation through a superconductor. We attribute these effects to an inverse plasma redshift, in which the driving field breaks Cooper pairs and decreases the free-electron mobility, analogous to reducing the density of a plasma.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Gate-Based Quantum Simulation of Gaussian Bosonic Circuits on Exponentially Many Modes
Authors: Barthe Alice , Cerezo M. , Sornborger Andrew T. , Larocca Martín , García-Martín Diego
Published: February 2025

We introduce a framework for simulating, on an (n+1)-qubit quantum computer, the action of a Gaussian bosonic (GB) circuit on a state over 2n modes. Specifically, we encode the initial bosonic state’s expectation values over quadrature operators (and their covariance matrix) as an input qubit state. This is then evolved by a quantum circuit that effectively implements the symplectic propagators induced by the GB gates. We find families of GB circuits and initial states leading to efficient quantum simulations. For this purpose, we introduce a dictionary that maps between GB and qubit gates such that particle- (non-particle-) preserving GB gates lead to real- (imaginary-) time evolutions at the qubit level. For the special case of particle-preserving circuits, we present a bounded-error-quantum-polynomial time (BQP)-complete GB decision problem, indicating that GB evolutions of Gaussian states on exponentially many modes are as powerful as universal quantum computers. We also perform numerical simulations of an interferometer on ∼8×109 modes, illustrating the power of our framework.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Mott Transition and Volume Law Entanglement with Neural Quantum States
Authors: Gauvin-Ndiaye Chloé , Tindall Joseph , Moreno Javier Robledo , Georges Antoine
Published: February 2025

The interplay between delocalization and repulsive interactions can cause electronic systems to undergo a Mott transition between a metal and an insulator. Here we use neural network hidden fermion determinantal states (HFDS) to uncover this transition in the disordered, fully connected Hubbard model. While dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) provides exact solutions to physical observables of the model in the thermodynamic limit, our method allows us to directly access the wave function for finite system sizes well beyond the reach of exact diagonalization. We demonstrate how HFDS are able to obtain more accurate results in the metallic regime and in the vicinity of the transition than calculations based on a matrix product state (MPS) ansatz, for which the volume law of entanglement exhibited by the system is prohibitive. We use the HFDS method to calculate the energy and double occupancy, the quasiparticle weight and the energy gap and, importantly, the amplitudes of the wave function that provide a novel insight into this model. Our work paves the way for the study of strongly correlated electron systems with neural quantum states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Gapless superconductivity from low-frequency electrodynamic response of two-dimensional granular composites
Authors: Zhang Xinyang , Wu Jinze , Palevski Alexander , Kapitulnik Aharon
Published: February 2025

We measured the full complex ac conductance of two-dimensional granular In/InOx composites using the mutual inductance technique to explore the transition from a “failed superconductor turned anomalous metal” to a robust superconductor. In this system, room-temperature annealing was adopted to tune the InOx-mediated coupling between In grains, allowing for the observation of both a “true” superconductor-to-insulator transition and the emergence of an intervening anomalous metallic state. In this paper, we show that further annealing increases the intergrain coupling, eliminating the anomalous metallic phase but at the same time preventing the emergence of strong Bose-dominated insulating phase. The complex ac conductance revealed a T→0 finite dissipative response in a finite magnetic field, coexisting with a robust superfluid density. The anomalous power-law spectra for the dissipative response suggest quantum critical behavior as probed in the kilohertz range, and point to signatures of gapless superconductivity in our granular superconducting system.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Sketched Nanoscale
KTaO3
-Based Superconducting Quantum Interference Device
Authors: Yu Muqing , Hougland Nicholas , Du Qianheng , Yang Junyi , Biswas Sayanwita , Ramachandran Ranjani , Yang Dengyu , Bhattacharya Anand , Pekker David , Irvin Patrick , Levy Jeremy
Published: February 2025

The discovery of two-dimensional superconductivity in LaAlO3/KTaO3 (111) and (110) interfaces has raised significant interest in this system. In this paper, we report the first successful fabrication of a direct current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) in the KTO system. The key device elements, superconducting weak links, are created by conductive atomic force microscope lithography, which can reversibly control the conductivity at the LAO/KTO (110) interface with nanoscale resolution. The periodic modulation of the SQUID critical current Ic(B) with magnetic field corresponds well with our theoretical modeling, which reveals a large kinetic inductance of the superconducting two-dimensional electron gas in KTO. The kinetic inductance of the SQUID is tunable by electrical gating from the back, due to the large dielectric constant of KTO. The demonstration of weak links and SQUIDs in KTO broadens the scope for exploring the underlying physics of KTO superconductivity, including the role of spin-orbit coupling, pairing symmetry, and inhomogeneity. It also promotes KTO as a versatile platform for a growing family of quantum devices, which could be applicable in the realm of quantum computing and information.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Exploring the prospective influence of artificial intelligence on the health sector in Bangladesh: a study on awareness, perception and adoption
Authors: Bhuiyan Mohammad Rakibul Islam , Husain Taha , Islam Saiful , Amin Al
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The study aims to assess the awareness, perception and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes a quantitative methodology. A survey with structured questionnaire was conducted with a sample of 399 healthcare professionals and public members through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics summarized participant demographics, while inferential statistical techniques, including regression analysis, examined relationships between AI readiness and adoption.

Findings

Using a conceptual framework, the study explored factors influencing AI adoption in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector. The measurement model confirmed reliability and validity, with strong factor loadings and discriminant validity. Structural model analysis revealed that social media influence (SMI) and technological awareness (TA) significantly enhanced readiness for AI (RAI) (path coefficients: 0.354 and 0.162, respectively). Perceived risk (PR) had a weaker positive effect (0.123), while perceived susceptibility (PS) and personal innovativeness (PI) were insignificant. Mediation analysis showed that RAI significantly mediated the effects of TA and PR on the adaptation of AI (AAI).

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests policymakers develop robust regulatory frameworks to address privacy concerns, enhance trust in AI and implement educational initiatives to improve AI literacy among healthcare stakeholders in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

This study offers insights into AI adoption in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector. It addresses gaps in awareness and perceptions among professionals and the public, contributing to the limited research in this context.
Configuring training competencies and self-esteem in determining employability skills through fsQCA
Authors: Hisa Adilah
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal recipes among training competencies (TC) dimensions and self-esteem in predicting employability skills (ES) perceptions. It also examines the different combinations across specific demographic characteristics and professions.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used to collect data from 225 youths aged 15–35 years, purposively selected from leadership training programmes in Brunei. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method was adopted to confirm the propositions.

Findings

The findings captured multiple combinations of TC dimensions (i.e. knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour) and self-esteem in achieving high levels of perceived ES. The study also unveils how different levels of determinants can be more or less important for greater ES outcomes across youths' demographic characteristics and professions.

Practical implications

The findings will assist organisations and training providers of leadership programmes in understanding the significance of TC and self-esteem as well as its alternative routes in pursuing greater employability narratives.

Originality/value

This study was the first attempt to integrate ES into a configurational framework, offering a multifaceted perspective of the causal combinations of TC dimensions and self-esteem as their determinants. Taken together, the study is set within the principles of human capital theory and self-determination theory, confirming the crucial positions of TC and self-esteem in encouraging youth’s acquisition of ES, which is an increasingly pertinent, yet under-examined, area of research.
Governing for sustainability: board characteristics and SDG disclosure level in Italian benefit corporations
Authors: Pontrelli Vincenzo , Rella Angela , Oliva Lara , Marrone Arcangelo
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is twofold. First, it assesses the extent of sustainable development goals (SDGs) disclosure in the benefit impact reports (BIRs) of Italian benefit corporations. Second, it investigates how board characteristics – such as size, nationality, gender diversity and age – affect the level of SDG disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

A manual content analysis of BIRs was performed, and four hypotheses based on agency theory were tested using a sample of 83 Italian benefit corporations.

Findings

The results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between board size and gender diversity, while a higher average board age is negatively and statistically significantly associated with SDG disclosure levels.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it enriches the understanding of SDG-related disclosures in the context of Italian benefit companies. Second, it provides new empirical evidence on how specific board characteristics influence the extent of SDG disclosures.
I feel like it’s expensive! Role of influencer type on price perception
Authors: Jha Shweta
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Influencer marketing is a widely used digital marketing strategy. Marketers consider follower count as one of the key criteria when deciding promotion strategies using influencers. However, past studies have primarily studied the impact of follower count on engagement, reach and purchase-related outcomes. The effect of follower count on price perception has not been studied. This research employs the signaling theory to examine how an influencer’s follower count impacts the price perception of the product they endorse. Perceived competence and status explain this effect. Lastly, we elucidate the boundary condition for this effect through thinking styles.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted three experimental studies (N = 460) to empirically test our theorization, employing different product categories and respondents from the USA and India.

Findings

The findings suggest that consumers are likely to perceive products promoted by mega (vs micro) influencers as more (vs less) expensive. The perceived competence and status serially mediate the relationship between influencer type and price perception. Thinking style moderates the hypothesized effect.

Practical implications

Given the growth in influencer marketing and its impact, this study has important implications. The findings suggest that marketers need to exercise caution and be conscious of the impact of social media influencers on their product perceptions.

Originality/value

This is possibly the first research study to investigate the effect of the types of influencers on consumers’ perception of price. We not only demonstrate the effect but also explain the process. The research advances the influencer marketing literature by understanding consumers’ perceptions from a pricing perspective.
Increased versatility and convenience: Advances and strategy optimization of Receptor‐Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo‐mediated genetic modification in insects
Authors: Ling Xia , Zhou Cao , Hong Jun‐Feng , Jiang Yan‐Ping , Sun Quan , Li Ling‐Yi , Wang Si‐Yi , Xie Xin‐Yuan , Zou Qi‐Li , Yang Xiao‐Lin , Xiang Kai , Ma Jin , Qiao Liang , Chen Bin , Sun Wei
Published: February 2025

Genetic modification via gene editing has become a widely adopted and demonstrably effective method in functional gene research within entomology. However, the optimal efficiency and simplicity of delivering exogenous guide RNA‐clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats‐associated protein 9 complexes into target tissues are crucial for successful gene editing. The Receptor‐Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo (ReMOT) strategy, which simplifies the delivery process, target‐site selection, technical requirements, and delivery cost compared with embryonic microinjection, enabling efficient editing at the germline level, is gaining increasing attention. Although the feasibility and advantages of this technique have been demonstrated in various insect species, further optimization of operational details and the overcoming of further bottlenecks are still required. This review focuses on advances in developing ReMOT as a valuable technology, exploring its applicability, rationale for selecting the ovary as a delivery target site, factors influencing its efficiency, and improvement recommendations. The versatility and effectiveness of ReMOT make it a promising method for researchers looking to make precise genetic modifications with greater ease and efficiency.
Protecting Access to Medicines After Cambodia Graduates From Least Developed Country Status: A Policy Analysis
Authors: Tenni Brigitte , Lexchin Joel , Sovath Phin , Townsend Belinda , Gleeson Deborah
Published: February 2025

Cambodia is a least developed country (LDC); however, it may graduate from the LDC status by 2029 Membership in the World Trade Organisation, will require Cambodia to provide patent protection for medicines that meet standard criteria. This qualitative policy analysis examines Cambodia's readiness for LDC graduation in terms of protecting access to medicines and explores how it can prepare to mitigate the impact of graduation on access to medicines. The study employed a single case study design that included analysis of key informant interviews and documents retrieved from a targeted literature review and website scans. The Health Policy Triangle framework informed the research design, methods, data collection, and analysis. While Cambodia has established structures and processes to facilitate preparations for LDC graduation and engaged with UN agencies that support sustainable graduation, there has been little focus on the implications of graduation for access to medicines. To prepare for graduation Cambodia will need technical assistance to reform its patent‐related laws and policies. This study demonstrates that LDCs are poorly equipped for the introduction of patent protection and agencies tasked with supporting LDC graduation need to provide assistance to protect access to medicines in countries planning graduation.
Monetary Sovereignty and Central Bank Digital Currencies: Competing Models for Future Cross‐Border Payment Platforms
Authors: Chu Yanyang , Rathbun Nina Srinivasan
Published: February 2025

As central banks move to adopt digital currencies (CBDCs), two issues arise: the implications for monetary sovereignty and the potential efficiencies from cross‐border interoperability. The former is particularly a concern for emerging market central banks, while the latter affects all states. Emerging markets have used capital flow management (CFM) tools to control capital flows that may overheat and destabilize the macroeconomy. The effectiveness of CFM implementation depends on how CBDCs carry out cross‐border payments. This article discusses how CFM tools would function under different models of interoperability. While there are three broad models of cross‐border CBDC payments, the key debate centers on two alternatives: the hub‐and‐spoke model and the common‐platform model. Three ongoing projects, in which the Bank of International Settlement and central banks are participating, test these two models. This article compares the differences in these projects on a delegation to private intermediaries and notes the common platform model's demonstrated capacity for implementing jurisdiction‐specific capital flow measures. It concludes with a case analysis of the Chinese e‐CNY and capital flow tools. States should consider the interests of emerging markets in joining cross‐border platforms that allow them to interact with their trading and investment partners while avoiding destabilizing cross‐border flows.