bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activin E is a TGFβ ligand that signals specifically through activin receptor-like kinase 7
Authors: Vestal Kylie A , Kattamuri Chandramohan , Koyiloth Muhasin , Ongaro Luisina , Howard James A , Deaton Aimee , Ticau Simina , Dubey Aditi , Bernard Daniel J , Thompson Thomas B 
Published: September 2023

AbstractActivins are one of the three distinct subclasses within the greater Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. First discovered for their critical roles in reproductive biology, activins have since been shown to alter cellular differentiation and proliferation. At present, members of the activin subclass include activin A (ActA), ActB, ActC, ActE, and the more distant members myostatin and GDF11. While the biological roles and signaling mechanisms of most activins class members have been well-studied, the signaling potential of ActE has remained largely unknown. Here, we characterized the signaling capacity of homodimeric ActE. Molecular modeling of the ligand:receptor complexes showed that ActC and ActE shared high similarity in both the type I and type II receptor binding epitopes. ActE signaled specifically through ALK7, utilized the canonical activin type II receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, and was resistant to the extracellular antagonists follistatin and WFIKKN. In mature murine adipocytes, ActE invoked a SMAD2/3 response via ALK7, similar to ActC. Collectively, our results establish ActE as an ALK7 ligand, thereby providing a link between genetic andin vivostudies of ActE as a regulator of adipose tissue.SignificanceActivin E is a homodimeric member of the TGFβ family belonging to the activin subclass. Currently, the signaling capacity of ActE is unknown due to a lack of reliable reagents to study the protein. Here, we demonstrate that ActE acts as a canonical TGFβ ligand that signals through SMAD2/3 in an ALK7-dependent manner, similar to ActC. ActE also utilizes the activin type II receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, to signal and is unable to be antagonized by FS288 and WFIKKN2. This study shows that ActE is a signaling ligand and provides a connection between genetic andin vivostudies that links ActE to adiposity.
The species richness of theSalix viminalisrhizosphere at the Stebnyk tailings storages is dependent on supplementation from theSalicornia europaearhizosphere
Authors: Fetsiukh Anastasiia , Pall Taavi , Timmusk Salme 
Published: September 2023

AbstractManipulating the rhizosphere microbiome to enhance plant stress tolerance is an environmentally friendly technology and a renewable resource to restore degraded environments. Here we considered theSalicornia europaearhizosphere community, and the ability of the phytoremediation plantSalix viminalisto recruit its beneficial microbiome to mediate the pollution stress at the Stebnyk mine tailings storage. The tailings contain large amounts of brine salts and heavy metals that contaminate the ground water and surrounding areas, changing soil biogeochemistry and causing increased erosion. The species richness of the endophytic bacterial community ofS. viminalisroots was assessed based on observed OTUs, Shannon-InvSimpson, and evenness index. Our results show that biodiversity was decreased across the contamination zones and thatS. europaeasupplementation significantly increased the species richness. Our results also indicate that the number of dominating OTUs was not changed across zones in bothS. europaea-treated and untreated bacterial populations, and that the decrease in richness was mainly caused by the low abundance of OTUs.The importance of engineering microbial communities that support the genetic diversity of degraded environments and the challenges with high throughput metabarcoding databases are discussed.
Dynein directs prophase centrosome migration to control the stem cell division axis in the developingC. elegansepidermis
Authors: Carvalho Cátia , Barbosa Daniel J. , Celestino Ricardo , Zanin Esther , Carvalho Ana Xavier , Gassmann Reto 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTThe microtubule motor dynein is critical for the assembly and positioning of mitotic spindles. InC. elegans, these dynein functions have been extensively studied in the early embryo but remain poorly explored in other developmental contexts. Here we use a hypomorphic dynein mutant to investigate the motor’s contribution to asymmetric stem cell-like divisions in the larval epidermis. Live imaging of seam cell divisions that precede formation of the seam syncytium shows that mutant cells properly assemble but frequently mis-orient their spindle. Mis-oriented divisions misplace daughter cells from the seam cell row, generate anucleate compartments due to aberrant cytokinesis, and disrupt asymmetric cell fate inheritance. Consequently, the seam becomes disorganized and populated with extra cells that have lost seam identity, leading to fatal epidermal rupture. We show that dynein orients the spindle through the cortical GOA-1Gαi–LIN-5NuMApathway, which directs the migration of prophase centrosomes along the anterior–posterior axis. Spindle mis-orientation in the dynein mutant can be rescued by stretching cells, implying that dynein–dependent cortical cues and elongated cell shape jointly ensure correct asymmetric division of epithelial stem cells.
Electrostatic Interactions Dictate Bile Salt Hydrolase Substrate Preference
Authors: Malarney Kien P. , Chang Pamela V. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe human intestines are colonized by trillions of microbes, comprising the gut microbiota, which produce diverse small molecule metabolites and modify host metabolites, such as bile acids, that regulate host physiology. Biosynthesized in the liver, bile acids are conjugated with glycine or taurine and secreted into the intestines, where gut microbial bile salt hydrolases (BSHs) deconjugate the amino acid to produce unconjugated bile acids that serve as precursors for secondary bile acid metabolites. Among these include a recently discovered class of microbially-conjugated bile acids (MCBAs), wherein alternative amino acids are conjugated onto bile acids. To elucidate the metabolic potential of MCBAs, we performed detailed kinetic studies to investigate the preference of BSHs for host- and microbially-conjugated bile acids. We identified a BSH that exhibits positive cooperativity uniquely for MCBAs containing an aromatic sidechain. Further molecular modeling and phylogenetic analyses indicated that BSH preference for aromatic MCBAs is due to a substrate-specific cation-ρε interaction and is predicted to be widespread among human gut microbial BSHs.TOC graphic
Soft selection affects introgression dynamics and the viability of populations experiencing intrusion of maladapted individuals
Authors: Reed Thomas Eric , Kane Adam , McGinnity Philip , O’Sullivan Ronan James 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe deliberate release of captive-bred individuals, the accidental escape of domesticated strains, or the invasion of closely related conspecifics into wild populations can all lead to introgressive hybridisation, which poses a challenge for conservation and wildlife management. Rates of introgression and the magnitude of associated demographic impacts vary widely across ecological contexts. However, the reasons for this variation remain poorly understood. One rarely considered phenomenon in this context is soft selection, wherein relative trait values determine success in intraspecific competition for a limiting resource. Here we develop an eco-genetic model explicitly focussed on understanding the influence soft selection has on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of wild populations experiencing intrusion from foreign/domesticated individuals. While based on a generalised salmonine lifecycle, the model is applicable to any taxon that experiences incursion from locally maladapted genotypes, in addition to phenotype-dependent competition for a limiting resource (e.g., breeding sites, feeding territories). The effects of both acute and chronic intrusion depended strongly on the relative competitiveness of intruders versus locals. When intruders were competitively inferior, soft selection limited their reproductive success (ability to compete for limited spawning sites), which prevented strong introgression or population declines from occurring. In contrast, when intruders were competitively superior, this amplified introgression and led to increased maladaptation of the admixed population. This had negative consequences for population size and population viability. The results were sensitive to the intrusion level, the magnitude of reproductive excess, trait heritability, and the extent to which intruders were maladapted relative to locals. Our findings draw attention to under- appreciated interactions between soft selection and maladaptive hybridisation, which may be critical to determining the impact captive breeding programmes and domesticated escapees can have on otherwise self-sustaining wild populations.
The microcephaly geneASPMis required for the timely generation of human outer-radial glia progenitors by controlling mitotic spindle orientation
Authors: van Benthem Anja , Limame Ridha , Piumatti Matteo , Zaratin Maurine , Erkol Emir , Tanaka Daisuke H. , Herpoel Adèle , Bilheu Angéline , van Benthem Harmen , Rodriguez Laura Nebreda , Pirson Isabelle , Keymolen Kathelijn , Poovathingal Suresh , Ditkowska Martyna , Désir Julie , Passemard Sandrine , Abramowicz Marc , Ledent Catherine , Vanderhaeghen Pierre 
Published: September 2023

SummaryAbnormal spindle-like, microcephaly-associated (ASPM) is the most commonly mutated gene in primary microcephaly (MCPH), characterized by reduced brain size and intellectual deficiency. The mechanisms underlying MCPH have remained unclear, asASPMdisruption leads to distinct phenotypes depending on the species studied. Here, we studied the impact ofASPMpathogenic mutations on human corticogenesis in organoid models. We found that at earliest stages of neurogenesis,ASPMmutant cortical progenitors, located at the apical surface of the neuroepithelium, display transient mitotic spindle randomization. The mutant progenitors then delaminate basally to adopt precociously the characteristics of outer radial glia cells (oRGC), a population of progenitors selectively amplified in human corticogenesis. Subsequently, cortical progenitors are depleted through decreased amplification and increased apoptosis. Thus,ASPMregulates the timely generation of oRGC by controlling mitotic spindle orientation, shedding light on how species-specific features of neurogenesis may confer vulnerability to neurodevelopmental diseases.
CO2 pollution reduction: a tradeoff for fully fuzzy parameters in a megaproject optimization
Authors: Paryzad Behzad , Eshghi Kourosh 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to conduct a fuzzy discrete time cost quality risk in the ambiguous mode CO2 tradeoff problem (FDTCQRP*TP) in a megaproject based on fuzzy ground.Design/methodology/approachA combinatorial evolutionary algorithm using Fuzzy Invasive Weed Optimization (FIWO) is used in the discrete form of the problem where the parameters are fully fuzzy multi-objective and provide a space incorporating all dimensions of the problem. Also, the fuzzy data and computations are used with the Chanas method selected for the computational analysis. Moreover, uncertainty is defined in FIWO. The presented FIWO simulation, its utility and superiority are tested on sample problems.FindingsThe reproduction, rearrangement and maintaining elite invasive weeds in FIWO can lead to a higher level of accuracy, convergence and strength for solving FDTCQRP*TP fuzzy rules and a risk ground in the ambiguous mode with the emphasis on the necessity of CO2 pollution reduction. The results reveal the effectiveness of the algorithm and its flexibility in the megaproject managers' decision making, convergence and accuracy regarding CO2 pollution reduction.Originality/valueThis paper offers a multi-objective fully fuzzy tradeoff in the ambiguous mode with the approach of CO2 pollution reduction.
Cause for change: lessons for Black liberation
Authors: Taylor Christopher Stuart 
Published: September 2023

PurposeUsing the examples of Grenadian-born Jean Augustine, the first Black Member of Parliament in Canada, and Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the piece argues that the ethos of the Emigrant Ambassador—the collective empowerment of Black feminism, liberation, and radicalism—ushered in a new era for change abroad and in Canada, as transnational and international change was driven by Black women from the West Indies.Design/methodology/approachThe author used historical research and social science theoretical frameworks to formulate conclusions, lessons learnt and steps forward for current equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practitioners.FindingsBlack women born in the West Indies in the mid-twentieth century were the catalysts for social justice movements in the 2010 and 2020s. Many methods used for social change in the twentieth century are applicable in the 2020s and beyond.Research limitations/implicationsResearch is focused on Canadian and West Indian relations but will have implications for those across the British Commonwealth.Practical implicationsPractitioners and students of EDI will have a new tool on how to approach and confront anti-Black racism, particularly after May 25, 2020.Social implicationsThis article provides opportunities to support the dwindling efforts of anti-racism to support the lives of Black people across the Black Atlantic.Originality/valueThis is an original article built on previous scholarship of the author.
Applying methodological innovation to explore generativity development among collegiate leadership mentors
Authors: Hastings Lindsay J. , Sunderman Hannah M. , Sellon Addison 
Published: September 2023

PurposeBuilding upon a larger mixed-methods research agenda, the purpose of this research study was to explore the growth of generativity (i.e. care for the next generation) among college student leaders who mentor, answering the central question “What changes in generativity do college student leaders who mentor associate with their mentoring experience, and why?” and associated sub-question “How does generativity develop among college student leaders who mentor?”Design/methodology/approachApplying methodological innovation to a phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were conducted and triangulated with pictorial degree-of-change graphs among 33 collegiate leadership mentors at a large Midwestern USA land-grant university.FindingsThe findings indicated that senior collegiate leadership mentors overwhelmingly acknowledged sustained generativity increases as a result of mentoring a younger student when given the tools, environment to process and time needed to develop trusting investment relationships. These increases in generativity were associated with changes in their understanding of generativity, the desire to pass on the knowledge given to them and growth in both mentor and mentee.Originality/valueFindings from the current study advance mentoring research and practice by providing a deeper understanding of mentoring as a developmental intervention, informing antecedents of generativity and utilizing innovative qualitative methodological techniques.
Military CEOs and firm dividends and cash holdings
Authors: Le Nam Hoang , Li Zhe , Ramsey Megan 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between chief executive officers (CEOs) with military service and firm dividend and cash holding decisions.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a sample of Standard and Poor's (S&P) 1500 firms in the USA over a sample period from 1999 to 2017 and a panel data approach, as well as instrumental variable (IV)analysis. The models control for firm characteristics as well as industry and year-fixed effects.FindingsThe results show CEOs with military service are associated with higher total payout and less cash. Higher dividends appear to drive the total payout result. When cash holdings are split into pure cash and short-term investments, the reduction in cash holdings is driven by a reduction in pure cash. The findings are more pronounced for powerful CEOs and CEOs with low labor mobility. Military CEOs are also associated with less risk, measured by stock return volatility and return on assets (ROA) volatility.Originality/valueOverall, the results are consistent with military CEOs implementing conservative policies that reduce firm risk, curtailing the demand for precautionary cash and reducing the necessity to forego dividend payouts.
Perceived discrimination, adaptation and saudade among African migrants
Authors: Neto Félix 
Published: September 2023

Purpose
For Lusophones, saudade is a common psychological experience related with the physical separation from loved ones and/or familiar locations. This study aims to examine the relationships between perception of discrimination, adaptation and saudade.

Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 655 African migrants from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique living in Portugal with a mean age of 38 years. The average duration of stay in Portugal was 22 years.

Findings
Results indicated that length of residence impacted the difficulties experienced with saudade: respondents with longer lengths of stay in the society of settlement experienced less difficulty with saudade. As predicted, the results indicated that higher perceptions of discrimination and loneliness correlated positively with experienced saudade, while sociocultural adaptation correlated negatively with experienced saudade.

Originality/value
Path analysis was conducted to investigate mediation impacts of sociocultural adjustment and loneliness on the relationship between perception of discriminatory events and difficulty with saudade. This study suggests that sociocultural adaptation and loneliness partially mediated the relation between perception of discrimination and saudade. Notwithstanding the low level of perceived discrimination found in this African background sample, this antecedent plays a relevant role in the saudade experienced. This evidence may be useful in targeting programs to improve sociocultural adjustment and to reduce loneliness which may help to alleviate the difficulty with feeling saudade among African migrants.
Why retail firms commonly get only halfway through channel integration with online channels
Authors: Lee Philip Tin Yun , Hui Aki Pui Yi , Lui Richard Wing Cheung , Chau Michael 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to examine why retail firms seldom achieve full integration of online and offline channels as prescribed in omni-channel literature. It examines the intermediate process of channel integration from an internal, operational perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis study is composed of two parts. In the first part, the authors interviewed informants from nine firms that were engaged in channel integration. In the second part, the authors conducted case studies with three firms from the cosmetics and skincare industry against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic to find evidence to support or negate the propositions made in the first part.FindingsThe first part identified six operational challenges to channel integration. The authors categorized these challenges into two groups: inter-channel communication and inter-channel competition. Inter-channel competition carries more weight at the latter stage of integration. The authors also identified two antecedents that affect the seriousness of these challenges: heterogeneity among channels in business operation and external competitive pressure. In the second part, the authors found that both inter-channel communication and inter-channel competition were improved because of the external competitive pressure exerted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the heterogeneity of offline channels against online channels in business operation is a double-edged sword.Originality/valueThe study identifies the changing effects of the challenges of channel integration and their antecedents in the midst of integration. The positive influence of a specific dimension of channel heterogeneity against other channels increases and then decreases along channel integration. The identification of the changing effects lays the foundation for a finer stage model of channel integration.
Understanding the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being: the mediating roles of trust in leaders and teacher efficacy
Authors: Liu Peng , Chen Xiao Fei , Cheng Ya Xi , Xiao Shan Shan 
Published: September 2023

PurposeTeacher well-being has been a concern, but there has been a lack of research on how teacher leadership can contribute to teacher well-being in a high-accountability context and a hierarchical education system such as that of China, particularly through the meditating roles of trust in the leader and teacher efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being while exploring the mediating roles of trust in leaders and teacher efficacy in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachUsing structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrap methods with valid answers from 1,144 teachers in 25 primary schools in 1 Chinese city, this study mainly answered three questions: Is there a significant relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being? Is there a significant mediating effect of trust in leaders on the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being? Is there a significant mediating effect of teacher efficacy on the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being?FindingsThis study reported a positive relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being. This study also found positive mediating roles for trust in leaders and teacher efficacy in the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being in a high-accountability and hierarchical system like that of China.Originality/valueThis study provides an understanding of the transferability of teacher leadership theories across cultures and has practical significance for educational practice in high-accountability and hierarchical education contexts similar to that of China.