Distinct Motifs Research Articles

Role models or competitors? Understanding influencer marketing in restaurants from the perspective of customers’ social comparison orientation

Despite increasing attention to influencer marketing in the food industry, research on influencer marketing in the restaurant segment is limited. Drawing on social comparison theory, this study aims to investigate how customers’ social comparison orientation (SCO) affects the effectiveness of influencer marketing for restaurants via influencer–follower relationship dynamics. Specifically, this study explores how customers' ability-based SCO and opinion-based SCO lead to distinct motives that facilitate the influencer defense, which in turn fosters customers' visit intentions toward restaurants endorsed by social media influencers. The proposed framework is tested using a sample of 308 respondents who completed a survey questionnaire distributed on Douyin. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is used for statistical analysis. The results demonstrate that ability-based SCO has a positive effect on the self-improvement motive but has no influence on the social identification motive. Opinion-based SCO is positively related to the self-improvement motive and the social identification motive. While self-improvement and social identification motives are the drivers of restaurant visit intentions, only the social identification motive has a significantly positive effect on influencer defense. Additionally, influencer defense is the driver of restaurant visit intentions. These findings provide practical insights for restaurant managers.

SPOP-mediated RIPK3 destabilization desensitizes LPS/sMAC/zVAD-induced necroptotic cell death.

RIPK1/RIPK3-MLKL signaling molecules are fundamental in initiating necroptotic cell death, but their roles in the development of colon cancer are unclear. This study reports that RIPK3 interacted with SPOP, a component of the E3 ligase within the Cul3 complex. This interaction leads to K48-linked ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of RIPK3. Two distinct degron motifs, PETST and SPTST, were identified within the linker domain of RIPK3 for SPOP. RIPK3 phosphorylations at Thr403 by PIM2 and at Thr412/Ser413 by ERK2 are essential to facilitate its interaction with SPOP. Computational docking studies and immunoprecipitation analyses showed that these PIM2 and ERK2 phosphorylations bolster the stability of the RIPK3-SPOP interaction. In particular, mutations of RIPK3 at the degron motifs extended the half-life of RIPK3 by preventing its phosphorylation and subsequent ubiquitination. The deletion of SPOP, which led to increased stability of the RIPK3 protein, intensified LPS/sMAC/zVAD-induced necroptotic cell death in colon cancer cells. These findings underscore the critical role of the SPOP-mediated RIPK3 stability regulation pathway in controlling necroptotic cell death.

Blockchain in Luxury Resale: The Impact of Blockchain Technology Through Regulatory Focus and Uncertainty Reduction Theories

ABSTRACTThe exponential growth of the online luxury resale market has spurred a notable shift toward a circular economy, reflecting the increasing consumer preference for pre‐owned luxury items. Nevertheless, this growth presents challenges related to product authenticity and seller credibility. In response to these concerns, blockchain technology (BT) emerges as a promising solution, leveraging a decentralized ledger to enhance transparency and reduce information asymmetry. This allows for the traceability of pre‐owned luxury goods, addressing issues of provenance and authenticity in the online resale space. By incorporating regulatory focus theory into the uncertainty reduction theory, this study examines how approach and avoidance motivations impact evaluations of BT‐enabled platforms to effectively mitigate consumer uncertainties and influence trust. The collected data (N= 511) was analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM; study 1), and a complementary qualitative study (study 2) was additionally conducted. Results reveal that distinct motivations coexist, each following separate pathways to build consumer trust. Findings indicate that an approach orientation mindset highly values the reliability of BT‐enabled information, while an avoidance orientation focuses on risk mitigation and expresses heightened uncertainty in online transactions. Consequently, BT is found to be instrumental in reducing consumer concerns about purchasing pre‐owned luxury products. The study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the psychological dynamics influencing consumer trust in BT‐enabled platforms, has implications for luxury retailers contemplating BT integration, and offers insights into consumer behavior that can inform strategies to enhance perceived trust in online luxury resale.

Representing and Quantifying Conformational Changes of Kinases and Phosphatases Using the TSR-Based Algorithm

Protein kinases and phosphatases are key signaling proteins and are important drug targets. An explosion in the number of publicly available 3D structures of proteins has been seen in recent years. Three-dimensional structures of kinase and phosphatase have not been systematically investigated. This is due to the difficulty of designing structure-based descriptors that are capable of quantifying conformational changes. We have developed a triangular spatial relationship (TSR)-based algorithm that enables a unique representation of a protein’s 3D structure using a vector of integers (keys). The main objective of this study is to provide structural insight into conformational changes. We also aim to link TSR-based structural descriptors to their functions. The 3D structures of 2527 kinases and 505 phosphatases are studied. This study results in several major findings as follows: (i) The clustering method yields functionally coherent clusters of kinase and phosphatase families and their superfamilies. (ii) Specific TSR keys are identified as structural signatures for different types of kinases and phosphatases. (iii) TSR keys can identify different conformations of the well-known DFG motif of kinases. (iv) A significant number of phosphatases have their own distinct DFG motifs. The TSR keys from kinases and phosphatases agree with each other. TSR keys are successfully used to represent and quantify conformational changes of CDK2 upon the binding of cyclin or phosphorylation. TSR keys are effective when used as features for unsupervised machine learning and for key searches. If discriminative TSR keys are identified, they can be mapped back to atomic details within the amino acids involved. In conclusion, this study presents an advanced computational methodology with significant advantages in not only representing and quantifying conformational changes of protein structures but also having the capability of directly linking protein structures to their functions.

2-Amino-5-oxo-4-(thiophen-2-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile

The crystal structure of the title compound, C14H12N2O2S, reveals two symmetrically independent molecules within the asymmetric unit. Each molecule contains a chromenone core attached to a 2-thiophene ring, cyano, and amino groups. The 2-thiophene ring of one of the two molecules in the asymmetric unit was found to be disordered over two positions, with the major component having a site occupancy factor of 0.837 (2). The 2-thiophene ring is nearly orthogonal to the fused 4H-pyran ring, with dihedral angles between the two sets of planes being 89.5 (5) and 89.63 (8)°. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding, involving N—H...N and N—H...O interactions, creates two distinct motifs leading to the formation of a two-dimensional supramolecular network along the crystallographic ac plane.

Social And Cultural Identity Of Traditional Gringsing And Bantenan Weaving Cloth

The research conducted by Merdeka and Merdeka Belajar Campus (MBKM) focuses on the socio-cultural identity of Gringsing of Bali and Bantenan of Minahasa traditional woven cloth. The unique patterns, motifs, and identities of these traditional woven cloths within Balinese and Minahasa cultures are explored. The research aims to identify and describe these fabrics' social and cultural identity through an explanatory, descriptive, qualitative approach. Drawing on the sociological theory of fashion and clothing by Diana Crane and Laura Bovone, the research seeks to highlight the distinctive styles and motifs of Gringsing and Bantenan woven fabrics. Additionally, the study aims to uncover the evolving philosophical significance of Gringsing and Bantenan woven cloth. These fabrics have transitioned from solely used in traditional and religious activities to now being incorporated into everyday attire, including office uniforms and other social engagements. Gringsing and Bantenan woven fabrics showcase a variety of motifs, colors, and patterns, such as flora and fauna designs. The use of these traditional woven cloths from Gringsing and Bantenan serves as a means to express individual and collective social and regional identities. Moreover, given their significant domestic and international demand, these fabrics can serve as communication tools in cultural exchanges, thereby embodying the social identity of the Indonesia]

What factors affect the ‘flocking’ of birdwatchers during bird rarity observations?

Abstract Detecting rare bird species is an essential aspect of ornithological culture. The pursuit of observing rare bird species is not only a key facet of birdwatching tourism but also a fascinating intersection between ornithology and sociology. However, patterns in birdwatcher gatherings around rare birds and the factors affecting these patterns in situ are largely unexplored. We directly asked 50 birdwatchers and analysed available photos to obtain details on birdwatcher gatherings at the occasion of 103 observations of 71 rare species recorded in 1996–2022 in Poland. Our analysis revealed that the number of people participating in rare bird observations was influenced by the rarity status of the species (rarer species attracted larger groups), the year (with an increase in recent years) and the interaction between these factors (there was an increasing trend for birdwatchers to ‘twitch’, that is participate in sightings of very rare bird species, in recent years). Furthermore, distance to urban centres significantly negatively affected the size of birdwatcher groups. In addition, we found that the proportion of observers who successfully saw a birding rarity at each site decreased in recent years but increased during the weekend. We also found that the proportion of women in these crowds has grown in recent years and that female birdwatchers were more willing to participate in observations of more common rarities than male birdwatchers. Our results indicate that birdwatching gatherings around bird rarities can be impacted by several factors, including the general rarity of species, year and distance to cities. A dynamic increase in the proportion of females participating in birdwatching in Poland resembles trends reported in other countries. Increased female engagement in observations of more common rarities may be potentially influenced by distinct motivations. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Machine-guided design of cell-type-targeting cis-regulatory elements.

Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) control gene expression, orchestrating tissue identity, developmental timing and stimulus responses, which collectively define the thousands of unique cell types in the body1-3. While there is great potential for strategically incorporating CREs in therapeutic or biotechnology applications that require tissue specificity, there is no guarantee that an optimal CRE for these intended purposes has arisen naturally. Here we present a platform to engineer and validate synthetic CREs capable of driving gene expression with programmed cell-type specificity. We take advantage of innovations in deep neural network modelling of CRE activity across three cell types, efficient in silico optimization and massively parallel reporter assays to design and empirically test thousands of CREs4-8. Through large-scale in vitro validation, we show that synthetic sequences are more effective at driving cell-type-specific expression in three cell lines compared with natural sequences from the human genome and achieve specificity in analogous tissues when tested in vivo. Synthetic sequences exhibit distinct motif vocabulary associated with activity in the on-target cell type and a simultaneous reduction in the activity of off-target cells. Together, we provide a generalizable framework to prospectively engineer CREs from massively parallel reporter assay models and demonstrate the required literacy to write fit-for-purpose regulatory code.

Genome-wide profiling of bZIP transcription factors in Camelina sativa: implications for development and stress response

BackgroundThe bZIP transcription factor family, characterized by a bZIP domain, plays vital roles in plant stress responses and development. While this family has been extensively studied in various plant species, its specific functions in Camelina sativa (False Flax) remain underexplored.Methods and resultsThis study identified 71 bZIP transcription factors in C. sativa, classified into nine distinct groups based on phylogenetic analysis. Subcellular localization predicted a nucleus-specific expression for these bZIPs. Analysis of GRAVY scores revealed a range from 0.469 to -1.256, indicating a spectrum from hydrophobic to hydrophilic properties. Motif analysis uncovered 10 distinct motifs, with one motif being universally present in all CsbZIPs. Conserved domain analysis highlighted several domains beyond the core bZIP domain. Protein-protein interaction predictions suggested a robust network involving CsbZIPs. Moreover, promoter analysis revealed over 60 types of cis-elements, including those responsive to stress. Expression studies through RNA-seq and Real-time RT-qPCR demonstrated high expression of CsbZIPs in roots, leaves, flowers, and stems. Specifically, CsbZIP01, CsbZIP02, CsbZIP44, and CsbZIP60 were consistently up-regulated under cold, salt, and drought stresses, whereas CsbZIP34 and CsbZIP35 were down-regulated.ConclusionThis study presents the first comprehensive genome-wide profiling of bZIP transcription factors in Camelina sativa, providing novel insights into their roles in plant development and stress response mechanisms. By identifying and characterizing the bZIP gene family in C. sativa, this research offers new opportunities for improving stress tolerance and crop resilience through targeted genetic approaches, addressing key challenges in agriculture under changing environmental conditions.

Amending the Military’s Rules of Engagement to Consider Blame

ABSTRACT I am concerned that the military’s Rules of Engagement (ROE) exclusively focus on prescribing permissible actions but fail to consider the servicemembers’ blameworthiness. In explaining this concern, I will illuminate how permissible actions do not necessarily yield blamelessness. While permissibility is generally a function of rules or good outcomes, blameworthiness is at least a function of an agent’s intentions. Why should we care about permissible actions done with blameworthy intentions? I offer two distinct motivations. Using a self-defense situation as an example, I explain that neglecting to consider blame can increase the magnitude of harm done to an apparent but merely possible attacker. Secondly, we should certainly be concerned about the harms done to servicemembers, and I show that ROE that fail to prescribe a blameless intention may result in increased harm to servicemembers in the form of a “moral injury”. In even more general terms, I am advocating for a more robust in bello consideration of intentions.

An "R-spondin code" for multimodal signaling ON-OFF states.

R-spondins (RSPOs) are a family of secreted proteins and stem cell growth factors that are potent co-activators of Wnt signaling. Recently, RSPO2 and RSPO3 were shown to be multifunctional, not only amplifying Wnt- but also binding BMP- and FGF receptors to downregulate signaling. The common mechanism underlying these diverse functions is that RSPO2 and RSPO3 act as "endocytosers" that link transmembrane proteins to ZNRF3/RNF43 E3 ligases and trigger target internalization. Thus, RSPOs are natural protein targeting chimeras for cell surface proteins. Conducting data mining and cell surface binding assays we report additional candidate RSPO targets, including SMO, PTC1,2, LGI1, ROBO4, and PTPR(F/S). We propose that there is an "R-spondin code" that imparts combinatorial signaling ON-OFF states of multiple growth factors. This code involves the modular RSPO domains, notably distinct motifs in the divergent RSPO-TSP1 domains to mediate target interaction and internalization. The RSPO code offers a novel framework for the understanding how diverse signaling pathways may be coordinately regulated in development and disease.

Ancient civilizations’ territorial borders analyzed through their cosmogonies

This paper compares the ancient Mediterranean and Mesopotamian civilizations’ concept of borders and their relation with the spaces they transformed through a comparative approach of selected ancient civilizations, putting these cosmogonies into a chronological evolutionary line. The distinct motifs, symbols, and theological frameworks are examined through secondary sources. While each of these civilizations counts with individual studies, few serious attempts have been made to address these four civilizations together. The discussion aims to set the premises of the importance of borders in contemporary urban and territorial studies when religion often has a secondary role. While they were critical elements in the definition of territorial limits in the past, their inheritance is still present in our contemporary concept of borders as producers of fears.

Mapping the IscR regulon sheds light on the regulation of iron homeostasis in Caulobacter.

The role of the iron-sulfur [Fe-S] cluster transcriptional regulator IscR in maintaining [Fe-S] homeostasis in bacteria is still poorly characterized in many groups. Caulobacter crescentus and other Alphaproteobacteria have a single operon encoding [Fe-S] cluster biosynthesis enzymes. We showed that the expression of this operon increases in iron starvation, but not in oxidative stress, and is controlled mainly by IscR. Transcriptome analysis comparing an iscR null mutant strain with the wild-type (wt) strain identified 94 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 47 upregulated and 47 downregulated genes in the ΔiscR mutant. We determined the IscR binding sites in conditions of sufficient or scarce iron by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq), identifying two distinct putative DNA binding motifs. The estimated IscR regulon comprises 302 genes, and direct binding to several regulatory regions was shown by Electrophoresis Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA). The results showed that the IscR and Fur regulons partially overlap and that IscR represses the expression of the respiration regulator FixK, fine-tuning gene regulation in response to iron and redox balance.

A structural rationale for reversible vs irreversible amyloid fibril formation from a single protein.

Reversible and irreversible amyloids are two diverging cases of protein (mis)folding associated with the cross-β motif in the protein folding and aggregation energy landscape. Yet, the molecular origins responsible for the formation of reversible vs irreversible amyloids have remained unknown. Here we provide evidence at the atomic level of distinct folding motifs for irreversible and reversible amyloids derived from a single protein sequence: human lysozyme. We compare the 2.8 Å structure of irreversible amyloid fibrils determined by cryo-electron microscopy helical reconstructions with molecular insights gained by solid-state NMR spectroscopy on reversible amyloids. We observe a canonical cross-β-sheet structure in irreversible amyloids, whereas in reversible amyloids, there is a less-ordered coexistence of β-sheet and helical secondary structures that originate from a partially unfolded lysozyme, thus carrying a "memory" of the original folded protein precursor. We also report the structure of hen egg-white lysozyme irreversible amyloids at 3.2 Å resolution, revealing another canonical amyloid fold, and reaffirming that irreversible amyloids undergo a complete conversion of the native protein into the cross-β structure. By combining atomic force microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy and solid-state NMR, we show that a full unfolding of the native protein precursor is a requirement for establishing irreversible amyloid fibrils.

Pushing at the Boundaries of Pterin Chemistry.

Pterins are molecules of substantial interest as they occur in nature in a number of forms with quite distinct and often indispensable roles. Chemically, the synthesis of the principle pterin scaffold is comparably simple, while the insolubility of the pterin building block renders synthetic derivatization extremely difficult. When aiming at modeling naturally occurring pterins of extended chemical structure, this is a considerable problem. A notable set of strategies was developed in the course of the present study, which are able to overcome the lack of reactivity of the pterin backbone. These include a strategic choice regarding protection groups, uncommon chemical transformation, ball milling and combinations thereof. Some novel pterins with quite distinct substitution motifs were successfully synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses as well as single-crystal structural analyses for three of them.

BRCA2 stabilises RAD51 and DMC1 nucleoprotein filaments through a conserved interaction mode

BRCA2 is essential for DNA repair by homologous recombination in mitosis and meiosis. It interacts with recombinases RAD51 and DMC1 to facilitate the formation of nucleoprotein filaments on resected DNA ends that catalyse recombination-mediated repair. BRCA2’s BRC repeats bind and disrupt RAD51 and DMC1 filaments, whereas its PhePP motifs bind recombinases and stabilise their nucleoprotein filaments. However, the mechanism of filament stabilisation has hitherto remained unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of a BRCA2-DMC1 complex, revealing how core interaction sites of PhePP motifs bind to recombinases. The interaction mode is conserved for RAD51 and DMC1, which selectively bind to BRCA2’s two distinct PhePP motifs via subtly divergent binding pockets. PhePP motif sequences surrounding their core interaction sites protect nucleoprotein filaments from BRC-mediated disruption. Hence, we report the structural basis of how BRCA2’s PhePP motifs stabilise RAD51 and DMC1 nucleoprotein filaments for their essential roles in mitotic and meiotic recombination.

Plasma Cell-Free DNA Concentration and Fragmentomes Predict Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Cervical Cancer Patients.

Cervical cancer remains one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies. However, biomarkers for more precise patient care are an unmet need. Herein, the concentration of 285 plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples are analyzed from 84 cervical patients and the clinical significance of cfDNA fragmentomic characteristics across the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) treatment. Patients with poor NACT response exhibit a significantly greater escalation in cfDNA levels following the initial cycle of treatment, in comparison to patients with a favorable response. Distinctive end motif profiles and promoter coverages of cfDNA in initial plasma are observed between patients with differing NACT responses. Notably, the DNASE1L3 analysis further demonstrates the intrinsic association between cfDNA characteristics and chemotherapy resistance. The cfDNA and motif ratios show a good discriminative capacity for predicting non-responders from responders (area under the curve (AUC) > 0.8). In addition, transcriptional start sites (TSS) coverages around promoters discern the alteration of biological processes associated with chemotherapy resistance and reflect the potential value in predicting chemotherapy response. These findings in predictive biomarkers may optimize treatment selection, minimize unnecessary treatment, and assist in establishing personalized treatment strategies for cervical cancer patients.

Genomic Analysis of the Caleosin Family in Theaceae Reveals Lineagespecific Evolutionary Patterns.

Caleosins are recognized as the key proteins found in Lipid Droplets (LDs) and are crucial for the creation, maintenance, and breakdown of LDs. Nevertheless, our understanding of caleosins remains limited within Theaceae, a prominent botanical family encompassing economically significant tea and oil tea species. In this research, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide exploration and examination of the caleosin family in Theaceae species with sequenced genomes. The gene number of caleosin was similar among Theaceae species. Segmental duplication was the main form of caleosin expansion in Shuchazao (SCZ), Huangdan (HD), Biyun (BY), Tieguanyin (TGY), Longjing (LJ), C. lanceoleosa (Cla) and C. chekiangoleosa (CCH). Synteny analysis revealed one-to-more and more-to-one collinear relationships of caleosin genes among Theaceae species. Caleosins in Theaceae are categorized into either the H-family or the L-family, each exhibiting distinct motif structures and physicochemical properties. Expression analysis revealed an apparent flower-predominant expression pattern of caleosin genes in Theaceae species. In addition, most paralogous pairs displayed expression divergence. This research enhanced our understanding of the lineage-specific evolution of caleosin genes in Theaceae, and is valuable for future functional analysis of this gene family in tea and oil-tea species.

Pandemic perspectives: A scoping review of undergraduate nursing students' motivations in the age of COVID-19

Background and objective: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified global nursing shortages, underscoring the urgency to understand the evolving motivations of undergraduate nursing students (UNS). While intrinsic and extrinsic factors are known to influence career choices, the pandemic's impact necessitates a closer examination of these motivations. This scoping review maps and explores primary research on the multifaceted motivations influencing UNS career decisions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a comprehensive overview of the factors shaping the future nursing workforce.Methods: Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search across five databases (CINAHL, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus) identified relevant studies published between January 2020 and January 2024. Rigorous screening and data extraction were followed by qualitative synthesis to identify key motivational themes.Results: Thirteen studies from diverse regions (Asia, Middle East, United States, Europe) revealed a complex interplay of intrinsic (e.g., personal fulfillment, altruism) and extrinsic (e.g., financial security, job prospects) motivations. The pandemic amplified concerns about occupational risks and work-life balance while highlighting the profession's societal value. Gender disparities emerged, with distinct motivations and barriers observed among male and female students.Conclusions: This review provides a nuanced understanding of UNS career motivations in the pandemic era, emphasizing the need for tailored recruitment and retention strategies that address both intrinsic aspirations and extrinsic concerns. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of motivations and their regional variations, stakeholders can foster a resilient and adaptable nursing workforce equipped to meet the challenges of the evolving healthcare landscape.

Regulatory insight for a Zn2Cys6 transcription factor controlling effector-mediated virulence in a fungal pathogen of wheat.

The regulation of virulence in plant-pathogenic fungi has emerged as a key area of importance underlying host infections. Recent work has highlighted individual transcription factors (TFs) that serve important roles. A prominent example is PnPf2, a member of the Zn2Cys6 family of fungal TFs, which controls the expression of effectors and other virulence-associated genes in Parastagonospora nodorum during infection of wheat. PnPf2 orthologues are similarly important for other major fungal pathogens during infection of their respective host plants, and have also been shown to control polysaccharide metabolism in model saprophytes. In each case, the direct genomic targets and associated regulatory mechanisms were unknown. Significant insight was made here by investigating PnPf2 through chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and mutagenesis approaches in P. nodorum. Two distinct binding motifs were characterised as positive regulatory elements and direct PnPf2 targets identified. These encompass known effectors and other components associated with the P. nodorum pathogenic lifestyle, such as carbohydrate-active enzymes and nutrient assimilators. The results support a direct involvement of PnPf2 in coordinating virulence on wheat. Other prominent PnPf2 targets included TF-encoding genes. While novel functions were observed for the TFs PnPro1, PnAda1, PnEbr1 and the carbon-catabolite repressor PnCreA, our investigation upheld PnPf2 as the predominant transcriptional regulator characterised in terms of direct and specific coordination of virulence on wheat, and provides important mechanistic insights that may be conserved for homologous TFs in other fungi.