bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ULK1 effector BAG2 regulates autophagy initiation by modulating AMBRA1 localization
Authors: Siva Sankar Devanarayanan , Kaeser-Pebernard Stephanie , Vionnet Christine , Favre Sebastian , Oliveira De Marchioro Lais , Pillet Benjamin , Zhou Jianwen , Kovacs Werner Josef , Kressler Dieter , Antonioli Manuela , Fimia Gian Maria , Dengjel Jӧrn
Published: December 2023

Canonical autophagy is regulated by ULK1, the most proximal protein kinase specifically regulating autophagy initiation. To gain new insights into functions of the ULK1 holo-complex in autophagy regulation, we generated a deep ULK1 complex interactome by combining affinity purification- and proximity labelling-mass spectrometry of all four ULK1 complex members: ULK1, ATG13, ATG101 and RB1CC1/FIP200. Under starvation conditions, the ULK1 complex interacts with several protein and lipid kinases and phosphatases implying the formation of a signalosome. Interestingly, also several selective autophagy receptors interact with ULK1 indicating the activation of selective autophagy pathways by nutrient starvation. One effector of the ULK1 complex is the HSC/HSP70 co-chaperone BAG2, which regulates the subcellular localization of the VPS34 lipid kinase complex member AMBRA1. Depending on the nutritional status, BAG2 has opposing roles. In growth promoting conditions, the unphosphorylated form of BAG2 sequesters AMBRA1, attenuating autophagy induction. In starvation conditions, ULK1 phosphorylates BAG2 on Ser31, supporting its recruitment to the ER membrane and positively affecting autophagy flux.
Evidence for a Compensatory Relationship between Left- and Right-Lateralized Brain Networks
Authors: Peterson Madeline , Braga Rodrigo M. , Floris Dorothea L. , Nielsen Jared A.
Published: December 2023

The two hemispheres of the human brain are functionally asymmetric. At the network level, the language network exhibits left-hemisphere lateralization. While this asymmetry is widely replicated, the extent to which other functional networks demonstrate lateralization remains a subject of investigation. Additionally, it is unknown how the lateralization of one functional network may affect the lateralization of other networks within individuals. We quantified lateralization for each of 17 networks by computing the relative surface area on the left and right cerebral hemispheres. After examining the ecological, convergent, and external validity and test-retest reliability of this surface area-based measure of lateralization, we addressed two hypotheses across multiple datasets (Human Connectome Project = 553, Human Connectome Project-Development = 343, Natural Scenes Dataset = 8). First, we hypothesized that networks associated with language, visuospatial attention, and executive control would show the greatest lateralization. Second, we hypothesized that relationships between lateralized networks would follow a dependent relationship such that greater left-lateralization of a network would be associated with greater right-lateralization of a different network within individuals, and that this pattern would be systematic across individuals. A language network was among the three networks identified as being significantly left-lateralized, and attention and executive control networks were among the five networks identified as being significantly right-lateralized. Next, correlation matrices, an exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the second hypothesis and examine the organization of lateralized networks. We found general support for a dependent relationship between highly left-and right-lateralized networks, meaning that across subjects, greater left lateralization of a given network (such as a language network) was linked to greater right lateralization of another network (such as a ventral attention/salience network) and vice versa. These results further our understanding of brain organization at the macro-scale network level in individuals, carrying specific relevance for neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by disruptions in lateralization such as autism and schizophrenia.
Host autophagy is exploited by the intracellular parasiteToxoplasma gondiito enhance amino acids levels
Authors: White Matthew D. , Angara Rajendra K. , Dias Leticia Torres , Shinde Dhananjay D. , Thomas Vinai C. , Augusto Leonardo
Published: December 2023

Toxoplasma gondii,a widespread parasite, has the ability to infect nearly any nucleated cell in warm-blooded vertebrates. It is estimated that around 2 billion people globally have been infected by this pathogen. Although most healthy individuals can effectively control parasite replication, certain parasites may evade the immune response, establishing cysts in the brain that are refractory to the immune system and resistance to available drugs. For its chronic persistence in the brain, the parasite relies on host cells’ nutrients, particularly amino acids and lipids. Therefore, understanding how latent parasites persist in the brain is crucial for identifying potential drug targets against chronic forms. While shielded within parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs) or cysts,Toxoplasmaexploits the host endoplasmic reticulum (ER) metabolism to sustains its persistence in the brain, resulting in host neurological alterations. In this study, we demonstrate thatT. gondiidisrupts the host ER homeostasis, resulting in accumulation of unfolded protein with the host ER. The host counters this stress by initiating an autophagic pathway known as ER-phagy, which breaks down unfolded proteins into amino acids, promoting their recycling. Remarkably, the persistence of latent forms in cell culture as well as behavioral changes in mice caused by the latent infection could be successfully reversed by restricting the availability of various amino acids duringT. gondiinfection. Our findings unveil the underlying mechanisms employed byT. gondiito exploit host ER and lysosomal pathways, enhancing nutrient levels during infection. These insights provide new strategies for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

Importance

Intracellular parasites employ several mechanisms to manipulate the cellular environment, enabling them to persist in the host.Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled parasite, possesses the ability to infect virtually any nucleated cell of warm-blooded vertebrates, including nearly 2 billion people worldwide. Unfortunately, existing treatments and immune responses are not entirely effective in eliminating the chronic persisting forms of the parasite. This study reveals thatT. gondiiinduces the host’s autophagic pathway to boost amino acid levels in infected cells. The depletion of amino acids, in turn, influences the persistence of the parasite’s chronic forms, resulting in a reduction of neurological alterations caused by chronic infection in mice. Significantly, our investigation establishes the crucial role of host ER-phagy in the parasite’s persistence within the host during latent infection.
The Hippo kinases control inflammatory Hippo signaling and restrict bacterial infection in eukaryotic phagocytes
Authors: St. Louis Brendyn M. , Quagliato Sydney M. , Su Yu-Ting , Dyson Gregory , Lee Pei-Chung
Published: December 2023

The Hippo kinases MST1 and MST2 initiate a highly conserved signaling cascade called the Hippo pathway that limits organ size and tumor formation in animals. Intriguingly, pathogens hijack this host pathway during infection, but the role of MST1/2 in innate immune cells against pathogens is unclear. In this study, we generatedMst1/2knockout macrophages to investigate the regulatory activities of the Hippo kinases in immunity. Transcriptomic analyses identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that are enriched in biological pathways, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis, and apoptosis. Surprisingly, pharmacological inhibition of the downstream components LATS1/2 in the canonical Hippo pathway did not affect expression of a set of immune DEGs, suggesting that MST1/2 control these genes via alternative inflammatory Hippo signaling. Moreover, MST1/2 may affect immune communication by influencing the release of cytokines, such as TNFα, CXCL10, and IL-1ra. Comparative analyses of the single- and double-knockout macrophages revealed that MST1 and MST2 differentially regulate TNFα release and expression of the immune transcription factor, MAF, demonstrating that the two homologous Hippo kinases individually play a unique role in innate immunity. Notably, MST1 and MST2 are both required for macrophages to activate apoptosis. Lastly, we demonstrated that the Hippo kinases are critical factors in mammalian macrophages and single-cell amoebae to restrict infection byLegionella pneumophila,Escherichia coli, andPseudomonas aeruginosa. Together, these results uncover non-canonical inflammatory Hippo signaling in macrophages and the evolutionarily conserved role of the Hippo kinases in anti-microbial defense of eukaryotic hosts.
Transient Zn2+deficiency induces replication stress and compromises daughter cell proliferation
Authors: Holtzen Samuel E. , Navid Elnaz , Kainov Joseph D. , Palmer Amy E.
Published: December 2023

Cells must replicate their genome quickly and accurately, and they require metabolites and cofactors to do so. Ionic zinc (Zn2+) is an essential micronutrient that is required for hundreds of cellular processes, including DNA synthesis and adequate proliferation. Deficiency in this micronutrient impairs DNA synthesis and inhibits proliferation, but the mechanism is unknown. Using fluorescent reporters to track single cells via long-term live-cell imaging, we find that Zn2+is required at the G1/S transition and during S-phase for timely completion of S-phase. A short pulse of Zn2+deficiency impairs DNA synthesis and increases markers of replication stress. These markers of replication stress are reversed upon resupply of Zn2+. Finally, we find that if Zn2+is removed during the mother cell’s S-phase, daughter cells enter a transient quiescent state, maintained by sustained expression of p21, which disappears upon reentry into the cell cycle. In summary, short pulses of mild Zn2+deficiency in S-phase specifically induce replication stress, which causes downstream proliferation impairments in daughter cells.

Significance

Zinc is an essential micronutrient required for cells to grow and proliferate. However, the mechanism of how zinc influences proliferation is unknown. We show that short exposure to mild zinc deficiency in S-phase impairs DNA synthesis and induces replication stress, leading to pauses in daughter cell proliferation. However, pulses of low zinc during other phases of the cell cycle don’t affect mother cell cycle progression or daughter cell proliferation. These results indicate that while zinc is important for many proteins, during the cell cycle short pulses of mild zinc deficiency have the biggest impact on a cell’s ability to synthesize DNA, suggesting that DNA polymerase complex acts as a gate keeper, sensing zinc status in the cell.
pIGLET: Safe harbor landing sites for reproducible and efficient transgenesis in zebrafish
Authors: Lalonde Robert L. , Wells Harrison H. , Kemmler Cassie L. , Nieuwenhuize Susan , Lerma Raymundo , Burger Alexa , Mosimann Christian
Published: December 2023

Standard methods for transgenesis in zebrafish depend on random transgene integration into the genome followed by resource-intensive screening and validation. Targeted vector integration into validated genomic loci using phiC31 integrase-basedattP/attBrecombination has transformed mouse andDrosophilatransgenesis. However, while the phiC31 system functions in zebrafish, validated loci carryingattP-based landing or safe harbor sites suitable for universal transgenesis applications in zebrafish have not been established. Here, using CRISPR-Cas9, we converted two well-validated single insertionTol2-based zebrafish transgenes with long-standing genetic stability into twoattPlanding sites, calledphiC31 Integrase Genomic Loci Engineered for Transgenesis(pIGLET). Generating fluorescent reporters,loxP-based Switch lines, CreERT2 drivers, and gene-regulatory variant reporters in thepIGLET14aandpIGLET24blanding site alleles, we document their suitability for transgenesis applications across cell types and developmental stages. For both landing sites, we routinely achieve 25-50% germline transmission of targeted transgene integrations, drastically reducing the number of required animals and necessary resources to generate individual transgenic lines. We document that phiC31 integrase-based transgenesis intopIGLET14aandpIGLET24breproducibly results in representative reporter expression patterns in injected F0 zebrafish embryos suitable for enhancer discovery and qualitative and quantitative comparison of gene-regulatory element variants. Taken together, our new phiC31 integrase-based transgene landing sites establish reproducible, targeted zebrafish transgenesis for numerous applications while greatly reducing the workload of generating new transgenic zebrafish lines.

SHORT ABSTRACT

Targeted transgenesis into pre-established, “safe harbor,” landing sites remains a missing technique in zebrafish. Here, we establishedphiC31 Integrase Genomic Loci Engineered for Transgenesis (pIGLET) by CRISPR-Cas9-based conversion of two previously validatedTol2transgenes intoattPsites. phiC31-mediated transgenesis into ourpIGLET14aandpIGLET24b attPlanding sites results in 25-50% germline transmission efficiency and quantifiable transgene activity. Our landing sites are suitable for reproducible, routine zebrafish transgenesis for diverse applications.
Reprogramming the cells secretory machinery: A cystic fibrosis rescue
Authors: Cho Won Jin , Jena Bhanu P.
Published: December 2023

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder resulting in the secretion of highly viscous mucus in the airways, leading to lung infection, respiratory failure, morbidity and mortality. CF is attributed to mutation in the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene that codes for a chloride transporting channel at the cell plasma membrane. More than 2,000 mutations in the CF gene have been identified; however, the ΔF508 CFTR is the most common, accounting for approximately 70% of all CFTR mutations. Our earlier studies demonstrate the CFTR protein to be among the nearly 30 proteins constituting the porosome secretory machinery at the plasma membrane in human airway epithelial mucous-secreting cells. Additionally, our recent studies show that stimulated human airway epithelial cells pre-exposed to CFTR inhibitors result in loss of mucus secretion, suggesting the involvement of CFTR in porosome-mediated mucus secretion. To further test the hypothesis that CFTR is involved in porosome-mediated mucus secretion in the human airways, and to develop a therapeutic approach to overcome this defect in ΔF508 CFTR human bronchial epithelial cells, the current study was undertaken. Mass spectrometry and Western Blot analysis of porosomes isolated from WT-CFTR Human Bronchial Epithelial (HBE) Cells and ΔF508-CFTR CF HBE cells, demonstrate a varying loss or gain of several porosome proteins, including a decrease in the t-SNARE protein SNAP-23 and undetectable levels of the Ras GTPase activating like-protein IQGAP1 in the ΔF508-CFTR CF cells. This suggested that mutation in porosome-associated CFTR protein additionally affects other proteins within the porosome secretory machinery, negatively impacting mucus secretion. Hence, to ameliorate defects in mucus secretion in CF, the reconstitution of functional porosomes obtained from WT-CFTR HBE cells into the plasma membrane of ΔF508-CFTR mutant cells was performed. Results from the study demonstrate that porosome reconstitution rescues mucus secretion approximately four-fold more effectively than the currently available CF drugs Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor.
Employee stock ownership plans and within-firm income inequality: evidence from China
Authors: Ning Peng , Geng Lixiao , Jia Liangding
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Drawing on bargaining power and the inequality aversion perspective, this study aims to probe employees’ influence on addressing income inequality between top executives and nonexecutive employees. Meanwhile, it examines the moderating role of employee-related factors and plan attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a staggered difference-in-differences design with a propensity scoring match approach and verification of the parallel trend assumption to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results support the hypothesis that employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) significantly reduce within-firm income inequality. The negative effect is amplified by both the presence of trade unions and the unemployment rate at the regional level, as well as the duration of the lock-in period and the scale of participants within the stock ownership plan.

Practical implications

This study has implications for income inequality research and ESOP design and provides theoretical support for policymakers and corporate governance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on income inequality by examining the implementation of ESOPs from the employee perspective. Furthermore, it extends the current literature by investigating the strengthening effects of regional factors and ESOP attributes on the relationship between ESOPs and income inequality. The conclusions provide new empirical evidence to promote the effective implementation of ESOPs by combining internal and external factors.
Investigating the impact of indoor environmental quality and internal design on students' satisfaction in Tehran and North Cyprus dormitories
Authors: Karimi Hirou , Adibhesami Mohammad Anvar , Ghasemi Maryam , Sepehri Borhan , Mahdavi Estalkhsar Bonin
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and internal design on the performance of students in university dormitories in Tehran and North Cyprus.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey questionnaire, 298 students living in student dormitories in Tehran and North Cyprus were surveyed for data collection.

Findings

Research has shown that the academic performance and well-being of students are heavily impacted by factors related to IEQ and internal design. The study conducted in Tehran and North Cyprus has identified the most effective components of IEQ and internal design for student dormitories. The study suggests that proper ventilation, furniture design, temperature control and lighting design are key factors that significantly affect IEQ and internal design. Control and lighting design are key factors that significantly affect IEQ and internal design.

Originality/value

Originality: The study utilizes a comparative study designed to analyze the differences and similarities between the two locations.
A rule-based machine learning methodology for the proactive improvement of OEE: a real case study
Authors: Lucantoni Laura , Antomarioni Sara , Ciarapica Filippo Emanuele , Bevilacqua Maurizio
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is considered a standard for measuring equipment productivity in terms of efficiency. Still, Artificial Intelligence solutions are rarely used for analyzing OEE results and identifying corrective actions. Therefore, the approach proposed in this paper aims to provide a new rule-based Machine Learning (ML) framework for OEE enhancement and the selection of improvement actions.

Design/methodology/approach

Association Rules (ARs) are used as a rule-based ML method for extracting knowledge from huge data. First, the dominant loss class is identified and traditional methodologies are used with ARs for anomaly classification and prioritization. Once selected priority anomalies, a detailed analysis is conducted to investigate their influence on the OEE loss factors using ARs and Network Analysis (NA). Then, a Deming Cycle is used as a roadmap for applying the proposed methodology, testing and implementing proactive actions by monitoring the OEE variation.

Findings

The method proposed in this work has also been tested in an automotive company for framework validation and impact measuring. In particular, results highlighted that the rule-based ML methodology for OEE improvement addressed seven anomalies within a year through appropriate proactive actions: on average, each action has ensured an OEE gain of 5.4%.

Originality/value

The originality is related to the dual application of association rules in two different ways for extracting knowledge from the overall OEE. In particular, the co-occurrences of priority anomalies and their impact on asset Availability, Performance and Quality are investigated.
The right of Russian fathers to parental leave: is a transformation of an established system necessary?
Authors: Bagirova Anna , Blednova Natalia , Neshataev Aleksandr
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to research the current state of fathers' involvement in childcare during parental leave and to assess attitudes of Russian population towards possible measures that can expand the use of parental leave by fathers in Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey of Russian parents with children under the age of 18 months in 2022. The sample accounts for 1,000 people; the survey covered almost all Russian regions.

Findings

The authors found that the ideal workload of fathers is not expected to exceed a third of the total parental workload. Russian parents are not ready to admit dissatisfaction with the existing distribution of workload during parental leave. However, an egalitarian demand for greater involvement of fathers in parental responsibilities is forming, and an interest in transforming the parental leave policy is emerging.

Originality/value

The value of the study consists of assessing the effectiveness of measures that may have a beneficial effect on the use of parental leave by fathers, as well as identifying consequences of the possible introduction of mandatory parental leave for fathers.
Managing users' uncertainty in social commerce: the moderating role of cultural tightness
Authors: Chen Xiayu , Wei Shaobo , Ding Ruolin , Li Yanrui
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Based on uncertainty reduction theory, this study explores how perceived information transparency mitigates users' perceived uncertainty, which in turn influences their actual purchase behavior. In addition, the moderating effects of cultural tightness on the relationship between perceived information transparency and perceived uncertainty are also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Users with the shopping experience on Xiaohongshu are invited to participate in the survey. Finally, 355 valid longitudinal data are collected.

Findings

The results indicate that the three dimensions of perceived information transparency (i.e. perceived product transparency, perceived seller transparency and perceived transaction transparency) can reduce users' perceived uncertainty significantly. Besides, the negative impacts of perceived product and seller transparency on users' perceived uncertainty are stronger when cultural tightness is higher. However, cultural tightness does not moderate the relationship between perceived transaction transparency and users' perceived uncertainty.

Originality/value

First, the authors' research extends the uncertainty reduction theory to the context of social commerce. Second, the authors' research explores the boundary condition under which perceived information transparency varies by identifying cultural tightness as the moderator of the relationship between perceived information transparency and uncertainty. Third, the authors' research enriches the understanding of the cultural tightness of China.
Towards a theoretical framework of co-development in supply chains: role of platform affordances and supply chain relationship capital
Authors: Chen Ying , Chan Hing Kai , Cai Zhao
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Using perspectives from the technology affordance and social capital theories, this study aims to unpack the process through which platform-enabled co-development unfolds in supply chain contexts. Specifically, it explores how innovation outcomes can be fostered through platform affordances and supply chain relationship (SCR) capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper integrates literature on digital platforms, SCRs and co-development to produce an integrative framework, developing propositions on the relationships among digital platforms, SCR capital and innovation outcomes.

Findings

The authors identify affordances for distinctive strategic use of platforms: value co-creation, relationship building and strategic learning. The authors discuss ways in which each affordance contributes to the advances in SCR capital, thus altogether enabling focal firms to orchestrate and integrate internal and external resources to attain incremental and radical innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the proposed research framework, further empirical studies can use quantitative data to measure the relationship between affordances and SCR capital and use longitudinal case studies to explore how affordances and SCR capital evolve to provide more fine-grained and contextualised information in different research settings.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light on how the relation between the adoption of digital platforms and SCR capital shapes digitally enabled service co-development. The authors provide an alternative explanation of resource integration in platform-mediated supply chain contexts and enrich the related literature on how digital platforms can maximise value from introducing ambidextrous innovation by leveraging internal and external resources.
An effectuation approach to sustainable entrepreneurship
Authors: Dawa Samuel , Marks Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the occurrence of sustainable entrepreneurship in the underresearched sub-Saharan Africa context and to improve the understanding of how effectuation manifests in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative research approach based on multiple case studies. Responses were sourced from owners, employees, suppliers, the community and customers of sustainable entrepreneurial firms. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, document reviews and observations. The Gioia analytical approach was used.

Findings

Overall, the authors find the concept of effectuation to be well-suited to capturing the processes through which individuals with limited means seek to engage in sustainable entrepreneurship. The authors also identify three pervasive practices that are key to understanding effectuation in the developing country context: complementation of indigenous knowledge with modern science, compassion and pluriactivity.

Practical implications

This study underscores the importance of co-creation, diversification of revenue sources and the role of emotional awareness and interpersonal skills in entrepreneurial endeavors.

Originality/value

This study, therefore, contributes new knowledge about the mechanisms through which entrepreneurs faced with resource constraints use control as opposed to prediction strategies to exploit sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities. In so doing, this study contributes to entrepreneurship theory by proposing the integration of cognitive and affective dimensions in realizing sustainable entrepreneurship goals.
Anti-money laundering and customer due diligence: empirical evidence from South Africa
Authors: Gaviyau William , Sibindi Athenia Bongani
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the South African banks’ customer due diligence (CDD) practices in the fintech era to mitigate money laundering (ML) risks and ensure financial stability. Financial technologies have brought substantial transformations to the financial services sector. However, such technologies have exposed the sector to emerging risks that threaten the integrity and stability of the financial system globally. Before any bank–customer relationship is established, proper customer background checks must be conducted. These background checks enable financial institutions to validate information provided and ensure customers are properly risk profiled. Failure to risk profile customers could result in financial institutions being used as conduits for ML. Undoubtedly, CDD procedures are pivotal to overall anti-money laundering efforts and curbing financing terrorism in a regulatory framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was adopted to address the research questions of the study. Given the confidentiality associated with the financial services sector, data triangulation was used in blending mainly secondary and primary data sources. Secondary data sources used in the study were published reports available in the public domain that were corroborated with subject matter experts’ interviews.

Findings

Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that in South Africa, technological solutions have been incorporated into CDD functions, which is now risk-based (enhanced due diligence). Also, legally, South Africa has incorporated the biometrics, integration with Department of Home Affairs and Companies and Intellectual Property Commission databases, customer consent to third-party sources with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act and the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Originality/value

The shift towards digital banking in South Africa results in increased data and dynamic risk profiling. This study advocates a policy shift requiring a risk-based approach to mitigating emerging ML risks (in particular digital laundering), especially in the wake of South Africa’s recent greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force.
Yes, construction cost, time and scope are important, but there is more: a new action plan for infrastructure success
Authors: Locatelli Giorgio , Paravano Alessandro , Terenzi Marco , Trucco Paolo
Published: December 2023

Purpose

During the planning and delivery, iron triangle criteria, are essential for internal stakeholders (e.g. owner, sponsors and delivery company), mostly ignoring external stakeholders such as local communities (often perceived as inconvenient) or end users. In the medium-long term, infrastructure cost and benefit are far more important for external stakeholders and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The iron triangle criteria, i.e. delivering on time, budget and quality/scope, is the traditional perspective to assess the success of infrastructure projects. Delivering on cost and time is significant, but particularly for infrastructure, there are more relevant success criteria. The authors argue which criteria are important, and explain why.

Findings

The authors challenge the traditional view of judging projects based on respecting time, budget and quality/scope. The authors explain that discussing the social value and contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is extremely relevant. Crucially these metrics keep changing, even after the project is terminated.

Originality/value

The authors provide a new seven-step action plan for decision-makers to improve infrastructure provision by reflecting on SDGs and engaging with external stakeholders, particularly minorities and the weaker members of their communities. Such an action plan is focused on the cost and value for different stakeholders on different timeframes and progress toward social value and achieving SDGs.
How to survive social crises? An HR analytics data-driven approach to improve social sustainable operations’ effectiveness
Authors: Di Prima Christian , Kotaskova Anna , Yildiz Hélène , Ferraris Alberto
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Despite the growing interest regarding companies' sustainability, its social dimension has mostly been neglected by academics and practitioners. Consequently, this study aims to address this issue by investigating if the adoption of human resource (HR) analytics can positively influence the impact of social sustainable operations practices (SSOP) on employees' motivation and engagement and the effect of these lasts on organizational retention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through online questionnaires addressed to 281 HR managers of heterogeneous companies from Europe and analyzed through a structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.

Findings

The findings confirmed the positive effect of SSOP on employees’ motivation and engagement, and of these last on employees’ retention. Furthermore, they confirmed that the usage of HR analytics positively moderates the relationship between SSOP and employees’ motivation and engagement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to both sustainable operations management and HR management literature streams. First, it adopts a multidisciplinary perspective which also considers evidence from HR management literature, allowing the authors to concentrate on the social dimension of sustainability. Second, it provided further insight regarding the adoption of a data-driven approach in relation to social sustainable operations management. Finally, it contributes to HR analytics-related literature by demonstrating its impact also on organizational aspects that are not directly controlled by the HR department.
Disease burden and treatment satisfaction in patients with prurigo nodularis in Japan
Authors: Murota Hiroyuki , Arima Kazuhiko , Yoshida Takuo , Fujita Hiroyuki
Published: December 2023

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a high disease burden. In this cross‐sectional, web‐based survey, Global Questions (GQ), the Numerical Rating Scales (NRS) for pruritus, burning sensation and sleep disturbance, the Short‐Form‐8 (SF‐8) Health Survey, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ‐9), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication–9 (TSQM‐9) scores were used to assess the current disease burden and treatment satisfaction among patients with PN in Japan. In total, 97 patients were included (55.7% male, median age 51 years, median duration of PN 36 months). Based on GQ scores, 35.1% of patients had mild disease, 50.5% moderate, and 14.4% severe disease. Disease burden increased as the severity of PN increased, as indicated by worsening of pruritus NRS scores and quality of life (DLQI, PHQ‐9, WPAI presenteeism, work productivity loss, and activity impairment scores). Patients with comorbid atopic dermatitis (AD) also had more intense pruritus than those without AD. Mean ± standard deviation TSQM‐9 scores for effectiveness, convenience, and global satisfaction were 54.7 ± 18.1%, 62.4 ± 15.2%, and 57.4 ± 15.9%, respectively. TSQM‐9 scores were lowest in patients receiving the most intensive guideline‐directed treatment (i.e., topical corticosteroids + systemic oral corticosteroids or cyclosporine), highlighting an unmet need for more effective treatment options for patients with PN. In summary, Japanese patients with PN reported increased disease burden and reduced treatment satisfaction with increased disease severity, despite the use of guideline‐recommended therapies.
Herbivores disrupt clinal variation in plant responses to water limitation
Authors: Diethelm Aramee C. , Reichelt Michael , Pringle Elizabeth G.
Published: December 2023

Plasticity in plant traits, including secondary metabolites, is critical to plant survival and competitiveness under stressful conditions. The ability of a plant to respond effectively to combined stressors can be impacted by crosstalk in biochemical pathways, resource availability and evolutionary history, but such responses remain underexplored. In particular, we know little about intraspecific variation in response to combined stressors or whether such variation is associated with the stress history of a given population.

Here, we investigated the consequences of combined water and herbivory stress for plant traits, including relative growth rate, leaf morphology and various measures of phytochemistry, using a common garden of Asclepias fascicularis milkweeds. To examine how plant trait means and plasticities depend on the history of environmental stress, seeds for the experiment were collected from across a gradient of aridity in the Great Basin, United States. We then conducted a factorial experiment crossing water limitation with herbivory.

Plants responded to water limitation alone by increasing the evenness of UV‐absorbent secondary metabolites and to herbivory alone by increasing the richness of metabolites. However, plants that experienced combined water and herbivory stress exhibited similar phytochemical diversity to well‐watered control plants. This lack of plasticity in phytochemical diversity in plants experiencing combined stressors was associated with a reduction in relative growth rates.

Leaf chemistry means and plasticities exhibited clinal variation corresponding to seed source water deficits. The total concentration of UV‐absorbent metabolites decreased with increasing water availability among seed sources, driven by higher concentrations of flavonol glycosides, which are hypothesized to act as antioxidants, among plants from drier sites. Plants sourced from drier sites exhibited higher plasticity in flavonol glycoside concentrations in response to water limitation, which increased phytochemical evenness, but simultaneous herbivory dampened plant responses to water limitation irrespective of seed source.

Synthesis. These results suggest that climatic history can affect intraspecific phytochemical plasticity, which may confer tolerance to water limitation, but that co‐occurring herbivory disrupts such patterns. Global change is increasing the frequency and intensity of stress combinations, such that understanding intraspecific responses to combined stressors is critical for predicting the persistence of plant populations.
Compelled loneliness and necessitated social isolation: “It’s like being on the other side of a mirror, just looking in”
Authors: Wotherspoon Natalie
Published: December 2023

This article develops the conceptualisation of loneliness by drawing on 42 accounts of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). While illness experience is a central concern of the sociology of health and illness, experiences of loneliness alongside contested and chronic illness have received less attention. The analysis illustrates how loneliness can be an integral part of living with ME and offers two novel conceptual contributions ‐ necessitated social isolation and compelled loneliness. Necessitated social isolation concerns how ME symptoms can make social lives increasingly restricted. Compelled loneliness highlights how the combined experiences of both stigma and contested illness can lead to social withdrawal and rejection, which create a sense of loneliness. The article argues that loneliness and social isolation can be conceptually distinct yet recursive and overlapping. With the worsening of ME, the participants experienced a cycle of loneliness, in which social isolation and loneliness reproduced each other. Three key themes draw attention to how loneliness is affected by the situational aspects of living with a chronic and contested illness: (1.) spatial and temporal restrictedness (2.) communicative alienation and (3.) discreditation. The article highlights how health challenges can impact on loneliness and how the stigma of contested illness exacerbates loneliness.
Efficacy and safety of therapeutic procedure for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with hyperviscosity syndrome
Authors: Ito Kenichi , Kawasaki Tomoki , Hirano Kazuhiko , Sekiguchi Naohiro
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) is a significant complication in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM), although the significance of plasmapheresis in clinical practice has not been clarified. To confirm the efficacy and safety of plasmapheresis followed by primary therapy for WM with HVS, we retrospectively conducted this study.

Methods

Untreated WM with HVS, or serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels ≥4000 mg/dL, were analyzed. The basic therapeutic flow was conducted as follows: (1) performing plasmapheresis, (2) followed by primary therapy without rituximab, and (3) performing the second cycle. The serum IgM reduction rate and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

Results

Ten patients were enrolled. The median serum IgM levels at diagnosis, post‐plasmapheresis, after the first cycle of primary therapy, and after the second cycle were 5174, 2900, 3286, and 2657 mg/dL, respectively. No patients experienced IgM flare or bleeding AEs.

Conclusion

The therapeutic flow offers sufficient efficacy and safety in WM with HVS.
Phylogenetic analysis of Aedes species distributed in Taif Province, Saudi Arabia, based on mitochondrial COX1 sequences
Authors: Al Zahrani Mohammed R. , Al Ghamdi Khalid M. , Aljameeli Mohammad M. , Bakr Mohamed N. , Alghamdi Tariq S. , Haider Touseef Amna , Gharsan Fatehia N. , Alghamdi Samia Q. , Abdella Ehab M. , Mahyoub Jazem A.
Published: December 2023

As Aedes mosquitoes are the predominant carriers of arboviruses responsible for global dengue fever and chikungunya outbreaks, understanding their genetic diversity and population structure can enhance dengue prevention and vector control efforts. Although sympatric cryptic species have been acknowledged in Aedes species subgroups in Southeast Asia, little information is available regarding the occurrence and dispersal of cryptic Aedes species in Saudi Arabia. In the present investigation, we intend to analyze genetic variations and perform a phylogenetic study of sympatric Aedes samples collected from various locations in Taif Province, Saudi Arabia. The locus of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1, analyzed with DNA barcoding) was utilized to determine genetic variance and to build phylogenetic trees. For species identification, the COX1 sequences of Aedes samples from Taif Province were compared with those of Aedes samples from GenBank (National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI). To identify phylogenetic relationships and genetic variability, phylogenetic trees were created using Taif Province samples, GenBank A. albopictus samples, and GenBank A. aegypti samples. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that some Taif samples (A3, A7, F2, F4, F1, A4, A1, F9 and F6) were closer to A. aegypti and A. albopictus samples from Africa and East Asia, especially Kenya and Malaysia. Whereas other samples (F9, F6, A4, F1 and A1) were closer to the GenBank A. aegypti samples KP843383 (Thailand), HM399357(Australia), MK533632 (Kenya), KX420460 (Kenya), KU495081 (Australia) and MF179160 (China) than the remaining Taif samples. Overall, our findings demonstrate that examining the genetic diversity and phylogenetic linkages of Aedes samples can aid in understanding the evolution of Aedes cryptic species in the western regions of Saudi Arabia.
A minimally invasive, field‐applicable CRISPR/Cas biosensor to aid in the detection of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative fungal agent of white‐nose syndrome in bats
Authors: Pérez Adam A. , Tobin Abigail , Stechly John V. , Ferrante Jason A. , Hunter Margaret E.
Published: December 2023

The accessibility to CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR‐associated protein) genetic tools has given rise to applications beyond site‐directed genome editing for the detection of DNA and RNA. These tools include precise diagnostic detection of human disease pathogens, such as SARS‐CoV‐2 and Zika virus. Despite the technology being rapid and cost‐effective, the use of CRISPR/Cas tools in the surveillance of the causative agents of wildlife diseases has not been prominent. This study presents the development of a minimally invasive, field‐applicable and user‐friendly CRISPR/Cas‐based biosensor for the detection of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative fungal agent of white‐nose syndrome (WNS), an infectious disease that has killed more than five million bats in North America since its discovery in 2006. The biosensor assay combines a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) step followed by CRISPR/Cas12a nuclease cleavage to detect Pd DNA from bat dermal swab and guano samples. The biosensor had similar detection results when compared to quantitative PCR in distinguishing Pd‐positive versus negative field samples. Although bat dermal swabs could be analysed with the biosensor without nucleic acid extraction, DNA extraction was needed when screening guano samples to overcome inhibitors. This assay can be applied to help with more rapid delineation of Pd‐positive sites in the field to inform management decisions. With further optimization, this technology has broad translation potential to wildlife disease‐associated pathogen detection and monitoring applications.
Petrogenesis of Oligocene Granitoids and its Implications on Beryllium Mineralization at Pagele, Nianqingtanggula Mountain (Central Tibet)
Authors: ZHANG Linyuan , YANG Zhusen , HOU Zengqian , WU Changda , LIU Chang , XU Peiyan , XIE Lankui
Published: December 2023

The newly discovered Oligocene granitoids (33.1–28.7 Ma) at Pagele are magmatic rocks related to beryllium mineralization during the India–Asia late‐collisional stage. This discovery provides an ideal example to study the late‐collisional orogeny and beryllium prospecting in the Lhasa terrane. The Oligocene granitoids include porphyritic granodiorite, Stage I, II and III granites, and granitic pegmatite. Geochemical analysis shows that the porphyritic granodiorite is characterized by high SiO2, K2O, total ΣREE contents, and (La/Yb)N ratios; while the latter two by higher SiO2, lower ΣREE and (La/Yb)N ratios. Notably, the granitic pegmatite has extremely high Y/Ho, low K/Rb and Zr/Hf, and distinct REE tetrad effect (1.14–1.21). This study suggests that the porphyritic granodiorite may be derived from partial melting of beryllium‐rich materials composed of Lhasa ancient crust (70%–80%) and enriched Lhasa lithospheric mantle (20%–30%) under the tearing subduction of Indian slab. The three‐stage granites and granitic pegmatite, which contain higher beryllium contents or beryls, were likely generated by highly fractionation of the porphyritic granodioritic magma or other homologous magma. Considering the possible genetic and spatial link between Indian slab tear and rifts, we suggest that highly‐fractionated granites in rifting systems represent important Be prospecting targets in the Lhasa terrane.
A Real‐time Lithological Identification Method based on SMOTE‐Tomek and ICSA Optimization
Authors: DENG Song , PAN Haoyu , LI Chaowei , YAN Xiaopeng , WANG Jiangshuai , SHI Lin , PEI Chunyu , CAI Meng
Published: December 2023

In petroleum engineering, real‐time lithology identification is very important for reservoir evaluation, drilling decisions and petroleum geological exploration. A lithology identification method while drilling based on machine learning and mud logging data is studied in this paper. This method can effectively utilize downhole parameters collected in realtime during drilling, to identify lithology in real‐time and provide a reference for optimization of drilling parameters. Given the imbalance of lithology samples, the synthetic minority over‐sampling technique (SMOTE) and Tomek link were used to balance the sample number of five lithologies. Meanwhile, this paper introduces Tent map, random opposition‐based learning and dynamic perceived probability to the original crow search algorithm (CSA), and establishes an improved crow search algorithm (ICSA). In this paper, ICSA is used to optimize the hyperparameter combination of random forest (RF), extremely random trees (ET), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) models. In addition, this study combines the recognition advantages of the four models. The accuracy of lithology identification by the weighted average probability model reaches 0.877. The study of this paper realizes high‐precision real‐time lithology identification method, which can provide lithology reference for the drilling process.