bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nonenzymatic dependency on inositol-requiring enzyme 1 controls cancer cell cycle progression and tumor growth
Authors: Zuazo-Gaztelu Iratxe , Lawrence David , Oikonomidi Ioanna , Marsters Scot , Pechuan-Jorge Ximo , Gaspar Catarina J , Kan David , Segal Ehud , Clark Kevin , Beresini Maureen , Braun Marie-Gabrielle , Rudolph Joachim , Modrusan Zora , Choi Meena , Sandoval Wendy , Reichelt Mike , Kujala Pekka , van Dijk Suzanne , Klumperman Judith , Ashkenazi Avi
Published: November 2023

Endoplasmic-reticulum resident inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1) supports protein homeostasis via a cytoplasmic kinase-RNase module. Known cancer dependency on IRE1 entails its enzymatic activation of the transcription factor XBP1s and of RNA decay. We discovered that some cancer cells require IRE1 but not its enzymatic activity. IRE1 knockdown, but not enzymatic inhibition or XBP1 disruption, increased DNA damage and chromosome instability while engaging the TP53 pathway and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and attenuating cell cycle progression. IRE1 depletion downregulated factors involved in chromosome replication and segregation and in chromatin remodeling. Immunoelectron microscopy indicated that endogenous IRE1 can localize to the nuclear envelope. Thus, cancer cells can require IRE1 either enzymatically or nonenzymatically, with significant implications for IRE1’s biological role and therapeutic targeting.
The doublecortin-family kinase ZYG-8DCLK1regulates motor activity to achieve proper force balance inC. elegansacentrosomal spindles
Authors: Czajkowski Emily R. , Divekar Nikita S. , Wignall Sarah M.
Published: November 2023

Although centrosomes help organize spindles in most cell types, oocytes of most species lack these structures. During acentrosomal spindle assembly inC. elegansoocytes, microtubule minus ends are sorted outwards away from the chromosomes where they form poles, but then these outward forces must be balanced to form a stable bipolar structure. How proper force balance is achieved in these spindles is not known. Here, we have gained insight into this question through studies of ZYG-8, a conserved doublecortin-family kinase; the mammalian homolog of this microtubule-associated protein is upregulated in many cancers and has been implicated in cell division, but the mechanisms by which it functions are poorly understood. Interestingly, we found that ZYG-8 depletion from oocytes resulted in spindles that were over-elongated, suggesting that there was excess outward force following ZYG-8 removal. Experiments with monopolar spindles confirmed this hypothesis and revealed a role for ZYG-8 in regulating the force-generating motor BMK-1/kinesin-5. Importantly, further investigation revealed that kinase activity is required for the function of ZYG-8 in both meiosis and mitosis. Altogether, our results support a model in which ZYG-8 regulates motor-driven forces within the oocyte spindle, thus identifying a new function for a doublecortin-family protein in cell division.
Adherent reformed islets: a long-term primary cell-based platform for exploring mouse and human islet biology
Authors: Haq N. , Toczyska K.W. , Wilson M.E. , Jacobs M. , Zhao Min , Lei Y. , Pearson J. , Persaud S.J. , Pullen T.J. , Bewick G.A.
Published: November 2023

Pancreatic islets are 3-dimensional micro-organs that maintain β-cell functionality via cell-cell and cell-matrix communication. Isolated primary islets are the gold standard for in vitro models. However, native islets present experimental challenges for long-term mechanistic studies owing to their short culture life (approximately 1 week). We developed a novel long-term protocol to study the function of primary islets. The protocol employed reformed islets following dispersion and a fine-tuned culture environment. Reformed islets are highly similar to their primary counterparts across various physiological characteristics. Long-term culture of reformed islets enables high-resolution imaging, repeated functional assessment, and the study of cell-cell communication. Unlike other platforms such as stem cell-derived organoids, reformed islets retain their resident immune populations, making them ideal for studying both resident and infiltrating immune cells and their interactions with hormone-producing islet cells.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed that the composition and cytoarchitecture of the reformed islets mimicked those found in primary islets, including the presence of macrophages and CD4+and CD8+T cells, which are the key resident immune cell types. Reformed islets secrete insulin and are glucose-responsive, and their β-cells can be stimulated to proliferate using GLP-1 receptor agonism. Furthermore, a comparison of the transcriptomic landscape of isolated human islets and reformed islets generated from the same donor demonstrated a high degree of similarity.

Our reformed islets provide an ideal platform to study diabetes pathology. We recapitulated both the T1DM and T2DM disease milieu and validated our model for studying islet immune trafficking and invasion using activated macrophages and T cells.

Our data illustrates that reformed islets are an anatomical and functional alternative to native human and mouse islets. Moreover, reformed islets have an advantage over mouse and human β-cell lines, including MIN6 and EndoC-βH1cells, that lack the signalling input of non-β-endocrine cells and immune cell crosstalk. In this study, we showed that reformed islets are a durable paradigm (cell-based model) for islet-based exploration and a means of target discovery/validation for diabetes research.

Graphical Abstract
Expanding the GPCR-RAMP interactome
Authors: Kotliar Ilana B. , Bendes Annika , Dahl Leo , Chen Yuanhuang , Saarinen Marcus , Ceraudo Emilie , Dodig-Crnković Tea , Uhlén Mathias , Svenningsson Per , Schwenk Jochen M. , Sakmar Thomas P.
Published: November 2023

Receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) can form complexes with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and regulate their cellular trafficking and pharmacology. RAMP interactions have been identified for about 50 GPCRs, but only a few GPCR-RAMP complexes have been studied in detail. To elucidate a complete interactome between GPCRs and the three RAMPs, we developed a customized library of 215 Dual Epitope-Tagged (DuET) GPCRs representing all GPCR subfamilies. Using a multiplexed suspension bead array (SBA) assay, we identified 122 GPCRs that showed strong evidence for interaction with at least one RAMP. We screened for native interactions in three cell lines and found 23 GPCRs that formed complexes with RAMPs. Mapping the GPCR-RAMP interactome expands the current system-wide functional characterization of RAMP-interacting GPCRs to inform the design of selective GPCR-targeted therapeutics.

One-Sentence Summary

Novel complexes between G protein-coupled receptors and interacting proteins point to a system-wide regulation of GPCR function.
Mono-methylated histones control PARP-1 in chromatin and transcription
Authors: Bamgbose Gbolahan , Bordet Guillaume , Lodhi Niraj , Tulin Alexei
Published: November 2023

PARP-1 is central to transcriptional regulation under both normal and stress conditions, with the governing mechanisms yet to be fully understood. Our biochemical and ChIP-seq-based analyses showed that PARP-1 binds specifically to active histone marks, particularly H4K20me1. We found that H4K20me1 plays a critical role in facilitating PARP-1 binding and the regulation of PARP-1-depenednt loci during both development and heat shock stress. Here we report that the sole H4K20 mono-methylase,pr-set7, andparp-1 Drosophilamutants undergo developmental arrest. RNA-seq analysis showed an absolute correlation between PR-SET7- and PARP-1-dependent loci expression, confirming co-regulation during developmental phases. PARP-1 and PR-SET7 are both essential for activatinghsp70and other heat shock genes during heat stress, with a notable increase of H4K20me1 at their gene body. Mutatingpr-set7disrupts monometylation of H4K20 along heat shock loci and abolish PARP-1 binding there. These data strongly suggest that H4 monometylation is a key triggering point in PARP-1 dependent processes in chromatin.
Methionine availability influences essential H3K36me3 dynamics during cell differentiation
Authors: Sun Yudong , Ramesh Vijyendra , Wei Fangchao , Locasale Jason W.
Published: November 2023

Histone modifications are integral to epigenetics through their influence on gene expression and cellular status. While it’s established that metabolism, including methionine metabolism, can impact histone methylation, the direct influence of methionine availability on crucial histone marks that determine the epigenomic process remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that methionine, through its metabolic product, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), dynamically regulates H3K36me3, a cancer-associated histone modification known to influence cellular status, and myogenic differentiation of mouse myoblast cells. We further demonstrate that the methionine-dependent effects on differentiation are mediated in part through the histone methyltransferase SETD2. Methionine restriction leads to preferential decreases in H3K36me3 abundance and genome accessibility of genes involved in myogenic differentiation. Importantly, the effects of methionine restriction on differentiation and chromatin accessibility can be phenocopied by the deletion of Setd2. Collectively, this study demonstrates that methionine metabolism through its ability to be sensed by chromatin modifying enzymes can have a direct role in influencing cell fate determination.
Engineering luminopsins with improved coupling efficiencies
Authors: Slaviero Ashley , Gorantla Nipun , Simkins Jacob , Crespo Emmanuel L , Ikefuama Ebenezer C , Tree Maya O , Prakash Mansi , Björefeldt Andreas , Barnett Lauren M , Lambert Gerard G , Lipscombe Diane , Moore Christopher I , Shaner Nathan C , Hochgeschwender Ute
Published: November 2023

Significance

Luminopsins (LMOs) are bioluminescent-optogenetic tools with a luciferase fused to an opsin that allow bimodal control of neurons by providing both optogenetic and chemogenetic access. Determining which design features contribute to the efficacy of LMOs will be beneficial for further improving LMOs for use in research.

Aim

We investigated the relative impact of luciferase brightness, opsin sensitivity, pairing of emission and absorption wavelength, and arrangement of moieties on the function of LMOs.

Approach

We quantified efficacy of LMOs through whole cell patch clamp recordings in HEK293 cells by determining coupling efficiency, the percentage of maximum LED induced photocurrent achieved with bioluminescent activation of an opsin. We confirmed key results by multielectrode array (MEAs) recordings in primary neurons.

Results

Luciferase brightness and opsin sensitivity had the most impact on the efficacy of LMOs, and N-terminal fusions of luciferases to opsins performed better than C-terminal and multi-terminal fusions. Precise paring of luciferase emission and opsin absorption spectra appeared to be less critical.

Conclusions

Whole cell patch clamp recordings allowed us to quantify the impact of different characteristics of LMOs on their function. Our results suggest that coupling brighter bioluminescent sources to more sensitive opsins will improve LMO function. As bioluminescent activation of opsins is most likely based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), the most effective strategy for improving LMOs further will be molecular evolution of luciferase-fluorescent protein-opsin fusions.
SCC3 is an axial element essential for homologous chromosome pairing and synapsis
Authors: Zhao Yangzi , Ren Lijun , Zhao Tingting , You Hanli , Miao Yongjie , Liu Huixin , Cao Lei , Wang Bingxin , Shen Yi , Li Yafei , Tang Ding , Cheng Zhukuan
Published: November 2023

Cohesin is a multi-subunit protein that plays a pivotal role in holding sister chromatids together during cell division. Sister chromatid cohesion 3 (SCC3), constituents of cohesin complex, is highly conserved from yeast to mammals. Since the deletion of individual cohesin subunit always causes lethality, it is difficult to dissect its biological function in both mitosis and meiosis. Here, we obtainedscc3weak mutants using CRISPR-Cas9 system to explore its function during rice mitosis and meiosis. Thescc3weak mutants displayed obvious vegetative defects and complete sterility, underscoring the essential roles of SCC3 in both mitosis and meiosis. SCC3 is localized on chromatin from interphase to prometaphase in mitosis. However, in meiosis, SCC3 acts as an axial element during early prophase I and subsequently situates onto centromeric regions following the disassembly of the synaptonemal complex. The loading of SCC3 onto meiotic chromosomes depends on REC8.scc3shows severe defects in homologous pairing and synapsis. Consequently, SCC3 functions as an axial element that is essential for maintaining homologous chromosome pairing and synapsis during meiosis.
Feasibility of improving manufacturability based on protein engineering
Authors: Capito Florian , Wong Ting Hin , Faust Christine , Brand Kilian , Dittrich Werner , Sommerfeld Mark , Langer Thomas
Published: November 2023

While bioactivity and a favorable safety profile for biotherapeutics is of utmost importance, manufacturability is also worth of consideration to ease the manufacturing process. Many biotherapeutics are typically expressed in mammalian cells. Process-related impurities or biological impurities like viruses and host cell proteins (HCP) are present in the harvest which have mostly acid isoelectric points and need to be removed to ensure safety for the patients. Therefore, during molecule design, an isoelectric point of the target molecule should preferably differ sufficiently from the isoelectric points of the impurities to enable an efficient and straightforward purification strategy. In this feasibility study we have evaluated the possibility to improve manufacturability by increasing the isoelectric point of the target protein. We have generated several variants of a GLP1-receptor-agonist-Fc-domain -FGF21 fusion protein and demonstrate that the critical anion exchange chromatography step can be run at high pH values with maximal product recovery theoretically allowing removal of HCP and viruses. Addressing the isoelectric point can be useful for an efficient process for removing HCP and viruses and this topic should be considered early in the research phase to ensure that other important molecule properties, e.g. safety, efficacy and expression yield are not impacted.
Facilitated introgression from domestic goat into Alpine ibex at immune loci
Authors: Münger Xenia , Robin Mathieu , Dalén Love , Grossen Christine
Published: November 2023

Introgression is expected to be adaptive at loci under balancing selection, for instance at loci relevant for the immune response, but these loci generally also contain ancient polymorphisms. Ancient genomics is a promising tool to detect recent introgression and disentangle it from ancient polymorphisms. Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), a wild goat species native to the European Alps, faced near-extinction two centuries ago, but has recovered thanks to successful restoration programs. Previously, signals of introgression from the domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) into the Alpine ibex genome were found at the major histocompatibility complex. This introgression was suggested to potentially be adaptive since it introduced new diversity at a gene locus important for immunity. But no genome-wide analyses of introgression have been performed to confirm the potential relevance of immune loci.

Here we take advantage of two ancient whole genomes of Alpine ibex combined with 29 modern Alpine ibex genomes and 31 genomes representing six related Capra species to investigate genome-wide patterns of introgression. Our complementary analysis of putatively introgressed haplotypes and demographic modelling suggests 2.3% recent domestic goat ancestry among wild Alpine ibex. The introgression was estimated to have happened during the last 300 years coinciding with the time when the species had very small population size. Further analysis suggested an enrichment of immune-related genes, where the adaptive value of alternative alleles may give individuals with otherwise depleted genetic diversity a selective advantage.
Unstructured Domains in Assembly Factors Promote the Hierarchy of Ribosome Maturation via Their Structural Plasticity
Authors: Blomqvist Ebba K. , Yang Yoon-Mo , Huang Haina , Karbstein Katrin
Published: November 2023

Ribosomes are assembled with the help of a large machinery of assembly factors (AFs), whose roles remain incompletely characterized. Recent structural studies of assembly intermediates have provided tremendous context for such studies and helped reveal novel roles, including as RNA chaperones. These structures have also revealed that a subset of the AFs have entirely non-globular structures, or large non-globular extensions, which extend across the assembling ribosomal subdomains, contacting many rRNA regions, ribosomal proteins (RPs) and other AFs. How these unusual structures could help promote assembly has remained unclear although it has been suggested that their potential for making multiple interactions helps constrain early assembly steps. By studying the roles of the AF Ltv1, an entirely non-globular protein, during late maturation steps of the 40S subunit’s head, we show here how the structural plasticity that derives from the non-globular structure is used to communicate maturation steps across the nascent subunit, thereby establishing the previously described hierarchy in head assembly. Our data indicate that while this structural plasticity enables integration of distinct folding and assembly steps, it also creates the potential for mutations that allow for bypass of these QC steps. These mutations are pathogenic in humans, further demonstrating the importance of proper 40S subunit assembly for protein homeostasis.
Genetic architecture of inbreeding depression may explain its persistence in a population of wild red deer
Authors: Hewett Anna M. , Johnston Susan E. , Pemberton Josephine M.
Published: November 2023

Inbreeding depression is of major concern in declining populations, but relatively little is known about its genetic architecture in wild populations, such as the degree to which it is composed of large or small effect loci and their distribution throughout the genome. We combine fitness and genomic data from a wild population of red deer to investigate the genomic distribution of inbreeding effects. Inspired by the runs of homozygosity (ROH)-based inbreeding coefficient, FROH, we use chromosome-specific inbreeding coefficients (FROHChr) to explore whether the effect of inbreeding varies between chromosomes. Under the assumption that within an individual the probability of being identical-by-descent is equal across all chromosomes, we used a multi-membership model to estimate the deviation of FROHChrfrom the average inbreeding effect. This novel approach ensures effect sizes are not overestimated whilst maximising the power of our available dataset containing >35,000 autosomal SNPs. We find that most chromosomes confer a minor reduction in fitness-related traits, which when these effects are summed, results in the observed inbreeding depression in birth weight, survival and lifetime breeding success. However, no chromosomes had a significantly detrimental effect compared to the overall effect of inbreeding. We conclude that in this population, inbreeding depression is the result of multiple mild or moderately deleterious mutations spread across all chromosomes. As predicted by genetic theory these mutations will be inefficiently purged, explaining the persistence of inbreeding depression in this population.
Adaptive gene loss in the common bean pan-genome during range expansion and domestication
Authors: Cortinovis G , Vincenzi L. , Anderson R. , Marturano G. , Marsh J.I. , Bayer P.E. , Rocchetti L. , Frascarelli G. , Lanzavecchia G. , Pieri A. , Benazzo A , Bellucci E. , Di Vittori V. , Nanni L. , Ferreira Fernández J.J. , Rossato M. , Aguilar O.M. , Morrell P.L. , Rodriguez M. , Gioia T. , Neumann K. , Alvarez Diaz J.C. , Gratias-Weill A. , Klopp C. , Geffroy V. , Bitocchi E. , Delledonne M. , Edwards D. , Papa R
Published: November 2023

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) is a crucial grain legume crop [1,2] whose life history offers an ideal evolutionary model to identify and study adaptive variants in wild and domestication populations [3]. Here we present the first common bean pan-genome based on five high-quality genomes and whole-genome reads representing 339 genotypes. We found ∼243 Mb of additional sequences containing 7,495 protein-coding genes missing from the reference, constituting 51% of the total presence/absence variations (PAVs). There were more putatively deleterious mutations in PAVs than core genes, probably reflecting the lower effective population size of PAVs as well as fitness advantages due to the purging effect of gene loss. Our results suggest strong pan-genome shrinkage occurred during wild range expansion from Mexico to South America, with more PAV loss per individual in Andean vs Mesoamerican populations. Selection signatures during wild spreading and domestication were also associated with PAV loss involved in important adaptive traits. Our findings provide evidence that partial or complete gene loss was a key adaptive trait leading to localized and genome-wide reductions. This novel result has major implications for the understanding of the process of plant adaptation and claims for a paradigm shift in evolutionary genetics. Moreover, the common bean pan-genome is a valuable resource for food legume research and breeding towards climate change mitigation, and sustainable agriculture.
Periodic Borromean rings, rods and chains
Authors: O'Keeffe Michael , Treacy Michael M. J.
Published: November 2023

This article describes periodic polycatenane structures built from interlocked rings in which no two are directly linked. The 2-periodic vertex-, edge- and ring-transitive families of hexagonal Borromean rings are described in detail, and it is shown how these give rise to 1- and 3-periodic ring-transitive (isonemal) families. A second isonemal 2-periodic family is identified, as is a unique 3-periodic Borromean assembly of equilateral triangles. Also reported is a notable 2-periodic structure comprising chains of linked rings in which the chains are locked in place but no two chains are directly interlinked, being held in place as a novel `quasi-Borromean' set of four repeating components.
Restorative supply chain practices in a circular economy and supply chain sustainability performance: the moderating effect of the perceived professional status of supply chain managers
Authors: Bag Surajit
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of restorative supply chain practices on sustainability performance in a circular economy (CE). The moderating effect of supply chain managers' perceived professional status on restorative supply chain practices and stakeholder collaboration is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical model was developed via the practice-based view, and the model was tested using a sample comprising 142 respondents. WarpPLS 8.0 software was utilized to run the structural equation model.

Findings

The analysis shows that restorative supply chain practices result in an intermediate outcome (i.e. stakeholder collaboration), which ultimately improves the sustainability performance of the restorative supply chain. Interestingly, the perceived professional status of supply chain managers acts as a moderate-level mediator in the relationship between restorative supply chain practices in a CE and the sustainability performance of the restorative supply chain in a CE.

Practical implications

Collaboration with stakeholders fosters enhanced communication, cooperation and shared responsibility, thereby creating a socially inclusive and cooperative environment within the restorative supply chain. Improving supply chain sustainability performance supports broader environmental goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste and conserving natural resources. Recognizing the perceived professional status of supply chain managers underscores the need to empower them and acknowledge their strategic role in driving sustainability within the organization. Companies can contribute to a more sustainable business environment by adopting restorative practices in the supply chain and addressing the social impacts.

Originality/value

The unique contribution of the findings of this study lies in the examination of the relationship between restorative supply chain practices, stakeholder collaboration, perceived status of supply chain managers and sustainability performance in the context of the CE. The findings imply that restorative supply chain practices positively impact stakeholder collaboration, which in turn improves supply chain sustainability performance. In addition, the study highlights the moderating role of the perceived status of supply chain managers and underscores their influence on strengthening restorative practices and stakeholder collaboration. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics and mechanisms driving sustainability performance in the context of restorative supply chains operating within a CE.
The Brazilian fertilizer diplomacy: the case of the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the threat to world food security
Authors: Russo Eduardo , Figueira Ariane Roder
Published: November 2023

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this case study, students are expected to be able to reflect on strategic industry sectors and the formulation of long-view public policies; understand some of the main biases that affect making decisions in environments of high uncertainty; and build and apply judgment models to support decision-making processes.

Case overview/synopsis

Motivated by recent international events responsible for causing supply shock and great volatility in the price of imported fertilizers, Brazil, which in 2022 was responsible for producing only 15% of all the fertilizer consumed by its agribusiness, ran against time by launching a new national fertilizer plan (PNF). The plan proposed to boost Brazil’s national fertilizer industry to fulfil a long-term vision of reducing the country’s external dependence by 2050. While awaiting the first results of the PNF, this case study casts the student participants in the role of Breno Castelães, chief advisor of the special secretariat for strategic affairs of the presidency of the republic, whose role is to recommend the country’s position in the face of external pressures to adopt international embargoes of Russian fertilizers because of its war with Ukraine.

Complexity academic level

This case study is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students of business administration and public management courses who want to deal with topics such as public policy, judgment and decision-making.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 10: Public sector management.
From the local to the global: the journey of Suguna Foods
Authors: A. Sridharan , Kumar Sunita , Khanna Shivi
Published: November 2023

Learning outcomes

On completion of this case study, students will be able to understand collaboration and synergy between farmers and organisations through value creation, like fundraising, based on the comprehension of the resource-based theory; understand the overview and concept of the value chain and supply chain management in the agribusiness to reduce costs of inventories; understand the concept of segmentation and positioning to increase revenue for organisations by leveraging existing resources – human and financial; and understand the branding strategy to create a sustainable competitive advantage for Suguna Foods.

Case overview/synopsis

Suguna was started by two brothers, B. Soundararajan and G.B. Sundararajan, to help other farmers. Suguna, with just 200 broilers in 1984, grew to be the number 1 poultry company across India. Soundararajan was a pioneer and innovator who started “contract farming” in India in 1991. This model helped both the farmers and the company to became successful. The farmers always struggled to pay the cost of feed and other materials, as credit was not readily and easily available from financial institutions. Suguna helped farmers by providing feed, medicines, etc., free of cost in return for the good rearing of chickens. Because of the success of this venture, they decided to continue with it. Today, Suguna is a successful company that sells chicken, eggs and processed meat. They modernised the retail chain to supply consumers with fresh, healthy and hygienic meat. Suguna’s vision was to “Energize rural India” by helping farmers succeed. They helped over 40,000 farmers from 15,000+ villages in 18+ Indian states. Although the growth helped both farmers and Suguna, the increased cost of raw materials for Suguna and increased input costs/power costs for farmers had to be tackled on a war footing so that both could have good income despite the increased inflation. Moreover, the retail price of live chicken was more or less stagnant in the past five years, especially after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used as the basis for a 90-min class discussion. This case study is suitable for use in an master of business administration course module or in an executive education program on developing an understanding of value creation in the business model in a rural market and also how the supply chain works. This case study can also be used to teach pricing, segmentation in marketing and supply chain perspectives and decision-making skills.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS8: Marketing.
Exploring personal savings versus hedonic consumption in the new normal
Authors: Gupta Astha Sanjeev , Mukherjee Jaydeep
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Consumers can spend their disposable income on hedonic consumption or save for the future. Their preferences were altered by the prolonged life and livelihood-threatening experiences of the pandemic. This paper aims to study the spillover effect of the pandemic experience on consumer savings attitudes and hedonic purchase preferences in the new normal.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted 35 in-depth interviews with consumers in India. The data were analysed thematically.

Findings

The results showed that when fear of life and negative emotions of the pandemic persisted, consumers became short-term focused, moved towards materialism and increased hedonic spending. Alternatively, individuals who faced substantial financial hardships resorted to an increased preference for savings. The relationship between changes in savings orientation and hedonic consumption was found to be moderated by consumer's individual differences in financial vulnerability and life history strategies.

Practical implications

As the trend towards increased hedonic consumption and preference for luxury products continues, the study findings can be used to devise effective marketing strategies to tap the emerging segment of mass luxury consumption.

Originality/value

Despite ample work being conducted in the hedonic consumption domain, it has not been studied in conjunction with savings orientation, a significant determinant. This research links personal savings orientation with hedonic spending and substantiates that purchase decisions are cognitively weighted as a choice of discretionary spending against the opportunity to save.
A double-edged sword: social media use and creativity
Authors: Zhang Guangxi , Mao Sunfan
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The use of social media is an integral part of modern life, yet the impact of social media on creativity is a paradox. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, the authors propose that social media, as an ecological condition, both nurture and deplete resources. Accordingly, the authors investigated two inconsistent mechanisms: creative self-efficacy and ego depletion.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 established the within-person effects of social media use on creativity by tracking 64 college students for five working days. Using a sample of 493 employee–leader-matched dyads in a national bank, Study 2 tested the entire model. Study 3 is a follow-up experiment based on a sample of 160 participants.

Findings

The results consistently showed that: (1) social media use had a positive impact on creativity in general; (2) social media use increased ego depletion and creative self-efficacy, which were two inconsistent mediators; (3) hedonic use of social media reduced the negative impact of cognitive use of social media on ego depletion.

Originality/value

This research sheds new light on the paradox between social media use and creativity and highlights the benefits of the balanced use of social media features. This research has implications for creative stimulation and job design in digital contexts.
Benefits of construction data risks management in the construction industry
Authors: Tambwe Ornella Tanga , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Akinradewo Opeoluwa
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Data represents a critical resource that enables construction companies’ success; thus, its management is very important. The purpose of this study is to assess the benefits of construction data risks management (DRM) in the construction industry (CI).

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative method and collected data from various South African construction professionals with the aid of an e-questionnaire. These professionals involve electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and mechanical, as well as civil engineers involved under a firm, or organisation within the province of Gauteng, South Africa. Standard deviation, mean item score, non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis H test and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the retrieved data.

Findings

The findings revealed that DRM enhances project and company data availability, promotes confidentiality and enhances integrity, which are the primary benefits of DRM that enable the success of project delivery.

Research limitations/implications

The research was carried out only in the province of Gauteng due to COVID-19 travel limitations.

Practical implications

The construction companies will have their data permanently in their possession and no interruption will be seen due to data unavailability, which, in turn, will allow long-term and overall pleasant project outcomes.

Originality/value

This study seeks to address the benefits of DRM in the CI to give additional knowledge on risk management within the built environment to promote success in every project.
The impact of digitalization on CSR disclosure: a governance perspective
Authors: Jin XiaoYan , Mirza Sultan Sikandar
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Digitalization is increasingly important for promoting authentic CSR practices. Firms with higher CSR levels motivate their employees to pursue their goals and demonstrate their social responsibility. However, the literature has not adequately examined how firm-level digitalization influences corporate sustainability from a governance perspective. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring how digitalization affects CSR disclosure, a key aspect of sustainability, at the firm level. Furthermore, this study also aims to investigate how governance factors, such as management power, internal control and minority shareholder pressure, moderate this effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a fixed effect model with robust standard errors to analyze how digitalization and CSR disclosure are related and how this relationship is moderated by governance heterogeneity among Chinese A-share companies from 2010 to 2020. The sample consists of 2,339 firms, of which 360 are SOEs and 1,979 are non-SOEs. To ensure robustness, this study has excluded the observations in 2020 to avoid the effects of COVID-19 and used an alternative measure of CSR disclosure based on the HEXUN CSR disclosure index. Furthermore, this study also explores the link in various corporate-level CSR settings.

Findings

The regression findings reveal that: First, Chinese A-share firms with higher digitalization levels disclose less CSR information. This finding holds for both SOEs and non-SOEs. Second, stronger management power has a negative moderating effect that weakens the link between digitalization and CSR disclosure, and this effect is mainly driven by SOEs. Third, internal control attenuates the negative association between firm digitalization and CSR disclosure, which is more pronounced in SOEs. Finally, minority shareholders exacerbate the negative relationship between digitalization and CSR disclosure, and this effect is more evident in non-SOEs. These results are robust to excluding the potential COVID effect and using an alternative HEXUN CSR disclosure index measure.

Originality/value

Digitalization and sustainability have been widely discussed at a macro level, but their relationship at a micro level has been largely overlooked. Moreover, there is hardly any evidence on how governance heterogeneity affects this relationship in emerging economies, especially China. This paper addresses these issues by providing empirical evidence on how digital transformation influences CSR disclosure in China, a context where digitalization and CSR are both rapidly evolving. The paper also offers implications for both practitioners and policymakers to design appropriate digital strategies for firm development from diverse business perspectives.
The dark side of AI-enabled HRM on employees based on AI algorithmic features
Authors: Zhou Yu , Wang Lijun , Chen Wansi
Published: November 2023

Purpose

AI is an emerging tool in HRM practices that has drawn increasing attention from HRM researchers and HRM practitioners. While there is little doubt that AI-enabled HRM exerts positive effects, it also triggers negative influences. Gaining a better understanding of the dark side of AI-enabled HRM holds great significance for managerial implementation and for enriching related theoretical research.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors conducted a systematic review of the published literature in the field of AI-enabled HRM. The systematic literature review enabled the authors to critically analyze, synthesize and profile existing research on the covered topics using transparent and easily reproducible procedures.

Findings

In this study, the authors used AI algorithmic features (comprehensiveness, instantaneity and opacity) as the main focus to elaborate on the negative effects of AI-enabled HRM. Drawing from inconsistent literature, the authors distinguished between two concepts of AI algorithmic comprehensiveness: comprehensive analysis and comprehensive data collection. The authors also differentiated instantaneity into instantaneous intervention and instantaneous interaction. Opacity was also delineated: hard-to-understand and hard-to-observe. For each algorithmic feature, this study connected organizational behavior theory to AI-enabled HRM research and elaborated on the potential theoretical mechanism of AI-enabled HRM's negative effects on employees.

Originality/value

Building upon the identified secondary dimensions of AI algorithmic features, the authors elaborate on the potential theoretical mechanism behind the negative effects of AI-enabled HRM on employees. This elaboration establishes a robust theoretical foundation for advancing research in AI-enable HRM. Furthermore, the authors discuss future research directions.
Does empowering leadership help firms to establish collaborative culture and organizational commitment to stimulate frugal innovation?
Authors: Waseel Abdul Hakeem , Zhang Jianhua , Shehzad Muhammad Usman , Saddiqa Ayesha , Liu Jinyan , Hussain Sajjad
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Given innovation's significance, this research examines the link between empowered leadership and frugal innovation. The research also explores how collaborative cultures and organizational commitment mediate empowered leadership's effect on frugal innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative method is used with the approach of hierarchical regression to test the hypotheses with data obtained from Pakistani small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the questionnaire from 288 participants.

Findings

The results of this study show that empowered leadership has a considerable impact on the firm's capacity for frugal innovation. Additionally, this study shows that organizational commitment and collaborative culture significantly moderate the association between empowering leadership and frugal innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should examine mediating factors, including employment experience, education and perceived organizational support, and moderating variables like employee psychological empowerment and leadership styles.

Practical implications

This research advises SMEs in developing nations to utilize frugal innovation since they cannot afford to spend extensively on technologies that add creativity and innovation to goods and services.

Originality/value

This study advances how leadership both directly and indirectly helps organizations strengthen their capacity for frugal innovation through the mediating roles of collaborative culture and organizational commitment.
Central Siberian Yupik Influence on Sirenikski Verbal Inflection
Authors: Berge Anna
Published: November 2023

Language contact is pervasive in the history of all Eskaleut languages of the Pacific Rim, and the languages show contact effect regardless of typological similarity or degree of relatedness. Moreover, the degree of contact has allowed for the borrowing of features that are generally thought of as relatively impervious to borrowing, including verb inflection. In particular, Sirenikski has been in close contact with the closely related language Central Siberian Yupik, and contact effects on the phonology, prosodic system and lexicon have been well described, however, the verbal inflectional morphology has largely been assumed to be cognate. In this article, I present evidence that some elements of the inflectional paradigm have been borrowed from Central Siberian Yupik.
Do Child Marriage Programs Help Girls Weather Shocks Like COVID‐19? Evidence from the More Than Brides Alliance Intervention*
Authors: Melnikas Andrea J. , Saul Grace , Pandey Neelanjana , Makino Momoe , Amin Sajeda , Chau Michelle
Published: November 2023

This paper contributes to the evidence base on the impact of the COVID‐19 on child marriage prevalence and on the protective potential of girl‐centred, community‐level interventions in buffering communities against aggregate shocks. Drawing on data from repeat cross‐sectional surveys completed with adolescent girls aged 12–19 in 609 villages in four states in India as a part of the More Than Brides Alliance impact evaluation, we examine whether the intervention appears to have impacted child marriage prevalence over its 5‐year implementation period, whether the onset of COVID‐19 affected ongoing trends in child marriage prevalence, and whether the intervention appeared to have buffered against increased child marriage risk resulting from the pandemic. Results show that significant differences emerged between treatment and control villages between midline and endline—and these differences were larger following the onset of COVID‐19—suggesting both that the treatment was successful in preventing child marriage and that the intervention had a protective effect. Results suggest that girl‐centred, community‐based interventions can help communities to weather environmental shocks and protect girls against potential increased child marriage risk during times of acute crisis.
Specific causal validation of nursing diagnosis Risk for thrombosis: A case–control study
Authors: de Souza Hilário Thamires , Mantovani Vanessa Monteiro , Aliti Graziella Badin , de Fátima Lucena Amália , de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venícios , Rabelo‐Silva Eneida Rejane
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to perform specific causal validation of nursing diagnosis Risk for thrombosis (00291) of the NANDA International (NANDA‐I) classification.

Methods

This is a case–control study conducted in a university hospital from January to October 2020. A total of 516 adult patients were included—344 in the Case Group (with venous or arterial thrombosis evidenced by imaging) and 172 in the Control Group (without thrombosis). Statistical analysis was performed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression test, and odds ratios were calculated to measure the effect of exposure between groups. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

Findings

The patients were predominantly female and aged 59 ± 16 years. In the univariate logistic analysis, five risk factors were significantly associated with thrombosis, two at‐risk populations and 12 associated conditions. In the multivariate regression model, the following risk factors remained independently associated (p < 0.05): inadequate knowledge of modifiable factors (OR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.25–8.56) and ineffective medication self‐management (OR: 3.2; 95% CI:1.77–6.26); at‐risk populations with history (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.29–3.66) and family history of thrombosis (OR:2.60; 95% CI: 1.03–7.49); and the conditions associated with vascular diseases (OR:6.12; 95% CI:1.69–39.42), blood coagulation disorders (OR: 5.14; 95% CI:1.85–18.37), atherosclerosis (OR:2.07; 95% CI: 1.32–3.27), critical illness (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.42–3.70), and immobility (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.10–4.12).

Conclusions

The clinical validation allowed to establish strong evidence for the refinement of the diagnosis Risk for thrombosis and, consequently, to raise its level of evidence in the classification of NANDA‐I.

Implications for nursing practice

The evidence pointed out by this study favors the establishment of thrombosis diagnosis in an accurate way by nurses in clinical practice, directing preventive interventions to patients in this risk condition.
Changes in control and value appraisals predict changes in learning enjoyment: A four‐wave analysis among lower secondary school students
Authors: Hawrot Anna
Published: November 2023

Background

The control‐value theory of achievement emotions postulates that it is possible to affect achievement emotions by decreasing or increasing control and value appraisals. This implies that changes in the latter should result in changes in the former. However, the assumption has been rarely tested.

Aims

This study aimed at verifying whether changes in control and value appraisals – two proximal antecedents of achievement emotions – predicted changes in learning enjoyment over the course of lower secondary school. Moreover, since studying changes requires knowledge of their overall pattern, it also investigated the developmental trajectories of the three student characteristics.

Sample

The study used longitudinal data of 5125 German students gathered between Grades 5 and 9, four measurement occasions in total.

Methods

The hypotheses were tested using univariate and multivariate latent change score models.

Results

The analyses revealed decreases in control and value appraisals and learning enjoyment between Grades 5 and 9. Moreover, the decreases in control and value appraisals predicted the decreases in learning enjoyment.

Conclusions

The study provides support for the change–change assumption, which is one of the key but under‐researched elements of the control‐value theory of achievement emotions. As such, it suggests that alleviating the decrease in control and value appraisals may mitigate the decrease in learning enjoyment. Moreover, by providing longitudinal evidence on the decrease in the three constructs under study, it corroborates the inimical trend observed in past research.