bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of knowledge management processes in leveraging competitive strategies to achieve firm innovativeness
Authors: Trivedi Karishma , Srivastava Kailash B.L.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of knowledge management (KM) processes in enhancing competitive strategies of differentiation and cost-effectiveness and its impact on innovativeness in knowledge-intensive service organizations (KISOs) in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data from 293 employees working in Indian KISOs through a questionnaire survey. After checking for reliability and validity of data, this study tested the hypotheses by structural equation modeling using AMOS 26.

Findings

The results show that KM processes have a significant and positive relationship with competitive strategy and innovativeness. Competitive strategy partially mediates the relationship between KM processes and innovativeness. These KM processes promote differentiation and cost-effectiveness, which in turn enhances innovativeness. A differentiation strategy has a stronger positive relationship with KM processes and innovativeness than a cost-effective strategy.

Research limitations/implications

This study's cross-sectional design limits its ability to establish a general cause–effect relationship. Even so, theoretically, the results corroborate the contingent view of KM in emerging economies such as India. The findings show the mediating role of competitive strategy on the relationship between KM and its processes with innovation and competitiveness – providing a better cost-effectiveness relationship and organizational differentiation capacity.

Practical implications

This study suggests managers to adopt KM processes such as creation-sharing, acquisition and knowledge base enabling firms to be different and cost-effective than their competitors. This study provides evidence on how KISOs can leverage their innovativeness by using KM processes in congruence with its competitive strategy and gain competitive advantage.

Social implications

This study emphasizes the development of KM processes in the management of KISOs, which contributes substantially to India’s economic growth via Gross domestic product and employment. On the social side, this study suggests to manage cultural issues in KM processes, arising because of presence of multi-cultural workforce and a high-power distance society.

Originality/value

This study bridges a research gap of previous studies providing empirical evidence regarding the mediating effect of competitive strategies in the relationship between KM processes and innovativeness. This study adds proof to the KM contingency view of firms, suggesting when KM processes are formulated to achieve competitive strategy; substantial benefits such as innovativeness can be realized. This study adds evidence from the emerging economy of India, where KISOs are increasingly creating value and employment.
The development model of sustainable campus based on green buildings: a systematic comparative study between Japan and China
Authors: Zhu Bifeng , Liu Gebing
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The research on sustainable campus is related to environmental protection and the realization of global sustainable development goals (SDGs). Because the sustainable campus development in China and Japan is carried out around buildings, this paper takes Kitakyushu Science and Research Park as a case to study the characteristics and typical model of sustainable campus in Japan by combined with the characteristics of Chinese sustainable campus.

Design/methodology/approach

This study compares the evaluation standards of green buildings between China and Japan, then compares the assessment results of the same typical green building case and finally summarizes the development mode and main realization path by discussing the implications of green buildings on campus sustainability.

Findings

The results show that (1) the sustainable campus evaluation in Japan mainly pays attention to the indoor environment, energy utilization and environmental problems. (2) Buildings mainly affect the sustainability of the campus in three aspects: construction, transportation and local. (3) The sustainable campus development model of Science and Research Park can be summarized as follows: taking green building as the core; SDGs as the goals; education as the guarantee; and the integration of industry, education and research as the characteristics.

Practical implications

It mainly provides construction experience for other campuses around the world to coordinate the contradictions between campus buildings and the environment based on sustainable principles in their own construction. It proposes a new sustainable campus construction path of “building–region–environment” integrated development.

Originality/value

This study provides theoretical framework for the development of sustainable campuses that includes long-term construction ideas and current technological support greatly improving the operability of practical applications. It not only enriches the sample cases of global sustainable campuses but also provides new ideas and perspectives for the sustainable development research of the overall campus through quantitative evaluation of building and environmental impacts.
Human resource development practices and procurement effectiveness: implications from public procurement professionals in Tanzania
Authors: Jaffu Richard , Changalima Ismail Abdi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Human resource development (HRD) has been considered in enhancing organisational operations as human resources are vital for organisational performance. This study aims to examine the role of HRD on the effectiveness of public procurement in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a cross-sectional research design under which data was collected from 168 procurement professionals in Dodoma city, Tanzania. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to analyse the collected data and examine the structural relationships between HRD and the effectiveness of public procurement in Tanzania.

Findings

The findings revealed that all the variables of human resource development; career development, training and performance appraisal, are statistically significant and positively related to the effectiveness of public procurement. Therefore, the findings reveal that career development, training and performance appraisal as HRD practices play an important role in enhancing the effectiveness of public procurement in the surveyed public procuring organisations in Tanzania.

Research limitations/implications

This current study divides HRD into three main practices: career development, training and performance appraisal. This limits the study's applicability to other HRD practices that organisations may institutionalize to public procurement professionals who work in various public organisations in Tanzania.

Originality/value

This paper integrates the concept of HRD and public procurement effectiveness. Therefore, the study adds value to the literature on human resource management and public procurement management.
High commitment HRM and well-being of frontline food service employees: the mediating roles of job demands and psychological conditions
Authors: Hameli Kujtim , Bela Bujamin
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between high commitment human resource management (HCHRM) practices and employee well-being in the food service industry, with a focus on the mediating roles of job demands and psychological conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among 296 frontline employees in the food service industry, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS ver26.

Findings

The results showed that HCHRM practices do not directly affect employee well-being. However, psychological conditions play a crucial role in mediating the relationship between HCHRM practices and employee well-being. Specifically, the psychological conditions of meaningfulness and availability significantly predicted work engagement and mediated the relationship between HCHRM practices and employee well-being. On the other hand, job demands did not mediate the relationship between HCHRM practices and employee well-being.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study addressed common method variance, the cross-sectional nature of the data limits the ability to infer causal relationships among variables. Future studies could adopt a longitudinal research design to investigate the causal relationships among variables. In addition, the study recommends that managers in the food service industry adopt HCHRM practices and provide necessary psychological conditions to promote employee well-being.

Originality/value

This study extends the current literature on HCHRM and employee well-being in the food service industry by providing new insights into the mediating role of psychological conditions. The findings suggest that HCHRM practices can indirectly promote employee well-being through the enhancement of psychological conditions. These insights could help managers in the food service industry to design effective HRM strategies that foster employee well-being and reduce turnover.
How can a buying company develop a Toyota-style supplier network while its lean capabilities are still evolving?
Authors: dos Santos Leandro , Holmen Elsebeth , Pedersen Ann-Charlott , Mogos Maria Flavia , Lodgaard Eirin , Powell Daryl John
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Toyota had mature lean capabilities when developing its supplier network. This paper aims to explore how companies can develop a Toyota-style supplier network (TSN) while their lean capabilities are still evolving.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically, this paper relies on the literature on lean maturity levels and lean supplier network development. Empirically, the paper portrays a Toyota-style initiative, detailing the buyer’s efforts to develop internal lean capabilities concurrently with developing lean in its supplier network. It compares the Network for supplier innovation (NSI) initiative with TSN development regarding activities, organizations and knowledge-sharing routines.

Findings

Unlike the sequential development in the case of Toyota, NSI improved performance and capabilities in the buyer’s supplier network by implementing lean in the firm and its supplier network concurrently. Third-party involvement was the key to the initiative’s success.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on an in-depth single-case study which allows theoretical generalization but not statistical generalization. Furthermore, the case study concerns an initiative with Norwegian firms during a financial recession. Future studies should consider these limitations on how firms with evolving lean capabilities can develop a TSN-style supplier network and the importance of involving third parties operating in the role of lean master.

Practical implications

This study suggests what buying firms should consider when designing a TSN initiative, enrolling suppliers and engaging third parties that can take on the role of lean master.

Originality/value

Previous research has focused on how mature lean firms develop lean suppliers and networks. This paper extends this to firms whose lean capabilities are still evolving.
Determining factors to foster educators' pedagogical resilience: test of servant leadership and social cognitive theories in post-pandemic era
Authors: Qamar Faisal , Soomro Sanam , Syed Obed Rashdi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Roles and responsibilities of higher education academics (educators) have dramatically changed since COVID-19 outbreak. Considering this, the present study applies servant leadership and social cognitive theories to test three determinants of pedagogical resilience, i.e. servant leadership, professional self-efficacy and workplace thriving. The study also tests moderation of professional self-efficacy between servant leadership and pedagogical resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying snowball sampling, time-lagged data were collected on T1 and T2 through survey questionnaire from 205 employees of six higher education institutes (HEIs) in Sindh, Pakistan. For data analysis, the study employed structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.

Findings

Results indicate that servant leadership and professional self-efficacy predict pedagogical resilience of educators. Moreover, professional self-efficacy moderates the relationship between servant leadership and pedagogical resilience.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a few limitations. The study was conducted in HEIs of Pakistan, which are non-profit organizations. Given this, generalizability of findings in profit-making organizations is suggested with caution. Cross-cultural and cross-regional generalizability may also be challenging.

Practical implications

Training, coaching and role modeling may improve efficacy of educators, which is vital to pedagogical resilience. Furthermore, servant leadership attributes (i.e. emotional support and empathy) may also enhance resilience. Rolling-out tailored training programs for boosting professional efficacy of existing faculty could be helpful in building pedagogical resilience. Fostering a culture of teamwork through adopting collaborative and state of the art educational technologies could also enhance self-efficacy, which is vital to resilience. This could be done when vice chancellors, rectors, HODs, etc., adopt servant leadership attributes to play their role by navigating a paradigm shift from traditional teaching platforms and physical meetings to digital educational tools.

Originality/value

Post-pandemic educational management necessitates resilient workforce to handle any uncertain situation. Given this, the authors apply servant leadership and social cognitive theory and introduce a novel construct of “pedagogical resilience”. This paper offers unique theoretical contributions and suggests universities/HEIs to adopt servant leadership model and foster professional self-efficacy of educators for boosting their pedagogical resilience in times of uncertainty. Pedagogically resilient educators may be well equipped to adopt venerable pedagogical competencies, and could contribute significantly to the quality of higher education.
Digital financial inclusion (DFI) can improve the economic growth: a study of India
Authors: Sreenu Nenavath
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Can digital financial inclusion (DFI) as an emerging and innovative financial service encourage economic development?

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a Bayesian macroeconomic investigation framework, this research study presents the level of internet growth as a threshold variable and examines the influence of DFI on economic development based on state panel data from 2008 to 2021 in India.

Findings

The outcome of DFI on economic development through various mediation models. The results illustrate that DFI growth substantially contributes to economic development.

Originality/value

Encouraging small and medium-sized enterprise entrepreneurship and motivating populations’ utilization are two significant networks through which DFI progress affects economic growth.
The moderating effects of corporate governance and investment efficiency on the nexus between financial flexibility and firm performance
Authors: Wu Wei , Alkaraan Fadi , Le Chau
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Financial flexibility, investment efficiency and effective corporate governance mechanisms have been issues of concern to stakeholders. Yet, little empirical evidence on the combined moderating effects investment efficiency and corporate governance mechanisms on the nexus between financial flexibility and firm performance. This study aims to address this gap and extend the extant literature by examining the moderating effects of corporate governance and investment efficiency on the nexus between financial flexibility and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study is based on progression analysis using a sample of 13,865 US listed companies selected from BoardEx (WRDS) for the period (2010–2022) with 89,198 firm-year observations.

Findings

Findings of this study indicate that financial flexibility improves firm value as well as accounting performance. Furthermore, the results reveal that both investment efficiency and corporate governance moderate the effect of financial flexibility on firm performance. The authors complement and extend the literature on the optimal investment strategies domain by showing that the combined impact of corporate governance mechanisms and investment efficiency strengthens the nexus between financial flexibility and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

Key limitations of this study due to the characteristics of the sample selection: country-specific context and proxies used by this study.

Practical implications

Findings of this study have managerial and theoretical implications for firms’ boardrooms, institutional and individual investors, regulators, academics and other stakeholders regarding behavioural aspects of investment decision-making.

Originality/value

The authors’ novel contribution to the extant literature is articulated by the conceptual framework underlying this study and by the new evidence regarding exploring the combined effect of corporate governance mechanisms on nexus between financial flexibility and companies’ performance.
Dynamic recommendation algorithms for a COVID-19 restrictions scenario in the restaurant industry
Authors: Glukhov Gleb , Derevitskii Ivan , Severiukhina Oksana , Bochenina Klavdiya
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Using the data set about the restaurants from different countries and their customer's feedback, the purpose of this paper is to address the following issues: in the restaurant industry, how have user behavior and preferences changed during the COVID-19 restrictions period, how did these changes influence the performance of recommendation algorithms and which methods can be proposed to improve the quality of restaurant recommendations in a lockdown scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess changes in user behavior and preferences, quantitative and qualitative data analysis was performed to assess the changes in user behavior and preferences. The authors compared the situation before and during the COVID-19 restrictions period. To evaluate the performance of restaurant recommendation systems in a non-stationary setting, the authors tested state-of-the-art collaborative filtering algorithms. This study proposes and investigates a filtering-based approach to improve the quality of recommendation algorithms for a lockdown scenario.

Findings

This study revealed that during the COVID-19 restrictions period, the average rating values and the number of reviews have changed. The experimental study confirmed that: the performance of all state-of-the-art recommender systems for the restaurant industry has significantly degraded during the COVID-19 restrictions period; and the accuracy and the stability of restaurant recommendations in non-stationary settings may be improved using the sliding window and post-filtering methods.

Practical implications

The authors propose two novel methods: the sliding window and closed restaurants post-filtering method based on the CatBoost classification model. These methods can be applied to classical collaborative recommender algorithms and increase the value of metrics under non-stationary conditions. These methods can be helpful for developers of recommender systems and massive aggregators of restaurants and hotels. Thus, it benefits both the app end-user and business owners because users honestly rate restaurants when they receive good recommendations and do not downgrade because of external factors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper provides the first extensive and multifaceted experimental study of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the effectiveness of restaurant recommendation systems in different countries. Two novel methods to tackle restaurant recommendations' performance degradation are proposed and validated.
The impact of banks’ capital buffer on equity return: evidence from Islamic and conventional banks of GCC countries
Authors: Farooq Mohammad Omar , Miah Mohammad Dulal , Kabir Md Nurul , Hassan M. Kabir
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of bank’s capital buffer on return on equity (ROE) in the context of Islamic and conventional banks in GCC countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect data from 83 commercial banks comprising of 49 conventional banks and 34 Islamic banks for the period 2010–2019. The final data set comprises of 744 bank-year observations. The authors apply generalized methods of moments estimation technique and panel least square to analyze the data.

Findings

The authors document that Tier-1 capital, total regulatory capital (TRC) and equity to asset ratio (EAR) negatively affect banks’ ROE. However, the impact disappears for conventional banks and sustains for Islamic banks if these two clusters of banks are treated separately. Furthermore, the negative impact of equity capital on earning is more pronounced for large and listed commercial banks.

Practical implications

Findings of this research imply that Islamic banks in GCC countries has scope to manage equity capital more efficiently. Hence, they should concentrate on using banks equity wisely to successfully compete with the conventional banks.

Originality/value

Since the global financial crisis of 2009, Islamic banks of GCC countries have been reporting lower ROE compared to their conventional counterparts. On the other hand, Islamic banks maintain higher level of Tier-1 capital, TRC and EAR. This evidence hypothetically suggests that Islamic banks are overly cautious in managing their capital buffer that results in lower ROE. To the best of the author’s/authors’ knowledge, no other study in the literature tests this hypothesis in the GCC context.
Virtual communities of practice as responses to the turbulence of 2020: developing equity and justice leadership
Authors: Bornstein Joshua , Gil Elizabeth
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Virtual communities of practice (VCoPs) supported educators during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resurgent movement for racial justice that arose in 2020. Four VCoPs offered a venue for practitioners and researchers to develop social capital in the face of pandemic and persistent institutional racism.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with organizers of four VCoPs and collected supporting documentation from those organizers.

Findings

VCoP organizers created opportunities to develop bridging and bonding capital of equity- and justice-focused educators.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis points toward the affordances of VCoPs in crisis response and equity leadership.

Originality/value

This original analysis extends work on communities of practice, generally, virtual communities of practice, and equity leadership development.
The persuasive effect of humorous prompts on tourists’ heritage responsible behaviors
Authors: Ji Jia-Cheng , Li Yong-Quan , Ruan Wen-Qi , Zhang Shu-Ning , Deng Fang
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to elucidate how humorous prompts affect tourists’ heritage responsible behaviors (THRBs).

Design/methodology/approach

Three scenario-based experiments were conducted through Credamo (an online survey platform). Studies 1 and 2 used a single-factor (language style: humorous vs serious) between-subject design to test the direct and indirect effects of humorous prompts. Study 3 used a 2 (environmental quality: high vs low) × 2 (language style: humorous vs serious) between-subject design to further reveal the boundary condition (environmental quality) of the humor effect.

Findings

The results revealed that humorous (vs serious) prompts better persuade tourists to engage in heritage responsible behaviors (HRBs). Content liking mediates the relationship between humorous prompts and THRBs. Moreover, environmental quality significantly moderates the effect of humorous prompts on THRBs, whereby the persuasive effect of humorous prompts is greater in high environmental quality conditions than in low environmental quality conditions.

Practical implications

Destination management organizations can use humor to reduce tourists’ reactance against prompts for behavioral persuasion. Moreover, it is also important to adapt humorous prompts to changes in environmental quality in a timely manner.

Originality/value

Based on psychological reactance theory, the research confirmed the dominant effect of humorous prompts by using content liking as a mediating variable, providing a new research perspective for research on the regulation of THRBs. Moreover, the authors clarified a boundary condition for the persuasiveness of humorous prompts, which helps reinforce the comprehension of humor persuasion.
Resource‐efficiency actions and financial performance: Exploring the moderating role of production cost
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Ishfaq , Naseem Muhammad Akram , Battisti Enrico , Rehman Ramiz Ur , Giovando Guido
Published: August 2023

This study employs the Porter hypothesis framework to test the moderating role of production cost in the relationship between resource‐efficiency actions and financial performance for German small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). For this purpose, we employ the 2012, 2018, and 2021 Flash Eurobarometer surveys to analyze how consistently SMEs adopt resource‐efficiency actions, and the impact of these actions on their performance and costs. We also conduct a generalized method of moments regression analysis (GMM). Among the seven resource‐efficiency actions proposed, saving water had a significant positive (negative) influence on financial performance in 2012, 2021, and (2018). Saving energy and using renewable energy had a positive and significant (insignificant) effect on financial performance in 2018, 2021, and (2012). Finally, selling scrap material to other companies had a positive and significant impact in all years. Furthermore, increased production costs negatively moderate the relationship between eco‐efficiency action scores and financial performance. The results indicate that the “strong” version of the Porter hypothesis is not supported: It only holds when the implementation of eco‐efficiency actions reduces production costs and increases financial performance.
Predicting obstruction risk using common ultrasonography parameters in paediatric hydronephrosis with machine learning
Authors: Khondker Adree , Kwong Jethro C. C. , Chancy Margarita , D'Souza Neeta , Kim Kellie , Kim Jin K. , Tse Lai Nam , Chua Michael , Yadav Priyank , Erdman Lauren , Weaver John , Lorenzo Armando J. , Rickard Mandy
Published: August 2023

Objective

To sensitively predict the risk of renal obstruction on diuretic renography using routine reported ultrasonography (US) findings, coupled with machine learning approaches, and determine safe criteria for deferral of diuretic renography.

Patients and Methods

Patients from two institutions with isolated hydronephrosis who underwent a diuretic renogram within 3 months following renal US were included. Age, sex, and routinely reported US findings (laterality, kidney length, anteroposterior diameter, Society for Fetal Urology [SFU] grade) were abstracted. The drainage half‐times were collected from renography and stratified as low risk (<20 min, primary outcome), intermediate risk (20–60 min), and high risk of obstruction (>60 min). A random Forest model was trained to classify obstruction risk, here named the ‘Artificial intelligence Evaluation of Renogram Obstruction’ (AERO). Model performance was determined by measuring area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristic curve (AUROC) and decision curve analysis.

Results

A total of 304 patients met the inclusion criteria, with a median (interquartile range) age of diuretic renogram at 4 (2–7) months. Of all patients, 48 (16%) were low risk, 102 (33%) were intermediate risk, 156 (51%) were high risk of obstruction based on diuretic renogram. The AERO achieved a binary AUROC of 0.84, multi‐class AUROC of 0.74 that was superior to the SFU grade, and external validation (n = 64) binary AUROC of 0.76. The most important features for prediction included age, anteroposterior diameter, and SFU grade. We deployed our application in an easy‐to‐use application (https://sickkidsurology.shinyapps.io/AERO/). At a threshold probability of 30%, the AERO would allow 66 more patients per 1000 to safely avoid a renogram without missing significant obstruction compared to a strategy in which a renogram is routinely performed for SFU Grade ≥3.

Conclusions

Coupled with machine learning, routine US findings can improve the criteria to determine in which children with isolated hydronephrosis a diuretic renogram can be safely avoided. Further optimisation and validation are required prior to implementation into clinical practice.
“It hits me in the weirdest moments”: How future female workers experience loss in times of planetary crisis
Authors: Kishik Sharon , Pors Justine Grønbæk
Published: August 2023

This paper explores how looming planetary crises become present in the lived experiences of future female workers, and how such experiences condition performances of viable subjectivity. Drawing on interview data from a longitudinal study of young women's education and career aspirations, the paper zooms in on moments where concerns about planetary crises were felt in informants' everyday lives. We augment Judith Butler's writings on loss with Karen Barad's concept of “intra‐action” to theorize these moments as experiences of loss in which constitutive dependencies and entanglements—otherwise repressed and invisible—touch young women's lives. Against this theoretical backdrop, we trace how such experiences interrupt performances of neoliberal work subjectivity and thereby create a potential for alternative agencies grounded in an ethics of entanglement. The paper thus contributes new insights into young women's complex performances of viable work subjectivity, showing how more sustainable and collective ways of performing the self emerge. As such, we offer researchers and professionals working with and around young women a nuanced understanding of how young women contest and exceed notions of neoliberal individualism.
Current magnetic resonance imaging‐based diagnostic strategies for prostate cancer
Authors: Inoue Toru , Shin Toshitaka
Published: August 2023

Recent developments in multiparametric MRI and MRI‐targeted biopsy have made it possible to detect clinically significant cancers more accurately and efficiently than ever before. Furthermore, software that enables easy MRI/US image fusion has been developed and is already available on the market, and this has provided a tailwind for the spread of MRI‐based prostate cancer diagnostic strategies. Such precise diagnosis of prostate cancer localization is essential for highly accurate focal therapy. In addition, a recent large‐scale study applying MRI to community screening for prostate cancer has reported its usefulness. By contrast, concerns about overdiagnosis and overtreatment, the existence of inter‐reader variability in MRI diagnosis, and issues with current MRI‐targeted biopsy have emerged. In this article, we review the development of multiparametric MRI and MRI‐targeted biopsy to date and the current issues and discuss future directions.
Why history matters for moral responsibility: Evaluating history‐sensitive structuralism
Authors: Cyr Taylor W.
Published: August 2023

Is moral responsibility essentially historical, or does an agent's moral responsibility for an action depend only on their psychological structure at that time? In previous work, I have argued that the two main (non‐skeptical) views on moral responsibility and agents’ histories—historicism and standard structuralism—are vulnerable to objections that are avoided by a third option, namely history‐sensitive structuralism. In this paper, I develop this view in greater detail and evaluate the view by comparing it with its three dialectical rivals: skepticism about moral responsibility, historicism, and standard structuralism. Each comparison includes discussion of new work on moral responsibility and agents’ histories, and along the way I offer new arguments for preferring history‐sensitive structuralism, paying special attention to the view's explanatory power.
Do We Collaborate With What We Design?
Authors: Evans Katie D. , Robbins Scott A. , Bryson Joanna J.
Published: August 2023

The use of terms like “collaboration” and “co‐workers” to describe interactions between human beings and certain artificial intelligence (AI) systems has gained significant traction in recent years. Yet, it remains an open question whether such anthropomorphic metaphors provide either a fertile or even a purely innocuous lens through which to conceptualize designed commercial products. Rather, a respect for human dignity and the principle of transparency may require us to draw a sharp distinction between real and faux peers. At the heart of the concept of collaboration lies the assumption that the collaborating parties are (or behave as if they are) of similar status: two agents capable of comparable forms of intentional action, moral agency, or moral responsibility. In application to current AI systems, this not only seems to fail ontologically but also from a socio‐political perspective. AI in the workplace is primarily an extension of capital, not of labor, and the AI “co‐workers” of most individuals will likely be owned and operated by their employer. In this paper, we critically assess both the accuracy and desirability of using the term “collaboration” to describe interactions between humans and AI systems. We begin by proposing an alternative ontology of human–machine interaction, one which features not two equivalently autonomous agents, but rather one machine that exists in a relationship of heteronomy to one or more human agents. In this sense, while the machine may have a significant degree of independence concerning the means by which it achieves its ends, the ends themselves are always chosen by at least one human agent, whose interests may differ from those of the individuals interacting with the machine. We finally consider the motivations and risks inherent to the continued use of the term “collaboration,” exploring its strained relation to the concept of transparency, and consequences for the future of work.
Potential Use of Polyvinyl Alcohol as an Effective Inclusion Vehicle of Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxides in Nanoreinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites
Authors: Pava Andres Felipe , Garcia Mateo Duarte , Herrera Sara N. , Meza Juan M. , Herrera Ramirez Jose Martin , Isaza M. Cesar A.
Published: August 2023

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was investigated as a vehicle for incorporating thermally reduced graphene oxides (TRGOs) into metal matrix composites (MMCs). The TRGOs were synthesized using the modified Hummers’ method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PVA/TRGOs nanocomposites were synthesized using the solution mixing technique. The dispersion qualification and quantification of TRGOs in PVA were evaluated through tension and nanoindentation tests, as well as elastic modulus mapping by nanoindentation. The results demonstrated a good dispersion of TRGOs in the PVA matrix, resulting in exceptional mechanical properties. The dispersion time and energy variables were carefully controlled, leading to a good dispersion degree verified by the quantification analysis. Furthermore, preliminary studies confirmed the effectiveness of the PVA as an inclusion vehicle for nanoreinforcements in metallic matrices.
Impacts of census differential privacy for small-area disease mapping to monitor health inequities
Authors: Li Yanran , Coull Brent A. , Krieger Nancy , Peterson Emily , Waller Lance A. , Chen Jarvis T. , Nethery Rachel C.
Published: August 2023

The U.S. Census Bureau will implement a modernized privacy-preserving disclosure avoidance system (DAS), which includes application of differential privacy, on publicly released 2020 census data. There are concerns that the DAS may bias small-area and demographically stratified population counts, which play a critical role in public health research, serving as denominators in estimation of disease/mortality rates. Using three DAS demonstration products, we quantify errors attributable to reliance on DAS-protected denominators in standard small-area disease mapping models for characterizing health inequities. We conduct simulation studies and real data analyses of inequities in premature mortality at the census tract level in Massachusetts and Georgia. Results show that overall patterns of inequity by racialized group and economic deprivation level are not compromised by the DAS. While early versions of DAS induce errors in mortality rate estimation that are larger for Black than non-Hispanic white populations in Massachusetts, this issue is ameliorated in newer DAS versions.
CD137 (4-1BB) requires physically associated cIAPs for signal transduction and antitumor effects
Authors: Glez-Vaz Javier , Azpilikueta Arantza , Ochoa María C. , Olivera Irene , Gomis Gabriel , Cirella Asunta , Luri-Rey Carlos , Álvarez Maite , Pérez-Gracia Jose L. , Ciordia Sergio , Eguren-Santamaria Iñaki , Alexandru Raluca , Berraondo Pedro , de Andrea Carlos , Teijeira Álvaro , Corrales Fernando , Zapata Juan M. , Melero Ignacio
Published: August 2023

CD137 (4-1BB) is a member of the TNFR family that mediates potent T cell costimulatory signals upon ligation by CD137L or agonist monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). CD137 agonists attain immunotherapeutic antitumor effects in cancer mouse models, and multiple agents of this kind are undergoing clinical trials. We show that cIAP1 and cIAP2 are physically associated with the CD137 signaling complex. Moreover, cIAPs are required for CD137 signaling toward the NF-κB and MAPK pathways and for costimulation of human and mouse T lymphocytes. Functional evidence was substantiated with SMAC mimetics that trigger cIAP degradation and by transfecting cIAP dominant-negative variants. Antitumor effects of agonist anti-CD137 mAbs are critically dependent on the integrity of cIAPs in cancer mouse models, and cIAPs are also required for signaling from CARs encompassing CD137’s cytoplasmic tail.
Contemporary ice sheet thinning drives subglacial groundwater exfiltration with potential feedbacks on glacier flow
Authors: Robel Alexander A. , Sim Shi J. , Meyer Colin , Siegfried Matthew R. , Gustafson Chloe D.
Published: August 2023

Observations indicate that groundwater-laden sedimentary aquifers are extensive beneath large portions of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. A reduction in the mechanical loading of aquifers is known to lead to groundwater exfiltration, a discharge of groundwater from the aquifer. Here, we provide a simple expression predicting exfiltration rates under a thinning ice sheet. Using contemporary satellite altimetry observations, we predict that exfiltration rates may reach tens to hundreds of millimeters per year under the fastest thinning parts of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. In parts of West Antarctica, predicted rates of exfiltration would cause the total subglacial water discharge rate to be nearly double what is currently predicted from subglacial basal melting alone. Continued Antarctic Ice Sheet thinning into the future guarantees that the rate and potential importance of exfiltration will only continue to grow. Such an increase in warm, nutrient-laden subglacial water discharge would cause changes in ice sliding, melt of basal ice and marine biological communities.
Ehrlichia
Notch signaling induction promotes XIAP stability and inhibits apoptosis
Authors: Patterson LaNisha L. , Byerly Caitlan D. , Solomon Regina , Pittner Nicholas , Bui Duc Cuong , Patel Jignesh , McBride Jere W.
Published: August 2023

Ehrlichia chaffeensis
has evolved multiple strategies to evade innate defenses of the mononuclear phagocyte. Recently, we reported the
E. chaffeensis
tandem repeat protein (TRP)120 effector functions as a Notch ligand mimetic and a ubiquitin ligase that degrades the nuclear tumor suppressor, F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7, a negative regulator of Notch. The Notch intracellular domain (NICD) is known to inhibit apoptosis primarily by interacting with X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis
p
rotein (XIAP) to prevent degradation. In this study, we determined that
E. chaffeensis
activation of Notch signaling increases XIAP levels, thereby inhibiting apoptosis through both the intrinsic and executioner pathways. Increased NICD and XIAP levels were detected during
E. chaffeensis
infection and after TRP120 Notch ligand mimetic peptide treatment. Conversely, XIAP levels were reduced in the presence of Notch inhibitor DAPT. Cytoplasmic and nuclear colocalization of NICD and XIAP was observed during infection and a direct interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Procaspase levels increased temporally during infection, consistent with increased XIAP levels; however, knockdown (KD) of XIAP during infection significantly increased apoptosis and Caspase-3, -7, and -9 levels. Furthermore, treatment with SM-164, a second mitochondrial activator of caspases (Smac/DIABLO) antagonist, resulted in decreased procaspase levels and increased caspase activation, induced apoptosis, and significantly decreased infection. In addition, RNAi KD of XIAP also decreased infection and significantly increased apoptosis. Moreover, ectopic expression of TRP120 HECT Ub ligase catalytically defective mutant in HeLa cells decreased NICD and XIAP levels and increased caspase activation compared to HeLa cells with functional HECT Ub ligase catalytic activity (TRP120-WT). This investigation reveals a mechanism whereby
E. chaffeensis
modulates Notch signaling to stabilize XIAP and inhibit apoptosis.
Species- and strain-specific differences in the phagocytosis of
Prototheca
: insights from live-cell imaging
Authors: Haider Mohammed J. A. , Shave Christopher D. , Onyishi Chinaemerem U. , Jagielski Tomasz , Lara-Reyna Samuel , Frickel Eva-Maria , May Robin C.
Published: August 2023

The genus
Prototheca
is an extremely unusual group of achlorophyllic, obligately heterotrophic algae. Six species have been identified as pathogens of vertebrates, including cattle and humans. In cattle,
P. bovis
is the main infectious pathogen and is associated with bovine mastitis. In contrast, human infections typically involve
P. wickerhamii
and are associated with a spectrum of varying clinical presentations.
Prototheca
spp. enter the host from the environment and are therefore likely to be initially recognized by cells of the innate immune system. However, little is known about the nature of the interaction between
Prototheca
spp. and host phagocytes. In the present study, we adopt a live-cell imaging approach to investigate these interactions over time. Using environmental and clinical strains, we show that
P. bovis
cells are readily internalized and processed by macrophages, whereas these immune cells struggle to internalize
P. wickerhamii
. Serum opsonization of
P. wickerhamii
only marginally improves phagocytosis, suggesting that this species (but not
P. bovis
) may have evolved mechanisms to evade phagocytosis. Furthermore, we show that inhibition of the kinases Syk or PI3K, which are both critical for innate immune signaling, drastically reduces the uptake of
P. bovis
. Finally, we show that genetic ablation of MyD88, a signaling adaptor critical for Toll-like receptor signaling, has little impact on uptake but significantly prolongs phagosome maturation once
P. bovis
is internalized. Together, our data suggest that these two pathogenic
Prototheca
spp. have very different host-pathogen interactions which have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of human and animal disease.
Whole-genome sequencing of
Salmonella pullorum
and Sanguinarine-induced mutant
Authors: Chen Huahai , Li Zongyan , Hou Aijie , Yin Yeshi
Published: August 2023

This work was performed on commercially purchased
Salmonella pullorum
CVCC519 originally isolated from chicken intestinal content. The Sanguinarine-resistant strain XM3104 was isolated from Sanguinarine-induced CVCC519. To identify possible mechanisms underlying resistance, the complete genomes of CVCC519 and XM3104 were sequenced using PromethION and next-generation sequencing.
Draft genome sequence of
Streptomyces
sp. strain ICN988, isolated from
Gorgonia
sp.
Authors: Nallathambi Sangeetha , Sam Albert Joshua , Vincent Samuel Gnana Prakash
Published: August 2023

This study elucidates the draft genomic sequence of
Streptomyces
sp. strain ICN988, an actinomycete isolated from
Gorgonia
. The assembled genome consists of 6,122,654 bp with a GC content of 73%. A comprehensive analysis revealed 19 biosynthetic gene clusters.
First Results of Stratigraphic Drilling in the East Siberian Sea Focused on Geological Studies of the Suture Zone of the Continental Shelf’s Marginal Structures and Deep-Water Areas of the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Petrov O. V. , Nikishin A. M. , Petrov E. I. , Tatarinov V. Yu. , Kashubin S. N. , Prishchepenko D. V. , Malyshev N. A. , Danilkin S. M. , Verzhbitsky V. E. , Kolyubakin A. A. , Komissarov D. K. , Stavitskaya V. N. , Shurekova O. V. , Razumkova E. S. , Tolmacheva T. Yu. , Leontiev D. I. , Tokarev M. Yu. , Ponimaskin A. I. , Zamotina Z. S.
Published: August 2023

A shallow well was drilled in the East Siberian Sea for the first time with the purpose of geological study of the suture zone of deep waters of the Arctic Ocean and marginal structures of the continental shelf. The works have been carried out at the initiative of the Federal Agency on Mineral Resources (Rosnedra) in August 2022. The well was drilled by the Russian Geological Research Institute (VSEGEI) and Rosgeologia with the assistance of Rosneft and was linked to the Rosneft’s long-term stratigraphic drilling program. Drilling was accompanied by continuous seismic-acoustic profiling and well thermometry. The maximum depth of the well was 472 m from the bottom of the sea floor; 147.5 m of core was taken to a depth of 268 m. Two sedimentary sequences were identified in the section: the Lower Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous gently deformed sequence and the Upper Neogene–Quaternary horizontally lying sequence. The sequences are separated by a thick unsampled interval with horizons of confined waters. The Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous sequence composes a northwestern-dipping monocline broken by faults and probably belongs to the complex filling the Zhokhov marginal trough of the Verkhoyansk–Chukotka orogen on the Eastern Arctic shelf.