bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ligand binding determines proteolytic stability ofVibrioLuxR/HapR quorum sensing transcription factors
Authors: Rasal Tanmaya A. , Mallery Caleb P. , Brockley Matthew W. , Brown Laura C. , Paczkowski Jon E. , van Kessel Julia C. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTInVibriospecies, quorum sensing signaling culminates in the production of a TetR-type master transcription factor collectively called the LuxR/HapR family, which regulates genes required for colonization and infection of host organisms. These proteins possess a solvent accessible putative ligand binding pocket. However, a native ligand has not been identified, and the role of ligand binding in LuxR/HapR function inVibrionaceaeis unknown. To probe the role of the ligand binding pocket, we utilize the small molecule thiophenesulfonamide inhibitor PTSP (3-phenyl-1-(thiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-1H-pyrazole) that we previously showed targets LuxR/HapR proteins. Amino acid conservation in the ligand binding pocket determines the specificity and efficacy of PTSP inhibition acrossVibriospecies. Here, we used structure-function analyses to identify PTSP-interacting residues in the ligand binding pocket of SmcR – theVibrio vulnificusLuxR/HapR homolog – that are required for PTSP inhibition of SmcR activityin vivo. Forward genetic screening combined with X-ray crystallography structural determination of SmcR bound to PTSP identified substitutions at eight residues that were sufficient to reduce or eliminate PTSP-mediated SmcR inhibition. Small-angle X-ray scattering and computational modeling determined that PTSP drives allosteric unfolding at the N-terminal DNA binding domain. We discovered that SmcR is degraded by the ClpAP protease in the presence of PTSPin vivo; substitution of key PTSP-interacting residues stabilized or increased SmcR levels in the cell. This mechanism of inhibition is observed for all thiophenesulfonamide compounds tested and against otherVibriospecies. We conclude that thiophenesulfonamides specifically bind in the ligand binding pocket of LuxR/HapR proteins, promoting protein degradation and thereby suppressing downstream gene expression, implicating ligand binding as a mediator of LuxR/HapR protein stability and function to govern virulence gene expression inVibriopathogens.SIGNIFICANCELuxR/HapR proteins were discovered in the 1990s as central regulators of quorum sensing gene expression and later discovered to be conserved in all studiedVibriospecies. LuxR/HapR homologs regulate a wide range of genes involved in pathogenesis, including but not limited to genes involved in biofilm production and toxin secretion. As archetypal members of the broad class of TetR-type transcription factors, each LuxR/HapR protein has a predicted ligand binding pocket. However, no ligand has been identified for LuxR/HapR proteins that control their function as regulators. Here, we used LuxR/HapR-specific chemical inhibitors to determine that ligand binding drives proteolytic degradationin vivo, the first demonstration of LuxR/HapR function connected to ligand binding for this historical protein family.
Structural and biochemical characterization of the mitomycin C repair exonuclease MrfB
Authors: Manthei Kelly A. , Munson Lia M. , Nandakumar Jayakrishnan , Simmons Lyle A. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTMitomycin C (MMC) repair factor A (mrfA) and factor B (mrfB), encode a conserved helicase and exonuclease that repair DNA damage in the soil-dwelling bacteriumBacillus subtilis. Here we have focused on the characterization of MrfB, a DEDDh exonuclease in the DnaQ superfamily. We solved the structure of the exonuclease core of MrfB to a resolution of 2.1 Å, in what appears to be an inactive state. In this conformation, a predicted α-helix containing the catalytic DEDDh residue Asp172 adopts a random coil, which moves Asp172 away from the active site and results in the occupancy of only one of the two catalytic Mg2+ions. We propose that MrfB resides in this inactive state until it interacts with DNA to become activated. By comparing our structure to an AlphaFold prediction as well as other DnaQ- family structures, we located residues hypothesized to be important for exonuclease function. Using exonuclease assays we show that MrfB is a Mg2+-dependent 3’-5’ DNA exonuclease. We show that Leu113 aids in coordinating the 3’ end of the DNA substrate, and that a basic loop is important for substrate binding. This work provides insight into the function of a recently discovered bacterial exonuclease important for the repair of MMC- induced DNA adducts.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Brain-handedness associations depend on how and when handedness is measured
Authors: Tejavibulya Link , Horien Corey , Fredricks Carolyn , Ficek-Tani Bronte , Westwater Margaret L. , Scheinost Dustin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHand preference is ubiquitous, intuitive, and often simplified to right- or left-handed. Accordingly, differences between right- and left-handed individuals in the brain have been established. Nevertheless, considering handedness as a binarized construct fails to capture the variability of brain-handedness associations across different domains or activities. Further, many cultures, environments, and generations impose right-handed norms, and handedness preferences can change over the lifespan. As a result, brain-handedness associations may depend onhowandwhenhandedness is measured. We used two large datasets, the Human Connectome Project-Development (HCP-D; n=465; age=5-21 years) and Human Connectome Project-Aging (HCP-A; n=368; age=36-100 years), to explore handedness preferences and brain-handedness associations. Nine items from the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory were associated with resting-state functional connectomes. We show that brain-handedness associations differed across the two cohorts. Moreover, these differences depended on the way handedness was measured. Given that brain-handedness associations differ across handedness measures and datasets, we caution against a one-size-fits-all approach to neuroimaging studies of this complex trait.
Immuno-Scanning Electron Microscopy of Islet Primary Cilia
Authors: Sviben Sanja , Polino Alexander J. , Melena Isabella , Hughes Jing W. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTThe definitive demonstration of protein localization on primary cilia has been a challenge for cilia biologists. Primary cilia are solitary thread-like projections that contain specialized protein composition, but as the ciliary structure overlays the cell membrane and other cell parts, the identity of ciliary proteins are difficult to ascertain by conventional imaging approaches like immunofluorescence microscopy. Surface scanning electron microscopy combined with immuno-labeling (immuno-SEM) bypasses some of these indeterminacies by unambiguously showing protein expression in the context of the 3D ultrastructure of the cilium. Here we apply immuno-SEM to specifically identify proteins on the primary cilia of mouse and human pancreatic islets, including post-translationally modified tubulin, intraflagellar transport (IFT) 88, the small GTPase Arl13b, as well as subunits of axonemal dynein. Key parameters in sample preparation, immuno-labeling, and imaging acquisition are discussed to facilitate similar studies by others in the cilia research community.
Can we design food taxes to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in China? A perspective from animal protein intake of low-income populations
Authors: Chen Jiao , Sun Dingqiang , Zhong Funing , Ren Yanjun , Li Lei 
Published: February 2024

PurposeStudies on developed economies showed that imposing taxes on animal-based foods could effectively reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions (AGHGEs), while this taxation may not be appropriate in developing countries due to the complex nutritional status across income classes. Hence, this study aims to explore optimal tax rate levels considering both emission reduction and nutrient intake, and examine the heterogenous effects of taxation across various income classes in urban and rural China.Design/methodology/approachThe authors estimated the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System model to calculate the price elasticities for eight food groups, and performed three simulations to explore the relative optimal tax regions via the relationships between effective animal protein intake loss and AGHGE reduction by taxes.FindingsThe results showed that the optimal tax rate bands can be found, depending on the reference levels of animal protein intake. Designing taxes on beef, mutton and pork could be a preliminary option for reducing AGHGEs in China, but subsidy policy should be designed for low-income populations at the same time. Generally, urban residents have more potential to reduce AGHGEs than rural residents, and higher income classes reduce more AGHGEs than lower income classes.Originality/valueThis study fills the gap in the literature by developing the methods to design taxes on animal-based foods from the perspectives of both nutrient intake and emission reduction. This methodology can also be applied to analyze food taxes and GHGE issues in other developing countries.
Does reaction to controversy in corporate narratives depend on its significance for various stakeholders?
Authors: Waniak-Michalak Halina , Michalak Jan 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThe study aims to determine whether a relationship exists between the potential significance of corporate controversies for stakeholders and how organisations respond to them in their annual and sustainability reports.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs content analysis on annual and sustainability reports of 48 listed companies from the Refinitiv database. The logit regression was used to estimate the model.FindingsThe study revealed that the main factors increasing the probability of a controversial issue being addressed in a corporate report are the controversy’s potential significance, companies’ financial performance and lawsuits.Research limitations/implicationsOur study has three major limitations. These are a relatively small sample of companies and reports, focusing on disclosures made in corporate reports and omitting other channels of communication, for example, social media, and a certain amount of subjectivity in the process of coding information.Social implicationsFormer studies show that corporations face a serious risk of their hypocritical strategies becoming too evident for stakeholder groups. Our findings suggest that the risk is already materialising and may undermine the idea of CSR and sustainability reporting.Originality/valueOur research focuses on high-profile adverse incidents widely reported in the media, the omission of which from corporate reports seems to constitute a particular case of organised hypocrite. It also demonstrates that companies use an impression management strategy to defuse adverse publicity and that major controversies cause minor ones to be omitted from their reports.
Exploring effective incentive policies for sustainable development of green buildings in China: based on evolutionary game theory and numerical simulation analysis
Authors: Fan Chunmei , Li Xiaoyue 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThis study reveals the green building development path and analyzes the optimal government subsidy equilibrium through evolutionary game theory and numerical simulation. This was done to explore the feasible measures and optimal incentives to achieve higher levels of green building in China.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the practice of green building in China was analyzed, and the specific influencing factors and incentive measures for green building development were extracted. Second, China-specific evolutionary game models were constructed between developers and homebuyers under the market regulation and government incentive mechanism scenarios, and the evolutionary paths were analyzed. Finally, real-case numerical simulations were conducted, subsidy impacts were mainly analyzed and optimal subsidy equilibriums were solved.Findings(1) Simultaneously subsidizing developers and homebuyers proved to be the most effective measure to promote the sustainability of green buildings. (2) The sensitivity of developers and homebuyers to subsidies varied across scenarios, and the optimal subsidy level diminished marginally as building greenness and public awareness increased. (3) The optimal subsidy level for developers was intricately tied to the building greenness benchmark. A higher benchmark intensified the developer’s responsiveness to losses, at which point increasing subsidies were justified. Conversely, a reduction in subsidy might have been appropriate when the benchmark was set at a lower level.Practical implicationsThe expeditious advancement of green buildings holds paramount importance for the high-quality development of the construction industry. Nevertheless, the pace of green building expansion in China has experienced a recent deceleration. Drawing insights from the practices of green building in China, the exploration of viable strategies and the determination of optimal government subsidies stand as imperative initiatives. These endeavors aim to propel the acceleration of green building proliferation and materialize high-quality development at the earliest juncture possible.Originality/valueThe model is grounded in China’s green building practices, which makes the conclusions drawn more specific. Furthermore, research results provide practical references for governments to formulate green building incentive policies.
Comparative analysis of entropy generation and heat transfer in a tilted partially heated square enclosure using the finite difference method
Authors: Algehyne Ebrahem A. 
Published: February 2024

Purpose
In recent times, there has been a growing interest in buoyancy-induced heat transfer within confined enclosures due to its frequent occurrence in heat transfer processes across diverse engineering disciplines, including electronic cooling, solar technologies, nuclear reactor systems, heat exchangers and energy storage systems. Moreover, the reduction of entropy generation holds significant importance in engineering applications, as it contributes to enhancing thermal system performance. This study, a numerical investigation, aims to analyze entropy generation and natural convection flow in an inclined square enclosure filled with Ag–MgO/water and Ag–TiO2/water hybrid nanofluids under the influence of a magnetic field. The enclosure features heated slits along its bottom and left walls. Following the Boussinesq approximation, the convective flow arises from a horizontal temperature difference between the partially heated walls and the cold right wall.

Design/methodology/approach
The governing equations for laminar unsteady natural convection flow in a Newtonian, incompressible mixture is solved using a Marker-and-Cell-based finite difference method within a customized MATLAB code. The hybrid nanofluid’s effective thermal conductivity and viscosity are determined using spherical nanoparticle correlations.

Findings
The numerical investigations cover various parameters, including nanoparticle volume concentration, Hartmann number, Rayleigh number, heat source/sink effects and inclination angle. As the Hartmann and Rayleigh numbers increase, there is a significant enhancement in entropy generation. The average Nusselt number experiences a substantial increase at extremely high values of the Rayleigh number and inclination.

Practical implications
This numerical investigation explores advanced applications involving various combinations of influential parameters, different nanoparticles, enclosure inclinations and improved designs. The goal is to control fluid flow and enhance heat transfer rates to meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Originality/value
In a 90° tilted enclosure, the addition of 5% hybrid nanoparticles to the base fluid resulted in a 17.139% increase in the heat transfer rate for Ag–MgO nanoparticles and a 16.4185% increase for Ag–TiO2 nanoparticles compared to the base fluid. It is observed that a 5% nanoparticle volume fraction results in an increased heat transfer rate, influenced by variations in both the Darcy and Rayleigh numbers. The study demonstrates that the Ag–MgO hybrid nanofluid exhibits superior heat transfer and fluid transport performance compared to the Ag–TiO2 hybrid nanofluid. The simulations pertain to the use of hybrid magnetic nanofluids in fuel cells, solar cavity receivers and the processing of electromagnetic nanomaterials in enclosed environments.
Relational models and entrepreneurship ecosystems
Authors: Muldoon Jeffrey , Bendickson Joshua S. , Liguori Eric W. , Solomon Shelby 
Published: February 2024

PurposeUsing social relations theory, we argue that entrepreneurship ecosystems must also include relationships such as market pricing, equality matching, authority ranking and communal sharing to be successful and thrive.Design/methodology/approachWe theorize using Fiske’s typology that a successful entrepreneurial system must have certain characteristics to be successful.FindingsIn doing so, we suggest an alternative perspective of the role of exchange relationships in ecosystems which considers both the geographic context and social relationships as equally important ecosystem components. Our contributions include (1) exposing social processes as the explanatory mechanism for exchanges instead of solely market forces, (2) illustrating the role of regional cultural differences in exchanges and (3) emphasizing how entrepreneurs can better realize ecosystem benefits through understanding the methods of exchange in these ecosystems.Originality/valueSocial relationships include a wide variety of different types of resources and exchange mechanisms, so by their inclusion into the entrepreneurship ecosystem literature, a more complete view of ecosystems is possible.
Measuring the teachers’ talent management
Authors: Liechti García Nathalie , Sesé Albert 
Published: February 2024

PurposeA crucial issue in educational management refers to helping teachers reach their full potential and manage their talents. Although managing talent is advised as an essential resource for organizational transformation to maximize performance and to promote a school’s knowledge capital increase, Teachers’ talent management (TTM) is not an agreed-upon concept in the literature. The aim of this study is threefold: (1) to propose a theoretical and operational TTM definition, (2) to develop a test to measure TTM and (3) to discuss the value of TTM implementation in educational settings.Design/methodology/approachA psychometric validation design according to international standards for test development is implemented. A cross-sectional intentional sampling with 200 schools is used for obtaining reliability and validity evidence. We operationalized TTM using 9 factors (10 items per factor, 6-point Likert scale): attraction, selection, development, retention, succession, climate, culture, evaluation and knowledge management.FindingsResults show adequate evidence of reliability and validity, focusing on items' content and latent structure. The combined use of structural equation models (SEM) and psychometric networks (PN) detects a six-factor model with a test reduced version including 61 items, getting 64.28% of the total explained variance and adequate reliability indices and factor loadings.Originality/valueThe Teachers' Talent Management Assessment Test (TTMAT) can contribute educational institutions to create a culture of excellence and deliver the best possible education to their students. Educational transformation will only happen if teachers are professionalized, trained, motivated and supported to inspire and to guide their learners to reach their objectives and well-being.
It’s my pleasure to serve you! Examining the job contact, happiness, prosocial motivation, and innovative work behavior link
Authors: Almazrouei Safeya , Bani-Melhem Shaker , Mohd-Shamsudin Faridah 
Published: February 2024

Purpose
Job characteristics can potentially influence employees’ attitudes and behaviors. However, their impact on employees’ innovative behaviors, particularly in public sector organizations, has received little scholarly attention. Based on relational job design theory and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, this study aims to examine the effect of job contact on public sector employees’ innovative work behavior through the mediator of happiness at work. It also assesses whether prosocial motivation strengthens the influence of job contact on innovative work behavior (via happiness at work).

Design/methodology/approach
The model was examined on a sample of 180 employee-supervisor dyads (90 supervisors and 180 employees) recruited from various government departments in the United Arab Emirates.

Findings
The findings support the proposed moderated mediation model in which job contact positively and significantly impacts innovative work behavior. The association between job contact and innovative behavior via happiness at work is found to be stronger for employees who are highly prosocially motivated.

Originality/value
The findings offer prescriptive insights into public sector employee happiness and prosocial motivation by illustrating when and how job contact influences innovative work behavior. The authors also present relevant managerial recommendations for promoting public sector employees’ innovative behavior.
Principles for analyzing, designing and evaluating the situated use of intelligent machines
Authors: Alter Steven 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThe lack of conceptual approaches for organizing and expressing capabilities, usage and impact of intelligent machines (IMs) in work settings is an obstacle to moving beyond isolated case examples, domain-specific studies, 2 × 2 frameworks and expert opinion in discussions of IMs and work. This paper's purpose is to illuminate many issues that often are not addressed directly in research, practice or punditry related to IMs. It pursues that purpose by presenting an integrated approach for identifying and organizing important aspects of analysis and evaluation related to IMs in work settings. Design/methodology/approachThis paper integrates previously published ideas related to work systems (WSs), smart devices and systems, facets of work, roles and responsibilities of information systems, interactions between people and machines and a range of criteria for evaluating system performance.FindingsEight principles outline a straightforward and flexible approach for analyzing and evaluating IMs and the WSs that use them. Those principles are based on the above ideas.Originality/valueThis paper provides a novel approach for identifying design choices for situated use of IMs. The breadth, depth and integration of this approach address a gap in existing literature, which rarely aspires to this paper’s thoroughness in combining ideas that support the description, analysis, design and evaluation of situated uses of IMs.