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Mutations in the synaptic machinery gene syntaxin-binding protein 1, STXBP1 (also known as MUNC18-1), are linked to childhood epilepsies and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Zebrafish STXBP1 homologs (stxbp1a and stxbp1b) have highly conserved sequence and are prominently expressed in the larval zebrafish brain. To understand the functions of stxbp1a and stxbp1b, we generated loss-of-function mutations using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and studied brain electrical activity, behavior, development, heart physiology, metabolism, and survival in larval zebrafish. Homozygous stxbp1a mutants exhibited a profound lack of movement, low electrical brain activity, low heart rate, decreased glucose and mitochondrial metabolism, and early fatality compared to controls. On the other hand, homozygous stxbp1b mutants had spontaneous electrographic seizures, and reduced locomotor activity response to a movement-inducing \"dark-flash\" visual stimulus, despite showing normal metabolism, heart rate, survival, and baseline locomotor activity. Our findings in these newly generated mutant lines of zebrafish suggest that zebrafish recapitulate clinical phenotypes associated with human syntaxin-binding protein 1 mutations.

Poultry and forestry waste residues, despite their environmental concerns, offer nutrient-rich content and wider availability. Utilising them in cascading approaches can create high-value products and establish new value chains in bioeconomy. This study aims to evaluate the environmental consequences of coupling forestry residue pyrolysis and poultry litter anaerobic digestion processes in a waste-to-energy cascading system. Moreover, a scenario analysis was conducted considering six scenarios with varying total solids loading with biochar (8%, 15%, and 28%) and final energy products (bioelectricity and upgraded biomethane). Life cycle assessment (LCA) results demonstrated a net reduction in selected potential impact categories across all scenarios, though with considerable variation in mitigation levels among them. Analysis revealed a major influence of selection of biogas utilisation pathway (electricity/biomethane) on overall impacts. The displaced processes such as natural gas contributed majorly towards the reduction in climate change and fossil depletion, whereas electricity grid mix contributed to terrestrial acidification and freshwater eutrophication. This study suggests that integrating pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion processes effectively valorises poultry and forestry residue waste, presenting a promising opportunity for promoting new value chains within Ireland’s bioeconomy. This approach enhances bioresource utilisation, resulting in the production of value-added products with reduced environmental costs.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply the aspects of decision theory (DT) to performance measurement and management (PMM), thereby enabling the theoretical elaboration of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity in the business environment, which are identified as barriers to effective PMM. Design/methodology/approach A review of decision theory and PMM literature establishes the Cynefin framework as the basis for extending the performance alignment matrix. Case research with seven companies explores the relationship between two concepts under-examined in the performance alignment matrix – internal dominant logic (DL) as the attribute of organisational culture affecting decision making, and the external environment – in line with the concept of alignment or fit in PMM. A focus area is PMM related to sustainable operations and sustainable supply chain management. Findings Alignment between DL, external environment and PMM is found, as are instances of misalignment. The Cynefin framework offers a deeper theoretical explanation about the nature of this alignment. Other findings consider the nature of organisational ownership on DL. Research limitations/implications The cases are exploratory not exhaustive, and limited in number. Organisations showing contested logic were excluded. Practical implications Some organisations have cultures of predictability and control; others have cultures that recognise their external environment as fundamentally unpredictable, and hence there is a need for responsive, decentralised PMM. Some have sought to change their culture and PMM. Being attentive to how cultural logic affects decision making can help reduce the misalignment in PMM. Originality/value A novel contribution is made by applying decision theory to PMM, extending the theoretical depth of the subject.

Compared to plant‐based cellulosic biopolymers, bacterial cellulose (BC) produced from microbial sources demonstrates several unique properties. BC nanocomposites synthesized with the addition of nanofillers with distinct properties have further tailored the BC structure with improved physical and chemical properties. BC nanocomposites with the addition of electrically conductive filler materials, namely, conductive polymers, metallic or carbonaceous nanofillers have advanced the nanocomposites applications and their utilization in the fabrication of various modern electrical and electronic appliances such as biosensors, flexible electronics, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and energy storage. The present review is focused to provide a complete overview of BC production and electrically conductive‐based‐BC nanocomposites at a single platform. Various methodologies used in BC production with varying microbial strains and substrate types used in the fermentation, surface functionalization of BC, and its purification are discussed in detail. Subsequently, the review explains the bacterial cellulose‐based electrical conductive nanocomposites combined with different types of nanofillers such as conductive polymers, metal oxides, and carbon‐based nanofillers for their application in modern electronic devices. The challenges faced during nanocomposites synthesis and methods to improve its electrical conductivity with possible futuristic solutions are also briefly discussed. The present preview focuses to provide a complete overview of BC production and electrically conductive based‐BC nanocomposites at a single platform. Various methodologies adopted in BC production, surface functionalization, and its purification are discussed in details. Subsequently, the review explains the bacterial cellulose‐based electrical conductive nanocomposites combined with different types of nanofillers for their application in modern electronic devices.

End-of-life care for frail and elderly patients is frequently characterised by high healthcare utilisation, fragmented service delivery, and limited coordination, resulting in variable quality and excess cost. This study presents a proof-of-concept framework, tested using synthetic data to illustrate potential applications in strategic planning. Few planning approaches integrate patient-level pathways into operational models that balance efficiency with patient-centred outcomes. Optimisation models were developed to support strategic resource planning for frail, elderly, and palliative patients in the final year of life. Two formulations were explored: one minimising overall cost and another aligning demand with available capacity. Patients were stratified into ten representative categories and assigned to structured pathways with varying resource intensities across hospital beds, palliative beds, community nursing, and virtual wards. A synthetic dataset representing plausible twelve-month service trajectories was used to assess model performance. Both models produced feasible allocations that satisfied expected demand within capacity limits. Most patient groups were consistently assigned to dominant pathways, while some shifted depending on the optimisation objective, illustrating trade-offs between cost efficiency and balanced utilisation. Demand intensified in the final months of life but remained manageable under planning assumptions. The modelling framework demonstrates the feasibility of applying optimisation to anticipatory planning, enabling comparison of service configurations and supporting more coordinated, efficient, and patient-centred end-of-life care.

Purpose This article seeks to explore the key motivational factors driving Generation Z (Gen Z), within the context of the significant influence of the digital paradigm, employing the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a content motivational framework. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing an abductive methodology, the study combines deductive insights from a systematic literature review on Gen Z’s motivational predictors with inductive findings from a workshop involving six medium and large - scale global manufacturing companies. The synthesis of these results contributes to the creation of a matrix that highlights the relationship between motivational predictors and the psychological needs stemming from intrinsic motivation. Findings This paper suggests an extension of SDT tailored for Gen Z, identifying six motivational factors—autonomy, competence, relatedness, purpose, flow state, and achievement. Practical implications This research emphasizes the need for a modern leadership approach capable of effectively overseeing remote teams, fostering a balanced integration of personal and professional aspects, and nurturing individual purpose. This approach goes beyond fulfilling the basic needs of Maslow’s pyramid to focus on elevating the significance of work, training, and employee engagement to satisfy higher levels of self-actualization and transcendence. Originality/value The study delves into the motivations of Gen Z, a demographics that has received limited attention in the existing literature. The integration of the six factors with SDT reflects a synthesis tailored to the distinctive characteristics of Gen Z and aligns with the principles of the PERMA model within positive psychology.

Objective: Present study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of Rice DDGS as a protein source and its influence, with or without lysine supplementation, on nutrient utilization, growth and health status of Cirrhinus mrigala juveniles. Methods : Juvenile of Cirrhinus mrigala (14.00 ± 0.10 g) were fed ad-libitum for 45 days with twelve iso-proteinous and iso-lipidic practical diets containing 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30% of rice DDGS replacing up to total dietary soybean meal (SBM) with and without lysine supplementation (0.1%). Result : At the end of the feeding trial, treatment fed with a diet having 18% or more rice DDGS recorded a significant decrease in growth performance in juveniles. However, lysine (0.1%) supplementation in the diet showed an improved growth performance of juveniles as compared to the non-supplemented counterpart diet containing at least 30% rice DDGS. Fish fed diet D 30 had the lowest RNA/muscle mass and RNA/DNA ratio. The digestive enzyme activities were significantly higher in the lysine-supplemented group compared to the non-supplemented group. The haemato-immunological parameters tended to increase with an increasing level of rice DDGS up to 12% but the differences beyond this were not significant with the control. Conclusion: Considering all the factors, a negative trend was observed and signalled that more than 12% inclusion of DDGS in practical diets without supplementation of lysine recorded negative physiological effects, however, supplementation of lysine nullifies the negative consequence of total substitution of SBM by rice DDGS. Overall, the present study gave a demonstration of the high potential of rice DDGS as a substitute for the soybean meal forages for C. mrigala , and the incorporation of rice DDGS can be augmented to at least 30% (highest level assessed) if lysine is added.

Humoral autoimmune response may play a significant role in stimulating the alloimmune response, leading to antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). This study investigated whether the development of IgG donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) could serve as an independent marker for ABMR diagnosis. Subsequently, we evaluated the synergistic effects of non-HLA anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and circulating IgG anti-HLA dnDSA in the development of ABMR. This retrospective study included 285 patients who underwent heart transplants between January 2007 to November 2020 at the University of Chicago Medical Center and who had sufficient serum collected at the time of protocol or indication biopsy available for antibody testing. We observed a 23% incidence of ABMR in heart transplant patients at our center. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed the lowest ABMR free survival in recipients that were positive for both ANA and circulating IgG dnDSA (Log rank p = 2 x 10 ), indicating a synergistic effect of ANA and circulating IgG dnDSA. A univariate stepwise cox proportional hazard model establishes the presence of IgG dnDSA as an independent marker to predict ABMR diagnosis (HR = 8.70, p = 6.15 x 10 ). Similarly, a synergistic effect was found in the presence of a positive ANA titer and IgG dnDSA for ABMR diagnosis in a univariate model (HR = 13.1, p = 2.73 x 10 ). A multivariate stepwise cox proportional hazard model showed an almost seven-fold increased risk for ABMR in patients that have developed IgG dnDSA (HR = 6.96, p = 2.33 x 10 ). Similarly, nearly an eleven-fold enhanced risk for ABMR was found in heart transplant recipients who were positive for ANA and had developed IgG DSA (HR = 10.7, p = 1.25 x 10 ), suggesting the synergistic effect of ANA and IgG dnDSA in ABMR diagnosis. This study establishes circulating IgG dnDSA as an independent biomarker for ABMR diagnosis in heart transplantation and confirms the previously known correlation of IgG dnDSA with ABMR. Subsequently, our data revealed that circulating IgG dnDSA and non-HLA antinuclear antibodies have synergistic effects that cause antibody-mediated rejection in heart transplantation.

The objective of the current study is to evaluate and appreciate various design parameters for simple solar stills impact yielding rate and heat transmission characteristics. For improved utility, indicators and performance comparisons of several solar stills have also been created. In the case of the enhanced wick, most of the researchers use wick on water surfaces to enhance the evaporation rate. It has been observed that the solar stills with wet wick on the side walls provide high porosity with thin film evaporation, thus improving distillation. Also, the solar stills with wick integration were superior to other types of solar desalination systems that utilize wicking materials to enhance the evaporation and condensation processes. The interpretations were significantly carried out, and numerous recommendations for future improvement and the generation of novel concepts to work around practical constraints were also made in the present study.

Green leafy vegetables are important part of our regular diet that provides us with essential nutrients necessary to support human life and health. Since these are produced in surplus and have limited shelf-life, preservation of vegetables can help to prevent wastage and increase nutrient availability in the diet during off-season. Purslane leaves, rich in micronutrients were dried using tray dryer at 60 ± 2 °C for 7 h. and incorporated at 20% level in khakhra. Organoleptic and physico-chemical properties of the product were evaluated. Further, the sorption properties of khakhra, were studied at 27 ± 2 °C over a range of water activity of 0.10–0.92. Several models were chosen to fit sorption behavior, but the Peleg model showed the best fit. The present study in fact provides a platform to understand the rationalities behind the physico-chemical changes in the product, which, in turn, helps in predicting the best suitable packaging material for storage in addition to the stability of the product.