Prospecting macroalgae (seaweeds) as feedstocks for bioconversion into biofuels and commodity chemical compounds is limited primarily by the availability of tractable microorganisms that can metabolize alginate polysaccharides. Here, we present the discovery of a 36-kilo-base pair DNA fragment from Vibrio splendidus encoding enzymes for alginate transport and metabolism. The genomic integration of this ensemble, together with an engineered system for extracellular alginate depolymerization, generated a microbial platform that can simultaneously degrade, uptake, and metabolize alginate. When further engineered for ethanol synthesis, this platform enables bioethanol production directly from macroalgae via a consolidated process, achieving a titer of 4.7% volume/volume and a yield of 0.281 weight ethanol/weight dry macroalgae (equivalent to ~80% of the maximum theoretical yield from the sugar composition in macroalgae).

SUMMARY Over thirty years ago, ZTP (5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide riboside 5'-triphosphate), a modified purine biosynthetic intermediate, was proposed to signal 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (10f-THF) deficiency in bacteria. However, the mechanisms by which this putative alarmone or its precursor ZMP (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, also known as AICAR) brings about any metabolic changes remain unexplained. Herein we report the existence of a widespread riboswitch class that is most commonly associated with genes related to de novo purine biosynthesis and one carbon metabolism. Biochemical data confirms that members of this riboswitch class selectively bind ZMP and ZTP with nanomolar affinity, while strongly rejecting numerous natural analogs. Indeed, increases in the ZMP/ZTP pool, caused by folate stress in bacterial cells, trigger changes in the expression of a reporter gene fused to representative ZTP riboswitches in vivo. The wide distribution of this riboswitch class suggests that ZMP/ZTP signaling is important for species in numerous bacterial lineages.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for guiding social innovation in service (SIS), defined as the creation of novel, scalable and sustainable market based service offerings that solve systemic societal problems. Design/methodology/approach This research provides a review and synthesis of transdisciplinary literatures to establish a basis for the conceptual framework proposed for SIS. Findings It is argued that the primary unit of an SIS is the service firm and that there are micro-, meso-, and macro-level actors and enablers in the ecosystem that can help bring about SIS. Examples from the hospitality and tourism industry are used to demonstrate key points. Practical implications Benefits of an SIS to companies include growth through new markets and innovative value offerings, sustainable supply chains in production, building consumer value and trust in the company/brand, attracting and retaining talent and being proactive in including social and environmental measures of success in customer metrics and company financial reporting. Originality/value This paper contributes to the social innovation and service literature by: offering a new, scientifically supported view of an SIS; providing managers with a framework to guide social innovation within their service firm and for the benefit of their company and its stakeholders; and directing service scholars to research issues necessary to advance SIS.

A series of new heterometallic coordination polymers has been prepared from the reaction of metal-ligand cations and KAg(CN)(2) units. Many of these contain silver-silver (argentophilic) interactions, analogous to gold-gold interactions, which serve to increase supramolecular structural dimensionality. Compared to [Au(CN)(2)](-) analogues, these polymers display new trends specific to [Ag(CN)(2)](-), including the formation of [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-) and the presence of Ag...N interactions. [Cu(en)(2)][Ag(2)(CN)(3)][Ag(CN)(2)] (1, en = ethylenediamine) forms 1-D chains of alternating [Ag(CN)(2)](-) and [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-) units via argentophilic interactions of 3.102(1) A. These chains are connected into a 2-D array by strong cyano(N)-Ag interactions of 2.572(3) A. [Cu(dien)Ag(CN)(2)](2)[Ag(2)(CN)(3)][Ag(CN)(2)] (2, dien = diethylenetriamine) forms a 1-D chain of alternating [Cu(dien)](2+) and [Ag(CN)(2)](-) ions with the Cu(II) atoms connected in an apical/equatorial fashion. These chains are cross-linked by [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-) units via argentophilic interactions of 3.1718(8) A and held weakly in a 3-D array by argentophilic interactions of 3.2889(5) A between the [Ag(CN)(2)](-) in the 2-D array and the remaining free [Ag(CN)(2)](-). [Ni(en)][Ni(CN)(4)].2.5H(2)O (4) was identified as a byproduct in the reaction to prepare the previously reported [Ni(en)(2)Ag(2)(CN)(3)][Ag(CN)(2)] (3). In [Ni(tren)Ag(CN)(2)][Ag(CN)(2)] (5, tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine), [Ni(tren)](2+) cations are linked in a cis fashion by [Ag(CN)(2)](-) anions to form a 1-D chain similar to the [Au(CN)(2)](-) analogue. [Cu(en)Cu(CN)(2)Ag(CN)(2)] (6) is a trimetallic polymer consisting of interpenetrating (6,3) nets stabilized by d(10)-d(10) interactions between Cu(I)-Ag(I) (3.1000(4) A). Weak antiferromagnetic coupling has been observed in 2, and a slightly stronger exchange has been observed in 6. The Ni(II) complexes, 4 and 5, display weak antiferromagnetic interactions as indicated by their relatively larger D values compared to that of 3. Magnetic measurements on isostructural [Ni(tren)M(CN)(2)][M(CN)(2)] (M = Ag, Au) show that Ag(I) is a more efficient mediator of magnetic exchange as compared to Au(I). The formation of [Ni(CN)(4)](2)(-), [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-), and [Cu(CN)(2)](-) are all attributed to secondary reactions of the dissociation products of the labile KAg(CN)(2).

Although studies have suggested that employee empowerment has a motivational effect on organizational commitment, the conceptual explanation and the factors that influence this relationship remain unexplored. To fill that gap, this study examines the mediating role of management trustworthiness in the relationship between empowerment and commitment, based on a survey of 330 employees in twenty-nine upscale hotel restaurants in Seoul, South Korea. A test of the model in this study finds that management trustworthiness fully mediates the relationship between influence, a dimension of empowerment, and organizational commitment while it partially mediates between attitude, another dimension of empowerment, and commitment. One implication is that managers can empower employees as a demonstration of the value the firm places its workers. Empowerment can support the notion of management trustworthiness, which is an essential element of organizational commitment.

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