bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential soil transmission of a novel Candidatus Liberibacter strain detected in citrus seedlings grown in soil from a huanglongbing infested citrus grove
Authors: Nunes da Rocha Ulisses , Shin Keumchul , Timilsina Sujan , Jones Jeffrey B. , Singer Burton H. , Van Bruggen Ariena H. C.
Published: October 2019

Candidatus Liberibacter spp. are Alphaproteobacteria associated with plants and psyllid vectors. Most cause plant diseases, including Ca Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) associated with citrus huanglongbing (HLB). Replacing HLB-infected by Las-free citrus trees results in fast re-infection despite psyllid control. To check if HLB could be soil-borne, we performed an insect-free greenhouse-experiment with 130 mandarin seedlings in two citrus-grove soils (A and B), non-autoclaved or autoclaved. Liberibacter-specific 16S-rDNA PCR primers to detect Las were used to search for Ca. Liberibacter spp. in mandarin leaves. Seven plants grown in non-autoclaved soil B showed HLB-like symptoms and tested positive after 2.5 and 8.5 months using three different primer systems: two based on the 16S-rDNA gene (primers HLBas/HLBr and OI2c/OI1) and one based on the rplA/rplJ gene (primers LAA2/LAJ5). DNA segments from these plants amplified by primers OI2c/OI1 were cloned and sequenced; they were 95.9 % similar to Las and 94.8% to Ca. Liberibacter africanus (Laf). The DNA product from Liberibacter-group specific PCR primers for the rplA/rplJ gene was 87.6% similar to that of Las and 78.2% of Laf. As the strain obtained originated from soil and was different from existing Ca. Liberibacter species, this strain may be a new species.
The CNS lymphatic system modulates the adaptive neuro-immune response in the perilesional cortex in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury
Authors: Sara Wojciechowski , Maria Vihma , Barbara Galbardi , Anaïs Virenque , Keuters Meike H. , Salli Antila , Kari Alitalo , Jari Koistinaho , Noe Francesco M.
Published: October 2019

Rationale

The recently discovered meningeal lymphatic vessels (mLVs) have been proposed to be the missing link between the immune and the central nervous systems. The role of mLVs in modulating the neuro-immune response following a brain injury, however, has not been analyzed. Parenchymal T lymphocyte infiltration has been previously reported as part of secondary events after traumatic brain injury (TBI), suggestive of an adaptive neuro-immune response. The phenotype of these cells has remained mostly uncharacterized. In this study, we identified the subpopulations of T cells infiltrating the perilesional areas 30 days post-injury (an early-chronic time point). Furthermore, we analyzed how the lack of mLVs affects the magnitude and the type of immune response in the brain after TBI.

Methods

TBI was induced in K14-VEGFR3-Ig transgenic (TG) mice or in their littermate controls (WT; wild type), applying a controlled cortical impact (CCI). One month after TBI, T cells were isolated from cortical areas ipsilateral or contralateral to the trauma and from the spleen, then characterized by flow cytometry. Lesion size in each animal was evaluated by MRI.

Results

In both WT and TG-CCI mice, we found a prominent T cell infiltration in the brain confined to the perilesional cortex and hippocampus. The majority of infiltrating T cells were cytotoxic CD8+ expressing a CD44hiCD69+ phenotype, suggesting that these are effector resident memory T cells. K14-VEGFR3-Ig mice showed a significant reduction of infiltrating CD4+ T lymphocytes, implying that mLVs are important in establishing a proper neuro-immune response. Extension of the lesion (measured as lesion volume from MRI) did not differ between the genotypes. Finally, TBI did not relate with alterations in peripheral circulating T cells, as assessed one month after injury induction.

Conclusions

Our data support the hypothesis that mLVs are pivotal for a proper and specific neuro-immune response after TBI, which is principally mediated by the resident memory CD8+ T cells.
Genomic and functional gene studies suggest a key role of beta-carotene oxygenase 1 like (bco1l) gene in salmon flesh color
Authors: Helgeland Hanna , Sodeland Marte , Zoric Nina , Seilø Torgersen Jacob , Grammes Fabian , Lintig Johannes von , Moen Thomas , Kjøglum Sissel , Lien Sigbjørn , Våge Dag Inge
Published: October 2019

Red coloration of muscle tissue (flesh) is a unique trait in several salmonid genera, including Atlantic salmon. The color results from dietary carotenoids deposited in the flesh, whereas the color intensity is affected both by diet and genetic components. Herein we report on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variation underlying this trait. Two SNPs on ssa26 showed strong associations to the flesh color in salmon. Two genes known to be involved in carotenoid metabolism were located in this QTL-region: beta-carotene oxygenase 1 (bco1) and beta-carotene oxygenase 1 like (bco1l). To determine whether flesh color variation is caused by one, or both, of these genes, several functional studies were carried out including mRNA and protein expression in fish with red and pale flesh color. The catalytic abilities of these two genes were also tested with different carotenoids. Our results suggest bco1l to be the most likely gene to explain the flesh color variation observed in this population.
Two strategies underlying the trade-off of hepatitis C virus proliferation: stay-at-home or leaving-home?
Authors: Iwanami Shoya , Kitagawa Kosaku , Asai Yusuke , Ohashi Hirofumi , Nishioka Kazane , Inaba Hisashi , Nakaoka Shinji , Wakita Takaji , Diekmann Odo , Iwami Shingo , Watashi Koichi
Published: October 2019

Viruses proliferate through both genome replication inside infected cells and transmission to new target cells or to new hosts. Each viral genome molecule in infected cells is used either for amplifying the intracellular genome as a template (“stay-at-home strategy”) or for packaging into progeny virions to be released extracellularly (“leaving-home strategy”). The balance between these strategies is important for both initial growth and transmission of viruses. In this study, we used hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a model system to study the functions of viral genomic RNA in both RNA replication in cells and in progeny virus assembly and release. Using viral infection assays combined with mathematical modelling, we characterized the dynamics of two different HCV strains (JFH-1, a clinical isolate, and Jc1-n, a laboratory strain), which have different viral assembly and release characteristics. We found that 1.27% and 3.28% of JFH-1 and Jc1-n intracellular viral RNAs, respectively, are used for producing and releasing progeny virions. Analysis of the Malthusian parameter of the HCV genome (i.e., initial growth rate) and the number ofde novoinfections (i.e., initial transmissibility) suggests that the leaving-home strategy provides a higher level of initial transmission for Jc1-n, while, in contrast, the stay-at-home strategy provides a higher initial growth rate for JFH-1. Thus, theoretical-experimental analysis of viral dynamics enables us to better understand the proliferation strategies of viruses. Ours is the first study to analyze stay-leave trade-offs during the viral life cycle and their significance for viral proliferation.
Tuberculosis in farm workers exposed to dairy and beef livestock in Colombia
Authors: Muñoz Catalina , Rueda Johana , Botero Luz E. , Mejía Gloria I. , Cardona Ximena , Jaramillo Manuel G. , Robledo Jaime
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of tuberculosis (TB) in workers from dairy and beef livestock farms in the northern part of Colombia. Tuberculin skin test and an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) were used for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis; sputum samples were taken from respiratory symptomatic subjects, microbiological and molecular tests were done for diagnosis of active TB. Absolute frequencies, percentages, and crude prevalence ratios were calculated, and a robust Poisson Model with adjustment by municipality was made. In 674 farm workers, latent TB frequency was 35.8%. Variables such as having had pulmonary TB (PR 2.82, 95% CI 1.90 – 4.17), having been in contact with people with active TB (PR 1.57, 95% CI 1.24 – 1.98), and having performed some undergraduate or postgraduate study (PR 1.6, 95% CI 1.03 – 2.49), were significantly associated with latent TB. No active tuberculosis disease was confirmed in symptomatic respiratory patients. The exposure level to cattle was not significantly associated with latent TB infection. In conclusion, in the studied population exposure to cattle was not a risk factor for TB, other factors commonly found in general population exposed to human TB were demonstrated.

Author summary

Zoonotic TB is a disease caused by the transmission of theM. bovisbacteria that is part of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, through contact with cattle to humans, by the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals or by inhalation of aerosols exhaled by sick animals.

This study investigated the frequency of TB in human population related to cattle, in order to determine if there were risk factors related to TB infection or disease. Finding that there was no significant relationship between being exposed to cattle and having latent TB. However, the results of this study together with other research reported in the literature suggest that research on zoonotic and bovine TB should be continued, especially about epidemiology, diagnostic methods, health systems and interventions coordinated with veterinary services.
A tree-planting decision support tool for urban heat island mitigation
Authors: Werbin Zoey , Heidari Leila , Buckley Sarabeth , Brochu Paige , Butler Lindsey , Connolly Catherine , Bloemendaal Lucila Houttuijn , McCabe Tempest D. , Miller Tara , Hutyra Lucy R.
Published: October 2019

Heat poses an urgent threat to public health in cities, as the urban heat island (UHI) effect can amplify exposures, contributing to high heat-related mortality and morbidity. Urban trees have the potential to mitigate by providing substantial cooling, as well as co-benefits such as reductions in energy consumption. The City of Boston has attempted to expand its urban canopy, yet maintenance costs and high tree mortality have hindered successful canopy expansion. Here, we present an interactive web application called “Right Place, Right Tree - Boston” that aims to support informed decision-making for planting new trees. To highlight priority regions for canopy expansion, we developed a Boston-specific Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) and present this alongside maps of summer temperatures. We also provide information about tree pests and diseases, suitability of species for various conditions, land ownership, maintenance tips, and alternatives to tree planting.
Sediment accumulation, elevation change, and the vulnerability of tidal marshes in the Delaware Estuary and Barnegat Bay to accelerated sea level rise
Authors: Haaf LeeAnn , Watson Elizabeth Burke , Elsey-Quirk Tracy , Raper Kirk , Padeletti Angela , Maxwell-Doyle Martha , Kreeger Danielle , Velinsky David
Published: October 2019

Tidal marshes protect coastal communities from the effects of sea level rise and storms, yet they are vulnerable to prolonged inundation and submergence. Uncertainty regarding their vulnerability to sea level rise motivated the establishment of a monitoring network in the Delaware Estuary and Barnegat Bay. Using data collected through these efforts, we determined whether rates of tidal marsh sediment accumulation and elevation change exceeded local sea level rise and how these dynamics varied along geographic and environmental gradients. Marker horizons, surface elevation tables, elevation surveys, water level data, and water column suspended sediment concentrations were used to evaluate sea level rise vulnerability. Of 32 study sites, 75% had elevation change that did not keep pace with long-term rising sea levels (1969–2018) and 94% did not keep pace with recent sea level rise (2000–2018). Mean high water rose most rapidly in the freshwater tidal portion of the Delaware Estuary with rates nearing 1 cm yr-1 from 2000–2018. We noted that greater sediment accumulation rates occurred in marshes with large tidal ranges, low elevations, and high water column suspended sediment concentrations. We found correlations between rates of shallow subsidence, increasing salinity, and decreasing tidal range. Marsh elevation and water level surveys revealed significant variability in elevation capital and summer flooding patterns (12–67% inundation). However, rapid increases in mean high water over the past 19 years suggests that all marsh platforms currently sit at or below mean high water. Overall, these data suggest that tidal marshes in the Delaware Estuary and Barnegat Bay are vulnerable to submergence by current rates of sea-level rise. While we observed variability in marsh elevation capital, the absence of strong correlations between elevation trends and environmental parameters makes it difficult to identify clear patterns of sea level rise vulnerability among wetlands.
Numerical simulation of the viral entry into a cell driven by the receptor diffusion
Authors: Wiegold T. , Klinge S. , Gilbert R. P. , Holzapfel G. A.
Published: October 2019

This study focuses on the receptor driven endocytosis typical of viral entry into a cell. A locally increased density of receptors at the time of contact between the cell and the virus is necessary in this case. The virus is considered as a substrate with fixed receptors on its surface, while the receptors of the host cell are free to move over its membrane, allowing a local change in their concentration. In the contact zone the membrane inflects and forms an envelope around the virus. The created vesicle imports its cargo into the cell. The described process is simulated by the diffusion equation accompanied by two boundary conditions. The first boundary condition states that the conservation of binders expressed as the local rate of change of density has to be equal to the negative of the local flux divergence. The second boundary condition represents the energy balance condition with contributions due to the binding of receptors, the free energy of the membrane, its curvature and the kinetic energy due to the motion of the front. The described moving boundary problem in terms of the binder density and the velocity of the adhesion front is well posed and relies on biomechanically motivated assumptions. The problem is numerically solved by using the finite difference method, and the illustrative examples have been chosen to show the influence of the mobility of the receptors and of their initial densities on the velocity of the process.

SIGNIFICANCE

The receptor driven endocytosis represents one of the most important mechanisms for the viral entry into a cell. However, the high velocities and small characteristic length scale cause many difficulties during the experimental investigation of such a process. This calls upon the application of virtual computer simulations investigating the process parameters and identifying factors inhibiting or completely ceasing the viral entry into cells. The development of methods for the optimization of the cell immunity system is aimed to as the final goal.
Interlaboratory Data Variability Contributes to the Differential Principal Components of Human Primed and Naïve-like Pluripotent States in Multivariate Meta-Analysis
Authors: Johnson Kory R. , Mallon Barbara S. , Fann Yang C. , Chen Kevin G.
Published: October 2019

Currently, genome-wide data analyses have revealed significant differences between various human naïve-like pluripotent states derived from different laboratory protocols, confounding the establishment of defining criteria of human naïve pluripotency. Thus, it is imperative to understand the concept concerning the ground or naïve pluripotent state of pluripotent stem cells, which was initially established in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Putative human pluripotency has been proposed, largely based on comparing genome-wide transcriptomic signatures of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) with human pre-implantation embryos and mESCs by several research groups. Current bioinformatics approaches, however, have inevitable conceptual biases and technological limitations, including the choices of datasets, analytic methods, and interlaboratory data variability. In this report, we performed a multivariate meta-analysis of major hPSC datasets via the combined analytic powers of percentile normalization, principal component analysis (PCA), t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE), and SC3 consensus clustering. This vigorous bioinformatics approach has significantly improved the predictive values of the current meta-analysis. Accordingly, we were able to reveal various fundamental inconsistencies between naïve-like hPSCs and their human and mouse in vitro counterparts, which are likely attributed to interlaboratory protocol differences. Moreover, our meta-analysis failed to provide global transcriptomic markers that support the putative in vitro human naïve pluripotent state, rather suggesting the existence of altered pluripotent states under current naïve-like hPSC growth protocols.
Structural basis of transcription inhibition by the DNA mimic protein Ocr of bacteriophage T7
Authors: Ye Fuzhou , Kotta-Loizou Ioly , Jovanovic Milija , Liu Xiaojiao , Dryden David T. F. , Buck Martin , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: October 2019

Bacteriophage T7 infectsEscherichia coliand evades the host defence system. The Ocr protein of T7 was shown to exist as a dimer mimicking DNA and to bind to host restriction enzymes, thus preventing the degradation of the viral genome by the host. Here we report that Ocr can also inhibit host transcription by directly binding to bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) and competing with the recruitment of RNAP by sigma factors. Using cryo electron microscopy, we determined the structures of Ocr bound to RNAP. The structures show that an Ocr dimer binds to RNAP in the cleft, where key regions of sigma bind and where DNA resides during transcription synthesis, thus providing a structural basis for the transcription inhibition. Our results reveal the versatility of Ocr in interfering with host systems and suggest possible strategies that could be exploited in adopting DNA mimicry as a basis for forming novel antibiotics.

Impact statement

DNA mimicry Ocr protein, a well-studied T7 phage protein that inhibits host restriction enzymes, can also inhibit host transcription through competing with sigma factors in binding to RNA polymerase.
Cross-Infectivity of Vorticella across Genera of Mosquitoes for Development of Biological Mosquito Control Strategies
Authors: Durden Shelby , Cruz Anthony , Hunter Wayne B. , Debboun Mustapha , Duguma Dagne
Published: October 2019

Protozoans in general comprise about one-third of the parasitic species infecting arthropod vectors, the role of free-living ciliates on mosquitoes have been insufficiently studied either due to their low pathogenicity or being facultative parasites. Studies have shown that exposure of Paramecium ciliate protists, like Vorticella species, to first instar Cx. nigripalpus larvae delayed larval development and reduced biomass of emerged adults due to competition for food sources like bacteria and other microbes essential to mosquito growth and survival. Thus, we report on the capacity of a Vorticella protozoan’s ability to cross-infect host species and parasitize multiple mosquito larvae. The unique adapted behavior with the ability to remain on the exuviae in tree hole habitats provides a novel delivery system to develop products for target species-specific mosquitocides, larvicides, or viricides to be applied and sustained in aquatic systems.
N-terminal Domain Regulates Steroid Activation of Elephant Shark Glucocorticoid and Mineralocorticoid Receptors
Authors: Katsu Yoshinao , Shariful Islam MD , Lin Xiaozhi , Takagi Wataru , Urushitani Hiroshi , Kohno Satomi , Hyodo Susumu , Baker Michael E.
Published: October 2019

Orthologs of human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and human mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) first appear in cartilaginous fishes. Subsequently, the MR and GR diverged to respond to different steroids: the MR to aldosterone and the GR to cortisol and corticosterone. We report that cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone activate full-length elephant shark GR, and progesterone, which activates elephant shark MR, does not activate elephant shark GR. However, progesterone inhibits steroid binding to elephant shark GR, but not to human GR. Together, this indicates partial functional divergence of elephant shark GR from the MR. Deletion of the N-terminal domain (NTD) from elephant shark GR (truncated GR) reduced the response to corticosteroids, while truncated and full-length elephant shark MR had similar responses to corticosteroids. Swapping of NTDs of elephant shark GR and MR yielded an elephant shark MR chimera with full-length GR-like increased activation by corticosteroids and progesterone compared to full-length elephant shark MR. Elephant shark MR NTD fused to GR DBD+LBD had similar activation as full-length MR, indicating that the MR NTD lacked GR-like NTD activity. We propose that NTD activation of human GR evolved early in GR divergence from the MR.
Residue-Level Allostery Propagates Through the Effective Coarse-Grained Hessian
Authors: Lake Peter T. , Davidson Russell B. , Klem Heidi , Hocky Glen M. , McCullagh Martin
Published: October 2019

The long-ranged coupling between residues that gives rise to allostery in a protein is built up from short-ranged physical interactions. Computational tools used to predict this coupling and its functional relevance have relied on the application of graph theoretical metrics to residue-level correlations measured from all-atom molecular dynamics (aaMD) simulations. The short-ranged interactions that yield these long-ranged residue-level correlations are quantified by the effective coarse-grained Hessian. Here we compute an effective harmonic coarse-grained Hessian from aaMD simulations of a benchmark allosteric protein, IGPS, and demonstrate the improved locality of this graph Laplacian over two other connectivity matrices. Additionally, two centrality metrics are developed that indicate the direct and indirect importance of each residue at producing the covariance between the effector binding pocket and the active site. The residue importance indicated by these two metrics is corroborated by previous mutagenesis experiments and leads to unique functional insights; in contrast to previous computational analyses, our results suggest that fP76-hK181 is the most important contact for conveying direct allosteric paths across the HisF-HisH interface. The connectivity around fD98 is found to be important at affecting allostery through indirect means.
A complex structure of arrestin-2 bound to a G protein-coupled receptor
Authors: Yin Wanchao , Li Zhihai , Jin Mingliang , Yin Yu-Ling , de Waal Parker W. , Pal Kuntal , Yin Yanting , Gao Xiang , He Yuanzheng , Gao Jing , Wang Xiaoxi , Zhang Yan , Zhou Hu , Melcher Karsten , Jiang Yi , Cong Yao , Zhou X. Edward , Yu Xuekui , Xu H. Eric
Published: October 2019

Arrestins comprise a family of signal regulators of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which include arrestins 1 to 4. While arrestins 1 and 4 are visual arrestins dedicated to rhodopsin, arrestins 2 and 3 (Arr2 and Arr3) are β-arrestins known to regulate many nonvisual GPCRs. The dynamic and promiscuous coupling of Arr2 to nonvisual GPCRs has posed technical challenges to tackle the basis of arrestin binding to GPCRs. Here we report the structure of Arr2 in complex with neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1), which reveals an overall assembly that is strikingly different from the visual arrestin-rhodopsin complex by a 90° rotation of Arr2 relative to the receptor. In this new configuration, intracellular loop 3 (ICL3) and transmembrane helix 6 (TM6) of the receptor are oriented toward the N-terminal domain of the arrestin, making it possible for GPCRs that lack the C-terminal tail to couple Arr2 through their ICL3. Molecular dynamics simulation and crosslinking data further support the assembly of the Arr2–NTSR1 complex. Sequence analysis and homology modeling suggest that the Arr2–NTSR1 complex structure may provide an alternative template for modeling arrestin-GPCR interactions.
Amyloid structure determination in RELION-3.1
Authors: Scheres Sjors H.W.
Published: October 2019

Helical reconstruction in RELION is increasingly used to determine atomic structures of amyloid filaments from electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) images. However, because the energy landscape of amyloid refinements is typically fraught with local optima, amyloid structure determination is often difficult. This paper aims to help RELION users in this process. It discusses aspects of helical reconstruction that are specific to amyloids; it illustrates the problem of local optima in refinement and how to detect these; and it introduces a new method to calculate 3D initial models from reference-free 2D class averages. By providing starting models that are closer to the global optimum, this method makes amyloid structure determination easier. All methods described are open-source and distributed within RELION-3.1. Their use is illustrated using a publicly available data set on tau filaments from the brain of an individual with Alzheimer’s disease.
An intragenic duplication of TRPS1 leading to abnormal transcripts and causing trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I
Authors: Zepeda-Mendoza Cinthya J. , Cousin Margot A. , Basu Shubham , Jenkinson Garrett , Oliver Gavin , Pittock Siobhan T. , Baughn Linda B. , Klee Eric W. , Babovic-Vuksanovic Dusica
Published: October 2019

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I (TRPSI) is a rare disorder that causes distinctive ectodermal, facial, and skeletal features affecting the hair (tricho-), nose (rhino-), and fingers and toes (phalangeal) and is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. TRPSI is caused by loss of function variants in TRPS1, involved in the regulation of chondrocyte and perichondrium development. Pathogenic variants in TRPS1 include missense mutations and deletions with variable breakpoints, with only a single instance of an intragenic duplication reported to date. Here we report an affected individual presenting with a classic TRPSI phenotype who is heterozygous for a de novo intragenic ∼36.3-kbp duplication affecting exons 2–4 of TRPS1. Molecular analysis revealed the duplication to be in direct tandem orientation affecting the splicing of TRPS1. The aberrant transcripts are predicted to produce a truncated TRPS1 missing the nuclear localization signal and the GATA and IKAROS-like zinc-finger domains resulting in functional TRPS1 haploinsufficiency. Our study identifies a novel intragenic tandem duplication of TRPS1 and highlights the importance of molecular characterization of intragenic duplications.
Wrinkle and boundary detection of fiber products in robotic composites manufacturing
Authors: Gupta Kashish , Körber Marian , Djavadifar Abtin , Krebs Florian , Najjaran Homayoun
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to focus on a vision-based approach to advance the automated process of the manufacturing of an Airbus A350’s pressure bulkhead. The setup enables automated deformation and draping of a fiber textile on a form-variable end-effector.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method uses the information of infrared (IR) and color-based images in Red, Green and Blue (RGB) representative format, as well as depth measurements to identify the wrinkles and boundary edge of semi-finished dry fiber products on the double-curved surface of a flexible modular gripper used for laying the fabric. The technique implements a simple and practical image processing solution using a sequence of pixel-wise binary masks on an industrial scale setup; it bridges the gap between laboratory experiments and real-world execution, thereby demonstrating practical and applied research.

Findings

The efficacy of the technique is demonstrated via experiments in the presented work. The two objectives as follows boundary edge detection and wrinkle detection are accomplished in real time in an industrial setup.

Originality/value

During the draping process, tensions developed in the fibers of the textile cause wrinkles on the surface, which are highly detrimental to the production process, material quality and strength. The proposed method automates the identification and detection of the wrinkles and the textile on the gripper surface. The proposed work aids in alleviating the problems caused by these wrinkles and helps in quality control in the production process.
The amazing bond among wine consumption, health and hedonistic well-being
Authors: Fiore Mariantonietta , Alaimo Leonardo Salvatore , Chkhartishvil Nino
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Wine, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are the main products of a healthy diet. The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the existence of an interesting and evocative bond among moderate intake of wine, health and well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of a fuzzy cluster analysis, the authors try to investigate the existence of groups of regions similar in wine consumption, subjective well-being, health and social relations. The latter are expressed through composite indicators, built and developed by Istat within the Italy ESW project’s activities (equitable and sustainable well-being). The analysis also investigates how this link has evolved over time. Data are related to refer to the situations in 2010 and 2017 in 21 regions of Italy.

Findings

Results obtained in 2010 seem to confirm the hypothesis of the existence of a link among moderate wine consumption, hedonism well-being and health, and in addition, findings highlight the so-called North‒South gap, that is the strong differences and economic issues among the different areas of the country. Then, outcomes obtained for 2017 appear in line with 2010 results.

Originality/value

Several authors from medicine, economics and chemistry domain strongly suggest and demonstrate that regular and moderate intake of wine reduces the incidence of heart disease, diabetes mellitus and hormonal problems, and correlatively increases longevity. In this work, the authors develop further research step including the aspects related to personal well-being and social relations under the umbrella of a hedonism approach. Finally, results highlight the existence of an amazing tie among moderate intake of wine consumption, well-being and health.
Touring destination and intention to consume indigenous food
Authors: Fam Kim-Shyan , Syed Annuar Sharifah Nurafizah , Tan Kim Lim , Lai Franklin Hazley , Ingko Ida Anak
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing Sabah’s indigenous food consumption, namely Kadazan-Dusun food, among tourists from China, Europe and Malaysia (non-Sabahans).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey forms were distributed to tourists from China, Europe and Malaysia using purposive sampling at tourist spots in Sabah, Malaysia. In total, 254 responses were collected, and the data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings demonstrate that tourists from China and Europe possess some similarities in consuming indigenous food in Sabah. They enjoy trying indigenous food even they are not familiar with the food. Additionally, our findings also show that tourists from China regard sensory appeal as an important aspect of food choice. Meanwhile, it is found that convenience and mood influence Malaysian’s choice of indigenous food.

Originality/value

This study provides insights regarding Sabah’s Kadazan-Dusun food consumption from foreign and domestic tourists’ perspectives. As such, it also provides direction to the local eateries and relevant tourism authorities to better promote indigenous food to foreign and domestic tourists.
Integrated priority decision index for risk assessment in chaos: cost overruns in transport projects
Authors: Afzal Farman , Yunfei Shao , Sajid Muhammad , Afzal Fahim
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Cost overrun is inherent to project chaos, which is one of the key drivers of project failure. The purpose of this paper is to explore the critical elements of complexity-risk interdependency for cost-chaos in the construction management domain by utilizing a multi-criteria decision model.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 12 complexity and 60 risk attributes are initially identified from the literature and using expert’s judgements. For the development of a structured hierarchy of key complexity and risk drivers, a real-time Delphi process is adopted for recording and evaluating the responses from experts. Afterwards, a pair-wise comparison using analytical network processing is performed to measure complexity-risk interdependencies against cost alternatives.

Findings

The findings of the integrated priority decision index (IPDI) suggest that uncertainties related to contingency and escalation costs are the main sources of cost overrun in project drift, along with the key elements such as “the use of innovative technology,” “multiple contracts,” “low advance payment,” “change in design,” “unclear specifications” and “the lack of experience” appear to be more significant to chaos in complexity-risk interdependency network.

Research limitations/implications

This study did not address the uncertainty and vulnerability exit in the judgment process, therefore, this framework can be extended using fuzzy logic to better evaluate the significance of cost-chaos drivers.

Practical implications

These results may assist the management of cost overrun to avoid chaos in a project. The proposed model can be applied within project risk management practices to make better-informed technical decisions in the early phases of the project life cycle where uncertainty is high.

Originality/value

This research addresses the importance of cost overruns as a source of project chaos in dynamic systems where projects reach the edge of chaos and progress stops. A new IPDI index contributes toward evaluating the severity of complexity and risk and their interdependencies which create cost-chaos in infrastructure transport projects.
Customer attrition analysis in the securities industry: a large-scale field study in Korea
Authors: Ahn Yongkil , Kim Dongyeon , Lee Dong-Joo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the attributes that predict customer attrition behavior in the brokerage and investment banking sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the complete stock trading records and customer profiles of 458,098 retail customers from a Korean brokerage house. The authors develop customer attrition prediction models and further explore the practicality of these models using statistical classification techniques.

Findings

The results from three different binary selection models indicate that customer transaction patterns effectively explain the attrition of active retail customers in subsequent periods. The study results demonstrate that monetary value variables are the most critical for predicting customer attrition in the securities industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the customer attrition literature by documenting the first large-scale field-based evidence that confirms the practicality of the canonical recency, frequency and monetary (RFM) framework in the investment banking and brokerage industry. The findings advance previous survey-based studies in the financial services industry by identifying the attributes that predict customer attrition behaviors in the securities industry.

Practical implications

The outcomes can be easily operationalized for attrition prediction by practitioners in financial service firms. Moreover, the ex post density of inactive customers in the top 10 percent most-likely-to-churn group is estimated to be five to six times the ex ante unconditional attrition ratio, which ascertains that the attributes recognized in this study work well for the purpose of target marketing.

Originality/value

While the securities industry is regarded as one of the most information-intensive industries, detailed empirical investigation into customer attrition in the field has lagged behind partly due to the lack of suitable securities transaction data and demographic information at the customer level. The current research fills this gap in the literature by taking advantage of a large-scale field data set and offers a starting point for more elaborate studies on the drivers of customer attrition in the financial services sector.
Improving the stability of market segmentation analysis
Authors: Hajibaba Homa , Grün Bettina , Dolnicar Sara
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Data-driven market segmentation is heavily used by academic tourism and hospitality researchers to create knowledge and by data analysts in tourism industry to generate market insights. The stability of market segmentation solutions across repeated calculations is a key quality indicator of a segmentation solution. Yet, stability is typically ignored, risking that the segmentation solution arrived at is random. This study aims to offer an overview of market segmentation analysis and propose a new procedure to increase the stability of market segmentation solutions derived from binary data.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a new method – based on two independently proposed algorithms – to increase the stability of market segmentation solutions. They demonstrate the superior performance of the new method using empirical data.

Findings

The proposed approach uses k-means as base algorithm and combines the variable selection method proposed by Brusco (2004) with the global stability analysis introduced by Dolnicar and Leisch (2010). This new approach increases the stability of segmentation solutions by simultaneously selecting variables and numbers of segments.

Practical implications

The new approach can be adopted immediately by academic researchers and industry data analysts alike to improve the quality of market segmentation solutions derived from empirical tourist data. Higher quality market segmentation solutions translate into competitive advantage and increased business or destination performance.

Originality/value

The proposed approach is newly developed in this study. It helps industry data analysts and academic researchers to reduce the risk of deriving random segmentation solutions by analyzing the data in a systematic way, then selecting the most stable solution using the segmentation variables contributing to this most stable solution only.
Competition intensity as moderator for NPD success
Authors: Guimaraes Tor , Paranjape Ketan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to test the moderating impact of competition intensity on the relationships between the new product development (NPD) success factors and company success in NPD.

Design/methodology/approach

A mailed questionnaire collected information from 311 manufacturing companies to test the proposed model with moderated multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

The results corroborate the impact of competition intensity on the relationships between the success factors individually and company success performing NPD.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the relatively broad scope of the proposed model, other success factors and/or moderating and mediating variables may also be important. As such, these variables should be identified and tested in future studies.

Practical implications

In practice, competition is viewed as an unavoidable factor beyond the control of managers within a company. Undeniably, competition is a great stimulant for business innovation. Thus, it is important for managers to understand the need, to focus attention managing the success factors most important to increase the likelihood of long-term success for NPD projects, particularly in markets under intense competition.

Originality/value

While the study is grounded on well-established literature, its major constructs originated from relatively isolated areas of knowledge. The major contribution is empirically testing an integrated model for variables considered important for success in NPD and the moderating effect of intense competition.
Work–family conflict, sleep, and health
Authors: Bettac Erica L. , Probst Tahira M.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the experiences of work–family conflict (WFC) and health- and sleep-related outcomes differ among traditionally employed and two forms of self-employment (SE): incorporated and unincorporated workers. Moreover, to explore whether the rationale in one’s decision to enter SE might influence these experiences, the authors additionally examined work-family (WF)- and non-WF-related reasons behind an individual’s decision to pursue incorporated vs unincorporated SE status.

Design/methodology/approach

Using anonymous Mechanical Turk survey data from a high-quality US adult worker sample (n=711; 62 percent male, ageM=33.94) consisting of traditionally (78 percent) and self-employed individuals, the authors conducted an analysis of covariance to test hypotheses regarding the relationships between employment status, reasons for pursuing SE, WFC, sleep disturbance, sleep hours and physical health complaints.

Findings

Results showed WFC was positively related to sleep disturbances and physical health complaints and this relationship was exacerbated for self-employed workers, particularly those who were incorporated. Unincorporated self-employed individuals indicated more WF-balance-related reasons for pursuing SE compared to incorporated workers. Moreover, individuals who pursued SE for WF-balance reasons tended to report fewer negative reactions to WFC.

Practical implications

SE is associated with more negative sleep and health-related outcomes in response to WFC. This is particularly true for incorporated workers. Individuals should bear in mind these outcomes when considering whether to pursue SE. Moreover, governmental policies, and calls for change in such policies, should not only address financially related detriments (e.g. higher taxes, fewer benefits and protections) but also increasing support and providing resources (e.g. health insurance, family leave and entrepreneurial workplace initiatives) regarding the work/family and health-related impairments common for this growing, independent portion of the workforce.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine WF-related rationales for pursuing SE and differing sleep and health outcomes in response to WFC as a function of SE status and type.
Minimum wage impacts on wages, employment and hours in China
Authors: Yang Juan , Gunderson Morley
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the causal effect of minimum wages (MWs) on the wages, employment and hours of migrant workers in China, and to show their inter-relatedness and how employers can offset some of the costs through subtle adjustments. This paper also illustrates the importance of disaggregating by region and sex.

Design/methodology/approach

Causal estimates are provided through difference-in-differences (DID) analysis, and robustness checks through propensity score matching. The analysis is based on micro data at the individual level from the household survey on migrant workers by the National Population and Family Planning Commission, combined with macro data regarding municipalities’ population, GDP and employment information based on the China Economic Information Network database.

Findings

MW increases for those paid by the month increased the earnings of both low-wage males and females. However, males tend not to experience an adverse employment effect because part of the cost increase is offset by employers increasing their monthly hours of work. Hours of work do not increase for females, so they experience an adverse employment effect. This highlights the importance of examining cost offsets such as increases in hours of work, as well as analyzing effects separately for males and females.

Research limitations/implications

The reason behind why employers offset some of the cost increase for males paid by the month by increasing their hours of work, but this cost-offsetting adjustment does not occur for females is uncertain.

Social implications

For workers paid by the month, employers can offset some of the cost increase by increasing their hours of work, leading to no reductions in employment. But this adjustment occurs only for males. Hours are not increased for females, but they experience reductions in employment. Clearly, MW increases have adverse effects either in the form of employment reductions (for females) or increases in hours of work for the same monthly pay (for males).

Originality/value

This paper provides causal estimates through DID analysis and robustness checks through Propensity Score Matching, and also indicates how employers can offset the cost of MW increases by increasing hours for those paid by the month, resulting in no adverse employment effect for such workers, but an adverse employment effect when such an adjustment does not occur.
Transformational leadership and employee engagement in Trinidad’s service sector
Authors: Balwant Paul Tristen , Mohammed Rehaana , Singh Riann
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: investigate job resources as a moderator in the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement in service sector organizations, and investigate the relative importance of each dimension of job resources in relation to employee engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were collected using a survey design for which 187 employees responded. These employees were sourced from retail stores across ten shopping malls located in Trinidad.

Findings

Findings from a hierarchical multiple regression supported the first two hypotheses and showed that transformational leadership was positively related to employee engagement and job resources moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement. However, findings from structural equation modeling did not support the third hypothesis because supervisor support was negatively related to employee engagement.

Practical implications

Implications for service organizations include the provision of adequate job resources so that the effect of transformational leadership on employee engagement can be realized. Specifically, organizations must provide job control to employees, promote free access to information, create an innovative climate and develop a supportive work climate. Instead of focusing on the job resource of supervisor support, service organizations may need to build an environment that stimulates coworker support.

Originality/value

This study not only adds to the limited body of research on organizational leadership in emerging markets, but also contributes to the field of organizational behavior by showing an important condition (i.e. job resources) under which the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement varies and unraveling the dimensions of job resources in relation to employee engagement.